But by calling in the breach, she’d exposed herself.
That mistake could cost Yoshimura everything—and as her wrists chafed in the cuffs, Sophie hoped it did.
15
SOPHIE
The holdingcell’s fluorescent light hummed, monotonous, as Sophie finished her morning sun salutation.
The concrete floor was cold against her bare feet, the bed had been hard and the smell, rank—but she’d endured worse in her past.Being the only occupant of the cell had been optimal; she’d spent some time meditating, detaching from her worries about children, relationships, and the case.This discipline had freed her enough to relax and get a surprisingly good night’s sleep on the lumpy cot with its scratchy synthetic blanket.
Now, her morning yoga routine was there to keep her mind sharp and body limber.She was ready for the day.
As if on cue, the heavy door with its wire-embedded window clanged open.Detective Multon stood there, his jaw working like he was chewing glass.Behind him, Marcella’s thunderous expression showed her Italian temper, while Feirn looked fresh and ready to demonstrate some of his more aggressive training.
Sophie smiled at the trio.“Good morning.”
“Ms.Smithson,” Multon grunted.“You’re free to go.”
“Thank you, Detective.”Sophie slipped her shoes back on.
“I ...apologize for the misunderstanding.”Each word seemed physically painful for Multon to produce.“Agent Scott has clarified your role in the investigation.”
“Misunderstanding?”Marcella snapped.“You arrested a federal consultant conducting authorized research.After I specifically told you she was working with us.”
“She wasn’t arrested.Just detained.And Dr.Yoshimura’s complaint seemed credible?—”
“Dr.Yoshimura is now a person of interest.”Marcella cut him off.“We’ve been through all this.Step aside.”
Multon’s face darkened but he stood back and held the door ajar for Sophie to exit.“Again, apologies.Your belongings are at the desk.”
“You should get your blood pressure checked, Detective.Stress can be hard on your heart.”Sophie breezed past him and down the hall, leaving ongoing bickering behind.
At the holding desk she collected her phone, external drive, tablet backpack, and various pocket tools, checking each item for tampering.Feirn hovered protectively nearby while Marcella continued her controlled demolition of Multon’s career, ending with, “And we’ll need copies of everything from that computer.And I mean everything.If a single file is missing ...”
“You’ll have it all,” Multon muttered.
They walked out in formation—Marcella leading, Sophie in the middle, Feirn bringing up the rear.No one spoke until they reached the parking lot where the FBI helicopter waited, rotors already warming up.
As they strapped into their seats, Marcella made eye contact with Sophie.“You okay?Multon didn’t?—”
“I’m fine,” Sophie assured her.“Meditation and yoga helped me get a good night’s sleep, calmer than home has been lately with Sean having nightmares.A cup of coffee would be great, though.That stuff in the computer lab was terrible—and a long time ago.”
Marcella handed her a thermal mug.“You can have mine.You earned it.”She scowled.“That station’s captain had everything shut up tight and had gone home by the time Feirn got ahold of me with the news of Multon’s antics.We had to wait until morning for the facility to open up.I’m sorry.”
Sophie shrugged, taking a restorative sip of Marcella’s strong coffee.“Like I said.I was alone in there, thankfully.Better night’s sleep than I expected.”The blades whined louder, and the pilot instructed them to don their headphones.Once the comms were on, Sophie checked her phone; many messages waited for her to sort through, but as she hit the first one, the screen blanked out; it hadn’t been charged overnight.“So, what did I miss, Marcella?”
Marcella’s elegant brows drew down and her mouth made a shape as if sucking a penny.“I sent HPD to pick up Yoshimura at her house in Manoa once I got your message.She was gone.Neighbors say they saw her loading suitcases into her car before leaving.”
“Right after she reported the ‘cyber intrusion,’ I’m guessing,” Sophie said.“She must have realized her cover was blown.”
“It gets worse,” Marcella said.“The collectors who moved their artifacts to the Bishop Museum for safekeeping were robbed.The museum’s vault was emptied last night.Professional job—no alarms, no evidence.Everything just gone.”
Sophie shook her head.“Yoshimura gathered them all in one place.Made the job easy—if she didn’t clean them out herself.”
“She’s stolen twenty-three pieces total,” Marcella said.“Combined value in the millions.The museum’s board has been calling SAC Waxman; they’re in chaos.They’re claiming Dr.Yoshimura must have been kidnapped, forced to give up the access codes.”
“Do you believe that?”Sophie asked.
