Half an hourter, Zach''s car pulled up at the club. He told his assistant to handle dinner on his own, promising to cover the expensester, and then made his way to the suite upstairs. Owen was already there.


    "Sorry, got caught up in something and ended upte," Zach said, a touch apologetically.


    "No worries, I just got here myself," Owen replied, with an easy smile, motioning for Zach to take a seat. As Zach sat down, the waiter brought over a steaming cup of coffee, which Zach gratefully acknowledged.


    Though they hadn''t had much interaction before, their conversation flowed without any awkward pauses.


    "With your skills, it''s a shame," Owen remarked, referring to Zach''s time at the DA''s office, with a slight sigh.


    Zach sat quietly, his left hand resting on hisp, rarely moving. He took a sip of coffee and replied with a modest smile, "I just never really liked the whole bureaucratic game."


    Owen studied Zach, reminded of Mirabe. She was the same, never one to be hemmed in. Maybe it was just something in the Davis family DNA.


    Owen gathered his thoughts and said, "True enough. If you ever need anything, just let me know."


    Zach nodded, thinking for a moment, then said, "I''ve only got one sister, and she''s here studying on her own. I can''t always keep an eye on her, so if anythinges up, I''d appreciate it if you could help out."


    Even if he might never need the favor, Zach understood the value of having friends in influential ces. Owen''s political clout could sometimes open doors that money couldn''t.


    Owen paused, unsure if Zach knew about Mirabe''s ties to the Shepherd family, but he agreed, "Ms. Mirabe is someone I owe a lot to. It''s only right to look out for her."


    Zach thanked him.


    Soon, the waiter returned with their food. Owen''s dinner invite was partly to discuss the DA''s office, but also with the hope of seeing Mirabe, though she''d declined his invitation the day before. Not wanting to push, Owen didn''t bring her up during dinner, even though he was concerned about his old mentor''s health.


    Both men, lost in their own thoughts, parted ways after the meal.


    **


    When Zach got home, Mirabe was curled up on the couch under a thick nket, the trash bin beside her overflowing with tissues.


    "Zach, you''re back," Mirabe said, sniffling and looking up at him, her voice less congested than earlier.


    Zach nodded, sitting next to her and feeling her forehead, "Feeling any better?"


    "Sort of," Mirabe replied, pulling the nket tighter around herself.


    Zach''s lips twitched as if to say, "I''d believe you if you didn''t do that."


    "Where''s Nick?" he asked, ncing around.


    "Oh, he''s upstairs, busy with work." Despite her stuffy nose, Mirabe caught a


    faint whiff of something medicinal. "Did you use a ster?"


    Zach shrugged it off, rubbing his neck with his right hand, "Just a little work- rted ache."


    "Want me to give you a massage?" Mirabe offered, starting to shift the nket off her.


    Zach chuckled, shaking his head, and tucked the nket back around her, "I don''t take advantage of the sick."


    "You seem a bit different today," Mirabe observed, tilting her head. This sudden change in demeanor was unlike his usual style.