Page 24 of Ezra
“So serious it’s hilarious,” she muses. “I understand.” She glances at her slumbering parents. “I appreciate it. Because nothing’s funny right now. But if I don’t laugh at something, I think I might fall apart.”
I’m curious if she realizes we’re having a civil, almost friendly, conversation. Robert Carson has often made it clearthat he will never address androids as people or engage in conversations with them. Walking computers, he’s called us. Katrina clearly doesn’t subscribe to such an extreme rhetoric.
She turns back to me. “But you aren’t here for my entertainment, and I shouldn’t waste your time. I just thought perhaps...”
Concern about wasting my time. Acknowledging and respecting my role as an investigator.Who is this woman?I’m intrigued. “Perhaps?” I press gently.
“You were there the day our protest was bombed,” she murmurs. “And you were there yesterday. I thought maybe you’d see some connection nobody else could because of how you’re made.”
“Based on what you’ve told me, I think it’s possible your father was a primary target in the bombing.” Pensive, I clasp my hands behind my back. “Regardless, there’s no denying someone wants him dead. It won’t be safe for your family to return to your home. It’s a crime scene, and clearly the person or people responsible know where you live.”
“Will the police department help us?” Katrina asks.
“I have to report my findings to my partner,” I reply. “And the chief. That’s a decision that’ll be made at a higher level, but I imagine placing your father into a protection program will be the next step. I need to make a call. If you’ll excuse me?”
Katrina nods, rubbing her arm as she meets my gaze. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” My gratification drive homes in on those beautiful blue eyes again. I’m seeing Katrina in a way no one else can claim. In my research of her, ever since she came on the scene, she’s always exuded strength, confidence. All I see is uncertainty for the future.
Or is it uncertainty about me?
I never set out to intend to make her nervous, but I don’t think it’s my mannerisms, my way of speaking, that’s got her on edge. I doubt she’s ever had a conversation this long with a bionic before.
And she thanks me. Thanksme, when there are a handful of people I’ve served with for years who’ve never done the same.
It’s a small thing, saying thank you. But I appreciate it, nonetheless.
Deion answers my call, irate. “Ezra. I’m stuck in traffic. Did you make it to the hospital? What’ve you got?”
“Katrina Carson definitely isn’t TerraPura,” I tell him as I stride down a hospital corridor. “She told me she saw the shooter, that it was an android. Based on the evidence she gave, I believe her.”
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m making a sweep of the hospital. There are no droids on the premises besides me. Mellon Fields is a humans-only employer.”
“Understood,” Deion replies. “I’ll put a call out and let the ACU know we’ve got this ourselves, refocus them on the museum bombing.”
“I think we need to place the Carsons into witness protection,” I continue. “Katrina provided a potential lead that the attacks yesterday and this morning were linked. Carson was meant to be in the museum café.”
“How do you figure?”
“She posted about it on social media and told several coworkers who could’ve spread their movements around tointerested parties without realizing the danger. Made it easy to plan.”
“These damn centennials,” Deion grumbles. “Plastering their entire lives on the internet, no sense of privacy at all. All right. I’m going to chat with Jacobs about this.”
“He’s not going to like what you have to say,” I remark.
“No, he’s not, but we’re his least favorite department. What else is new? At least he’s a fan of Humanity First. It shouldn’t be hard to convince him.” The bustle of downtown New Carnegie streams through his speaker. “You think TerraPura is after Carson, or his daughter?”
“Either is possible. She’s become more outspoken this past year.”
“I don’t understand why they don’t go after pro-bionics the same way,” Deion muses. “Lucy Warren is just as vocal against them with millions of followers. Then again, Humanity First is literally everything TerraPura hates, going after their android gods. And Carson is the head of the snake that won’t shut up.” He pauses. “Do you think the Carsons will fight us on laying low?”
“He barely escaped with his life. His daughter seemed relieved at the possibility of protective custody.”
“How was she? She give you a hard time?”
“No, actually,” I reply. “She was very courteous.”
