Page 31 of Shadow Lies

She switched off the power to the computer and straightened, connecting with his gaze. “Charley can’t hear us. The cell phone is powered down and I took out the SIM card. And now the computer is off.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“Do you want her listening to us?”

“Not really. No.”

She shrugged. “Neither do I. Especially not about this.”

“And you think she bugged the abbot’s computer?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past her.”

He wondered what was going on. Was there division in the ranks? Had Alexis broken away from her leader? Why?

What had she discovered to cause this complete turn-around?

Leaning against the desk, he said, “Go on. I’m listening.”

“You mentioned you’ll never say yes to Charley’s assignment. That’s one reason I’m here. I’m afraid it doesn’t matter whether you say yes or no.”

She acted as if he had no choice in the matter. But he damn well had a choice and he’d made it.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

She pressed her lips together and considered him. “Don’t you think it’s funny that the Shaolin were such a last-minute addition to the Olympic celebration?”

His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps someone cancelled.”

“They didn’t. I checked. The monks were added to the program right after Charley found out you were here. Putting you there, performing at Xi Jinping’s reception for world leaders where Wei will be in attendance… Don’t you think it’s too perfect to be a coincidence?”

He shook his head. “First of all, to think I could successfully complete her assignment with the level of security that will be in place with all those VIPs in one room is insane, even for Charley.”

“Maybe she thought the monks wouldn’t be too heavily scrutinized by security.”

“Doubtful. I think everyone will be heavily scrutinized. Second, there was no guarantee I’d even be traveling with the performers. I’m new—”

“Yes, but you are performing, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but—”

“A large donation was made to the temple right about the same time. It came from one Phoenix Rising Foundation.” She lifted the cell in her hand. “Remember that video logo I showed you on the phone Charley gave me? With the phoenix rising from the fire. Another coincidence?”

He wanted to say yes, it was just a coincidence, but couldn’t.

He’d wondered at his being chosen for the performance. He’d written it off to the fact he’d chosen the staff as his area of expertise and the competition for that weapon was less than some of the others. One of the brothers who was expert in staff work happened to be injured, but there were others with more years of practice with the weapon to fill the spot rather than Kane.

Dammit, Alexis had him questioning everything. Even his own shifu and the abbot. Had they been bought? Bribed to put him on the performance team?

He’d spent a year of green tea and meditation to attain a modicum of peace to settle his mind and his soul and Alexis and Charley had destroyed it in less than a week.

“There’s more,” she said.

“More? Great.” He rolled his eyes and decided he’d better sit for the rest. Bypassing the abbot’s chair out of respect, he sat on the hard wooden bench. “Go on.”

“I researched the target. Wei.”

“And?” he prompted.

---