CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Ms. Fryar, what is this?” asked one of the three remaining guards holding up his cell phone to a video. She stared at it and frowned.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“This,” he said again, turning up the sound and handing her the phone. She watched the video, shaking her head at the image of herself.
“No. No, that’s not me. I didn’t say those things. I didn’t do those things!” she yelled, tossing his phone back to him.
“You’re crazy. I don’t care how much you pay me. This job sucks. We’re leaving.”
“You can’t! Where is John? John!” she yelled.
“John left this morning after seeing the video. You’re on your own, lady. Good luck.”
She couldn’t believe it. Someone was using artificial intelligence to play a game with her. It couldn’t be the group she was after. It wasn’t possible. They had skills, but none of them had the ability to produce something like this using AI.
Pacing back and forth in front of the window, she scanned the beach for any trespassers but saw no one. She couldn’t hide in the house forever. She had to get out and find these people, especially the one she truly needed.
If she couldn’t get her hands on the little engineer, she’d be forced to try and figure everything out herself, and she even had her limitations.
Walking to the bedroom, she stared at the messy bed, remembering her enjoyment with John. She’d really wanted him to stay, even if it was just for sex a few times a day. He was very good at it.
Instead, she was forced to pack her bags once again and find a place to hide until she could regroup. The last of the dying breed that was sent to find and handle the special group of people from The Depot, she had no one else to rely on other than herself.
“You’ve started something you can’t finish.”
Turning, she stared at the figure behind her and gasped. It wasn’t possible. None of this was possible. She needed a drink. Closing her eyes, she opened them, and the figure was gone. In the kitchen, she poured a huge glass of whiskey and downed it so quickly she almost made herself sick.
“I’m okay. I’m okay. I’m just tired and need to finish this,” she said repeatedly.
“You can’t finish it. You’re not smart enough.”
“Stop!” she yelled, holding her hands over her ears. “Stop!”
“I’m not done yet.”
“The devices were deployed, and we’re scanning the areas in and around D.C., Virginia, and Maryland,” said Marilisa. “It’s unlikely that she’s moved on from an area that she’s so comfortable in.”
“Do you agree, Stephanie?” asked Ryan. Stephanie was staring out the window of the auditorium as the others looked at her. Brax wanted to reach out and touch her but once again pulled back. “Stephanie?”
“What? Oh, yes. I agree with Marilisa.” Ryan glared at Brax, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“So, if we believe she’s still in the tri-state area, perhaps we should send a team now,” said Saint.
“We could do that,” said Eric, “but we’d be standing around just waiting for data, and we might leave the others here vulnerable.”
“The waiting is what’s killing me,” said Marilisa. Saint hugged her to his side, seeing Brax staring at them. He looked toward Stephanie still staring out the window, and then up at Eric and the leadership team.
“Look, whatever the fuck is going on here, get it under control. We don’t have time for all this petty bullshit when lives are at stake,” said Eric. Stephanie looked at him, tears filling her eyes, and nodded.
“Of course,” she swallowed. “I’m sorry that my feelings are considered petty and disruptive. Excuse me.”
“Stephanie,” called Eric. “Stephanie, I didn’t mean it that way.” Turning, she looked at him, then up at Brax.
“No. No, you guys never mean it that way, do you? You say things without thinking and expect that your wives, your girlfriends, your friends, even your enemies should understand your meaning.” She said enemies and looked directly at Brax. “I always felt that I was the odd one, never quite understanding emotions like others. I think I’m more normal than almost any of you.”
“Stephanie, please accept my apology,” said Eric. “We’re all a little on edge here.”
“No. No, it’s fine. I need to be alone for a while. Excuse me.” She walked out of the auditorium and toward her cottage. When Brax stood to follow, Eric held up his hand.
“Do not move your ass from this room. Leave that poor girl alone. We have to find Michelle.”
“I have found her.”