Canvas Skies (Reliance on Citizens Makes Us Great!) (19 page)

“I'm glad to hear that our assets our
secure,” Prime Minister Armstrong said, and the others nodded in
agreement.

“What shall we do with the Freelancers in
custody?” Minister Brackaby asked.

The Prime Minister looked at me. “Mr.
Delaney, bring up the information about the Freelancers you
hired.”

I did so.

“Why didn't you hire Keira Maddock? We've
heard she's one of the best.”

“I've heard the same,” I said. “If any of
you know her whereabouts, I'll be happy to put her to the test.” I
looked around. No one responded.

Prime Minister Armstrong once again
addressed the ministers. “Take a good look at this list. I know
some of you are partial to certain individuals currently in
custody. Please make note of those you would like to see
released.”

“And the others?” said Minister
Brackaby.

“If they agree to work with us, they'll be
given the treatment and initiated into the program. If not...well,
they are criminals.” He shrugged.

The others nodded and began typing on
keypads embedded in the tabletop. While they worked, the Prime
Minister returned his attention to me.

“Thank you, Mr. Delaney. You and CalTech
have been a tremendous help. The second portion of your fee will be
deposited directly, as promised.”

As I made my way down the front steps of the
Justice Center, I contacted Guy at Burke Investments. It was time
for another lunch meeting. Then I called Miss Ellis and directed
her to have our meal delivered. But first, a detour.

Thankfully, no one appeared to be following
me. I pulled over to the curb and hastily removed a pen and an
empty envelope from my briefcase. Then I walked the last two blocks
to Art Fantastique. At the corner, I froze and watched as Hisoka
Watanabe entered the gallery. He was carrying a wooden box.

Trying to think up a logical excuse for my
presence, I peered through the main window and pretended to look at
the artwork. Hisoka had disappeared. In fact, I didn't see anyone.
No, wait. There was movement as someone entered the main room from
the back.

Bells jangled when I opened the front door.
Keira opened her mouth to speak but stopped when I shook my head. I
handed her the note. She read it silently before directing me
behind a partition. Paintings surrounded me on three sides, and a
small wooden sculpture stood on a display stand in the middle.
Keira knocked on the door to the back room.

“Excuse me, Aimee? Could I bother you for a
signature?”

Footsteps moved toward the sales counter.
“What is this? Are you sure?” I was close enough to hear their
entire conversation. “Who wrote this?”

“Brody.”

“But I thought you didn't trust him.”

“Remember what Guy said.” It was Keira's
voice again.

“You said that he told you we could trust
both of them! Keira, who am I supposed to believe when you're
telling me something different every other day?”

“I've always said to be careful. That's
never changed.”

More footsteps approached and papers were
shuffled.

“Are you done with that signature?” Mr.
Watanabe asked.

“Yes. Is everything ready?”

After they'd retreated to the back room, and
the door had closed once again, Keira appeared at my side.

“Thank you. I'm sorry you had to hear
that.”

“I took a big risk coming here today. Why
don't you trust me?”

She looked away, but then her eyes flickered
back to mine. “Are you working for the Gov, or are you with
us?”

“What? Hasn't Guy told you?”

She shook her head. “Guy hasn't had time to
tell me much of anything, but I saw you. Oh, never mind.”

“You saw me somewhere? You mean you were
following me.”

She looked away again. I wasn't sure whether
to be flattered or offended.

“Look, I don't have time to explain right
now, but Guy and I, we've got this under control. And I understand
congratulations are in order?” To my surprise, her eyes teared up.
“What's wrong? You are engaged, aren't you?” I reached for her
hand. “Impressive. Is it an antique?”

She laughed a little and then shook her
head. “I never get to see him anymore, not without the world
watching. And there are all these rules! I'm not used to following
rules. I'm used to breaking them! And big things are coming, but I
don't have all the information.”

I reached out to hug her, and Keira leaned
against my chest. “Hang in there. I'm sure you'll continue to break
the rules. It seems to be in your nature.” I let go then and backed
away. “I have to go. I have a meeting with Guy. Please, tell Aimee
I miss her.”

Hisoka posed in the same position as the
figure from my earlier painting, the figure of the man who looked
nothing like him. Today's picture was different. Today, I couldn't
get Hisoka Watanabe out of my mind. I liked him, but could I trust
him? We all knew he worked for the Gov. He'd been honest about that
from the start. But he never said he'd been assigned to us.

Brody had warned me. His message said, “The
ministers are after you. Watanabe is their eyes.”

I continued to sketch and think, think and
sketch. Hisoka was kind and gentle, yet decisive. He'd cut in and
danced with Adira Armstrong at the benefit, and Adira was a force
to be reckoned with. Working directly with her father, he must have
known that. Yet, he didn't hesitate. I shook my head. Hisoka was a
gentleman. He'd been uncomfortable when we were left alone at my
apartment. I studied his face, specifically the curve of his jaw,
and I darkened the lines on my sketch, sure of the shape. He didn't
seem the least bit uncomfortable today.

When Hisoka had removed his shirt, I'd
tactfully pointed out that the figure in my painting was wearing a
grey suit, and Hisoka had reminded me that the best way to learn to
paint the human form was to paint someone in the nude. That's what
they'd said at training too. At least he kept his pants on. He must
have noticed my discomfort, must have seen the pink hue that warmed
my cheeks when I thought of him wearing nothing.

Then I remembered how he'd pushed Keira
during the benefit, not physically of course, but by asking her
about the people of Vanover. Had he meant to anger her? Was it some
kind of test? Maybe it had been an honest question, small talk gone
wrong.

The next thing I knew, Hisoka was at my
side, checking my progress. He stood close, too close. I held my
breath and stepped back.

He turned. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Would you put your shirt back on, please?”
I averted my eyes.

He moved away, back toward the chair where
he'd hung his shirt and suit coat. “Do you find me
unattractive?”

I let out my breath. “No, not at all.” I
looked into Hisoka's warm brown eyes.

He smiled. “You've done well. This looks
like me. Are you ready to add color, or are we done for today?”

“I am a little tired, but we can try some
color.”

Hisoka walked over to the table and prepared
a palette. He also brought over a cup of water for rinsing the
brush in between colors.

“Study my skin tone, and try to mix a
similar color.”

“Mix?” I looked at him carefully. “You don't
mix, especially when it comes to skin tones. You paint layer by
layer.” I reached for the palette and studied it. “You didn't even
include the hues I'll need for the first layer. Qu'est-ce que tu
fais?” I narrowed my eyes.

This time, he took a step back. “You have
been trained.”

“Of course I have!” I thrust the palette
back at him. “I run an art gallery. What did you expect?”

The room became uncomfortably silent.

“How were you able to get away from work in
the middle of the afternoon?”

He didn't answer.

I looked down and stared at my sandals. “I
think you should leave.”

He reached for my hand, but I pulled
away.

“May I see you again?”

Maybe if we could be honest with each other.
“Can you tell me anything about your work?” Like that you're a spy
for the Resistance. Or is it the other way around?

“But I've already told you about that. I've
even shown you some of my preliminary sketches.”

“I'm not talking about your artwork!” I
blurted out and raised my head so I could look directly into his
eyes. “I'm asking you to treat me as an equal. Please, tell me what
you do when you're not painting,” I pleaded. "What do you do for
the Gov?”

“You don't need to know what goes on in
Parliament. Let me worry about that.”

I didn't really care what happened in
Parliament, but if he couldn't tell me about his life, then I
shouldn't trust him with mine. I shook my head sadly. “You need to
go.”

Hisoka turned toward the bathroom. “I'll
just clean my materials, and then I'll be out of your way.”

I opened the back door and stepped into the
alleyway. A blustery wind rippled around the corner. It tossed my
skirt this way and that. If only it could carry me away. I waited.
From the open doorway, I heard the sounds of water running and a
bit of rummaging, probably Hisoka packing up his supplies, and
finally Keira's voice, calling for me. Hisoka was gone.

***

Late that night, someone knocked on the
front door. Had Hisoka changed his mind and decided to tell me the
truth? I peeked through the peephole, ready to forgive him if he
was ready to talk. I let out a sigh and opened the door. Guy gave
me a sheepish grin.

“What's that?” I nodded at the small bag
hanging at his side.

“My pajamas and toothbrush.”

I raised my eyebrows.

He shrugged. “I've been chastised for not
visiting my fiancee, so here I am!” He looked past me. “Where is
she?”

“Taking a bath.”

His eyes lit up, and I just had to laugh.
“Come on in. That tub isn't big enough for both of you, you know.”
I stepped away from the door.

“I may have to disprove your theory.”

I reached for his arm, and he stopped.
“Before you head in there, may I ask you something?”

“Of course, what is it?”

“Who do you trust more, Brody or
Hisoka?”

“Brody.” He spoke without hesitation.

“Why?”

“Good question. He's demonstrated loyalty to
the Resistance, despite great personal risk.”

“He has?”

Guy nodded. “For over a year now, even
before he understood how he was involved.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“CalTech provides security for the major
airlines. Brody used to help us get people through, but now he's
doing more important work for us at the Justice Center.”

“Oh, and Hisoka?”

“He's one of my clients, has been for years.
When we met to discuss his portfolio a few months ago, he let it
slip that he's become uncomfortable with some of the policies being
pushed through Parliament. I told him that I knew who Guy Bensen
was, and he's been feeding us information ever since...but I get
the feeling that he knows a lot more than he's willing to
share.”

“A lot more, huh?” I mused. “I get that
feeling too.”

Guy tilted his head and asked, “Why did you
invite Hisoka to the benefit instead of Brody?”

I shrugged. “I don't know. I guess I thought
he might fit in better, but he doesn't like Keira, and he doesn't
trust me. I don't think I'm going to see him anymore. And Brody...I
want to trust him, but he's sort of forceful.”

“Forceful? Aimee, has he hurt you?”

“No.” I shook my head emphatically. “Maybe
forceful isn't the right word exactly. He's gotten me to open up to
him about...well, about a lot of things, but then I question
whether or not I should have told him. It kind of scares me. I
feel, I don't know...vulnerable I guess.”

Guy set down his bag and reached for me. I
leaned into him, and he rested his chin on top of my head. “Has
Brody ever given you reason not to trust him?”

I turned my head slightly and focused on the
bead and wire Kozlovsky sculpture Brody had purchased on opening
night. I'd found the perfect spot for it on an end table nearest
the front windows. By mid-morning on sunny days, colors shot from
it to the far wall, creating a display of fabulous geometric
designs.

“No.”

Guy pulled away and placed his hands gently
on my shoulders. He peered into my eyes. “Then my advice is to
trust your heart.”

I nodded. He was right. It was about time I
trusted myself, and now that they were both here...

“When Keira's done in there, I'd like to
talk to both of you.”

“I'll go get her.” He grinned like a little
boy who's just noticed a bowlful of candy.

While I waited, I prepared some herbal tea.
Voices and laughter filtered into the dining area. Honesty, trust,
togetherness... All were important.

A short time later, Keira entered the room
wearing her dark green satin bathrobe. Her hair was dripping wet,
but her eyes were shining again. My sister had returned. Until that
moment, I hadn't realized just how much I'd missed her. Guy
followed, hair wet too. He wore dark blue pajamas.

“So the tub was big enough!” I teased.

He ran a hand through his sandy brown hair
and grinned at Keira. “Someone thought it would be funny to pull me
in, clothes and all.”

Keira giggled and sat down across from me.
“Guy said you wanted to talk.” She wasted no time getting to the
point. “Is this about what I think it is?

“And what's that?” Guy looked at her in
surprise.

“Nadine,” Keira said. “You said you wanted
to talk with both of us about Nadine.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I'm ready to talk about her
now.”

A half hour later, Aimee retired for the
night, looking exhausted but relieved. We'd agreed to the will
Scott and Danielle had drawn up and even called them to confirm it.
It was early morning in Mediterra, but we didn't want to waste any
time reassuring them that if anything ever happened, we wouldn't
hesitate to become Nadine's and Noah's guardians.