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"I'll be careful, Dad. I promise." She cleared her throat. "Speaking of getting hurt, how's your knee doing?"
"Ah, you know how it is—good days and bad days," he replied, chuckling a bit. "I guess that's what happens when you start getting old."
"Old?" Sheila scoffed, rolling her eyes even though he couldn't see her. "You're not that old, Dad. You've still got plenty of fight left in you."
"Thanks for saying that, but sometimes I feel like my body disagrees with you," he joked. "Sometimes I wonder if I'll live to be a grandfather. At this rate, I might need to be a hundred."
"Is this your way of telling me I need to get hitched?"
"No," he said, acting offended. "But I wouldn't mind knowing you're seeing someone."
"And why's that? You want me to start making grandbabies as soon as possible?"
His voice grew serious. "I just...I worry about you, Sheila. Losing your mom and Natalie, you don't have much family left. I want to make sure there's someone there for you if something ever happens to me."
"Hey, I still have Jason, you know."
"Jason's a good kid, but he's lost in his own world right now," Gabe pointed out gently.
"Maybe so, but he came to the celebration at the precinct for my first day on the job," Sheila said. "He's trying, Dad. That's something."
Gabe sighed, clearly conceding the point. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply otherwise. It's just hard, you know, not being able to be there for you like I used to."
Sheila felt a pang of sympathy for her father. "I understand. But you're still here for me in so many ways. And I'll always be grateful for that."
He let out a long breath, his concern evident even over the phone. "Just promise me you'll keep an open mind about letting someone in, Sheila. I know you're strong and independent, but nobody should have to face life alone."
"I promise," she said softly, touched by his concern and feeling a renewed sense of determination to not only solve the case at hand, but also find balance in her personal life.
"Thank you."
She nodded, her gaze wandering to the clock. Suddenly she straightened. "Shoot! I have that palm reading appointment soon. I've gotta go, Dad."
"Alright, take care of yourself, kiddo," Gabe replied, his voice warm with affection.
"Will do. Talk to you later." Sheila hung up the phone and wolfed down the last few bites of her breakfast. As she hurriedly rinsed her plate in the sink, she thought about her dad's words. She wasn't ready to marry and settle down.
But to date? To have a man in her life? Would that be such a bad thing?
Juggling her purse and keys, Sheila rushed out of her apartment and locked the door behind her. Once inside her car, she took a deep breath to steady herself before starting the engine and pulling away from the curb.
As she navigated the morning traffic, Sheila's thoughts drifted back to the past month and how she'd been coping with the loss of Natalie. The ache in her heart seemed ever-present, a constant reminder of the sister who had been both her rock and her inspiration.
In an attempt to fill the void left by Natalie's absence, Sheila had thrown herself into her work. Every day, she'd pushed her body to its limits in the gym and spent hours studying law so she could join the force. Her ambition and drive were as strong as ever, but she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this relentless pursuit of achievement might not be the healthiest way to grieve.
She missed the late-night talks with Natalie, laughing as they shared stories and secrets. She missed the way her sister always knew just what to say to make her feel better when times were tough. And most of all, she missed the unwavering support and encouragement that Natalie had always provided.
As she drove, Sheila couldn't help but wonder if Gabe was right about her needing someone else in her life, someone to lean on when things got tough. Was it time for her to open herself up to the possibility of new connections and relationships? The thought both excited and terrified her.
Then, as she went over her conversation with Gabe in as much detail as she could remember, she recalled something he'd said about the palm readings: There are things science can't explain, just as there are exceptions to every rule.
Was it possible their killer was just such an exception, someone beyond the rules of the natural world?
Someone supernatural?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sheila fidgeted uncomfortably in the dimly lit lobby of Moirai Mysteries, her fingers drumming anxiously on her knee. The air felt heavy with an unfamiliar energy that sent goosebumps crawling up her spine.
