Price of a Bounty

  “I believe we've come for the same thing. What would be the harm in both of our clients gaining access to the codes?”

  She shook her head. “I don't think my client would like that.”

  “He wouldn't need to know, and we'd both get paid.”

  She began to move, to circle around me. I moved with her, keeping her in front.

  “Who hired you?” she asked.

  “Who hired you?” I responded in kind.

  Suddenly, she stopped. I realized a fraction of a second too late that I'd been played.

  A meaty hand clamped onto my wrist, spun my arm behind me and put me in a neck hold. Just. Like. That. It was embarrassing.

  I was dragged down the hall and outside. I wondered why the alarm didn't go off, and then realized they must have disabled it. Two blocks later, we stopped, and I was shoved into the backseat of a car, a car I recognized instantly.

  I snorted. “I'll drive.” I turned my head toward the man and the woman. “No names,” I suggested.

  Eberhardt nodded and surprisingly, let me drive. The woman deferred to his judgment.

  “Where to?” I asked.

  “You can drop me off at A Shot in the Dark,” she said. “Do you know where it is?”

  I nodded and started the car. I put it into gear and gently pulled away from the curb. My mind was reeling, but my business in this matter was with Guy, not with the girl.

  After we dropped her off, Eberhardt turned on me. “What the hell were you doing back there?”

  “The same thing you were, apparently.”

  “But why? You work for the Resistance now.”

  I turned my head away from the road and stared at him just long enough to make my point. “Work for the Resistance? What work have I been given to do exactly? It's not like I haven't asked! I need to keep my skills sharp. I need to keep in practice. What would you have me do?”

  “Train with me,” he suggested.

  “What?”

  “I know what you're going through. Do you think I just sit around in the car all day?”

  I shook my head, surprised at his outburst.

  “I get it. You're bored. You want to be where the action is. So come train with us.”

  “Us?”

  “Yes, the other Raiders and me. We practice regularly, to keep our skills sharp.”

  I pulled into the garage beneath Guy's apartment and stopped the car. Then I turned to face Eberhardt completely.

  “What about keeping everyone's identity a secret?”

  “Yes, that's important too, but it's also important to practice working together. Remember what I said about backup?”

  I nodded.

  “We practice in small groups,” he continued. “None of the Raiders know all of the other Raiders, and most of them have never met Guy, but we do form networks. To start, you can work with me and the girl you met tonight.”

  “Thanks, I guess. I might just take you up on that. But...”

  “What?”

  “Why didn't you tell me about this before?”

  “I should have. It's just…Guy didn't want it that way. I've got your back now though.” He exited the car, and then walked around to open the door for me.

  What a strange thing for him to say. I thought he already had my back.

  We entered the apartment, and Eberhardt dropped into the first chair he came to. Guy was on the couch. He put down his book when he saw me.

  “Keira! I didn't expect to see you tonight.” He started to stand, but I pushed him back down. Then I sat on his knee and put my arms around his shoulders.

  “Guy, what were you thinking?” I asked sweetly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why didn't you send me in tonight?”

  He sighed. “Keira, it wasn't the right job for you. I didn't want you to get hurt. I care about you.”

  “Wrong answer!”

  “What? It's wrong for me to care about you?”

  “Don't try to change the subject. If you cared about me, you would have sent me in tonight. I've been asking for a chance like this for weeks now!”

  “Well, it's not like I sent another woman in.”

  “Whoa! Wrong again!”

  Guy hesitated and looked at Eberhardt. “Is there something you neglected to tell me about Ricardo?”

  Eberhardt finally spoke up. “Guy, everyone knows you don't like to send in the girls.”

  “I didn't know that,” I muttered.

  “And some of these girls are really good at what they do.”

  “But I second that! Guy, you really need to give me some challenging work, or I'll find work elsewhere. Speaking of which,” I looked at Eberhardt, “I'll need a copy of those codes.”

  Guy pushed me off his lap, and I landed on the cushion next to him. “Keira, what did you do?”

  “I took a job from someone who trusted me to do it right.” My tone was like ice. “He's getting the codes.”

  “Do you have any idea what those codes are for?”

  “Security protocol.”

  “And how does your client plan to use that information?”

  “He works for CalTech. He wants to move up. That's all. How do you plan to use the information?”

  “It will give us Intel into the security systems that Cybonautics uses.”

  I shrugged. That didn't mean much to me, although I recognized the name from the business card Brody had given me.

  “It's the firm in charge of security at the major airports. Having access to these codes means the Resistance can assure safer passage for our members, including Scott, including April, and...”

  “And what?”

  “I thought I was right about you.” Guy shook his head, stood and walked to the window. I sat in stunned silence.

  -Guy-

  Trust

  Eberhardt moved to join me at the window. He placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke quietly so Keira wouldn't hear. “Does my opinion mean anything to you?”

  I nodded.

  “You were right about Keira, but your feelings for her are clouding your judgment. If you're not careful, you'll lose her. I suggest you try getting even closer. Trust her with more.” He left then.

  I continued to stare at the night sky. The latch clicked as Eberhardt let himself out. It wasn't a new thought. I'd considered trusting Keira with more, but after this... Was it really my doing, or more accurately my inaction, that had driven her to take another job? I took a deep breath as I thought about that and made my decision.

  I turned, but Keira was no longer on the sofa. I sensed movement as the front door closed without a sound. My heart jumped to my throat. Not again! I wrenched open the door. She was already partway down the hall and gaining speed.

  “Wait!” I called, and Keira froze. “Don't go. Please don't.”

  She turned and looked at me. Her black clothing almost allowed her to disappear into the darkness of the hallway. Almost, but not quite. Her eyes glistened.

  “Don't run away again. Please don't go down that road. Can't we talk?”

  Cautiously, she approached me, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

  “Keira, I was right about you. I'm sorry I said otherwise. Please come back inside. There's something I've been wanting to tell you.”

  She followed me in and walked to the window. I stood beside her but not too close.

  “What I really meant to say before was that the job tonight...there's another reason I didn't want you in on that. It's a gift for you – a way for you to be able to visit April in Parisio.”

  She turned her gaze to the stars. I couldn't quite read her, so I simply waited.

  She didn’t look at me when she spoke. “May I have the codes for my client? I don't like to break contracts, even verbal ones. It's not good for my reputation, and I don't think it would mess up your plans.”

  “It could.”

  “How so?” She
turned to look at me.

  “Cybonautics may discover that another company has learned their trade secrets. It could ruin them.”

  “So CalTech would be in the lead. Would that really change anything for us? Couldn't it even help? Best case scenario, we form a partnership with CalTech. I could, anyway, especially if I help my client get to the top. Or, think about this. Let's say Cybonautics retains their contracts with the airlines. If people are caught sneaking through security or messing with the codes, we could make sure that blame is placed on CalTech and divert attention away from the Resistance.”

  “I don't know. Your ideas involve a lot of unknowns.”

  “Life involves a lot of unknowns.”

  “Let me think about it.”

  She nodded. “All right. May I stay here tonight?”

  “Why? So you can sneak out of bed in the middle of the night to record the codes?” What was I doing?

  “No!” She looked hurt. “Is that why we always stay over at my apartment? Because you think I'll poke around through your things?”

  “You did when we first met.”

  “I didn't know you then – you were just a mark.” She stepped away from me. “I thought you trusted me.”

  I took Eberhardt's advice and stepped toward her, closing the gap between us. “I do, but I need you to make me a promise.”

  She looked at me warily.

  “Can you promise you won't run from me again? Promise me, if you decide to leave, you'll tell me you're going and tell me why.”

  She hesitated, and then sighed. “Okay, I promise.”

  I held out my hand. “Will you come with me?”

  I had made my decision. I led her to the desk and opened a secret compartment in the top left hand drawer. I retrieved a key on a short chain and lifted it so that it dangled in the space between us.

  “You're welcome to stop by anytime, at any hour. Will you be my partner in the Resistance?

  She reached out her right hand, palm up, and I placed the key in it. Her fingers curled shut.

  I didn't lock up the security codes that night. Instead I put them in the secret compartment. Then I turned to Keira. “Shall we retire for the night? It's been a long day.”

  She nodded and went into the bedroom. I followed her and watched as she removed her jacket, shoes and pants. Black lace underwear – I'd expected as much. She left on her t-shirt and climbed under the covers.

  I removed my clothes down to my boxers, and climbed into bed beside her. I laid down on my side with my head propped on my hand. I wanted to take her in my arms, but I was hesitant to press her after she'd so nearly fled. That brought some other questions to mind – questions I wasn't sure I wanted answered, yet still felt a driving need to ask.

  “Keira, when you run, where do you go?”

  “Somewhere familiar, somewhere safe.”

  “But who do you stay with?”

  She turned to look at me. “Do you really want to know the answer to that?”

  “Not specifics, I guess, but I want to understand you.”

  She hesitated, and then let out a breath. “There's a man, a man I know won't hurt me. He allows women to stay with him, for a fee.”

  She studied my face. I tried to mask jealousy with a calm passive look.

  “Do you trust him?”

  “I trust him to keep me hidden when that's what I need.”

  “Does he love you?”

  “No.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “No,” she said, without hesitation.

  I nodded. I'd heard enough. I turned off the bedside lamp. There was a sick feeling in my stomach, but I had asked, and she had responded with the truth. I wouldn't want it any other way. Keira rolled over, and I reached out to hold her. She shifted back into my arms.

  I couldn't sleep. I thought about my recent decisions and how they would impact my life. Without realizing it, I began to gently stroke Keira's arm, so I was a bit surprised when she turned toward me and responded completely and without inhibition. As she settled onto me, I heard a sigh in the darkness as well as something I'd never heard from her before.

  “I love you, Guy.”

  -Keira-

  The Dry Martini

  Guy decided not to go to work the next day. Instead, we discussed something important over breakfast – whether or not I should give the Cybonautics data processor access codes to Brody Delaney.

  “He's in a position to become a strong ally, if we play him right.”

  Guy studied me. “But can you play him right? How can you be sure that you can control him?”

  “Nothing is ever sure when it comes to other people,” I reminded him, “but I think I can do this. And even if I can't, we could use CalTech as a scapegoat if necessary.”

  “How much time do we have? When are you supposed to give him these codes?”

  “Tonight, 7:00.”

  “How much did you charge him?”

  “30,000.”

  Guy whistled. “Not bad!”

  I smiled. “You know I'm good.”

  “Yes, I do.” He smiled too. “I have an idea. Let's extend an olive branch.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Give Delaney a discount. Reduce your fee to 25,000, stroke his ego and only his ego...”

  I laughed as Guy continued, “And begin building a friendship. Just don't push it too far. If he falls for you, or thinks you're offering more than you are, and you have to dash his hopes later, this could backfire on us.”

  “Will do, boss!” I saluted him.

  “Don't do that.” He rolled his eyes.

  This was perfect! Finally, Guy trusted me to do what I did best.

  ***

  That afternoon, Eberhardt drove me to an empty field on the outskirts of Tkaron. Ricardo was already there, her long dark hair tied back in a ponytail. A bicycle was on its side a few meters away. I exited the car and stood facing her in the warm sunshine.

  “Keira, this is Raquelle, but the other Raiders know her as Ricardo. Raquelle, this is Keira, sometimes known as Madeline.”

  “Oh, not anymore,” I corrected. “That ID blew up, remember?”

  “Blew up, huh?” Raquelle and I shook hands, and I smiled at her.

  “Ladies, shall we begin with a few warm up laps?”

  We both nodded and began to run.

  After a half hour high intensity workout, the real training began. Eberhardt taught me how to safely use and dismantle a handgun, while Raquelle practiced target shooting nearby. I tried to tell Eberhardt that guns leave too much evidence behind, but he pointed out that even if I chose not to carry, someone could pull one on me.

  Next he emptied the gun, and we took turns disarming each other. This, I felt, was a far more useful skill. When I'd needed to in the past, I'd fought with sheer gut instinct. It felt good to learn some of Eberhardt's trusted techniques.

  We agreed to meet again in two days at Eberhardt's apartment where Raquelle would begin to teach me the fine art of disarming high techno security devices, an extremely useful skill for a Raider.

  On the way home, Eberhardt let me drive again. “Thank you for inviting me along today.”

  He just nodded.

  “It was you, wasn't it? You saw me enter the room after Raquelle last night. You let her know I was there.”

  “Yes, but I didn't know it was you.”

  “You're good backup, Eberhardt.”

  He smiled.

  ***

  When I opened the door to my apartment, a wonderful aroma welcomed me.

  “What's this?” I asked Guy, who was standing at the stove.

  “An apology dinner. I really am sorry about some of the things I said last night.”

  I kissed him on the cheek. “You're forgiven. Just let me go clean up.”

  “Clean up after,” he suggested. “Sit and eat now. The food is ready.”

  Guy pulled ou
t a chair for me, and I sat.

  “Did you really cook this, or did you have it catered in?” I teased. “It really is better than anything I could make.”

  He shook his head. “It's really not much. You just haven't taken time to practice.”

  “Maybe you could teach me?”

  After dinner, I showered and prepared for my meeting with Delaney. Guy walked into the bedroom just as I was clipping up my golden curls.

  “You're wearing that?” He stared at my short black cocktail dress. The deep V-neckline and sequined clip at the waist drew the eye right past my breasts.

  “Is something wrong with it?”

  “Try this.” He held up a glittering necklace that matched the clip at my waist. “It will draw his eyes back up to your face which is exactly where we want his focus to be.”

  I held up my hair, and he fastened the clasp. Guy was right. It was the perfect finishing touch.

  “You look stunning in that dress. I'm not sure you realize what kind of effect you have on men.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  “I thought we'd agreed that you wouldn't overdo this. We want Delaney to build a friendship with you, nothing more.”

  “Yes, that's the plan,” I agreed. “But I have to fit in. I'll be at the Dry Martini tonight. I know what I'm doing.”

  “I know you do. I have something for you.” He held out an ID with my picture on it, and then reached into his pocket for something else. “It's a new one, and here are some business cards.”

  I studied the ID. “Kendra James. I like it. Thanks!”

  Then I turned my attention to the business cards. They featured my real name and had a faint imprint of the symbol of the Resistance on them.

  “What's this number? It's not yours.”

  He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a black transceiver.

  I paused. “Guy...”

  “Yes?”

  “Would you like to be my backup tonight?”

  “I thought you didn't use backup.”

  I looked away. “You can thank Eberhardt. He got me thinking about it.”

  “All right, I accept. You're the lead, so tell me what to do.”

  I thought a moment. Guy would need to look the part. He kept a couple of suits here, for when he stayed overnight. I walked over to the closet and pulled one out. “To start, you should wear this and bring this.” I held up his black briefcase.

  We arrived early. I went in first and chose a small table off to the side of the room as far away from the dance floor and piano as possible. Guy sat at the bar, ordered a drink and turned his gaze toward the dancers. He looked like a businessman who had just concluded a long day at the office.