“I’m reviewing it now.”
“What have you found?”
“It’s early, but I found our spider and its web. Unfortunately, I don’t know who the spider is or where it lives. I need a bit more time with the details.”
“I need that information soon, Lila. The situation has become more desperate.”
“Another woman?”
The prime minster winced. “Yes.”
“Send me what you have, then. I’m going to figure it out, Father. Soon.”
“Good,” he answered, tapping his leather armrest. “Lila,
I’m going to be blunt. If Chief Shaw hasn’t had a break in the bombing case by Saturday morning, then I’m turning in your friend’s name as a suspect. You’re to do the same the moment you believe he’s involved.”
Lila’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that. There’s a big difference between ignoring a stolen car here and there and ignoring an act of terrorism. If he’s innocent, Chief Shaw will clear him. Quietly.”
“Give me until Monday. I’ll solve it myself,” she said, wanting to buy a few extra days for Tristan to leave Saxony. Maybe she owed it to him. Maybe she didn’t.
“Lila, you don’t have the time, the resources, or the jurisdiction to work on the case. If Chief Shaw requests your assistance, then I’ll certainly approve it, but—”
“You know that he’ll ask for my help anyway. It’s the natural consequence of training every boy who attends Bullstow as some silly—”
“Senator. Bullstow trains senators. From birth. It’s tradition.”
“It’s a stupid tradition that has resulted in a militia who can’t even investigate the most basic online attack, much less—”
“They aren’t inept. You’re just much better than they are. Besides, you have other work right now with the BIRD investigation.”
“If you want to keep me doing that important work, then you’ll give me until Monday.”
He fixed her with a stern eye. “Chief Shaw will treat him fairly, Elizabeth. We can’t cover for someone like him.”
“I need him for this case. What I don’t need is the threat of our friend’s capture being held over my head.”
“It’s not a threat.” His eyes cut to her face and held her gaze. “Fine. You have until Monday morning.”
Lila inclined her head.
“On a more pleasant note, I’m meeting with the oracles next week.”
Lila stifled a groan. She could scarcely hear the word oracle or see their symbol—an eye with wings attached—without wanting to vomit.
“Don’t give me that look. Those women are the spiritual backbone of the alliance.”
“Those women are the spiritual claw prying open the treasury.”
“Well, as long as the meeting goes smoothly and nothing delays my flight, I should be in New Bristol in time for Father’s Week. Should.”
“Should?”
“I think there’s something the oracles aren’t telling me.”
“They’re oracles, Father. There’s always something they aren’t telling you.”