Read Online White Ginger by Thatcher Robinson - Free Book Online Page A

to get up.’”
    His tone challenged her. She didn’t have the energy to argue.
    â€œPeople are dying,” she said in her own defense.
    â€œBad people are dying, Bai,” Lee asserted. “That doesn’t alter the fact there’s a young girl out there who’s in for a life of misery if we don’t help her.”
    She nodded in sympathy. She understood what was at stake.
    Her cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number. When she answered, a very officious voice asked, “Mrs. Jiang?”
    She corrected the caller. “Miss Jiang.”
    â€œI see . . .” said the voice. “This is Mr. Ketchum, provost at Darryl Hopkins.”
    Her insides went cold. “Has something happened to Dan?”
    â€œNo. Dan is fine. The boy she assaulted, however, will require stitches. I think it would be best if we met, Miss Jiang. We need to discuss your daughter’s behavior.”
    She put her hand to her forehead. “I’m about an hour away. Will around two o’clock be convenient for you, Mr. Ketchum?”
    â€œI’m looking forward to meeting you, Miss Jiang.”
    She closed her phone to end the call. Both Lee and Jason stared at her. “Dan’s fine. She beat up a boy.”
    Lee looked concerned. Jason smiled.
    Bai had never named Dan’s father. All you had to do was look at Dan and Jason to see the resemblance. She’d inherited his handsome features and, obviously, her quick temper.
    â€œThe principal wants to see me.” Her words sounded ludicrous after the events of the last hour.
    Jason looked aside to smile at her. “Weren’t you about Dan’s age when you first beat me up?”
    She couldn’t help but return his smile at the memory. “You deserved it. You pulled my ponytail.”
    â€œI couldn’t help myself,” Jason said in his own defense. “I was in love.”
    The look he bestowed on her said he still was.

Lee and Jason bracketed Bai as she entered Darryl Hopkins. Arched double doors opened onto an entry hall in the red-brick, deco-styled building. A security desk fanned around the narrow corridor to corral unsuspecting visitors. The only way past the kiosk was through a metal detector.
    Two uniformed guards waited behind the desk. They scrutinized Bai and her entourage as she approached. The inspection seemed professional. The faces of the men showed practiced detachment.
    â€œMy name is Bai Jiang. I’m here for my daughter.”
    One of the guards took a small step back, and his hand lifted to rest on the holstered pistol at his side. The other guard smiled tightly and picked up a clipboard off the counter. The guards moved with a precision that indicated training, probably military. Her opinion of them bumped up a notch.
    The guard in front pushed the visitor registration sheet across the desk in her direction. “If you’ll sign in please, Ms. Jiang. And these gentlemen are . . . ?”
    The guard left the question hanging as he eyed Lee and Jason.
    She glanced back before answering. “They’re my security.”
    Parents at Darryl Hopkins included diplomats, politicians, the rich, and the very rich. Many of them maintained their own security. Jason and Lee looked the part.
    The guard nodded his head in acceptance of her claim. “No weapons are permitted beyond this point.” The guard spoke as he turned to open a gun safe at his back. “Any weapons you’re carrying will be returned when you leave.”
    He held his hand out, palm up, and waited.
    Lee pulled his Tomcat from his shoulder holster and handed it over. Jason lifted a 9mm from the small of his back, a snubnosed .38 off his ankle, and a throwing knife off of each wrist. The guard eyed the knives speculatively as he deposited them in the weapons case.
    Bai removed the blade from her wrist sheath and reluctantly handed it to the guard, who, for the first time, showed surprise. He recovered