DATA JACK

by Christopher Greyson

  “Sorry.” Roger rose unsteadily to his feet. “Don’t go getting all upset again. I get what you’re doing.”

  “Me?”

  Roger chuckled. “I’ve seen it before. Little girl from a little town. You see your ticket to the big leagues, so even with your boyfriend in the next room you sneak—”

  “You’re wrong, and you’re drunk.”

  “I’m not drunk.” He shook his head. “I mean I am drunk, but I’m not wrong. Hell, who am I to judge? If I were you, I’d trade up.”

  Replacement’s lip curled into a snarl.

  Roger stumbled toward her. “It’s not a hard decision. A billionaire or your local yokel boyfriend?” His hands tipped back and forth as he held them out. “Gee, which one will she pick?” Roger laughed.

  Replacement turned to leave.

  Roger grabbed her arm and pulled her back in the room. “Don’t run away.” His voice had changed. There was an edge to it.

  “Get your hands off me.” Replacement tried to fight down the fear that seized her.

  “I know your type. You’re just after his money. He may not see through you but I do.”

  “Get your hands off me now or I’ll scream. You’ll be getting your unemployment check in the hospital.”

  “Just leave him alone. Stop messing with his head. He’s a good guy.” Roger let go and staggered sideways.

  Replacement backed into the hallway and then bolted for the bedroom.

  Jack looked up as she came in. He jumped up and rushed over. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

  “Alice, look at me.”

  She exhaled. She didn’t know what Jack would do if she told him. “I’m okay. The drink must’ve gone to my head.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  She nodded. “I got it working.” Her hand trembled slightly as she handed her phone to Jack.

  He looked at the screen and his eyebrow rose. “What did he write?” Jack tried to decipher the little note in front of the camera.

  Replacement looked at the screen. Pierce had posted a note on the frame of the bed. She could make out the words, but she didn’t tell Jack. “Baby on board.”

  Pierce rolled over.

  “Why don’t you get to sleep?” Jack asked. “I’ll take first watch.”

  Replacement didn’t argue. All she wanted to do was crawl under the covers. She slid under the blankets and curled into a ball. She hadn’t done anything to feel guilty about, but her chest still ached.

  Chapter 40

  ~

  I’m a Machine

  Replacement’s eyes fluttered open, but she tried not to move. She felt Jack sitting beside her. He stroked her hair. She lay there as his fingers glided over her with the softness of a breath. After a few moments, she rolled over. He sat up in bed, looking down at her with the phone in his hand.

  He gazed at her with exhausted eyes, but he grinned the roguish smile that melted her heart.

  “This has to be the most boring show I’ve ever seen.” He tapped the screen.

  She laughed and put her hand on the phone, and her fingers touched his. “I bet it gets canceled after one season.” She kissed him.

  Jack let go of the phone and wrapped his arms around her. She inhaled as he rolled her partway onto her back and his left hand slid up her side until it caressed her face.

  Fierce. It was the word she’d use to describe how he became. He seized her, and she loved that. His touch was tender, but there was a need in his muscles. His need for her that set her ablaze. He leaned back, and his chest heaved. She could see it in his eyes. He wanted her, and he fought with himself over taking her now.

  She kissed him quickly and then buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry I gave you a hard time. We can wait. I’m sorry.”

  Jack exhaled loudly and put his head back.

  She sat up and watched him. His eyes were closed. When they opened, that fire was gone. He sat there and his eyes searched her face.

  “You’re exhausted. It’s almost five. You let me sleep all night.”

  “I don’t need sleep. I’m a machine.” Jack’s eyes opened briefly before they closed again.

  “I’m unplugging you. Two hours.”

  Jack sighed. “One.”

  “Sure.”

  “You agreed too quick. Seriously, one or I won’t fall asleep.”

  “Okay.”

  She pulled back the covers so he could get under them. Replacement picked her phone back up and sat next to him.

  Jack lay on his back and stared at the ceiling.

  Replacement softly traced her fingers on his face. With just the tips of her fingers brushing the skin, her fingers glided over his eyebrows down to his cheekbones. As she caressed him, his breathing deepened, and he was soon fast asleep.

  She watched him for a while. They’d only been together for a short time now, but she’d already lost track of how many nights she’d gotten him to sleep this way.

  Nightmares.

  She closed her eyes as she tried to drive the memory of his screams out of her mind. She could only guess at the things he’d seen in the war, but as she looked down at the scars on his chest, she knew his deepest scars couldn’t be seen.

  In some ways, she hated night. It was when Jack went somewhere she couldn’t follow. While he dreamt, all she could do was whisper how much she loved him and pray.

  Jack groaned.

  She made a fist and bowed her head.

  Chapter 41

  ~

  Thanks for Being One

  Replacement sat next to Jack and watched him sleep. She pulled the blanket up to cover his exposed shoulder, and the corner of his mouth ticked up.

  She held the phone in her lap and movement on the screen caught her attention. Pierce stirred. He stretched out and then froze. His head snapped around, and he stared at the camera. He gave a tired wave, rubbed his face, and then got out of bed.

  Replacement gave him a second, put the phone on the nightstand, and slipped out of bed. She pulled her shoes on and looked back at Jack. He hadn’t moved. She quietly snuck out the door and started down the hallway.

  The house was quiet. The sun was just starting to come up. The thick carpet felt good on her feet as she passed the study.

  “Alice?”

  She jumped but managed not to scream. Roger hurried out of the study but stayed at a distance.

  “I’m sorry. I just wanted to say I was drunk. I know that. Please don’t say anything.”

  Replacement tried to calm her pounding heart. “Have you been here all night?”

  Roger’s head seemed to nod in all directions. “I was wrong. So wrong.” He rubbed his bloodshot eyes. “I need this job. If you tell Pierce how I acted…friend or not, I’m gone. I can tell he really, really likes you. I’ve just…I’m not justifying my actions.” He waved his hands in front of himself. “I sort of am, but I’ve been doing nothing but blowing up my life. I’ve decided to go get help. But if I lose my job…”

  Replacement stared at him. He looked pitiful. “I won’t say anything. Just go.”

  Roger nodded and scurried back down the hallway. “Thank you. Really. Thank you.”

  Replacement watched him hurry away and shook her head.

  The door to Pierce’s bedroom opened behind her, and Pierce peered out.

  Replacement spun around. “Morning.”

  “Was that Roger?”

  Replacement nodded.

  Pierce stepped to the side and kept the door open. Replacement walked in, and Pierce closed it.

  “What was that about?” he asked.

  She crossed her arms and clicked her tongue. “He, umm…last night he saw me come out of your room.”

  Pierce’s mouth opened and then snapped shut. “Sorry. If anyone would get the wrong impression, it would be Roger. Is that why he was apologizing?”

  Her foot started to nervously tap. “I told him I wouldn’t say anything.�
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  “I want to know.”

  “He was drunk.”

  Pierce folded his hands in front of himself and waited for her to continue.

  “He thought we were fooling around. He got this idea I was coming on to you.” Replacement blew up a strand of her hair that floated in front of her face.

  “We both know that’s not true.” The corners of Pierce’s mouth curled down. “Why is that?”

  Replacement blinked rapidly. “What?”

  Pierce leaned against the bureau. “Remember when I asked you to be brutally honest?”

  She nodded.

  “It’s my turn.” He took a deep breath. His eyes danced around the room. When they finally locked with Replacement’s, she swallowed. “I’m sorry.” He crossed his arms. “Being around you has made me realize that I’m missing something. When you’re around…I just feel we connect. Do you know what I mean? Do you feel that?”

  “Yes, but…” Her voice was soft. “But the truth is I don’t have many friends. Any friends,” she added quickly. “I’m a girl computer geek. That’d be weird by itself but me being me?” She awkwardly smiled. “When we talk, it’s awesome. I love it. I laugh, and you make me feel good—as a friend.”

  Pierce’s jaw muscles flexed. “I know. But I just—”

  “Pierce, you’re a great guy. You could have a hundred girls who’d throw themselves at your feet.”

  “Do you have any idea the kind of girl who throws herself at my feet?” He held his hands out to the room. “They’re desperately in love with my money.”

  “Then find a nice girl. You want one…” Replacement closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. “You want someone who says, ‘All this doesn’t matter. I don’t care about the house or the cars or the money. I just care about you.’”

  “That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. And then what happens? Do we run into the sunset and live happily ever after?”

  Replacement nodded. “Something like that.”

  They stared at each other for a moment. The butterflies in her stomach stopped fluttering and Replacement smiled.

  Pierce pushed away from the bureau. “Now what? Should we go talk to Jack?”

  “Not yet.” She shook her head. “We should wait. He was up the whole night.”

  “I’ll get dressed, get a cup of coffee, and meet you in the kitchen?”

  “Okay.” Replacement walked over to the door.

  Pierce cleared his throat.

  She stopped.

  “You said you didn’t have many friends?” he asked.

  She didn’t turn around but nodded.

  “Neither do I. Thanks for being one.”

  She smiled and walked out.

  Chapter 42

  ~

  Cold

  Jack heard raised voices coming from a TV. He rolled over and sat up, but the TV wasn’t on. He looked at the nightstand and Replacement’s phone. The voices came from the camera feed in Pierce’s bedroom.

  Jack picked up the phone and watched Replacement talking to Pierce. He turned up the volume.

  Replacement lifted up her head and looked at Pierce. “All this doesn’t matter. I don’t care about the house or the cars or the money. I just care about you.”

  “That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear,” Pierce said. “And then what happens? Do we run into the sunset and live happily ever after?”

  Replacement nodded. “Something like that.”

  They stared at each other for a moment. Pierce pushed away from the bureau. “Now what? Should we go talk to Jack?”

  “Not yet.” She shook her head. “We should wait—”

  Jack clicked off the phone.

  His throat tightened. Tossing the covers off, he got out of bed and walked over to the window. He put his hand against the cold glass and looked down at the ground below.

  The sunlight just started to dance across the water of the lake. He stood there and tried to drive the last minutes from his mind, but he couldn’t. His hand tightened into a fist, but the rage he’d expected wasn’t there. Nothing was. He felt dead. Cold.

  He looked up at his reflection, and it stared coldly back at him. Jack inhaled and looked down at the phone.

  The door to the room opened behind him.

  “You’re awake.” Replacement sounded startled.

  Jack slipped the phone in his pocket and stretched. “I just got up.” He forced a smile on his face. “Pierce awake?”

  Replacement nodded. “He is. I’m going to take a shower and then go meet him for coffee. You should go back to bed.”

  “I just want to look something up first.”

  She headed for the bathroom. Jack watched her go. She looked back and gave a little wave before she closed the door.

  Jack shut his eyes.

  Chapter 43

  ~

  Not Yet

  Jack sat in front of the laptop and stared out at the lake. Replacement turned off the shower, but he didn’t move. He didn’t want to. He looked at the monitor. He’d found the website last night. Now that he knew who was behind the corporate spying, it would be easy to get the proof they needed. It was also the last thing he wanted to do.

  Should we tell Jack? Not yet. The words echoed in his head. Not yet. She’ll wait. Why? Until the case was over? If that was what Replacement was waiting for, he never wanted to solve the case.

  He moved the mouse and opened the browser window. The website for the Northbank Players opened back up.

  Someone knocked on the door.

  As Jack walked across the floor, Replacement opened the bathroom door. “Who is it?” she asked.

  He didn’t know, but he could guess.

  Jack turned the handle and let the door swing open.

  Pierce’s smile fell from his face, and he took a step back when he looked at Jack. “Jack…good morning.”

  “I found something.” Jack turned and headed back to the laptop.

  “What?” Replacement called out from behind the bathroom door. She opened it a crack. “Wait for me.”

  Jack sat down in front of the laptop.

  “You look really tired,” Pierce said.

  “I am.”

  Replacement hurried out of the bathroom and over to the laptop. “What did you get?”

  Jack clicked the button for past productions. The screen was animated. A big red curtain pulled back and the poster for Rent appeared. He clicked on the CAST link and a page of portraits came up.

  Replacement pointed. “That’s Sophia.”

  Jack clicked her picture, and her biography displayed.

  “Sophia went to New York University and received a bachelor’s degree?” Replacement’s voice went up and she nodded toward the keyboard. “Can I drive?”

  Jack stood up and Replacement slipped into the chair. She logged in to the Weston Industries database. “That’s not on her résumé.” She clicked on Sophia’s record and the résumé she provided Weston didn’t list the university.

  “During a background check, they search a résumé for inflated information,” Pierce said.

  “Not omitted colleges. How did you know?” Replacement asked.

  “The way she talked didn’t fit someone whose career was in domestic service. When you spoke to her, it felt like she was always playing a character.”

  Pierce nodded, impressed.

  “Standard police work.” Jack shrugged. “Canvassing a neighborhood. Knock on doors, talk to people, and hope for a lead. She told me she danced and had acted in that play, so I did some fishing.” Jack reached for the mouse and opened another window. Nancy Bell’s résumé appeared. “They both went to New York University. Same time. Same sorority.”

  “Could she have just hired her friend?” Replacement asked.

  “Is there a policy against it?” Jack turned to Pierce.

  “No. We actually have a bonus program.”

  “Then there’s no reason to hide it. We should pull her phone records.”

&nbs
p; Replacement made a face. “I didn’t think that a maid would get a company phone.”

  “Sophia was provided one so they can contact her. You won’t need a court order for her records. How fast can we get them?” Jack asked.

  “I can have security do that,” Pierce said.

  “Hold off on involving security,” Jack said.

  “We know it’s Nancy and Sophia. Security should be involved now.” Pierce stood as though he was back in a boardroom.

  “Look, I still don’t think what happened to Gerald was an accident,” Jack said.

  Pierce shook his head. “Fine. Say I agree with you now and we say it wasn’t an accident. It doesn’t change who did it. Nancy’s new. She was privy to the leaked information. Considering the fact that she hid her relationship with Sophia, that’s enough for me.”

  “We still need to approach this slow. Hold off on telling security until Alice can get the phone records.”

  Replacement gazed at Pierce hopefully.

  Jack looked away.

  “Can you just wait until after your meeting?” Replacement asked Pierce.

  “I’ll cancel the meeting,” Pierce grumbled. “There’s no need.”

  “Don’t cancel it. It will buy Alice time to get the records. Tell them something, but have it.”

  Pierce nodded but he walked out the door shaking his head.

  Replacement grabbed Jack’s hand. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Look at me.”

  Jack forced himself to. He stared into her green eyes, and she scanned his face.

  “What’s wrong?” Her voice was strained.

  “Nothing.” He pulled his head to the side. “I’m just tired, kid.” He marched to the door.

  “You can go back to bed. I can tell—”

  “No.” He grabbed the door handle. The part of him that would have wanted to rip the door off its hinges was gone. His hand squeezed the metal, but the only thing he felt was the cold brass. “Call me if you hear something.”

  Chapter 44

  ~

  The Kick is Up

  Jack went back to helping Bruce and Phillip while they waited. The last of the APs were in place, and now they were on cleanup. They spent the rest of the day testing the connections and gathering up tools.