Page 107 of CHOICE Lover
Another few GROW employees are dismissed, and they move to the row James and Sable occupy. From outside the room, someone calls, “Seize her. We can’t let her go in there while an active investigation is underway.”
A woman from the line barks, “Is someone going to deal with that madwoman, or shall I?” He turns to see that it’s Sable who is glancing around like she’s surrounded by idiots. If Wanda wants to observe their reactions, the physician certainly seems primed to give them a show.
Wanda turns, addressing Sable directly. “I’m certain the situation is being handled by the appropriate GROW personnel.”
Res6 is certain she is provoking her intentionally. Sable breaks eye contact first.
Wanda moves to stand in front of a lab tech who seems to be their companion. “Identify yourself.”
“F-Avrel-MSP-00034489,” the tech says, ringing her hands like she has something to worry about.
Res6 shakes his head. “Not a match.”
Tension flows off Avrel as she rushes for the exit. “I’ll wait for you guys outside,” she shouts to her companions before the door closes behind her. He tracks her as she passes through the door, spotting a flash of auburn hair. It’s the woman from the video, and she has a finger in the face of a burly security guard. This can’t be good.
Res6 turns back to James, who seems on the brink of panic. Viper’s scowl is now a deep frown as he eyes him. James meets his gaze.
Wanda says, “Identify yourself.”
“C-Nixon-MSP-00010672,” James says, repeating an identifier that definitely does not belong to him, adding a layer of complication to the case. Could this be a part of his identity company’s scheme? Good thing he and Electra bolted when they did. He knew something was off. He doesn’t break eye contact with the man as the moment stretches on. Do not say anything about my reincarnate, he mentally pleads.He wishes he could snap the tension with a quick,not a match, but Wanda instructed him to draw the moment out, so that is what he’s doing.
Finally, Res6 says, “Not a match,” and both his and James’s shoulders deflate.
He moves on to Sable as James heads for the door.
“No need to wait for me,” Sable calls. “Take Avrel and go back to the decommissioning chamber. We have a mess to clean up. I’ll deal with that woman and follow shortly.”
She’s going to deal with the K8 woman who thinks someone—James—was recycled. That has to be it. Does that mean she’s in some sort of relationship with her reincarnate? The realization is making him dizzy. If that’s the case, it mirrors his situation with Electra so closely that it can’t help but affect him.
Wanda clears her throat. “If you’re quite finished, identify yourself.”
Sable’s voice is clear as she meets his eye and states, “C-Sable-MSP-00031475. A pleasureto meet you.”
Res6’s heart is racing as he and Viper step out into GROW’s lobby. Something about Sable’s tone felt decidedly ominous. Did she just threaten him, or is that her general demeanor?
“We’ll let you know if we require any additional assistance. Report back to the office and resume your normal activities,” he instructs Viper, who frowns. Did he think the inspector was going to let him tag along throughout the day?
Grumbling, Viper leaves. After giving him a head start—the last thing he wants is to suffer through another chat with the man—Res6 makes his way toward the SAT garage to wait on Inspector Wanda as instructed.
But as he’s walking, the woman from earlier catches his attention. She’s still arguing with that same security guard in front of the customer service counter. Behind the counter, the doors burst open. Out walks Sable, followed by two more guards.
“He’s dead?” the woman—K8—asks, rapidly blinking back tears.
He’s not dead. Both Res6 and Sable know this, but K8 doesn’t. Her distress is palpable, clouding the hallway with tension. Not his business. He quickly slips down a hallway, but not before catching Sable’s eye. She looks beyond him before turning back to K8, face a mask of indifference.
After a few wrong turns, he finds the lobby for the SAT garage. A dozen chairs are arranged in neat rows, and the space is otherwise empty aside from the single particle pane displaying an obnoxious GROW advertisement.Love has never been easier. What a joke. He can attest from personal experience that—well, he can’t attest that, because love isn’t what he’s feeling. Yes, it’s all-consuming. Yes, knowing that she’s mad at him has his stomach in knots. Yes, the way she’s affecting him makes him want to move municipalities. Is that why 3Zeez ran from Jerme?
His chest squeezes. He thinks the command: Time Check. 11:06.Would Inspector Wanda hurry up already? He’s got a ton of workto do. And maybe he can swing by his unit and resolve things with Electra. The longer this goes on, the more unease he feels. He needs a distraction.
“Nervous?” a newly familiar voice asks.
He turns to see Sable leaning against the wall next to him. He got so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn’t notice her approach.
“No,” he answers, frowning. “What do you want?”
“That was my partner’s girlfriend back there who you upset. She thought he got recycled. If it weren’t for you, he would have been home before she ever knew what happened.” The thoughtful sparkle in her dark eyes is slightly scary. “You have a reincarnate problem, too, don’t you?”
He looks away, a guilty pang hitting him for the distress his actions caused the auburn-haired woman. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
