#2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love
Page 10
Chapter Ten
New Neighbor
4:01 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...
An unmarked white delivery van rumbled down West 1000 Avenue, drove into Nexus Apartments parking garage, and stopped at the entrance. Zax removed a card from his shirt pocket, swiped it on a scanner, then waited as a gate slid open. Security cameras monitored the entrance and all of the garage, and a security guard manned each level. Zax drove past the gate and up a few ramps, parked on level four, and stepped down from the vehicle; he wore a white delivery uniform and cap. Zax unloaded a few boxes from the back of the van onto a push cart, started toward the elevator, went up to the thirty-first floor, and made his way to Apartment G.
In front of the door, he cleared his throat before saying, "Door, unlock."
"Voice recognized as Zax Olympus," A.C.S. stated in a female voice. "Opening door."
The apartment door slid sideways, he walked in the small entry, pushing the cart, and commanded, "Door lock."
The door shut.
"Welcome to your home, Mr. Olympus," A.C.S. stated. "The staff and management of Nexus Apartments hopes your stay with us will be enjoyable."
"Thanks."
Zax glanced around. The apartment's layout was the opposite of its neighbor H. The entry emptied into an open kitchen with black marble counters and stainless steel appliances. He pushed the cart into the living room off to the right, paused from his work, and walked to the kitchen's window to look over West 1000 Avenue. Black rain fell on the street below. He had made it in before the Tainted Rain storm. He glanced around the kitchen, but maybe he should have bought some groceries. It looks like he'll be living on takeout. He saw a note and a remote on the kitchen's counter, and Zax read the note; it was from the manager of Nexus Apartments.
"Welcome to your new home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me. The remote will work the TV and radio and as you instructed, the apartment is fully furnished. Enjoy your stay."
He picked up the remote and muttered, "A fruit basket would have been nice. I'm starved." He clicked on the TV and went to work unloading the boxes.
Anchorwoman Linda Harvey with NBS reported, "Today's top story. The Jackal an Illicit Closer was captured early this morning by Noir Civil Police Force. The N.C.P.F. at this time have given no details as to the identity of this killer, and the illegal assassin is thought to have murdered over thirty people in the Hellenistic Sector. It is believed the Assassins Guild will ask for the death penalty if the Jackal is found guilty. The Jackal is accused of killing without a license. We will update you as this story progresses." Linda switched camera view. "We have an update on the Un-Men attacks we aired two days ago. The Sphinx Corporation has taken full blame for this line of bio-mechas and will compensate for all losses of life and property. Sphinx assures the population that this model of Un-Men has been recalled and will be destroyed. For more information, we now go to Frank Trepit who is standing by for a press conference."
The scene switched to a noisy room crowded with chairs. Reporters and representatives from other corporations filled the seats and in the back of the room, a man with a mic looked to the camera.
"Thank you, Linda. The conference is about to start. We'll be seeing Sphinx's new Press Secretary. She took over the position on Thursday which was less than twelve hours ago. She..." Frank glanced to the front of the room. "Here she comes now."
A woman with shoulder length auburn hair and wearing a dark blue business suit walked to a podium, and she waited till the room quieted down and then said, "Hello everyone. Many of you may not know me, I'm Jane Speer. I'm the new Press Secretary for Sphinx's Third Branch Office." Jane looked to a H.H.C. she carried. "I would like to first assure those in Noir that the rogue Un-Men have been eliminated. There's no need for worry." She paused and emphasized the next statement as she spoke, "I would also like to add that the technicians who looked over the T-3s programming believe the project was sabotaged by a rival corporation."
The room erupted with chatter as reporters raised their hands and shouted questions at Ms. Speer.
Zax changed the channel as he muttered, "The news is depressing and full of lies."
The bounty show Show Me The Money! was wrapping up with some final words from its host, Karen Miles. "All right viewers, if you have seen any of these people call the number you see on the screen to..."
The TV audience shouted with her, "Show Me The Money!"
The credits rolled and another bounty show called Easy Money! started.
He turned the TV off. There was nothing on but the news and bounty shows. One would think they would try putting something on the tube that was entertaining. Maybe a show about heroes. It would never happen, not on this planet. Maybe he'd listen to music, so Zax clicked the radio on with the remote and tuned it in to a classical station.
Within an hour, he unloaded the boxes, set up tables, and equipment to monitor Apartment H next door. He placed all the tables and equipment in the Master Bedroom, even purchased and had delivered a second large flat screen TV, and hung it in the bedroom. He had it put there in case he wanted to watch the news. He removed a cell phone.
"This is Delivery Man, connect me to R.G." He paused, waiting for his mysterious boss to pick up the line. "I have set up surveillance. I entered Apartment H yesterday while they were out and placed the devices, and I have cameras looking in on the kitchen and the living room. I have even tapped into the building's security and have a visual on the hall." He glanced at all the monitors. "At the moment, Kimberly and Katharine aren't at home." He listened. "Yep. Yep. I'll submit daily e-mails on the two. Yep. I understand. If something out of the ordinary happens, I'm to contact you immediately but for now, I'm to stay at Stage One surveillance. Understood, Delivery Man out."