Chapter Eight #3
Harlan’s sigh was long-suffering. “Mom knew you wouldn’t be taking any painkillers. I brought some. And I asked Baz to bring some food from the vending machine so the pills don’t eat through your stomach lining. Let’s go see the nurse. Sam, will you wait here for Baz?”
Sam didn’t look pleased at being left behind, but he nodded.
Kit impulsively pressed a kiss to Sam’s cheek, now scratchy with dark scruff. His frown of consternation quickly became a sweet smile.
“We’ll be right back,” she said. “Don’t drink my coffee.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Sam said dryly.
Harlan gave her a look of approval before offering an arm to both his daughters. Kit linked her good arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment.
“You’re okay?” he murmured.
“Yeah. Confused, but physically fine. Akiko, do you know a man named Riccardo Nicchi?”
“Ricky Nicchi?” Akiko asked, and Harlan snorted a laugh.
“Ricky Nicchi?” he repeated. “That’s his real name?”
“Don’t laugh too hard,” Kit muttered. “Fucker’s huge.”
Akiko peered at her around Harlan. “Why is he a fucker and why are you asking about Ricky?”
“Do you know him?” Kit pressed.
“I know of him. I don’t think we’ve ever been in the same class or anything. He’s about ten years older than me. Another of Hanshi’s kids. Studied on a scholarship, just like me, but in the LA dojo. He joined the Army, I think, when I was still little.”
“Marine Corps,” Kit corrected, making Akiko scowl.
“How do you know him?” Akiko demanded.
“I’ll tell you, I promise. Just tell me first what you know about him.”
“I swear to God, Kit, you make me crazy.”
“I know. Indulge me, please.”
Akiko huffed impatiently. “Like I said, he was one of Hanshi’s scholarship students.
From what I understand, he was about ten years old when he started.
He’d progressed to the upper levels when I entered the program as a white belt.
He’d come and teach classes at the San Diego dojo sometimes, when he was visiting his brother, but never my classes.
He was always one of Hanshi’s favorites, or so the other students said.
I think he lived with Hanshi for a while, before he went away to the military, but that’s rumor.
I asked Hanshi once and he said that wasn’t my business.
He said it nicely, but I got the message. I never asked again.”
Kit wished that Akiko had asked again. Kit wished Akiko had asked a lot of questions. But for the life of her, Kit didn’t know what those questions should have been.
“Okay. So…before we get to the nurses’ station, you need to know that Nicchi is also your Hanshi’s emergency contact and also has medical power of attorney.”
Akiko didn’t blink. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay. It’s Hanshi’s business who he signs authority to. Not mine.”
Kit did blink. Her arm hurt and her head hurt and she hoped Baz brought back a freaking sandwich because she was starving and starting to get hangry.
“What?” Akiko asked.
“I guess I’ve never understood your deference to Ito.”
Akiko’s brows shot up. “Deference?”
“Tread carefully, Kitty-Cat,” Harlan murmured. “I don’t want to literally be in the line of fire.”
Kit’s lips twitched and so did Akiko’s. Harlan had always known how to defuse their arguments.
“It’s just…” Kit searched for the words to explain. “You’re brave and confident and independent and so damn competent at everything. But if Ito says to do something or not to do something, you obey him.”
Harlan frowned. “He’s never asked Akiko to do anything dangerous or inappropriate. Has he, Akiko?”
“Never. It’s always been things that were in my best interest. You remember that guy who asked me to prom and Hanshi said no? I was upset.”
“You cried so hard,” Kit remembered. “I wanted to smack him, but he could break all my bones with his pinkie finger.”
“So can I,” Akiko said, and it was only mostly in jest.
“Understood,” Kit said. “So, the prom boy?”
“Hanshi was right. That kid was a drug addict. He got arrested on prom night and so did his date. Hanshi said no when things would hurt me.”
Kit wondered how Ito had known the boy was an addict. She hadn’t suspected a thing, and back then she’d suspected everyone of something.
“Maybe it’s a martial arts thing,” she said.
“It is,” Akiko agreed. “I have a respect for hierarchy that you didn’t have.”
“Still don’t,” Harlan drawled, and Kit winced.
“Which is going to get my ass in trouble,” she grumbled, because it was all true. She’d never been good at respecting authority when she didn’t agree with the reasons behind an order. And sometimes when she did.
“We’re going to talk about that, too, aren’t we?” Akiko said, her tone becoming ominous. “When Baz comes back with coffee.”
“Yeah.” Kit sighed heavily. “We are. Oh look. Here’s the nurses’ station. Go do your thing, Akiko.”
Harlan snorted. “So subtle.”
“I know,” Kit said fondly. “Which is why you love me.”
“Well, I love you for enough other reasons that your lack of subtlety isn’t a problem.”
Kit laid her head on his shoulder again. “Love you, too, Pop.”
Harlan waited until Akiko was at the counter. “What’s going on, Kit?”
“I wish I knew. I really wish I knew.”