Weekend Warriors (Sisterhood #1)(14)
“Well…I…” Yoko’s eyes filled with tears.
Kathryn jabbed her finger in Yoko’s direction. “You’d better not turn out to be a weak link, sister. I’m not putting my ass on the line and I don’t think these other women will either if you have to sit and ponder everything and then weasel out when the going gets tough. I think you’re too wishy-washy for my taste. I’m going to keep my eye on you. This dog of mine is going to do the same thing. Now, what the hell is your answer?”
“I apologize if I don’t think fast enough for you, Kathryn. I feel you are justified in wanting revenge. What you propose is drastic. You said yourself you are alive and well. Perhaps not mentally well, but well just the same. I am most sorry about your husband’s death. Your grief is palpable. I understand this. I will vote no this time because I do not know these men.”
“You know Kathryn. By coming here tonight you pledged to be her sister. It’s not important for you to know the men,” Julia hissed between her teeth. “You had better not turn into a weak link because if you do, I’ll go after you myself.”
Myra nodded. “Your decision is recorded, Yoko. Nikki?”
Nikki thought about all the rape cases she’d taken to court and lost. Cases where the victim was raped twice, once by a man and then again by the courts. “I agree,” she said, her voice ringing out loud and clear.
“I vote yes also,” Myra said.
“Your revenge is approved by the majority of the sisters, Kathryn.”
“Now we need to set up an airtight, working plan. I think this is the time when we need Charles’s input. Charles worked for the Queen of England at MI 6 and he was an excellent operative until his cover was blown. The Queen herself made sure he was led to safety here in the United States. We can trust him and we can rely on him.”
Charles stood up, every inch the stiff-upperlipped Brit. “What we have here,” he said waving his arm about, is a multimillion-dollar command center. There is absolutely nothing we can’t find out about anybody. I know many people who will help us just for the joy of helping to right old wrongs. There are no codes that can’t be broken. I was taught to do this early on in my career and I’ve stayed up on the latest developments. I’m only telling you this in case we come up against some coded messages or the like. I believe I know just about everything there is to know about encryption. These sophisticated computers and their memory banks rival those at the CIA. I personally built them. Any questions so far?”
The women all shook their heads.
“Good. Then I’ll continue. This is how I see it. Obviously the men who attacked Kathryn live somewhere in the state of California. I feel confident in saying somewhere within a five hundred mile radius of where Kathryn was attacked. I see this as a four-man — excuse me, woman — job.” Charles’s gaze raked the room as he tried to decide which three women would work best with Kathryn in the lead.
Isabelle tugged at her braid, her hands shaking. “I have a question. Maybe it’s more of a statement. If this means going to California, I’m afraid I can’t go. If I don’t work, I won’t be able to pay my rent. I can’t afford to take off any time. If there’s something I can do from this end, I’ll be more than happy to comply.”
“Isabelle, your bank account is quite robust these days. Your next statement will reflect a transfer of money. You have nothing to worry about, dear. We also paid up your rent and your health insurance a year in advance. Your time is now your sisters’ time. This was just a little down payment in advance until we can right your cause,” Myra said.
Isabelle nodded gratefully.
“Is anyone else worried about time away?” Charles asked.
“I do not think I can leave the nursery and my husband. He would not understand,” Yoko said.
Kathryn stood up, her arms flying upward. Murphy reared up, his ears going flat against his head. “That’s it! That’s it! Just tell me what the hell you’re doing here? Did you think this was going to be some kind of tea party? Don’t give me any of that Asian different culture crap either. For starters, I don’t want you on my case. All I have to do is look at you to know you’re about as dependable as shit.”
The picture of serenity, Yoko replied, “You are a hothead, Kathryn.”
Taken aback, Kathryn responded bluntly, the way she did everything. “That’s true, I am. I’m also kind, considerate, thoughtful and I’m damn loyal to those near and dear to me. When I give my word, I keep it. What’s your shtick?”
“I am all those things myself, Kathryn. I did not know what to expect when I came here this evening. Now that I know what is expected, I will make arrangements so that I can fulfill my duties to this organization. I wish only to be helpful to all of you. If you have difficulty with my ways, you must tell me. I have no wish to be like you. I want only to be able to understand and act within my own boundaries. You need have no fear of me being, what you called, the weak link. I am very strong, mentally and physically. I had to be, to survive. I just want to help so that when it is my turn you will want to help me.”
Kathryn grimaced. “Okay, okay, but I’m still going to keep my eye on you.”
“And mine will be on you, also, Kathryn.”
“What’s next?” Nikki asked, looking at Myra.