Passionate Investigations by Elizabeth Lapthorne Read Free Book Online

believed
what she had alleged against the wizard. Zahra could not believe someone as
honest as Tanya could purposely slander another wizard.
    “If he’s right again, if you uncovered something and were
killed…if that car accident was no accident, I swear I’ll find out and bring
those responsible to justice. I’m not going to let you down, sis, I promise.”
    She studied the portrait for another moment before leaving
the study. Much of the crowd had dispersed, but there were still plenty of her
father’s Council members, coworkers of Tanya’s and other assorted dignitaries
crammed into the large house. Many murmured condolences and by the time Zahra
found her father in one of the back rooms, her smile was strained.
    She knew the offers of sympathy were genuine. The shock of
Tanya’s unexpected “accident” still hadn’t dimmed for many. Zahra was just
tired of the same labels being applied to the loss of her sister. Tragic.
Sudden. Waste. And truly, what words could possibly convey the mixture of
feelings such an occurrence brought out? The overwhelming emotions had been
what caused Zahra to run out into the gardens in the first place. She reminded
herself even if Rob’s hypothesis turned out to be nothing but a paranoid
fantasy, at least it might help her work through her grief.
    “Ah, there you are,” her father’s voice sounded weak.
    Zahra hurried to his side, knelt beside the chair he
reclined in. “Daddy, is everything all right?”
    She studied her father’s face, noting lines she’d never seen
before in his skin. He’d been pale and looking wan ever since he’d woken her up
in the middle of the night to tell her the news. His dark-blond hair was
heavily salted with gray, his chin cleanly shaven. Gray eyes held unfathomable
sadness within them.
    “I just wondered where you’d gone to, that’s all,” he
replied sadly.
    She took his hand in hers, trying to reassure him with her
presence.
    “Now, Grant, didn’t I tell you she’d be out in the gardens?”
her father’s oldest friend, Eric Ossman, chided as he crossed the room and
handed Grant a large tumbler of scotch. “How are you holding up?”
    “I’m…well, I’ve been better, obviously.” Zahra stood and her
reply became muffled as Eric hugged her. Returning the embrace, she sat on the
edge of her father’s chair after Eric let her go.
    Zahra was tempted to at least suggest to her father that
there was more to Tanya’s death than they or the Enforcers had realized.
Looking at him now, though, she instantly changed her mind. She’d never seen
the usually vibrant, active wizard look so defeated, so drained. The last thing
she wanted to do was add more load for him to bear.
    She’d thought maybe he could find some measure of peace, of
purpose like she had. Zahra worried now maybe it would be one straw too many
for him to carry just now. Pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, she studied him,
genuinely worried.
    Able to read her clearly, her father took her hand and
attempted a smile.
    “I’ve never told you anywhere near enough times I love you,
Zahra,” he spoke with a slight break in his voice. “You often drive me crazy
with your antics, but your free spirit has always lifted this family up. I know
you and Tanya were night and day, but she loved you very much, as do I. I
should make that clear more often, child, and I plan to from here on in.”
    Zahra felt her heart melt, sadness crashing over her like a
wave.
    “I know, Dad,” she insisted. “I’ve always known you and
Tanya love me, as I hope you know I love you both too, completely. This will
turn out all right, I promise.”
    Her father looked puzzled for a moment, then clearly
dismissed the concern. He sipped his drink, his gaze turning unfocused as his
thoughts seemed to move inward once again.
    “I’d feel so much happier if you were secure, Zah.”
    Zahra held back her sigh with a force of effort. They’d been
over this numerous times since her breakup with Miles.