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“Deck thought our father was abandoning him.It wasn’t surprising he’d think so, given both his parents had.Anyway, instead of coming straight home, Dad stayed with him until Decker finally accepted he wasn’t leaving him there permanently.”Quint glanced up at him.“By the way, he doesn’t know Wren and I know any of this.”
Whether Deck heard any of what we were saying was impossible to tell.Like Pinch, the man wore a perpetual scowl.
“Look at him tryin’ to look all hardass,” whispered Wren.“Quint and I know he’s just a big ol’ softy inside.”She smiled but brushed a tear away.
“Your father is a very good man,” I said, looking from her to Quint.“I know you’re aware of that, but everyone who knows him thinks so.”
Wren nodded.“I’ve been rereadin’ the briefs on the Gozo ops.Losing two agents right outta the gate like that had to have been damned hard on Puck.If he is responsible for Z’s disappearance, I hope he’s able to help Puck.”
I couldn’t help but think Wren’s compassion was a trait she got from her father.It was the kind of thing I’d heard Z say more than once.
“Sorry to digress, but I’m still trying to figure out how Seshat’s birth record will help us find Z,” said Wilder.
“I can’t explain it.Like I said, it was just a feeling I had,” Wren responded.
“I can,” blurted Decker.
“Can what?”I asked.
“Explain how it will help us find Z.”
13
Z
When I looked up, Puck was studying me.“What were you thinking about?”he asked.
I sighed.“Losing my wife.Raising two kids on my own.”
“I’m sure that was hard.”
I shrugged.“Hard and yet rewarding.”
“You’re a good father, Z.”
I raised a brow.“I cannot help but point out my children, now adults, are probably frantic with worry.I beg you to end this.Let me go.”
He shook his head.“I can’t.Not yet.”
“Why in the bloody hell not?”
“I need to convince you Seshat is still alive.”
I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths before letting them out slowly.“Get on with it, then.Why are you so intransigent in believing she wasn’t the person killed two nights ago?”Something occurred to me.
When his eyes met mine, it was evident he knew what I was thinking.
He took a seat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.“Leave it alone, Z.”
“The hell I will.Who is feeding you information?”I seethed.
“The person doing so is a friend who’s trying to help.”
“A traitor is what he is.I’ll not abide this, Sven.”
“She.”
“Come again.”
