by Mattie Hope
"And going to get the neighbor? Does that make sense to you?"
Maldonado scratched his beard. "Well, we know octopuses can recognize humans they've met before. The witness had been in her suite?"
"Once before, he says, when she first moved in."
"Huh," said Maldonado. "That's, what, getting on for a year? That's nearly the entire lifespan of the day octopus. We don't know if they can remember a face that long. But we know crows can, for years, so it's not crazy. But he lives across the hall, right?"
Zheng nodded.
"So maybe e just dropped into the nearest suite, or the nearest occupied one. Again, might be a coincidence. We can't be inside es head. This is really interesting stuff, but it's not lab conditions, you know?"
"Sure," said Zheng. "But what the witness told us holds up?"
"Sounds feasible," said Maldonado. "And you got the lab footage, right?"
"Right. Just wanted to cover all our bases. And we're sure that none of Gershon's octopuses were fatally venomous?"
"I have a list of every species in that lab," said Maldonado. "There's no way any of them did this."
Chapter Three
They'd called Jax back in for more questions. It was a long day at Guard Quarters, and mostly waiting around. He wasn't sure if they were trying to make him sweat or if they really were just busy. In-between, they quizzed him on every damn detail of his statement. If he'd been a new hand at this, he might even have gotten flustered. But he was telling the truth this time, and he knew the cam footage would back him up.
He was just glad that Zheng wasn't questioning him. Then he really would have been nervous, and that would look bad.
Finally, Kath came to talk to him.
"Sorry about that," she said.
"It's fine," said Jax. "So, did I do it?"
Kath pursed her lips. "Don't make jokes. Guards don't have a sense of humor."
"That why you became one?"
"This is serious, Jax."
"Christ," muttered Jax. "So I'm in trouble?"
"No," said Kath, "but a woman is dead."
Jax swallowed. It flashed in his mind, how limp Doctor Gershon had been when he'd rolled her over, how heavy yet empty she had seemed. "I fucking know that," he said.
"All right," said Kath, "I'm sorry. Look, you're not a suspect, so don't worry."
"But you do think she was murdered, huh?"
"I can't go into a lot of detail," said Kath, "but I can tell you what we'll be telling the press. The coroner's report gives us reason to believe that the cause of death was unnatural."
"Which is code for murder, right?"
"Not quite," said Kath. "Anyway, that's all you're getting."
"All right," said Jax, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking away. Suddenly, it was awkward again. He'd wanted to make things right with Kath for a while, but he hadn't thought it would take a woman dying to get them in the same room again. "So, can I go now?"
Kath frowned a little. "Sure," she said. "But I was thinking…I'm off duty pretty soon. Maybe we could grab a drink?"
"Are you supposed to do that?"
"I mean, we already know each other," said Kath. "And like I said, you're not a suspect. And anyway…well, I have some news. I was hoping I could tell you over beers."
Jax hesitated.
"It'll be at the guard bar," Kath said flatly. "None of your friends will be there." She paused, expression going softer. "It'd be good to catch up, wouldn't it?"
*~*~*
How could he refuse? So here they were at the guard bar, which he'd never even considered setting foot in before. They were settled at a table with their first round of drinks, which they'd managed to get just before the rush started at the bar. Still, it was a more sedate atmosphere than the strip club Jax's friends liked. You could hear yourself think and everything.
"So what's your news?" asked Jax. "You knocked up?"
"Out of wedlock?" said Kath dryly. "Perish the thought." She took a long, pointed drink of beer.
"So, what, you getting wedlocked then?"
"Christ, Jax, are marriage and kids the only things you think a woman might get up to? Seriously, who dragged you up?"
Jax smirked. "Some dumb slut or other."
She smacked his arm. "Hey," she said, "language. Fine, I won't tell you."
"Aw, don't be like that, I'm just kidding around. Come on, what's your news?"
"I'm up for Zenith," Kath said proudly.
"Wow," said Jax, trying to sound suitably impressed.
"You don't know what Zenith is, do you?"
"Uh," said Jax, "refresh my memory."
"It's an elite VR training program for military and law enforcement. It's a big fucking deal. And I got on it."
"Oh, shit, yeah!" said Jax. "I heard something about that―is it true that some guy gave himself an e-shock in there by trying to kill one of the holos with his teeth?"
"I dunno. I mean, it sounds made up, but everything kinda sounds made up these days, doesn't it?"
"I guess," said Jax, distracted. He'd just noticed that Zheng was at the bar, and a splice female was leaning toward him. No big surprise: Zheng would be considered a catch even on Metro 1, where splices were a lot more common. Here on 4, he must get mobbed.
Jax pulled his attention back to Kath. "That's awesome," he said.
"Yeah. The Guard is paying for it, but it'll mean taking some time off from duty―I'll be boarding at Zenith station. So Zheng will be handling the case in my absence."
"Cool," said Jax vaguely, glancing back at Zheng. Still at the bar. "You want another drink?"
"Sure," said Kath, following his gaze. When she turned back to him, her expression was knowing. He tried to ignore it.
"Look, I just feel like I made a bad impression earlier, that's all."
Kath waved him away, and he went.
"Hey," he said to Zheng when he got to the bar. "Buy you a drink?"
Zheng paused and looked at him. "Thanks," he said, "but I've already ordered."
"You sure? I can line them up."
"Maybe next time."
Jax shifted his weight, disappointed. If any of his 'friends' could see him right now, they'd be shocked―and not just because he was at a guard bar. Jax had kind of a reputation for being cheap. Kath had probably known something was up the second he offered to buy. "Okay, well―you want to come sit with us when your drink gets here? Unless you're―" He glanced at the female splice.
Zheng shook his head almost imperceptibly. "Of course. I'd love to join you."
"Great," said Jax. He schooled his face, but he wasn't sure he got his smile under control in time. Probably he looked like he had a tic.
The bartender placed a drink in front of Zheng―it was pink and garnished with a freeze-dried raspberry. Splices loved fruit. She almost moved on, but Zheng kept her attention and gestured at Jax.
"Weren't you going to order?"
"Right," Jax said, embarrassed.
Zheng looked like he was going to wait with Jax at the bar, which Jax would have loved, but he was conscious of Kath sitting alone at the table. "You go sit down," he said. "I'll be over in a minute."
It was more than a minute, but he and Kath were only drinking beer, so it didn't take as long as Zheng's cocktail. He fidgeted and tried not to glance over at the table too much. Kath could choose to really embarrass him in front of Zheng, and honestly, she'd be within her rights, the way Jax had acted. But she wasn't vindictive, and it wouldn't exactly reflect well on her to behave that way in front of a colleague. He thought he was safe.
When he joined them, the atmosphere seemed basically normal. A little awkward, maybe, but that was probably to be expected.
"Glad you could join us," he said to Zheng.
"I probably shouldn't," said Zheng. "It's not very professional. But―" He gestured with a tiny jerk of his head toward where the female splice had been standing.
"Yeah," said Jax, "you looked like you might need a rescue
." It was a bare-faced lie. He'd decided to interrupt before he had any idea whether Zheng was into her or not, but the fact that he wasn't gave Jax a little thrill.
"What was wrong with her?" asked Kath.
"Nothing," said Zheng. "Just…not my type."
"I bet she was disappointed," said Kath. "Not a lot of splices on 4."
"I don't owe her anything," said Zheng. It came out sounding pretty neutral, like everything did through the artificial voice box, but his feathers were literally ruffled. It shouldn't have been as hot as it somehow was.
Kath was making a face at him, like 'yeesh,' but Jax just shot her a slightly weak smile. He didn't want Zheng to see and think he was some dumb bigot again, or―anything bad. He just wanted Zheng to know that he liked him, and to like him back. He could almost persuade himself that it would be enough just to have his approval, that he wasn't desperate to sink his hands into Zheng's feathers, or get fucked by him―but Christ, none of that was going to happen if he didn't get his act together and make an impression. Right now, he was zoning out and staring at Zheng's neck plumage.
"How are you feeling?" Zheng was asking him. "A lot of people find themselves very shaken, after discovering a body."
Jax shrugged one shoulder, looking at his own hand around his glass. He knew it wasn't a very charismatic response. He tried to rally himself.
"I've seen bodies before," he said, trying to sound worldly and unconcerned. Or maybe he sounded like a murderer, he thought with a flash of panic.
"Jax and I didn't grow up in the best part of the station," Kath clarified for him.
"I see," said Zheng. "Still, it can be an unsettling experience. Even in the Guard, where it's part of the job, sometimes one finds oneself reacting more strongly than one expects. Wouldn't you say, Murphy? Or should I speak for myself?"
"No, you're right."
Zheng used his mechanical hand to pick up the raspberry garnishing his drink and put it in his beak. Then he sipped the cocktail through a straw. Of course, splices probably couldn't drink straight out of a glass, could they? It wasn't something Jax had ever thought about before. It wasn't exactly a subject that got tackled in the porno vids he watched. He had done other research on splices beyond just watching porn, but how they drank had never come up.
Jax cleared his throat and tried to keep his mind on the topic. "I guess it―it was a shock. Yeah. And I knew Doctor Gershon, a little. She was the friendliest person in my tenement, for whatever that's worth." He decided not to mention that he'd also thought she was a total kook.
"I'm sorry for your loss," said Zheng, and Jax shook his head hard.
"No, hey, I barely knew her, it's not―it was just weird, that's all. Anyway, Zheng, you're new to 4, right?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"No," said Jax, "I just woulda remembered if I'd seen you around."
Zheng tilted his head, and his crest twitched. Jax's mind went totally blank for what seemed like a thousand years. It was probably a few seconds. "So, uh, you here because of the whole diversity drive thing?" he managed.
"That's right."
"What made you volunteer for that?"
"It was sort of…reco-mandatory," said Zheng.
Jax laughed too hard. He didn't totally know what that meant, but Kath was laughing, so he figured it was the right response. "So how are you finding it?"
"Small," said Zheng.
"Says the guy living in a guard suite. You should see my apartment."
"Should I?" said Zheng, and Jax grinned.
Kath looked sharply between them. "Well," she said, "it's getting kind of late, huh?"
"You're right," said Zheng. "I probably ought to get going."
"Hey, no, come on, guys," said Jax. "It's not that late."
"That's easy for you to say," said Kath. "Some of us have to be up."
"One more drink," Jax wheedled.
Zheng glanced at Kath, who visibly weakened.
"Okay, fine," she said.
"I'll get them," said Zheng.
"I said I would," said Jax.
Zheng shook his head. "I insist," he said.
Jax opened his mouth to argue more, but Kath cut in before he could. "Thanks," she said. "Same again for me."
"Me too," said Jax. "I'll be there in a minute to help carry them." Then he got worried he'd said the wrong thing―Zheng couldn't carry three drinks by himself, with only one arm extender, but was it rude to point that out? But Zheng just nodded. Hopefully it was fine.
He waited until Zheng was a little distance away, then, "I'm not imagining it, right?" he asked Kath quietly. "He's flirting with me."
"He's certainly letting you flirt with him," said Kath. "I wish he wouldn't."
"What, you got a problem with it?"
"I've known you since you were born. I've known about your splice thing for as long as you've had it. Have I ever had a problem?"
"Then what?"
"It's unprofessional, that's what. You're a person of interest."
"What the hell? I thought you said I wasn't a suspect?"
"You're not," said Kath, "but you still discovered the body. You knew her. There are probably going to be more questions. You can't have a relationship with the guard investigating her death."
"What about our relationship?"
"First of all, our relationship was pre-existing, so short of a time machine, there's nothing either of us can do about it. Second of all, as far as anyone knows, all we are is childhood friends, and it's better for both of us if it stays that way. And third of all, like I said, I'm leaving for Zenith. Zheng will be the lead on this case once I'm gone. It'll be the first investigation he's led since he transferred here, and it'll be the first time a splice guard has led a case at all on 4, let alone a suspicious death case. There's probably gonna be a lot of media attention on him. So can you please try to think with the head that's on your neck?"
Jax sighed. "Okay, but after the case is over, I have a shot, right?"
"How the hell should I know?" said Kath impatiently. "I realize professional behavior is a little out of your wheelhouse, but you don't generally question your work acquaintances about whether or not they're into xeno."
"Well, but you know him better than I do. What do you think?"
Kath shrugged. "I dunno. I find them hard to read. Those eyes"—she tapped at her cheekbone with an upward-pointing index finger for emphasis― "no whites, you know? And their beaks just open and close. They don't exactly have expressive faces."
"I guess." Splices had expressive bodies, though, especially when they kept all their feathers, like Zheng had. Their tails, their crests, their wings―arms, damn it―they all moved in little ways that could tell you things. Like how a male splice's crest would rest against his skull if he was calm and rise a little if he was excited (that was one way you could tell, in porn, if he was actually into it or not). If he got really freaked out, it would stand straight up. Their feathers fluffed up when they were tense. They spread out their tails if they were showing off, or pissed. They might wave them if they were happy.
Of course, it wasn't as simple as all that. Most splices tried to control their body language and make it more human―that was what splices were made for, after all. They were the Fusion's ambassadors to humanity. But most people, splices included, couldn't totally train themselves out of their natural instincts.
"I gotta head to the bar. I said I'd help with the drinks," he told her.
"Fine," she said. "Just be appropriate."
He joined Zheng at the bar, who turned to him. "They're still working on my cocktail," he said.
"No problem," said Jax. The beers were already there on the bar. He could just take them back to the table now. He wasn't going to. "What is it you're drinking, anyway?"
"It's a Clover Club," said Zheng. "Well, a version of one. On Earth, they make them with eggs and fresh raspberries. I'd like to try that some time."
"Oh, yeah," said Jax. "I'd love to go to Earth." He slid o
ne of the beers toward himself and took a sip, but he didn't make any move to leave the bar. Someone jostled him a little from behind, but he ignored it. "I mean, I'd like to travel all over," he added. "Metro 1 sounds like a cool place. You like it?"
"It's home," said Zheng easily. "What attracts you?"
You do, thought Jax, but he was pretty sure that wasn't what Zheng meant. "To Metro 1? You know, a lot of different…kinds of people. You don't get that on 4. It's, like you said, small."
The truth was that if Jax ever got off 4, another space habitat wouldn't be his first port of call. He wanted to see the ocean more than anything. But Metro 1 did have one of the biggest splice populations anywhere, so, there was that. And besides, it was a lot cheaper to go to another Metro than to Earth, not that he could afford either.
The bartender put Zheng's cocktail down on the bar, and he thanked her. "You want to try it?" he asked Jax.
"Yeah?"
"Go ahead."
Jax reached for the drink. He could just drink out of the glass, but…fuck it. Drinking a pink cocktail through a straw was pretty gay even for him, but it wasn't like any of his friends were around to see it. He held eye contact with Zheng as he sipped, except for a moment when he allowed his eyes to flick up to Zheng's crest. It twitched, almost like it could feel his eyes on it, like a touch. Jax had already swallowed the cocktail (a little sweet, and stronger than he expected, but good). He swallowed again and slid the glass back to Zheng.
"Thanks," he said, and against all odds, his voice came out sounding almost normal.
"No problem," said Zheng. "Come on, Murphy's probably wondering where her drink is."
"Right," said Jax, and they went back to the table.
*~*~*
Zheng left first, politely bidding them goodbye. Jax watched him go with regret. He'd been kind of hoping he could get rid of Kath and persuade Zheng to take him home tonight. But Kath had obviously seen that coming.
"I saw you at the bar, you know," she said.
"We were just being friendly," said Jax.
"Uh-huh," said Kath skeptically. "I wasn't kidding, all right? If you like him, don't put his job in danger."
