Investigating Deceit

by Michael Anderle

  She eyed him like he had just missed the simplest of questions. “To the Shadow Zone.”

  “Oh.” Erik dropped his feet. “It turned out all right, and it’s not like I was by myself. I was there with the colonel and his guys. If I’m going to get ambushed, doing it while surrounded by highly trained soldiers is my best bet. We took down half of that gang, and they didn’t hurt a single one of us.”

  “Yes, Adeyemi and his men were there, but what if all those riders had followed you from the beginning? You need backup when you’re doing dangerous things and not just Emma.” Jia sighed. “I’m your partner, and I’m also helping you with your personal investigation. You don’t need to protect me. Let me help you.”

  Confusion spread across Erik’s face. He nodded. “I’m not trying to protect you. I just didn’t think it’d be a big deal. Most of these meetings are just us sharing info, but if I think there’s going to be heat, I’ll bring you along. Next time you can shoot a few riders.”

  “That’s all I’m asking. To help, not to shoot riders. Unless it’s necessary.” Jia put her hand to my mouth and cleared her throat. “Speaking of keeping open lines of communications, I talked to the counselor, like you recommended.”

  “Oh? How did that go?” He looked relieved as a bit of stress left her shoulders.

  “I described everything, and he mentioned possible psychological dissonance stemming from difficulties adapting my previous beliefs to my current reality. My issues are partially a result of that. A minor part, but still.”

  “That makes sense.” Erik cleared the data window and focused on Jia. “Did he say you need to do something?”

  “He mentioned that a general change in perspective might be helpful, but I made it clear I wasn’t leaving law enforcement.”

  “Good.”

  “His argument was that by retaining certain patterns in my mental paradigm, there’s an inherent tension,” Jia explained. “He suggested that my changes don’t need to be fundamental, and I don’t have to change my career, but a few changes here and there might help me so I don’t have as much stress from compartmentalizing it all. To be honest, it’s something I’ve thought a lot about, even before I was having these issues. New experiences can be positive, such as my newfound appreciation of sphere ball. I think it’s helping me to not just be Jia the cop, but Jia the person.

  “Got anything else in mind?” Erik asked. “Sphere ball’s great, but if just appreciating life more helps, you should go for it. I took up penjing.”

  “I’ve got the new gun and a new hobby. That’s a start. What else? Maybe a new flitter? Something that isn’t boring and blue.” Jia laughed, feeling more relaxed than embarrassed. She pantomimed turning a control yoke. “It might seem stupid, but I’ve been thinking about that for a while. Something about my flitter feels almost like a lie. It’s like it represents the old naïve Jia who believed that as long as you didn’t fly a flashy flitter, you wouldn’t stand out and cause trouble.”

  “Brightly colored vehicles make one antisocial?” He scratched his chin. “I’ll have to alert Emma in case she wants to change to fiery red.”

  Emma broke in, “I am not antisocial. Well, not any more than the next hyper-intelligent person who hates idiots.”

  Both of them ignored her.

  “I’m not saying I believed brightly colored cars made one antisocial. Mostly.” Jia shrugged. “But I don’t believe it anymore.”

  “New flitter, huh?” The sudden shark-like smile on Erik’s face filled her with suspicion. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her partner to have her back, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t suggest something annoying.

  “What’s that look supposed to mean?” Jia patted her stun pistol. “I’m not above shooting you in the back.”

  “Isn’t the solution obvious?” Erik asked, his ridiculous grin growing so large it looked painful. “You need an MX 60. A bright yellow one. Be antisocial and assault someone’s senses.”

  Jia rolled her eyes. “Ditching something boring isn’t the same thing as getting a ridiculous luxury flitter. I’m not buying an MX 60, and I’m not buying anything that is yellow. That’s not antisocial.” She smiled. “It’s just tacky.”

  Erik grunted in disappointment. “I could help you get the color-change ability installed. You can use yellow when you want to be feisty.”

  “No MX 60. And nothing yellow.” Jia cut through the air with her hand. “And that’s final.”

  “Hmm,” Emma offered through their PNIUs again. “That does make me wonder.”

  “What?” Erik asked. “You have a color recommendation.”

  “No, I was thinking about a new body,” she replied, husky desire clinging to her voice. “For me, anyway. Your Purist limitations don’t apply to an AI. I should continue to adapt and upgrade myself.”

  “New body?” Erik frowned. “You’re living in a Taxútnta MX 60. It’s one of the best flitters on the market, and I’ve installed tons of extra features and mods. Would you prefer to be in a mini-flitter?”

  Emma popped into existence just to roll her eyes at Erik. “Obviously not. Actually, I think I’d prefer something larger, with more integrated systems. It would suit me better.”

  Jia tilted her head and tried to visualize Emma flying something other than the MX 60. “Larger? Like a cargo flitter?”

  “No, Detective Lin. A hypersonic transport, perhaps. It might be interesting to go so fast.”

  Jia grimaced. “I don’t know if I’m ready to trust you to control something like that. You’d effectively be an AI missile.”

  “Kind of makes you wonder what the military planned to do with her,” Erik mused.

  “Yes,” Emma nodded, “it does.”

  Jia tilted her head to get new angles as she walked slowly around the holographic image at the museum.

  The slit-eyed reptilian creature crouched, his sharp-clawed hand clutching a twisting crystalline knife. Loose metallic mesh hung over the bright scales covering his body, with small pouches spread throughout. He hissed on occasion, his tail swaying slowly.

  Blood dripped from his mouth, which was filled with jagged, razor-sharp teeth.

  She blinked a few times. She assumed the Zitark image before her represented a male, but she wasn’t sure. From what she could remember, the males were more brightly colored than the females, but it wasn’t like she had seen one in real life.

  Mei shuddered beside her. “It’s hard to believe they’re out there just waiting for their chance to eat us.”

  Jia regretted suggesting a trip to the Northern National History Museum’s Local Neighborhood Exhibit. She always enjoyed visiting museums, but Mei found a reason to be annoying every time they went. Last time, she’d had pointed words to say about the statue restoration work.

  “I don’t know if they’re planning to eat us,” Jia countered. “But I do think it’s probably best that our races stay away from each other until we’ve got all our own problems sorted out. I imagine the Zitarks have factions and politics to worry about as well.”

  “I agree with staying away from aliens. However, for most of history, no one worried about that sort of thing.” Mei peered intently at the hologram. “Although we might not like it, the world can’t avoid change.”

  Jia chuckled.

  Mei looked her way, the corners of her mouth curling down. “What’s so amusing about that?

  “I’m just been thinking a lot about change, and how I might change for the better.”

  Mei stiffened, a brief flash of panic in her eyes. “The world can’t avoid change, but that doesn’t mean we individually need to change.”

  “Sometimes change is for the best.” Jia shrugged.

  “You’re in a good place, Jia,” Mei insisted. “You’re enjoying your job, and you’re dating a good man. Don’t change what you don’t have to.”

  Jia didn’t hold Mei’s reaction against her. She loved her sister, but she wasn’t comfortable talking about some of the mental challenges that
had come with the job in the last year.

  A good man? Nobody could deny Corbin was that, but the problem was, being a good man wasn’t the same thing as being the man she desired.

  The two of them were increasingly going through the motions in their relationship. How much of her refusal to cut him loose was nothing more than momentum and concern about her family’s reaction?

  There should be something. A fire that lit hers when she was near him, or at least warmed her. She had even wasted her first decent attempt at Beijing Duck on Corbin instead of Erik, belatedly realizing it was a desperate attempt to rekindle something in their relationship.

  “Are you in a good place?” Jia challenged.

  Mei’s forehead wrinkled in consternation. “Me? I thought we were talking about you.”

  “I’ve got someone, you don’t. Maybe I’m worried, as your younger sister.”

  Mei inclined her head toward the Zitark. “I should sacrifice myself to one of those creatures if we’re at the point where you are worried about my romantic life.” She waved a hand dismissively. “There are certain goals I need to achieve before I focus on that, but I assure you that it’s not being ignored.”

  Jia couldn’t help the laughter that exploded out of her. Several museum patrons turned away from other holograms and artifacts to frown at her faux pas.

  “Control yourself,” Mei hissed, her face reddening. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”

  Jia threw a hand over her mouth and managed to damp herself down to mere chuckling. “You have to admit, it’s amusing to hear someone insist that a career is more important than dating. You’ve used that line on me, but now that I’m the one in a relationship, it’s…” She shrugged. “Not convincing?”

  Mei tugged at her sleeve and scoffed in a feeble attempt to regain her dignity. “The point remains, independent of our relative positions.”

  Jia could take advantage of the situation. Mei could provide some insight on the Corbin situation as long as she didn’t realize what was going on. If she caught on, the Lin Elder Sister complex would activate, and Jia would be on the defensive.

  Again.

  It was just like in sphere ball. Too much defense would lead to a loss.

  “I’m sorry, Mei. I’m curious.” Jia offered her a sweet smile.

  Mei lifted her chin, satisfied by the apparent contrition and the return of everyone else’s attention to the exhibit. “Curious?”

  “Are the man’s background and job the only factors that are important to you?” Jia asked.

  “If you’re looking for a husband, he should, at a minimum, be someone of the same status. He needs to bring something to the marriage. That much is common sense.”

  “But what about connection? What about love?” Jia glanced at the Zitark hologram and wondered if there was some planet where an annoying reptilian big sister harassed her little reptile sister about laying eggs before she grew too old.

  Mei gave Jia a look normally reserved for older children who still believed in Generous Gao. “Love is nothing more than self-reinforcing compatibility. All aspects of a potential husband are relevant to that. Passion can be nice in the beginning, but that fades. When you settle in for the long relationship, you want to know that your husband will be lifting you up as you lift him up, and not that you’ll be supporting him as he fritters away his time in a feeble attempt at a…” She frowned. “I don’t know. An art career?”

  “What if you don’t feel a spark in the beginning? Are you going to tell me you would date someone, even if he had the appropriate background and career, if you felt nothing for him?” Jia challenged her sister with a stare. “Are you telling me you would spend decades married to someone you don’t love? Mother and Father can be obnoxious, but at least they genuinely love each other in their own overly complicated way.”

  Mei apparently found a sudden need to focus on a hologram of a small Zitark-carved crystal sculpture. The multicolored artwork depicted some strange ten-legged bug with two tails. Jia was curious how anyone even knew about Zitark art, but she didn’t want to lose control of the conversation by pinging the museum’s tour system.

  “Well, Mei?” Jia prodded. “You can’t ignore my question.”

  “I suppose I can’t deny that a connection from the beginning might predict long-term success. You don’t have to worry, little sister. If there’s one thing I’m not going to do, it’s pursue a man I find dreary.”

  “Good,” Jia murmured. “That would be awful.”

  Her concern and question were now answered.

  “Let’s get going. I don’t want to spend our entire time staring at these awful lizards.” Mei gave one last look at the Zitark hologram and headed toward the open doorway leading to the next room, the tall heels of her shoes clicking on the tile floor.

  Jia caught up with her sister, smiling. Mei might not have realized it, but her sisterly advice had helped.

  Sorry, Corbin, she thought.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  March 5, 2229, Neo Southern California Metroplex, Shadow Zone, Bar Big One

  Erik didn’t like the way Alicia was looking at him. He’d shown up for an info check, and she’d invited him into the backroom like always, but she didn’t take a seat. Instead, she stood behind the table in the center of the room, her arms folded over her chest, her gaze searching. The corners of her mouth were curled up in amusement at some joke only she understood.

  “Got something to say?” he asked. He lingered near the door. His instincts told him there wasn’t going to be any trouble, but it wouldn’t hurt to be in a good position to escape.

  He would hate to have to shoot his favorite informant.

  “There’s just something about you, Blackwell.” Alicia looked him up and down. “Something different. I can almost smell it, and that makes me want to know what it is.”

  Erik gave her his standard deceptive grin. It was forced, but it looked completely natural. Even she would have trouble seeing through it. “I’m using the same deodorant I have since coming back to Earth.”

  “It’s almost like…” Alicia narrowed her eyes. “No, it’s not that you’re getting laid. But something close? You dating now? Is that it?”

  Erik cursed under his breath. “I’m not here to talk about my love life.”

  The confusion melted from Alicia’s face, replaced by an arrogant certitude. “Oh, touchy, huh? Even the great Obsidian Detective has his weakness.”

  “Unless it has something to do with trouble in the Zone, I don’t care.” Erik dropped into a chair, keeping his shoulders loose. No reason to give Alicia more to work with. She was too perceptive.

  He’d been thinking about Jia on the way over.

  Alicia sat across from him and crossed her legs, something she didn’t normally do. She’d commented once that she didn’t want to wrinkle her pants.

  “First of all, were you playing around here a few days ago, looking for trouble?” she asked. “Did you bust up a bunch of riders? The cops came in here in a big way, and I found out that one of the big rider gangs had lost half its members. They aren’t saying much, other than they had a run-in that started with you, and shots were fired.”

  “Somebody came after me when they shouldn’t have.” Erik shrugged. “I didn’t go looking for a fight. I can’t help it if the idiots didn’t take their chance to run when they could have.”

  “Of course, you didn’t. Now half the rider gangs in the Zone are convinced the Obsidian Detective is coming for them. They’re all wetting themselves.”

  Erik snickered. “They planning to come for me first? I’ve got some time on my hands, but I’d rather keep my schedule clear.”

  Alicia laughed. “Don’t worry, Blackwell. Everyone’s trying to keep a low profile for a few weeks.”

  “I can live with that. Got anything else for me?”

  Alicia sighed and leaned forward, her brow wrinkling and her mouth pressed into a thin line.

  “What is it?” Erik asked. �
��You need more money?”

  “No, it’s…”

  Erik’s eyebrow lifted. Embarrassment. That was what it was. He wasn’t used to seeing it from the woman. She bought and sold information for a living, not just from him, but from all sorts of scum.

  “I’ll give you the money no matter how messed up it is,” he explained. “You’ve been doing a good job of feeding me tips. Or did you need me to leave you alone for a while?”

  “No, you’re good for business in a strange way. Everyone thinks if they’re nice to me, you won’t come after them.” Alicia kept her gaze on the table for a few seconds before looking at Erik. “Like I said, the rider gangs are keeping a low profile, but there are rumors out there about a new brutal gang. Not riders, but they’re allegedly making moves. Big, nasty moves.”

  Erik nodded. “Did this start before or after my little run-in with the local flavor?”

  “Everything I’ve heard says this started before, but that doesn’t prove anything.” Alicia gestured toward the door. “That’s what’s so confusing about these guys. They’re allegedly killing people, but they’re not putting out a statement. They’re not making it known who they are.”

  “Killing people is a statement,” Erik observed. “Are you sure it’s just not random murders?”

  “No,” she admitted. “Everyone’s trying to keep the cops from getting involved.”

  “Why would that be?” he asked. “I’m not going to claim the cops in the local EZs are the best, but they’ve gotten better, and even before, when they were looking the other way on a lot of Zone trouble, it wasn’t like they didn’t care about murders.” Erik narrowed his eyes. “Or are you suggesting the cops are involved?”

  “No.” Alicia licked her lips, and her eyes darted back and forth. “No one’s saying that. It’s more that they’re worried about something awful happening if the cops come. The vibe I get is that a few dead bodies are worth it if it stops a war from breaking out in the Zone.”

  “A war?” Erik dropped the smooth act and let the incredulity into his tone. “Worse than me going after a gang like the Gray Circle?”