by Toby Neal
But nothing was going to keep her from finding out who was in Apartment 9C. Her heart pounded. Not with fear. Excitement. She was so close to catching the Ghost.
“Well, before you get all hot and bothered finding the key, let’s see if anyone’s home.” Ken reached out a finger and pushed the bell. It dinged inside, a genteel chime. The manager was still trying to find the right key when the door opened.
A shirtless man wearing red flannel pajama bottoms with kangaroos on them stood in the doorway, rubbing wet blond hair. A square-jawed, blue-eyed face looked at them questioningly. Sophie tried not to notice the man’s well-developed physique.
“George! What’s the problem?” He had a light Australian accent.
“Ah, Mr. Remarkian. You’re back,” the manager exclaimed. “These FBI agents insisted on coming in to search this apartment. They say they’re looking for Sheldon Hamilton.”
“Oh, good!” The man’s face cleared and he grinned. “So glad you two came by. I’ve had a communication from Sheldon and I’ve been on the phone to Security Solutions to tell them the crisis is over. Come on in.” He made a welcoming gesture for them to enter, and the manager, emitting obsequious noises, removed himself.
“Special Agent Ken Yamada, Special Agent Sophie Ang.” Ken introduced them as they stepped into the apartment, flipping open his creds wallet.
Sophie hesitated in the doorway, still trying to get over the surprise of finding Todd Remarkian in the apartment. The place was beautifully furnished in a modern minimalist style, with elegant silver carpeting and a luxe seating area in black leather.
Todd reached out to shake Sophie’s limp hand, humor and concern in his bright blue eyes. “You look like you’ve been through the wringer.” That Aussie accent was broader in person. His hand was dry and slightly callused.
“Hazards of the job,” Sophie said. Her voice was still scratchy. “We’ve met—sort of. On the phone.”
“Must have been a hell of a day!”
“It has been. We have news for you. But I’m surprised. I was here earlier and no one was home,” Sophie said.
“Yeah. I got in from Hong Kong late last night and had to go out and pick up some food, run some errands. You must have come when I was out.” Todd spoke over his shoulder as he walked toward the kitchen. “I was just fixing some tea. Care for some?”
“Sure.” Ken surprised Sophie with his reply. The senior agent sat down on the leather couch. “Glad to hear there’s some news of Hamilton.”
“Oh yes. He called me on a visual linkup. Asked me to record our conversation for the board of Security Solutions and for you folks, once I told him he was being investigated as a missing person.” Todd Remarkian’s voice came back hollowly from the kitchen. Sophie heard some clattering noises. She sat tentatively on the loveseat adjacent to Ken and looked around the apartment.
The space had the professionally decorated impersonality of a corporate condominium, right down to a brass urn against the wall matching the ones by the front door. Ken quirked an eyebrow at her as Sophie searched for some personal sign of Todd’s occupancy.
She spotted a discarded towel on the floor of the bathroom, a pile of clothing on the bed visible through the open door. On the coffee table in front of them rested a sleek silver laptop. Regrettably, it was closed. She longed to open it and see what programs he was running.
Todd Remarkian came back from the kitchen. He’d put on a T-shirt and he carried a designer teapot in hammered copper on a bamboo tray set with matching copper-colored mugs, sliced lemon and a ramekin of sugar cubes. He set the tea things down on the table and addressed Sophie. “Lemon? Sugar?”
“Black is fine.”
Remarkian poured the tea and handed her a cup. Ken accepted lemon, and when they were all situated, he sat beside Ken on the larger sofa and opened the laptop.
“As Agent Ang said, we have news for you, too,” Ken said. “Nothing good, I’m afraid.”
“Oh?” Remarkian sipped his tea. His eyes were guileless, candid.
“Lee Chan was murdered today. By a man named Assan Ang.” Sophie said, watching the blond man intently. “The killer’s in custody.”
Remarkian’s eyes widened. His teacup clattered a little against the table as he set it down. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” he said. “Chan killed. My God. Why?”
Ken didn’t answer him. “We’d like to know all you can tell us about Chan. Okay if I record this?” He took out his phone and thumbed it to a voice-recording feature.
Remarkian made a gesture to Sophie, taking in her injuries. “Did he hurt you?”
“Not all of it,” Sophie said. “Have you ever had dealings with Assan Ang? He’s a businessman from Hong Kong.”
“I’m aware of that name from our work in Hong Kong. Import-export, right? But I’ve never met the man.” Remarkian knew something; Sophie could see it in the tight corners of his mouth.
“Someone is the saboteur, and someone is selling information within your company. We know that much. It seems Lee Chan was the leak,” Ken said. “We got into his laptop today and found evidence he was siphoning off your clients’ information and selling it to Assan Ang, and possibly others.”
“I told you to look hard at him,” Remarkian said directly to Sophie.
“How did you know about his financials?” Sophie asked.
“I suspected. I had bookkeeping put a bug on his account, if you must know. I froze him out of our client information days ago.” Remarkian shook his head. “I thought he was the saboteur, too. Getting his jollies manipulating our less than legal clients into hurting themselves and making a profit off them at the same time.”
“There’s nothing in his computer indicating that,” Ken said. “Though it might be safe to assume.”
“Why don’t you tell us your news about Sheldon Hamilton?” Sophie asked. “It could be germane to the case.”
“I already called Frank Honing—of course, I had no idea about what you just told me. I left a voice message on his phone, and I called the rest of the board. We’re having an emergency board of directors meeting later today to review and implement what Sheldon directed, but to start, I’ll play this recording of our conversation this morning.”
Sophie sipped her tea, and was startled to find that it was the strong flavor she bought at a specialty shop. “You drink Thai tea.”
Todd, still fiddling with his laptop, glanced up and grinned, an attractive smile.
“Got a taste for it in all my time overseas. I have it shipped here to keep a supply on hand.”
“It’s different.” Ken apparently didn’t care for the smoky, dark flavor as he added sugar to his, stirring with a tinkling sound.
“Man. I’m still reeling about Ang and Chan. Shit. Do you know why Ang killed him?” Remarkian asked.
“Not for sure. We’re interested in anything that you could tell us about that,” Ken said smoothly.
“I have no damn idea, like I said. I had my hands full dealing with the Hong Kong expansion.” Remarkian stood, pushed his hands through his hair in agitation. “Frank Honing is giving me a run for my money at the management level. He’s a company man all the way, buttoned up tight, a real control freak. In fact, I anticipate the most problems from him with the changes this video calls for.” He sat back down. “Let me just play this for you.”
Sophie had to move over to join the two men on the sofa and get a look at the screen. She realized, as her shoulder brushed Remarkian’s, that she was nervous to see the man she’d guessed was the Ghost.
“Hey Todd. Are you recording?” Sheldon Hamilton looked much as he had in the corporate photo Sophie had seen on the company website: dapper in a well-cut suit, short dark hair styled. He wore fashionable black-rimmed glasses and had grown a goatee.
Sophie narrowed her eyes, trying to glean all she could from the video.
He was sitting on a cream-colored couch. She could see that it was night through the window behind him. A constant flashing of neon signs
in Chinese gave the location away: she recognized the familiar Hong Kong skyline at night, from a high-rise building.
“I’m recording,” Todd’s Aussie accent came through the audio.
“Well, it’s past time I cleared things up. I’m making this recording so it can be circulated for authentication, as I imagine what I have to say is not going to be well-received.”
Sophie felt a sense of familiarity looking at Sheldon Hamilton, though she was sure she’d never seen him before. Sophie kept her own facial mask in place as the video continued.
“I apologize for any inconvenience I’ve caused by my temporary disappearance. This recording serves as my legal affidavit transferring control of my shares of Security Solutions to Todd Remarkian. He is co-owner of our proprietary software, and will be taking over my role as president and CEO of Security Solutions.” Hamilton held up a printed document. “Todd, can you zoom in on this? I’ll fax it to you afterward.”
The camera focused in on an official-looking document. Hamilton pointed to the signatures at the bottom. “Signed, witnessed, and notarized. This document transfers ownership of my shares in Security Solutions to Todd Remarkian. Todd, you’ve been a good friend through all of this. I trust you to carry things forward. And now, I bid you all good-bye. I will be living abroad for the foreseeable future.”
“Any further words, boss?” Todd’s voice again.
“Yes.” Sheldon Hamilton’s intense dark eyes seemed to fix on Sophie’s. “I don’t believe that justice should be blind.”
His elegant hand reached out and hit a button on his laptop. The recording went black.
Sophie shivered, a tiny involuntary movement. She picked up her mug of tea, moving back to her place on the loveseat. She felt bereft, a feeling she hated.
Todd glanced at her curiously and then handed the document that had been beneath his laptop to Ken. “I think you’ll see this is in order.”
Ken took it, skimmed it, and looked back at the Australian. “Why? You must know more about what this guy is thinking. Why would he leave you everything and take off?”
“Sheldon is a builder, a visionary. He lives according to his own rules, always has. I’ve known him since we went to international school together.” Remarkian shrugged. “I always knew he had very little interest in Security Solutions except as a way to fund his lifestyle and interests. He’s a Renaissance man, likes to entertain himself by learning new things, perfecting his interests. He always told me he’d be moving on. I just didn’t expect him to bail on me like he did in Hong Kong. It really rattled me.” Remarkian picked up his mug, took a sip. “I’ve got to get ready for the most intense board meeting of my life, because I’m sure Honing’s going to fight me. Replacing Chan is going to take some doing, too. I’m so sorry about him.”
Sophie could see that he was. The tremble was back in his hand as the Australian sipped his tea. “Well, we need a copy of this document,” Ken said. “And the recording.”
“Done. I already forwarded them on secure email to your Special Agent in Charge.”
“One more question.” Sophie set her mug down and leaned forward to make eye contact with Remarkian. “How long have you and Hamilton been planning this?”
The Australian appeared absolutely blank for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“You got me there. Don’t quote me because I’ll deny it, but this was always the plan. Like I said, Sheldon likes new challenges, likes the startup phase. But I want something solid. I want to build and guide this company, make it something great. I think we can do what we do, and do it better. And don’t think he’s giving me all this…” Remarkian gestured with his arms, encompassing the apartment. “for free. Oh no. He’s retaining an income stream percentage payment off the company indefinitely. But you can’t track it through the banks. It’s all routing through offshore accounts.”
“All right.” Ken slapped his hands down on his gray gabardine slacks and stood. “I feel sure we’re going to have more questions for you after we meet with our team, but this is a start. And good luck with your takeover of Security Solutions.”
Remarkian stood, and Sophie did too. She’d left most of the talking to Ken, as directed, but her one question had been a good one, and he’d answered. Still, she felt deflated. She’d wanted something more. A showdown, some bigger closure.
She’d wanted to meet the Ghost.
Remarkian shook hands with Ken and the senior agent headed for the door. The blond Australian turned to her.
“Can you reach him?” Sophie whispered.
“Of course.” Remarkian smiled. “What do you want me to tell him?”
“Good game,” Sophie said. “I’m sorry it’s over.”
“Who said it’s over?” And Remarkian winked.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sophie stood on the bluestone steps of the Addams family mansion several days later, holding the stuffed rabbit in her arms. She’d taken time with her appearance, putting on makeup to cover the worst of her injuries, but Anna’s mother answered the door and recoiled.
“Oh my goodness, what happened?”
Sophie smiled. “Nothing much. Hazards of the profession.” She held the rabbit out. “I called about returning this?”
“Oh yes. Please come in. Anna has been asking about you all the time.” She opened the door wide. “Anna!” She called.
Sophie heard the pattering of running feet and smiled as Anna ran into the room. She would never have recognized the bouncy, pigtailed little girl who embraced her enthusiastically as the shell-shocked child she’d carried out of the closet.
“Sophie!” Anna exclaimed. “You brought Bun-Bun back!”
“He kept me company for a while, but he wanted to be back at your house,” Sophie said, handing the rabbit over.
“He’s all clean!” Anna embraced the rabbit. “Did he help you sleep at night? Because I have trouble sleeping sometimes.”
“He did. He’s very snuggly and good at helping people sleep.”
“Let me show you my room.” Anna towed Sophie down the hall. Sophie glanced back. Anna’s mother was making tea in the kitchen.
“You go on,” she said. “Let Anna tell you all about the book she’s been making with Dr. Souza.”
They went down the hall. Anna’s room was at the end.
“I see you like rabbits.” Sophie looked around at wallpaper covered with bunnies, curtains with bunnies, and bunny-themed bedding.
“Bun-Bun started it,” Anna said. “I want to show you the story book I made with my counselor.”
Sophie allowed herself to be pulled over to the child’s desk. On it was a booklet made out of stapled sheets of paper. On the cover was written WHAT HAPPENED in wavering capitals, decorated by a drawing of a tall brown woman holding a girl wearing a nightgown in her arms. Orange wings came from the woman’s shoulders, each feather drawn carefully, filling the page.
“The wings are supposed to be gold,” Anna said. “But I just had orange. See, that’s you rescuing me.”
Sophie felt her eyes well up. “Nice,” she said, blinking and looking away.
“No, look here.” Anna tugged her hand, refusing to let Sophie’s attention wander. “I want to show you how it was.” Anna opened the booklet, and took Sophie through a visual narrative of her kidnapping.
The men who broke in through her window and took her.
The dark closet.
The scary noises.
Anna praying for her mom to find her.
The sound of guns.
The angel who flew down from the ceiling and fought the bad guys.
The angel carrying her out of the building back to her mom and dad.
“And that’s you,” Anna finished triumphantly. “I know you have to hide your wings most of the time, but I saw them.”
“That’s a beautiful booklet.” Sophie didn’t want to cry in front of Anna and scare her. “You draw really well.”
“Dr. Souza says you aren’t really an angel,
but I know what I saw. Thank you for bringing Bun-Bun home.” Anna went over to the bed and put the rabbit up against the pillow, much as Sophie had done at her own apartment. “Mom made a copy of the book, so this one is for you.” She thrust the original booklet into Sophie’s hands. “Mom said she was going to fix us a tea party snack. She saves the good snacks for when people come over.”
“Okay.” Sophie followed, towed along in the girl’s wake, an ocean liner behind a tugboat. “But I can’t stay long. I left my dog in the car.”
“You have a dog? I love dogs!”
Sophie ended up in the back yard having a tea party with Anna, Anna’s mother, Bun-Bun, and Ginger.
Later, replete with sugar cookies and tea, Sophie and Ginger bade Belle and Anna goodbye. Back in the Lexus, Ginger sat on the passenger seat as Sophie dabbed at the cut on her cheek, broken open from too much smiling.
“I could get used to being someone’s angel,” she told the dog, stowing the booklet carefully in her bag. Ginger thumped her tail in agreement. Before she turned on the Lexus, she checked her email.
The Ghost had written her back. Her taunt that she’d find him had worked.
“Good hunting.”
She laughed, and put the car in gear. There were ghosts to catch.
Turn the page to keep reading book two of the Paradise Crime Thrillers, Wired Rogue!
Wired Rogue
Paradise Crime Book 2
“Unraveling external selves and coming home to our real identity is the true meaning of soul work.” - Sue Monk Kidd
Chapter One
Children shouldn’t be treated like slaves. Anger tightened Special Agent Sophie Ang’s hands as she adjusted the binoculars a little more to focus in on ten kids of various ages, bent over in a water-filled patch of land planted in the deep green, heart-shaped leaves of the Hawaiian kalo. They wore bathing suits and palm frond hats as they worked in the hot sun, an adult supervising from the shade of a nearby palm tree.
