by Gin Hollan
Melanie nodded. "I helped myself to some of the casserole you left from yesterday."
"Has anyone been here today?" Arabeth asked.
"Why? What's going on?"
"Oh, nothing really. I’m waiting for someone to drop me a package.” A small lie, but she didn’t need Melanie more worried than she already was. “We'll let the doctor check you over, then talk. You should rest."
Melanie nodded and lay back down. Arabeth slid the door shut and went to look around the house. She was sure the attack was just a way to keep her from getting home before they finished what they were doing here. What if they figured out the bedroom was the dead spot and had altered it? That check would have to wait. She couldn't be thorough while Melanie was resting.
Arabeth went to her room and changed into her regular clothes again, hanging the dress up beside others she never planned to wear again. She’d send it to the cleaners and leave it in the bag. Returning it would irritate her mother.
Stretching, it felt good to feel the cotton sliding and moving soft across her skin. The silk dress was nice, but cool to the touch. The cotton was warm and filled her with a sense of peace. She felt like herself again.
Moments later Sam returned.
"This is Dr. Pennings. He's a surgical specialist." He introduced an older man, carrying a medical bag.
"Where is our patient?" asked the doctor.
"Doctor, before you go in, she thinks you're here to check her health. She doesn't know we suspect she's been physically tampered with."
He nodded. "I will be discreet."
She introduced the doctor to Melanie and left them to work.
"You are sure which side of this battle he's on, right?"
"He's military, but he puts patients first," Sam said.
That surprised Arabeth. "Military?"
"Relax, he's not on the project."
"That you know of." She exhaled sharply. "This is me, trusting you, so you'd - "
"Quiet." He put a finger to her lips. "I know."
Jerking her head away, she clenched her teeth. "Don't shush me."
"Now you're mumbling."
Waiting would be hard with him distracting her. She needed to think. The fat man was a patron of Donny's Grill, and a resident of Batadone. She walked to the door and pulled her boots on.
"Where are we going?" Sam pulled his boots on as well.
"Hey, you wait for the doctor," she said.
"I don't think so. You're the one wading into trouble, intentionally."
"Well, at least tell him you're going."
Sam frowned. "You wait for me."
She didn't answer. She didn't need him for a bit of tracking. She pointed to Melanie's room. "He'll need help if he has to do surgery to extract anything."
"You're getting this backwards. You are better suited to assisting him, and I am better trained to catch the fat man."
"I can't stand still here, waiting to be useful," Arabeth said.
"Then work on the device," Hicks suggested.
She hated it when he thought more logically than she did, but he had valid points.
"Fine, but I expect a full report."
"Don't worry so much, Abby. We'll figure this out. Let me do this part. It's minor, I'm sure. It may not even be related."
"Fine." She poked his chest with her forefinger. "No more secrets, though. You tell me what you find out."
He narrowed his eyes at her momentarily, then he gave a half-smile. "I think the doctor is calling you."
She turned and walked back to the bedroom, shaking her head. Could she believe him, trust him?
"What are we going to do about him, Marble?" she asked her ever-present companion.
// Chapter 21 //
MELANIE SAT UP, looking surprised when Arabeth explained she'd had a receiver embedded in her scalp. Its minuscule size was what impressed Arabeth. It apparently used the electricity of the brain to power it. The good news was that this would tell her precisely which frequency she needed to hijack.
"So, the implant is gone. That means I don't need to sleep in here anymore… and I won’t be whiskey dependent at home… Do you mind if I stay anyway? Just for a few days."
"I don't mind, no. There is more strangeness going on in our city than usual lately," Arabeth replied.
Now they knew why Melanie was acting violent in general, not only towards people. She was a failed prototype, so to speak. But how had they gotten that device in her head without her knowledge?
"Melanie, when did you first notice a behaviour change? More specifically, what had you been doing the day before? Did you go anywhere you don't normally?"
"Not really. I mean, I had an errand to run for Frank, but he's always sending me off to do some little thing after work." She paused, then inhaled sharply. "He had me run and get package from storage. It was odd because it was just before supper break, but it was dark when I finally found it and came back out."
"The package - what was it?"
"A 'lost and found' item. The owner asked him to have someone drop it off."
"Keep talking. There must be something interesting about it."
"Well, it wasn't in the short-term storage. It was out in the Nissen hut."
She was knocked out in the shed, Arabeth realized. That was where it happened, and when. She wondered if there would there be fingerprints.
"I recognize that expression. You've had an idea, and it seems plausible, doesn't it?"
Arabeth nodded. "It may be too soon to know how useful it'll be, but it's a step in the right direction."
Frank Masters wasn't just a pawn in this - he was a key player. And he was doing it right under the noses of the police. She had to tell Hicks.
"Don't tell anyone about this, right?" Arabeth said.
"No, of course not. It's a little embarrassing, sadly."
"There's no shame in being trusting. They're the ones who should weep from the disgraceful methods they've employed."
How much would she tell Hicks? Obviously, she'd tell him about the device under Melanie's skull, and warn him about Frank, but.... She sighed.
"You look exhausted," Melanie said.
"I am. It's been a long few days."
"When's the last time you read a book? Played with your horse? Stared at a sunset?" Melanie asked.
"That all sounds amazing, but I can't slow down right now. I'll have time later."
"I understand. The world rests on you this week, right?"
"Sarcasm aside, there are a few things needing my immediate attention." Like Melanie's situation, for example. "You may still be a target, because of the information and people you have access to. They wouldn't try the same thing, and I have no idea what their end game is with you."
Melanie shivered violently once and sat down. "I think I'll just stay in here for the time being, if you don't mind. My job is not worth my sanity."
"This isn't exactly a fortress," Arabeth said.
"Still, it's better than my apartment."
"What if you were to stay with my family? There is always someone home, and their servants are trustworthy. My room was turned into guest quarters, so I know you can be comfortable."
"Is it protected, like this room?"
"No, but they live outside the danger area. And you don't have that 'scrambler' in your head anymore."
"I don't know," Melanie said, uncertainly.
A knock on the door frame behind Arabeth startled both of the women and they turned to look. Sam was back. Melanie looked at Arabeth and winked.
"Thank you for bringing the doctor earlier, Mr. Hicks. I need to head to work."
"You're welcome, Miss Trelane." He nodded.
Arabeth walked out and Melanie shut the door behind her before walking to the exit.
"Have you had a chance to look the device over?" Sam asked.
"Not yet. What have you found out?"
"Your friend Bernie has been a busy man. Everywhere I go, people are asking me to pass you notes." He h
eld out a bundle of loose paper.
"Anything useful in there?" she wondered.
"I didn't look."
"You're a detective."
"They are not addressed to me."
She raised her eyebrows. "You can't tell me the police won't bend the rules, even of propriety, to solve a case."
"I trust you to tell me anything pertinent." He smiled. "And it's more fun this way."
"Fun?"
He shrugged. "Why is Bernie working so hard on this, if you don't mind me asking?"
"We have an agreement," Arabeth said.
"Agreement?"
"Business agreement. He helps me out more aggressively and I share profits with him."
"Brilliant."
"Not really. He has a skill set that complements my own, filling in gaps."
"That's what I mean."
"So, why are you here, aside from the notes?" She pretended to read the top paper, noting it was in Bernie's handwriting.
"Actually, I have message from your mother."
"Wait, my mother?" Arabeth paused. Maybe Carol didn't hate Hicks as much as she professed. "What did she say?"
"It was outside Farmer's Grocery. She said, 'Tell her she wins,' then walked away."
Arabeth laughed. "Good. Finally."
"What does it mean?"
"I can live in peace again … at least, for a while."
She needed to change the subject. Blinking rapidly a moment to break his gaze, she turned away and started filing through the notes he had given her. Some of the handwriting was nearly indecipherable.
One caught her attention. It mentioned the military hospital, the one that Vic had been using for his research. She wasn't keen on the idea of going back out there, but this note listed several purchases that, when put together, would create broadcast equipment … and those purchases had been delivered there.
Arabeth held that note out for Sam to read. "Did you know about this?"
He read it, shrugging.
"That equipment builds broadcast equipment," she said. How could he not know that? Then again, she was the gadgeteer, not him.
"It what?" He looked closer, frowning. "This has to be wrong. If it was delivered there, somebody immediately moved it."
"They're making a false trail?"
"It makes sense. Everything else has involved subterfuge and misdirection."
"Let's say you're right. They would have to follow the road north; that's the only direction that's left. It would hook up around the top of the city after crossing the river, and be joining the main highway a few miles after that."
"They would need a secluded area to work on all this. Is it noisy work?" he wondered.
She shook her head.
This was bad news … very bad news. It meant the tiny device she was trying to convert would be meaningless if she didn't get it back to them before they finished putting this equipment together.
They already saw the outcome of that little test - would they care if the test equipment went missing? Probably not, since they’d entrusted it to a young girl and only had one person follow her. Granted, it was a police detective, but Arabeth had no trouble simply picking up the suitcase and walking away.
"They'll need a large building if this is to be done in secret. We may be several hundred miles from the front line, but spies are everywhere. The war has been going on too long for that to not be true."
"Agreed." She continued going through the notes. Nothing jumped out at her, but she was distracted by the new information - it was all she could do to keep from racing out and getting her horse. "Are you certain the military is not involved?"
"I don't know everything they're working on out here, but that would be huge - I would have heard."
"You need to go ask Vic. While you're doing that, I'm going to find the Fat Man."
"You're what? Not without me." Sam said.
Arabeth chuckled. "I'm just going to talk to the man, not threaten him."
"I'm more concerned that his plan for you is more than just distraction and manipulation. You could be walking into a trap."
She hadn't thought of that. At moments like this, she wished she were smarter. She considered stubbornness her greatest attribute. The relentless pursuit of the truth wasn't just a hobby, but Sam had a point.
"I'll go talk to Vic. He may know something about this."
"Wait for me before going to see your Fat Man."
She turned without answering. The Fat Man was on the back burner anyway, for now.
Without warning, Melanie flung the outside door open. Inside, she whipped off her shoes and tossed them into a nearby corner then stood with her fists at her side.
"Mel? What happened? Are you all right?"
Not answering, she went into her bedroom and slammed the door behind her.
Arabeth looked at Sam who shrugged in response.
“Should I get the doctor again?” Sam asked.
“No, I’ll talk to her.”
“I think I should leave you two ladies to talk,” he said.
“That’s probably wise,” Arabeth looked hesitantly at Melanie’s door then went to make a pot of tea as Sam made a hasty exit.
A moment later Melanie whipped the door open, wearing clothes that echoed Arabeth's leather jacket and pants, and holding hiking boots.
"I'm sick of people constantly telling me who I am. Teach me how you get past that. Let me be your assistant."
Arabeth's eyebrows shot up. "You want to be my assistant?"
"Yes. Whatever it is you do, teach me. Let me help."
"That was fast. Did you even make it to work?"
She heaved a sigh. "Life is just so... meaningless. It hit me today - my life could end and no one would notice. No husband or kids, easily replaceable at work, a few friends, but no real impact."
Arabeth scowled, wondering if this was a side effect of Melanie's recent trauma.
"I know what you're thinking - I'm panicking. I am. And it's okay. If that's what it takes to pick my life up and turn it in a different direction."
"You didn't quit your job, right?"
Melanie laughed. "They probably think I did. I walked in, looked around, and left."
“And you want to be my assistant?”
She laughed again. "Your kind of crazy is fun. What are we doing this afternoon?" She raised the boots up. "I'm ready."
It was Arabeth's turn to laugh. "Fine. We’ll go do some footwork." Melanie wanted to help. How do you turn down someone wanting to impact the world? Arabeth sighed. She should never have agreed, or should have agreed on a trial basis, or suggested any number of other things Mel could do, like charity work. She wasn’t ready for it. She still needed time to deal with her recent trauma, and Arabeth needed to know her attention was where it needed to be. She’d be at risk, otherwise. They both would.
"Mel, have you thought about the Women's League? They need volunteers. It's not only a worthy cause, it's eminently pertinent."
"Pertinent? It may be, but it feels different. I'm faceless and nameless in a group. I need legacy."
Arabeth understood that a little. Legacy hadn't been a problem for her, but people constantly trying to take away her independence, her right to self-determination ... that she understood. Melanie needed to choose her own path. Arabeth, if she was a true friend, wouldn't stand in the way of that.
"I won't put you in danger for that legacy."
"I'm putting myself in. You may argue with your shadow, but you can't stay out of the light," Melanie said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Arabeth laughed. "You're helping, whether or not I want it?"
Mel nodded. "I didn't dress like this for comfort, you know." She pulled at the pant legs. "Seriously, you wear this on purpose?"
"You'll see why, soon enough."
Melanie paused, then started giggling.
"And now you're delirious. Did you eat at all today?"
"Sure. Of course. What should I do?"
"I was a
bout to ride out to - "
"Ride? Like, on a horse?"
"Yes, on a horse."
"Okay, what can I do, here in the city?"
"Find Bernie. Find him and tell him there's been a change of plans. He needs to go to Lacey's Photography Shop. I need any photos they have of traffic around this warehouse." She wrote the address on a slip of paper. "I know it seems incidental, but I need names and faces."
"She'll do that? Aren't there laws?"
"She won't give me copies, just let me look at them. I'm on the register as an employee, so it's legal."
"Right. Interesting loophole. When's the last time you worked there?"
"Last week. I covered for her when she needed to go somewhere during business hours."
"Oh," she blushed.
"That is part of this business - we do favours, intelligently. You have to maintain relationships." She handed the paper to Melanie. "And I'm not going to break the law, for anyone."
"I understand.” She smiled. "I can see there's a lot I'm going to be learning."
Arabeth shrugged. Most of it was common sense. Common to her didn't mean common to everyone, though.
"I'm sure you'll catch on more quickly than you expect." It was weird, to suddenly be the mentor. She'd had plenty of her own mentors, over time. Maybe that was why this felt odd. And Mel was a friend. Now she was both friend and subordinate. How long could that last?
"What should I do after that?" Melanie asked.
"One step at a time."
"I'll go take the pictures myself, with your camera. Then they will legally be yours. I mean, to keep, not just see."
"That's a good idea, if you can keep from being seen. I expect those coming and going from that warehouse will be sensitive about having their identities captured."
"Good to know." She went to the spot on the bookshelf where Arabeth's camera sat and picked it up. "Is there film inside, or do I need to load it?"
"It's ready to go. You should have at least ten shots left on that film roll. Do you know how to change the film out?"
"Um, all I know is that you have to use a darkroom. Do you have one of those?"
"Yes, but let's worry about that later. Take your time with this first batch."
"So, I don't need these clothes after all."
