Page 36 of Shadow Lies

“The assignment has changed,” Charley said.

“How? You have a new name for me to assassinate? The answer is still—”

“No. I want you to find who is in charge.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?”

“You have Alexis the computer expert, as you’ve said. And you will have boots on the ground—so to speak—in Beijing. I have faith in your skills, Kane.”

He let out a snort. “That makes one of us.”

“Let me know what you find.”

The call went dead.

Kane’s brow rose as he stared at the now blank screen of the cell phone. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, his lips slightly parted. “Is she crazy?”

“Maybe.” Alexis shrugged. “And maybe I am too because I think we can do it.”

She felt the bubble of excitement building inside her.

Kane snorted. “Yeah. You’re right. You are crazy.”

She remained silent, waiting for him to fill the space. Finally, as her CIA training had promised, he did.

Kane let out a sigh. “Fine. We can try, through research on your computer, but that’s all.”

“That’s all I want.” Well, maybe notallshe wanted.

She wanted Kane. And she had every intention of getting him.

ChapterTwelve

“Shifu—” Kane hesitated. He never thought he’d ask this but here he was. “I need to leave.”

His teacher’s brows twitched up but he remained silent, waiting for more.

Kane drew in a breath. “Just for a few hours. I need to do something that can’t be done here.”

He could see the man’s mind working. Wondering. Assuming things Kane didn’t want him to.

He wasn’t going to Alexis’s hotel room with her for sex, although that had probably crossed his teacher’s mind. He was going there because Alexis insisted her computer set-up was so extensive and the high-speed wi-fi so strong—not to mention the privacy they’d need for their snooping—that this had to be done at her hotel.

The man nodded. “You are and always have been free to leave.”

“Yes.” Kane nodded. “But I don’t want to leave.”

“Except for a few hours this afternoon,” his teacher said with a bit of amusement.

“Yes,” Kane confirmed.

“Safe travels.”

“Thank you, shifu.” Relieved this part was done, he turned to go to Alexis who was waiting for him by the car.

He realized what he was wearing, considered going to his room and changing into the few civilian items of clothing he had with him, then ignored the impulse.

He’d rather spend every moment getting to the bottom of this mystery rather than worrying about how he was dressed.

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