The Secret Weapon by Bridget Denise Bundy

your building. I identified all of the assailants and added information into their files about their plans to assassinate the Chancellor’s oldest son.”
    “Did you find out who they were working for?”
    “A member of Senator Stewart Cobb’s staff,” Malie answered.
    Coraset thought for a moment. Cobb, she repeated in her mind. She asked, “Is he related to Warden Devon Cobb.”
    “His son,” Malie revealed.
    “The warden has been after me for a while. After I was released from prison, he had me taken to the middle of the desert. There were inmates out there waiting for me.”
    “ The Senator wondered what happened to you after your release. He sent Brochudo out to Baker, but when he didn’t return with you, he thought the worse. How did you get out of there?”
    “Luck,” Coraset answered. She didn’t want to rehash the events that occurred in the desert.
    Malie didn’t pursue the answer further and said, “Well, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. The warden, his son, and that entire team are being charged for conspiring to commit murder on a Federation government official, and the Chancellor’s brother on top of that. They probably won’t see the next sunrise.”
    “ You’re playing on very dangerous ground, Malie. Entering false information into the Federation database can land you behind bars, maybe even dead. The Constabularies can track all entries.”
    “ They can’t track mine,” Malie remarked. “The computer operating systems are flawed, and I take full advantage of it.”
    “If the right people find out what you’re doing, they will come after you.”
    “I’ve been hacking computer systems for a long time, Coraset. I know what I’m doing.”
    They continued their meals in silence. When they finished, Malie and Coraset left the confines of the loft and went downstairs to the back of the house where a garden was expertly tucked away.
    One of the gentlemen that brought the food earlier also brought a tray with a pitcher of sweet tea and clean crystals with ice. He skillfully poured the drink into each glass before excusing himself.
    Both women sat in wicker chairs facing the garden. The sun wasn’t quite set yet, but there were torches lit all around providing enough light to enjoy the scenery. The women sat quietly, looking at the gardens of roses, begonias, azalea bushes, and other flowering plants.
    Malie remarked after she sipped her tea, “I saw your stepfather the other day. Have you spoken to him yet?”
    “ No, how is he?”
    “ He’s a little withdrawn, which isn’t like him at all.” Malie answered.
    “ Did he say if there was anything wrong?”
    “Of course , not. He’s not going to tell anyone his problems. You know that.”
    Coraset affirmed, “He is very private.”
    “ I just hope he’s okay.”
    “ Maybe, I’ll try to speak to him tomorrow.”
    Malie exhaled and spoke with hesitation, “Coraset, we have to talk. I know you don’t want to get involved in the Federation, especially after the news you got this afternoon, but we need your help. What I’m about to ask you to do is truly off the wall, but it is necessary.”
    “ Malie-”
    She cut Coraset off , “We have an opportunity to change the government.”
    “What do you mean by changing the government?”
    “ Dominic Erato is the new Chancellor. Like I said before, he believes in the same policies as his mother. Our society can’t continue down the same path.”
    “Just say what you mean,” Coraset demanded impatiently.
    “We need to get rid of him.”
    Coraset stared at her in disbelief.
    “ We want you to get close to him and kill him,” Malie revealed.
    Coraset laughed and said, “You two are crazy. I’m not doing it.”
    “It can work, Coraset.”
    “Then you do it!”
    “I won’t be able to get close enough.”
    “And how do you expect me to get close to him?”
    “There is a Chancellor Ball tomorrow in his honor. During this ball, he will be choosing women for his