Finally, I reach the end of the hallway as it opens up on a grand entryway … full of armed men.
I duck behind a huge fern, trying calm my racing heart and control my breathing as I wait and watch. I may not know where Valentine is meeting with my father, but this seems as good a spot as any to catch him as he leaves.
Assuming he exits by the front door.
Nope, I don’t have the time or energy to worry about that. It either is or it isn’t, and I just have to wait to find out.
I only have to wait a few minutes before the men suddenly seem to straighten to attention, and I hear voices approaching.
One of which is unmistakably Valentine’s.
I lean forward, pulling one of the giant fern’s leaves down to get a better look as I wait with bated breath for the men to come into view.
Valentine is the first to step into view, towering over everyone as they make way for him and his guests. Forgetting myself, I lift up onto my tiptoes as I struggle to see who the other men are.
Finally, several of Valentine’s men step aside and my heart thuds in my chest.
It really is my father … and he has a number of uniformed officers with him.
This is my chance.
I start to step out from behind the plant when I see Valentine clasp a hand on my dad’s shoulder, and he laughs. My face falls at the sight.
Why is my dad on friendly terms with this man?
My dad suddenly stops, signaling to the other officers, and I watch as the other officers make their way outside.
“There’s something else you should know,” my dad says.
“Yes?”
“I believe the man you told me about is back.”
“Are you sure?” Valentine asks.
“Quite sure.”
“Thank you, James. You’ve been a great help to me.”
Valentine reaches into his coat and pulls out a thick wad of cash before counting some out and handing it over to my dad.
What is going on? Surely, I didn’t see what I think I did.
I watch as they continue walking toward the entrance, my heart and mind conflicted over what I should do.
It’s now or never, Evelyn.
Knowing this may just turn out to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done; I race out into the open
“Dad! Dad, it’s me!”
The room suddenly goes perfectly quiet as the entire room turns to look at me, Valentine’s men parting to let me through.
My dad stares at me, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“I didn’t know you had a daughter.”
Valentine glances between my father, his grin only growing wider with each passing second.