Page 5 of Secret Dynasty

She had a point there, but it was a lot to swallow when I looked back. “Tod had pictures of me at our flat and at the pub. He knew I was there before he came to talk to me.”

“He was spying on us,” Eliza shrieked.

She was either really committed to her part or this was all news to her. I was too exhausted by today’s events to try to decide which. “Did you know? Did he come to you?”

“To me?” She took out another cigarette, shaking her head with an indignant grunt. “I can see why you’d ask me, but nope. I didn’t, but there is something I need to tell you.”

The weight that had begun to lift off my chest slammed down again.

“A couple of months back, I started finding these envelopes under our door.”

My mouth went dry. “What was inside them?”

“A couple of hundred quid,” she confessed.

“From who?”

“I don’t know.” She lit up again and took a long drag off her cigarette.

“And you didn’t tell me? What did you do with it?”

“I paid the rent and bought food and paid the electric,” she shot back defensively. “Where I’m from you don’t ignore free money, and I didn’t tell you because I knew you would be all weird about it.”

“Because it was weird, Eliza.” I slumped down in the seat. “It had to be from Tod.”

“Maybe.” Eliza wiggled next to me before groaning. “K, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that without telling you, but please, believe me, I didn’t know about any of this.”

I looked into the night ahead. Lights had begun to appear in the blackness. It was impossible given the storm to discern if they were stars or houses or cars. In the dark, it didn’t matter. Light was light.

I was in the dark. I had no idea which direction to go. Trusting Eliza might be a mistake, but she was the first light to shine in my night. I had to choose between continuing into the unknown or choosing to follow that light.

“I’m not mad,” I said finally. “I’m just confused.”

“I don’t blame you.” She knocked her shoulder into mine. “But hey, what if you are an heiress? I think you should buy me two diamond tiaras.”

“And where are you going to wear all these tiaras?” I asked dryly. I didn’t know how she managed to keep her sense of humor, but it was a relief one of us could.

“At the pub,” she teased. “I’ll get so many tips.”

I could only imagine Eliza serving fish and chips in a crown in West Bexby. It would be the talk of the town.

“How do I find out?” I asked her.

“DNA test?”

I nodded. That made sense, but it also took time. “And until then I just sit and obsess over it.” And continue to fill Kerrigan’s shoes.

“I’m not sure you have much of a choice unless…”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

“Is there anyone you trust? Someone who wouldn’t lie to you?”

I swallowed at the nervous ache her words prompted in my chest. There was one person who had to know the truth. I hit the ignition switch and swerved onto the road. “Where are you staying?”

“My aunt’s,” Eliza answered.

“Look, I have something to take care of. Can I drop you off at her house?”