Page 20 of Wired Strong

“Yes. I’m here at my obstetric exam, and the doctor’s about to do a sonogram. She asked me if there was anyone I wanted to call. You were the only person I could think of.” Tears flowed freely from Sophie’s eyes to land on the paper-covered pillow.

Patty clasped her hands together. “Oh, Sophie, I’m so honored.”

The doctor wheeled the sonogram machine over. “We’re about ready to start. You’ll be able to see the baby on this monitor,” Kepler said.

Patty pulled herself together, grabbing paper towels off a roll on the counter to dab her eyes. “I need to see my little niece or nephew.”

“Absolutely. I’ll point the phone at the monitor,” Sophie said.

Soon Dr. Kepler had the cool, round-tipped wand coated in gel gliding over Sophie’s abdomen. Shapes appeared on the monitor in grainy black and white—but almost immediately the baby’s heartbeat, fast as a hummingbird’s wings, filled the audio.

More tears at that sound. “It’s like Jake’s alive again to hear that.” Patty put into words what Sophie had been unable to.

Soon, with Dr. Kepler’s guidance, they could make out the shape of the baby, curled up. Its hands and feet were already developed. “We will be able to discern his or her gender in another month or so,” Dr. Kepler said. “Will you want to know the sex?”

“I would,” Sophie said.

Patty clapped her hands. “Yes, yes, yes! Me too!”

Dr. Kepler gave Sophie and Patty an approximate due date and confirmed that the baby was looking healthy, and growth was appropriate to the conception date Sophie had shared. She printed a sonogram photo for Sophie, and sent an e-version for her to share, then turned off and put away the equipment as Sophie wrapped up her talk with Patty.

“Take your time on the phone,” Dr. Kepler said. “This room is not being used any more today.” She slipped out the door with a friendly wave.

“What do you want to do about my mother?” Patty asked. “She and Monica were so horrible to you at the hospital when Jake died—they don’t even deserve to know.” Patty’s gray eyes were sad. “But it’s just a twisted form of grief. My mom, especially, would be over the moon at this news. But I’ll respect whatever you want to do about it.”

“Let me think it over.” Sophie sat up and reached for her clothing. “I’m already having to deal with a lot of reactions. I don’t like the names your mother called me and I’m in no hurry to hear them again.”

“I get it. She’s going to therapy though, working on her anger about Jake’s death. I hope she’ll get through it soon, but we haven’t been speaking either. Promise you’ll call me shortly?” Patty clapped her hands. “I’m just so very, very happy about this.”

Jake’s sister’s whole-hearted joy was a balm; Sophie didn’t feel so alone.Her baby had an aunt that cared.“I’ll keep in touch. Thanks for always having my back. You’re the sister I never had.” They said an affectionate goodbye.

Her phone dinged with a reminder—she was supposed to meet Raveaux and Leede back at the office to receive any computer equipment or records they’d been able to collect for the Kama`aina Schools’ audit.

She hurried to change and head out the door. This time, she stuffed her red top and skirt into a gym bag, and donned a Security Solutions polo shirt and easy-movement pants. Dressing for action helped her stay focused. She had one more task to do before she got back to work.

Chapter Sixteen

Sophie

Back at the office,Sophie told Paula to hold all her calls. She locked the door and took out her tablet, seating herself comfortably on the couch where she could put her feet up.

Whom should she contact first?

Connor.Get that out of the way, so she could enjoy the second call without that difficult one hanging over her head.

Sophie logged into the anonymous chat room she used to send private messages to Connor. She’d thought long and hard about how and what to communicate. When she began typing, the words unspooled quickly, as if they’d been easy to say.

That was far from the truth.

Connor:

I hope you and Nam and Kupa are well. Tell them I miss them, and Phi Ni!

This will be my last communication with you until something changes with the investigation into the Ghost and, I believe, the ultimate agenda the multi-agency team has of capturing not only you, but the Master and my mother.

I have removed the GPS chip from my arm. It’s important that I sever all ties with you; that I can’t be used to lure you into a trap if I’m taken captive. I’ve done my best to protect myself; I’ve moved back in with my father. Unfortunately, he has been aiding the investigation, and I believe some kind of deal was made to protect me if he cooperated. So far, I haven’t confronted him about it. I am waiting until I know how to proceed, and when. I believe I’m safest from being seized by staying close to his side, and publicly visible.

I am also pregnant with Jake’s baby. It happened while we were trapped in the lava tube underground. I cannot afford to take any risks right now, physically or emotionally. Do not tell my mother. I know you tried to engineer our reconciliation, but I don’t trust her. I never will.

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