Park gave him a flat stare. “I know what psychopathic means, but why on Earth would you think you could control psychopaths? Especially ones you’ve given a license to kill?”
Kendrick sniffed, his expression mutinous. He hated being questioned. It was half the reason Park did it. “Because we’ve seen the program succeed at a local level. This is…let’s call it phase three trials. Testing the subjects on a global scale.”
This was insane. Park kept waiting for Kendrick to get to the punchline of this really bad joke, but the man continued to stare him down. Finally, he asked, “What kind of families would agree to bring a psychopath into their homes?”
Kendrick’s shoulders went back, and he stared down at Park with that trademark imperious look. “The kind that puts their country’s safety and security first.”
Park snorted. “Oh, please. There are only two reasons anyone would agree to something like that. Money or power. So, which was it?”
Kendrick deflated. “I suppose a bit of both.”
Hah. That was what he thought. The wealthy and powerful didn’t do anything unless it benefited them. That was why they were desperate to maintain the stranglehold they had on American politicians. “And who are these parents? These influential paragons of national security?”
“It varies,” Kendrick said vaguely.
I bet.“Just throw some names out there.”
Kendrick’s gaze floated over Park’s head to stare out the window. “Roland Skinner—”
“The oil tycoon?” No wonder the man had access to run pipelines through protected tribal lands. “Who else?”
Kendrick waved a hand. “Boyd Cameron. Davis Washington. Moses Okeke…” He looked at Park, his patience clearly running thin. “Shall I go on?”
Boyd Cameron was a senator. Davis Washington ran one of the largest diamond companies in the world. Moses Okeke was an international arms dealer. Christ. Kendrick wasn’t kidding. They had really gone for people with money and access. Access that would have made Park’s job much easier but not nearly as fun.
“You realize, if this fails, the results could be catastrophic? Globally. We would lose allies in several countries,” Park said, still trying to wrap his head around how this project had ever been green-lit in the first place. “How do you guarantee these kids keep their mouths shut?”
It wasn’t hard to believe the government would allow such a ridiculous study. Over the years, they’d sanctioned experiments on everything from astral projection to time travel, all on the taxpayer’s dime. But giving a literal license to kill to children who already displayed violent psychopathy? That seemed like utter madness.
Kendrick’s expression grew smug. “Minimal risk. The targets who fail to adhere to the protocols laid out within Project Watchtower know they’ll be…eliminated with extreme prejudice.”
The way Kendrick saideliminatedlet Park know he didn’t mean they’d be expelled. “Murdering children?”
“Murdering monsters. Besides, they’re not kids now. We’re not creating an army of killer kindergartners. They’re all of age and they’ve been carefully…cultivated. The cream of the crop. The students have already been accepted, and studies are to begin immediately.”
Immediately? Park’s brain drifted to Gift, who was probably reading on the sofa, waiting for him to finish so they could have dinner together. “While this sounds sufficiently terrifying, I’m afraid I have to decline. I’m perfectly fine here. Whereyouput me. Writing speeches, shaking hands, kissing babies, and all that.”
“Park.” Kendrick said his name like a warning.
Park shrugged. “Sorry, I’m out of the murder game.”
Kendrick’s nostrils flared. “Don’t be petty.”
Park blinked at him, giving him a placid smile. “You’re the one who pulled my card.”
Kendrick glowered at him. “Fine. I was trying to be nice, but now, I’m telling you that you’re expected in Nevada in two weeks. That’s not a request. You still belong to me, Park.”
More bureaucratic bullshit. “I have…other obligations.”
Kendrick made an irritated sound. “Such as?”
Park hesitated, not wanting Kendrick in his private business, especially considering that this private business included a sore subject. “I’m currently acting as a bodyguard.”
“A bodyguard?” Kendrick echoed. “For who? Since when do you have time to play private security?”
Park took a deep breath and let it out. “For the Ayutthaya family.”
The muscle in Kendrick’s jaw ticked, and he swallowed hard. “Anchali? What’s happened to her? Is she okay?”
