Harriet Walsh 01: Peace Force

by Simon Haynes

  Oh, so now he turned to the Peace Force for help.

  Thud … thud … thud!

  The ground shook, and Harriet frowned. It was a familiar sound, but she couldn't place it.

  Thud.

  Beakers on the nearby desk rattled, and a stand fell over, breaking a row of test tubes. Canitt jumped, almost dropping his syringe.

  Thud. Thud. Thud.

  Harriet felt a surge of joy as she finally recognised the sound. Before she could turn to Alice to explain, there was a screech of tortured metal and the lift doors peeled back like banana skins. Bernie stepped through the wreckage with three guards hanging off her, doing their best to stop the massive robot. She ignored them, and stopped to scan the area. Her eye plate gleamed red as she turned her head this way and that, and then she spotted Harriet and Alice. Immediately she set off again, marching straight towards the airlock doors. The guards scattered just before she hit, ducking for cover as the doors shattered into a million pieces. Bernie kept going, walking straight through the second set of doors as though they weren't there.

  Canitt, meanwhile, had dropped the syringe, and was standing there, frozen stiff at the sight of the huge Peace Force robot. Finally, he found his voice.

  "What the hell is that?" he whispered, his voice cracking with fear.

  "Oh, that's Bernie," said Harriet, and, weak with relief, she started to laugh. "That's who I work for!"

  Chapter 25

  Canitt put his hands to his head, completely beside himself. "My formula!" he shrieked. "That bloody monster is after my formula!" Without warning, he pointed his gun and opened fire.

  "No! Stop!" shouted Harriet desperately.

  She needn't have worried. The shots had no more effect on the robot than the glass doors had, bouncing off her metal skin before peppering the walls and floor. The guards were only just recovering from Bernie's entrance, and they flattened themselves on the floor, hands over their heads, as the wild shots sailed past.

  "Go Bernie!" shouted Alice. "Now that's what I call a rescue!"

  "Shut up," hissed Harriet. "Do you want that maniac shooting at us?"

  Alice's eyes widened, and she stopped goading him.

  Meanwhile, Bernie kept advancing and Canitt retreated before her, still firing wildly.

  "Listen," said Harriet desperately. "Bernie's batteries won't last five minutes. If we're getting out of here, we've got to do it ourselves." So saying, she jerked her body until she'd turned her chair around. "Can you get to the bonds?"

  "Got it," said Alice, and moments later Harriet felt the rubber tubing fall away.

  There was no time to waste getting circulation back into her hands. Instead, her fingers numb, she picked up the chair and swung it at the glass wall enclosing them with all her might. Thankfully, the glass shattered, and she jumped back as fragments rained down. Then she dived for the desk where Canitt had left her training gun. She picked it up, swung it round and pointed it right at his chest.

  "In the name of the Peace Force, freeze!" she yelled.

  Canitt began to turn, his blaster clutched in both hands, the end glowing from all the shots he'd fired.

  "Don't do it," said Harriet calmly.

  "You can't shoot me with that thing. It doesn't work!" Despite the words he froze, his gun not quite pointing at her.

  Harriet cursed her stupidity. Why had she told him the damn thing was a useless training weapon? Then she saw Bernie give a curt nod, and a split second later the gun beeped in her hands.

  Canitt heard it too, because he reacted by bringing his gun round to bear on her. His eyes were narrowed, and she knew he was going to kill her.

  Harriet fired three times, one shot either side of his head, and the other between his knees. Shocked, Canitt dropped his weapon and raised his hands so fast they almost blurred. Harriet realised it was over, and she allowed herself a couple of deep breaths. Then she grinned at Bernie. "Thanks."

  "Nice work, Trainee Walsh," said the robot gravely. "Excellent shooting."

  "Can we book him now?"

  "What do you mean, book me?" demanded Canitt.

  "This is Bernie, of the Dismolle Peace Force." Harriet rubbed her wrists. "If you thought you had me on the spot, just wait until she starts interrogating you."

  "Are you saying … do you mean you're really Peace Force?"

  "Wow, for a smart guy you're kind of slow on the uptake."

  Bernie had been listening in silence, but now she joined in. "Mr Canitt, when Officer Walsh showed you her badge, it should have been obvious she was genuine."

  "What badge?" said Canitt. "She didn't show me anything!"

  Bernie turned to Harriet. "Is this true?"

  "I didn't have a chance, Bernie."

  "Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear."

  "He stepped out of the lift, held a gun on me and told me to put my hands up!"

  "I thought she was an industrial spy!" protested Canitt. "They're always trying to get their grimy little fingers on—"

  "You should get that paranoia looked at," snapped Harriet.

  "I was only protecting my business."

  "Protecting! You were—"

  Bernie raised a hand for silence.

  "You were going to kill us," growled Harriet, ignoring her.

  "I wasn't, I swear!"

  "What about the needle?" Harriet scooped up the syringe and held it out. "This'll put you to sleep, you said. I'll get more for younger organs, you said. You told me you were going to kill Alice. She's only fifteen!"

  "It's just s-saline," said Canitt, speaking so fast in his eagerness to explain that the words tumbled over themselves. "It's h-harmless, I swear. And the organ thing, I was trying to scare you! And I only threatened you, not the girl. And—"

  "Everyone shut up!" said Bernie, in a tone that brooked no argument. "There appears to have been a series of misunderstandings, and I must think on the correct course of action."

  "Bernie, can you analyse this?" said Harriet quickly. "It will prove I'm right."

  The robot hesitated, and for a moment Harriet thought she was going to say no. Instead, Bernie opened her mouth. "Please deposit a sample."

  Harriet did so, and Bernie ran a tongue around her mouth and smacked her lips. "Saline," she confirmed.

  "It can't be!" protested Harriet. "He—"

  "You see?" said Canitt eagerly. "I told you!"

  "That whole business with the needle was a bluff?" Harriet frowned. Take away his threat to kill her, and what was left? "You fired at Bernie."

  "Who wouldn't? She destroyed the lift, smashed the doors … I was just trying to defend my people."

  Defend himself, more like, but Harriet realised he had a point. "Okay, we'll sort this out at the station. Turn round and give me your hands."

  Bernie coughed discretely.

  "What is it?"

  "Mr Canitt is facing charges of fraud and tax evasion. Technically, we do not handle those areas."

  Harriet stared at her. "Are you saying, after all this, I can't even arrest him?"

  "We can issue a summons," said the robot helpfully. "He must respond within thirty days."

  Harriet rounded on Canitt. "I may not be dragging you off to the cells, but I'll tell you now, the Dismolle Peace Force is going to be watching you very closely. One wrong move and you're toast."

  "But … what about the damage? What about my lift? My doors?"

  "Oh, they're already toast," said Harriet. "And maybe you should consider yourself lucky you're not up on attempted murder."

  Canitt opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again.

  "Come on Bernie," said Harriet. "Let's get Alice back to the station."

  Canitt beckoned to the guards, who approached cautiously, their boots scrunching on broken glass. "Escort them to the surface, and make sure they leave the premises."

  "Yes sir," said the original guard, Charlie.

  Canitt nodded briefly, and as they all walked to the exit together he fell into step beside Harriet. The h
ard, angry expression was gone, and he even looked a little apologetic. "I know it's too late now, but the formula … it's my life. I have to be vigilant."

  "I got that."

  "I—I'm sorry I overreacted."

  "Yeah, well, I'm sorry about the damage." Harriet glanced around the lab. "If you'd just let me take Alice away —"

  "If you'd only called me to explain." Canitt eyed the damage. "Oh well, think of this lot as my penance." He held the door open for them all, and then went ahead, taking the steps two at a time.

  The rest of them took the stairs much more slowly. Alice could barely put any weight on her ankle, and Bernie struggled to lift her feet high enough to clear each step. Harriet was only glad she was carrying all the riot gear, although if the robot ran out of batteries halfway up she had no idea what they'd do. Back Steve up to the entrance and buy a long extension lead, probably.

  Meanwhile, the three guards brought up the rear, giving Bernie plenty of room.

  Finally, they made it to the lobby, where the receptionist watched the procession with his jaw hanging open. They made it to the front doors, where Charlie gave Harriet an apologetic smile. "Sorry about how that went down. I had an uncle in the Force … you're good people, really."

  "Maybe you should sign up."

  The guard shrugged. "They closed up shop."

  "Well, we're back now. Give us a chance to get things organised, then … maybe you can give us a call?"

  "I'll think about it," said the guard with a smile. "By the way, is this really sector nine-Alpha?"

  Harriet shook her head. "Made it up on the spot."

  "It sounded cool, though. I might keep using it."

  "Be my guest."

  They were just about to leave when Canitt came hurrying up with a small cooler box tucked under one arm. "I just wanted to apologise again," he said. "I really thought it might have worked out, you getting a job here."

  Harriet gave him a curt nod.

  "Look, no hard feelings, okay?" Canitt held out the box. "Free samples. Think of it as a peace offering."

  "Er, thanks, but—"

  "Look, I know what you think, but this is top shelf. It's our most exclusive steak, I swear. Five star restaurants, first class passengers … you'll love it."

  "I'll eat it if you don't," said Alice.

  Harriet thanked him and took the box.

  "Trainee Walsh, there are strict laws against accepting gifts in the line of duty," said Bernie severely.

  "He didn't know I was on duty, though."

  "This is true," admitted the robot. "But perhaps we should leave before you break any more rules."

  With that, she motioned them all outside, herding them through the doors like a nanny.

  "Sorry again!" called Canitt, just before the doors closed. "And … enjoy!"

  Bernie was struggling by the time they reached the car park, her batteries all but dead. Steve arrived with his customary flourish, and Bernie climbed in the back and settled herself. Then she plugged herself in, and sighed with pleasure as the charge began to flow.

  Meanwhile, Harriet and Alice got in the front. Harriet waited until Alice had her belt on, then addressed the car. "Steve … back to the station, please."

  "Confirmed."

  As Alice put her hands in her lap, she winced.

  "We'll drop Bernie off," said Harriet. "Then I'll run you to the hospital for your ankle."

  "And for my wrist," said Alice.

  "Why, what did you do to that?"

  "Wrenched it when I was throwing stuff."

  "Give it here." Harriet felt Alice's wrist, and shook her head. "It's a bit swollen. Does it hurt a lot?"

  "Only when you … ow!" Alice pulled her hand away, frowning. "Yeah, it hurts."

  "Could be a bad sprain," said Harriet in concern. "Okay, well they can scan both of them when we get to the clinic."

  "I can't. I don't have any cover."

  "The Peace Force will foot the bill. Right, Bernie?"

  Bernie was happy charging, and merely waved her hand in assent.

  Alice held up the cooler box, wincing as her wrist took the weight. "What should I do with this?" she asked Harriet.

  "Chuck it in the back. I'll get rid of it later."

  "I can't. It's joined to my arm."

  "I meant the box, you idiot."

  "Is the fake meat stuff really that disgusting?"

  "It is to me."

  Alice got her fingers under the catch. "Can I have a smell?"

  "Open that lid and I'll throw up all over you," promised Harriet.

  Alice pulled a face, and twisted in her seat to give the cooler box to Bernie.

  "Steve," said Harriet. "After the station, I need to you run me to the hospital."

  "I know, I heard you. I'm not one of those brainless cabs, you know." As they motored along, he sniffed theatrically. "My, is that the ocean breeze I can smell?"

  Chapter 26

  After dropping Bernie off, Steve drove them to the hospital. They drew up out front, where Alice gave Harriet a calculating look. "I hear chocolate is a good painkiller," she said hopefully.

  "Yeah, well I'll buy you some—"

  "Thanks!"

  "—if the doctor agrees."

  Alice pulled a face, and got out gingerly. They went to the counter, where a nurse got Alice into a wheelchair, tutting over her home-made bandages. After getting them to fill out several forms, the nurse wheeled Alice away for treatment. Harriet found a coffee machine and treated herself, although once she tasted the stuff she realised 'treated' wasn't the correct word. 'Dosed herself' was more like it, or even 'poisoned herself'.

  She got rid of the cup and took a seat, making herself comfortable. She was used to sitting around in hospitals, and seconds later, or so it seemed, she heard a cough.

  "Are you Harriet Walsh?"

  She opened her eyes and realised she must have dozed off. She had no idea how long she'd been out, but her mouth was furry and she had to blink to focus her eyes. Then she saw a doctor standing in front of her. "Um, yes, that's me."

  "They didn't tell me you were Peace Force." He hesitated, his face serious. "I'm sorry, but I have some really bad news.

  Harriet felt the blood drain from her face. "What … what are you talking about? She only had a sprained ankle!"

  "Ankle?" The doctor gave her a strange look. "She … she passed away, as I'm sure you know."

  Harriet could only stare at him.

  Suddenly his expression cleared. "Oh, I am so sorry. The young lady you brought in … you thought …" hastily he continued. "Alice is fine, it's just a hairline fracture. However … there's another matter we have to discuss."

  "About what?"

  "About your aunt. We sent you a letter, but you didn't respond."

  "That happens a lot around my way." Harriet looked up at him. "What about my aunt?"

  The doctor gestured to a door. "Perhaps we could talk in private?"

  Once they were both seated, he took out a pen, fiddled with his commset and generally acted like someone who was unable to broach a difficult subject. Harriet wondered how bad the news had to be, if a doctor couldn't bring himself to break it. "Why don't you tell me what the letter said?"

  He gave her a grateful smile. "It's not easy. The lawyers will be all over this, and if I say the wrong thing …"

  "You haven't said anything at all, yet."

  "Very well." The doctor took a deep breath. "This may be distressing to hear, but we performed an autopsy on your aunt after she passed."

  It would hardly be before, thought Harriet, before mentally kicking herself in the shin.

  "Her doctor was concerned with the speed at which she faded."

  "They told me she'd just given up, by the end," said Harriet. "Are you telling me it was something else?"

  "There were … anomalies. We … they found traces of drugs that shouldn't have been there."

  "How? I mean, how did they get there?"

  "Every patient h
as a computerised care program, Ms Walsh. Their medication, the doses … everything is controlled, and subject to the most rigorous checks."

  "And yet …" prompted Harriet.

  "Someone tampered with your Aunt's … variables. The computer appears to have given her incorrect drugs, several wrong doses … and the oversight procedures were … circumvented."

  Harriet realised what he was trying to say. "Are you telling me someone killed my aunt?" she whispered. "Are you saying Auntie was … was murdered?"

  "It may have been a software issue," said the doctor quickly. "But the increases in her dosage, the timing … it all seems too precise to be explained by random error. Security tells me there was a network breach at the same time. Someone outside this building gained access to the mainframe."

  Harriet stared into space, her mind racing. Then she got up.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Just an errand. Look after Alice, won't you?" Harriet gave him a look. "Don't plug her into any of your computers."

  "Yes, of course. And … Ms Walsh, may I just say —"

  Harriet waved him to silence. "There's nothing you could have done, I'm certain of it."

  "But —"

  "Look, if someone wanted my Aunt dead, they could have walked in and stabbed her. Right?"

  The doctor winced at her brutal tone.

  "Leave it to me," said Harriet. "I'm going back to the station to open an investigation. I'll get to the bottom of this, and I promise the hospital won't come out of it badly. Unless," she said quietly, after a pause. "Unless I find out someone here was involved. If they were, I'll destroy the place."

  Outside, she got into the cruiser.

  "Are you upset, Harriet?" asked Steve.

  Harriet knew her face was pale, her expression one of deadly purpose. "I'm not happy, no."

  "Back to the station?"

  "Yes. And Steve?"

  "Yes, Harriet?"

  "Use everything you have. Sirens, lights, after-burners, the lot."

  "I can only do that in an emergency situation."

  "It's murder. Is that enough of an emergency for you?"

  "Not a good time to ask about the beach, then?" Without waiting for a reply, the powerful cruiser shot across the car park and joined the main highway. They raced towards the city at top speed, with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Other traffic got out of the way immediately, giving them an arrow-straight run.