by Toby Neal
“And now they know someone’s watching them,” Sophie said. “Do you think we should fly right back to your island? What if they have radar or something, and can track where we’re going?”
“I’ll land us in Phi Phi.” Thom named a larger island popular among visitors. “There are many tourists there. They should not be able to track us once we land in the busy airport. This chopper just looks like one of a thousand tour aircraft.”
Connor was silent as they flew the extra distance and Thom radioed the airport with their flight plan. They landed in a bustling helicopter area, loud with engines and ripe with the smells of fuel and chatter of voices.
Sophie could hardly wait to get out of the helicopter. She took off her helmet as the rotors slowed and waited for Connor as he and Thom conferred.
Finally, the two got out and Thom began checking over the helicopter.
Connor walked toward Sophie, carrying his helmet and the befouled gear bag. He still looked pale and a little green, and Sophie smiled. “I think you have been punished for this mistake already.”
“That was too close,” Connor said. “Thom’s going to have the mechanics check over our aircraft for damage and refuel it.” He held up the bag. “And I’m disposing of this.”
They walked to a metal-roofed private hangar that had been outfitted for passengers as a lounge. Sophie found a women’s restroom and, after checking that it was empty, used the facilities and splashed water on her face.
Connor wasn’t the only one looking a little worse for wear after their recent experience. She shed her flight suit; there was no air conditioning in the building, and palm frond ceiling fans did little but move the humid air around. The tank top and exercise shorts she wore underneath were fine for this setting.
The hangar was outfitted with a drinks area decorated with stools covered in bright colors. A grass skirt fronting the bar gave a tropical feel. Connor, also out of his flight gear, gestured Sophie over and handed her a tall, frothy, aqua-colored drink trimmed with a carved bamboo skewer laden with peeled rambutan. “A Blue Hawaiian. Or, as close as the bartender could get.”
“Divine nectar of the gods!” Sophie sucked down a sweet, refreshing sip. “My favorite drink. The perfect antidote to our misadventure.”
“I’m learning Thai, and I think I understood that. Something about the gods?” Connor clinked his beer against the rim of her drink. “I can’t apologize enough.”
“It was almost worth it to see the Ghost get airsick,” Sophie said, a smile tugging her lips. “I never thought I’d see you ‘lose your cool,’ as Marcella would say.”
Connor pushed his short dark hair back with a hand, shaking his head. “Well, now we know that the Yām Khûmkạn is ready, willing, and able to take down anyone or anything they see as a threat. We looked like an innocent tourist helicopter, and they showed no hesitation in trying to shoot us right out of the sky.”
Sophie shivered, remembering the violent spinning of the helicopter, the sight of the monkeys fleeing an imminent crash into the jungle canopy. She lifted her Blue Hawaiian. “To good pilots.”
“And guardian angels that work overtime.” Connor clinked his glass to hers, and they drank.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Connor’s computer lab had no windows except a set of sliding glass doors that faced into the courtyard, covered by a set of light-filtering blinds. Entering the space for the first time the next day, Sophie smiled at the sight of his workstation; she was familiar with even the gym equipment and violin practice areas in the room, because the layout was a replica of his secret “Bat Cave” office in the Pendragon Arches building in Honolulu.
“You don’t need me for any of this,” Sophie said as she walked over and sat in a luxurious ivory leather office chair in front of three monitors and two computers that he had set up for her. “You’re just making an excuse to get me working again.”
“True. But everything is more fun when it’s shared. I did not know that before I met you,” Connor said.
Sophie didn’t acknowledge his comment. Every now and then he slipped in statements that showed his feelings for her hadn’t changed. Ignoring these comments seemed to be the best course. She woke up the screens and checked over the program coding displayed on the monitor. “This looks good. When the WITSEC mole accesses the info again, he’ll pick up this tag and lead us right back to him.” Sophie shivered in the room’s air conditioning. The temperature was optimal for computers, not necessarily humans. Connor noticed, and handed her a sweatshirt. She slid her arms into too-big sleeves and wrapped it around her. “I want us to look into Hazel Matsue’s supervisor, Deputy Supervisory Marshal Burt Felcher,” she said. “Matsue told me that she did not log our secret location information. By going to see my father and his Secret Service agent at the Hilo Bay Hilton, I might have violated protocol. Once I did that, the Marshals Service could still claim their one hundred percent success rate, and if Felcher is the leak, he would not want to draw attention by violating that track record.”
“This is just the information I needed. Now that I have a physical person to track, I can run down his activities, background, financials, etcetera.” Connor settled in the chair beside her and cracked his knuckles. “Get ready to be hacked, Burt Felcher.”
It was comfortable working alongside of Connor, surfing through data on the marshal collected from satellites, video cams, and surveillance equipment. They constructed a file on Felcher, tracking him at work, at home, even driving in his car.
“It is pleasant to be unfettered by any rules or concerns about the subject’s rights or answering to a governing agency,” Sophie said after some hours.
“Are you coming to the dark side?” Connor teased.
Sophie shook her head. “Only when strictly necessary, as in this instance. But I do see why you like this way of doing things.”
In the days of investigation that followed as they applied themselves to the WITSEC case, Sophie felt herself gradually reengaging with the world and being able to maintain a cohesive focus. They exercised, worked in the office, then napped, or snorkeled, or beach walked. Sophie reveled in the mellow pace. She continued to gather all she could find on the Yām Khûmkạn, which didn’t end up being anything new.
Pim Wat’s stated goal of having Sophie develop online countermeasures made sense, given the organization’s dinosaur online presence.
Connor and Sophie didn’t have all they needed to trace the leak activity to Felcher, but the tracker tag attached to the Trojan spyware employed by the dirty agent eventually led him back to an IP address that could be physically checked out.
Connor knocked on the doorway of Sophie’s room on her last day at his island retreat. “It’s time to pass on this WITSEC case information we’ve gathered. Who do you think should get it?”
“It needs to go to both the head of the Marshals Service and to an outside agency to make sure that the leak is plugged,” Sophie said. “We can keep an eye on the Trojan through the back door that you’ve created—but if the dirty agent finds our tracker, he can just install another RAT and we’ll have to start all over again.”
“I’ll send the IP location and our data on to the head of the Marshals Service. From an anonymous source,” Connor said.
“And I would like to send it to Freitan and Wong. They earned this, dealing with that body dump I found. They can provide some assurance that WITSEC acts on this.”
Connor nodded and withdrew, leaving Sophie to her packing. Departure for Oahu and the trial had rolled around at last, and Sophie suppressed a feeling of dread as she packed her meager belongings—Mary Watson flirty skirts and feminine blouses that Connor had purchased. She could leave everything behind, but she was planning to spend the night at her father’s apartment before the trial, and wouldn’t have any clothing.
Sophie zipped up her duffel and picked up her computer bag. Ginger nudged her thigh, seeing the signs of departure.
“You seem like you have enjoyed your
time here,” Connor said as she joined him in the spacious entry room.
Connor had given her respite in his remote island getaway, and Sophie knew it. Her skin glowed with health and sunshine, her hair was a lustrous nimbus of curls, and she felt deeply rested in spite of the upcoming challenge of the trial.
“I have enjoyed my time here. It’s paradise, truly.” Sophie was uncomfortable with the intensity of his gaze. “I thank you for your hospitality. It has been a most welcome break for me to be somewhere completely safe.”
“Consider this your home away from home.”
“I do not think so.” Sophie could not be anything but truthful. “But I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me.” She couldn’t look at him as she walked out, Ginger at her side.
Anubis and Nam the houseman were sad to say goodbye too, but soon Sophie and Ginger were settled on the Security Solutions jet flown by Thom.
Connor sat at his onboard workstation, dressed in immaculate business casual with freshly darkened hair, his eyes hidden behind colored contacts once more as he scrolled on a tablet.
Sophie opened her laptop and busied herself reviewing the notes she had made for her testimony in the Akane Chang case.
The notes were extensive. The district attorney had sent her a list of questions likely to be put to her by Chang’s defense, and ones he wanted her to answer to set up the prosecution’s case. Sophie built her testimony off her notes from the file of her and Jake’s activities on their last case together. She felt a little pang of emotion every time she saw Jake’s name, remembering the things they had been through together trying to find a missing young woman.
Jake had been there for her when she crashed from the emotional upset of her mother’s reappearance into her life. He had shown depth of character that she had not thought him capable of. She missed him in an elemental way, longing for the heat of his body, the rumble of his voice, the sound of his heart against her cheek.
Each of the men in her life enriched her in such different ways. Her connection with Alika was comfortable friendship, spiritual and grounding, encompassing years of shared experience and physical compatibility. Her connection with Connor was stimulating, fascinating, a meeting of the mind, an adventure of titillating possibilities. And her tie to Jake was visceral. She even missed his smell.
She needed more time alone, unfettered, to figure out her own heart. Maybe when the Chang case was over, she could resume the explorations she’d been making through the Islands before her journey was derailed by Ginger’s discovery of a murdered family.
Sophie got up from her seat now that the jet was leveling off and went to sit beside Connor in his sleek leather lounger. He was working on his tablet, his fingers flying.
“Is the Ghost looking for a new case?” Sophie asked as she sat down.
“You could have a look at what I’m working on anytime you care to open the program.” Connor didn’t look at her.
“Why are you so annoyed?” Sophie asked.
“Because you will not forgive me, and we’ve run out of time.” Connor’s mouth pinched tightly.
Sophie had not expected such an unvarnished, truthful statement. “I forgave you when you brought Ginger out to Thailand. I should have told you then.” Sophie persevered when he still didn’t look up. “I would like to be friends. Colleagues. To work together on the cases that we can, that intersect with shared agendas. I will collaborate with law enforcement and systems; you can do what you choose to do.”
Connor looked up at last, his gaze anguished. “Do you think I want things to be like this?” He whispered harshly. “Don’t you think I want to have a—more normal life? But I cannot have that because I must do what I must do.”
“But why?” Sophie’s query was a cry from the heart. “Why are you so compelled?”
“Because I can do what no one else can, I have a responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required.”
“Even I have heard that saying.” Sophie shook her head. “You are making a choice. Your statement is a belief. Dr. Wilson tells me every belief should be examined for its functionality. Who appointed you policeman, judge, and jury of all the evil in the world?” Sophie had never asked him how he’d become the Ghost, what process had brought him to this point.
But in this moment, she knew she was afraid to ask, afraid to know anything more, afraid that further disclosures would draw her deeper into his world and strengthen their connection…she was in deep enough already.
Connor blew out a sigh, leaning back to take his glasses off and rub the bridge of his nose. “I have been thinking about your skill set and your desire to work with law enforcement. I made no secret of the fact that I hoped you would join me in the mission of the Ghost. But since you have made it clear that is not something you’ll do, I would like to propose an alternative: a special team.”
Sophie stared at Connor as he stood up, moving back and forth in the central area of the jet with catlike grace. “I don’t want you just to be an asset for the CIA. They do not have your best interests at heart—trust me on that. But we can use the opportunity of your mother’s proposal that you join the Yām Khûmkạn as Security Solutions’ first foray into counterintelligence. We can work for the CIA together, on our own terms. You can screen and investigate the Yām Khûmkạn on multiple levels, using the Security Solutions company and resources as a filter and a shield. We will decide what the CIA gets and doesn’t get.”
“How do you know the CIA does not have my best interests at heart?” Sophie stayed with something she could keep him talking about as she considered his proposal.
He paused to stare at her, his hands on his hips. “Really? You’re asking me this?”
“Do they know about the Ghost?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Their cyber intelligence is not the best, and the Ghost works mostly online. But I’ve seen enough of their operations to know that when an asset’s usefulness is ended, they dispose of him or her. I do not want that to happen to you.”
“And you think you can protect me?”
“I know I can.” Connor’s voice rang with conviction.
He probably could. But then she’d be dependent on him.
Sophie covered her face, dropping her head into her hands. “I know I need to respond to my mother, and to the CIA. I’ve been dreading it.” She dropped her hands and looked up at Connor as clarity lit her like a torch. “I want to work on the Big Island for now. Near Dr. Wilson, so I can strengthen my recovery under the guidance of a trusted professional. You’ve seen me. You know I’m not strong enough psychologically for such a role at the moment.”
Connor’s artificially dark brown eyes were opaque and unsettling. “Just don’t do anything with the Yām Khûmkạn without talking to me first.”
“Then perhaps we should call my mother now.”
A long pause as Connor contemplated her. Finally, “I will give you a secure phone line through my computer that she cannot tap, and we will record the conversation. You can use Security Solutions as a shield even now.”
Sophie narrowed her eyes. “You mean I can use you as a shield.”
Connor tightened his lips and did not reply.
Once again, Sophie battled resentment that her mother had come into her life with nothing but a selfish motive. She had complicated Sophie’s life even further at a time when Sophie was already strained by having an assassin on her trail, cases that haunted her, and relationship stress.
The depression hovered at the edges of her vision, flapping black wings at her, and Sophie remembered that she hadn’t used Dr. Wilson’s nasal spray in over a week.
Connor input the number that Sophie had been given by Security Solutions, and dialed.
Pim Wat answered, her voice smoky and familiar, speaking Thai.
“Mother, it’s Sophie.”
“Sophie Malee. It took you long enough to respond.”
Connor reached over and squeezed Sophie’s hand. His grip was strong, the support of some
one who loved her. Anti-venom against the poison of someone who did not.
“Mother. I am in the middle of a very dangerous case, which I hope will be wrapping up soon.”
“I am aware, and concerned. You must take precautions and stay safe.”
“Almost sounds like you care.” Sophie released a breath and let go of the sarcasm—it could hurt their negotiations. “I am thinking over your proposal, and I have questions.”
“I do care. Ask your questions.” Pim Wat was annoyed. “Not everyone is as emotional as you, Sophie Malee. Some of us show we care in other ways.”
Sophie couldn’t get into an argument with her mother about her utter lack of anything that had ever translated to Sophie as love. She switched to English so Connor could follow the conversation in real time. “What does the Yām Khûmkạn need me to do? I won’t do anything illegal.”
“There has been a penetration into our organization. Money is being siphoned off, and our agents’ names have been posted to Interpol watch lists. We need you to find out who is manipulating us online and close the breaches.”
“I do not need to be in your country to do that kind of work. You can grant me remote access to your databases. I can set up firewalls and protections for you remotely and pursue the creator of the breach online.”
“There are those in our organization who do not trust you,” Pim Wat said. “We want to have you physically present and our own tech agent checking your work.”
“You mean, metaphorically or even literally, holding a gun to my head. And if your agents are good enough to check my work, they are good enough to do it themselves. So far you have offered me nothing of interest, Mother.” Sophie glanced at Connor, and he nodded encouragingly. “What will the Yām Khûmkạn offer me for this work? And before you tell me money, I will tell you that I am not interested in that.”
