Read The Singularity Race for Free Online

security team overnight and this morning we were passed to them.”
    â€œWhere are they now?”
    â€œOne man’s just outside the door. A second stayed near the elevators. I suspect he followed Peter and your daughter to the cafeteria.”
    Mullins understood why she’d frowned at his proposal that her nephew go with Kayli. “I didn’t mean to inconvenience your security team.”
    She shrugged. “I feel safe here.” She smiled. “I’m with the man who saved my life.”
    â€œI couldn’t protect you from a ninety-year-old grandmother now.”
    â€œI think my biggest danger is being mobbed by the press. We had to sneak out through the loading dock to avoid them.”
    The loading dock near where the getaway van had been parked, Mullins thought. “Has any attempt on your life been made before?”
    â€œNo. But I work in a high-security lab and live in a high-rise with doormen. I think I just happened to be in the wrong place last night. Brecht and Ahmad were much more well known than I am.”
    â€œAnyone trying to recruit you away from your employer?”
    â€œI’m in a hot field. I’m always getting inquiries.” Her dark eyes narrowed. “But I’m here at the pleasure of my government and an arrangement made with Jué Dé. I’m not what the sports people call a free agent.”
    Mullins hesitated to probe further, but her answer reinforced his line of questioning.
    â€œWhen the man grabbed you outside the kitchen last night, did he say anything?”
    She shuddered. “No. You came back almost as he grabbed me.”
    To use as a shield, Mullins thought. Kill me first, then her. Or there was another possibility.
    Li sensed something was bothering him. “What?”
    Mullins leaned forward in the bed, bringing his face close to hers. “It’s just a little odd that he grabbed you. Why not just shoot you?”
    Li’s face went even paler. “A hostage?”
    â€œOr a source of information.”
    The neuroscientist shook her head as if being murdered were more understandable. “That sounds farfetched.”
    â€œI hope so. But tell Jué Dé and your government that kidnapping was a possibility.”
    â€œMaybe my company should hire you.”
    â€œI’m afraid that would be a tough commute.”
    Her eyes softened. “Family?”
    â€œKayli and my grandson. My wife died a couple of years ago.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œThanks. Do you live with someone who can be an extra pair of eyes and ears?”
    â€œNo,” she whispered. “My husband died eight years ago. My work in Beijing kept me too busy to do anything else.”
    Like date, Mullins thought. He wondered if her research had been scrutinized by the communist government and long working hours weren’t a choice.
    â€œJust be extra vigilant,” he advised. “And if you’re ever back in the area, let me know. And if Peter’s with you, we’ll go to a game.”
    â€œHe’d like that.” Her face reddened slightly. “So would I.” She stood. “I’d better go get him. We’re supposed to fly back this evening.”
    â€œCan I tell him goodbye?”
    â€œYes. Peter would throw a fit otherwise.” She stared at Mullins. “Thank you again.”
    Mullins started to say he was only doing his duty when she bent over and ran her cool palm across his forehead like a mother soothing a feverish child.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” he said.
    Five minutes later, Peter burst in the room and ran to the bedside. “Mr. Mullins, Miss Kayli said you’re not just a bodyguard. You’re like a detective.”
    Mullins chuckled. “Well, I used to be kinda like one.”
    â€œWould you take my case?”
    Mullins looked at Lisa Li but she appeared to have no clue as to what her nephew meant.
    â€œWhat case is that?” he