Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 612

They took the elevator to the twenty-second floor and rang the doorbell of apartment 2203. A moment later, the door opened.

Rigby stood there, his expression a complicated mix of emotions. “Ms. Judson, Mr. Palmer,” he said calmly, stepping aside to let them in.

“How is Sire today?” Larissa asked as soon as she was inside.

Rigby closed the door, his face unreadable. “He’s doing well. He hasn’t had any fainting spells since your treatment yesterday. He’s taking a nap right now.”

“Good. I’ll continue his treatment today. But you need to find out what’s troubling him and help him work through it,” Larissa instructed.

Rigby’s expression darkened slightly. “I will.”

He now suspected that Sire’s inner turmoil was tied to the death of his mother, Romilly. The only way Sire would ever find peace was if they got justice for her.

Haskell noticed Rigby’s odd behavior but didn’t comment on it directly. “Rigby,” he said with a smile, “the DNA report came back. You’re my brother.”

Rigby felt a flicker of something, but his voice was flat. “I know.”

“Have you eaten?” Haskell asked, gesturing with the food container. “I brought you lunch.”

“We’ve already eaten, thank you,” Rigby replied coolly.

Larissa also sensed the tension. She exchanged a quick, knowing glance with Haskell. “In that case, I’ll go check on Sire.”

He trailed off, unable to finish.

“You’re wondering how I know?” Haskell’s smile was tinged with sadness. “Before you, I welcomed Thatch’s illegitimate son into my home, treated him like my own brother for three years. In return, he, Thatch, and Thatch’s daughter conspired to have me killed. After an experience like that, how could I not be more cautious?”

“I don’t know what was in that package, but it’s clearly troubling you. You may not trust me yet, but I have to warn you: if you keep important things from me, you and Sire will only be putting yourselves in greater danger.” Haskell left it at that. “Yesterday, I promised Sire I would take you to see Thatch and make him pay for what he did. As soon as Larissa is done with Sire’s treatment, we’ll go.”

Rigby’s jaw was tight, but after a moment, he nodded. “Okay.”

The video from the anonymous caller had shown Thatch being secretly moved. It suggested Haskell had no intention of punishing him. If that was true, then Haskell was lying to his face right now.

But if Haskell really did take them to confront Thatch, Rigby would choose to trust him. He would tell him everything.