Noel looked at Cedric.
"Joel Wood," he said. "That's actually his name."
"Wood is a cover name," Cedric said. "The whole family uses it when they're working."
"What family?"
Cedric looked at him steadily.
"Your mother Rosella," he said, "was an investigator."
Noel stared at him.
"She was investigating the Hartwell family when your father found her. She was undercover. She got close to him and—" Cedric paused. "She got pregnant with you. And then Mrs Hartwell found out and had her killed. Minutes after you were born."
Noel's fist closed at his side. He didn't say anything for a moment.
"And Joel?" he said.
"I don't know everything," Cedric said. "But I do know one thing about Joel specifically."
"What?"
Cedric looked at him carefully.
"Has he kissed you before?" he said. "Not the forehead. Properly."
Noel blinked.
