“That’s not something to be happy about.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“We think that Larry Renee is actually Maxwell.”

“Maxwell of Bradley, London, and Maxwell?”

“Yes.” I could feel Jakob’s eyes on me, but I didn’t turn to face him. I was confused and upset, and all I wanted was to be alone to think by myself in a hot bath.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“We want you to find any links between Rosie and Larry. Also, see if you can find any connection between Larry and Maxwell.”

“And ask him to check out Mrs. Maxwell as well,” Jakob intervened. “She obviously seems to have a role if she was threatening Mrs. Renee.”

“Yeah, see if you can find out anything about Rosie’s mom.” I shook my head in annoyance. “I can’t believe I never pushed to meet her. We’ve been friends for all these years, yet I never even really knew who she was.”

“You know, I always thought something was off with her,” Blake said matter-of-factly. “I don’t know why you never saw it.”

“There’s a lot of things I don’t seem to see.”

“That’s true,” Blake said quietly.

I blushed. “So that’s it.” I made to end the conversation. “Can you check today?”

“Yeah, I’ll head out to the library now. Though I think I’ll go to NYU’s campus.”

“You can get into the library without a student ID?”

“I can get in anywhere.” He laughed. “Do you want to meet up tonight? Maybe we can discuss what I find over dinner.”

“Dinner sounds great.” I nodded and heard Jakob clearing his throat. I looked over at him and he had an eyebrow raised. “Jakob and I would love to join you for dinner.”

“Great.” Blake sounded disappointed. “I’ll call you tonight with a place to meet. And don’t worry, Bianca, if there’s something to be found, I’ll find it.”

“Thanks, Blake. And good luck.”

“Luck has nothing to do with it.” Blake chuckled. “Do you think the Romans had the greatest empire in all of civilization due to luck?”

“I think the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Greeks, and the Mayans would all beg to differ with your statement.”

“Touché. I’m sure they would.” Blake laughed. “Don’t worry, I got this.”

“Just be careful.”

“Don’t worry about me, Bianca. Napoléon once said, ‘I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one and when to be the other.’ ” Blake paused. “And while I may not be a politician, I know how to play many different roles to get the information I need.”

“Good luck, my friend. I’ve missed you and your random quotes.”

“I’ve missed you too, Bianca. I’m glad to be able to help you with this. Stay safe and I’ll see you and lover boy at dinner later tonight.”

I turned to Jakob after I hung up. “I want you to drop me off at my apartment. I want to pick up some of my stuff to take back to your place. I didn’t take enough with me.”

“That’s fine. I’ll help you pack.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I want to take my time, see what I think I’m going to need for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be fine. I’ll come to your place once I’m done, and then we can go over everything while Blake does his research.”

“Take a cab on the way back then. I don’t want you taking the subway.”

“That’s fine.”

“Do you have enough money?”

‘Yes.” I nodded and sighed. I didn’t even want to think about money at this point.

“I don’t think you should be alone.” He sounded annoyed. “But fine, I’ll drop you off and wait for you at home.”

“Are you going to go straight there?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I need to go and see someone first.”

“I should come too. Find out what your friend knows.”

“I’m not going to see him. We can go and see him tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? We can go now if you want and then I can just go to my place tomorrow.”

“No, get your stuff now and we’ll go and see him later. Tomorrow will be good enough.”

“I’m almost scared to hear what Blake finds out.” I let out a deep breath. “I’m not sure I can take any more secrets.”

“Don’t be scared, Bianca. I’m sorry you’ve been betrayed.”

“I just don’t know what else I can find out. I just can’t believe Rosie is Maxwell’s daughter. My father knew Rosie.” I sighed. “I don’t even know if he knew who she was.” I looked out the window. “I don’t even know who I can trust. What I can trust? She’s been my friend for years, Jakob.”

“We never truly know people, do we?”

“I don’t even know if this is real.” I glanced at him as I pinched myself. “It doesn’t feel real. I don’t want it to be real. I want this to be a dream.”

“How would we know if this were a dream?” His voice sounded sad. “How do we really know what is real and what can be trusted?”

“We don’t.” I looked down at my lap as I realized how true my words were. I had no idea who could be trusted. I’d gone back and forth on my feelings toward Jakob. I wanted to believe in him from the depths of my soul, but the more I found out about everything, the more I was losing my faith in humanity.