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certain this can’t wait
until evening?”
    “Elaine
Ramsey knows my real name, and she closed my bank account.”
    “Don’t
say another word.” I pulled my transceiver from my pocket and
placed a call to work, then turned so Keira wouldn’t be in range of
the vidscreen.
    The
image of Ellie, my secretary, appeared on the screen. “Mr.
Burke, how may I help you?”
    “If
you would, please let the others know I’ll be arriving late. They
should begin the board meeting without me.”
    Ellie
lowered her voice. “That’s probably not the best idea.
Your father is beginning to notice your absences.”
    I
looked at Keira as I replied, “You know what’s at stake.
Do your best to cover for me. I’ll be in as soon as possible.”
    I
shut off the transceiver and gave Keira my full attention. “You’re
certain about Ramsey?”
    “She
called me by my real name and told me to keep in touch. She said she
may need my services in the future, and my bank account was
definitely closed. Security was even called when I asked for more
details.”
    “Has
Elaine learned anything about the Resistance? Does she know Oren
Johnson isn’t really dead?”
    She
shook her head. “I don’t think so. I think it’s just me and
Scott by default, but…”
    “What
is it?”
    “Well,
Scott already has to take orders from her because he’s military…he
said I can trust you.”
    “And
you can.”
    She
studied me for a minute, clearly worried. “I’ve been thinking
about this all weekend, from every angle. I’ve been trying to
figure out why. And I think Elaine Ramsey is tying up loose ends.
We both know she hired me, and probably Rose, to get her money back,
but I don’t think she ever had any intention of paying either of us.”
    “What
exactly are you saying, Keira?”
    “The
clerk wouldn’t tell me who closed my account, but I think it’s too
much of a coincidence. Elaine Ramsey must have closed it. She’s
the only one I can think of who has both the power and a motive to do
that. I also suspect that she ordered a hit and run on Rose.”
    She
paused and carefully monitored my expression. It was difficult, but
I kept my gaze steady and gave no reaction. I wanted to hear it all.
    Keira
took a breath and continued, “Rose was a somebody, and she knew
too much, so Ramsey had to remove her. Because Rose was Elite,
Ramsey had to make certain that it looked like an accident. But
Rick…I’m a nobody, plus she knows my real identity, so rather than
kill me, she’s sending a clear message that she’s going to
control me. I’m worried that closing my account is just the
beginning.”
    “You’re
not a nobody. Do you need some money?”
    “No.”
She shook her head vehemently. “I earn my own money.”
    Independent,
Scott had said. He wasn’t joking. “I can order false
documentation if you need a new identity,” I offered.
    “No.”
She waved her hand. “I have connections for that too.”
    “Then
how can I help?”
    “I’d
like to borrow your car and driver next Thursday.”
    I
sat down next to her. “Why?”
    “Mrs.
Ramsey is throwing a dinner party at her Galt estate next Thursday.
I need to be there.”
    “To
do what exactly?”
    “The
party is my way in. I’ll get the money back. Hopefully the amount
you stole plus enough to make up for my closed account.”
    “So
it’s just about the money?” I didn’t believe she’d stop there,
not when her cover had been compromised.
    “I’ll
stick around,” she confessed, “and after the
party…that’s when I’ll do it.”
    I
shook my head. “I think we should put someone else on the job,
someone she won’t suspect. We have people who are skilled at
breaking and entering. They can get the money and send a strong
warning.”
    I
realized I was beginning to care for Keira, as Scott’s sister and as
an ally. And I wanted to protect her. Oh, I knew she could take
care of herself, but killing takes its toll. I was beginning to
worry about how Keira’s