m the slip, a tall figure stepped out from behind a newsstand, perfectly anticipating his path

g jerk!" Max yelle

He needed to see the face of the child who h

, his breath caug

jawline, the same stubborn set of his mouth. But it was the eyes that struck him like

noise of the station

silence, puffed up his chest. "Scared n

f disbelief, his voice coming out rougher than he i

y said never to tell st

e declared proudly. "And

short, sharp laugh escaped Alistair's lips.

Call the police! Have him arrested!" She smoothed her expression into something resemblin

!" he shouted, struggling. "She's a mean, nasty lady!

apped to Isabel. "

"The boy stumbled near me. Alistair, darling, som

't believe her. He turned his attention back to the boy. "W

ndfather's secrets. "I invented it mysel

said. "He admits i

ing with a child's unfiltered pain. "I have a mom! And

dbe

n Alistair's jaw jump. A thought flickered. Six years. Five-year-o

a perfect imitation of Alistair's own disdainful sneer. "You

o a truth he didn't even know, that Al

er? And why did he feel like he wa

d to