by Toby Neal
“I thought they hired you, that we’d be doing everything together.” Raveaux said.
“Not all of the board members were in favor of an outside audit, and they’re the people who make me nervous.” Leede’s bright blue eyes narrowed. “I’ll give you a list of names and contact numbers, and some general questions that I usually ask.”
“Who concerns you the most?” Raveaux discovered that he already felt protective of the petite, sharp-eyed Brit.
“I’ll let you form your own opinions, and we can discuss them once we get underway,” Leede said. “Ready for a field trip to one of the schools?”
“Of course.” Raveaux stood with alacrity. “Lead on, fair lady.”
Leede gave that dry snort of humor, and reached for her valise. “We’ll take my car.”
Leede’s vehicle was a huge, silver, older model Cadillac. Raveaux almost smiled when Leede climbed onto a booster seat to see over the wheel and he glimpsed pedal extenders so she could reach the controls—but soon, he was clinging in terror to his door handle. Leede drove the beast of a car as if riding an elephant at full speed through the streets of Honolulu.
They reached the outskirts of the city far too rapidly for Raveaux’s taste, and turned into the foothills, eventually entering a long private road marked by tall, elegant gates and signage that marked the campus.
“The five-hundred-acre campus provides an environment conducive to learning, with more than fifty buildings, an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, and a new athletic complex with a football/soccer field, track, and seating for three thousand. This campus also offers a boarding program geared for students from the outer islands. Kama`aina Schools offers a well-rounded, culturally-based education designed to help students attain high academic performance, positive self-esteem, and personal and community responsibility. This campus serves four thousand students, kindergarten through high school, and there are also schools of similar size on Kaua`i, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and on Maui.”
“You sound like a brochure,” Raveaux teased gently.
“I have a photographic memory. It’s been a boon in my work,” Leede replied.
Leede was full of surprises. He glanced over at her. Sitting on her booster seat, her beringed hands clutching the large steering wheel, she looked like a child. The smooth skin of her jawline and neck told him she was younger than the first impression she’d given; perhaps only a few years older than he was.
Raveaux scanned the property as they drove past the tennis courts, running track, football stadium, and large pool complex into a central courtyard area surrounding a large bronze fountain of a Hawaiian family in a taro field, water splashing among the sculptural plantings. “I see why you wanted me to experience the campus.”
“Nothing beats getting boots on the ground, as they say.” Leede drove through the roundabout with its exits to other campus areas and continued up a smaller tributary road through gracious buildings done in white stucco with blue ceramic tile roofs that reflected the distant sea.
They wound to the top of the grounds, where a three-story building, tucked behind native hardwood trees, perched on the hill overlooking the rest of the school.
“I take it this is the administrative office.”
“You take it right. We’ll meet the president of the board and the headmaster of this school.” Leede pulled the car into a stall; they bounced off the tire guard at the end with a minor whiplash. “Oops.” She threw the column shifter into park. “That was unexpected.”
“Speaking of unexpected.” Raveaux reached out and plucked the rhinestone crusted glasses from where they perched on Leede’s nose. He squinted through the glass. “Clear. I thought so.” He handed the spectacles back to her. “You’re much younger than you’re presenting, Ms. Leede.”
“People see what they expect to see.” Her smile was pure charm. “And the secret to good business is to under-promise and over-deliver. By the way, Ms. Leede is so formal; please call me Heri.”
“Then you may call me Pierre,” Raveaux said. “I, however, am not any younger than I look.”
“You look just fine to me,” Heri winked. The woman was flirting with him! “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Chapter Fifteen
Sophie
Day 3 afternoon
Sophie lay on her back on the crinkly paper on the padded exam table in the doctor’s office. She stared at the ceiling overhead, where someone had taped a picture of a naked surfer and hand-written across it, “It’s all his fault!”
Dr. Beth Kepler had been her obstetrics and gynecology physician for years, and they had a cordial relationship. The obstetrician had kind brown eyes, and that was all Sophie could see above her mask as she gently palpated Sophie’s abdomen. “How are you feeling?”
“A little better. I’m less tired and woozy. Smells are still problematic, though.”
“Guessing by feel, you seem about twelve weeks along.”
“I know exactly when this baby was conceived.” Sophie named the date.
“Well, that helps us. I have to ask, was this planned?”
“No, it wasn’t.” Sophie lifted her left hand to gaze at Jake’s ring; it brought her such comfort. “This baby is all I have left of my fiancé. Jake passed away shortly after the baby was conceived. I’ll be going through this pregnancy and birth without a partner.”
“Jake’s gone?” The doctor’s eyes widened behind her mask. She squeezed Sophie’s arm. “I’m so sorry. He was a rock for you with Momi.”
“Yes, and at her delivery, too. We had opted for a homebirth, if you recall, and I don’t know how I could’ve gotten through it without him.” Sophie teared up. “He should be here.” She dashed the tears off her cheeks. “He would love this baby so much.”
Dr. Kepler cleared her throat. “The good news is that everything seems in order. I’d like to do a sonogram and check the baby’s size and heartbeat.” Dr. Kepler paused. “Is there anyone you’d like to call to share the experience with you, while I get set up?”
Sophie shut her eyes. She could call Marcella, but her friend’s lackluster response still rankled. Only one face came to mind who would truly share her joy and wonder at this first glimpse of her and Jake’s baby. “Yes, there is.”
“Good. You make your call and I’ll get the equipment going.” Kepler patted her on the shoulder.
Sophie took her phone off the stand where she’d set it, inserted her earbuds, and made a video call to a number she hadn’t reached out to in months.
“Sophie!” Jake’s sister Patty’s voice was filled with warmth and relief. Her pretty round face was wreathed in a smile clear to see on the phone’s video. “I’m so glad to hear from you. I’ve thought of you so often, but I didn’t want to bug you. Kelsie says hi.” Kelsie, a blonde toddler, waved from her mother’s hip.
“I’m happy to see you, too, Patty. I’m sorry I took so long to call. It’s been—hard.”
“Of course, it has.” Patty hollered over her shoulder. “Matt, can you take Kelsie? I need a minute.”
Patty’s husband appeared, a tall young man with shaggy brown hair falling over his forehead. “Oh, hey, Sophie. Let me take this rascal and give you ladies a chance to talk.” He plucked Kelsie off Patty’s hip and the two disappeared.
“Kelsie’s so good. Momi would have shrieked if she didn’t want to go.” Sophie smiled. “‘No’ is currently her favorite word.”
“Kelsie’s a pretty mellow kid, but she definitely knows that word, too,” Patty said.
Sophie held up her hand to show Patty the ring. “Your package meant the world to me. Thank you for sharing Jake’s ashes, too. And having his ring to see and wear—it’s been so incredibly comforting to have our status as an engaged couple acknowledged. Especially now.”
“Of course. Jake meant for you to have that ring. You’re the only woman he ever offered it to. But what do you mean—‘especially now’?” Patty’s brows arched in puzzlement.
“
Now that I’m pregnant. With Jake’s baby.”
A short silence, then Patty gave a scream of delight. “Oh my gracious!”
“Yes. I’m here at my obstetric exam, and the doctor’s about to do a sonogram. She asked me if there was anyone I wanted to call. You were the only person I could think of.” Tears flowed freely from Sophie’s eyes to land on the paper-covered pillow.
Patty clasped her hands together. “Oh, Sophie, I’m so honored.”
The doctor wheeled the sonogram machine over. “We’re about ready to start. You’ll be able to see the baby on this monitor,” Kepler said.
Patty pulled herself together, grabbing paper towels off a roll on the counter to dab her eyes. “I need to see my little niece or nephew.”
“Absolutely. I’ll point the phone at the monitor,” Sophie said.
Soon Dr. Kepler had the cool, round-tipped wand coated in gel gliding over Sophie’s abdomen. Shapes appeared on the monitor in grainy black and white—but almost immediately the baby’s heartbeat, fast as a hummingbird’s wings, filled the audio.
More tears at that sound. “It’s like Jake’s alive again to hear that.” Patty put into words what Sophie had been unable to.
Soon, with Dr. Kepler’s guidance, they could make out the shape of the baby, curled up. Its hands and feet were already developed. “We will be able to discern his or her gender in another month or so,” Dr. Kepler said. “Will you want to know the sex?”
“I would,” Sophie said.
Patty clapped her hands. “Yes, yes, yes! Me too!”
Dr. Kepler gave Sophie and Patty an approximate due date and confirmed that the baby was looking healthy, and growth was appropriate to the conception date Sophie had shared. She printed a sonogram photo for Sophie, and sent an e-version for her to share, then turned off and put away the equipment as Sophie wrapped up her talk with Patty.
“Take your time on the phone,” Dr. Kepler said. “This room is not being used any more today.” She slipped out the door with a friendly wave.
“What do you want to do about my mother?” Patty asked. “She and Monica were so horrible to you at the hospital when Jake died—they don’t even deserve to know.” Patty’s gray eyes were sad. “But it’s just a twisted form of grief. My mom, especially, would be over the moon at this news. But I’ll respect whatever you want to do about it.”
“Let me think it over.” Sophie sat up and reached for her clothing. “I’m already having to deal with a lot of reactions. I don’t like the names your mother called me and I’m in no hurry to hear them again.”
“I get it. She’s going to therapy though, working on her anger about Jake’s death. I hope she’ll get through it soon, but we haven’t been speaking either. Promise you’ll call me shortly?” Patty clapped her hands. “I’m just so very, very happy about this.”
Jake’s sister’s whole-hearted joy was a balm; Sophie didn’t feel so alone. Her baby had an aunt that cared. “I’ll keep in touch. Thanks for always having my back. You’re the sister I never had.” They said an affectionate goodbye.
Her phone dinged with a reminder—she was supposed to meet Raveaux and Leede back at the office to receive any computer equipment or records they’d been able to collect for the Kama`aina Schools’ audit.
She hurried to change and head out the door. This time, she stuffed her red top and skirt into a gym bag, and donned a Security Solutions polo shirt and easy-movement pants. Dressing for action helped her stay focused. She had one more task to do before she got back to work.
Chapter Sixteen
Sophie
Back at the office, Sophie told Paula to hold all her calls. She locked the door and took out her tablet, seating herself comfortably on the couch where she could put her feet up.
Whom should she contact first?
Connor. Get that out of the way, so she could enjoy the second call without that difficult one hanging over her head.
Sophie logged into the anonymous chat room she used to send private messages to Connor. She’d thought long and hard about how and what to communicate. When she began typing, the words unspooled quickly, as if they’d been easy to say.
That was far from the truth.
Connor:
* * *
I hope you and Nam and Kupa are well. Tell them I miss them, and Phi Ni!
* * *
This will be my last communication with you until something changes with the investigation into the Ghost and, I believe, the ultimate agenda the multi-agency team has of capturing not only you, but the Master and my mother.
* * *
I have removed the GPS chip from my arm. It’s important that I sever all ties with you; that I can’t be used to lure you into a trap if I’m taken captive. I’ve done my best to protect myself; I’ve moved back in with my father. Unfortunately, he has been aiding the investigation, and I believe some kind of deal was made to protect me if he cooperated. So far, I haven’t confronted him about it. I am waiting until I know how to proceed, and when. I believe I’m safest from being seized by staying close to his side, and publicly visible.
* * *
I am also pregnant with Jake’s baby. It happened while we were trapped in the lava tube underground. I cannot afford to take any risks right now, physically or emotionally. Do not tell my mother. I know you tried to engineer our reconciliation, but I don’t trust her. I never will.
* * *
Please also know that I will always love you and value you. I miss you, and so does Anubis. One day we’ll all be together on Phi Ni again. Love, Sophie
Sophie paused before she sent the message, about to log off—then added a separate, final line. She’d done what she had to. Hopefully, it would help keep both of them safe.
She logged out of the chat room, and then sent a video call to Kaua`i, and Armita’s phone.
Armita picked up. “This isn’t the usual time,” she said in Thai. “Momi’s down for her afternoon nap.” The nanny’s angular, golden-skinned face looked well-rested. Alika’s big Hawaiian family loved to take care of Momi and pass her around to play with her many aunties, uncles, and cousins. Armita actually got time off, which she didn’t get on her months with Sophie. Realizing this, Sophie felt a stab of guilt.
“That’s fine, Armita. It’s the middle of my workday, anyway. But I had something to tell you. Or maybe, it’s better to show you.” She used her finger to find the sonogram picture of the baby, and sent it to Armita via text. “I was waiting to tell you . . . until it seemed more certain. More real.”
Armita’s phone dinged with the incoming text. Sophie watched her nanny’s face as she opened the message.
Armita’s severe features broke into a joyous grin, transforming her face into one of beauty. “Oh, Sophie! I suspected, when you were so nauseous and sleepy—but I didn’t want to hope you’d be this lucky!”
“You’re happy for me?” Sophie’s eyes filled immediately. “You’re happy about this for us? You are okay with caring for another baby with me?”
“Oh, my dear.” Armita looked straight into Sophie’s eyes. “Caring for you, and for your children—that is my mission. My life’s work. Only that.”
Sophie burst into tears. “I love you, Armita. So much!” She had to set down the tablet and grab a handful of tissues. She pulled herself together momentarily, patting her face and wiping her eyes. “I was terrified you’d say this was too much, and leave me. Leave us.”
Armita’s dark eyes gleamed with answering emotion. “Never. Nothing but death could take me from you.”
“Thank you, thank you. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you.” Sophie blew her nose. “I’m so relieved. You have no idea. Doing this without Jake—or even Connor—to help me—it’s overwhelming.”
“You’re not alone. We’re together in all of it,” Armita said. “I’ll call you back when Momi is up from her nap and we’ll tell her that the family—her ohana—is going to get bigger.”
Chapter Seventeen
&
nbsp; Connor
Connor lay on his belly on the massage table. Nam massaged his muscles with deep, firm strokes of his forearm, using the Hawaiian lomi lomi method. Connor had flown a teacher in that form of massage out to Phi Ni some years ago, and both Nam and Kupa had been certified in the art.
Connor had spent long hours training with the men using staffs that day; one of the trainees was showing good promise and had landed several blows to Connor’s sides and back.
He was feeling them now.
“My wife tells me that now that she and Pim Wat have returned to the compound, we can expect to see more of them,” Nam said. “The Master’s consort is much changed in appearance but not demeanor, she says.”
“I spoke to the Master about Kupa’s situation, as you asked me to. He says she must endure until a replacement can be found, but I have been unsure how to proceed in procuring one,” Connor said.
“We would like to return to our home.” Nam’s forearm was particularly forceful as it slid over Connor’s lower back muscles.
Connor hissed out a breath, willing himself to relax. “I would very much like you to be able to, but the island remains seized by the United States Department of Justice. Sophie is fighting it in court, but until the property is released to her, we have no place there.”
“I fear for my wife’s life. She may displease Pim Wat in some way, and not survive.” Nam’s voice sounded ragged.
“I know. The Master is aware of the situation. He has apprised Pim Wat that Kupa is important to me. To us,” Connor said. He hoped that was the truth; the Master gave Pim Wat directions, and she obeyed him. But had he ever told Pim Wat specifically that Kupa was not to be killed? Connor had assumed that, when his houseman’s wife had been assigned to the deadly assassin as a maid, it was understood that Kupa was not to be mistreated, let alone murdered. “I will speak to the Master again. I will ask what is being done to find a replacement for Kupa at Pim Wat’s side.”