Page 179 of Serenity Falls

I know it’s cowardice. But like I said, I’m not brave. The only thing I care about right now is getting us out of here alive.

Lorraine turns to Davey. ‘And is that what you want?’

Davey shakes his head. ‘I just want to find out what happened to my mom.’

Lorraine nods. ‘She’s dead. So there, now you know.’

Despite everything, I see Davey sag.

‘Bitch,’ Sadie mutters.

I squeeze her hand. Not now, Sadie. Not now.

‘Please, Lori,’ I try again. ‘Just let us leave. I mean, this is crazy, right?’ I sound desperate, and I don’t care.

Lorraine perches on the edge of the desk. ‘You must have realized by now, Dan – you’re important to us.’

‘To the Conservators?’

‘No, to us. Your family.’

‘Family?’ I look between the two women. My head is throbbing again.

‘I know you saw that photo on my fridge. The one of me and Uncle Harry.’

‘I don’t understand what that’s got to do with—’

‘And Freya here, she’s your half-sister.’

Freya smiles and waves.

Lorraine sighs. ‘Do I have to spell it out to you, Dan? Harold Winsom was your father.’

54

‘You know, Uncle Harry asked your mother to move to America. Promised he would provide for you. But she refused.’

‘Was that when he put the house in her name?’

Lorraine nods. ‘She never took him up on his offer. But then she died and left it for you and Sadie. Which was perfect timing, because I wanted you to come here, Dan. We needed you.’

‘Why?’

‘You’re Harold’s heir.’

I nod at Freya. ‘What about his daughter?’

‘You’re the first-born,’ Lorraine says. ‘And Uncle Harry wanted someone who could literally fill his shoes. A son. Sexist, I know, but Harry was a traditionalist. He wanted a male heir who could be the face of Winsom for a new age.’ She pauses. ‘Freya is happy working for us behind the scenes.’

I glance at Freya and wonder if that’s true, or if it’s more because her face doesn’t quite fit the wholesome Winsom image. I’d almost feel bad for her, if she wasn’t pointing a gun at us.

‘Well, thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I don’t want the job. So, can we leave now?’

‘Just hear me out,’ Lorraine says. ‘You might change your mind.’

I glance again at gun-wielding Freya. ‘I don’t suppose we have much choice.’

Lorraine smiles, and I don’t like it. ‘Did you know Winsom Wonderland wasn’t Uncle Harry’s first park? His first park was a failure. It’s a little way from Winsom Wonderland, been shut down for years. It’s where Davey found the entrance to the tunnel. A little in-joke.’