Caressed by Ice

CHAPTER 38

The first body was found twenty-four hours after the Council meeting. The young male—who turned out to have been an inmate at a pre–Rehabilitation Center prior to his early and unexpected release—had died of massive neurological trauma.

Kaleb put down the report and turned to look at Nikita, who was staring out at the city of San Francisco. They were in the office area of her private penthouse, safe from prying eyes. “They’re tying up the loose ends.”

Nikita shook her head. “The autopsy showed a localized implosion in the segment of his brain that would have held the implant. It failed and destroyed itself in the process.”

Kaleb wasn’t so certain. “The timing’s too convenient.”

“Yes. There is that.”

“Either way, it appears the problem is being buried.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Nikita’s voice was low, measured. “Ming has to have his suspicions if not outright proof. He’ll withdraw his support of any further propositions on the part of the Scotts.”

“Do you think they were foolish enough to have themselves implanted?”

“If the implants are indeed failing, we’ll know the answer soon enough.”

Kaleb nodded, looking out at the morning sun glittering off the water that edged this city. He couldn’t help comparing it to his landlocked home. Two very disparate cities, but power felt the same whether here or there.