“Mark, I have some bad news.” Dietrich was never one for small talk.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to come and see you personally. Unfortunately the feeds already have the news, hence my call.”
“I understand, Dietrich. What is the news?”
“Gabriel and Martine were with Annika.”
I had a brother, my true blood brother, for a year, exactly. A year ago today, about this time, I had met Gabriel for the first time. I had been angry with him, this morning on the beach. He was already dead when I was angry with him.
“Mark?”
“Yes, Dietrich. I’m still here. Do you have any idea who did this?”
“Not yet, no, but we will find them. I promise you that.”
“You mean like Bo Vinh or my father?” I sighed into the silence. “I’m sorry, that was unfair of me.”
“I understand. Forget it. I will try my best to catch who did this, but we have no leads at all. Nothing. If there is any news I will contact you.”
“Thank you for calling me.”
“Take care, Mark.”
“Dev?”
“Yes, Mark?”
“Turn off everything except Philip’s mobile and the music.”
The image in front of me disappeared. I looked down at Philip sleeping. ‘Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata’ playing softly as the solar system swirled above his head.
We’re it now, just you and me. The last of the Zumar blood.
A bright flash lit the room. I counted. One. Two. Three. Thunder cracked, and settled into a rumble. About five kiloms away. I picked Philip up and went back out to the deck. Lightning and thunder rolled as one. The storm was on top of the house. Either side of the deck palms flapped and clacked together as the front moved in. Big round, dark spots appeared on the steps to the beach. The rain came thick and fast. Flattening the sand with its force and hiding the sea from view.
I sat down in the blue chair. I wanted Mariko to come back. I didn’t want Philip to get this feeling from me. He held me in check, a restraint on my emotions. White-hot anger fueled by grief.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20 A Lunchtime Chat
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31 A Hawk For Life
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
A Cull Party
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Book One: The Zumar Chronicles
Chapter 1