Chapter 11 #3
Arco kept her expression mild. It was her own fault for not remembering Olavskaya’s ferret-like curiosity and full array of minder talents.
“If your friend with XRAC will talk with someone on the CPS non-grata list, could we ping her together now? I’d love to meet her while I’m still in town, or maybe some of the volunteers. ”
Olavskaya’s crafty look was back. “Mr. Brenner is a very high-level talent, yet he is not a Minder Corps veteran.”
And there it was, the inside tickle that meant a telepathic probe.
Asking Tōn Ko to shield her mind now would be too late.
Instead, Arco pulled up the memory of watching the sweep hand of an antique clock as it advanced its way through the numbers.
One, two, three… The precise syncopation of the analog movement reminded her of a percussion symphony that started at one beat per second.
A softer second beat joined the first, sounding like a heartbeat...
“Very clever, Ms. Charrascos. Formidable focus, indeed.” Olavskaya beamed at her like she’d won a prize.
The tickle in her mind was gone. Arco only barely managed not to roll her eyes. “I’m too old for flash quizzes, Professor.”
Olavskaya didn’t seem remotely repentant. “Neither the universe nor your enemy gives fair warning. Best that you are prepared.” A slow-motion shudder passed through her thin body. Her eyelids sagged. “I’m sorry. I am still not well.”
Arco put her full glass back on the cart and stood. “You have been a gracious host. Thank you for your time.”
Olavskaya stood also, if a bit unsteadily. “You’re welcome.” The crafty look flitted across her face again. “One more thing.”
“Of course, Professor.” Arco braced herself for another test as she folded her tablet and slipped it into her pocket.
“The mode of action for inhib, the reverse drug for most neurochem overdoses, is to reboot neuroreceptors.” A corner of her mouth twitched upward. “Ask the woman in my foyer how well her sifter talent works on others when that happens.”
“I will.” Arco filed that away for later. “When you’re feeling up to it, I would still be grateful for the introduction.”
Olavskaya nodded. “I am meeting my friend later today. I will pass your pingref onto her if she’s interested.”
Arco gave the professor a short bow, then nodded to Tōn Ko to signal their departure.
For once, her finder sense was blessedly napping. Arco let her mind wander a bit as she and her team walked silently back to the roof and their rented transports. One more stop before heading back to Ridderth. Having a place to actually call home was growing on her.
She could almost imagine settling down, though not in rotten Ridderth. And, if she were bluntly honest with herself, this mythical home would be even better if Brenner lived there, too. As a friend, if he was willing. And maybe as more... That realization stunned her.
Her peripatetic lifestyle killed romances.
She’d have to deep-dive her memories for the last time she’d even had the promise of one.
Hasty hot-connect sex with other traveling souls made her feel more lonely than if she’d just slept alone.
Joy-palace professionals, though pretty and skilled, offered physical relief but no joy.
Brenner, on the other hand, was sexy because he didn’t flaunt it. The idea of being close to Brenner, discovering together how they could spark one another, fluxed her drives. Getting to know the man himself fluxed them even more.
But intimacy complicated relationships. Not to mention, journalists who slept with people involved in their stories impaired the credibility of both parties. Her secrets weren’t just her own, but those of the people who trusted her with their stories.
She hadn’t written about him, but finding him had inspired her to look for others in similar situations. The gargantuan CPS cesspool she’d uncovered and written about was still paying dividends in both royalties and new leads.
Anyway, she refused to even entertain the thought of anything personal as long as their contract was in force. If she had to choose, she’d rather have him on her side instead of in her bed. He made her feel safe. She was vastly comforted knowing he’d kill for her instead of die for her.
Most people thought of her as fearless, and she let them.
Confidence brought respect. Underneath, many things terrified her, especially in Ridderth.
Not just assaults and assassins, but making enemies who would hurt anyone to get to her.
Or her finder talent was misleading her, or rightly leading her to the wrong place at the wrong time.
Or worst of all, not doing the best she could with the life she’d been given and the calling she’d found. Maybe it was wishful thinking on her part, but she thought Brenner would understand that better than anyone.
Amusement at her impossible fantasies bubbled up as she stood on the roof, watching him and the team. He barked at the others to load the airsled in the flitter’s storage area and stomped around as if he was standing on an anthill. He glowered at her, then scowled at the bright sunlight.
She’d be lucky if he didn’t zap her the next time she couldn’t resist teasing him.