Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Probably pretty soon,” Sophie reluctantly admitted. “Keefe heard
that Grizel’s due back from Gildingham any day now.”
“Okay,” Fitz said, taking lots of long, slow breaths. “Okay. See? I
can handle it. What else have I missed?”
“Might as well tell him,” Elwin told her. “He’s taking this all much
better than I would’ve expected.”
“Of course I am!” Fitz said. “Mr. Snuggles has my back!”
He held up the sparkly dragon like it was the ultimate champion.
His smile was so bright—so genuine—that Sophie decided to trust
it, and shared what Biana had told her about searching Everglen with
Tam and Dex. She also told him that Keefe and Ro had done their own
investigation.
“Did any of them search my dad’s office?” Fitz asked.
“I’m not sure,” Sophie admitted. “I forgot to ask.”
“See?” he said. “This is why you need me.”
“I never said we didn’t,” she reminded him. “I just—”
“I know,” he interrupted, his eyes softening as they met hers. “I’ll
be careful, I promise. But I know I can make this work.”
She hoped so.
“Do you want me to hail Biana so you can ask about your dad’s
office?” she offered. “She’s going to be so relieved you’re awake. Your
parents too.”
“Alden’s been hailing me every day for updates,” Elwin agreed.
“He has?” Sophie asked, unable to hide her relief.
“I take it that means my parents haven’t been visiting?” Fitz
guessed. “Too busy preparing for the murderer’s homecoming?”
“You were also asleep,” Sophie reminded him.
“Pretty sure that wouldn’t have mattered.”