Traffic moved along and Chase was out of the city in minutes. A few commuters whizzed overhead with flight packs.
“Lunatics—flying around like birds,” he said to no one.
A few hotels and a shopping arena dotted the landscape. Trees rose from the rolling hills to touch the gray sky. Chase pulled into a coffee drive-up and turned on his outside speaker when he came to the order window. His own window he left up—the coffee girl could hear him through the speaker. He didn’t dare show his face.
“Can you tell me if there is a place nearby where old vans are parked? Sort of like a junk yard, I guess.”
“The village,” the girl said with a nod. “About two miles.” She pointed right. “Go past the dairy plant and turn left. You can’t miss it. Can I get you some coffee or something?”
Chase really could use some coffee. But the girl would recognize him, and she’d tell everybody where he was going. And then the press would show up. “No, but thank you for the directions.” He took off and turned right onto the highway.
The place was easy to find. Surely it wasn’t as big a secret as Kerstin let on. Chase parked at the ridge of a shallow valley and looked over rows and rows of vans. Thousands of them, all colors, all obsolete. The rows were neat with wide passageways between them.
Several cars drove between the rows. People walked alone and in groups. Children played. Small GVs lit the interior of some of the vans. Campfires smoldered in front of others. Lines of clothes hung here and there. A dog rambled between several vans and finally jumped into one. This really was a village, a neighborhood. These were people’s homes.
Why were these poor people living like this? Why didn’t the government do something? The changes brought by his show were outrageous—Chase knew that. Not everyone could be so blessed. But everybody deserved a place to raise their kids. Some place better than this.
He cracked his window just enough to let in the smell of barbeque and the sounds of community. Summer’s warm air carried the squeals of children. A mother gave instructions, and three kids settled around a folding table in front of a green van. They bowed their heads. No father was present.
Somewhere else in the village a couple argued, but the fighting quickly turned to laughter.
A GV blared out the news from SynVue. “Fighting today in Damascus was quelled by North Republic forces. The rebels were forced back by cyber soldiers with little effort, and no deaths or injuries were reported. But informants insist a bigger battle may be in store for the United Arab Territory. In other news, the current contestant on Change Your Life, Larin Andrews, seemed at odds to most viewers, and to this anchor. What’s going on over there? We’ll follow up later with an interview with Chase Sterling.”
“Interview?” Chase took out his VPad. This alleged interview must have been planned after he made his afternoon escape. He had a message from Mel, four from Kerstin. And he’d missed eleven calls—he’d turned off the sound.
He looked over the world of archaic vehicles turned into homes, the sight of families living their lives. A boy, maybe ten, jumped from the open side of a van and called out, “Switch, come on boy.”
The same dog Chase had seen running moments earlier barreled from the van and followed alongside the boy. The child’s blond hair came to his shoulders. His T-shirt was too big. He smiled as he scratched the top of the dog’s brown head.
Chase smiled too. “I wonder why he calls him Switch.” His VPad chirped, and he let go of the smile. “Playtime’s over.”
But before he could power up the car, sounds from the village caught his ear. There was a lot of mumbling—a low, unhappy roar. But one voice shouted.
“What’s the matter with Larin? He’s gonna bring the government down on all of us. Today he told the whole world about us, and for what—so Chase Sterling could get interviewed on the news? Let him pluck Larin out of the real world and set him up in a castle. Leave the rest of us alone.”
Chase pushed the button to shut the window. “Loud mouth. I’m just trying to help. I just want to give a few people a new start. Is that such a bad thing?”
8
“Boss, you’ve got to get back here. The queen’s about to blow. Correction, she’s about to blow again. She already went off a couple of times.”
With the VPad secured to the console, Chase could see Melody on the screen. Her look told him this was serious. “I heard about my interview. Are they waiting on me?”
“Dain Alexander is on the interview set. He’s been here about an hour. He’s not too happy.”
“I hate that guy.”
“Kerstin seems to like him.” Mel lowered her voice. “She’s here, too, waiting on the set for you to show up.”
“Tell her I’m on my way. I’m almost to the parking entrance.”
“She’s been yelling about you not staying in touch.”
“Tell her my VPad broke, and I had to take it to the shop down on Pulaski. I just got it working. I went out to my house on the lake, realized my VPad was out, and came all the way back to town for a repair.”
“Is that what happened?”
“Just tell her, Mel.”
He knew by the position of her shoulders that she’d folded her arms across her chest.
“That’s a good sized lie, and I don’t think I can keep it all straight. You better just feed her that bull yourself.”
“Just let her know I’m coming. Can you do that?”
“I’ll tell her. But you better get here fast.”
He clicked off the VPad. “Smart-aleck girl. What happened to respect? What is happening to my life?” He pulled his car into the parking facility under the SynVue studio. “What was that slot number?” His VPad chirped—Mel again.
“Level six, boss. Slot 327.”
“Thanks, Mel.”
“I got you covered. Told the queen you’re on your way up.”
When Chase came down the hallway, he found Dain Alexander and Kerstin deep in conversation on the far side of the interview set. Kerstin looked up and her face went from charming to gray with no in between. She left the reporter’s side and stopped Chase before he came into the room.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to be out of touch?” Her voice was as dark as her expression. “SynVue decided you needed to make a statement about today’s show, to display some of that lovable charisma of yours.” She threw her hands above her head. “And you’re out for a drive. With your VPad turned off.”
“It broke. I had to stop and get it worked on.”
“No one cares, Chase. Now get over there and apologize for making Dain wait.”
Chase walked to Dain. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
The reporter ignored Chase’s outstretched hand. “Let’s get on with this.”
Dain cued his camera guy, took a breath, and struck his best reporter pose.
“We’re coming to you from the Change Your Life studio with my dear friend, Chase Sterling.” He gave Chase a look of deep concern and empathy.
Chase nearly laughed. “Hello, Dain. So good to see you again.”
“Yes, it’s been too long. It’s not often we have something other than glorious news to report from these hallowed grounds. But today people are questioning if your latest subject is worthy of his rewards.”
“Larin had a bad day, that’s all. Medication issues. He’s a wonderful man, a friend. He deserves only the best.”
“And why were you surprised by his living conditions? You were surprised, weren’t you? It seemed that way to me.”
“About the vans outside of town—I didn’t know Larin lived there. My only concern is getting Larin the help he needs. Of course, I do know where he’ll be living when…if the fans vote as I believe they will.” Chase smiled.
“What do you know about that town of old vans?” Dain asked.
Chase hesitated. He’d like to give the world a little honest reporting for a change, but throwing those poor people into a media circus would not help them. “
I don’t know anything about it.” He shifted in his seat. “As you noted, Dain, I was surprised by Larin’s admission that he lives there. I never heard of the place until today. It’s irrelevant. As I just said, Larin won’t be there long if the voters come through.”
“Why do you think Larin was so discourteous, so removed from the process today?”
“I told you he’s on some pretty strong medication. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Have you spoken to him since the show?”
“No. Have you?” Chase really wanted to know.
The reporter gave an empty laugh. “Your producer told me that wasn’t allowed.”
“Whatever my producer says, goes.” Chase glanced in Kerstin’s direction but didn’t make eye contact.
“Will Larin Andrews get a kidney? Will he live to enjoy his life outside that village of vans?”
Chase would not reveal the outcome of the show a week before prize day. He put on his best Change Your Life smile. “Like the rest of the world, Dain, you’ll have to wait to find out.”
The interview ended, and Chase left quickly, not slowing long enough to get Kerstin’s opinion of his performance. She was probably too busy showering Dain with compliments to notice. Mel followed him. They both went into his dressing room, and Chase fell to the sofa and rubbed his face.
“Can I get you some dinner, boss?”
“Coffee, please.”
She walked to the counter against the far wall and placed a mug under the auto-drip.
“Here.” She handed him the cup. “Let me go down to the cafeteria and get you something to eat.”
“Just sit with me, Mel.” He looked at her.
She settled onto the sofa. “Did you go check out those vans?”
“Yes.”
“I saw the expression on your face when Alexander asked about it.”
“And you knew I went there?”
“I knew you didn’t want to tell him about it.”
“It wouldn’t have done anybody any good.”
“You wanted to protect the people there, is that it? You didn’t want to subject them to the media?”
“Right. It’s kind of a…I don’t know, Mel. It’s a world apart from this one. Kind of peaceful, you know?”
She nodded. “I know. It’s a homeless camp, but it is home to those people.”
“You’ve been there?”
“I go there with my…group. We take food and clothes once a month.”
“Your group?”
“Charity stuff, boss. You know.”
“Yeah. I didn’t know you and your friends did that sort of thing.” He leaned forward. “Did you know about Larin?” If she did, she better be ready with an explanation.
“No, boss. Thousands of people live there. I never saw Larin.”
“I believe you.” He patted her knee. “So your group goes out there and gives stuff away? Where do you get the stuff?”
“We buy it. And then we give it away.” She smiled. “Not much different than what you do, except we don’t have advertisers.”
“What happened to those people, Mel? Why don’t they have jobs? It’s not like the old days—everybody has a job.”
“Occupation assignment is a good thing, I guess. Some people make enough money to live a good life. But sometimes people just can’t do the job they get put into. And sometimes the government doesn’t reassign them, and they fall into poverty. They quit filing work reports, and they get kicked out of the system. And then they’re just lost. Nobody can just go get a job—you have to be assigned. And if the system kicks you out, then you don’t get assigned.”
“So all those people out there living in old vans are government throwaways?”
“Most of them. But some were never in the system. They’re dissenters.”
“People brought up to resist the changes made by the Western Republic.”
“Right,” Mel said. “Their parents raised them up in the old ways. They believe they can restore the Constitution.”
“Crazy radicals.” Chase stopped short of calling them criminals. “I’m sorry, Mel. Does your group believe that way?”
“My group doesn’t care about that, only about…”
Chase looked at his desk, at the bobble-head. “About saving souls?” He turned to Mel.
She didn’t say a word.
9
Before the final episode of the current run of Change Your Life, Chase had a private meeting with Larin Andrews. The man apologized for his attitude during the previous episode, but he seemed rehearsed. The one-on-one talk left Chase feeling like a third person was in the room. But things were better, and Chase left the meeting confident they’d have a good finale.
Things were back to normal with Kerstin as well. Dinners at his place, or hers, or an upscale restaurant. He’d stay at her high-rise penthouse, or she’d stay at his courtyard townhouse on the edge of SynVue property. She’d been more agreeable, amiable, the past few days. But the notion that she’d had her own private chat with Larin Andrews gnawed at Chase. Three days before prize day he had his cook fix Kerstin’s favorite pasta, a big salad, and a marbled cheesecake. Dinner was waiting for them when they arrived at the townhouse.
“Chase, darling, this is wonderful. You fixed my favorites.”
“I requested your favorites.”
“Same thing.”
“Not at all,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t even know how to turn on the oven.”
“That’s why SynVue gives us cooks.” She took her place at the table and pulled the clip from her hair.
He sat across from her and lifted a forkful of the creamy pasta. Kirsten, did you meet with Larin during the past week?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that when I met with him he seemed like he already knew what he would say. And what he said sounded like what you might say.”
“What on earth do you mean?”
“You coached him, that’s all. I’m not surprised or offended or anything. I know you coach the contestants. But you don’t usually tell them what to say when they go to a private meeting with me.”
“You’re very astute. I just didn’t want to risk another episode like last week. We couldn’t take a chance that Larin would blow the finale by coming off unappreciative.”
“Of course. He was back to being the eager contestant, and I was satisfied with the meeting. But he said something.”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘This will be the show the whole world remembers.’ What did he mean by that?”
Kerstin nibbled on the salad. “Did you ask him what he meant?”
“I just assumed he was being positive. But later, I felt like he knew something I didn’t.”
“What could he possibly know?”
“I guess it’s the whole thing with the vans. I feel like you’re keeping things from me.”
“Chase, it was nothing. I told you all about it when you asked.”
“I’m asking now. Is there anything else I don’t know about this contestant?”
“He’s just a poor soul who needs us,” she said. “That’s all. Like always.”
****
Two days until prize day. Chase waited in the director’s suite for some lackey to come in and go over the list of prizes with him. A few employees walked past the open double doors. Chase dropped into a desk chair and swiveled. Then a woman came through the doorway. Elaine Jenz. Chase jumped to his feet as she smiled.
“Mr. Sterling, so good to see you.” She took his hand in both of hers. “Thank you for everything. My time at SynVue Estate was wonderful. I am completely better.”
“I had no idea,” Chase said. “I thought you were…”
“Beyond hope? So did I. But Dr. Fiender brought me back.”
“Dr. Fiender? I don’t understand. You know Fiender?”
“Of course I know him. He’s my savior. He did some minor little operation, and I am back to myself. I�
��m going back to work today in the news studio. I heard you were in here, and I just wanted to come by and thank you.” Her smile was warm and grateful.
“Well, you’re welcome, Elaine. Good to have you back.”
She left the room just as the guy with the list came in. Chase excused himself. “I have to make a call,” he said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“But Mr. Sterling, we need to go over this. I’ve got to be back downstairs in five minutes.”
Chase turned around. “Fine. Get on with it then.”
The young man settled at the desk and pushed a few keys on his pad. “I’m sending the list to you now.”
Chase pulled out his VPad and prompted his personal data. The list appeared.
Kidney transplant at Med World. A mansion in the Northwest Territory—Seattle area. An upsized Selfdrive. New occupation assignment after recovery: Professor of Government at Pacific University. “Nice,” Chase said. “Anything else I need to know before I make the announcement?”
“There are more details if you click on the occupation assignment, but I don’t think the audience would be interested. Just stuff Ms. Bennett will go over with Larin after the show.”
“Thank you.” Chase got up to leave. “What’s your name?”
“My name?”
“Yes, your name. What is it?”
“Jesse.”
“Thank you, Jesse.” Chase turned back to the hallway and headed for Kerstin’s suite. He found her yelling at some poor girl who’d brought lunch. He didn’t wait before he started yelling, too. “I want to know why you didn’t tell me I could expect to see Elaine Jenz at work today, completely healed.”
The delivery girl disappeared into the hall, and Chase slammed the door.
“Chase, darling, calm down.”
“And I want to know why Dr. Fiender is fixing contestants behind my back.”
Kerstin folded her hands on top of her desk. Her shoe tapped the tile floor. “Have you spoken to Robert?”
Wake the Dead Page 4