“We have a mutual friend, Zoe Lambros—”
“Ah.” David held up the file and flipped through it. He found a photograph and held it for a moment. “Zoe Lambros from Greece, and she’s more than a mutual friend,” he said with a smile as he handed Henry the photograph.
Henry gazed down at the photograph and tried not to smile at the image before him. Eva and Zoe were at the park, captured in a clearing that they must have thought was secluded enough for them to be at ease out in public. They were on the grass, Eva leaning over Zoe and kissing her.
“Ah, yes, more than friends. Zoe was an active member of the Greek Resistance at thirteen. Fearless. One of Muller’s most brutal crimes was committed in Larissa. I saw it—it was his first atrocity in Greece. He murdered innocent villagers in retaliation for the Resistance blowing up a train.”
“So Muller’s daughter and Lambros became lovers in the middle of a war zone?”
“Well, it wasn’t like that, but they had to work together. It’s a long story.”
“Do you think Eva would harbor her father when she finds out he is still alive?”
Henry shook his head at the absurdity of the question. “No, she would never do that. She was terrified of him and would never cover for him. He had her committed to a hospital, run by his brother, for aversion treatments...”
“That was used on homosexuals but mainly for men.”
“Eva was tortured by Dieter Muller and brutalized by her father. She would never give refuge to him.”
David shook his head slowly. “I don’t know but—”
“Eva would not do that, I know her. You should be worried about Zoe Lambros.”
“Oh? Why her?”
“Given half a chance, Zoe would kill him without hesitation and I would go home empty handed. It’s Zoe you have to watch. Eva won’t harbor him nor retaliate.”
“Why would Miss Lambros want to kill him?”
“Protecting Eva would be Zoe’s main reason, and the other is revenge on the man who killed her mother.”
“Hm, maybe she can do our job for us,” David jokingly said, only to find Henry scowling at him.
“I don’t want them involved. They have been through enough.”
“Henry, she is involved. Don’t you think that if Muller found out about his daughter being here, he would try to contact her?”
“I think if Muller found out about Eva, he would want to kill her. Before the Resistance blew up his house, he ordered Eva’s death. He will want to finish the job.”
“All the more reason to use her to flush him out. As you said, he will want to finish the job, and that way we will catch him.”
“There has to be another way.”
“There may be. Why don’t you go home and tomorrow we can deal with this when Freddy gets back.”
Chapter Seventeen
Eva curled up in bed and hugged Zoe’s pillow to her chest. She blankly stared at the clock on the bedside table. The pillow was tear stained. Eva tried to stop crying but lost the battle. Her mind was swirling with the news that her father was still alive. Her chest felt constricted as if a giant python had materialized and entangled around her body and settled on her chest. They had come home and all Eva wanted to do was go to bed. She didn’t say another word as she kissed Zoe, dropped everything she had in her hands, and went into Zoe’s bedroom and closed the door.
She couldn’t voice the deep-rooted fear she felt. She feared the anguished cry that would escape from her, and she didn’t want to give in to that fear, but she couldn’t stop it. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She wasn’t sure how long she had been alone. She didn’t move when she heard the door quietly open. Without a word, Zoe put her arm around her and molded her body against Eva’s back.
Eva turned and brought Zoe closer. Zoe brushed Eva’s dark hair out of her eyes. She wiped the tears that continued to run down Eva’s cheek and tenderly kissed her lips. “I called the factory and told them you were sick. I don’t want you to go to that hell hole ever again.”
“I have to.” Eva hiccupped.
“No, you don’t have to. You’re done with them. So you lose out on two weeks’ pay, I don’t care. I’ll take some extra shifts to cover it. I don’t want you to go there.”
Eva closed her eyes and hugged Zoe tightly. They fell silent and then Eva opened her eyes and gazed into Zoe’s. She wasn’t the only one crying. “It always happens, Zo.”
“What does?”
“I just feel that every time I get my head above the parapet, someone is there to shoot if off.”
“It sometimes feels that way, but since the war ended, we haven’t had such a bad time of it, have we? We found Hannah and she’s helped you so much, and look where we are now.” Zoe stroked Eva’s dark hair. “We couldn’t even cuddle before without you getting sick. Now, we’re making love.” She kissed the top of Eva’s head, which elicited a smile. “We made love. I think that’s pretty good.”
Eva looked up at Zoe. “Is that the best part?”
“No, that’s not the best part. The best part is that I have you with me. That’s the best part. Making love to you is fantastic, but being with you is far more important to me,” Zoe honestly replied. “We’ve had our fair share of good luck too—we had Henry looking out for you and then the both of us, Father H, and then it was Hannah. You found Earl and we have Elena. It’s not all bad.”
“Why does it feel it is?”
“I think it’s because the good stuff happens in between the bad stuff. It’s been years of bad stuff, and now it was starting to look up. This time it’s different, Evy. Muller doesn’t have the power, you do.”
“If he doesn’t have the power, why do I feel like I’ve been pummeled?”
“Because he has the power in here.” Zoe gently tapped the side of Eva’s temple. “I think Hannah will be able to tell you more about what goes on up there, but that’s what I think.”
“My life is one huge pain and it lulls me into a false sense of security.”
“No, it’s not. You have me and I’m not a pain,” Zoe said with a smile. “Alright, maybe I’m a little bit of a pain when I tease you about your cooking.”
Eva’s face creased into a smile. “Not even then,” she replied and sniffed back the tears. “I’m tired of this, Zo.” Eva curled herself around Zoe’s body and rested her head on her shoulder. “I’m tired of it.”
“It will soon be over,” Zoe quietly replied as Eva’s breathing evened out and she fell asleep.
***
Zoe stayed where she was, with Eva resting on her shoulder for some time, as the sun set outside casting shadows inside. She heard the front door open, so she very quietly let go of Eva. Eva mumbled something under her breath, but she remained sleeping.
Zoe closed the door behind her and went searching for Henry. She was about to go into the kitchen when she heard a kitten’s meow and doubled back. Henry was outside on the balcony, sitting on the wicker chair, Ourania nestled in the crook of his elbow. The sight made Zoe smile.
Henry glanced around and smiled at Zoe, who came out to the balcony and closed the French doors behind her. “What’s her name?”
“Ourania. Her eyes are blue and they remind me of the sky. Ourania is sky in Greek,” Zoe replied as she dragged the other chair and sat down. “Are you hungry?”
“No. I went past a diner before coming home.” Henry’s gaze fell to the kitten, who was stretching its tiny legs. “Did you tell Evy?”
“I did. We went to a park and I told her.”
“The park that has a lot of trees around and you are a bit secluded?”
“How did you know that? Yes, there’s no way someone can see us from the road. It’s very secluded.”
Henry reached down into his briefcase and retrieved a photograph. He gave it to Zoe.
Zoe glanced down at the photo and sighed. “She was right. Every time we are there Evy thinks someone is watching us.”
“This wasn’t taken today.
”
“I know. This was taken last week. Evy is wearing her blue shirt and it’s cloudy.”
“You have changed, Zoe. You have mellowed. I expected you to start yelling.”
Zoe looked up and shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Evy’s sleeping and I don’t want to wake her. Who took this?”
“The War Crimes Unit has been watching Evy. Watching the both of you.”
“The War Crimes Unit? Who the hell are they?” Zoe asked, her voice rising sharply. She scowled at Henry, who smiled as he looked down at Ourania. “What?”
“Now that’s the Zoe I know and love.” Henry chuckled and then turned to Zoe with a knowing expression on his face. “They’ve been watching you and Eva because they think Eva is going to help Muller.”
“Morons.”
“They’re just doing their job. They don’t know Eva, and as far as they’re concerned he’s her father.
“He’s not her father. I hope you set them straight.”
“I don’t think I convinced them at all, but they want to speak to Eva. They’re going to arrange for a visit tomorrow.”
“Great. This is just not fair. Now Eva is going to get interrogated by the Australian Gestapo.”
“So am I now a Gestapo agent?” Henry asked. He put Ourania down on the floor and turned his chair towards Zoe. “I’m a war crimes investigator, Zoe. That’s my job.”
“I didn’t mean you were a Gestapo agent.”
“Neither are the Australians. They just want to catch Muller, Rhimes, and all the other rats who have scattered. Eva is their best chance of catching Muller.”
“I don’t want Eva being used as bait; that’s just not fair.”
“How else are we going to catch the bastard?”
“Think of a way, Henry, but not Eva.”
“Why not me?”
Zoe and Henry looked up to see Eva standing in the doorway gazing down at them. “Henry is right.”
Zoe got out of her chair and went to Eva’s side. “No, he’s not.”
“Yes, he is, Zo. There is no other way to get him,” Eva replied as she put her arm around Zoe. She smiled at Henry, who got out of his chair and put his arms around her. “I’m surrounded by my two most ferocious protectors in the world.”
“How are you feeling?” Zoe asked. She looked up into Eva’s bloodshot eyes and knew the answer to the question.
Eva sat down on the chair while Henry went inside and picked up another chair and sat down next to her. “I’m feeling like a steamroller had rolled right on top of me.”
“How much did you hear?”
Eva smiled and took Zoe’s hand. “From the moment I heard Zoe raise her voice. I wanted to come and save you.”
“I was thinking that Zoe had mellowed.”
Eva gently laughed and brought Zoe’s hand up to her lips and kissed it. “Zoe is still as fiery as always.”
“I see that. Let’s not talk about Muller now. The War Crimes investigators will be here tomorrow and we can discuss it in the morning.”
Eva nodded. “I’d rather not think about it anymore tonight.”
“I was going to have dinner with Elena and the girls tonight. What about we have dinner here with them? Are you up for that?” Zoe asked Eva, who nodded. “I’ll go and let them know. Why don’t you go and have a bath? It will relax you a little bit.”
Eva nodded, kissed Zoe, gave Henry a hug, and went back inside.
***
Eva was out of the bath, and the feel of timber under her bare feet felt cool and refreshing. After wrapping one towel around her body and another towel around her head like a turban, she entered the bedroom and shut the door. Zoe was stretched out on the bed. She lazily turned and a beaming smile creased her face.
“Are you going to get dressed or go naked?” Eva asked.
Zoe did not reply. Instead, she got out of bed and pulled Eva’s towel off her body. She put her arms around Eva’s bare torso and looked up.
“You like the view?” Eva asked.
“Oh, yes, very nice.”
“You have way too much energy, young lady,” Eva replied. She did not move when Zoe continued to gaze up at her, her hands resting on Eva’s bare back. Eva’s breath caught at the love reflected in Zoe’s eyes.
“I think you need to breathe.” Zoe stroked Eva’s cheek. “I do love the way you look right after a bath.”
Eva responded with a shy smile. “You do?”
“Hm, I do. I also love the way you look right after we’ve made love. I think we’re going to name our first born after Hannah. She’s a miracle worker.”
Eva was totally lost in the moment and merely nodded. The feel of Zoe’s hand between her legs and the pleasurable sensation she was feeling distracted her. “Uh..Zo..”
“Yes?”
“Um, you have to..uh..stop or else we won’t be going anywhere.”
“Are you complaining?”
“Me? Noooo.” Eva drew the vowels out in an exaggerated drawl. “But if you don’t stop, Henry is going to be hearing more than he needs to.”
“I think Henry is used to turning a deaf ear when it comes to us.”
“I do have to get dressed, because we will be late for dinner with Elena and the girls.”
“I’m already dressed.” Zoe grinned mischievously as she stole a quick kiss before letting Eva finish dressing. Zoe perched on the bed and watched her. “How is it that I can get dressed quickly and you take forever?” she asked.
“There’s less of you to dress and I was distracted,” Eva quipped, easily ducking the pillow thrown at her. “Hey, watch the hair.” She chuckled. She chose a light yellow shirt and was about to button it when Zoe stopped her.
“Let me,” Zoe whispered and slowly began to button the shirt. She stopped just below the collar and pulled the fabric back to reveal the scar on Eva’s shoulder. “Does that still hurt?” she asked as she used her fingertip to trace the scar left by the bullet that had nearly killed Eva. She gently brushed her lips against it.
“Sometimes, when the weather changes,” Eva replied, holding Zoe. She was all too aware of how close each had come to losing the other, and she saw that knowledge reflected in Zoe’s steady gaze. She leaned down and kissed Zoe, putting every bit of the love and tenderness she felt into the kiss.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
Eva’s eyebrows rose in question. “You do?”
“Yes. You’re thinking about him.”
“I wasn’t thinking about him at this very moment. I was thinking how much I love the softness of your lips.” Eva brushed a strand of red-gold hair out of Zoe’s eyes. “The scars remind me of him all the time, Zo. It’s not as if I can forget.”
A knock on the door interrupted any further conversation. Zoe let out a frustrated groan and flopped down on the bed. Eva grinned at her as she finished dressing, and then walked out of the bedroom to answer the door.
Elena was standing in the corridor with a large bowl in her hand.
“Your timing is really lousy,” Eva said, motioning for her to enter.
“Yeah? Why?”
“Zoe was teaching me how to cook.” Eva walked into the lounge, chuckling.
“Did I hear my name?” Zoe asked, coming out and closing the bedroom door behind her.
“You were teaching Eva how to cook?”
“Cook? Eva can’t cook to save her life,” a bemused Zoe replied, her brow crinkled in obvious thought. Eva recognized the expression that crossed Zoe’s face when understanding dawned, and she grinned. Zoe started to laugh.
“What’s funny?” Elena asked.
“Nothing,” Zoe said quickly. “What’s that?”
Elena put the bowl down. “I bring gifts!” She flipped off a tea towel covering the dish to reveal coconut balls.
“Beware Greeks bearing gifts,” Zoe murmured. She snatched a couple of the small balls and sat down at one end of the sofa.
“Yeah, but I’m not Greek.” Elena slouched down next to Zoe.
“Honorary Greek,” Eva said. She turned to the door again when another knock resounded through the room. “We are popular this evening.” She opened the door. A man stood there, his cane in one hand and his overcoat neatly slung over his other arm. A smattering of black was scattered through his white hair. His clear blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. He was clean-shaven and wore a smart suit. Eva did not recognize him and thought he must be a salesman. “Zoe, it’s for you,” she said as she turned away from the open door. She always let Zoe handle salesmen, knowing they would never return once Zoe finished with them.
“Don’t you want to talk to me?” the man said.
Shocked, Eva stood stock-still, then very slowly turned back around. She knew that voice. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zoe rise from her seat on the sofa.
“Fa-Father H?” Zoe was the first to speak. Eva was rooted to the spot, unable to move.
Father Haralambos smiled broadly and winked. “What does a man have to do to get a kiss from his daughters?”
Chapter Eighteen
Zoe squealed, ran over, and jumped into Father Haralambos’ embrace, nearly bowling him over. Eva hung back, not fully believing that the man standing in front of her was indeed her father — her real father and not the war criminal, a father she had thought was lost forever. Zoe hugged and kissed Father Haralambos on the each cheek, cupped his face, and then kissed him again while Eva continued to hesitate.
“You’re going to kill me with kindness!” Father Haralambos cried, laughing as he was almost dragged through the doorway and into the lounge by an exuberant Zoe.
Zoe looked back at Eva, her grin showing her sympathy for the situation. Zoe caught Elena’s attention. “Okay, Elena, my dear, I think this is the perfect moment to go into the kitchen with me and tell me how you made those coconut thingies so Eva can stop looking like a truck has just hit her.” She took Elena by the arm, steered her into the kitchen, and closed the door.
Father and daughter stood for a moment looking at each other. Tears ran down Eva’s face as she closed the space between them and melted into Father Haralambos’ embrace.
“I’m not dreaming this, am I?” Eva whispered, hoping that she was awake. “Please, tell me I’m not.”
Where Shadows Linger (Intertwined Souls Series Book 2) Page 15
