Obsidian Detective

by Michael Anderle

  Erik looked at the nav-guide before making a sweeping left turn. “It’s interesting that you think they were able to choose.”

  “That’s the only explanation that makes sense,” Jia answered. “If they’re here because they’re antisocial, then they can choose to stop defying society, or even volunteer for colonization.”

  “Uh-huh,” he muttered. “Despite what they tell you in the recruitment videos, there are actually a lot of restrictions on colonization,” Erik explained. “Fewer restrictions when you’re being transported, but most people don’t want to give up their freedom.”

  Jia stared out the window at a woman holding a squalling baby with a dirty face. Her stomach churned. “How can the government allow this?”

  Erik nodded, his eyes flickering to her and back to his driving. “Now you’re finally asking the right question.” He nodded at a gray bar coming up on their right. THE BIG ONE, according to the sign. “I’ve got an informant here I want to talk to. Please join me.”

  He parked the flitter in almost the same location as his first time at the place.

  “It’s time you experienced the real world,” he told her.

  Jia followed Erik in a near-daze. She gave up on holding her breath after they stepped inside the seedy bar, the unpleasant layers of smells even worse than the choking, acrid air outside.

  This has to be some sort of nightmare. She saw chairs whose metal was half-bent back to be almost usable, carvings of some sort in the wood of a few organic tables. The stink assaulted her, but worse was the amount of nastiness that had to be from decades of neglect. This can’t exist. Not on Earth.

  Erik marched up to the bartender. The woman was the first halfway decently dressed person Jia had seen since entering the Shadow Zone.

  “I want to ask you a few questions, Alicia,” Erik explained. He opened his duster to reveal his badge. “In an official capacity, but we can do it off the record.”

  The bartender glanced at Jia. “You shouldn’t be bringing your girlfriend on the job, even down here.”

  Jia pulled her attention from the bar and glared at the other woman. “I’m his partner.” She opened her exquisitely tailored jacket to show her badge. “Detective Jia Lin.”

  Surprise flashed over Alicia’s face. “Really? Huh. Come with me.” She nodded to a backroom and gestured toward a waitress in a scandalously short skirt. “You make sure everyone gets what they need. It’ll just be a minute.”

  “WOOHOOO!” one of the men in the back yelled.

  “Not that need!” Alicia called back.

  “Aww, man,” was the muffled reply as the three of them left the bar proper.

  Jia wrinkled her nose as the fruity stench of a sleeping drunk assaulted it. Fortunately, when they stepped into Alicia’s small office, pleasant floral notes filled the air.

  There was no desk in the office, only a small table and several chairs. It was otherwise empty, except for a portrait of an elegant middle-aged brown-skinned woman whom Jia didn’t recognize.

  Alicia took a seat and gestured to the chairs. “Before we get going, Blackwell, I wanted to clear something up.”

  “What’s to clear up?” Erik settled into a chair. “I’m here as a cop, and I told you I was going to be a cop.”

  Alicia nodded. “Not about that. I just wanted to make it clear I know your real deal.”

  Jia frowned but didn’t say anything. She was out of her depth being in the Shadow Zone, but Erik looked completely comfortable.

  Erik chuckled. “Okay, what’s my real deal?”

  “You’re not some merc. You used to be Major Erik Blackwell of the UTC Army Expeditionary Force 108th Assault Platoon,” Alicia explained with a triumphant look on her face.

  “All that is a matter of public record.” Erik shrugged. “You were the one who said I was a merc. I never said I was.”

  Alicia’s mouth twitched into a slight frown and she blinked a couple of times. “I suppose I did at that.” Her gaze flicked to Jia for a moment before returning to Erik.

  Is this what it means to really make a difference? Jia considered. To have to come to places like this?

  She was having trouble accepting that an entire city of people, including children, would be allowed to exist underneath the most famous shining symbol of mankind’s cooperation.

  Neo SoCal had been the product of the two most powerful nations on Earth coming together, one helping the other in a time of need. The beginnings of that effort led to the formation of the UTC and unification of humanity.

  Erik rattled off the address Malcolm had recovered for them. “We’re heading there to check on something for a case. I know it’s not all that close to here, but I was wondering if you knew anything about it. I’ve got some credits for you if you know the answer.”

  “I’ll give you this one for free because I want to establish a relationship, but damn.” Alicia winced, eyeing him. “Going right to the trouble, Blackwell?”

  “What do you mean?” Jia managed to ask, finally finding her voice. “What’s so special about that place?”

  “That’s a Gray Circle place,” Alicia answered.

  Erik grunted. “I take it they’re bad news?”

  Jia reached toward her PNIU.

  Alicia glared at her. “This is all off the record, Detective Lin. No recording or we’re done here. I’m sure you can remember everything I’m about to say.” She focused on Erik again. “Yes, nasty organized crime group. They’re newer to the Shadow Zone, only been here a couple of years, but they’re making a name for themselves and pushing back hard against a lot of established groups.”

  Jia took a deep breath, bile rising in the back of her throat.

  She wanted to leap up and scream that Alicia was lying or an idiot, but the truth was obvious. It’d been shoved into her face over and over since the night the drunk had tried to run her down.

  Erik nodded, satisfaction spreading over his face. “Good. That makes it easier.”

  “Easier?” Jia’s focused snapped to him. “How does them being a group of organized criminals make it easier?”

  “Because it means this isn’t a bunch of people who just got in over their heads,” Erik explained. “It’s a bunch of predators, and that means we don’t have to hold back.”

  Alicia eyed Erik and shook her head. “It was nice knowing you, Detective,” she muttered. “I should have taken my credits upfront.”

  Erik grinned. “Don’t worry, Alicia. I’ll be back, and I’m sure you’ll make plenty of money off me.”

  He nodded at Jia. “Come on.”

  Erik parked the flitter behind the sprawling gray warehouse. They’d spotted no security bots or guards, although they assumed there were cameras.

  “We don’t have a warrant for a raid,” Jia remarked, her heart pounding. “We just have an address. We also don’t have any backup.”

  Erik shrugged. “And we’re not doing a raid. I’m not even going to bring my TR-7.”

  Jia turned to him, her mouth open. “What? Now you show restraint?”

  “It’s standard military tactics, Jia. Recon first, then assault.” He gave the commands to make sure the vehicle couldn’t be stolen. “I might not have been a cop for most of my life, but you spend enough time on frontier worlds, you learn a thing or two about dealing with organized crime.” Erik patted the shoulder holster concealed by his coat. “I’m not going in unarmed. Come on.”

  “How do you know they won’t just shoot us?” Jia asked.

  “Did you notice how many people were in that bar?” Erik asked.

  Jia frowned. “I was trying to not choke due to the stench.” Mentioning it reminded her of the smell, which she’d managed to get used to at the bar. She grimaced once again.

  “There were a decent number of people there,” Erik explained. “And I made a big point of flashing my badge so everyone knew we were cops. That means there are a lot of people, including Alicia, who know we’re cops, and if we end up dead, it’s going to bring
down heat. The bot thing was a stalling tactic, and one they didn’t think could be linked to them. Trying something here is a totally different beast.”

  “These are…vicious criminals. What if they don’t care?” Even saying the words hurt.

  In life, there are moments when a person, conscious of the decision or not, changes their path forever. Should she have been asked, Jia would have to admit this was her Rubicon. This was when her future changed forever.

  Erik opened the door and stepped out. “Because there are certain lines you don’t cross. These kinds of people understand that. They might even have some sort of arrangement with the cops already. And if they do push back, they’ll regret it.”

  Jia exited the vehicle. “You’re saying police are colluding with criminals?” she asked as she shut the door.

  “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen it,” Erik answered. “And I think you’ve seen enough by now to understand that people are people, and not just on the frontier.”

  Jia swallowed as she scanned the building. “This might not be what it seems.”

  Erik stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. “You’re too smart to believe that, Jia.” He pointed around them, taking a moment to make sure she paid attention to the buildings and the type of reality assaulting her senses. “Before, you had an excuse, but now you’re seeing the truth. That doesn’t mean it didn’t exist before today. Just because you can’t see something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.” He walked over to the door and rapped loudly.

  Jia trudged behind him.

  “Who the hell are you?” asked a gravelly voice over an intercom.

  “Angry cops with a few questions,” Erik shouted. “Now open up.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Cops?” The man grunted. “Wait there.”

  Erik glanced at Jia. She was pale, her expression blank.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  Jia nodded, her focus returning. “What are we hoping to accomplish here?”

  Erik nodded at the door. “I haven’t been on Earth long, but I understand enough to get that guys like them don’t pull off this kind of thing without a lot of help. The captain’s freaking out, but he’s still enough of a cop to give us clearance, so we have a narrow window to find out what this is really about.”

  Jia gave him a shallow nod. “And if they get violent?”

  “Then we get violent back.” Erik’s grin turned vicious.

  When the door slid open, a huge wall of man stood beside an olive-skinned guy in a well-tailored dark suit that looked out of place in the Shadow Zone.

  The olive-skinned man looked Erik up and down. “Let’s go talk, Detective Blackwell.” He nodded to Jia. “Detective Lin. I’m Naric Tessan. It’s my pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  Jia frowned. “You know who we are?”

  “Anything wrong with knowing who the police are?” the man asked, a grin touching his lips. “If anything, I strive to have a positive relationship with the authorities.” He nodded and gestured for them to come in. “Let’s talk inside. Some things aren’t for busybodies who don’t mind their own business.”

  Naric turned and proceeded inside, whistling a jaunty melody, his hands in his pockets. His guard trailed along and cast the occasional glare at the detectives.

  They passed several open rooms and more men, some in suits and some in the rougher, worn clothing typical of the Shadow Zone. Hints of metal flashed from beneath their jackets, and in some cases, pistols were lying out in the open.

  So, let’s see. We’ve got twelve plus Naric and his guard. He noticed Jia was tracking. No wonder they’re so cocky.

  Their trip ended in a small conference room with a long wooden table.

  Naric settled in at the head of the table and his guard stood behind him, his meaty arms folded. The mobster gestured at chairs. “Please take a seat. Need anything?”

  “I’m good,” Erik replied before settling in his chair. He pulled at his coat slightly to expose his holster. Sometimes a subtle reminder was the most effective.

  Jia shook her head and sat next to Erik, a deep scowl on her face. “So you know who we are, but do you know why we’re here?”

  Erik didn’t flinch, nor did he look at her with the surprise he felt when she took the lead.

  “I can’t rightly say that I do,” Naric replied. “But as a good citizen, I strive to maintain a good relationship with all representatives of the authorities.”

  Jia snorted. “Someone hacked into a shipping company to deliver a package to this address, and they are also responsible for the attempted murder of two police officers, along with numerous frauds and false charges to the city.”

  Naric’s smile faltered for a second, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

  Erik grinned. “What’s the matter, Naric? Some of your boys going above and beyond your orders? If that’s the case, we’ve got a simple solution.”

  The man eyed Erik.

  “Hand them over to us.”

  Naric’s expression was a classic version of, “Are you kidding me?” “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Detective Blackwell. Deliveries?” Naric shook his head. “It’s very difficult to get deliveries down here from reputable Uptown companies like Windward.”

  Jia narrowed her eyes. “We didn’t say the name of the company.”

  Erik’s grinned widened. He’d worried that the shock of the Shadow Zone would prove too much for Jia, but she was doing great.

  Naric snorted, rolling his hands as if to move them along in the conversation. “Whatever. I heard about it, okay?”

  “From who?” Jia asked. “It’s not as if the incidents have been well advertised.”

  “People, Detective. You don’t need to know.” Naric’s smile returned, even if it didn’t reach his eyes. “Such as my well-connected Uptowner friends who help balance out some of the unfairness that comes with living down here.”

  Jia scoffed. “Unfairness. Some people might not choose to live here, but don’t tell me you’re claiming you’re stuck in the Shadow Zone. If you’re industrious enough to organize your criminal activities, you could gain lawful employment.”

  Erik did glance at her this time. Get a job? What the hell?

  “We’re all trapped by our circumstances, lady.” Naric’s voice was saccharine sweet. “But it’s not a big thing. It’s just the way things are. It’s the circle of life, you see. You start with plants, and the plants feed the animals, then the animals die, and then the decomposers break down the animals to feed the plants again. Everyone and everything has its place, like I do and you do, Detective Lin. Simple as that.”

  “You people tried to kill us,” Jia snapped.

  Naric clucked his tongue. “I’m willing to bet you have no direct proof.”

  “We’re here, aren’t we?” Jia gestured around the room.

  “There are a lot of people who come and go in this building. I can’t possibly be held responsible for what they might get up to when I’m not around.”

  Erik scoffed. “I was hoping you would not be a total idiot about this.”

  Naric frowned. “Your words hurt, Detective.” His eyes tightened. “I don’t know about you, but where I come from, showing up at a man’s place and insulting him is considered bad manners.”

  Jia snorted.

  “You tried to kill me, and that made me cranky,” Erik retorted. He slowly lifted his arm, keeping it parallel to his leg but not noticeable from the other side of the table. “It would have been one thing if one of your boys had gotten out of hand and you were maybe willing to turn him over, but acting like you had nothing to do with it? I don’t know what your game is with Windward, but that’s over now, and we’re taking a few scalps before this is over.”

  He offered a hungry smile. “But I’m not all that interested in yours. You can walk away until the next time you screw up.”

  Jia glanced his way with a confused look on her face, but she didn’t say anything
.

  “Oh?” Naric replied. “And why is that? Do you want to come to some sort of arrangement with me?”

  “You mentioned friends Uptown,” Erik answered, adjusting his arm a bit more. “I know your kind. I’ve seen them all over. You’re like roaches. You step on one and a new one shows up, but if you’ve got some people with actual clout helping you,” he nodded to Naric, admitting he had political pull somewhere, “they might be worth slapping binding ties on.”

  “Roach? Ouch.” Naric stuck out his bottom lip in a mock pout. “There you go again, insulting me in my own home. I get it, though. You think you’re a big shot. Major Blackwell, hero of the UTC. Assault infantry, a pile of medals. You’ve killed a lot of people in your time, Blackwell.”

  Erik shrugged. “You don’t become a soldier if you’re a pacifist. It’s way too late to guilt-trip me, Naric.”

  “Do you think they all had it coming?” Naric asked with a smirk.

  “Far more than the ones you have killed,” Erik retorted.

  Naric spat on the ground. “Cops are fine. Normal cops, at least. They’re reasonable, and a lot of them understand the cycle of life. But I hate men like you.” Naric’s voice was filled with venom. “You are a pompous, arrogant prick. You put on a fancy uniform and killed some men for the UTC, and you think that it makes you better than me? You’re the same as I am, Blackwell. No, you’re worse. Because you’re a killer who thinks he’s better than me.”

  Jia scoffed. “He doesn’t need medals or a uniform to be better than you.”

  Erik grinned.

  Naric swung his head toward her with his lips slightly parted. “I know about you, too. What’s a girl from a nice, respectable family like yours doing getting herself involved in a lowly job like law enforcement?”

  “Based on what I see here, there need to be more like me involved, not fewer.” Jia narrowed her eyes, her face red.