Page 13 of Wired Target

“A case.Can’t discuss it, but I can tell you about my trip to Paris.”Raveaux regaled her with the story of how he’d played the part of an art assessor at a major art event, authenticating a Cassat painting at auction before an audience of well-heeled onlookers.“One of my best performances.It helps that I’d had to check over so many forgeries in the past.How about you?What have you been working on since I saw you last?”

“Oh, nothing nearly so fun.You saw what I do on that case we worked on together.Spreadsheets.So many spreadsheets!”She gave an eye roll.“I recently tracked some major money laundering activity being hidden by a nonprofit that purported to save the whales.Talk about irony.”

Raveaux listened to Heri’s anecdote, a smile tugging at his mouth.If only he could feel something more for this smart, hilarious, attractive woman ...Maybe he just needed to spend more time with Heri, give the relationship a chance.

“Let’s get together more when I’m back from this trip,” he said abruptly.

Heri cocked her head like a curious bird, her pale hair gilded by the low light.“Are we dating, then?”

His neck heated with embarrassment.“I’d like to spend time with you—see what happens.Do we need to define that right now?”

Heri smiled in that way she had, as if her whole face and body lit up.“I always push too hard for answers.Hazard of the profession!I’d like to spend more time with you too.Let’s start there.”

Mercifully, their food arrived, and the awkward moment passed.

Pierre walked Heri to the door of her townhouse after giving her a ride home in his Peugeot.Her place was in a gated community outside of the downtown area, conveniently close to the metro heart of Honolulu but far enough away for the pleasant cul-de-sac of adjoining units to feel private and quiet, surrounded as it was by a high, sound-deadening security wall hidden in tropical vines.

Glancing around, he saw Heri’s personality in hand-painted stones in bright colors that lined a walkway lit by small solar lanterns.An antique carousel horse beside her front door held a brass mailbox; pots of geraniums softened the stairs.“Lovely home you have.”

“Isn’t it, though?”Heri gave a shy smile.“Want to come in for a nightcap?”

He shook his head regretfully.“Early flight tomorrow.”

Heri took the rejection well, reaching up to give him a peck on the cheek.“Good night then, and bon voyage.”

It was her graciousness that undid him.Pierre took Heri in his arms and drew her close; she fit well against him, her body petite and firm.He kissed her, and her lips tasted of the orange after-dinner liqueur they’d shared, and of loneliness, too; it was a good kiss that lasted a bit.

He set Heri back, gave her a hug, and waited for her to unlock her door—and felt a bit sad that he had no desire for anything more.

8

Day 4

The next morning, Sophie turned her SUV into the imposing entrance of Kama‘aina Schools on her way to meet Dr.Ka’ula’s security staffer in charge of student social media monitoring.

A winding driveway edged byhapu’ufern trees took her past a perfectly groomed track and field area.She navigated a broad turnaround in front of the imposing main administrative building; the roundabout circled a beautiful bronze fountain featuring a sculpture of a Hawaiian family harvesting taro.

Sophie exited the roundabout and passed beyond the instructional buildings, studying the campus with its well-maintained rolling lawns.High at the top of the enormous parklike area was the core administrative building, where Sophie turned in.

She had been to this site before, on another case involving embezzlement from the prestigious school’s trust.Founded by the last of Hawaiian royalty, the school was mainly funded by the lease of expensive lands once owned by the crown, and paid for by the many high-rises of downtown Waikiki.

Sophie exited the vehicle, grabbing her backpack that doubled as a briefcase.“Excrement of a flatulent yak!”Sean had spit up on the item just before she left the house.She reached into the back seat and grabbed for a baby wipe handily positioned between the car seats.She scrubbed at the tough fabric.“You’d think I could get out of the house without being covered in spit-up at least once.”

“I was just giving up on you,” a voice spoke from Sophie’s elbow.Old reflexes brought Sophie flying around to drop into a fighting stance, facing whoever addressed her.

The speaker was a medium-sized female with spiky dark hair tipped with bright blue streaks.Light brown skin, wide cheekbones and full lips spoke of mixed-race heritage.The woman took a step back as she faced Sophie’s fierce gaze.“Sorry for startling you.I have a talent for sneaking up on people.”

“No, it’s I who should apologize.I’m late, and I overreacted.You must be Char Leong.”Sophie stepped back too, slamming the car door and hefting her backpack onto a shoulder.

“Yes, I’m Char.Short for Charlotte.”Leong had straight white teeth and a pair of deep dimples when she smiled.“Your assistant, Lono Jones, set up a meeting for us to talk about the security and social media accounts here at the school.”

“Jones would not enjoy being called my assistant,” Sophie said.“He’s my partner at Security Solutions.An ex-Maui Police Department Detective.”

The woman’s almond-shaped eyes crinkled.“Oh yeah?I am a former HPD police officer.After five years on the force, I took this job because it’s more family-friendly.I recognize a fellow mom when I see one.”She pointed to the wipe in Sophie’s hand, and the pair of car seats that filled the back seat of the SUV.

“Guilty as charged.I was once an FBI agent and an MMA fighter, if you can believe it.Now I’m a part-time CEO and investigator, and the full-time mother of two.”Sophie gestured to the backpack.“I cannot seem to get out of the house on time or unscathed by baby effluents.”

“Baby effluents!That’s a new phrase.Our Willy is two, and the hubby and I are talking about having another one.But shoots, this job has been more challenging than I thought.It’s got moments I never had to deal with as a police officer.This whole investigation is one of them.”Leong cocked her head towards the entrance of the building.“Let’s go up to my office.”

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