Page 34 of Shadow Lies

“Let me get back to you,” she said uncharacteristically quickly.

“Nope. Don’t you hang up,” Kane warned, his timbre deep and strong.

Was that a sigh Alexis heard coming out of Charley?

“Yes?” Charley asked with that edge still present in her voice.

“Were you responsible for the Shaolin monks being added as performers in Beijing?” Kane asked.

“Why would you ask that? The addition of the show to entertain the officials in attendance makes perfect sense. Did you know that Putin visited your temple in two-thousand and six? I’m told he and your Abbot Shi got along fabulously.”

He scowled at her non-answer. “Did you bribe the abbot to send me to Beijing?”

“Wesponsoredthe performers by covering expenses. And I might have mentioned that in light of the US leaders’ boycott of the event, that having an American military man as part of the show could be advantageous.”

“Jeez.” He ran his hand over his face. “Why?”

“Why do you think, Kane? I needed you there inside the Olympic village to do the job and this accomplished that goal nicely.”

“And what would happen to Chinese and American relations when an American military man gets caught killing one of their most high-profile businessmen?”

That’s when his being dishonorably discharged would be used. Kane’s shame would be the perfect cover for an American corporation or perhaps even a covert organization within the US government putting a hit out on that Chinese businessman.

“Don’t get caught,” Charley said simply.

His features turned rock hard. His jaw clenched. His nostrils flared. “You’re not a stupid woman, Charley—”

“Thank you,” Charley said with a good bit of attitude, again proving she wasn’t the emotionless droid she pretended to be.

“You know what kind of security will be on site given who will be in attendance. Even for a bunch of monks. There would be metal detectors. Searches. There is no way I could get a gun anywhere near there.”

“I have faith in you to figure it out once you are in place.”

“You have more faith than I do.” Kane snorted. “And stop talking in the present tense. I told you I wasn’t taking the job before, and I’m certainly not taking it now in light of this new information.”

“Thesupposedinformation that I would like to investigate for myself,ifyou will let me get off this call,” Charley snarked.

Kane’s chest rose beneath his tunic—or whatever the robe-like top that went over the pants of his kung fu outfit was called.

“Fine. Go,” he said.

“Thank you.” Charley disconnected the call and Kane glanced up at Alexis.

“You surprised her,” she said, still proud of that.

“Wesurprised her. You and your information mostly.”

Alexis accepted the compliment with a small smile that soon faded as she asked, “So what now?”

“Now, we wait.” He leaned back against the desk, arms folded again. “And while we do, tell me about your sordid life as a hacker.”

“It’s not a life. More of a hobby.” She shrugged.

He shook his head, smiling.

Kane Lee looked really good when he smiled.

He looked incredible at any time but especially now. Even in the monk workout wear that looked a bit like pajamas, he was still the manliest man she’d ever known. Both back when she was a schoolgirl with a crush and now that she was a woman.

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