Page 20 of Silver Fire

“Make it happen,”Sophie told Braden in an unrelenting tone. “I AM having dinner with Christopher Blackstone tonight.”

Braden had given her a noncommittal answer last night when she informed him of her dinner plans with Christopher Blackstone.

“Things are still too hot. It’s not a good idea,” the Guardian replied levelly.

“I pay the AGS good money.”God, she felt like a bitch, but she could not let whoever wanted her dead win. And cowering like a rat in a hole was letting them win. She also needed to grill Christopher on what he knew. That was why she was bringing Beth; if anyone could get anything out of him, it would be her. Sophie stood up, indicating the end of their conversation. “Call Christopher and work out the arrangements. Make it happen, Braden.”

She headed into her laboratory and called Beth.

“Anything?”

“My sources indicate that Blackstone International is paying a South African mercenary group protection money against a network of extremists who are disrupting their mining operations in several locations in Africa,” Beth reported.

“Are you saying a terrorist group from Africa is behind the attack on my house?

“Abu-Haxa Brotherhood has its roots in Somalia, but they have cells everywhere on the African continent. Now depending on who you ask, they’re either the good or the bad guys.”

“It does not compute,” Sophie said, shaking her head. “Zefinium mining is only one percent of Blackstone’s mining business. The majority of it is uranium and diamonds. Why not go after whoever is behind the bigger slice of the pie?”

“You have a point.”

“Do you know which mercenary group this is?”

“Negative.”

“Keep digging. See you tonight.”

After Sophie hung up, she called Stephen into her office.

“What did the structural engineers say?”

“Good news, sweetie. They said the main foundation is intact. If you get a good contractor, they’ll be able to preserve most of the original structure,” Stephen said.

“Excellent!”

“The interior will have to be gutted because of the water damage, and some outside walls might have to be knocked out, but most of the structures with historic value can be repaired with minor cosmetic finish. I have already narrowed down the list of builders for you.”

Sophie smiled, relief overwhelming her. It would be agonizing to lose the last memory she had of her beloved grandmother.

“What would I do without you, Stephen?”

“You would do just fine, my brilliant girl. Now if only you would relax and try to have some fun.”

“We’re going out to dinner tonight, aren’t we?”

Stephen rolled his eyes. “Dinner with Christopher Blackstone is hardly relaxing. You two would drone on about business and the latest technology. Add Beth into the mix and you’ve got intrigue and politics too.” Her friend leaned in conspiratorially. “I’m talking about Derek Lockwood.”

Sophie stiffened. “What about him?”

“He’s been calling all morning wanting to talk to you, but you were busy in the laboratory playing catch-up.”

“I missed a whole day of work yesterday. If they want me to be on track for our meeting this Friday maybe he should leave me alone.”

Stephen held up his new phone, and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, all right, call him back.”

Smiling triumphantly, Stephen scrolled through his recent call list and hit a number, ignoring the daggered looks she was sending his way.

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