Page 20 of Wired Target

Connor had been at the compound long enough that he was used to the sounds, smells, and sights of this forbidding place; it had even begun to feel comfortable.He’d never expected that.Even so, his eyes returned to the glow of light over a faraway city.His heart sped up with anticipation to leave and be with the woman he loved—no risk was too great.

“Connor?”Feirn’s voice interrupted his reverie.

“Yes?”

“Is everything—all right?”

“Yes.But I’ll be taking a trip soon.And only you will accompany me.”

12

Day 5

Sophie slid into the front seat of her friend Lei’s roomy Toyota Tacoma extended cab truck after the short flight to Maui the following day.Lei leaned over to give her a hug, her riot of brown curls tickling Sophie’s nose.

“It’s always so good to see you, girl!Did you forget something?Where’s Sean?”Lei, her tilted brown eyes sparkling, looked around Sophie in an exaggerated way.“I wanted to kiss and smoosh some fat baby cheeks!”

“I talked it over with Armita, and we decided it was better to keep Sean on his schedule at home,” Sophie said, smiling regretfully.“He’s occasionally sleeping through the night now, and it’s been so tough to get there that we didn’t want to mess it up.”

“Dang it, I really wanted to meet your little guy.”Lei put the truck in gear and navigated away from the baggage claim area, merging into traffic as they passed streams of tourists crossing to the car rental kiosks.The wind Maui was famous for whipped the well-trimmed palm trees as Lei drove out of the airport.“I guess I’ll have to come to Oahu.”

“I’d love to show you my new house,” Sophie said.“Kiet would enjoy the pool and the beach is right there, too.”

“Okay, it’s a deal.Meanwhile, I’ve set up a meeting with some reps from the Albatross Sanctuary out at the site tomorrow.We’ll have dinner and an early bedtime tonight out at my place.”

Sophie’s stomach rumbled; she smiled and patted her abdomen.“My tummy agrees with that plan.”

Sophie hadn’t been able to visit Lei and her family at their compound in Haiku for a long time.Her spirits lifted as she and Lei drove along a familiar, narrow two-lane road through the jungle of East Maui.Red ti plants, mango and guava, and tall robusta eucalyptus decorated with ferns and dangling vines lined the route once they’d left scenic Hana Highway along the coast.

“Your commute is very pleasant,” Sophie observed.“When do you think you might come to Oahu?”

“I don’t know when we’ll be able to make it, given the school schedule and with Stevens and I both working.”Lei kept both hands on the wheel as she navigated a one-lane cement bridge.“But I’ll sure look for an opportunity.”

Soon they had reached the high wooden fence that marked the family’s property, and Lei punched in the code at the gate.The barrier retracted, and Lei and Stevens’s two Rottweilers bounded toward the truck, barking joyfully in their deep, booming voices.

Lei pulled the truck up and parked in the covered garage area of the simple, sturdy cement dwelling with its flame-retardant metal roof.

Kiet, a slender boy with unusual dark green eyes, appeared on the porch.“Mama!”

Ellen Stevens, Lei’s husband’s mom, followed the child as he descended a short flight of stairs toward them.

Sophie got out of the truck, swinging her backpack onto her shoulder.“Hello, Kiet.Remember me, Auntie Sophie?You’ve grown so tall since I saw you last!”

“Hi, Auntie.I’m five now.”Kiet hugged Sophie around the midsection, and she patted his wiry back.Kiet was naturally shy, so his overture was heartwarming.

“Great to see you,” Ellen said with a smile; the slender woman tucked pale blonde hair behind her ears.“It’s been a while since you’ve come to Maui.”

“Too long.I wish we all lived closer to each other,” Sophie said.“How are you?”

“Very well, thanks.Blessed to be on the island to help take care of Kiet while his parents work.A grandma’s dream come true.”

“For us, too.Thanks, Ellen.”Lei finished greeting the dogs and came around the truck, sweeping Kiet into her arms and smacking his cheeks with a kiss.“What’s my little man been up to today?”

“Lots of reading!”Kiet chattered about his latest book and his day as Ellen waved goodbye and headed out to her little white Toyota Corolla.

The two women ascended the porch, the dogs pressing in behind Sophie as the three entered the house.

Lei, still carrying Kiet, headed for the kitchen.“I’ll turn on the Instant Pot,” she called over her shoulder.“I already prepped a big pork roast for kalua pig tonight.”

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