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“Well, we know how it’s done with the military. Soldiers have to sign all those waivers just to join, and once they’re in, there’s no going back. So as far as the Gov is concerned, it’s legal to test soldiers, even if we believe it’s unethical.”

  “But it’s not just us!” Keira interjected before I’d had a chance to finish. “By worldwide standards it’s unethical! That’s why it’s illegal.”

  “I agree, but by passing laws, signing treaties and using other official means, the Gov attempts to make the unethical, legal. Do you see what I mean?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “So if they’re cutting a deal,” I continued with my original thought, “it wouldn’t take much to get some people to sign on, would it?”

  “You mean if they think they don’t have anything to lose?” she asked.

  “Or money to gain.” She was catching on. I hesitated and then asked, “How do you know Cole?”

  She didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up her apple and twisted the stem this way and that.

  Eberhardt stood. “I need another drink.” He left just as the waitress arrived with my food.

  I thanked her and returned my attention to Keira. “I wouldn’t think less of you. Sometimes people do whatever they can to escape, and you’ve had plenty of reason.”

  “I’ve never used drugs. I already told you that.” Her focus remained intent upon the apple. “When I needed an escape, I couldn’t afford them, and once I could, I no longer needed them.”

  “Then how do you know Cole?”

  “You shouldn’t be asking me that.”

  But I needed to know. I reached for her hand, and she finally looked into my eyes.

  “He’s from your past?”

  She nodded, and her jaw clenched.

  “Did he ever hurt you?”

  “No, never.” Her voice was breathless. “Why do guys always assume that?”

  So that’s who he was, but I still needed to hear it from her. “Keira, nothing you share about your past will change how I feel about you. You know that, right?”

  She closed her eyes. “Cole is who I used to run to when I needed a safe place to stay.”

  And she’d paid him in the only way she could. I took a breath and steadied my voice.

  “You told me he didn’t love you.”

  Her eyes flew open. “He doesn’t.”

  “He cares about you. It’s obvious.”

  “Maybe so, but it’s more about image.”

  “Image?”

  “Look, nothing is going on between me and Cole. Until today, I hadn’t even seen him since last year.”

  Last year, when I pushed her away. Keira leaned against me and rested her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her. I would have liked to have stayed that way just a little longer, but my food was getting cold, and my stomach started to complain. I let go and picked up a spoon. The soup was delicious, an interesting mix of spices, so why couldn’t I enjoy it? I glanced at the bar. Cole was gone.

  When I’d nearly finished my soup, I reached into my inside coat pocket and pulled out two invitations to an upcoming benefit: Redemption for Orphans.

  “What’s this?” Keira asked, as I handed them to her.

  “A charity fundraiser. You and Aimee should attend.”

  “You want me to go to this, as what, another way to practice being Elite?”

  I shook my head. Most charities were really just a way to keep Elite women occupied.

  In most cases, one of the husbands handled the business end, and most of the money was filtered right back to the Elite.

  “Another way to be Elite,” I corrected. “My mother recently accepted the lead board position so I’ll be there to support her. I’d like you to go with me, as my date.”

  “Oh.” Keira hung her head and mumbled, “Of course. We’ll be there.”

  I traced my finger along the edge of her jaw until she smiled. “And I’ll see you on Thursday night.” Thursday was Aimee’s Grand Opening. I focused my attention on the rest of my food. I was finally able to enjoy it.

  Eberhardt noticed the more relaxed atmosphere at our booth and drifted over.

  “So what brought you two here this afternoon?” I ventured to ask.

  “Brody,” Keira said. “I know how to keep him alive now, but I’m afraid it’s going to kill him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, he’s part of our team now, part of the Resistance, in a way that he wasn’t before.

  We’ve become real friends.” She grew quiet again.

  “And?”

  “They’re after me, and that’s not just speculation. Because the wanted posters aren’t working, they think they can get to me through him. We must have been spotted together.

  The only way to keep Brody safe is to let him go. It’s gonna kill him.” She shook her head sadly. “And he can’t help us with air travel anymore. It’s too risky, for him and for us. You’ll have to put Raquelle back to work getting people through.”

  I nodded. We could work with that. “Do what’s necessary to keep him safe. Then toss that red wig, and let me take care of the rest.”

  -Keira-

  Cole’s Dilemma

  “Who’s he?” Guy asked.

  I leaned over to look. “Oh, that’s Cole. Excuse me.”

  I’d hoped I’d run into him today. Guy helped me from the booth.

  “What’s he doing here?” Cole asked when I hopped onto the barstool next to him. He kept his back to the room.

  “Working. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “Nope. I saw your picture.”

  The tabloid photo. “Yeah, I wanted to talk with you about that.”

  Cole turned to look at me. “You playin’ him?”

  “No, I’m with him. He’s asked me to marry him and,” I took a deep breath, then finished in a rush, “I’ve said yes.”

  Cole’s gaze drifted around the room. “He knows what you do, where you come from.

  He knows you’re not Kendra James.”

  “Yes, he’s known since the beginning.”

  “That where you been for the past year?”

  “Yep.”

  He nudged me with his elbow and grinned. “Way to go!”

  I blushed, recognizing high praise from Cole. “Thank you.”

  “I saw you talking to Jenna before. What’d she have to say?”

  I shook my head. “You know I can’t, but have any of your clients gone missing lately?”

  “Missing? Yeah!”

  “Who?”

  “Some of my military contacts, high up officers.”

  “Special Ops?”

  “Some, not all. And my neighbors, the ones in the blue house. The loud music has stopped. I kinda miss that. Some of my poker buddies have stopped coming around too.

  Jenna tell you what’s going on?”

  “She doesn’t know.” We stared at each other.

  “Hey, think you could help me with something before you head back?”

  “Depends. What’d you have in mind?”

  “See the guy in front of the window?”

  I quickly glanced over my shoulder. “Yeah.”

  “He delivers goods for me. Now he tells me something went wrong, the client never showed. Only he’s not returning the goods, and he’s not giving me the money either.”

  “You want me to threaten him?”

  “Nah, I can do that myself, but there might be an easier way to get what I want.”

  “Go on.”

  “He’s friends with Mr. See No Evil, Speak No Evil.”

  “Shit, news travels fast!”

  “And he’s been watching you. I think you already have him rattled, just by being here.

  Care to step it up a notch?”

  I hopped down off the stool, so did Cole. He leaned in and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I hugged him back.

  “Congrats,” he whispered.

  “Thanks!”

  On my way back to the
large booth in the corner, I took a detour. As I passed the man Cole had indicated, I ran my fingers lightly across his shoulders. When I sat down next to Guy, I noticed the man had left. Cole smiled at me, patted his pocket and ducked out the door.

  -Brody-

  Back at CalTech

  My transceiver buzzed. I turned on the vidscreen and answered the call.

  “Hello?”

  Keira appeared. Red curls framed her face. People hurried past in the distance. A wig and a public transceiver.

  “Brody, I can’t see you anymore.” Her eyes shifted this way and that.

  “What?”

  “I think we’ve been spotted at the Dry Martini.”

  “Wait, I…”

  “Goodbye, Brody.” She severed the connection. Was it really over? A year of friendship, gone?

  I left my office in a daze and noticed Irene. Had she been listening in? Had Keira counted on that? I walked directly to her desk.

  Irene studied my face for a moment, then asked, “Is something wrong, Mr. Delaney?”

  I shook my head but otherwise didn’t respond.

  “Can I get you something?”

  “A cup of tea. Thank you, Irene.” I returned to my office and ignored the next few calls, but I remembered Keira’s advice and didn’t drink the tea Irene set on my desk.

  After work, I went to the Dry Martini as usual. The night was uneventful, how every night used to be. Drinking alone was never much fun. Later, I returned to my apartment and listened to some music, but the notes sounded flat. I tried to read, but the same sentence danced before my eyes. I should have told her when I had the chance.

  Monday morning brought a few surprises. The first was Irene’s resignation. She’d left it on my desk. I immediately promoted a secretary from the finance department by the name of Miss Ellis. Then I returned to business as usual and tried to keep busy. A few hours later, I received a call from the head of the finance department. If they were calling because I’d snagged their secretary on such short notice, heads would roll.

  Instead, I was informed that a man was waiting in the conference room with a business proposal. CalTech was doing just fine, but as a courtesy, I’d listen to his offer.

  “Miss Ellis, would you please join me?” I explained her duties as we walked down the hall. “It will be your job to make note of their offer and detail any parameters. They usually have it in writing as well, but it never hurts to have too much information. You are to remain silent unless I ask you a question.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Today’s meeting will be good practice for you. I have no intention of accepting this particular offer.”

  “I understand, sir.”

  I opened the door and stepped into the room. With my hand still on the doorknob, I froze and turned to dismiss Miss Ellis. “I was mistaken. This will be a closed meeting. You may take an early lunch.”

  The final surprise of the day was the invitation he handed me before he left.

  -Aimee-

  The Grand Opening

  My golden skirt brushed against my legs as I moved around the room. The lighting enhanced the artwork. It made each piece stand out, brought each to glory. When I reached the sound system and pressed “play,” a smooth classical melody provided the finishing touch.

  “It’s perfect!”

  I turned toward Keira. “I agree. Thank you so much for being here tonight.”

  “Are you practicing your lines?” She smiled and handed me an official looking black leather folder.

  “Maybe a little. Is everything ready?”

  “It looks like it. The caterers are.” Keira tilted her head toward the back room.

  “Alright then. This is it!” I walked over to the front door and released the lock. Not five minutes later, the first of the artists arrived.

  “Kendra, come here. I’d like you to meet Hisoka Watanabe. He painted the picture we were talking about the other day.” Keira didn’t turn to look at the painting titled “Rainy Day.”

  Instead, she remained intent upon the artist. She smiled and held out her hand.

  Hisoka paled slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss…”

  Keira didn’t speak.

  “Miss James,” I finished.

  Keira lowered her hand without receiving the expected handshake.

  My brows furrowed. “I’ll just leave you two to get acquainted.”

  As I walked away, Keira said, “Mr. Burke will be here tonight too. Don’t act so surprised when you see him.”

  The Burkes were fashionably late. They paused inside the open doorway and observed the full gallery. A cool evening breeze meandered by and made my skirt dance. Guy turned to close the door.

  Keira stood on the other side of the room talking with artist, Natalie Kozlovsky. She created sculptures from copper wire and glass beads. Keira focused on one in particular, a unique and beautiful piece. She completely ignored the latest arrivals.

  Guy began with introductions. “Miss LaFleur, this is my father, Richard Burke, pres-ident of Burke Investments.” Mr. Burke, Sr. stood tall at about six feet and had straight jet black hair and penetrating blue eyes.

  I bowed my head respectfully then looked into his eyes as an equal. “Thank you for your assistance in making tonight possible. I must have taken up a good deal of your son’s time.”

  “I’d say it was time well spent, wouldn’t you?” His gaze never left my face. I felt like a mouse about to be devoured by a bobcat. A shiver ran all the way down to my toes as I realized, this man is a predator.

  I signaled to one of the caterers, eager for a distraction. A young woman appeared at our side and offered drinks.

  Wine glass in hand, Guy continued, “This is my mother, Beatrice. She has always been supportive of the arts.” A shimmering blue evening gown enhanced Mrs. Burke’s tall slender frame. A sprig of tiny white flowers was nestled tastefully in her sandy brown hair.

  I smiled warmly at Guy’s mother. “Mrs. Burke, you might enjoy the three paintings in the front display. They were created by a local artist named Hisoka Watanabe.”

  “Hm…” was Guy’s only response.

  “Thank you.” Beatrice turned to her husband and curled her fingers in the crook of his arm. “Richard dear, let’s begin in the front and work our way around.”

  The next person through the door was a surprise. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Delaney.

  It’s nice to see you again.”

  He removed his coat and folded it over his arm. “The place looks wonderful. Your hard work has certainly paid off.”

  “I hope so. There haven’t been any sales yet.”

  “Where did you get your training, if I may ask?”

  “At the Art Institute of Parisio. I’m from Mediterra.” My voice faltered as I noticed Guy’s father staring at me from across the room.

  “So you’re new in town?”

  I nodded lamely.

  “You’ll have sales,” he said. “Let me be the first.”

  Mr. Burke flew from my thoughts. “But you couldn’t possibly know what you want yet!”

  Brody smiled. “Which piece is your favorite?”

  “That one.” I pointed to the sculpture Keira had been admiring. She now stood on the opposite side of the room, her full attention on a painting of a waterfall. Guy drifted away from his parents and toward her. I returned my attention to Brody. “Would you like to meet the artist?”

  “I would love to!”

  A minute later, I introduced him to artist, Natalie Kozlovsky. By the time I pulled myself away, Keira and Guy were in the middle of a friendly discussion. His parents noticed and moved in their direction. I walked closer too and pretended to adjust the label of a nearby painting.

  “Richard,” his father said, putting a hand on Guy’s shoulder. It was the only prompt Guy needed.

  He turned toward his parents but kept Keira at his side. “Mother, Father, I would like you to meet Miss Kendra James from Vanover. She and Miss La
Fleur met in Parisio.

  They’re roommates.”

  “Roommates?” Beatrice Burke asked.

  “Yes.” Keira’s eyes darkened. “After the car crash, and then my parents…” She began to tear up. “I needed somewhere to stay, and I didn’t want to stay alone.”

  “Oh, you poor thing.” Guy’s mother actually sounded concerned.

  “Parisio?” Mr. Burke’s deep voice cut in. “Do you have family there?”

  “Yes, my aunt and uncle. While I was there, I took some classes at the Art Institute.

  My mother had hoped I would develop some skills. She thought it would be a good hobby for me. Unfortunately, art isn’t one of my talents.”

  Was Keira actually looking demure? I’d never really had the chance to watch her work before.

  Brody was at my side again. “She’s a good actress.”

  I nodded.

  “Is she a true friend?”

  “The best,” I said.

  “I can hardly wait to meet her.”

  I turned and looked at him. Keira told me she’d had to break off the friendship for his safety. Did he really mean to forgo her sacrifice? Was that why he was here tonight?

  “I need a sold sign. Natalie said you have them.” Brody handed me a cheque.

  “Oh, yes. Here you go.”

  “She healed up nicely, didn’t she?”

  “What?”

  “From the gunshot wound. You’d never know by looking at her.”

  While Brody went to post the sign, I returned my attention to Keira. Then he moved closer to them. A short while later, they were all talking like old friends, and I was once again left standing alone.

  I moved around the room and began socializing with artists and guests. Brody’s predic-tion had come true. Paintings and sculptures alike were selling. Tomorrow, I would carefully package the artwork and hire a delivery service, but tonight…tonight was for mingling.

  Hisoka was telling me about his plans for a series of paintings featuring prominent Gov buildings throughout Tkaron when I noticed Brody standing nearby. As soon as we hit a natural break in the conversation, I politely excused myself. I wanted to hear more about Hisoka’s inspiration for his artwork, but he would be here all evening.

  Brody smiled as I approached. “I wish you the best of luck with your business, Miss LaFleur.”

  “Thank you.” Although my back was to him, I could feel Hisoka’s gaze.