“Fine. How long am I supposed to baby-sit?”
“I do not know,” the hologram answered. “Stay safe.” Her image disappeared.
Ten minutes later, Kim stood and stared at the letter H on her apartment door. “Why is it I tell Katharine I’m going to do one thing, then the hologram has me do the opposite?”
Sometime later...
“Welcome back Ms. Griffin,” A.C.S. stated. “The apartment...”
Kim interrupted the computer, “Night mode.”
A.C.S. lowered its volume and stated, “Setting lights at fifty percent. Will there be anything else Ms. Griffin?”
“No, that's all.” She looked to the living room and saw the woman's reflection in the TV. Kat lay on the couch covered with a heavy blanket and stared at the coffee table. Kim shook her head, swallowing her pride and giving in to her mom's wishes. She walked over, set the music box on the coffee table, opened the lid, and Unfinished Melody played.
“Thank you,” Kat said as the hollow feelings vanished, her eyes grew heavy, and she fell asleep.
“Don’t thank me,” Kim mumbled. “I'm not doing this for you.” She stared at her, considering the past day. If Kat wasn't the Key, she would have let her die at Etna Toys, and she would be rid of this insanity.
Chapter Thirty-four
The Proposition
October 19...
Tuesday...
1:20 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Industrial Vicinage...
Kim drove the Corvette into the front parking lot of Etna Toys. The N.C.P.F. had been there earlier and had taped off the front curb where the T-3s killed the two Factory S.C.Ms., and Kim cautiously exited the car, glanced around the deserted area, and grabbed her knapsack. She wore her black work outfit minus the knit mask. No wind rustled the weeds, leaving the parking lot in an eerie quiet, and she quickly entered the front door.
Kimberly's view...
Noir Civil Police Force must not have come in here; there's no police tape, but the area's been cleaned of Un-Men and gun shells, so someone else must have cleaned up the mess. After searching the front area, I grab that woman's backpack, Ravlek Vest, and find her empty Beretta underneath one of the boxing machines. Why didn’t they take her things? Did they leave them for her?
Curious about the Un-Men and the Council, I look to the open elevator. That woman said she believed the Council was based here all along, and she said she had been looking for them and the Factory. I step toward the open doors. Maybe they left something behind. I enter the cab, remove my holstered PPK, and press the basement button and once I reach the basement, light from the elevator breaks the darkness of the hallway as I remove a flashlight from my knapsack. I find a light switch and flip it on, but nothing happens. I search the hallway with my flashlight and find it's empty. A door stands at the opposite end; wary I'm walking into a trap set up for that woman, I make my way to it, open it, and enter the room. I move the beam back and forth and search the mostly empty room, and in the center, I spot a large table. A few abandoned plugs and cables line one of the walls, and I start to leave, thinking there's nothing to find when something catches my eye. I walk to the table, finding a white business envelope with the words For Pandora written on it. I pick it up, contemplate if I should open it, think why not, and open the envelope.
“Pandora, as one of the members of the Council, I have to say I am very proud of you; even though you did not reach the Gamma and Delta Phases of your metamorphosis, I am still very impressed with you. We had hoped with the training and conditioning you would have accomplished the phases the past year. You did not and for that reason, the others are not pleased and wish to terminate you. I have convinced them to delay that. We can still acquire valuable information from you. Be warned though, I cannot hold off your termination indefinitely, and the Council is more resourceful than the Factory. The Life Closers we sent after you were merely tests. They were not a means to destroy you. Increase your skills so when the time comes, you may bar your termination.”
I pause from reading; according to this member, that woman hasn't reached the Gamma and Delta Phases. Whatever they might be. Why was my mom so concerned that Kat not reach them? What kind of disaster could they bring? I continue reading, “Argus, poor devil, informed us in the past that you had no memory of who you are; that is most unfortunate, so I will tell you one thing. The Council did not begin your training or condition you. It was another department in the Sphinx Corporation. I wish I could tell you everything, but...” The line breaks off, and a new line starts. “Remember if you wish to destroy the Rogue, you must reach the Delta Phase; it is called the Knowing, and to achieve the Knowing, you must first reach the Gamma Phase. I wish you long life.” The letter is signed by Mr. Morta.
I glance over the letter once more, then place it back in its envelope, and put it in Kat's backpack. The corporation my father works for is behind the Pandora Project, so there could be a connection between my mom and that woman, but what is the Gamma or even the Delta Phase? Mr. Morta calls it the Knowing. Know what? I shrug, search the room once more, and head back up.
End Kimberly's view...
Sometime later...
The elevator doors opened to an Un-Man, and Kim quickly raised her gun.
The Rogue lifted its hands. “Do not shoot.”
“You again.” Kim kept her gun leveled on it. “What do you want now?”
“I was snooping around this place myself when I saw you enter, and I hid, then thought to myself, you might be able to help me.” The Rogue kept its hands up. “I know you came back and saved Pandora.” It paused and continued, “That act alone confused me, and I have been trying to process it since, but have not been able to.”
Irritated, she snapped, “Like I said, what do you want?”
“I am rambling, so I will get to the point then. I have a proposition.” The Rogue paused and then asked, “Can I lower my hands?”
Kimberly's view...
What does it want? This thing seems to be everywhere, it must know a lot of things, so I should at least hear it out. I wave the Rogue back with my gun as I step from the elevator then I question, “A proposition?”
End Kimberly's view...
“Yes, I overheard you talking with the doctor at the hospital. You told him you were looking for who killed Theresa Griffin.”
Her voice changed and sounded hopeful. “Do you know who murdered my mom?”
“No, I do not have that information, but I did find something at the Factory. I discovered a disk I believe belonged to your mother.”
She asked, “And you want what in exchange?”
“Silly woman, I want Pandora of course. Bring her to the Factory so I may kill her. Here.” The Rogue handed her a piece of paper and a small blueprint labeled BL5. “This is the location of the Factory along with the layout for Basement Level Five of Research Building 10.” It handed her a white keycard. “This will get you in through the parking garage.” She took it, and the Rogue continued, “Bring Pandora tomorrow night after nine to the first room circled on the blueprint in the Green Division, and I will have the disk waiting for you in the Computer Lab circled in the Yellow Division. Here.” The Rogue handed her one green and one yellow keycard. “Those will get you in the rooms and one word of warning, the T-3s have gone rogue and have taken over the Factory. You will have to elude them.” The Rogue handed her a small piece of paper. “Once you have the disk, that word will unlock it.”
She glanced at the password and snarled at the Rogue. “How do you know I’ll turn her over?”
“Because I know your kind. You do not care about anyone, even dear old dad. The only person you ever loved was murdered, and you want to find her killer and take your revenge.” The Rogue started out. “You must be looking for a way to get rid of the headache you reluctantly took in. There is no easier way than to hand Pandora over to me; plus, you get something out of t
he deal.”
Kimberly's view...
“Fine, tomorrow then,” I state and watch the Rogue leave.
It's right about one thing; that woman has been nothing but a nuisance. I'll have to say sorry to my mom's memory. It was so long ago that she wanted me to save that woman and so much has changed. I glance at my gun and stare at my hand tinged with unseen blood. Much has changed, including me.
Chapter Thirty-five
The Locked Door
2:47 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...
Nexus Apartments...
The digital clock in the kitchen read 2:47 P.M. as Kat slightly stirred on the couch; Unfinished Melody played, keeping her in the grips of the Drifting Time. The digital clock was the only light in the dark apartment.
“Door unlocked,” A.C.S. stated.
The spare bedroom unlocked, and the light within flicked on, lighting up the crack under the closed door. Kat opened her eyes at hearing the sounds, sat up a little disoriented, then closed the music box, and placed it in her pocket. “Umm... Could I have some lights?”
“Guest request acknowledged.” A.C.S. turned the ones in the living room on. “Setting lights to ninety-five percent.”
She scanned the apartment; she thought she had heard someone talk. “Umm... Apartment Computer System, did you say something earlier?”
“Yes, I stated that the spare bedroom has been unlocked and the room is ready for use.”
“Oh.” Kat stood, rubbed her eyes, walked to the first room in the hall, and opened the door. “Kimberly, are you back?”
No one was in the room, so she entered and looked around. The walls were full of photos of Kim as a child and her mother, and a few of them had Mr. Griffin in them. Kat walked by a bed that hadn’t been used in years and went and stood in front of a wall, and she looked to the little blonde girl in the pictures.
Katharine's view...
Kimberly was so happy. I see pictures of Kimberly eating ice cream, petting kittens, and playing on a sunny beach. What happened to that happy child? What makes her so angry now? I rub my shoulder as it itches a bit and then I think I shouldn't be in here; Kimberly would be mad.
I leave the room, wondering why A.C.S. unlocked it; was it a malfunction? And why was it locked to begin with? At the door, I glance back in the room. It's like Kimberly hid all her happy memories in there, but why hide them away?
Groggy from sleeping, I yawn, return to the couch, and plop down on the cold leather. I can't believe how tired I am as I lie back, remove the music box, and stare at it. What would I do without it? I hold the music box close to my chest, thinking what a luxury it is to sleep without fear the Un-Men will find me. I grab my blanket and pull it over me. To be warm and safe, what more could a girl ask for? I drift asleep without the music box to lull me.
End Katharine's view...
Outside of Nexus Apartments...
A white van parked at the curb in front of the gate facing Knot Street sputtered smoke from its muffler. The engine idled as Zax sat in the driver’s seat, typing a few things on his H.H.C. and once he finished, he placed the H.H.C. on the passenger seat.
Zax's view...
I don't understand; why do it in the first place? I guess my job isn't to know the why, only to do what I'm told. I remove a cell from my shirt pocket, dial a number, and say, “Delivery Man here, please connect me to R.G.” A few seconds pass, and I state, “Yes, as per your instructions, I waited till Ms. Griffin left the apartment, and I triggered the A.C.S. to unlock the spare bedroom, so the rest is up to Katharine. Yes. Yes. I'm monitoring the situation now.” I see a red car drive by. “Kimberly is returning.” I buckle my seat belt. “I'll contact you with any new development, Delivery Man out.”
I hang up and drive a little ways down Knot Street and turn onto West 1000 Avenue to get in a better position. How will Kimberly react once she discovers the spare bedroom has been opened? I shrug. To be honest, I don't know; for all I know, Kimberly will kill Katharine if she went in her mother's room.
End Zax's view...
Sometime later...
Kimberly's view...
The door to Apartment H slides open, and I enter a little fatigued. I don't know why I feel so weary unless it's the decision to betray that woman that weighs on me. Why should it bother me? It doesn't, I decide; I'm only tired from the mess that woman put me through, that's all.
“Welcome back Ms...”
“Night and Quiet Mode, A.C.S.”
It shuts down its verbal interaction and reverts to its evening setting as I walk down the entry to the kitchen, and the lights come on at fifty percent. I set her backpack on a barstool, place her Beretta on the counter, and turn to the living room. I move to the back of the couch and find that woman asleep, clinging to the music box like it's a teddy bear. I stare at the enigma as she sleeps soundly. I could so easily kill her; I could walk around this couch and snap her neck, and nobody will know. No one will care that that woman's gone, except maybe the Council, and they will only care because she's some precious experiment of theirs. I put my hand to my hip in a tisk-tisk fashion. That woman should have heard me when I entered and woke up, so where's her instinct to survive?
I think about what I'm going to do to her when I deliver her to the Factory, and I take pity on her. Is the Rogue right? Does that woman trust me? Is that why she's peacefully sleeping? Does she believe nothing will happen to her here?
My anger returns. Stupid. It's her fault if she does; I never told her to trust me. I'm a Closer after all.
I return to the kitchen and place my car keys on the counter, realizing there's too many unanswered questions. Who gave that woman my business card? Who wanted her to find me and why? And what's that woman the Key to? I lean on the counter. Should I go through with the Rogue’s deal before I find out the answers? Is finding my mom's killer more important?
I hear her mumble and move back to the couch. She sleeps, but her lips move, reciting a phrase in a murmur. I place a hand on the back of the couch and lean over to listen.
Kat whispers, “Always know there will be a love that will not die.”
What did she say? I walk around the sofa as she rolls over, faces the couch, and says nothing more. I shrug and start for the hallway. Whatever she's the Key to doesn't matter to me; it's more important that I discover who murdered my mom and take my revenge. I pause at the hallway entrance and glance back at the living room. That woman has been nothing but a headache since our meeting. I'll be glad to be rid of her. I walk past the spare bedroom, wondering how I'll convince her to come to the Factory with me. From what she has told me, if I was her I wouldn't want to return there.
Exhausted from all the running around, I reach for the doorknob of the master bedroom, thinking those problems can wait till morning. My eyes droop; I need to get some sleep. I pause as my heart skips a beat and my weary mind recalls something out of place, and I quickly turn, looking to the spare bedroom. A glow shows through the crack under the door, and I walk back and turn the knob, expecting it to be locked, but the door opens. Furious, I search the room and find nothing has been moved; everything is as I left it years ago.
End Kimberly's view...
Enraged, Kim turned to the living room and fisted a hand, controlling her anger before saying in a forced gentle tone, “A.C.S.”
“Yes, Ms. Griffin.”
“How did she unlock this door?”
“She?”
“Yes, Katharine.”
“Your guest did not unlock the door; a command was given over the Nexus Apartment’s main system.”
Her rage turned to puzzlement. “By who?”
“Identity unknown.”
Kim took several deep breaths as her anger boiled again. “Tell me this, did she go in the room?”
“Yes, your guest entered after I announced the door had been unlocked.”
Kim fisted
her other hand. She couldn't yell at her, not if she wanted Kat to go to the Factory with her tomorrow, so she commanded, “A.C.S. lock this bedroom door.”
“Yes, Ms. Griffin.”
She headed into her bedroom, shut the door, and slipped into her pajamas. Kim lay on her stomach and clinched her pillow with both hands. Kat better not have touched anything or the Rogue would be the least of her worries.
Back in the living room...
Kat’s face wrinkled as her dream changed to a nightmare. “Preacher! No! Don’t die. You can’t leave me alone; don't leave us alone.” Her eyes rapidly moved under her closed lids. “What do I tell him? What do I tell Chad? NO!”
Katharine's view...
I sit up and look around as sweat beads my forehead, and I sadden as grief strikes me. What will I tell the boy? First, I left and now Preacher left him. I cover myself with the blanket. What should I tell Chad?
Back in the master bedroom...
Kimberly's view...
I continue to stare at my pillow. That woman's life means nothing to me, so why am I hesitant to hand her over to the Rogue for the disk? I roll on my side. Is it because she's the Key? I grumble. Hades! Nothing’s been easy since I met her; it'll be good to get rid of her, and it'll be good to return to my mundane life. I chuckle. Listen to me, I never thought I’d hear myself say I miss the solitude. I roll on my back, contemplating if I do miss the loneliness.
Chapter Thirty-six
What’s On TV
October 20...
Wednesday...
7:58 A.M...
The TV came to life as Kim turned it on with the remote.
Anchorman Jim Charles with NBS gave a report. “As we wrap up this hour, news has come in that Dr. Robert Seeker’s trip to Antarctica has been delayed.”
Famished, Kat sat at the kitchen bar, watching Kim cook oatmeal and fry eggs and bacon. Kat had slept for more than twelve hours and felt like a new woman. Her stomach growled as Kim poured her a glass of orange juice.