Perfection

by Larissa Emerald

  “Now I have two problems.” A-Isaac paused, seemingly for emphasis. “A child who shouldn’t have died, and an illegal coupling.”

  Kindra’s eyes widened. “Sir, with all due respect, we were fully clothed. We weren’t coupling and never have.”

  “I wouldn’t sleep with a GEI, ever,” York added, sounding disgusted.

  Kindra stared at him, somehow feeling insulted, outraged, and betrayed. Irrational, she knew. She swallowed a lump in her throat. What had she expected? She’d been born GEI, and Coders didn’t like her kind, feeling Gen-Fairs were privileged. But she’d had no more choice in her creation than he’d had.

  She swung her attention back to A-Isaac. “The fact is, York…ah, Lieutenant Richmond and I fell asleep when we were examining details related to the case.” She paused. What exactly had they examined?

  “The child experienced some sort of spiritual hang-up,” York chimed in. He glanced at Kindra. “Thus, the visit to the unity room. Quite enlightening, I have to admit.”

  York’s concession seemed to be genuine. Even so, she shot him a shut-up-I-don’t-need-your-help look.

  A-Isaac shook his head, unconvinced. “B-Watson informed me something was going on.”

  “Harry B-Watson?” But how? She’d sent him away earlier. Had he been accessing video through Nine again? She knew he liked spying on people. And now he was bucking for a promotion from minor dweeb to major pain in the ass. It certainly explained Director A-Isaac’s untimely entrance.

  “He didn’t mention a spiritual problem,” A-Isaac added.

  “That’s because I’m the genetic scientist the police brought in. It’s my report to make.”

  “And that report would be?”

  Kindra began to explain, only to have York speak at the same time, like vehicles hitting a major intersection and both pausing for the right of way.

  “Kindra.” Director A-Isaac nodded for her to take the lead.

  “I should go,” York said, sounding impatient. “I have work to do.”

  He wasn’t used to being challenged. A dominant male, she thought, which reminded her how much his world differed from hers.

  “No. I want to hear from you as well, Lieutenant,” A-Isaac said.

  “My superior gets my initial report,” York said. He stood taller.

  A-Isaac’s glare switched from York to Kindra. “Let’s have it, then.”

  While Kindra relayed what she knew, York paced as if on a tethered line. Occasionally, he paused in his pacing and she could swear she felt his stare cheering her on, bolstering her, urging her to stay strong. As difficult as it was for her to do her job well when she didn’t like or respect her boss, she would never consider relinquishing her principles to make for a less bumpy road.

  Finished with her unemotional summary, she waited for the onslaught.

  “A virus?” A-Isaac questioned in disbelief. “How can that be?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Approximate something. It’s what we pay you for.”

  York moved alongside her. With the sunlight coming in behind them, his huge frame cast a shadow that reached A-Isaac. “When the world finds out about this, all hell will break loose.”

  Kindra hadn’t ventured to think on such a grand scale, focusing her concerns instead on the one little girl and the children linked to her. But York was right. And A-Isaac would be most worried about word getting out. It would reflect badly on Seville. The Committee would be up in arms, and people would panic.

  Children would die.

  York looked at A-Isaac. “Could it have been planted? Basic genetic knowledge is like yesterday’s Web computational technology. It would merely take the right person with the right motivation. If they hacked into the code, they could figure out how to royally screw things up.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, frustrated by the way ideas were moving beyond her realm of understanding.

  York’s penetrating gaze stayed on Kindra. “Someone could have happened upon it or, worse, intentionally created this monster. You never saw anything like this coming?” He shook his head. “We need to go back to square one, to B-Gastion’s home, and find a connection.”

  Kindra winced at his commanding tone. At the same time, she was impressed by his analytical skills. Did a law officer’s mind always work the negative, worst-case scenario? Did he really think another human being capable of such a villainous act? These were children. Children, for God’s sake. Wasn’t society beyond such hostile intentions? Sadly, she knew it wasn’t. Crime happened every day, and the media seemed to enjoy capturing it. Just like they would tell the world about Isabelle’s death.

  “No.” A-Isaac placed his hands on his hips. “We should wait. The girl may be the victim of a freak accident. There is no sense of creating a panic.”

  “And allow another child to be infected?” York’s voice rose. He scrubbed a palm over his face. “We’re missing something here.” He drew out his flex computer and flipped through notes, paused. “The health app on Isabelle’s robotic nanny had not been activated. GEI feel there isn’t a need for that. We should let people know that if they have the health app, they should activate it. Wouldn’t the app give early information if their child is ill?”

  “Yes. Yes it would.” She couldn’t believe she’d overlooked that point.

  A-Isaac shook his head. “We will say nothing about that yet.”

  York fisted his hands.

  She studied his grim expression. Dread constricted her chest. She thrust her palms out as if bracing against the air, fingers stretching. “Wait a minute. There’s no evidence this was deliberate. I don’t even know the origin of the virus yet. I need to do further studies. Then I’ll be able to prepare and develop a cure if warranted.”

  “Fine,” A-Isaac said. “You have seventy-two hours before you need to present your findings to the Committee.”

  Kindra nodded as she glanced sideways and found York’s dark brown eyes. Something about the way A-Isaac responded to the potentially catastrophic news made her think he expected her to fail. Which was absurd, really. Her work record was near impeccable. Still, his doubt hurt. It didn’t matter—not A-Isaac, not Seville, not the Committee. She had a far more powerful reason to succeed: Her daughter and D Generation needed her.

  Chapter Six

  Amanda slid onto the red acrylic barstool and accepted the cup of coffee Vi offered.

  “Thank you. I’m so glad you were home. I was in the area and took a chance.”

  “I’m on second shift today, so I’m going to work later.”

  “I can’t stay long. It’s just been quite some time since the two of us have gotten together.” Amanda’s eyes roamed the room. “You’ve redecorated.”

  “Yes. I use a furniture trade-in program. It keeps the look fresh.”

  “I’ll have to give that a try.” She sighed, then took a sip of her coffee. “You know, I think of you as the daughter I never had.”

  “I appreciate that,” Vi said. “Since my parents are gone, it’s nice to feel like I have someone. York is like family to me.”

  “I’m so disappointed you and Cal split up.” She leaned back in her seat, thoughtful. It seemed as though it had been a good two years when Vi and Cal were together. “Ah, that’s why I haven’t seen much of you lately… It must be awkward with me being your ex-boyfriend’s mother and all.”

  Vi topped off her mug and added cream. “It is a little strange.”

  With a wave of her hand, she shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I care about you regardless.” She smiled. “So, how angry was York about my protest? Do you think it’s safe to call him yet?”

  Vi chuckled. “He’s threatening to place an ad for new relatives.”

  “He’ll get over it. He always does,” Amanda said. “I think he’s finally letting Cal off the hook. I guess brothers shouldn’t push each other toward women. But Cal thought what York needed after Danny died and Madison divorced him was another woman.” She leaned forwar
d. “You don’t think York is interested in the B-Zaika gal, do you?”

  “Nah.” Vi shook her head.

  “Good. I was worried. I saw the way he looked at her on the news reports. Like he wants to protect her or something.” She sighed and rushed on to the reason for her visit. “I’ve watched all the news stories on the B-Gastion case.” She tsked. “So sad. And unprecedented. Would you say it has something to do with GEI engineering gone wrong?”

  A scowl wrinkled Vi’s pretty features. “I’m not going there, Amanda. It’s an active case, and York will replace me with a robot if I whisper even a word about what we know.”

  “Oh, pooh. He hates robots.”

  “Exactly.”

  “So you know something?”

  Vi shrugged. “Not much more than what’s been on the news. Little Isabelle died in her bedroom. York had to meet with that geneticist from Seville.”

  Yes, she knew that already. “I’m sure he loved doing that,” Amanda said, looking over the rim of her cup as she drank.

  “Yeah. Right.”

  “Have you heard from him today?”

  “Not yet.” Vi’s lips tugged to the side as if thinking. “Would you like more coffee?”

  Vi’s home computer announced, “There is a call from York Richmond.”

  “Accept,” Vi instructed, looking across the counter at Amanda as the woman pulled herself straighter in her seat.

  “Hi, York,” Vi said. “What’s up?”

  “I’m heading home from Seville now. Thought I’d stop by your place and fill you in.”

  “Sure. See you in a few.” The speaker went silent. Her eyes met Amanda’s. The older woman seemed to be contemplating the same thing she was. Any minute, the mom was going to come face-to-face with her son.

  “He’s only now on his way home?” Amanda asked, covering up her sudden frustration at the change of plans.

  “Must have been a long night,” Vi said.

  “Hmm.” She took another sip of coffee, her curiosity piqued. “Must’ve.”

  * * *

  York drew a deep breath, feeling both content and dissatisfied. He checked the clock on the dash. Eleven thirty. Almost committed to the intersection, he said to the autopilot computer in his air-car, “Take a right. I’m going to Vi’s.”

  The air-car made a sharp turn. “It would be prudent if you gave me more notice next time,” the female voice purred from the dash speaker.

  “Do I detect sarcasm?”

  “I merely stated a fact.”

  “Of course, but you mastered the tone perfectly.”

  “Thank you.”

  He pictured the computer as pleased if that were possible. Technology amazed him. Computers seemed so real, it was no wonder some people relied on them as friends.

  The vehicle pulled to the curb and stopped. York stepped out. This part of the city was modern and sleek. Old buildings had been torn down and rebuilt. The stringent odor of steam coming from the tailpipe assailed him in a way it hadn’t yesterday, replacing the scent of Kindra. He was disappointed that the fragrance of flowers was gone.

  He shook his head as he strode into the building.

  Vi’s in-home computer must have informed her he was coming up because the door opened before he could knock. “Good morning,” she said from the other side of the threshold.

  “Yeah right.” He entered, marched straight for the refrigerator, and opened it.

  “That bad, huh?”

  He grabbed a slice of pizza from the box in the fridge. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

  Vi scrunched up her nose. “You’re the only person I know who eats pizza no matter what time it is.”

  He stood at the counter and ate. “Isabelle died of a virus.”

  Vi frowned. “What? No. How could that be?”

  “Can you think of anyone who’d hate B-Gastion enough to do this? So far, I have everyone at Seville on my list.”

  “Everyone?” Vi asked. “Even Dr. B-Zaika?”

  There was a long pause. “Maybe.”

  Vi collected a pair of dirty mugs from the counter. “A third of the Coders out there hate him.”

  “True.” He finished the final bite of pizza, then licked his fingers, contemplated snagging another piece.

  She made a disgusted face.

  Shit, it wasn’t like germs were going to do anything to him. He glanced around, considering who could have used the second mug. Was Vi seeing someone she hadn’t told him about? His mother strolled from the bathroom.

  He narrowed his eyes at his mother, tensing. “What’s she doing here?”

  Amanda answered before his partner could. “I dropped by to visit Vi.”

  “For…?” He doubted his mother’s timing was a coincidence. She always had an agenda when it came to anything GEI related.

  “I don’t need a reason.”

  “No. But you have one, I’m sure. What’s going on?”

  Vi folded her arms. “She misses me.”

  “Yeah. And what else?”

  Silence filled the room as they stared at one another. “Oh, all right,” his mom snapped. “I wanted to know about the little girl. It’s so sad. And it is not right that children are the ones who suffer for the grand aspirations of the Committee. I can’t help but want to fight them. And you should, too!” Her scathing gaze bit into York.

  “Mom, I’m tired of bailing you out of trouble. One of these days, I won’t be able to. Wasn’t the last incident, wasn’t landing in jail, enough to satisfy you for a while?” He sighed. “It’s dangerous.” He paused, then straightened. “But since we’re on the subject, do you think anyone in the movement would harm a child to get at B-Gastion?”

  She shook her head vehemently. “No. No one.”

  As if she didn’t like the direction the conversation had taken, she headed for the door. “And my well-being doesn’t matter. Someone has to stand up for those children.” She glanced at Vi. “Thank you for the coffee, dear. Let’s do this again soon.” She scooted out the door and closed it behind her.

  Vi shrugged as he shook his head at his mother’s abrupt departure. Amanda could be a whirlwind. “You know how she is.”

  Yes, he did. “I stopped by to see if you wanted to go to the precinct early. Maybe Avery has info we’re not privy to yet. According to Kindra, Isabelle died of an unknown virus that attacks the brain.”

  “The poor kid.”

  “I know. Do you want a ride?”

  “Sure. Let me get my jacket.”

  York shoved his hands into his pockets while Vi dipped into the bedroom. On the desk, he glimpsed a couple of pictures of Vi and Cal on a Caribbean cruise the year before. They had made a good couple, he had to admit, even though he had his own issues with his brother.

  Maybe it was because Cal was too much like their mother. Maybe it was because he didn’t think his brother would be there for Vi if she ever really needed him—and he’d been right on that score. Maybe it was that Vi had already lost one battle because of all this genetic crap. His mom didn’t need to drag her into another.

  * * *

  York and Vi threaded their way through the maze of individual work stations at the precinct. At the end of a long hall, their captain’s door stood open, so York rapped a knuckle on the doorjamb. “Captain, I’ve got bad news.”

  Captain Mike Avery reduced the hologram he’d been studying, then tilted back in his chair. “Enter.” He nodded in greeting, rubbed above one blond eyebrow as if his head pained him, and exhaled sharply. “Let’s have it. What did you find out at the morgue?”

  Vi went in first, and York followed, closing the door behind him. “Finn’s report is incomplete. Hit some red tape. But Kindra got the samples she needed and it turns out we’re dealing with a virus that she thinks might be unique to D Generation.”

  Vi grabbed a chair near the desk. He stopped opposite his captain, took out his spot computer and checked for any updates from the precinct computer.

  Avery gave him a
resigned smile. “But you managed to get around that, I suppose.”

  York nodded sharply and rolled a shoulder, contemplating if it was a good thing his boss knew him so well. Some people thought Avery was a GEI wannabe. With his blond hair and handsome looks, he could pass for one. Except for the eyes—the shape wasn’t perfect. But York knew Avery wasn’t like that. The man had the intelligence to rise far beyond police captain, yet he hadn’t made the move. He’d mumbled something about principles once when York pressed him at a precinct dinner. York could respect that.

  “The girl died of a virus. It attacks the brain of D Generations.”

  Avery leaned forward, his palms flat on the desk. “That’s not supposed to happen.”

  “I know,” Vi said. “That’s everyone’s reaction.”

  “Shit.” Avery raked a hand through his hair. “Anything unusual at the scene?” He waved a hand in front of a control panel and a small 3D hologram of Isabelle’s bedroom materialized next to a set of bookshelves.

  “Nothing that we noted at the time.” York took a step closer to the image, staring at the girl’s tiny body. Wasn’t her father supposed to keep her safe, not put her in harm’s way? The question ricocheted in his mind. It could just as easily have applied to Danny.

  “But we weren’t looking for a virus,” Vi said.

  Avery stood to examine the hologram along with York. “We need to find out how the child contracted this. Fast.”

  “I’m already on that. All we know so far is that the mother mentioned Isabelle was having difficulty making her spiritual connection.” York frowned, thinking about Kindra and the unity room. “The geneticist from Seville thinks it might be a symptom. I’m not sure if it’s significant, but my gut says the virus wasn’t random. I suspect Isabelle was singled out to get at her father.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Vi disagreed. “What if she simply contracted the virus after it mutated somehow? Nothing criminal at all.”

  “An accidental occurrence? I don’t buy it.” Avery let loose a derisive snort while raising a brow at York. “You believe in chance?”

  “Not at all.” York was too cynical for that.