Stricken, I stared at him.

Tobey’s frown at my reaction was chased away when he realized what he’d said, remembered how my father died all those years ago. ‘Hellsake! I’m sorry, Callie. I shouldn’t have said that.’

‘It’s fine,’ I lied.

‘I really am sorry.’

I took a steadying breath. ‘Honestly, it’s all right. And you’re right about trying to leave Jon a message. That was stupid. I wasn’t thinking.’ Chastened, I phoned Jon instead, using speed dial. It went straight through to his voicemail. ‘J, it’s Callie. I have some news. Could you phone me, please?’

Neither of us was having much luck getting through to people on the phone. I glanced at Tobey. Yeah, I got that he was a top-slot, hotshot politician and his every action since I’d turned up at his apartment earlier just emphasized the gap between us. Protection officers, constant updates via emails, texts, phone calls, documents to read, news bulletins to be aware of – Tobey’s every moment was spoken for. Yet he’d shaken it all off to try to track down the daughter he barely knew and my brother. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t had Tobey at my side throughout this. Every time I thought I knew how he might act or react, he did something to surprise me. Look at the way he’d risen to the top. OK, so he might’ve taken a short cut or nine to get there, but, as he hadn’t been born with a palladium spoon in his mouth, maybe short cuts were the only way he had to get to the top. Or was I just making excuses for a man who still occupied a space and place in my thoughts – and my heart – however much I might not want him to?

‘Shane is dead, Jarvis isn’t answering his phone, Jon’s not answering his phone, so we’ve got one choice left,’ said Tobey.

And he didn’t say anything else. I mean, really?

‘Stop being so damned mysterious,’ I said. ‘What do we do next? Or would you rather keep that to yourself too?’

Tobey glanced at me, but let my snide comment slide. ‘Enough with the pawns. Let’s try cornering the queen herself.’

‘Eva Foxton?’

‘The one and only. And, Callie, take my advice. When we’re with her, watch your back.’

forty-four. Sephy