Page 59 of Forbidden Dark Vows

Before I can stand up and grab my suit jacket, the phone rings. It’s a direct call, bypassing Lizzie. I pick it up and swivel my chair around to face the window.

“Mr. Weiss. I have some information that might interest you.”

I’m on my feet, dragging the telephone cable with me, my pulse thrumming as I eagerly anticipate this new information that I requested. “Have you found her?”

“I have a lead that checks out so far. I’ll fax some images through to you now.”

“Where is she?”

“Diablo Lake, Washington State.”

“Diablo Lake? What is she doing there?”

I had instructed a Private Investigator to locate my sister when I made my first million. A gift to myself. After years of not knowing what happened to her, I hoped that if we couldn’t be reunited, it would at least bring me closure.

It was three months before he caught his first lead in a medical clinic in Florida. My sister was working there as a nurse under an alias with a fake ID. By the time my flight landed the following day, the woman had disappeared, leaving behind no forwarding address.

That was the first lead.

Every other lead has been the same—my sister always one step ahead of me— like she’s paying the same PI to tip her off each time he gives me a lead to follow.

“She’s working at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.”

The fax machine trundles to life, and I wait for the images to print off. Blurry, they are of a woman who vaguely resembles my sister, with hair cut into a short bob and dyed blond. I often wonder if I would even recognize her after all these years, and studying the photographs now, I can’t be certain that I would.

I thank the PI and end the call, staring at the vague images. I hold the same debate in my head every time: do I follow it up, chasing the illusion of my sister Melanie around the country, or do I ignore it? I already know the answer.

I have enough guilt to live with.

I make another call first though. I get put through to the ward where Graham Jackson is currently being treated and ask to speak to his daughter.

It’s several long minutes before Ruby comes to the phone, and when she does, her voice makes my heart jump. “Hello, Harry.” How has her voice become as familiar as my own in such a short space of time?

“How is your dad?”

“He’s … okay. Paralyzed down one side, but the consultant said he’s lucky.” Her voice dips like she doesn’t believe it. “Thank you. I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you.”

“Repay me for what?” I’m smiling at the ceiling, eyes closed, picturing myself standing right next to her.

“You know what.”

My heart knocks to tell me that she’s still there.MyRuby.

“What did the neurologist say?”

“That he can get him walking again.”

My shoulders slump with relief. “I’m glad.” As I pause, I’m certain that I can feel her breath on my cheek. “I miss you.”

“I’ve only been gone a few hours.”

“Are you counting?”

It’s Ruby’s turn to pause. “No.”

I don’t believe her. “I was going to catch the next flight into Chicago, and before you say that I don’t have to, I’m doing it because I want to, so humor me.”

“Are you always so bossy when you’re in the office? Or has the suit gone to your head?”

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