Perception

by Lee Strauss

  There was no way I was going to talk to Jackson about him.

  So, now that I had the chip, what should I do? Would it get me into the Sleiman offices? If Liam had been involved with someone from there, then it might. And if so, what could I hope to find?

  I could go alone, but I had promised to take Noah with me. Plus, I might need his help. He did have that handy black tool bag. And, besides, I wanted to be with him.

  The separation anxiety I felt was growing exponentially. Even a short time away from him was proving painful. I notched the volume up one more level.

  Paul finally had enough and left me for his office at the back of the house.

  I didn’t turn the TV off when I sneaked away to the garage. I buckled in and spoke to the computer panel.

  Nothing. I tried to start it manually. Still nothing.

  Damn. Paul had disengaged it. I exited in a huff. If he thought taking my pod away would keep me from seeing Noah, he was wrong.

  I left our property quietly, keeping close to the hedges as I headed north and then down to the waterfront. I followed the shoreline until I hit a popular foot and cycling path, my fury building with each step. I was angry about all the lies that were the foundation of my life. Angry about the secret experiment that had taken my brother’s life, and the fact that no one was taking responsibility for it.

  Angry that I was a GAP and Noah wasn’t.

  When I arrived at the gates, I walked through without looking up. Once on the outside I found my way to the transit pod and was pleased that I didn’t even feel one bit frightened at the prospect of traveling to Noah’s house alone. I passed my hand through the scan as I hopped on.

  It occurred to me that Paul could shut down my access to finances, but I didn’t think he’d go to those lengths. At least not yet.

  The ride gave me time to calm down. I didn’t want to arrive at Noah’s in a storm of rage. Deep breaths helped me get my equilibrium back, and I ignored all the people who were ignoring me.

  My ring buzzed, and it flashed Paul’s name. I turned it off. Whatever it was Noah and I were going to do, we needed to do it fast. Paul wouldn’t go down without a fight.

  Chapter 23

  I heard Noah’s voice before I knocked, my fist pausing in mid air.

  “I don’t think you should be working anymore. I’ll get more hours at the kitchen. Find a second job. We’ll get by.”

  Saundra’s voice scratched out, “Noah.”

  I peeked in through the screen door. Saundra was reclining in her chair with her eyes closed, and Noah knelt on the floor beside her. His back was to me, so he didn’t see me watching. I was about to clear my throat to let him know I was there, but he started talking again.

  “Ma,” he said. “I know you’ve made up your mind, but please, think about it again.”

  “About what?”

  “There’s still time. We could stop this.”

  “Oh, honey.”

  “I know you think it’s wrong, but scores of embryos are discarded every day. They’re already dead. Nothing you can do will save them. But they could save you.”

  “It’s still wrong. In my heart, I couldn’t live with myself.”

  “I can’t lose you, Ma.” Noah’s voice cracked. “It’s bad enough that Dad’s gone.”

  Saundra stroked his hair, tears brimming her eyes. I felt like such a peeping Tom, observing something so personal.

  “You kids will be okay,” she said. “I trust in God to take care of you.”

  I walked to the end of the porch and sat down, deciding to wait until they were done.

  I didn’t have to wait long. A few moments later, Noah slipped out, shutting the screen door quietly behind him.

  He jumped when he saw me.

  “Zoe?”

  “Surprise.”

  He wiped his eyes, looking self-conscious that he’d been crying. I pretended not to notice.

  “I told you I’d find you soon.”

  After regaining his composure, he sat beside me. Our legs dangled over the edge, thighs touching.

  “I’m surprised that your dad let you out of his sight,” he said.

  “He put in a good effort, but he was no match for me.” I leaned into Noah playfully, hoping to cheer him up.

  He stiffened, his voice serious. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

  I turned to him sharply. “About what? You?”

  He nodded.

  “Yes, I’m sure. Why do you keep questioning me? Are you not sure? We can unravel things, if that’s what you want.”

  He ran his thumb along my jaw, and I quivered. “I don’t want that. Of course not. I’m just worried about you.”

  “I’m fine,” I said gently. “I promise.”

  He leaned in and kissed my nose then my cheek and slowly moved to my jaw line. I shivered and everything in me wanted to keep going.

  But, we couldn’t. Not here, not now. “Slow down, mister,” I said with a giggle as he reached my neck. “We still have work to do.”

  He sighed and took my hand to help me up. “What’s the plan?”

  “I have Liam’s chip. It’s been deactivated, but if we can re-activate it, maybe we can read his files, see who he was connected with.”

  “Let’s see what we can do.” We entered the house and walked quietly past his mother’s sleeping form.

  His virtual monitor and keyboard were lit up on his desk, and I handed him Liam’s chip to scan.

  Noah’s fingers raced along the desk surface. “It shouldn’t take too long to reactivate.”

  I took the time to study his photo wall. “Your dad was a handsome man,” I said, looking back at Noah. “You look a lot like him.”

  “We were alike in many ways. But not all ways.”

  I tilted my head in question. “How were you different?”

  Noah lifted his chin. “I try, and sometimes I really do feel the burning passion, the anger for the cause, but I don’t know if I’ll ever feel it quite like he did. If it’s something I could devote my life to.”

  “Why do you do it then?”

  “My family owns a rustic little cabin on private land tucked along the border of the National Forest. The place where he took us camping. My dad has an old dart board in the back yard that hangs on a tree. It’s the old-fashioned kind with actual darts, nothing virtual. I don’t even know if you can buy that kind anymore.

  “When he first set it up, he attached it to a large piece of plywood before nailing it to the tree. That was for me. I was ten when we played our first game and I never hit the target, always the plywood.”

  Noah tapped his fingers along his leg, and kept talking. “Dad was an expert at darts. He never missed the bull’s-eye. Even though I was terrible at the game, I kept playing it with him. Just because it was something that Dad and I did together. Jonathon and Davis were too young, for this particular game, so it was our time.

  “Dad would tell me stories while we played, about his life, and life in general. He said it didn’t matter if I never hit the bull’s-eye, only that I was trying.

  “The year I turned twelve, I asked him how he knew he was supposed to be a reverend when he grew up.” He caught my eye before continuing, “You know what he said?”

  I shook my head. “What?”

  “He said, ‘The day I hit the bull’s-eye, I knew.’”

  Noah inhaled deeply. “I didn’t get it then, but think I understand now. It’s the effort that shows the way, and if you keep trying, one day the answer will be clear.”

  “Did you ever hit the bull’s-eye?” I asked.

  Noah shook his head sadly. “That was the last summer we went to the cabin. I haven’t played since.”

  The computer chirped announcing that Liam’s chip had been re-activated. A myriad of files lit up the screen.

  Noah gave his chair to me. “I think you should be the one to dig here.”

  I nodded, exchanging seats with Noah, and started tapping away.

 
; “What are you looking for?” he said.

  “I wish I knew. Information on Liam and what he was trying to hide by removing and disabling his chip. Somebody at Sleiman must’ve figured out what he knew.”

  “And you think that’s why he’s dead?”

  “I don’t know. But I don’t have anything else.”

  I clicked through a dozen or more files. “Here’s something. A hundred and fifty thousand dollars moved to his account in one day. Certainly well above our daily allowance.”

  “Where did it come from?”

  “A company called Maverick Industries.”

  “What kind of company is that?”

  I continued to type and search. “I don’t know.” I pointed to the screen. “It’s linked to Sleiman. The address is in the office tower in Sol City.”

  “So someone from this company was financing the experiment. For some reason they didn’t want anyone else to know about it.”

  “But who?” I said. “And why?” I tapped some more then let out a small gasp.

  “What?” Noah said.

  “Grandpa V is listed on the board of directors.”

  “Of Maverick? What does that mean?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing good, I’m sure. We have to try to get into the Maverick’s offices. Maybe there’s something there that will explain it all.”

  “The only problem is I can’t get into Sol City.”

  I waved Liam’s chip. “Yes, you can.”

  A grin took over Noah’s face, and I knew I had impressed him.

  “I suppose it’s worth a try. But say I get though the gates, then what? You actually mean to break and enter into an office in your grandfather’s building?”

  “If that’s what we need to do.”

  Noah shook his head. “You do realize they have security—alarms, cameras...”

  “Isn’t that what your hacker friend is for?

  Noah sucked in a breath through his teeth. “Anthony is pretty good, but he’s not that good. We’re talking Sleiman here.”

  “But couldn’t he just dismantle the cameras in the Maverick offices? He wouldn’t have to do the whole building. I’ll pay him well, make it worth his trouble.”

  Noah tapped his ring and the phone image appeared on his hand. “Anthony? I’ve got another job for you if you’re game.”

  Chapter 24

  We spread out and blended in with the foot traffic returning to Sol City. Saturdays were busier than I would’ve guessed, but people still had reason to come and go. It was mostly SCU students who had developed a curiosity for the outside and had time off from their studies to explore.

  I let Noah go first to make sure there weren’t any problems. If there were, I was going to cause a scene in the hopes that he could escape on foot.

  My heart beat triple-time as Noah reached the scanner. Heat spread through my chest as he opened his fist carefully, hoping the item concealed inside would scan. I held my breath.

  I watched the faces of the guards. Was there a silent alarm? They weren’t reacting. Their bored expressions were unchanged.

  I let myself breathe. He made it.

  As agreed I passed him without looking his way and remained six feet ahead of him until we were well away from the gates. Once out of sight, I ran back to him, jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist.

  I whispered in his ear, “We did it!”

  He laughed as I landed back on the ground. “Where to now, Miss Vanderveen?”

  “Well, since I’m currently without personal transportation, it’s back to the Sol City public pod system. It’s one I’m well acquainted with as Charlotte and I spent half our lives on it.”

  “Who’s Charlotte?”

  “One of my closest friends. She’s on vacation in Mexico, so she’s missed all the drama.”

  “Does she know? About Liam?”

  “Yeah, I called her.”

  I threaded my fingers through his as we continued down a parkway path.

  He glanced at our entwined hands, his tanned fingers firmly grasping my pale ones. “Are you sure this is okay to do here?”

  “Why not?”

  He shrugged. “It might draw attention.”

  I flicked my hair back playfully. “I don’t care what people think. See? You’re rubbing off on me, Brody.”

  We waited at the transit station until the next public pod arrived. Sol City transit didn’t have cash machines, so I scanned my hand twice for both of us when we got on. The pod was half empty and we had our choice of seating. I snuggled close to Noah.

  “How long do you think this will keep working?” He said, pointing to his pocket.

  “Not long. I’m sure my parents will deactivate it soon. The authorities will be monitoring its usage, too, so we need to do this quickly.”

  It was a risk to let Noah do this, but I was ready to take the fall and count on my connections with the Senator to get me out of any jam I might end up in.

  The pod hummed along stopping every few minutes to let people on and off. People stared at Noah, and I stared back, until propriety made them turn away. The pod stopped again, and I took in a quick breath as Isabelle and Serena boarded, both with arms filled with shopping bags. They didn’t spot me until they’d taken the two empty seats directly across from us.

  “Zoe?” Isabelle said.

  I felt like I’d been caught smoking. I slowly pulled my hand away from Noah, and straightened my back.

  Isabelle eyed Noah up and down, her blue eyes bulging, her mouth pulling down in disapproval. I could feel Noah tensing up beside me.

  “Where’s Jackson?” Isabelle asked pointedly.

  Serena elbowed her. “I told you they broke up.”

  “Is it true?” Isabelle sounded amazed.

  I nodded. “Yeah. It just didn’t work out.”

  “Wow, you guys were together forever. If anything I thought this, uh, thing with Liam would’ve made you closer.”

  I glanced at Noah. He stared straight ahead with a tight jaw and pinched lips.

  “I don’t want to talk about Jackson. Okay, Isabelle?”

  Isabelle put a hand to the side of her mouth and leaned forward as if this gesture would keep Noah from hearing. She whispered, “What are you doing? Why are you with him?”

  Isabelle’s eyes darted to Noah. She probably remembered seeing him at my house, when he filled in for Saundra in the past.

  “He’s not deaf, Isabelle, god. This is Noah. Noah, Isabelle and Serena are my friends from school.”

  Noah lifted his chin slightly but didn’t smile.

  Isabelle smirked at Serena. “Does this mean Jackson’s back on the market, then?”

  Serena giggled. I said nothing.

  The pod slowed down. “This is our stop,” I said, nudging Noah. He hopped off when the doors opened, leaving me to say goodbye to my friends on my own.

  I sprinted after him. He was walking at high speed. “Noah, wait.”

  He spun around. “I don’t belong here. Don’t you see? I’ll never belong here.”

  “Then I’ll leave.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “Yes, I will. I’m not like those girls. I’ve changed.”

  “Is that why you were so quick to let go of my hand? I thought you didn’t care what other people thought.”

  “They just caught me off guard. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  He snorted and kept walking.

  “Noah, I’m sorry.” I reached for his hand pulling him to a stop. I searched his dark brooding eyes, looking for a hint of softness. “Forgive me?”

  “Man, Zoe.”

  I squeezed his hand. “Please?”

  His back relaxed, and the corners of his mouth lifted. He pulled me into an embrace, his warm breath caressing my neck. “You know we’re in for a hard road, right?”

  “I know.”

  He gazed up to the ever-changing Sleiman Tower that loomed skyward in front of us. “Let’s do whatever it is we came her
e to do so we can get the hell out again.”

  I felt like I’d just dodged a relationship bullet. “I agree. Have you heard from Anthony?”

  “My ring’s buzzing now.” He checked the message and shook his head, looking amazed. “Anthony says he thinks he’s done it.” He glanced back up at me. “I don’t know, Zoe. It’s risky.”

  “Let’s just try. It’s not a crime to walk through the office tower. Especially for me.”

  The glass revolving doors reminded me of a ride I went on at the Sol City Fair when I was younger. It spit us out into a receiving room that could’ve been an echo chamber, with a ceiling that expanded to the third floor.

  Noah stood in front of the building menu, which listed what companies resided on what floors. “It’s on the thirty-second floor,” he whispered.

  “Now we just need to find out if Liam’s chip works in the elevator.”

  We headed for the elevators in the center of the room. They acted like the spine of the building.

  “Just walk like you own the place,” I said.

  “The moment of truth.” Noah pulled the chip from his front pocket and ran it under the scanner. It beeped and flashed a red light.

  Would the doors open, or would we be denied? My nerves were little bugs biting me. Every breath I took resounded in my chest like an alarm.

  The doors slid open, proving that my brother had authorization to enter the secured office area above. We stepped inside, and I recited the name of the CEO. The elevator began its long trek up. I reached for Noah’s hand and squeezed. Now that we were riding the secure elevators with stolen authorization, we were officially breaking the law. We didn’t dare say anything for fear of our conversation being recorded. It was bad enough that our images were being monitored by the elevator surveillance.

  I still couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in just a few weeks. Normally, on a day like today, I’d be lounging around my pool, not trying to break into a Sleiman Tower office.

  After what seemed like an eternity, the elevator opened on the thirty second floor. I caught a glimpse out the floor to ceiling glass window that was currently facing east and felt woozy.