Page 8 of Wired Fear

Sophie flushed. “You’re spying on me now?”

“It’s what I do, Sophie Malee.” Pim Wat’s voice was coolly amused. Only her mother called her that. “Jake Dunn appears to be a fine physical specimen. I’m sure I could teach him whatever he might be lacking in skills.”

“By Kali’s left tit, Mother, this is no way to get on my good side,” Sophie said.

“You and your varied deity curses. Amusing. I need to placate you now? Very well.” Pim Wat sighed, put upon. “I killed the man who tried to blow you up with the bomb. It was not easy. I took a bullet to do it. In the vest, it’s true, but it still hurt like a water buffalo’s kick. And I did that for you, Sophie.”

Sophie opened and closed her mouth, meeting Connor’s gaze.Her mother was bragging about a kill!

Connor closed one eye in a slow, deliberate wink.

That wink that told her she wasn’t alone.

That wink that reassured her they were on the same side—and it was not her mother’s.

And that wink that hinted at a deeper knowledge of everything about the situation.

Trust Connor to be way out in front of Pim Wat. Sophie didn’t have to know exactly what he was doing to know that it would be effective.

Sophie felt ridiculously reassured.Connor could handle her mother. She looked back down at the phone, trying to muster an appropriate response.

Pim Wat went on, apparently concerned about Sophie’s silence. “The Lizard was a cagey and cautious assassin. He wouldn’t have stopped trying to tick you off his kill list—he was egotistical that way.” Pim Wat sounded primly disapproving. “So, I removed him.”

“You’re a killer as well as a spy?” Sophie didn’t have to fake the way her voice cracked. “My mother. A lying murderer.”

“Oh, silly girl,” Pim Wat snapped. “You and your American self-pity, tender sensibilities and mental anguish.Please.Spare me the petty judgments. I do what needs to be done. What others cannot. For the good of my country and my family.” Sophie was chilled at the similarity of Pim Wat’s words to things the Ghost had said. “If you cannot see what I did as the gift it was, you are the petty one.”

Sophie shut her eyes, trying to sort through her responses to find one that would serve the purpose of engaging her mother and building trust.

“The Lizard was nearly effective at killing me several times. The world is a better place without him,” Sophie said.That much was true.“If only Akane Chang could meet the same fate. The man escaped from jail on Oahu.”

Pim Wat cursed, a fluid rush of profanity that put Sophie’s creative attempts to shame. “Akane Chang is dangerous to you, my daughter.”

“No shit.” The Americanism seemed appropriate. Sophie met Connor’s gaze again. “I’m worried about Akane being on the loose. The Big Island is his home. He will be coming here.”

“Where was he last seen?”

“I don’t know anything but what I’ve told you. His escape is being kept quiet.”

A long pause. “When can we meet in person, to discuss your role with the Yam Khûmk?n?”

“Soon, Mother. Just give me a little more time to get situated. I’m looking for a more permanent dwelling, and getting the office up and running…”

“All of that is irrelevant. I want you to get started on the computer system rebuild that our organization needs,” Pim Wat snapped.

“I’m telling you, I’m not ready. Find someone else if you need it done right away,” Sophie said.

“Perhaps I will.” Pim Wat ended the call with a click.

Sophie sagged in her chair, covering her face with her hands.“Devil swine! Foul stench of a bloated corpse! Rat-infested warehouse filled with broken dildos!”

“Not bad, but I rather think your mother has you beat in the cursing department,” Connor observed. “Still wondering whether or not she’s an assassin?”

“No. She definitely confirmed it.” Sophie put her hands down, glancing at the phone. “Oh no! I have to meet Jake soon. We’re having dinner in town.”

Connor’s expression didn’t change—it just seemed to freeze. “Have fun.” He got up from the table and turned his back, sliding his laptop into a briefcase. “I’ll be here in Hilo for a few more hours. Going to Oahu to check in with Bix and the main office. There are company matters that demand Sheldon Hamilton’s attention.”

“I want to bring Jake in on this.” Sophie spread her hands on the table, steadying herself. “He deserves it.”

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