Page 50 of Wired Strong

Sophie sat back on her heels. “As to your earlier question, I just always had an aptitude for—how do I say it . . . figuring things out. I like to find better ways to do things. And once I got my hands on a computer, it drew me into another world. A world where I felt comfortable, where I instinctively knew the language. I don’t have a better way of explaining it.”

Kanekoa gave a huge smile. “That’s exactly what my boy Conrad says!”

She was so likable.

Kanekoa pulled out her chair and sat down. “This job was a godsend. I was just doing minor bookkeeping for a few stores, when I saw an ad for Peerless. Working here is a real career, and I found my way into it because I was good at numbers! But I want so much more for my son, and he deserves that.” A shadow seemed to pass across her visage.

Sophie honed in on that. “Why?”

“Conrad had a rough start. My husband and I adopted him when he was three, and his biological parents had exposed him to a lot of neglect. We don’t think he was actively abused, but he wasn’t given the kind of affection a baby needs, and it affected him. And since my husband left, he’s been really withdrawn.” Kanekoa clapped her hand over her mouth again. “I can’t believe I’m telling you my life story! I’m so sorry. Conrad says I have diarrhea of the mouth.”

Kanekoa had one of those “glass faces” that Marcella had said were so easy to read; she was definitely hiding something, and it showed in her eyes, in her demeanor.

Sophie patted the woman’s knee. “I’m so glad you told me all of this. It makes my day to have been able to make a genuine connection with someone.”

“Oh, me too. Thanks for listening.” Kanekoa gave Sophie a hug goodbye. “Don’t work too hard, now.”

Clearly, something was on this woman’s mind, and she had chosen to confide in Sophie in a way that left her vulnerable. Whatever happened going forward with the case, Sophie was going to do her best to protect Jana Kanekoa and her son.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Raveaux

Day 9

The next day,Raveaux came in from his early morning lap swim in Waikiki Bay to find an urgent text on his phone from Leede.“Get down to my office, Pierre! The security detail watching the target computer has nabbed a suspect at the school!”

Raveaux grabbed his towel off the sand, turning for a brief look at the turquoise water that had felt so refreshing. He enjoyed the waving palms, the seabirds, the arc of beach peopled by only a few early morning walkers. He’d decided to start looking for a more permanent dwelling, somewhere that he could have a pet of some kind, but he would miss being right next to the ocean and being able to swim every day. Maybe he would get lucky and find an apartment near the water that allowed animals.

Raveaux hurried to his apartment, pausing to wash the sand off his feet before taking a shower inside. Under the fall of water, soaping up, he thought of Sophie.

Smooth tawny skin. Shapely legs. The curve of her breasts. Those mysterious tattoos down her thighs, along her arms. Droplets of water falling from her lips; the way her neck arched.

The fact that she was pregnant only made her more attractive to him—was that perverse? He didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. No one knew what went on in his own private mind. He was deeply satisfied with the progress they had made in friendship. He was so grateful for the gift she had offered him in having a role with her children.

All of that was enough for now. And in the meantime, he was only human if he enjoyed the attention of a few other women for casual activities.

He shaved, dressed, and summoned a rideshare to Leede’s office.

Leede opened the door. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Pierre.”

Leede’s rhinestone glasses were in place, her white hair in a bun, and she wore one of those suits that made her look eighty. “I see Inspector Hermione Leede is in residence,” he said. “That orange really becomes her.”

“You’re onto my wicked ways.” Leede extended a tiny fist. “Open up, I have something for you.”

Raveaux held out his hand, palm up. Leede opened hers, and dropped a key into it. “You no longer need to knock. Let yourself into my office anytime.”

Raveaux’s neck flushed. He wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you,” he managed.

Leede took in his expression and tipped her head back to laugh. “Haha! I have rendered Monsieur Pierre Raveaux speechless. Excellent!” She scooped her messenger bag off the desk. “We’re taking my car and heading for Kama`aina Schools. They have the suspect in custody.”

Raveaux followed her brisk walk as they exited the building and climbed into the boat of a Cadillac. Raveaux belted himself in as Leede hoisted herself onto her booster seat, adjusted the mirrors, pedal support, and steering wheel to her satisfaction, and roared out of the parking garage, hardly looking to the left as she turned onto the busy avenue. Raveaux cringed as he heard a screech of tires, and shut his eyes for the drive to Kama`aina Schools.

* * *

Dr. Stuart Ka`ulawore the disconcerting scowl that appeared to be an essential part of his standard uniform. “Follow me.”

He’d met them at the entrance to the main office, an area neither Raveaux nor Leede had seen before. They walked down an immaculate, dignified hallway lined with cultural artifacts installed on the walls: an antique Hawaiian canoe paddle, sections of preservedkapacloth, even a framed, professionally mounted royal feather cape.

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