To her relief, he actually laughed. “Okay, maybe a little of both. How about I take off my Regent hat and settle for just being your dad?”
“Well, in that case, I’m doing fine. There’s a lot to learn, not to mention a whole new cast of characters for me to get to know. The good news is that I think I may have a lead on a place to live. I’ll know more by the end of the week.”
Not that her father would be happy to hear that little tidbit. He’d made it perfectly clear that once she had done a full review of the current state of affairs in the Seattle region, she was to come straight home. That last part wasn’t going to happen, not if she could help it.
There was a long pause followed by a heavy sigh. When he spoke again, resignation mixed with a dash of humor in his voice.
“Time out for a nag from your parental unit: make sure the place has a security system and is in a good neighborhood.”
She smiled and shook her head. “I will, Dad. Besides, it was Dr. Young who offered to rent me her condo. I figured I could trust her judgment, considering how well respected she is within the organization.”
That was true, at least in certain quarters. There were also those who thought her efforts to drag Paladins back from the edge of insanity were too radical to be trusted. However, Sasha was determined to funnel every last dime she could into helping Laurel pursue her studies.
Even if she managed to save only one Paladin, it would be worth it. No one deserved to suffer the way David had.
Despite his warrior nature, he’d been nothing but gentle with her. They’d had so much fun together; the man had sure known how to have a good time. She’d been naive enough to think their time together would be measured in decades, not months.
Sasha suddenly realized her father had started talking again.
“I didn’t quite catch that,” she admitted.
“It was nothing important. You’re obviously distracted, so I should let you go.” He sounded hurt.
“Sorry, Dad, I’ve got a meeting coming up, and I’m still getting ready for it.” She laughed softly as she added, “The one thing I learned from you is to always be better prepared than everyone else at the table.”
He sounded a little happier when he responded. “Too late to butter up the old man, Sasha. I know you’ve got a big job on your hands cleaning up Kincade’s mistakes. Let me know if I can help. I’d certainly be glad to vet your reports before you send them to the Board and make suggestions if you’d like me to.”
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate the offer.” Although she wouldn’t take him up on it. She needed the Regents to see her as an individual, not merely an extension of her father.
“Okay, then. Don’t be so long between phone calls, young lady. I worry. So does your Uncle George, although he won’t admit it.”
“I promise to give him a call. Take care, Dad.”
After hanging up, Sasha rubbed her temples, trying to ease her headache. She kept trying to tell herself that she’d put the events of yesterday behind her but knew it for the lie it was—she’d been jumpy and tense all day.
And not just because she kept expecting Devlin Bane to show up in her doorway demanding answers or even her resignation. How bad had things been after the dust settled?
She shut down her computer. It was time to go find some answers. Rather than confront the Paladin in his office, she’d do an end run and check in with Laurel instead. Besides, the Handler was closer, since the medical labs were also located in the admin building just two floors down from Sasha’s own office.
The two guards on duty snapped to attention when she stepped out of the elevator. As soon as they recognized her, they abruptly turned back to the security monitors in front of them. Neither one even so much as smiled, which struck her as odd. Up until today, they’d both been friendly enough. Obviously the fighting had cast a pall over everyone’s mood.
She headed across the lobby to the medical labs where Laurel and the other Handlers worked. Given what Sasha knew about Paladin physiology, most of the warriors should’ve been treated and released by now, leaving only the most seriously injured—and the dead—as patients.
The doors to the lab swung open with a soft whoosh; the air was chilly and scented with chemicals and stale blood. Sasha paused just inside and shivered.
One look around had her considering a quick exit. The near side of the lab was crowded with stainless steel tables that served as patient beds. They were all full. On the far side, a single table stood alone, curtained off from view. She wasn’t sure she really wanted to know who was sequestered over there or why.
One of the techs was busy taking vitals, but when he spotted her, he went over and tapped Laurel on the shoulder. The Handler immediately motioned for Sasha to join her, patting the chair beside her. Sasha tiptoed around the edge of the room, skirting the hodgepodge of tables and trying not to disturb any of the sleeping patients.
As Sasha sat down, Laurel yawned loudly enough that her jaw cracked and popped.
“Sorry about that. What brings you to our little piece of paradise?”
It wasn’t hard to see the woman was operating on willpower and caffeine. “Laurel, when’s the last time you had any sleep?”
The Handler managed a small smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve caught a few winks here and there, and Dr. Neal is due to relieve me in a few minutes.”