It would certainly be more fun.
She guessed she should probably start heading back. Molly had warned her about going out alone at all. No doubt if she were out after dark even while Molly was still here in town, Molly would probably still have kittens about leaving her here.
She checked the time on her holo. The police should be gone from the apartment by now, she thought. She’d wanted to steer clear of that little exchange and all those questions. Nuh uh. Not for her. That would be like reliving the whole thing, and she was ready for something new.
Mocha shop, one hundred meters from Beaufort-Montgomery Residence, Downtown Spire
Garet picked up his mocha from the service area and took it to a small table with two comfortable chairs, out of the way of the main buzz of the shop.
Despite the late-ish hour, it was still busy with people drinking a variety of flavored and infused beverages while isolating themselves on their holos, creating an anonymous backdrop where he could gather his thoughts.
The discussion with the police detectives had been intense. He got the feeling that they thought he was still in danger, and they were probably right. But once he found a job, he could probably hire a protective detail or negotiate that as part of his contract.
Paige, on the other hand, was going to be a different issue. He really cared about her, but ever since this all happened she’d become more and more distant. They hadn’t spent a single night together since they’d been off-world, and if it weren’t for the safe-house element of the new apartment, he guessed she wouldn’t be sticking around much longer.
His eyes glazed over as he contemplated having a conversation with her. They’d have to figure out what was best to do for their individual safety. Still, she was in this mess entirely because of him.
He was staring absently out the window into the busy street, lost in his churning thoughts and the decisions he was going to have to make.
“Mr. Beaufort?”
A voice interrupted him. He blinked his eyes to bring himself back into the room and tore his unseeing gaze from the street to look at the speaker standing beside him.
He looked up to see an Estarian man with dark hair and a beard. He wore dark glasses even though they were indoors and the light was bright and artificial.
“Yes?” Garet admitted cautiously, wishing now he’d brought Joel with him.
“May I have a word?”
Well, if he’d wanted to kill him, he’d already be dead, probably in a far less conspicuous place than in the middle of the mocha shop.
Garet nodded and indicated the empty chair opposite him, and the man gently sat himself down.
“I’m here on behalf of my employer. My employer represents a group of interested parties in the sector. Some of those parties are in government, and some are in commerce. All are philanthropists dedicated to making the Central Systems a better place.”
He paused, making sure that Garet was following. Garet got the feeling that this wasn’t the kind of gentleman who cared to repeat himself. Not being able to see his eyes was intimidating.
“You have pull with the media right now, and you have a passion that will sway people in the Senate. You’d be able to do some good, and we could help you.”
“Who are you?” Garet asked, still a little confused as to what this was all about.
“I’m the representative of my employer.”
“So what do you want with me?”
“My employer would like to offer you a job. You’d be very highly compensated, and we have the ability to help you run for the Senate Official position that is now open. Only, you’d be representing our interests first, and those of a Senate Official second.”
Garet immediately computed what this meant. It meant they would help him get this position, but in exchange they would want something from him. Garet fought his instinct to just refuse then and there.
“You’d of course have our protection as well.” The man had thought about his position. And probably knew more about the situation than he did.
Garet wondered if this was the same group of interested parties who might otherwise want him silenced. He asked the question. “And without your protection? Does this mean your employer will have me taken out of the picture?”
The man shook his head negative. “Of course not. That would be unethical. But we cannot guarantee that there aren’t other forces in play who might want to tidy up loose ends after the unfortunate events a few weeks ago.”
Unsure as to whether to take this statement at face value or as a veiled threat, Garet was already regretting coming back. He wanted to fight the good fight, but this was looking like certain death either way.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m, erm…I’m already looking at some other positions that might suit me better at this time in my career.”
“You mean the three applications you filed earlier today?” the faceless man asked.
Garet’s mouth dropped open. How did he know about that?
“Don’t look so surprised, Mr. Beaufort. Those firms have already rejected your applications at my employer’s request.”
Feeling like he was fast approaching checkmate, Garet needed time to think and to talk to Joel and Molly.
“I need some time to consider your generous offer.” He hoped his response didn’t sound too disingenuous. It was entirely possible that this man had orders to take him out if he didn’t immediately comply. Garet could feel the adrenalin pumping through his system, his anxiety levels rising quickly.
The man stood up, and tugged at his expensive-looking dark blue atmosuit to straighten himself up. “Don’t think too long, Mr. Beaufort. Time is ticking.”
And with that, he left.
Garet released his breath, realizing only now that he’d been holding it. He took a few minutes to talk himself into relaxing again. He hadn’t been back five minutes and already the crazy was starting again. Maybe he should just go back with the team and rethink this whole career thing.
He went back to nursing his mocha, but now, instead of relishing the time away from the others, he was craving their comfort. He sat and stewed a little more, but finished his drink as quickly as he could. Then he marched his ass back to the apartment before anyone else could offer him a job.
Or a bullet.
Chapter 28
Beaufort-Montgomery Residence, Downtown Spire
Garet got back to the apartment to find that Paige had just returned. The others were sitting around telling her about the police visit.
“Well, it doesn’t sound like they can be much help.” Paige was saying, taking her atmojacket off and hanging it by the door.
“We don’t think so,” agreed Joel, trying to remain as neutral as he could.
They all turned to acknowledge Garet walking in.
“Well, I’ve just been offered a job,” he told them outright, partly because he didn’t want to lose his nerve before it became difficult to broach the subject.
Molly was the first to step in. “You went for an interview?”
“No, I was just approached in the mocha shop down the way. Some guy told me he represented what I can only suspect is the Syndicate.”
Joel and Molly looked at each other, their mouths half open.
“What did you tell him?” Molly asked, fighting to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
Garet, sensing that, was less ready to admit his own feelings. “I said I’d think about it. But I thought you should all know.”
“So, are you actually thinking about taking it?” Molly couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Well, I said no at first, but then he made it sound like I didn’t have a choice. If I don’t take it I won’t have their ‘protection’. Sounds like a threat to me. But then if I take it, I’m basically their puppet.”
“We should get out of here.” Paige was the first to speak the obvious. Garet didn’t seem to have contemplated that solution
.
He spoke to Paige. “I came back to put this right. To make a difference. If I were privy to the Syndicate’s agenda, then maybe there would be something I could do to sabotage it.”
“And if you just end up being one of their pawns, as you probably will?” Molly asked, noticing that Paige was nodding and trying to catch her eye as she came to join her and Joel on the sofas.
Garet turned to Molly. “Well, then so be it. But from within, I can make a difference. The alternative is death. And probably pretty soon.”
“Or, you come back to Gaitune and we find another way to change this clusterfuck!” Joel piped up.
Garet shrugged. “Yes, but how long will that take? And how will we ever get another opportunity like this, to get this kind of access?”
“So you’re advocating going undercover?” Molly was trying to understand the madness that was unfolding before her.
Garet considered her question before answering. “Kind of. I just take the job, and try and get into the Senate to start influencing the bills.”
“You realize we won’t be able to protect you if you do this?” confirmed Joel, clarifying that he wasn’t willing to get involved in a long-range plan to try and bring these creeps down. That just wasn’t something that they could commit to right now. They certainly didn’t have the resources to provide that kind of cover.
“Yeah. But as long as I’m a useful employee, they will make sure I’m safe.”
Paige had stood up again, redness forming around her eyes. “And when that ends? Have you thought about that? When you’re no longer useful to them? Damn it, Garet, this is just a fucking job. For a paycheck.”
“It’s not a job. It’s about changing the system from within.” He argued.
“Well, if you do this, I’m not going to be a part of it. I’m not going through all this shit again. I’m going back with Molly and Joel.” And with that she flounced out of the room, slamming her bedroom door behind her.
Garet looked to Molly for support, and all she could manage was a shrug. She agreed with Paige. She got up and glanced at Joel as if handing over the baton, then left to check on Paige.
Joel sat forward in his seat. His tone was serious. “If you do this, you have got to be sure. Otherwise, we can find another way.”
Garet sat down in the armchair next to him. “I’m pretty sure this is what I want to do.”
Joel watched his face as he sat there, noticing the flicker of fear and doubt that appeared for a microsecond.
Beaufort-Montgomery Residence, Downtown Spire
The next morning Garet was up with the Sark and sorting through the contacts in his holo from two weeks before.
It must be here somewhere, he thought, flicking through the contacts alphabetically now. What was the guy’s name? Something to do with the monarchy. King? Duke? Royal!
He located the only “Royal” in his holo. Sean Royale. That was the one.
He dialed the number and waited. It went to voice messaging and he started to speak.
“Hi, Sean. This is Garet. The guy you had in your taxi a few weeks ago. You dropped me near the Mandeli Hotel and helped me escape those guys who were after me. Well, I’m still alive! But I wondered if we could talk? I remember what you said about your skills, and, well, I think I need someone like you on my team. If you could call me back, that would be great. Thanks.”
Garet clicked the holo closed and listened to hear if anyone else in the apartment was stirring.
He was already up and dressed, and he figured that the mocha shop opened early given its location and function. Slipping into his atmojacket, he grabbed his key fob and quietly stole out of the apartment.
Time to go and accept his job offer.
He had no doubt that the Syndicate or whoever they were had surveillance on this building, and probably the mocha shop too. Going there would be a signal to them that he wanted to talk.
And if not, he’d just get a mocha and come back and wait for them to be in touch.
Either way, his mind was made up.
* * *
Crash was the next one in the residence to leave early, so he could do the necessary pre-flight checks before they left. He’d primed the mocha machine for whoever got up next, and the air in the kitchen and living room had a beautiful aroma.
Joel was the first lucky recipient of the pre-brewed mocha. He had showered and dressed before either of the girls even stirred. He was sitting in the kitchen enjoying a quiet cup of heaven when Paige emerged, still in her robe and eyes puffy from yesterday’s crying.
She knifed him with her eyes. “So, that’s it? You’re just going to let him stay?”
This wasn’t the morning for small talk, he realized, feeling his peaceful mocha sanctuary under ambush.
He paused a moment, gathering his thoughts to be as helpful as possible.
“I don’t know what else we can do at this point, Paige.” He pulled out a chair and put a mug under the mocha machine for her.
Paige was in tears again. Her sadness seemed out of place in such a beautiful apartment. Even to her, the one who was doing all the crying.
“There’s not much else we can do. As much as we like Garet, he’s his own person, and an adult. He hired us to do a job and we’ve done it. If he wants to stay and take this job, he has every right to do that. We’ve told him of the risks and our opinions. Now we have to leave it to him.” He paused. “The alternative is kidnapping him.”
Paige laughed a little through the tears.
They both looked up as they heard the front door open. Garet walked into the open-plan living room.
“Either way, we need to get moving again today,” he added.
“But that’s so soon!” Paige whispered in desperation. “If we had longer, maybe we could change his mind!”
Garet appeared in the doorway sooner than Paige had anticipated.
“I’m not going to change my mind. In fact, I’ve just accepted their offer and signed the contracts. I put a call in to my own protection guy, too. I’m going to see what I can do about building a team and making some progress on this.”
He headed back out to remove his boots and other gear, having informed them of his plan.
Paige started crying uncontrollably again and ran out.
* * *
“Hey. Can I come in?” Molly asked Paige through the bedroom door. She’d heard Garet come in, and Paige running back to her room in tears.
“Yes,” Paige replied between sobs.
Molly opened the door to find Paige lying across the bed, her face in the duvet. She eased into the room and gently sat down on the bed, trying to find the right words.
Paige continued to sniffle, but was clearly trying to calm herself. “I…I just think this is a stupid plan.”
“We all do,” admitted Molly.
“And I don’t know where that leaves me. I wouldn’t want to stay with him even if he didn’t take that fucking job.”
“We’d figured as much.”
Paige slowly wiped the tears from her face. “Really? You already knew?”
Molly nodded. “Yeah, Joel suspected a few weeks ago. But who knows, it might have just been a case of you both needing to readjust after the trauma of everything that happened.”
“I don’t think this is trauma. I mean, he’s a sweet guy and all. But I don’t see myself with him, even short-term. There’s just nothing there anymore.”
Molly nodded sympathetically. “But you have a life, wherever you want to live it. We can find you an apartment of your own, and help you find a job…” Her voice trailed off, as she saw Paige was shaking her head.
“No. No, I want to come back with you. And I don’t know what I can do in the operation you’re building, but I’ve always been fast to pick up skills and I love the idea of learning to fix things, either on the ship with Brock or on the computers and stuff. You’ll need computer people, right? And someone who can organize stu
ff? I organized stuff for the Senate office all the time.”
Paige watched Molly’s eyes perk up.
“I think you’d make a solid addition to our team!” Molly admitted, noticing how she also felt more energized at the idea. It didn’t hurt that she thought organizing was a tedious, burdensome pain in the ass that should be used as punishment.
Molly’s eyes narrowed, and her lips compressed, “Although, you do realize the nearest nail polish supply is going to be about 480 million kilometers away, right?”
Paige laughed and pulled a pillow from the bed, throwing it at Molly. “I’m going to buy some before we leave this dustball!”
Police Precinct, Downtown Spire
Chaakwa arrived back at her desk after answering a summons to the Captain’s office.
Antonio had taken a desk next to hers, as he was on loan from the Homicide division. He had watched her return, and headed over to her overcrowded desk to meet her.
“What was that all about?” he asked, in a low professional voice, gesturing quietly in the direction of the captain’s door.
“It was about the Dewitt case. We’ve been told to drop it now.” She looked furtively around, making sure no one was noticing their conversation.
“But we just got a couple more leads from those two employees coming back!” He whispered.
“Yeah. I don’t think this has anything to do with our performance or the progress we’re making. It sounds more like an order that has come from higher up. Birch didn’t even ask for an update or offer an explanation. Something is definitely up.”
“Detective Rogers!”
The voice boomed from the open door of the captain’s office.
“Looks like your turn to hear the happy news!” Chaakwa whispered sarcastically.
“Yeah,” he grunted back. “It’s been fun working with you, though.”
Of course, Chaakwa realized. He’ll be sent back to Homicide. That hadn’t been her first thought. She’d enjoyed Antonio’s company, and he was one hell of a smart cop. Still, even though this was officially closed, she had a couple of leads she wanted to check out before she put it to bed herself. The beast hadn’t been slain, after all—it had just had one of its heads chopped off when Dewitt met his ancestors.
The Ascension Myth Box Set Page 27
