Page 151 of Lust & Lies

Gertrude!

I pressed play on the video. Gertrude appeared on the screen, seated in a room almost like this one.

“Hey, sweetie,” she started with a smile. “If you’ve remembered everything and are in a rush to do something, don’t worry about watching this video. Do whatever it is you want to do. And if you need help, call me. And if you need weapons, look over at the left wall. See that light switch? Flip the switch up and hold it for ten seconds, then release it. The wall will slide aside, and you’ll see your weapons room. I helped you design it.”

I looked at the light switch. A plain switch, yet it held so many secrets, like me. The recording of Gertrude continued. She wastalking so fast that I could hardly keep up with what she was saying.

“Now, if you’ve entered this room by mistake, or remember this room, but not much else, then continue watching this video. Hi, sweetie. My name is Gertrude Hatfield. My husband is Sam Hatfield. And we’re your honorary aunt and uncle. If you’ve entered this room and opened your computer, which, clearly, you have, then you’ve already alerted the Watchdogs to your location and revealed to them that you’re alive.”

Alive. Did they think I was dead? Did they want me dead? Why? My father had been one. I’d been raised to be one. Why would they want me dead?

“Don’t panic,” Gertrude continued. “You’ve also alerted me by signing in to your computer. Together, you and I can take them on if need be. And old Sammy still got some fight in him. I had a plan in place in case you opened this email. My plan was to go out and stare into the camera at my front gate so we could talk in real time and you could see me.”

What?

“I’m probably on your surveillance screen trying to get your attention right now since you’ve opened this video and alerted me to you being in your dungeon.”

I looked up at the screens and found the one of Hatfield Orchards. And there was Gertrude, waving at the camera. Her husband, Sam, stood beside her, and he was holding a gun. My heart leapt. She was serious about my being in danger.

“You were in a car accident and... you lost your memory,” the video continued. “At least, that’s what Aiden told us. Sweetie...” Gertrude paused. “Don’t be angry with us. We went along with this plan to bring you to the country estate because by the time we realized what was happening, the plan was already underway. But I told Aiden that if you didn’t get your memory back in one month, I was going to take you away. Dear, don’tpanic, but he is not your husband. He won’t hurt you. But this is all a lie. He’s trying to keep you safe, but the way he’s going about it is all wrong.”

I swallowed. I already knew he wasn’t my husband. He was married to my sister. And right now, all of this was starting to feel like a bit too much. I was overwhelmed. And if my heart kept racing, I would probably have a heart attack. Or a stroke. Maybe both.

“Now, sweetie, if you see me on the surveillance, go over to the screen, click the speaker button twice, and talk to me before continuing this video. I’ll wait for a full minute before speaking again and telling you about your past. If I’m not on the screen, just fast forward the video, Noelani.”

Noelani. That was me. My name. The name of the baby whose death was faked to protect her and the Parks. I got up and rushed to do Gertrude’s bidding. I hit the speaker button twice. Hands shaking, I waited for her voice to come through.

“Oh, good,” Gertrude said, getting closer to the camera. “Noe, can you hear me?”

“Yes,” I said.

But she didn’t say anything.

“I hear you, Gertrude,” I said louder.

“Noe, press and hold the speaker to talk to me. Hurry, sweetie. We don’t have much time.”

Oh. Right.I pressed the speaker button and held it.

“Can you hear me?” I asked, realizing she couldn’t see me the way I could see her.

Her eyes widened, and she smiled. But her next words were no laughing matter.

“Noe, you’ve alerted the Watchdogs to your location. My sources tell me they’re on their way and they’re not far. They had to have been holed up somewhere close by, waiting for you to activate your code. Which meant they knew you were inthis area. Aiden should’ve moved you days ago when they were spotted not far from here.”

I had no idea what she was talking about, but it didn't sound good. It was all too much, too fast.

“What should I do?” I asked, holding the speaker button.

“First, don’t panic. Remember who you are.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of a problem right now.”

“You’re Mist. You’re fearless. You’re...”

“I can’t possibly be fearless,” I said, talking over her. “If I were, I never would have given in to my sister for so many years. I wouldn’t have let her walk all over me. And I wouldn’t have...”

“Mist!” Gertrude yelled, making me jump. “Stop acting like a weak bitch right now.”