Page 15 of Wired Target

“Meanwhile, I can track that art online with my software,” Sophie said.“I have a program that does data mining for keywords and images.We can look for more pictures and posts featuring the word albatross, Laysan,moli, and so forth.”

“Sounds good.Anything else you think we can get going right now?”

“Not sure.”Sophie rubbed the scar on her cheekbone absently as she considered Leong.“I wanted to contact you, dig into your social media situation and see how you handled it, and come up with some sort of plan to phish around.We’ve done that.Too bad.”Sophie smiled.“I was having fun.”

Leong grinned.“Me too.Have you tried the food here?We have a good staff lunch.”

Sophie stomach gave a loud gurgle in reply.“I barely got out of the house properly dressed, let alone fed for the day.”

Leong laughed.“Let’s get something to eat and get to know each other a little better.”

Sophie followed Char Leong to the door, feeling the best lift in her mood that she’d had in days.She had been actively fighting the black wings of encroaching depression lately.Triggers abounded: she was hiding in a house she’d made into a fortress with her family, hoping to defend her children from her murderous mother even as that primary betrayal ate at her soul.

She and Connor were a couple now, but with the threat of Pim Wat curtailing their lives, seeing each other occasionally was the best they could dream of for the indefinite future.Would they even be able to keep their relationship alive long-distance?

She also nursed nagging worries about her father.

Ambassador Frank Smithson had been dodging her calls, and she couldn’t help remembering how reduced in health he’d seemed the last time she saw him.

“Ground yourself in the current moment,” her friend and therapist Dr.Wilson said in her mind.“Notice what your senses are telling you.Let them pull you into thenow.And usually, the ‘now’ is not so bad.”

Sophie grounded herself in the ‘now.’

She had discovered a potential friend in Char Leong, and she was entering a pleasantly decorated staff lounge with the possibility of good food soon.

A counter along one wall held a coffeemaker and condiments, a water dispenser, and a sink.Couches covered in the school’s blue brand color made an inviting L in one corner.A long dining table decorated with boxes of treats and flowers was surrounded by chatting staffers eating a delicious-looking salad and beef stir-fry over rice that filled the air with mouthwatering smells.

“We just pick up the phone and order lunch.A student will bring our plates,” Leong said.“You have a choice of vegetarian or beef.”

“I’ll take the beef.”Sophie patted her belly.“Need maximum protein.”

Leong nodded and reached for the phone.“I’ll place our order with the kitchen.”

A moment later, as Leong set the phone down after ordering, the door to the lounge opened.The headmaster, Dr.Ka’ula, entered, followed by a short, sturdy woman dressed in the school’s staff uniform of royal blue polo shirt and black pants.

Ka’ula started visibly at the sight of Sophie and Leong, then regrouped.“Just the women I need to see.I have an urgent situation.Come with me.”

9

Sophie once again followed Char Leong upstairs and down a hallway—but this time they were trailing headmaster Ka’ula and the woman he’d brought with him, not yet introduced.

Dr.Ka’ula pushed open a door at the end of the hall and made a “please enter” gesture.“This is our staff conference room.The students will bring your lunches up here and we can have more privacy.”

Sophie looked around; the room was utilitarian, with a laminate Formica conference room table lined with plastic chairs, whiteboards on the walls, and a podium.Hawaiian and US flags hung limply from stands in the corners.Sophie easily visualized the announcements and seminars for teachers that took place in the room.

Ka’ula drew out a chair at the head of the table.The women took seats on either side of him.

Sophie studied the staffer in the blue polo shirt with interest.She was built like a fireplug, strong and square through the hips and shoulders; dark brown deep-set eyes, almost hidden in folds of tawny skin, stared back at Sophie.Her hair was parted severely in the middle, and that strip of bare scalp had been tattooed with geometric symbols.Two long plaits hung down over her shoulders.

Clearly, Leong and the counselor knew each other; they exchanged nods.

Ka’ula introduced the woman to Sophie at last.“This is Dharma Dawnhorse.She’s one of our school counselors and specifically assigned to the eleventh grade.We have two counselors per grade; one of them handles student needs, and the other focuses on college prep and applications.Ms.Dawnhorse is our student needs counselor.”

“Sophie Smithson with Security Solutions.”Sophie gave Dawnhorse a smile.“Pleased to meet you.”

“Hello.”Ms.Dawnhorse had a low, melodious voice.“Welcome to Kama‘aina Schools.”

“Ms.Smithson was reviewing the social media accounts with me.”Char Leong addressed Dr.Ka’ula.“We will be partnering on monitoring them for activity regarding the investigation that brings Ms.Smithson here.”

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