Pretenses by Keith Lee Johnson Page B

needed was another president who put his finger in the air to see which way the wind was blowing.

CHAPTER 35
    C OCO N IMBURU walked into the dojo covered from head to toe in her black ninja uniform—prepared for battle. She knew Phoenix was still grieving over the death of her father, but Coco wanted her back in the game. All of the Washington targets were dead, so she had some time on her hands. Normally, she would’ve gone out to San Francisco and taken care of the Warren family. But that would be too easy. In Phoenix, she had found an adversary worthy of her talent. After reading her dossier and talking to her father, she had come to respect Phoenix in some small way. In Coco Nimburu’s mind, she had caused the grief, and it was up to her to get Phoenix up and on her feet again.
    The student-teachers were filming their sparring session, which gave Coco an idea. She stood by quietly, watching to see who was the best. Actually, it really didn’t matter who was the best. She had been there five minutes, and not one of them was enough in tune with his or her spiritual side to know she lurked in the shadows, watching, waiting.
    After a few more minutes, Coco realized that Karen Monroe was the best of the four; therefore, she would be the last to die. Leaning against the opening onto the practicing floor, she clapped her hands to get their attention.
    â€œMay I help you,” Karen said, taking the initiative.
    â€œFrom what I’ve seen so far, no,” Coco told her. “But I can help you.”
    â€œWe already have a teacher. Grandmaster Perry,” Earl Johns said, offended by her arrogance.
    â€œHow can you help us?” Karen asked. “There is nothing you can teach us that Grandmaster Perry can’t.”
    â€œI mentioned nothing about teaching. I said I could help you.”
    â€œHelp us how?” Karen asked, confused as to where this was going.
    â€œI can help you see God today, rather than tomorrow or the next day.” Coco smiled and walked into the midst of them. “Now, who wants to see God first?”
    Earl Johns had a club in his hand and drew back to swing. With no wasted movement, Coco hit him in the nose with a straight punch that sent him reeling backward. Blood ran from his nostrils.
    â€œWho’s next?” she asked, deadly serious.
    They surrounded her, ready to attack. Coco stood there completely relaxed, waiting for any movement. Karen feinted, to see what she would do. Coco angled her body in a defensive posture. Earl Johns, angry because she had embarrassed him, was about to swing the club again. With very little effort, she kicked him in the head, then caught Greg Fisher, who was trying to sneak up behind her with a reverse hook kick to the head. They couldn’t even get close to her, and she was just playing with them.
    Karen knew they were in trouble. Her instincts told her to run while she could. But her pride would not allow that. She was the best of them, and she would lead them into battle.
    Karen kicked at the stranger’s head. Coco deflected it with ease, and then she kicked Karen in the head with the same type of kick Karen had just tried—or, as if to show her how it was done. Karen fell to the mat. She had never even seen the kick coming. Then she remembered the words of Grandmaster Perry. “Good Kung Fu isn’t seen. It is felt.” She stood up quickly and regained her composure. Karen relaxed and allowed her spiritual side to dominate her being. Phoenix had told her that she wasn’t far from freedom.
    In the meantime, Earl Johns had lost his composure, the worst thing a martial artist can do. He ran at Coco, grabbing her from behind. She snapped her head back into his nose, dazing him.
    When he released her, she grabbed his arm and spun around him, thenlocked his arm. She grabbed a hunk of his hair and snapped his neck. Earl slumped to the floor. Valerie Ryan was next. She came at Coco, fighting sticks in