The Weight of Blood and Shadows
Keith watched Jodie carefully before speaking again.
"Jodie," he asked softly, "do you like your father?"
The question was simple—too simple.
Jodie didn't hesitate. She nodded firmly, tears still clinging to her lashes.
"I loved him," she said. "He was my hero. Everything I became… it was because of him."
Keith nodded once, acknowledging that answer.
"Do you know anything about your father's family?" he asked next.
Jodie frowned, then slowly shook her head.
"No. He never talked about them. I thought… there was no one."
Keith's gaze sharpened—not cold, but heavy.
"What I'm about to tell you," he said quietly,
"must never leave this room. Not to the FBI. Not to your friends. Not to the people you trust."
Jodie straightened instinctively and nodded.
"I swear."
Keith leaned back slightly, fingers interlaced.
"Andrew Starling," he began,
"had brothers and sisters. Not by blood—but by bond. People raised, protected, and loved by one man."
Jodie's breathing slowed as she listened.
"That man," Keith continued,
"was someone who would move heaven and hell to protect his godsons."
Her eyes widened a little.
"When your father was killed," Keith said,
"that man learned of it too late. By the time he sent someone to help… Andrew was already dying."
Jodie's fists clenched.
Keith's voice lowered further.
"In his final moments, your father made a choice. He knew that if you were taken to that man—your grandfather—then powerful enemies would hunt you endlessly."
Jodie whispered, "…Enemies?"
"Yes," Keith replied.
"So Andrew asked his sister one thing."
Keith paused, letting the weight settle.
"He asked her not to take you to your grandfather. He asked her to let you disappear."
Jodie's eyes trembled.
"The woman he sent," Keith said,
"was told to do two things:
First—get you out alive.
Second—make the world believe the Starling family was gone."
The room felt colder.
"She burned the house," Keith continued.
"She erased all traces. And she personally made sure you were placed into FBI witness protection."
Jodie's voice shook.
"…Then… the woman I hated all these years—"
Keith met her eyes.
"You misunderstood her."
Jodie swallowed hard.
"That woman," she said hoarsely, "was—"
"Vermouth," Keith finished calmly.
Jodie broke.
Tears spilled freely now, uncontrollable.
"I hated her," Jodie sobbed.
"I hunted her. I blamed her for everything."
Keith didn't interrupt.
"And the man Andrew Starling called his godfather," Keith continued, voice steady,
"is the boss of the organization you call the Black Organization."
Jodie froze.
Keith stood up slowly.
"And the person standing in front of you," he said quietly,
"is his great-grandson."
He met her gaze fully.
"Keith Argus Runcandel.
Born Keith Argus Karasuma."
The truth crushed down on her all at once.
She covered her face, shoulders shaking.
"I…"
"I was fighting the very people who protected me…"
"I turned them into my enemies…"
Keith stepped closer—but did not touch her.
"You survived," he said gently.
"That alone means your father succeeded."
Jodie looked up through tears.
"…Can I see her?" she asked shakily.
"My aunt."
Keith nodded.
"You can."
He turned slightly.
"Red Queen."
A soft, familiar voice echoed in the room.
"Yes, Master."
"Call Vermouth to my office."
"Understood."
The line disconnected.
Jodie pressed her hands together, trembling—not from fear now, but from something closer to relief.
For the first time since her father's death…
The shadows were beginning to make sense.