exuding charm, and he’d started herding the reporters toward the exit.
“He’s very good, isn’t he?” Zahra was suddenly at Eve’s elbow. Then she frowned. “Though I could have used a few more minutes with the media before he decided to get rid of them. But it’s difficult to control Gideon.”
“I thought the timing was just right,” Eve said. “I have to get back to work. It was kind of you to take the time to come.”
“I couldn’t do anything else.” Zahra’s flashing smile illuminated her beautiful face. “I had to make sure that you were all right after that horrible food poisoning yesterday. You’re a little pale, but better than I thought. But, of course, you’ll have to worry about a relapse. These things do happen.” She didn’t wait for a reply but gestured at Jill, who was now being ushered out the door by Gideon. “What did you think of Jill Cassidy? She and Gideon know each other, but I notice he didn’t give her any more time for her interview than the other reporters. I was expecting…more.”
“That wouldn’t have been fair, would it? What did I think of her? She seems very competent and appears to know quite a bit about the village. She said I could ask her anything I needed to know, but I don’t believe it will be necessary. I’m only interested in working.”
“And besides, you can ask me,” Zahra said softly. “I’m the only one you should consult. Robaku is really my property. My father allowed these villagers to live here, but now it’s time for them to settle somewhere else. Keeping this village alive only keeps the memories of the war fresh to everyone. I’ve been trying to make that clear to you. It’s just as well you stay away from busybodies like Jill Cassidy, who can only cause trouble.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” But she found she was too annoyed to leave it at that and be diplomatic with Zahra at the moment. The woman always managed to push her buttons. That comment about evicting the villagers from their homes had been a jab too deep to ignore. “But I did enjoy reading her stories. Now that I think of it, I might want to discuss them with her. It’s always wise to get a few viewpoints.” She turned and moved toward her worktable. “Thank you for coming, but you really didn’t have to check on me. I’m doing very well. Not a hint of a relapse.”
“It’s early days,” Zahra said. “Dalai!” Before she swept toward the door, Zahra gestured imperiously to the young servant girl who had been hovering in the background. “You might keep that in mind as well.” She brushed past Gideon as if he weren’t there. “And you might have given those reporters their story for the day, but you saw how eagerly they turned to me. You mustn’t feel bad about that. In the end, they’ll always come back to me. I have a certain glamour that you’ll never possess.” She lifted her chin. “I’m a Kiyani.”
Then she was gone.
Gideon gave a low whistle as he gazed after her. “Her ego is flying high today.” He turned to Eve. “Did she do you any damage?”
“Only a not-so-subtle hint that I could have a relapse if I wasn’t careful.” Now that Zahra was gone, Eve found she felt chilled. “I don’t like it. There’s something very savage about Zahra Kiyani. And I’m tired of threats, subtle or not. She might have had something to do with my getting ill, right?”
“It’s possible.”
“Then I want to know if it’s more than possible. I want to know why. I want to know everything about her.”
“Then we’ll have to accommodate you. But I assume that’s not first on your list? You appear to have a full agenda.”
“Yes.” And her agenda tonight included looking at a skull that might be that of Nils Varak.
Another chill.
“You might say that.” She quickly looked down at the measurements she’d started on Mila. “Not first, but Zahra is definitely on the list.”
* * *
Zahra braced herself as soon as she got in her limousine. She’d like to wait until she got back to the palace, but she’d found that wasn’t an option. Now she seldom had a choice, and nothing she did was private any longer.
Not from him.
She typed the text.
DUNCAN’S WORKING ON ANOTHER DAMN SKULL. SHE’S NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO ME. IT’S NOT MY FAULT.