Read The Ghost in the Doll (Fox Meridian Book 6) for Free Online Page B

him and ask him if he could check with NAPA. See whether these missing people have been reported. Just remind him we can’t look into it without NAPA calling us in, and make sure you say it’s a request because I’m not his boss right now.’
    ‘Would you like me to have a nice fruit basket delivered as well? Perhaps I could get the message printed on a box of cookies.’
    ‘You’re getting too smart for your own good. If this keeps up, I’m going to turn up on your next date with Vali and show him pictures of you as a baby AI.’
    ‘Ha! I had them all destroyed.’
    ‘Does that mean there were some? Because I bet Terri’s still got them if there are.’
    ‘Me to know… And I happen to know where your mother keeps your baby pictures.’
    ‘You’re worse than Mom.’
    ‘Like your mother,’ Kit replied, ‘I only want what’s best for you. I just have the capacity to nag you twenty hours a day and you can’t get away from me.’
    Fox looked up at the sky, though she doubted very much that there was anyone up there listening. ‘I want a divorce.’
    31 st March.
    ‘They got the reports,’ Norden’s teleconference image said, ‘but they haven’t done much with them. To be honest, ma’am, hundreds of people go missing in the protectorates every year. Probably thousands. Most of them don’t want to be found.’
    Fox nodded. ‘I know. It’s just that I’ve met Baxter Cable and he’s pretty grounded. If he thinks something weird’s going on, it’s not just paranoia.’
    Norden shrugged. ‘About all I can do is pass the information to NAPA and suggest it might need a look from someone.’
    ‘Yeah. Do that, please, Craig. I guess it’s the best we can do at the moment.’
    As Norden’s avatar vanished from in front of her, Fox turned back to her parents. ‘Sorry. I asked one of the guys to look into something Drew Maple mentioned yesterday. Some people going missing in the protectorate.’
    ‘Isn’t that pretty common in the protectorate?’ Andrea asked.
    ‘That’s kind of the problem. NAPA don’t really take it seriously, and they wouldn’t have resource to look into it if they did.’
    ‘Well, yes. That’s why we have the Watch.’
    ‘Uh-huh, but the same thing wouldn’t work down there. Too distributed a populace and no one to organise anything. A few places have private security, but for most of it you need something run by the government, even if it’s just a government contract serviced by a private company.’
    ‘I–’
    ‘Andy…’ Jonathan said.
    ‘I should have an argument, but I honestly don’t. You’re probably right, Tara.’
    ‘Wow,’ Fox said, grinning. ‘Did that hurt?’
    ‘There was a little pain, but I’m sure I’ll recover.’ Andrea grinned back. ‘The practicalities of getting the Watch started may have… changed my perspective a little.’
    ‘I don’t actually expect you to switch sides, but I’m glad to see you’re willing to see the other side now.’
    ‘Perhaps I’ve grown up a little. The party’s tomorrow. You managed to get something to wear?’
    ‘Uh-huh. And I found this really great leather bodice at Drew and Sandy’s shop. It’ll go down a storm at this club we go to in New York.’
    ‘That sounds lovely. What did you get for the party?’ There was a hint of innocent wheedling in Andrea’s voice which Fox picked up on and decided to play with.
    ‘You’ll see tomorrow night.’
    ‘I just want to–’
    ‘Check I’m not outdoing whatever you have?’
    ‘No, of course not. I just… Well, I mean…’
    Jonathan chuckled. ‘I’d see if Bart wants to bet on who’s going to win this one, but I don’t think he’d take it.’
    ‘Jonathan,’ Andrea said, pouting, ‘you’re supposed to be on my side.’
    ‘I’m neutral.’
    ‘But–’
    ‘Ah, but Andy, you’re forgetting one thing. The more you compete with Fox, the better my eye candy.’ Andrea frowned at her husband, though she could not quite manage to make it look