Page 7 of Wired Target

This had worked to a degree, but the culture of the ancient organization was rigidly hierarchical.The men were used to a dictatorship, and Connor was trying to build egalitarianism; the changeover wasn’t going quickly.He would work on it every day; then, no matter how stalled the search for Pim Wat was, he’d be moving toward his goal: freedom to be with Sophie, somewhere far from here.

Connor got up and went to the door.He lifted the heavy bar and opened it, peering out.

Four, seated cross-legged against the wall, bounded to his feet.“Yes, Master?”

“I want you to go and fetch the teacher leaders of all the disciplines.Tell them to meet me in the outdoor courtyard near the tiger’s-eye column.”

“Yes, Master!”The young man turned to go with alacrity.

“And Four ...”

The ninja’s brown eyes gleamed with intelligence as he gazed back at Connor, waiting.His new assistant had an irrepressible, resilient presence and a strong, positive aura; perhaps that’s what Nine had seen in him.Who knew how long this situation would go on?Connor couldn’t risk becoming someone he hated while he hoped for an uncertain future.

“What’s your name?I mean, what was it, before you joined the Yam Khûmk?n?”Connor asked.

“Feirn.”The man’s brows drew together in puzzlement.

“So—Fern?Like the plant?”

“Yes.”Feirn seemed confused by the personal question and attention; he ducked his head and stared at his feet.

“Well, I’ll be calling you by Feirn from now on in private.Okay?”

“Yes.”Feirn met Connor’s gaze cautiously.“And what is your name, Master?”

Connor didn’t suppress the smile that broke across his face—Feirn was brave as well as bright.“My name is Connor.”

An answering grin split the young man’s face.“I am pleased to serve you, Connor.”He spun and ran down the stairs on light feet.

Connor stared after Feirn; it was worth the risk of a human connection to be a little less lonely—or at least, he hoped so.

6

Day 2

The next morning, Sophie sat down at the small table inside her Security Solutions downtown office with operative Lono Jones.Their new client, Dr.Ka’ula, the headmaster of Kama‘aina Schools, was soon scheduled to call in for a video conference regarding the Moli Massacre case.

Sunshine pierced the glare resistant windows.The tinting was inadequate; the room was still too bright for Sophie, tired as she was from getting up several times during the night with fussy Sean.

She set her tablet aside and stood.“I’m going to fix a cup of tea.Would you like some?”

Jones glanced at her from hazel eyes beneath thick blond brows.“Sorry.I don’t think your tea station has been refilled since you went out on leave.I’m a coffee kinda guy.”

“Oh, of course.”Jones had been using her office for the last six months as he covered her maternity leave; no surprise the tea station wasn’t restocked.“I’ll let Paula know.”

Sophie walked around to the front of her desk, still littered with Jones’s personal items: a ball made of rubber bands, a tiny replica sniper rifle complete with stand, a much-battered paper blotter calendar marked with coffee stains, a Marine Corps mug.

“I also haven’t had time to get my shit out of your desk,” Jones said.“Sorry.”

Jones didn’t sound sorry; he sounded put upon.

“My return date wasn’t exactly a surprise, Mr.Jones.”Sophie said, annoyed.

“Really?Mr.Jones?”The former Maui Police Department detective pushed a hand through disordered blond locks that looked like they’d dried in the wind as he came in from surfing.“I think we’re getting off on the wrong foot.Call me Lono, at least.”

“And you may call me Sophie.”She swept a crumpled paper cup out of the way and pressed the call button.“Paula?Can you come refresh the beverage station?And box up Mr.Jones’s things and take them to his desk, wherever that is.”

“Sure, Sophie.I should have thought of that.On my way!”As always, Paula’s upbeat cheer was a mood lifter.

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