The Blasphemer Read Online Free Page B

the kudos.
    Zoe scooped it up and handed it over. ‘Here you go, Miss Raines.’
    ‘Cheers.’
    Maya checked the caller ID.
    It was Deirdre Raines.
    Mama.
    She sighed, and her smile became a frown. Shaking her head, she straightened. ‘Girls, I’m so sorry, but I’m going to have to cut this short. That’s it for today’s introductory session. Bulletman—also known as Eli—will be taking down your details if you are keen to sign up for the full course. Thank you. Have a good day.’
    Maya turned away from the chattering girls.
    Mama.
    They hadn’t spoken to each other since that night. They had gotten in each other’s faces back then, arguing, neither of them backing down. And in the end, Maya had left, vowing never to return.
    She flexed her fingers around her phone. The hurt was still raw, jabbing and twisting in her like fish hooks.
    Mama, you’re choosing a lousy time to call.
    She made for the community hall’s entrance and pushed the door open. The autumn breeze tousled her hair. Dry leaves skittered along in the parking lot. The sky was gunmetal grey.
    Maya answered her phone. ‘Yes?
    Mama’s voice was flat and cold. ‘Maya, I’m putting you on assignment.’
    ‘I can’t do it. Sorry.’
    Mama ignored her. ‘Our principal is Abraham Khan. It’s all over the news, so I’m sure you’re aware that an attempt was made on him last night.’
    ‘You’ll have to find someone else—’
    ‘The police have relocated him to the Pacifica Hotel, and there is every chance that this thing might escalate.’
    ‘Please find someone else—’
    ‘The Diplomatic Protection Squad is up to their eyeballs with the economic summit in Wellington. They cannot redeploy to Auckland. Not for the next few days. So, for now, Section One is being tapped to look after Khan.’
    Maya sighed. ‘I’m not in the right state of mind.’
    ‘I’m not playing your games, Maya. Not today. Dashiell and Arthur are already on-site. Noah will be at your place in an hour. That’s final.’
    ‘Mama—’
    ‘I said that’s final. Just do your job.’
    Maya frowned as the line disconnected with a click. She felt her stomach clench up, and her mouth tasted sour. Yes, Mama was doing what she did best. Being a dragon lady. Never taking no for an answer.
     

CHAPTER 8
     
    Home was just a suburb away from the community centre. As Maya drove into inner Henderson, the green, lush hills of the WaitakereRanges unfurled themselves on the horizon. Jagged and wild and volcanic, it stretched for kilometres, never seeming to end. The Maori called it Te Wao Nui a Tiriwa . The GreatForest of Tiriwa.
    Maya took a junction off the main road and travelled down a slope. Neat houses flanked her on either side, comfortably middle-class. The view was panoramic—she could make out farmlands and roaming sheep on the ranges. It never failed to impress. Where else in the world could you find rural paradise just thirty minutes outside the city centre?
    Staring at the vista was almost enough to make her forget her conversation with Mama. Almost. But not quite. It stayed wedged in her mind like a red-hot splinter. A part of her wanted to retreat back to being a child. To sulk and stamp her feet and just refuse to go along with Mama’s manipulations. But another part of her—the prudent part of her—dismissed such foolishness.
    I’m a professional. I have to act like one. Papa would have expected no less.
    Her house came up on the right, and she eased into her driveway. She stopped in front of her garage door. All she had to do was touch the remote on her key ring and the door would open. But she wasn’t doing that. Not just yet.
    Maya got out her cellphone. Connecting wirelessly to her home’s security terminal, she squinted, checking the camera and motion sensor logs, cycling through room by room, looking for anything that didn’t belong. Sure, she had been away for only two hours. But a lot could happen in two hours.
    A while back, a woman down in