The woman dismounted, graceful from practice. Taking off her hat and gloves, she handed them to one of the men. Howard, she said, eyes bright and color in her cheeks that makeup couldnt hide. Her riding boots, unlike everything else, were well worn, and Peri looked for a whip, thinking it wouldnt be out of place. Your text was nebulous, to say the least. Youd better have a good explanation. This isnt a good time.
Is it ever? he said, shaking hands with her, but the woman never took her eyes off Peri.
Taf had shifted to make room, ultimately ending closer to Peri than to her mother. Mother, this is Peri Reed, she said formally, a stilted smile in place, and Peri shifted her coat to stick her hand out. Peri, this is my mother, Fran Jacquard.
Pleasure, Fran said, motioning her security forward.
Hey! Peri exclaimed when one took her hat and coat, and the other patted her down.
Seriously? Taf complained. Howard wouldnt bring her here if she wasnt clean.
Mistakes happen. Sculpted eyebrows high, Fran waved off the guard when he showed her the jackknife shed taken from that beat two-door car shed hot-wired.
Peri is clean, Howard grumped as the security guys dropped back. Its what I do.
Good, then. Fran stood before Peri, her sharp attention making Peri stiffen. So she was dirty and smelled like a bus. Shed been working three days straight. I understand you have something for us? Fran prompted, and Howard shifted from foot to foot, making the beads in his dreadlocks clink.
Ah, actually , he hedged, we dont quite have it yet. Thats why were here.
Fran turned to him, but Peri was wondering what the it was they were talking about. Taf, too, looked out of the loop. It what? Peri asked, feeling ignored.
Fran leaned toward Howard, her expression twisting up in irritation. Howard, she said softly. What is she doing here if she doesnt have what we need to close Opti down?
Oh, that it, Peri thought. Mrs. Jacquard, Opti has Silas Denier. He works for you, yes?
Frans attention shifted. And you do not, Fran said as Howard exhaled in relief.
Peris eyes slitted. Pulse fast, she scanned the area for a fast way out. The horse had been led away, and the nearby golf carts might or might not be faster than someone running. They couldnt outrun bullets, though. Coming here suddenly felt like a mistake, but shed never left a man behind before, and she wasnt going to start noweven if it was Silas.
Peri thinks Silas can bring back a memory that proves Opti is corrupt, Howard pleaded.
And prove Imnot, Peri added.
Opti is corrupt, Fran said, motioning for her security to back off. All of it.
Im not corrupt, Peri said, working to keep her temper. Pissing off her alliance contact wouldnt help. And Im not a scapegoat, she added, feeling vulnerable under the womans accusing eye. Silas can help me remember what happened at Global Genetics. What if I remember more? What if he brings it all back? Do I want to remember Jacks death?
Asking for things was not unusual for Peri. She did it all the time and usually got what she wanted. But asking a group that was hell-bent on destroying everything she believed in was chancyeven if her success might mean a realization of everything they wanted. At this point, it was hard to argue that Opti was not rife with corruption. All she wanted was to clear her name.
And yet, Frans expression as she stared at Peri made her feel guilty.
This is counterproductive, Peri said, trying for a firmer tone. Every moment spent talking this over makes it harder to retrieve Silas. I need him to reconstruct what happened up in that office. You want to know whos corrupt? So do I. But it isnt me. Silas can bring it back.
An anchor cant defragment a memory he or she didnt witness, Fran said quickly.
Yes they can. Peri warmed as she recalled Silass hotel room, his cool thoughts in hers.
Howard inched closer, his knitted vest looking tired next to Frans high style. I talked to Silas yesterday. Hes been working with her, he said, and Peri wondered at the emphasis he put on the word. Hes already had some success bringing back her past anchor. If he can do that
The one she killed, right? Fran interrupted, and Tafs lips parted in surprise.
Why are we still talking about this? Peri said in disbelief. Im trying to help.
To help yourself. Fran frowned, clearly undecided. Isnt that why youre here?
Im here because I need to know the truth, Peri said, her pulse quickening.
Fran sighed. Dont we all, she said, then jumped when the phone on her hip vibrated. How nice. Their plane came in early, she said sourly as she took a look. I have to go, but you are coming with me. You can explain on the way.
Peri didnt move, gaze sliding from her dirty clothes to Tafs understated elegance. Howard, too, looked uncomfortable, and he scrubbed a hand over his thick bristles making a dark shadow on his face. Ahh, I know half-beards are in these days, but I could really use a shower before going to your box, Fran.
Is it ever? he said, shaking hands with her, but the woman never took her eyes off Peri.
Taf had shifted to make room, ultimately ending closer to Peri than to her mother. Mother, this is Peri Reed, she said formally, a stilted smile in place, and Peri shifted her coat to stick her hand out. Peri, this is my mother, Fran Jacquard.
Pleasure, Fran said, motioning her security forward.
Hey! Peri exclaimed when one took her hat and coat, and the other patted her down.
Seriously? Taf complained. Howard wouldnt bring her here if she wasnt clean.
Mistakes happen. Sculpted eyebrows high, Fran waved off the guard when he showed her the jackknife shed taken from that beat two-door car shed hot-wired.
Peri is clean, Howard grumped as the security guys dropped back. Its what I do.
Good, then. Fran stood before Peri, her sharp attention making Peri stiffen. So she was dirty and smelled like a bus. Shed been working three days straight. I understand you have something for us? Fran prompted, and Howard shifted from foot to foot, making the beads in his dreadlocks clink.
Ah, actually , he hedged, we dont quite have it yet. Thats why were here.
Fran turned to him, but Peri was wondering what the it was they were talking about. Taf, too, looked out of the loop. It what? Peri asked, feeling ignored.
Fran leaned toward Howard, her expression twisting up in irritation. Howard, she said softly. What is she doing here if she doesnt have what we need to close Opti down?
Oh, that it, Peri thought. Mrs. Jacquard, Opti has Silas Denier. He works for you, yes?
Frans attention shifted. And you do not, Fran said as Howard exhaled in relief.
Peris eyes slitted. Pulse fast, she scanned the area for a fast way out. The horse had been led away, and the nearby golf carts might or might not be faster than someone running. They couldnt outrun bullets, though. Coming here suddenly felt like a mistake, but shed never left a man behind before, and she wasnt going to start noweven if it was Silas.
Peri thinks Silas can bring back a memory that proves Opti is corrupt, Howard pleaded.
And prove Imnot, Peri added.
Opti is corrupt, Fran said, motioning for her security to back off. All of it.
Im not corrupt, Peri said, working to keep her temper. Pissing off her alliance contact wouldnt help. And Im not a scapegoat, she added, feeling vulnerable under the womans accusing eye. Silas can help me remember what happened at Global Genetics. What if I remember more? What if he brings it all back? Do I want to remember Jacks death?
Asking for things was not unusual for Peri. She did it all the time and usually got what she wanted. But asking a group that was hell-bent on destroying everything she believed in was chancyeven if her success might mean a realization of everything they wanted. At this point, it was hard to argue that Opti was not rife with corruption. All she wanted was to clear her name.
And yet, Frans expression as she stared at Peri made her feel guilty.
This is counterproductive, Peri said, trying for a firmer tone. Every moment spent talking this over makes it harder to retrieve Silas. I need him to reconstruct what happened up in that office. You want to know whos corrupt? So do I. But it isnt me. Silas can bring it back.
An anchor cant defragment a memory he or she didnt witness, Fran said quickly.
Yes they can. Peri warmed as she recalled Silass hotel room, his cool thoughts in hers.
Howard inched closer, his knitted vest looking tired next to Frans high style. I talked to Silas yesterday. Hes been working with her, he said, and Peri wondered at the emphasis he put on the word. Hes already had some success bringing back her past anchor. If he can do that
The one she killed, right? Fran interrupted, and Tafs lips parted in surprise.
Why are we still talking about this? Peri said in disbelief. Im trying to help.
To help yourself. Fran frowned, clearly undecided. Isnt that why youre here?
Im here because I need to know the truth, Peri said, her pulse quickening.
Fran sighed. Dont we all, she said, then jumped when the phone on her hip vibrated. How nice. Their plane came in early, she said sourly as she took a look. I have to go, but you are coming with me. You can explain on the way.
Peri didnt move, gaze sliding from her dirty clothes to Tafs understated elegance. Howard, too, looked uncomfortable, and he scrubbed a hand over his thick bristles making a dark shadow on his face. Ahh, I know half-beards are in these days, but I could really use a shower before going to your box, Fran.
