Public Secrets (Artificial Intelligence Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

as a janitor, moved in closer to verify they had the right woman. He watched as the man looked at his watch, picked up his broom and left. He smiled. That was the signal he wanted.

Chapter Four
     
    By the time Chad arrived at the Auckland Hilton he was exhausted, and Davis was in worse condition. His ill-tempered assistant reamed a porter for bumping the luggage against the frame of the elevator door.
    “For God’s sake, your luggage has been through an airport. This fellow can’t do it any more harm.”
    Davis knew better than to argue, but Chad noticed he wrote the boy’s name down on a piece of paper. No doubt he would call and complain to the manager. Chad looked at the porter. The young fellow’s eyes glowed with admiration.
    When they entered their suite, Chad gave the boy a tip, certain Davis would not.
    Once the boy left, his assistant spoke. “They don’t tip here. It’s an insult to do so.”
    “The boy didn’t seem insulted. Which reminds me, please do not call the manager and complain about the mishandling of your luggage.”
    “He should have been more careful.”
    “I don’t care. You are my employee and what you do reflects on me. They will think you’re calling in my name, and I don’t want a reputation as a prima donna who complains all the time.”
    “Primo uomo,” Davis corrected him and rolled his eyes as if everyone but Chad knew the name for a male prima donna. “I will make it clear I am complaining on my own behalf.”
    “You aren’t listening. I don’t want you calling at all. If you’re going to be my assistant, you have to develop a nicer front towards people. And if you can’t do that, then I can’t afford to have you on staff.”
    “You’re firing me?” Davis exclaimed.
    Chad sighed and collapsed on his bed. “No. I’m not firing you. I’m telling you to lighten up. You take everything so seriously.”
    “Fine, then. Do you want to go over tomorrow’s schedule?”
    “No. I want to take a hot shower and relax.”
    “What time do you want to be woken?”
    “When do we need to leave here?”
    “Eight-thirty.”
    “Then wake me up at eight.”
    After his shower, he lay on the bed and tried to sleep, but Carla’s face kept him awake. Who was she? How could she be so famous and he not know her? And how could she be so isolated from the world not to know him? He ran through all the famous singers. He couldn’t imagine any of them looking as lovely as Carla without their makeup.

Chapter Five
     
    The students were more than willing to sneak Carla onto their bus. It was an excellent trick on the chaperones to add another choir member.
    Carla was happy to join them for the bus ride. Since their destination was close to Lake Taupo, it saved her hiring a rental at the airport. She could rent a car in Whakapapa and arrive at her YHA within an hour. She smiled at her cleverness. None of the press would be able to follow this trail.
    One of the chaperones stared at her, but as soon as the girls insisted she join them in their seat, he relaxed. There were over a hundred students. Surely he didn’t know them all.
    Her new best bud, Claire, leaned closer and whispered, “If anyone asks, you’re a substitute for Janie Carrington. She got laryngitis this week and couldn’t come.”
    “Thanks,” Carla replied, appreciating the girl’s help. Claire had convinced the others to help sneak Carla onto the bus.
    The singing group traveled in three buses, each filled with melodies, as they made their way through the cities and out into the farmland of New Zealand. Carla was singing harmony to Claire when a hand rested firmly on her shoulder. Both stopped singing as she looked up into the stern face of the chaperone who had been staring at her before.
    “You have a lovely voice,” he said.
    “Thank you,” she replied, wondering if this had been a good idea after all. If they dumped her and her luggage out in the middle of nowhere, it would be a long walk to anywhere.
    “I