The Curator: SG Trilogy Book 2 (Abby Kane FBI Thriller 8)

by Ty Hutchinson

  They all nodded as they shoved fistfuls of popcorn into their mouth. Albert had the sodas and placed one in each of the seat cup holders. “Don’t drink them too fast. You won’t be getting a refill.”

  With the kids seated and stuffing their faces, Connie and Albert took their seats, bookending their children. As they watched the movie previews, Albert’s phone buzzed. He pulled his phone halfway out of his pocket and peeked at the message on the screen. A beat later, he stood up and walked out of the movie theater.

  Once outside on the sidewalk, he replied to the text with a single letter: Y. A few seconds later, he received another text message with the words, “Peace Pagoda.”

  The Peace Pagoda was a five-tiered concrete stupa located about forty yards away from the theater in an open plaza next to the Japan Center shopping center. Albert walked briskly, arriving at the plaza a few minutes later. The sun had already dipped below the horizon. There were a few outdoor lamps here and there, but none near the stupa.

  He walked toward it, his eyes scanning the area surrounding the structure. He saw no one, so he waited under the stupa, his back facing it. The burning ember of a cigarette caught the corner of his eye. From the shadows, the outline of a man appeared. The cigarette burned brighter as he took a long pull.

  “I’m supposed to be watching a movie with my family,” Albert said to the man once he was close enough.

  “The security at the facility is too tight. We can’t get a guy inside. We need you to put ears in Agent Kane’s home ASAP.”

  “We’re in the early stages of building a relationship.”

  “Continue with that, but we need ears inside. She visits the girl daily, and we want to know if she talks about it with her family.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Yes.”

  Albert left the shadowy figure without saying another word and hurried back to the theater.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  On our drive to the facility the next morning, Kang brought up what Archer had said to us the day before.

  “You think he has a point? That we’re not pressing Xiaolian hard enough?”

  I took a sip from my travel mug as I mulled over his question. “Perhaps. It’s not worth debating, is it? We all want the same answers.”

  “I agree. And I hate to admit it, but he’s probably right. We’ve spent enough time establishing that we’re more friend than foe.”

  “We could push harder,” I said.

  When we met Yates, he seemed his usual self and didn’t seem to harbor any hard feelings about the stunt we pulled the other day. I was glad to see he had put it behind him.

  “How is she today?” I asked as we followed him down the hall.

  “She’s in good spirits and still riding the high from yesterday’s excursion to the amusement park.”

  “So you agree it was worth it.”

  Yates stopped and turned to face us. “We have protocols that must be adhered to. Do I agree with every one of them? No. Must I follow them?” He paused briefly. “Luckily, not everyone is in the same position as I.” A small smile appeared on his face. Kang and Yates continued on into the observation room, and I entered the recreation room.

  Inside, Xiaolian was lying on her stomach on the mat, reading a book. Her hands were cupped under her chin, supporting her head. As soon as she saw me, she closed the book and jumped to her feet.

  “Abby, I’m so happy to see you.”

  We gave each other a hug.

  “I’m happy to see you too. You’re so full of energy today.”

  “I’m still thinking about yesterday. I had so much fun. I could barely sleep last night. When can we go back? Can Ryan and Lucy come the next time?”

  I laughed. Her enthusiasm was contagious. “We’ll see.” It was a bullshit answer, but what else could I say?

  “Do you want to train today?” she asked.

  “Maybe later. First I want to talk to you. Let’s sit down.”

  We both plopped down on the mat. I sat cross-legged, and Xiaolian leaned back on her hands with her legs stretched out.

  I got straight to the point. “Why don’t you tell me about your name? Your real name, not the name we gave you.”

  “Oh.” She deflated a tiny bit.

  “I won’t lie to you, Xiaolian. There are a lot of people who are interested in finding out why you came to America, and about you in general.”

  “But I’ve told you everything.”

  “I’m not one of them,” I said in a quieter voice and with a slight tilt of my head to the observation window. “There’s no need to pretend here, okay? Now, your name.”

  “What’s to know? It’s ‘Abby.’ It’s what I’ve always been called. I don’t know why it’s the same as yours. A lot of people have the same name.”

  “I would agree with you and say it’s no big deal, but there’s a catch. You and I look remarkably alike. You know it. I know it. Everyone who sees us together knows it. Now, let’s try again. Why were you named Abby?”

  “I really don’t know. I didn’t even know I looked like someone else.”

  I didn’t know what I expected her to say. Maybe to confirm what we already knew—that someone had stolen my DNA and created her. Perhaps she was speaking the truth. Why would the people who created her tell her?

  “Did your mother and father give you that name?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you have a mother and father?”

  Xiaolian’s gaze fell to the mat.

  “It’s okay, sweetie. I’m not here to condemn you. I’m just looking for answers that can help us help you.”

  “No,” she said softly.

  “No, you don’t have any, or you don’t know where they are?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t know I was supposed to have a mother and father until I got older.”

  “Who fed and clothed you? Who provided your education and trained you in martial arts?”

  “The teachers did.”

  “Teachers? Like in a school?”

  “I guess. From as long as I can remember, we were surrounded by the teachers.”

  “And they taught you everything you know, even to speak English.”

  “Yes.”

  I leaned in a bit closer. “Why did they teach you all of this?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just something that they did since forever.”

  “Do you remember talking to Agent Scott Reilly, the man with the glasses, when you arrived at my home after escaping from the motel?”

  “Yeah, he was nice to me.”

  “You told him that, in the place you used to live, they performed experiments. Do you remember saying that?”

  She nodded.

  “Could you elaborate?”

  She let out a breath and quickly said, “They taught us stuff and tested us.”

  “So these experiments were really instructional classes.”

  “I guess.” She shrugged and looked away, but not before I saw her roll her eyes.

  “You know what I think? You’re a bright girl… when you want to be. So let’s stop playing verbal games here. You and I both know you’re not telling me everything.”

  Xiaolian lifted her head. Strands of her hair fell across her face, but I could clearly see that her eyes were locked onto mine. Gone was the playful smile, replaced by a tight line across her face.

  She crossed her legs and leaned forward, closing the space between us to just a foot’s length. And then in a low voice, she asked, “What exactly is it you want to know, Agent Kane?”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The piano concerto flowed from two speakers that hung in the corners of the office, giving the room a peaceful, yet elegant ambience. An ergonomically designed chair and a small circular table fashioned out of glass and marble were positioned near the center of the large open space.

  The only other furniture was a tall console table that stood against floor-to-ceiling windows, which ran the entire length of the f
ar wall. The view outside was a wooded area.

  There were two paintings, both Dali, which hung on one wall. Another wall had five glass-enclosed shadowboxes, each containing a colorful butterfly pinned to a board.

  Sid Devlin sat in the chair next to the round desk. He wore a plaid suit with a fitted vest. His hair was parted on the side and neatly combed, sideburns melding seamlessly into a groomed beard that pointed downward from his chin.

  With his eyes closed, his right hand followed a repeated path of up and down movements, coinciding with the time signature of the orchestra.

  Devlin continued to faux-direct the symphony, even though five minutes ago an Asian gentleman had entered the office. The man stood waiting, patiently, quietly, with his hands clasped behind his back.

  Another two minutes passed before the bearded man addressed the waiting man. “What is it, Min?” He lowered his hand, and his eyelids opened. His light-blue eyes popped against the chocolate-brown fur on his head and face.

  “Have you made a decision yet?” Min asked.

  “I suppose you want me to say yes.”

  “We do have a schedule to abide by.”

  “Yes, such a pesky little thing, that is. To rush a decision like this is to rush blindly into a dark room and then shout in anger when you crash into a wall.”

  “Be that as it may… may we?” Min gestured to the long table near the window.

  Devlin stood and tugged gently on his vest before buttoning the jacket he wore. He was six-four and towered over Min, who was seven inches shorter.

  “Are they not happy with the work we’ve done here?”

  “They are.”

  The two men walked over to the table.

  “Then I don’t understand.”

  “It’s cultural.”

  “If they want the results they desire, they must accept that it takes time.”

  “Of course.”

  Laid out neatly in a row were five folders. Each one had a single portrait picture taped to the front. They were a mix of men and women. Also on the table was a single glass loupe made of polished brass and ivory.

  “Min, this operation exists because of me. It’s possible because of me. Who are they to tell me how to do my job?”

  “Well, with all due respect, they have some say, as they do fund this entire operation.”

  Devlin dismissed Min’s answer with a quick flick of his wrist.

  The two men allowed their gaze to move from picture to picture. The bearded man picked up the last file folder. “She fits all the requirements.” He handed the folder to Min.

  “Of course… they all fit the requirements, but we need to choose based not only on what they can do for the program but also whether now is the right time to induct them. Need I remind you that if our work is to continue, it’s imperative we draw no attention. We’ve already made a few costly mistakes. Any more and… I don’t want to think about it.”

  Min returned the file to the table, ensuring that he put it in the exact same position as it was in before he picked it up. “Perhaps another male this time? Or since they all meet the requirements, how about the lowest-hanging fruit?”

  “Min, the final decision is not a two-man task.”

  “Yes, of course. I was merely serving as a sounding board… so she’s the one?”

  Devlin hemmed and hawed.

  “I see you still need time to decide. Please let me know when you’ve made a decision.”

  Min exited the office, leaving Devlin with the task of selecting the next specimen.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Xiaolian’s response had caught me off guard, and my natural reflex was to pull back. She quickly reached out, placed a hand on my arm, and stopped me.

  “Don’t,” she said. “Stay close and they won’t hear us. Smile, Agent Kane.” She giggled. “Pretend we’re just having a fun conversation.” Her words slipped through a false smile.

  I smiled back at her. “Am I speaking to Xiaolian or someone else?”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m not crazy.”

  “Forgive me for jumping to that conclusion, but your personality… well, it has changed. It’s as if I’m speaking to another person.”

  “I’m locked up. Every day I’m questioned about my past, who I am, and why I’m here. And I wish I could provide all the answers, but I can’t.”

  “Are you still having trouble remembering?”

  “It’s not that. I just don’t have all the answers.” Xiaolian threw her head back and laughed out loud.

  “Is that so?”

  “I sense doubt.”

  I nodded approvingly, my smile still stretched across my face. “You are so correct.”

  “Why don’t you believe me?”

  “Because I think you know more than you’re telling me or Dr. Yates. You’re a very intelligent young lady. You’ve received hand-to-hand combat training. The average twelve-year-old girl doesn’t possess these qualities.”

  She batted at my arm playfully. I returned the bat.

  “Earlier you asked me what is it I want to know, as if you had the answers.”

  “Maybe, but what will I get out of it? I’m stuck here. My only connection to my home was Dr. Lee, and he’s dead. Your family is the only family I know here, and I’m being kept away from them. I’m even beginning to think you don’t like me anymore.”

  “That’s not true. We took you out for a day. We didn’t have permission, and we got in trouble for it. I’m trying to get you out of here.”

  Xiaolian pulled away from me, sitting up straight. She twisted her torso, stretching it out in both directions. “You still haven’t given me an answer to my original question.”

  I straightened up and did the same stretching exercise. “It’s simple. I want to know why you were sent to me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It was BBQ day, and the kids were eager to hurry over to the Shis’ residence. Even Po Po seemed enthusiastic. I was the only one feeling a little apprehensive. Not because I thought it was a bad idea, but because I always got cold feet when I was about to put myself in a social situation with the potential for new friends.

  I didn’t know why I felt that way, especially since I had already spent time with Connie. Maybe it was because our meeting at Lucy’s school was an impromptu moment—there was no need, or opportunity, to impress. But this BBQ was a planned event. Our families would be coming together. Would we all get along? Would Connie have second thoughts later? Would we say “Let’s get together again,” but neither one would make an effort to contact the other because it wasn’t genuine? The scenarios that formed in my head were ridiculous. I was creating drama where there shouldn’t be any.

  Come on, Abby. Pull it together. It’s just a BBQ.

  “Lucy, Ryan, let’s go,” I called out from the bottom of the stairs. The two of them had been talking about this get-together all morning, and how they couldn’t wait to go swimming. Now that it was time to leave, suddenly everyone was moving like a snail. I headed up the stairs.

  I peeked into Ryan’s room. “What’s the holdup?”

  He was standing in front of his bed, staring at two pairs of swimming trunks he had laid out. “I was trying to decide what swim shorts to wear.”

  “Go with the pair that you’re already wearing.”

  I walked over to Lucy’s room. “What’s slowing you down?”

  Lucy was still dressed in her pajamas. “I’m getting ready.”

  “What on earth have you been doing for the last hour?”

  She shrugged. “I dunno.”

  “You have five minutes to change and get downstairs. I’m not playing.”

  I headed back downstairs. Po Po was ready and sitting patiently in the living room.

  “The kids will be down soon,” I said.

  Five minutes turned into ten, which turned into fifteen, but eventually we were all in the car. I had broken a sweat mobilizing the clan, but at least we were on our way.

  From the
cover of his car, Albert Shi watched the black Charger back out of the driveway and drive off. As soon as it was out of sight, he slipped a ball cap on his head that touted a fumigation service. He exited his vehicle, slung a satchel over his shoulder, and then removed a plastic garden pressure sprayer from the trunk. He walked over to Agent Kane’s home and started spraying along the hedges and bushes in the front yard. Then he moved around to the side of the house, continuing his ruse until he was in the backyard.

  Once there, he put the pressure sprayer down and entered the screened-in porch, quickly picking the lock on the door leading into the house. He stepped inside the hallway and checked the two bedrooms. One was a guestroom, and the other belonged to the mother-in-law. He walked past the kitchen and into the dining room and looked for a place to plant a listening device. The ceiling light would do.

  He climbed up onto the table, unscrewed the cover, and placed it on the table. Then he removed a plastic container from his bag. Inside were four small GSM listening devices. Each was about an inch long and three quarters of an inch wide and contained a SIM card. All Albert would need to do was dial the SIM card from his cell phone to activate the device so he could monitor conversations in the room. He tested the device. Satisfied that it worked, he taped it to the side of the light bulb base and screwed the cover back on.

  Where else?

  He headed upstairs, checked the bedrooms, and decided to place a bug behind the headboard in Kane’s bedroom. On the third floor, he hid one in the entertainment room, behind a large sofa against the wall. He also put one in Abby’s office, behind her desk. No sooner had he finished pushing the desk back against the wall and checked to see that not a single item had been moved out of place, he heard the rumble of a car’s engine. He looked out the window and saw Kane’s vehicle pull into the driveway.

  Crap!

  Albert Shi spun around. His mind raced. He didn’t have a chance in hell of making it down the stairs and out of the house. He glanced out the window. The boy and girl exited the car, but Kane remained seated behind the wheel.