Page 72 of Perfection

“I think Brianna would be safer there. I don’t mean to scare you, but there’s always a possibility that this person would use your daughter to get to you.”

Instantly, Kindra shot forward, stiff-backed and alert. Her gaze hit his. “They wouldn’t!” Uncertainty washed over her face. “Okay. I’ll gather some belongings.”

“Very good. We’ll also need to take your Nanny Sally. The safe house doesn’t have much in the way of robotics.”

With effort, she stood from the sofa. “That will be fine.” She ambled several steps, then paused to run both palms down her face and neck. She clasped them together over her chest. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Shaking her head, she moved on down the hall.

While Kindra helped Brianna finish her bath and gathered their things, York called Avery to fill him in on what had happened, including his gut feeling that the viral outbreak and the attempt on Kindra’s life were related. He requested a review of the surveillance footage from Kindra’s garage and the surrounding area. Avery agreed.

He finished the call and looked up as Brianna bounded into the room. She hurled herself at him and gave him a gigantic hug. “Did you miss me?” she asked with a bubbly grin.

“Why, of course. Who else loves syrup as much as I do?”

She giggled. “Are we really going to your house?”

“Yes, we are, just for a short while, then we’re going somewhere else.”

“I’ve never slept anywhere else,” she said with a mixture of awe and uncertainty.

“Then this will be a wonderful adventure.”

Kindra entered the room carrying two small overnight bags. She paused, rubbing the heel of her palm against her sternum.

“Pain?” he asked.

“A little.” She glanced at Brianna.

He sensed she didn’t want to talk about it in front of the child. “Ready?”

“Yes. Will we all fit in your air-car? Nanny has a few extra things for Brianna.”

He nodded. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

The robot walked out of the bedroom with an additional, larger suitcase. How much stuff did they need for a couple of nights? Then he remembered all the toys and things Danny had always wanted to keep with him.

Brianna took York’s hand. He smiled at her, unable to shut out the long-ago memories or how much he missed his son. Some things, like caring for a child, never left the heart, even when they were no longer near. As they took the elevator down and he answered over a dozen of Brianna’s questions, he realized how much he’d distanced himself from children over recent years.

At the air-car, he hit the adjustment button on the console that elongated the chassis, the super strong fabric that covered it stretching into the new shape that allowed the air-car to accommodate four passengers. He leaned into the back and flipped down the seats. “There you go, Brianna. You and Nanny climb in.”

“Wow. I’ve never ridden in anything like this. Mommy doesn’t like them. We usually travel on the tran,” the child crooned.

“Honey, get in,” Kindra said.

He grinned at how Kindra was trying to quiet the girl. While everyone settled inside, he put their luggage in the trunk. He sobered as his gaze slid to the very spot in the parking garage where Kindra had been shot. It looked like his colleagues were wrapping up. He strolled over to Shishido. “I informed the captain I’m taking Kindra and Brianna to a safe-house. Just as a precaution.”

Shishido nodded. “Got it.”

When York climbed into his seat, he glanced over his shoulder at Brianna. “You choose. Should we drive through traffic or fly?”

“Fly, of course.”

“That’s my favorite, too.”

Kindra groaned. “Oh, please, God.”

* * *

Kindra fastened her seatbelt and checked to see that Brianna did, also.