by H. L. Burke
Her eyes narrowed. “Does she know about the lawyer looking into her case?”
“No, I hadn’t told her quite yet.” He cleared his throat.I meant to, after she accepted my proposal, to give us something else to celebrate. “Honestly, I’m surprised the police weren’t investigating my father. He was behind a great number of missing persons cases, unfortunately, my own included.”
O’Hara rubbed her hands together, her chin dropping towards her chest. “There … there actually are some files on the Dalhart disappearances. It’s not an open case, not really, not enough evidence and … let’s just say there was political pressure to let them lie, but the name is familiar to me.”
“Really?” Ellis tilted his head. “Myself, my father, and my father’s staff—two dozen people—disappeared over the course of three years, and the New Taured police department is more interested in tracking down a teenage girl who may or may not have killed a single shop owner. I mean, every life is precious, but the numbers are off.”
“Like I said, political pressure. Your family name carries weight.”
“I’m the only one who still carries the name, though.” A thought sparked in Ellis’s head. Myself and the company … Dalhart and Rivera, Incorporated. Rivera was behind Nyssa’s framing. Of course … But what does he want from her now? Revenge because she didn’t get him what she wanted? Or does he think she did get what he wanted? Blast, I need to find her before he realizes she doesn’t have it. “Look, I have a lot to do, and I’m sure the captain has cleared us to disembark by now.”
“I can help you.” She stepped towards him, her eyes brightening. “Catching Nyssa Glass might save my career, but it wouldn’t advance it. However, if I could solve the Dalhart disappearances, I’d be up for commendation and promotion!”
“Great for you. I’m not sure what’s in it for me, though.”
“The badge opens a lot of doors.”
Ellis eyed her. Zeppelin tickets, dinner at a fine establishment, and the time off to pursue a fugitive her superiors really don’t care if she catches. There’s something else going on here … but keep your friends close and your enemies closer. At least if she’s with me, I know she’s not after Nyss.
He gave a slow nod. “All right. We can work together for now.”
She grinned. “What’s our first move?”
“I’m going to do what any intelligent individual would when confronted by the police: I’m going to talk to my lawyer.”
***
The clanging of an alarm clock woke Nyssa from a restless sleep. She sat up. Her clothes were folded on a chair beside her bed. They hadn’t been there when she’d turned in for the night.
Again, creepy.
She rubbed her eyes, slipped out of bed, and dressed. Whatever Rivera wants from the manor, I can’t just give it to him … but if I’m working with computers, there’s got to be a way for me to get a message out. Send a radio signal, maybe. If not, I’ll just have to wait until Rivera lets his guard down, grab that hat, and escape.
A sharp knock rattled the door. She cleared her throat. “Come in?”
Aito entered, carrying a tray. “Did you sleep well?”
“As well as could be expected under the circumstances.” The smell of bacon and eggs rose from the tray which he placed on a folding table at the end of the bed. “So I’m eating alone. No delightful meal time conversation with Mr. Rivera?”
“I can stay and keep you company, if you’d like.” He smiled.
“No, thank you.” She sat at the end of the bed and took up her fork. Aito left, closing the door behind him.
Nyssa shoveled the food into her mouth. It was good enough, and she knew she’d need her strength, but it was hard to enjoy the meal knowing their plans for the day. Dalhart Manor … She considered slipping the butter knife into her sleeve. No, it’s not sharp enough to do any damage, and if Rivera catches me with it, it’ll just antagonize him.
Aito returned as she swallowed her last bite. Sparks and shocks, was he watching me somehow?
“Mr. Rivera had me pull the car around back. If you’ll follow me.”
They left the room and went down a back stair. The house was deathly quiet, their muffled footsteps on the carpet and Nyssa’s own breath the only sounds.
“Are you the only servant here?” Nyssa asked. She watched, wondering if calling the obviously competent and dignified man a servant would get a reaction. He didn’t flinch.
“Mr. Rivera likes his privacy. He has me keep this house for special guests such as yourself.”
She snorted. “Special meaning ‘unwilling.’” They reached a back hall with an empty coat rack and a wooden door. Beside it, Rivera sat on a bench. He clutched an ebony cane with both hands.
“Good morning, Miss Glass. Are you ready to go?”
“One thing …” It was a risk, but perhaps worth it. “If I’m going to be working with you, I need my tools.”
“Everything you need will be provided.” Rivera frowned.
“Are you mechanically inclined, Mr. Rivera?” She tilted her head. This needs to be convincing. “You must have some skill to be half of Dalhart and Rivera. One doesn’t just stumble into a business selling cutting-edge technology without at least a mild understanding of it.”
He leaned forward. The cane shook slightly, then he tightened his grasp, his knuckles whitening. Nyssa held her breath.
“Your point?”
“My point is, if you have the aptitude, you know that a mechanic’s tools—or an electrician’s or even a locksmith’s—are like an extension of their being. I’ll be of much more use to you if I have my own tools. I know they were with me when I received my ‘invitation’ here.” She eyed Aito.
Rivera followed her gaze.
Aito shifted from one foot to another. “I do have her belongings, sir. I went through them in San Azula. There was some sort of weapon, but I left that behind. Other than that, it was just basic tools, some lockpicks, and small personal items. Nothing that would put us at risk while she’s under our observation. We had planned to give her access to tools anyway, if needed.”
“I had hoped it wouldn’t be. Well, bring out the items and I’ll look them over in the car.”
Aito bowed at the waist and disappeared up the stairs.
Nyssa crossed her arms. “It’s polite for a man to stand when a lady enters the room.”
Rivera gave her a sardonic smile. “When one does, I’ll be sure to do so.”
Her ears warmed. Shock me, why am I trying to poke the tiger? Still, it’s infuriating to let him push me around like this without at least giving him a bit of sass.
The corner of his eye twitched. Nyssa chewed her bottom lip.He’s still hiding something, something he’s not telling me, but what? I’ve got to keep my eyes open around him.
“I’ve got it.” Aito returned carrying Nyssa’s satchel. The worn but polished leather called to her like an old friend. She resisted the urge to snatch it.
Is Ellis’s handheld still inside? Even if it is, it’s not like he’d be close enough to get the signal … Sparks and shocks, I wish I could talk to him.
“Then let’s be off.” Rivera rose, leaning on his cane.
Aito led them into the alley behind the house. A long, black steam car awaited, the obsidian glass windows reflecting the early morning light. Aito opened the door to the back for them then settled into the driver’s seat once they were safely inside. He passed the satchel through the sliding window that separated the front from the back.
Rivera opened the satchel and poked through Nyssa’s belongings. She squirmed.
“Easy. It isn’t as if I’m going through your unmentionables.” He scoffed. “This seems to be mostly tools.”
“For me, those are almost as personal.” She turned her gaze to the window. They pulled out of the alley into a pristine neighborhood of brick townhouses and manicured elms. Clanks and rattles rose from Rivera’s excavation of her bag, but she forced herself not to wince.
“Give me one good reason why I should hand these things to you?” he asked.
“Trust. We’re working together. I’m counting on you to eventually turn over proof of my innocence. Giving me those tools would go a long way towards making me feel less like a prisoner and more like an employee.” She angled herself towards him. “You said this was an opportunity. Let me believe you.” She held out her hand. “Deal?”
His gaze narrowed, then he smiled. “You are quite an impressive young woman.” His hand slipped into hers for a firm shake. “Deal. You can have your tools.”
Nyssa hugged the satchel to her chest for the rest of their drive. Rivera remained silent as the area changed from well-kept houses with swept sidewalks and trimmed trees to a shabbier neighborhood with once fine homes boarded up and out-of-control ivy consuming everything like mold overtaking old bread.
Her heart rate quickened, and cold sweat broke out on the back of her neck.
The mechanical voice of Ellis in computer form rang through her memory, desperate because of what his father had done to him, trapped, confused … She’d called him Hart, short for Dalhart Integrated Home Computer System.
The realization that there was a human being behind that voice rising from the computer had been simultaneously horrible and wonderful. If I hadn’t been able to get him back into his body, what would I have done?
A longing for Ellis, for his voice, for his touch, swelled within her like the ache of starvation, and the world blurred. She held her breath, willing her tears away. No, I’m not doing this. I’m not crying. I’m going to get through this and see him again. I’m going to get through this for him.
They drove along a familiar brick wall then approached an iron gate which swung open before them. Nyssa craned her neck to look through the front window, and her mouth dropped open. It was the same mansion, five stories tall with turrets and balconies, but the gray peeling paint had been replaced with a pristine white coat. The broken windows were gone and the yard sported a trimmed hedge and a healthy green crop of grass.
Whatever they’ve done to the outside of this place, it’s still a whitewashed tomb … I wonder what they did with all the literal skeletons in the closets. I can’t exactly see Rivera giving them a good Christian burial.
The car stopped.
“Do you like the renovations I’ve had done?” Rivera asked.
“It seems a little bold, settling into your deceased partner’s home. I can’t imagine your name is on the deed.”
“It belonged to the estate until recently. The Dalharts are considered missing, not deceased.” Rivera shook his head. “In the meantime, their lawyer has maintained power of attorney over their assets. He didn’t want to sell to me at first, but I managed to convince him. Cost twice what I would’ve liked to pay, but worth it to be able to take the place apart and look for whatever the professor left behind.” His mouth twisted. “At least that was the thought. Dalhart’s madness went deeper than I originally anticipated. Most of his notes are incomplete or indecipherable. I know more exists on the main computer. To get to that, however, I need you.”
Nyssa chewed her bottom lip. I wonder what Ellis would think of his attorney selling off bits and pieces of his inheritance … though I doubt Ellis wanted to come back to this place, anyway.
Aito opened the door for them. Gripping her satchel, Nyssa followed Rivera up the steps to the broad wooden doors. Rivera leaned heavily on his cane.
Aito took the steps two at a time to reach the entry right before his employer. With another bow, he opened the door.
Inside, their footsteps on the marble floors echoed from the high ceiling. The windows had been cleaned, letting in light that sparkled on the chandelier. The space was spotless and empty. Still a tomb.
“What did you do with the bodies?” she asked.
Rivera raised his eyebrows. “Bodies?”
“The people Dalhart experimented on. He left their remains encased inside malfunctioning robots. They aren’t still here, are they?”
“Ah, the prototypes. I had them shipped to my labs and tried to reverse engineer them. Unfortunately, none were viable.”
“You certainly made the place pretty.” Everywhere she looked fresh paint and paneling greeted her. New artwork hung from the walls, and red silk curtains covered the windows.
“Renovations gave me the perfect excuse to tear into walls searching for anything useful Dalhart left behind.” A hint of frustration edged Rivera’s voice.
Nyssa suppressed a smile. Ellis had sworn crashing the computer would destroy his father’s work. Rivera’s irritation suggested he’d been right.
Aito opened a door beneath the stairs and led them into a narrow hall.
At the end of the hall waited metal doors Nyssa recognized as Dalhart’s elevator to his attic workshop. Aito pulled a lever, and the doors snapped open.
Once inside the metal box, Nyssa winced when the doors clanged shut behind her like a beast’s jaws. With a jerk, the elevator rose. Aito stood at the controls, staring straight ahead. Nyssa bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood.
“Easy.” Rivera touched her arm.
Nyssa’s muscles tightened.
“No need to be so tense,” he said. “If you get me what I want, you’ll be free before the end of the day.”
“I don’t even know that I can get you what you want.”
“I’m sure you can be quite convincing with your life on the line.”
The upward motion ceased, and Aito opened the door.
They were in Dalhart’s workshop, but unlike the last time she was there, it was empty. The tables lined with machine parts and tools were gone, replaced with a clean swept floor and a few crates. The metal door to Dalhart’s private office and lab stood open.
“I’ve had my best scientists working to pry the secrets from this computer system for months now. Hopefully you’ll have more luck.” They walked through the office, past Dalhart’s now empty desk and the crates of canned food he’d hoarded while living as a recluse. Ducking through a small door into the lab, they faced a large computer monitor glowing yellow/green. A massive, elaborate control panel rested before this, and a gentle buzz pervaded the room. Nyssa’s heart sank. In spite of Rivera’s assertions, part of her had hoped that Ellis’s crash codes would’ve made them impossible to fix.
“So we found her. I hope this changes your mind about cooperating with us.” Rivera pushed her into the center of the room.
Nyssa stared at Rivera. Who is he talking to?
“Nyss! You’re alive!” A mechanical voice, like deep bells vibrating to create words, rose from the monitor.
Her whole being went cold. She blinked at the screen. That voice … but that’s impossible. I imagined it.
“I thought you were dead!” the voice continued. “Are you all right? They didn’t hurt you?”
She stepped closer and laid her hands flat against the computer screen. “Hart?”
He laughed. “Of course. Who else would it be?”
A tremble cut through her. But you can’t be here … you’re Ellis.
Chapter Eight
Deep breaths. This has to be some sort of trick, Nyssa thought.
“I’m so sorry, Nyss. I didn’t expect them to bring you here. Please, tell me you’re all right.”
She swallowed, but it did little to moisten her dry throat. “I’m fine, Hart. I’m just surprised to see you. I thought …” I thought you came with me in the form of my very human boyfriend. Can’t say that in front of Rivera … even if I knew how Hart would react … oh shock me, does this version of Hart even know that he is Ellis? Or was?
“Yeah, the crash was bad. The last thing I remember is you being attacked by that brute with the electric gloves.”
“Miles, yes.”
“Then something must’ve crashed my system, but I’d kept pretty good back ups.”
“My scientists found his program buried in a series of melted memory wheels.” Rivera stepped fo
rward. “An amazing example of AI … but incredibly uncooperative. He did, however, repeatedly inquire about your well-being.” He glanced back over his shoulder at Nyssa, a sly smile spreading across his smug face. “I’m afraid I wasn’t completely honest with you, Miss Glass. I didn’t bring you here because of any expertise you possess, as impressive as your resume may be. I brought you here because this stubborn computer needs motivation to give me Dalhart’s schematics.”
“I told you, I don’t have the information you want. It isn’t part of my programming.” The light from Hart’s monitor flickered, and his voice deepened. “You should’ve left her out of this.”
“You should’ve given me Professor Dalhart’s research,” Rivera snapped. “You’re his main computer system. It has to be somewhere in your memory.” His shoulders rose and fell in a visible sigh, and he shook his head. “I can’t believe I’ve been reduced to arguing with a collection of faulty circuits.”
“My circuits are fine, thank you,” Hart said. “I believe it’s your moral compass that’s on the fritz.”
In spite of the circumstances, Nyssa chuckled. As Hart or himself, Ellis was always quick with his comebacks.
“Dalhart and his idiotic pet projects … computers with scruples.” Rivera shook his head and turned away. “Like I said earlier, Miss Glass, I’m sure when your life is on the line, you can bring yourself to be quite convincing. Induce this computer to work with me, and you can go free.”
“And if I can’t?” Or won’t.
“Well, then I suppose I’ll have to find ways to motivate you instead of him.” Rivera ducked out the door but then popped his head back in. “If you make any headway, I will be in my sitting room downstairs. Don’t get it into your head to run, though. Aito’s watching.”
Nyssa waited until his footsteps had faded in the distance. She glanced through the doorway. Aito sat in a chair just outside the door to the workshop. He’s got eyes on my only exit, but he’s too far away to hear me and Hart talking … unless they planted some sort of transmitter.