“Garrett,” Marco laughed at the mention of his old friend. “He was a such a loser. What did you ever see in him?”
They started back towards the market. “Like you can talk. You went through several girls when you were at school. It didn’t leave a great reputation with the teachers by the time they taught me.”
“I set the bar low. When you showed up, all the teachers loved you.”
Ari laughed at that idea. “What? The girl who couldn’t learn anything in programs? They were insulted at the idea they might have to teach. Not that they did. They just gave me the old programs.”
“You were such a nerd.”
“Thanks.”
A couple more blocks and they approached the market. “Does Patrick really think I’m going to go shopping with my sister to pick out a slutty dress to grab a programmer?”
“Who says it has to be slutty?”
“You didn’t see the girl he went home with last night. There was more skin than dress, and her dress may have actually been painted on,” Marco said seriously, then in a lighter tone, “I asked Joe if he thought it was paint or fabric, but he had no comment.”
“Yeah, I can’t see Joe having that conversation with you.” Ari walked into the store. “Don’t worry. Not every girl has to be near naked to grab a guy’s attention.”
Marco mumbled something she didn’t quite catch, but she didn’t care. Surprisingly, Ari sounded more confident that she really was. Niomi taught her about men, about flirting, and how to entice them. During the lessons, Ari had made sarcastic comments, and she had been grateful VisionTech didn’t require that of her inside the VR Realm. Her fake relationship with Patrick was the closest thing to forced flirting. Even though she joked through her lessons, this past year had taught her about guys, more than she wanted. Maybe she had to pretend to be easy, maybe she didn’t, but she knew she had to catch Echo’s attention.
It took a while for Ari to find the outfit that said what she wanted. With bags in hands, they had lunch at a nearby restaurant, and then headed back to the apartment to find the others still gone.
Marco dropped the bags on the dresser. “Do girls really need this much to get ready, or are you just especially challenged in that department?”
“Challenged? Really? Don’t be an idiot.”
He shrugged off the insult and kicked off his shoes. “Wake me up in an hour.” He looked like he needed a lot more than an hour.
She watched her brother face plant onto one of the two queen beds and found a tender spot in her heart just for him. His long hair curled around his ears, just like when he was young. They had been through a lot, but they had always done it together. She knew he worried about the upcoming mission. Maybe he was right to worry.
Just as she was about to head into the shower, Joe and Patrick returned. Patrick noticed Marco, who didn’t bother stirring when they entered, then turned to Ari. “You get everything you need?”
“Yes.” She gathered the bags that held the clothes.
“Hey, can I see what you got?” Joe reached for the bags.
“Why?” She wasn’t in the mood to be questioned about styling choices by Joe.
“Just want to see if there is room for alterations. Nothing anyone will notice.” He held his hand out, not giving anything else away.
Reluctantly, she handed over the bags and headed into the bathroom. Who knew Joe had a thing for clothes? Whatever Joe was up to, she had a date to get ready for. A date Echo didn’t even know he was going to have.
The muffled sounds of conversation floated through the bathroom door as Ari finished her transformation with a shimmery, almost golden, lipstick. It had taken some time for her to find this outfit, weighing the need to look appealing versus the need for practicality. She couldn’t be impeded by design and wanted something she could move in as well as hide the drug and a knife or two. Thinking of it, she slipped a knife into the side of her boot. With a high heel, the sleek black boots were more of a cosmetic choice, but at least they could hold a weapon if she couldn’t run properly.
Even though she knew logically she made the right choice with the outfit, standing in the bathroom with the guys outside made her palms sweaty. Sweaty wasn’t a look she wanted. She dabbed her makeup. She went light on the makeup with sparkly gold highlighting her eyes.
Finally done touching up her makeup, she looked herself over in the mirror one more time. She left her hair down in loose curls over her bare shoulders. The top was something she had fallen in love with the moment she saw it in the store: a gold corset built with tech, with a glimmer of code running up and down it. It showed enough skin that hopefully nerdy programmers felt the same way. The outfit ended with black skintight leather pants. While attractive, they had enough stretch for her to move and made her feel tough.
Joe had handed the clothes back to her while she blow-dried her hair. They didn’t seem much different. There was some extra wiring inside the corset, but she wasn’t sure what for.
She couldn’t hide out in the bathroom forever and reminded herself she liked this outfit. With a deep breath, she stepped into the bedroom. Not wanting to be on display, she moved straight to her packages to pull out the new purse she bought. Slowly their conversation weaned off, and she realized their attention was focused on her.
“What? I don’t need your approval.” She turned around, narrowing her gaze at her brother.
“I think it’ll work.” Joe looked her over like a piece of bugged code. “Just make sure you’re not too intimidating. Smile a bit.”
“I think you should wear a jacket or shawl. Nothing says sexy like being warm,” Marco said.
She rolled her eyes. Sometimes immaturity called for immaturity. “I’m sure you said that plenty at the clubs.”
When she turned to Patrick, he had a wistful, almost hungry, look in his eyes. When he caught her gaze, he smiled not trying to hide his desire. Then without a word, turned back to the desk. Sitting on top was a small device, no bigger than her pinky. He picked it up along with a slim black container.
“The drug is Nalcom. Once pricked, it should take sixty seconds to knock him out, so be prepared for some backlash. Too early and we won’t get in his room.” Patrick handed over the device. “The needle is concealed. Just press the top to expose the needle and hold it down to release the dose.”
“Okay.” She took the needle and wondered the best place for it. Glancing at the guys, she wasn’t about to hide it in her cleavage in front of them.
“I was so busy wiring the corset, I forgot about where to put the drug.” Somehow Joe must have read her thoughts. “Don’t put it in your bra though. Echo will see it too easily.”
“Gross.” Marco slapped Joe’s shoulder. “That’s my sister.”
Joe shrugged off the blow. “She’s got to hide it somewhere. Would you prefer to be the one to suggest where?”
Marco turned, his face flushing.
Ari looked down at her corset, considering the best place to hide it. With the code and tech running through the corset, one black tube, not much wider than a pen and half in length, could hide easily. She picked at the bottom hem, trying to find a place for it.
“Here, let me.” Patrick took the vial and knelt in front of her. Pulling out a pocketknife, he cut a couple stitches and maneuvered the vial under a wire to hold it securely in place.
She found it really hard to breathe, and she tried to think of something besides Patrick’s proximity to her stomach. Averting her gaze, she found Marco scrutinizing her and Patrick. The look on his face took more in than she wanted. She shouldn’t feel guilty. She had done nothing wrong. Turning to the window, she focused on slowing her pulse.
“There.” Patrick turned back to the table oblivious to the unspoken exchange between the siblings. “It should be secure but easy enough to pull out.”
“Thanks.” She checked the vial, and it seemed easy to access. She tugged lightly on the corset to make sure it was secure, and then picked up her pur
se. “Joe, do you have another ID for me?”
“I do. Just finishing it up.”
She walked over and looked at the screen. “Maria.” She tested out her new name.
“Maria Laticia Elizabeth Catiano.” Marco corrected her.
“Great. I worried two names would be too easy for me to remember.”
“We have to be authentic,” her brother said.
“Here,” Joe handed her a table. “Start memorizing the details while I create your new prints. Not that Echo will care too much about your birthplace, but in case you run into any authorities.”
“I’m just a nice girl who randomly wants to go to his place?” Ari worried if he’d buy it.
“People believe what they want too.” Joe pulled out a small printer to create new prints. “These prints won’t be as good as the ones Sketchy makes but will protect your identity at a club.”
“I’m sure they’ll work fine.” Ari didn’t plan on scanning into any games.
“Back to Echo,” Marco said, worry tightening his eyes. “If he really gets as wasted as you guys say he does, how do we know he isn’t already compromised?”
“I don’t think so. It took a lot of work to find him. Not many people could, and how many people even know about this software? For all we know, Tricky is the first victim.” Joe looked up as the printer began its steady hum.
Patrick sat in one of the chairs. “Or Tricky is one victim in a long line. We can’t go making assumptions.”
“True,” Joe agreed and turned to Ari. “How is the profile coming along? I tried to keep it simple. I have another camera and audio bug to put on you as well. We’re going to be nearby the whole time.”
“Great.” Ari wasn’t sure if that came out sarcastic or not. She was grateful for the backup, but having them all watch her hit on another man would be awkward.
Chapter 23
As the sun descended over the small German town, Ari studied the profile of the girl she would pretend to be. Marco quizzed on her new skin while Patrick picked up food. The nervous knots in her stomach wouldn’t let her eat much. The nerves before a mission were worse than the mission itself.
Joe had been gone for a while following Echo’s movements. He had checked into CLUB IV, and Joe had been monitoring what he could electronically and visually. Marco left next to get in position at the club for extra backup. Ari clenched and unclenched her hands while she watched the clock. Just two more minutes.
“You okay?” Patrick reached out a hand, then switched directions and smoothed out a spot on the bed instead. “Nervous?”
“No. Yes.” She rubbed her bare arm. “Just ready to get it over with.”
“Well…” He motioned to the clock as it ticked by and it was time to go.
Standing, she looked over her outfit one more time. Was the needle still in place? She tugged on the corset.
He placed a hand on her wrist, and she stilled.
“You look great. I wish I could be there, but your brother fought for the position. I’ll be close. Not that it matters, because you got this. You are amazing in and out of the VR.” He didn’t look at her clothes but stared deep into her eyes. “But, I do ask one thing.”
Sometimes she thought she had everything figured out, but when he stared at her that way, she could feel all sense and will power crumbling away. She hated he could affect her like that. Her voice disappeared on her and she nodded. He could ask a lot of her.
“Be safe.” He stepped back, dropping her hand.
Glancing away helped her to compose herself, and she focused on the role she needed to play. She was no longer Arianna for the next couple hours. “I will.”
Once she stepped onto the street a strange sense of calm washed over her. While donning a different skin, she pushed back her normal worries and focused on the mission. The mission was imperative, she owed Tricky that much. Ari would get that program, if she had to claw it from Echo herself.
With a confidence she hadn’t found until she was all alone on the street, Ari strolled out of the hotel and grabbed a car to take her to the VR district a couple of blocks away. Stepping out of the automated car, she headed towards the VR bar. Walking with a sway in her hips, she casually scanned her surroundings. The nightlife filled the walkways with noise and music. Couples flirted and smoked at the store fronts. Ari walked past several stores then turned into Club IV.
It was late and the bar was packed, standing room only. IV was popular because it went beyond the normal VR experience, as if plugging your brain into a machine wasn’t enough. Club IV set up a separate blood line to dose you according to what you do in the VR. Do drugs in the program, you’ll do drugs in the real. Jump out of a plane, get a shot of adrenaline. People wanted to get the VR as close to the real as possible.
Echo was that type of person who, for some reason, had too much of reality. Ari scanned the crowd but didn’t see anybody she knew. Joe had seen him come in a couple of hours earlier. And if Echo followed the same pattern that he did for the last few days, then he’d be due out any minute. She ordered a drink at the bar, alcohol and drug free, not that anyone else would need to know that.
A young man with long braids intertwined with a metal of some sort approached Ari. “Already hit the IV or on the wait list?” His accent sounded French.
“I’m actually meeting a friend.”
“A friend or a friend?” He raised his eyebrows while emphasizing the last word.
Remembering who she was supposed to be, she softened her eyes and licked her lips before responding. “The night’s still young, and I’m always up for making new friends.”
“I see. Well if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be in the 8pm game if you want some company or someone who can be more than a friend.” He brushed a light hand across her arm, which she struggled not to hit away.
She knew her role though, and the more other people that bought it, the better. The time ticked on as she flirted and drank at the bar, ignoring the nagging worry that she’d missed her chance. Maybe he went home earlier, and Joe’s hacked surveillance didn’t catch it.
Then motion in the corner of her eye caught her attention. There were two men, no, actual employees carrying someone out. On closer inspection, it was Echo. His dark greasy hair fell into his eyes, but under it all, it was Echo with his tanned skin, full cheeks, and cleft chin. He must have been over six foot and weighed close to three hundred pounds. What happened to him?
She strode towards him, ignoring the looks of others. Her next few steps flew together without much effort. “What happened to him?” She glared at the two men in dark polos shirts, the company name on the pocket.
“He maxed out his card. His time to go.”
“Go?”
“To the curb.” The light skinned one had little sympathy like this was a regular occurrence. “He doesn’t have the credit to dry out in here. We don’t run a free shelter.”
“I’ll take him.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized they were about to hand him over. Nothing she could do with a semi-conscious man of his size. “Can you give him anything to help him wake up?”
“Can you pay?” the man asked.
She blew out a huff of frustration stuck out her arm, offering the HUB on her wrist for payment. “Not too much, just enough so he can walk.”
“Can’t promise anything.” One man scanned her HUB for payment.
The other man moved behind the bar to work up the cocktail. More drugs probably wouldn’t help Echo’s heart, but Ari needed him able to move, yet not too sober that he would be bothered by a strange woman helping him home. Given his history, this would be like any other night. Maybe his condition was a blessing in disguise. Soon the employee returned and administered a shot in Echo’s upper arm. It took seconds and his eyes flashed open bright red.
He lashed out and Ari hurried out of range, barely missing his meaty claw. The employees restrained him, but even then it was a struggle. Not missing an opportune moment, Ari rushed forw
ard.
“Hey, Echo. It’s me. You’re okay, baby. You’re safe. Just another bad trip. I’m gonna get you home and make sure you’re comfortable.”
His red eyes flashed confusion, but that was normal. He was too stoned to know if his own mother sat in front of him, so Ari kept talking to him.
“You’ll be okay in a couple minutes. They had to wake you up. Remember we had plans tonight. Just relax and everything will be okay.”
It took a couple more seconds before the large man came around. “We made plans?”
“Yep. Before we went in. You promised to show me a good time. I’m Jewel, remember.” Ari knew her cover was Maria, but any girl in a joint like this wouldn’t go by her real name. Especially one that worked men for a living. Shoving down her revulsion she continued the act, pressing her body into him. “Let me take you home, baby.”
He nodded and slowly the employees released him. “Take him out of here before he passes out again, okay? The MAT shot we gave him won’t last forever, and I don’t want to carry him out.”
She shot the worker a dirty work. “Will do.” Then, turning back to Echo, she added, “Can you walk?”
Still obviously confused, he nodded. “Yeah, I don’t live far.”
“Okay. Let’s go.” She offered him her arm.
“Are you coming with me?”
With a warm smile, she moved closer and cupped his face with one hand. “Of course, silly. We made plans, remember?”
“Good.” He mumbled and leaned heavily on her arm to get up.
She stumbled slightly in those useless three-inch high-heeled boots. At this point, he wouldn’t notice if she wore heels or combat boots. Wrapping his arm over her shoulder, they maneuvered through the crowded bar. Once outside, Ari was grateful for the gush of cool air. She didn’t realize how much manual labor would be involved with seducing him.
Turning him towards his complex, she weighed the options of taking a car the half block instead of walking. Once in a car, she might never get him out. Walking it had to be.
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