by A. W. Cross
“Now, please, inspect this bottle as much as you like.” He flashed a confident smile at the crowd. “Am I correct when I say it’s just a plain, plastic bottle filled with nothing but water?”
Pine examined the container with a slight frown.
“Well?”
“Yes, but—”
“You heard her, folks—an ordinary bottle of water. But watch!” He placed a sparkly black cloth over the top of the cap. “Now,” he said, gesturing to another young woman standing next to Pine, “tap the top of the bottle. When I pull off this cloth, there will be a live goldfish swimming inside.”
The young woman giggled as he winked again, and murmurs of disbelief and excitement rippled through the crowd. She tapped the bottle with a perfectly manicured fingernail then glanced up at the magician from under her eyelashes. “Like that?”
“Exactly like that! Now, behold—” As he pulled the cloth away with a flourish, the crowd gave a collective gasp. Inside the bottle circled a tiny orange goldfish, its wide eyes unconcerned by the chaos outside.
The audience applauded and shoved coins into the collection box at The Amazing Julian’s feet. He bowed deeply, his hair flopping over his forehead and into his eyes. “Thank you! Thank you so much for your time and generosity. I have a show later this—”
“It’s magic!” a young boy exclaimed to his mother.
“It’s a trick.” Pine’s face was troubled. No one heard her except James, Julian, and the enchanted boy. The magician scowled at Pine then turned his attention back to the young woman with the silvery laugh.
The little boy glared up at Pine. “It’s not a trick. It’s magic.”
“It’s a trick,” Pine repeated. This time, those of the crowd who’d loitered heard her, and all eyes turned to the magician, who was tracing the young woman’s palm with his finger and telling her all about the love of her life and how it was someone she’d very recently met.
“Yeah? Well, how’s it done then?” the boy demanded.
The crowd fell silent, waiting.
“Pine—”
But if she heard James, she took no notice. “There’s a plastic tab underneath the bottle cap. The goldfish is in the cap, on top of the tab. When he pulls off the cloth, he pulls out the tab, the fish falls into the bottle and—”
“Stop!” The young magician had forgotten his paramour’s hand and was pushing his way through the crowd toward Pine. “What are you doing? It took me months to learn that trick. Do you know what you’ve done?”
Angry mutters swept through the throng.
James winced at the crowd’s discontent. They all knew it was a trick, of course, but they’d been happy to give their money for the illusion—as long as everyone else believed. Pine’s exposure had broken an implicit rule.
For a moment, they didn’t know what to do. Some shrugged, while others elbowed each other and exclaimed that that was how they thought it must’ve been done, because wasn’t it so obvious now? The magician’s chuckle had an edge, and he began gathering the tools of his trade.
James breathed a sigh of relief. Now to collar Pine and return her before Joseph got back.
Then a voice piped up from the middle of the crowd. “I want my money back. This show’s damaged goods now.”
James closed his eyes and swore. He knew she was going to be trouble.
“If he’s getting his money back, I want mine back too.” Another voice joined the first, then another, then a chorus. They converged on the young man, their hands outstretched.
“No refunds.” His voice had climbed in pitch and he skimmed over the crowd, searching for the most likely escape route. He clutched his metal box to his chest.
“Oh no?” the initial requestor asked. “What if we just take it then?”
“You can’t. Only I know the combination—you’d never get in.” The young magician cleared his throat. “So piss off.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t tell us? Even with a bit of…encouragement?” There was a flash of silver, and James pushed through the crowd. He’d seen people stabbed for less than a soured magic trick.
Someone else in the crowd caught the glint of metal and screamed. Like a skipping stone, panic flew through the horde and bedlam ensued, people tussling with each other as they scrambled out of arm’s reach. Only Pine stood still, not realizing what she’d just done.
“Pine!” Before James could reach her, three police officers swarmed the crowd, administering mild shocks left and right, leaving recipients on their knees as they lost all sensation in their legs.
When they reached Pine, James held his breath. Did they know what she was?
One of the officers laid his baton on her calf. Her skin twitched slightly, but she barely seemed to notice. The officers gaped, and the man looked at his rod with a bewildered frown. The rest of the crowd took advantage of the officer’s astonishment and fled—including the thug who’d started it all.
At the second shock, Pine turned around. “What are you doing?” she asked the officer. “Please, stop.”
James grimaced. Did she not know who the police were?
“Stay still,” the officer demanded.
James stepped over the legs of a woman lying on the sidewalk who was whispering furiously into her transcomm. “Can you effn’ believe it? Now I’m going to be late for my— Hey, watch it, you—”
He extended a hand to the officer closest to him. He was going to have to handle this carefully. “Officers. Hi… This is just a misunderstanding.”
“Oh?” asked the policewoman. “And what exactly does that mean?” The insignia on her shoulder indicated she was the chief officer.
“My friend here,” James slapped Pine playfully on the shoulder, “spoiled the magician’s trick.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “She’s smart enough to figure out the dupe, but not smart enough to keep her mouth shut.” He flashed Pine a grin of faux exasperation. Play along, damn you.
“That might be, son, but I’m more interested in who she is than whatever ridiculous transgression she may have committed.” The officer’s voice was dry; she hadn’t taken her eyes off Pine.
Should he play dumb and pretend not to know what they were talking about? Whatever do you mean, Officer? There’s something odd about her?
No. No point in making this situation any worse. Pine’s tattoo was evident, uncovered by the short-sleeved dress. He’d have loved nothing more than to leave her to the mercy of the police, but there was no way he’d be able to justify that to Joseph.
“She belongs to Joseph Polendina. The robotics designer. Perhaps you know of him?” They probably didn’t, but maybe it would give him an air of authority.
Or maybe not.
“Never heard of him. But you’re not him, right?” The officer stared at him, her expression bland.
“Right, but—”
“Then why are you in possession of the synadroid?”
“Oh. We were just out for a walk, when—” James glanced around for the magician, but the young man had bolted.
“Just out for a walk? Is that true?” The officer addressed Pine.
She stared back, mute.
James could practically see the gears turning in her head as she decided what to do. He tensed. Would she get violent? What would he do if she did? Finally, she looked at him then the police then crossed her arms over her chest and nodded curtly.
The officer waited for a few seconds then raised her eyebrows and turned back to James. “I’m going to need to see her license. We’ve had reports of synadroids such as these being trafficked. Registration number?” She initiated her commscreen as she looked at James expectantly.
“I, uh…I don’t have the registration number. If—”
“So you’re not Joseph Polendina, and you don’t have a registration number for this synadroid? Is that correct?”
The officers behind her adjusted their grips on their batons.
“Yes, but—”
“We’re going to have
to take you both into custody then.”
“No, please. Look, Mr. Polendina lives just a few blocks around the corner. If we go there, I’m sure he’ll have all the right documentation.” James pointed in the direction of the house.
The officer eyed James and Pine suspiciously. “Just around the corner?”
James nodded.
“What do you think?” She turned to her colleagues.
The other woman shrugged. “It would save a lot of paperwork if we just checked her number.”
Right,” the lead officer said. “Take us to the house. But if you’re messing with us—”
“I’m not, I promise.” James held up his hands.
“And don’t try to run,” the officer warned, opening her coat. Strapped around her torso was a lethal-looking weapon.
James had never seen a barrel that big on a handgun before. He grabbed Pine’s arm and began propelling her down the street. “We won’t.” Throughout the exchange, Pine had remained quiet. Now, however, she spoke up.
“Let go of my arm.”
James loosened his grip slightly and whispered furiously to her under his breath. “Pine, listen to me. This is very serious—”
She went taut, as though she were about to jerk her arm away from his grip.
The policewoman narrowed her eyes.
“Just keep walking. Not for me, for Joseph, and yourself. I don’t know what will happen if they take you, but I do know he’ll feel responsible.”
“Is there a problem?” The lead officer’s hand wrapped and unwrapped around the hilt of her baton.
For a moment, Pine looked like she was going to keep arguing then she leaned into James’s arm and flashed the officer a baleful look. “No, ma’am.” She had to trot to keep up with his long legs, but at least she was cooperating. For now.
James kept his gaze straight ahead. Just get her home. Because Pine was a synadroid, if they shot her, they’d get barely a slap on the wrist. James, however, would lose Joseph’s trust.
As they opened the gate to the front yard, Joseph was just closing the door behind him. His face was flushed, and his hands shook as he tried to engage the lock. When he caught sight of Pine, he stumbled over the last step and James rushed forward, afraid the older man was going to fall.
“Pine! Where have you been? I came home to get you and—” He caught sight of the officers and paled. “What’s happened? Is something wrong?”
“Are you Joseph Polendina?” the officer asked, hooking her thumbs into her beltloops and rocking back on her heels. Her colleagues remained stiff and alert, carefully watching Pine for any sudden movement.
“I am. What’s this about?”
“I need the registration number for this synadroid.”
Joseph lost even more color. “I’m afraid I don’t have it yet. The license is coming any minute now.”
James silently cursed Antonio. That man procrastinated about everything.
“So, you acknowledge that you are Joseph Polendina, and also that you claim ownership of this synadroid?”
“Yes.” Joseph proffered his thumb and pressed it onto the screen of the policewoman’s transcomm. A few seconds later, confirmation of his identity scrolled across the screen.
“But you have no proof that you legally own this synadroid, as you claim, Mr. Polendina?”
“Well, I—”
“You’re going to have to come with me, then, sir, down to the station until we can get some substantiation that you actually are the owner. You understand the penalties for illegally possessing a sentient android, right?”
“I do, but—”
“Let’s go.” The officer reached for Joseph’s arm.
Pine came to life. “Don’t touch him!” She tried to force her way between Joseph and the officer.
“Pine, no! Stop. Please, Pine, it’ll be fine.” He shook his head then, as she persisted, shouted, “Pearlvitae! ”
Pine froze, her eyes wide. Every single part of her stopped moving.
“I’m sorry, Pine.” Joseph’s face pinched with remorse.
James stepped forward. Joseph shouldn’t feel guilty. The safe words had been installed into the synadroids for situations just like this, when they were out of control. Pine should’ve known better.
She was just trying to help Joseph.
Annoyed, James pushed the voice away; empathy for her was dangerous. “Surely this is enough proof of ownership?” He gestured toward the suspended synadroid. “Only her owner would know the word.”
“Sorry, but it’s not enough. Please, sir.” The officer put her hand on Joseph’s arm again.
“What about the synadroid?” the young male officer asked. “Shouldn’t we take her in too? I mean, we were going to, weren’t we?”
The lead officer glared at him as she remembered. “We were.”
The third officer cringed. “Oh god, Shaz, do you remember what happened the last time? Stevens only just got his desk replaced.”
Shaz chewed on her lip, considering. “I’ll tell you what, Aldicott,” she addressed the young man. “You stay here outside the house and wait for us to contact you. You two,” she pointed to James and Pine, “go into the house and stay put. You are officially under house arrest until I say otherwise. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” James replied. “But—” Surely they weren’t going to arrest Joseph?
“Is that clear?”
“James, it’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Call Antonio and tell him to get down to the station.” Joseph nearly dragged the officer down the walkway just as something else occurred to James.
“Wait, Joseph!” he shouted as the two officers, Joseph between them, filed through the gate. “How do I…turn her back on?” Pine’s fury was palpable, burning into his back.
“It’s Mara’s favorite flower—” Joseph called over his shoulder as he disappeared from view.
Well, that’s just great. I don’t know what Mara’s favorite flower is. To the waiting officer, he asked, “Can you please help me carry her inside?”
“No way. I don’t get paid enough for that kind of hazard.” The officer turned away and took up his post, slouching outside the front door.
James swore. He was going to have to try to move Pine himself.
His stomach twisted as he approached her. The look in her eyes was murder. What if the failsafe didn’t hold? It had happened before. If she got emotional enough… Flames licked at the edges of his vision, and his hands clenched compulsively at his sides.
This isn’t the same. You’re in control here. Both of you need to stay calm. He took a deep breath and waited until the flames receded.
He should just leave her as she was. What had possessed him to ask Joseph how to reanimate her? He could’ve simply kept an eye on her until Joseph got back. Maybe some time as a statue would get through to her what Joseph obviously couldn’t.
But Joseph would expect him to at least try. If James was lucky, he wouldn’t be able to figure out what Mara’s favorite flower was. Hopefully, it was something esoteric or scientific.
“Pine—”
She glowered up at him, unforgiving. Her body was stiff, her joints unbending. Her back was slightly arched, her arms stretched down and out from her sides, slightly behind her as she’d stepped in front of Joseph to shield him with her body.
There was no way for James to move her without seriously invading her personal space. “Let’s just get this over with.” He stood in front of her and, bracing himself, wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body to his chest and lifting her off her feet.
She wasn’t as heavy as he’d expected her to be, but James was still breathless by the time he’d carried her over the threshold. He tried to ignore the peaks of her breasts pressing into his chest and the solid smoothness of her abdomen against his. The officer watched him with mild amusement then found something more interesting on his transcomm.
With a final grunt, James deposited Pine in the living room and returned to the door, s
ticking his head out. “You know there’s a back door, right?” he asked the officer.
He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. If you run, I have permission to shoot you.” He returned to his screen.
“Great,” muttered James, and shut the door. He hadn’t actually been thinking of running, but the officer’s nonchalance after the way they’d treated Joseph irritated him. Ass.
Back in the living room, he considered Pine. How best to go about this? “I just have to make a quick call then we’re going to figure this out. Okay?”
Her expression told him clearly that no, it was not okay. Although her face was immobile, her eyes flashed with anger…and something else. Fear. She was terrified. Of him.
She knows damn well how you feel about her—it’s not like you’ve tried that hard to hide it. And right now, she’s helpless. So why wasn’t he happy about it?
Like it or not, she was here to stay—for the time being, at least. And if Joseph thought she was afraid of James … You really don’t want to force him to make a choice, do you?
He relented, just a little. “Look, Pine, I’ll figure it out.” His hand rose unthinkingly to smooth a few strands of ridiculous hair sticking out over her ear, and he snatched it back just before his fingertips touched her.
What are you doing? He dropped his hand to his side.
Now what?
Just leave her. She brought this on herself.
But one look at Pine’s eyes told him that the longer he postponed, the worse the situation would become. With a sigh of surrender, he hurried away to his mentor’s office to find the answer. He just hoped he wouldn’t regret it.
Pine stared straight ahead, her eyes fixed in place as James left the room. She desperately wanted to believe he would help her, but how could she trust him? He held all the power here. She’d thought she’d been helpless here since the beginning, but this— This was her lowest point yet.
The feeling of his hands on her…she’d wanted to scream, to lash out at him. Why couldn’t he have just left her alone to her humiliation? And now what? If he wanted to abandon her, or worse, hurt her, she wouldn’t be able to stop him.
I can’t stand him. Even now, he was probably laughing at her.