We were two days from the end of the week and still held onto the number 2 spot and all of our limbs. I knew Macy was up to something and this was the calm before the storm. Chaz and I leaned against the truck near the Central Public Mallplex eating “Chang ’s Happy Dog” carryout.
“I’ve been thinking about the problem we’ve got with Macy. And there’s that thing you’ve got with Brion.”
He seemed to be fighting a water chestnut. His large hands weren’t exactly the sort that chopsticks were made for. It took him a minute or two to respond. He was gritting his teeth with frustration.
“Been thinking about it too. I’m wondering why it’s taking her so damn long to try something.”
The water chestnut won and he decided to use his hands. I laughed, but not loud enough for him to hear since I was working on a noodle that had fused to the side of the carton. Hands were definitely the better way to go, so I gave in to my basic instincts and used my hands for the time being also. We could be primitive barbarian “gwailos” together.
“She might be looking for someone on the outside to do the job for her. Like one of the crazier props like Bane Root since most ‘normal’ crazy Props know enough to avoid messing with us,” I thought aloud.
“What I hear, The Root is pretty expensive. Not sure we’re worth that much.”
“We aren’t and she likes to take care of problems on her own. She might try to set us up with Shivers or Slops.”
He stopped picking at his carton for a moment and licked his fingers.
“She might, but ain’t that a little risky? I mean, aren’t they going to wonder who she is and maybe sniff around? That would be a lot of heat to pull down.”
“Yeah, but it would still take an outsider to do it right. Better load up on ammo and get AP for the pistols and slugs for the gauge. I don’t want to get caught unprepared.”
I could see Maab coming back from the Mallplex with a trio of new “friends”.
“Chaz, what do you think of Maab?”
He watched her walk for a moment and took his time answering.
“I don’t think she’s everything she seems to be. Kinda unbalanced.”
“Do you think she can’t be trusted?” Trust was such a funny thing to talk about in this line of work, but he knew that the trust I meant was different than what the media said it was.
“Didn’t say that. It’s just she don’t say much about herself. We don’t really know where she came from.”
“I think she used to be a hooker down in G-3 sector, but got out of it. She’s got scars on her wrists and ankles. She couldn’t have been in it very long.”
He turned to look at me and unhooked his slicker. We both tossed our takeout cartons into the lot’s drain. He started to pump up the stun gun and I sorted through the nylon restraints.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she escaped from B-hem. She ain’t all right.”
“I know. She said she made a promise to someone and was trying to keep it. I have no idea what that means. I think we can trust her as much as anyone else.”
“Know what’chu mean man. But she got a great ass” He said and laughed.
I laughed and put the straps in my coat pocket. He put the stun gun behind him.
“That she does. Just don’t tell her I said so. I don’t want to be accused of sexually harassing any of the help except you.”
He laughed at me and shook his head.
“Aye man, I’m more man than any MAN could handle! The women, they BEG for it. Only problem is that one at a time ain’t enough!.”
“God, you’re full of it. You take the one on the left.”
Maab got the three girls within about twenty feet of the truck when they realized something wasn’t right. They were a little groggy, and stopped leaning into Maab long enough to stare at the truck and us. They added it up pretty quickly and started to run. The closest of them stood her ground and started screaming. Maab shoved a chlorophyll- soaked rag into her face and rode her to the pavement. I took off after mine and Chaz split left and caught the other one easily. Why do I always get to chase the fast ones?
Chaz yelled and threw the stun gun ahead of me. I scooped it up and kept running after her. She had stopped to take off her heels, but was easily making up the distance barefooted. I threw myself against the side of a car and took aim. The first gel bag clipped her left elbow and spun her, but the second caught her square in the stomach. With a grunt she fell backwards awkwardly onto the pavement and skidded. As I ran up on her, she was in a fetal position fighting for air and my heart stopped. We were within forty feet from the mall entrance and a Shiver APC had turned towards us. It painted me with its spotlight.
I debated running for it, but there was no way I could get away. Here I was standing in plain view with a gelpack stun gun after having just sacked a kid. I measured my breaths and waited. I hoped that I could keep the Shivers busy long enough for Chaz and Maab to get to the truck. I heard footsteps behind me and realized that Maab had run after me to help and nearly caught up. They had us both.
The heavy vehicle squealed to a stop in front of me and I heard the far door slide open. Three Shivers walked around the front and stood silhouetted in the front lamps. The turret swung around and painted me with an additional spotting lamp. Even with the light in my eyes, I could still make out the browbeaters and heard the safeties click off. Those guns wouldn’t kill, but they hurt like hell and could incapacitate me at this range. I measured my breaths carefully and kept calm, holding the gun lowered at my side. I put my foot on the girl’s shoulder to keep her from crawling away. Only one way out of this.
“Let me talk to your Sergeant. Alone” I looked at the three helmets and after a moment, one of them stepped forward.
Something passed between them that I couldn’t hear and two of the grunts moved around the side of the APC out of earshot but still in site. The remaining Shiver stepped forward and took off his helmet to eliminate eavesdropping on the Comlink. I noticed that he had removed his ID badge but not his rank. Smart bastard.
“I don’t tolerate Bag Teams on my beat. Which one of ‘em are you working for?” He spat. He was an older man with gray-blue eyes and deep wrinkles. A long scar lined the left side of his chin.
“One that tips well and appreciates your service.” I told him.
It’s always delicate business bribing Slops or Shivers, but not Monarchs. Monarchs will take anything you give them and walk, but if you go too high or two low with a SLA employee you run the risk of insulting them. You’ve got to gauge them correctly. Because of his age, I figured he’d been on the streets for a few too many years and overlooked for a few promotions. I handed him 200 credits and he locked eyes with me. I knew I had judged around the right amount and he didn’t appreciate it.
“I could drop you right here you son of a bitch.”
“I understand Sergeant. I’m take the girl, you take the Uni’s, and Cloak Division doesn’t leave your family without a provider for dealing with the Skin Trade.”
His eyes narrowed further and he let out a hiss as he snapped the wad of cash from me. He put on his helmet and walked back to the APC. A moment or two later the vehicle pulled out and shut its spotlights off. I leaned forward and let out my breath. That had been entirely too close. Maab walked up beside me and sedated the victim.
“That was incredible. What did you tell him?” Her eyes were wide.
“I told him that one man can’t make a difference. Help me get her to the truck.”
We carried her back and strapped her in the cargo area with her two friends. All three mumbled softly under the effect of the sedative. Maab seemed to be concentrating on me for the rest of the evening. Maybe she finally believed me that this was the only thing I was good at.
And I was damn good at it.
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