Page 52 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

“Because,” she whispered, “Daddy was hurt, and you were upset. Oscar’s dead, so what difference does it make anymore?”

“It makes all the difference,” Jake said. “Sometimes adults, even if they’re not your parents, need to know things. Things that could endanger other children or even you. I won’t say what Uncle and Jiji did was right, but at least it was someone who cared about you that Oscar tried to barter with. What if it hadn’t been? What if we hadn’t caught them or they didn’t know you as well as Kiyoshi and Mr. Yamamoto do? What would your mom and I do without you and Declan, huh?”

Tears slipped from Fawn’s blue eyes. Her bottom lip trembled. “I was scared.” Her voice turned wild. Reedy. “I didn’t know who it was until I saw Jiji and heard what he said. Then I’d remembered reading Uncle’s lips and—”

“Little sneak,” Jake said, trying to relieve the tension of their conversation.

“Oh baby,” Ginger whispered, wrapped her daughter in her embrace. “Jiji and Uncle love you very much. They’d have never hurt you. Never. They’re just dangerous people.”

“I’ll never see them again, will I?” Fawn murmured, staring up at Ginger.

“Unfortunately, kiddo, I don’t think so,” Jake answered. “They’re in a lot of trouble right now.”

Fawn nodded. “I understand. Do you think, maybe, Mr. Asher will let me see Uncle one more time before he has to go away?”

Again, Ginger looked at Jake for guidance. Since the base was closed, she wasn’t sure what happened to Kiyoshi or if he was still in Asher’s custody, along with Mr. Yamamoto. The last she’d seen of the old man, Asher, had moved him to an apartment for safekeeping. Now Asher could have turned him over to the FBI or the police.

“I’ll see what strings we can still pull,” Jake replied. “But don’t get your hopes up. He might not want to see you or can’t.”

Fawn inclined her chin. “I understand.”

A knock at the door ended their conversation. Jake handed Declan to Ginger as he went to pay for their late afternoon lunch. She hadn’t stopped to think about what Fawn might want because of her being so stuck in her head. There’d been several chances for Fawn to see Kiyoshi if she’d only asked. Then again, did she really want her daughter to see her uncle in handcuffs after everything they’d been through? The answer was simple. No. Neither one of them deserved that form of torture. Still, she had a daughter she needed to think about and accept her wishes. She wanted to see Kiyoshi, and with how shitty their lives had been, maybe granting her one request would finally start the healing process for all of them.

“All right. I have a cheese pizza for the little lady and a loaded one for you and me,” Jake said, carrying the pizzas to the kitchen. “Let’s chow down.”

Chapter 12

Jake wasn’t sure Asher would agree to his request, nor was he sure if Asher still had Kiyoshi and Mr. Yamamoto under his care, but after the conversation he had with Fawn the night before, he had to try. Fawn had given them information they didn’t have. Oscar tried to sell Fawn and Declan to Kiyoshi. Now it made sense why the man killed Oscar. The motherfucker didn’t know just how deeply Mr. Yamamoto and Kiyoshi loved Jake’s little girl. Ultimately, Kiyoshi saved his daughter’s life that night, in a strange, twisted way.

“You can’t stay long,” Asher said. “We don’t know if we’re being watched.”

Jake nodded. “I know. I appreciate this.”

“Every time I think we’ve understood how depraved Oscar really was, another layer is revealed.” Asher shook his head. “What a burden for a child to carry.”

Jake agreed. “The what ifs have been a constant companion since she opened up and told us the truth from that night. I can’t even think of all the things she’s witnessed without telling us.”

“Her ability to read lips is a blessing and a curse,” Asher agreed. “Suppose we’ll have to curb what we talk about when she’s nearby, just in case.”

He chuckled. “Usually, she’s great about eavesdropping. She knows the rules and that it’s rude to listen in on someone else’s conversation. This time...”

“I’m glad she did,” Asher agreed, patting Jake on the shoulder. “It’s another piece to this fucked up puzzle. Anyway, I’ll let Duane know you’ll be coming over with Fawn. I’m sure Kiyoshi would like to know Fawn is just fine and vice versa.”

Jake ended the call, then went in search of his daughter. Asher was right. They couldn’t stay long. They were all sitting ducks. As he stepped into the living room, he found Fawn on the floor with Declan playing. She laughed at something the boy did and warmth bloomed in Jake’s chest. As bad as things were, he soaked up the bright moments, leaning on them when he needed them most.

He tapped the floor to get Fawn’s attention when he saw her hearing aids on the coffee table, then placed his hand on her shoulder. When she looked up at him, he motioned for her to put her hearing aids back in so they could talk. “Get your shoes on. We have business to attend to.”

“Just me?” She asked, adjusting her right aid. “Does mom know about this?”

They’d talked the night before, in the dark, after everyone had gone to bed. Ginger didn’t like the idea of Fawn getting too close. However, she also couldn’t justify not allowing her daughter one tiny request, considering Kiyoshi possibly saved their lives. “She does. In fact, she agreed with me. You need this.” Jake held out his hand. “Come on.”

“What about Declan?”

“I’m here. No need to fret,” Ginger said, coming out of the pantry. “We’ll be fine. You won’t be gone long.” She gave Jake a pointed stare.

“Exactly.” Jake clasped Fawn’s hand. “Plus, we’re not going far.”

“You’re both freaking me out,” Fawn said with a roll of her eyes. “Anyways.” She put her shoes on before opening the door. “Let’s go.”

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