"Ready for what?” Cyn asked, although she had a pretty good idea and didn't like it one bit.
"Duncan didn't explain?” Kimiko glanced at Raphael's lieutenant who shook his head.
"Ms. Leighton only just arrived, Kimiko. I was about to discuss the matter—"
"The sun is nearly risen, Duncan. There is no time for diplomacy.” She swung her gaze back to Cyn. “Lord Raphael has asserted his Obaker rights and designated you, Cynthia Leighton. If you will not serve, I need to know now while I can still persuade him to accept someone else. I will not leave him unprotected. If necessary—"
"Why?” Cyn demanded, swinging on Duncan. “Why would he do that?"
"Because he trusts you, Cynthia."
"Why not his lawyers?” She turned back to Kimiko. “One of you must be human, right?"
Kimiko nodded. “My husband, Boyd. And he would be honored to remain, but he will be better used in court, securing Lord Raphael's release. He cannot be locked away here. Besides, my master has chosen you."
"And if I say no?"
Kimiko gave Cyn a baleful glare. “Then I will attempt to make other arrangements in time. If I fail, Lord Raphael will sleep unsecured, vulnerable to whatever the humans plan. And I do not doubt for one moment that this entire farce has been orchestrated toward that end. The timing of the arrest was too convenient for my taste."
Cyn glanced at Duncan. “Don't look at me like that,” she snapped. “I'll do it. So what happens now?"
Kimiko gave her a very pleased grin, as if the whole thing had been her idea. “Are you carrying a gun?"
"Of course. Why?"
"Give it to me.” Kimiko held up a hand to forestall Cyn's automatic protest. “They'll search you once you're inside.” She paused, taking the proffered Glock from Cyn and tucking it inside her leather jacket. “But they won't search me. Make sure you stay close afterwards. They'll expect us to consult and, of course, we won't want to be overheard, so we'll huddle. I'll give the weapon back to you then. Can you handle that?"
"Yes,” Cyn said, insulted at being asked.
Kimiko took her arm. “Duncan,” she said over her shoulder. “It's going to be close. Boyd will drive back to the estate, but be ready to roll as soon as we're out of there."
As if to punctuate her warning, the security lights clicked off on their automatic timer and Cyn looked eastward to see the first watery light of sunrise. They hurried toward the door and she asked quickly, “Have you seen the bodies?” Next to her Kimiko did a double take.
"No,” she said, somewhat puzzled. “I did request copies of—"
"The victims were drained with puncture wounds to the carotid artery."
"Shit. No wonder they've been holding back on those coroner's reports. Dammit.” She jabbed the door buzzer so hard the button jammed and began emitting an anemic zapping noise.
Cyn handed Kimiko her backpack. “There's a file in here that Boyd needs to see. Be careful with it. Some of it, hell most of it, is stuff I shouldn't have."
Kimiko threw the backpack to Duncan and pounded her fist on the door impatiently. “Bastards know we're out here; they're jerking my chain. I'm gonna sue their asses off when—” The door finally gave a harsh buzz and inched open slightly. Kimiko shoved it the rest of the way, ignoring the rookie cop who was hurrying down the hall toward them. They headed down the hall, past the stairway, all the way to the back of the building. As she walked, she talked quickly.
"Okay, listen, these are the rules. No one enters the cell unless you specifically request it. Once you're inside, the door will be locked behind you. There is to be no surveillance of any kind inside the cell, another Obaker mandate, and boy did they hate—"
There was a flash of white and suddenly Ian Hartzler barreled out of one of the offices, holding a stack of files in front of his chest. He ran right into Cyn, hitting her hard enough to throw them both off balance, sending the files tumbling to the floor. “Ms. Leighton,” he said. “I'm so sorry.” He crouched to gather the scattered files, and Cyn automatically bent down to help, her face only inches away from the flustered technician. “Cameras,” he whispered urgently. Cyn gave him a confused look. He met her gaze intently and hissed, “There are cameras in the cell!"
Cyn quickly handed back the folders she'd retrieved as Kimiko grabbed her by the elbow and began hustling her toward the back hallway. “Do you have any chewing gum?” Cyn asked. Kimiko gave her a distracted look. Cyn stopped abruptly, halting their forward progress. “Kimiko. I would really like some gum. They must have a vending machine here somewhere."
"Jesus, Cynthia, couldn't this wait? Do you have any idea—” Her eyes widened in sudden understanding. “Gum. Right.” She looked around wildly, then urged Cyn forward again. “I'll take care of it. You've got to get back there."
The corridor outside the holding cell was three deep with blue uniforms who gave way grudgingly when Cyn and Kimiko pushed through. Santillo stood outside a closed door, yelling at a tall man with thick black hair hanging in a perfectly straight fall down the back of a nicely tailored blue suit. Boyd Lorick, Cyn assumed, and was proven correct when Kimiko stormed over and joined the argument. Cyn found a wall, planning to wait while the three of them had it out. She glanced at her watch and thought about Duncan waiting outside as the sun rose higher.
"Assume the position, Leighton."
Cyn looked up and found Santillo's unnamed partner glowering at her. A young woman in a blue uniform stood next to him, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Cyn acquiesced with a negligent shrug, standing away from the wall and holding her arms out to either side as the female cop did a quick but thorough pat-down.
"She's clean,” the woman said and disappeared into the crowd. Cyn watched her go and spied a bank of vending machines at the end of the hallway. She nodded in that direction. “You mind? I didn't have dinner."