What was the connection between her silent departure and her death? Why had she left, and where had she spent those three days?
Nikki found and watched the video interview of Claire, and was struck again by her vulnerability—the tender naivete a vicious mismatch to the violence of her death.
—
Her phone rang—a British number.
“It’s me. It’s Audrey,” sang the cheerful voice. “Daddy got me my own phone.”
“Why are you calling me, Audrey?”
“Can you come over?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t even know me. I’m a stranger to you.”
“You’re not a stranger. You’re my friend. Daddy says so. He told Mummy leave it alone—she’s a hero. He says you’re a hero and…and…and…he should hire you.”
“That’s nice of him to say,” said Nikki. “But I already have a job.”
“Can you come over?”
“No. I have work to do. I need to go.”
“Please!”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Please! I want you to come.”
“Goodbye.”
—
No sooner had she hung up than the phone rang again. She was about to send the call to voicemail when she saw it was Angelo.
“You need to come in,” he said.
“It’s my day off,” Nikki protested.
“Admiral Redford wants to see you.”
—
On base, Angelo waited for her outside the heavy concrete structure that housed the admiral’s offices. His face was pursed. Disapproving.
“What haven’t you told me?” he demanded, lunging a little with the words.
Nikki was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know!” he snapped. “This is about the ambassador’s case. I’m sure of it. What has your girlfriend said?”
Nikki hardened her expression.
“I don’t know anything about the murder investigation,” she said. “As I reported, the police no longer want the assistance of Phoenix Seven.”
