Shutdown (Glitch) (3 page)

A couple people standing nearby laughed. I hated them a little more for encouraging Nihem’s patronizing support of his wife’s drinking.

Everyone’s sparkling clothing seemed to gleam brighter after I’d taken a couple sips. The added brightness only made the whole scene more menacing in its frivolity. Earlier we’d all sat at a long table where course after course of food had been placed in front of us. I’d eaten protein patties and hypoallergenic supplements for my entire life, so I didn’t even know what some of the foods
were
. Meats of many different kinds, rich creamy soups, pastas in buttery sauces, and vegetables of every color a person could imagine.

I learned after our brief dinner when we’d arrived last night not to eat as much as everyone else. My stomach wasn’t used to the rich food, not to mention the drinks. All night long, I was in and out of the collapsible med container we’d brought for me to sleep in. Tonight I had only nibbled politely at every dish, leaving the majority of it on the plate. The woman who’d sat beside me had clucked approvingly at my smaller portions, saying that I was right to try to keep my figure with a husband like Nihem.

As much as it galled me to waste food—I knew the amount of food I’d left uneaten on the plates would have fed a family for a week at the Foundation—I couldn’t afford to lose more sleep. It was exhausting enough to use my telek constantly to keep my mast cells in check so I wouldn’t go into an allergy attack. Central City buildings were all above ground of course. The Uppers had never believed the lies they fed to their drone labor force about the surface of the earth being destroyed by nuclear weapons. It was just another way for them to control us, keeping us underground while they all lived happily soaking up the sunshine on the Surface.

But this was what I had trained for. The past four months had been spent perfecting my control so that I could come on this mission. There had been a few brief discussions about whether someone else should come on the mission instead of me because of my allergies, but in the end I’d convinced them it had to be me. If something went wrong, my particular Gifts would be needed if there was any hope of getting out of the city alive. But nothing would go wrong, I reassured myself. I would accomplish the mission and finally bring the Link system crashing to the ground. We would free my younger brother and all the rest of the drones, at least the ones under eighteen that hadn’t yet had the last deadening adult V-chip implanted. It would change the world. It’s what I’d dreamed of since I began to feel emotion for the first time—I wanted everyone else to be able to feel these amazing new things too.

I clutched my glass tighter and headed toward my target, pasting a wide smile on my face. But before I could get to him, the woman who’d sat beside me at dinner, Checil, came up to me. She was only a few years older than me, but her skin was sallow and the heavy bags under her eyes were only partially concealed by her too-heavy makeup.

“Are you amped for Fight Night tomorrow?”

I shrugged, trying to look bored. I glanced quickly over her shoulder. My target was talking with a group of other white-haired men. “It’s really more of Nihem’s thing,” I said. “It’s what he dragged us out here for in the first place. I’d rather be cozy back at home. As it is,” I smiled tightly, looking around, “I’ll need a stiff drink to get through it. Or four. Speaking of, I think I need something stronger than this wine,” I nodded toward the open bar and tried to brush past her.

But she took my arm in hers and pulled me forward, almost sloshing the wine out of my goblet. I had to stop myself from pulling back from such an intimate touch. Again I was amazed at Max’s ability. No one ever saw through the disguise he’d given me, no matter how close they were.

“I know exactly what you mean. Have you seen
my
husband?” She waved at a man with thinning hair and a portly belly. He must have been more than twice her age. He was one of the men in the circle talking to my target, Warnost. He nodded back at Checil, but didn’t move from his spot. He swiped another small cake from a passing drone server’s tray.

Checil wrinkled her mouth in distaste.

“I loathe him, but not all our parents are legacy owners in Comm Corp like yours! The rest of us have to do what we can to keep our proper position in society. Even if it means marrying a saggy old man with perpetually greasy fingers.” She steered me around the perimeter of the party.

I glanced back and swore internally. I needed to extricate myself from this clingy woman, and quick. The party was almost at its end. We’d waited intentionally for the later half of the night to strike so our targets’ disappearances wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary, but if I didn’t act soon, I’d miss the opportunity completely.

Checil went on, oblivious that I wasn’t responding to her. I learned quickly that she was the kind of person who could keep up a stream of chatter no matter her audience. I suspected she enjoyed the fact that I didn’t speak much, and that she enjoyed even more walking and letting herself be seen with someone of Darl’s position. As she’d said, Darl’s parents were important people.

“Look, I really have to go—” I tried to interject, but Checil just kept talking.

“He’s determined to put a baby in me.” Checil went on as if I hadn’t said anything. “Continue the pure line of Uppers and all the bash that gen goes on and on about. Even though he already has three children. At least one of his sons is debauched and delicious. I’ve had him of course,” she laughed again. “If I ever do decide to let a parasite destroy my figure like my darling husband wants, I just might let the son take care of it. Then at least the little monster would look like family.”

I tried not to let my abhorrence show on my face. This woman would betray her husband without thought, disgrace him, and laugh about it in the same moment. I’d heard other women talking about Checil last night when she wasn’t there—about how her family had no money anymore and were only still Uppers because of the family name. Checil’s marriage to the husband she so casually dismissed was the only reason she was able to still appear in society, wear fancy dresses, eat this fancy food, and have these friends. As we circled the party, some of those so-called friends looked right at her and then turned away and chattered some more, laughing behind their hands.

“Well, I think I better see where Nihem’s gotten off to—” I glanced back at the circle of men. Several had left the group, but Warnost was still talking to Checil’s husband.

Checil’s smile faltered and her grip on my arm tightened. “To tell the truth, I’m just out of sorts because it’s been too long since my last infusion,” she said, her voice low. “There’s a dealer here of course, but all on the quiet since Bud and some of the other old gens look down on it. I have to steal all the credits I can to even get my hands on a tiny bit.” Her eyes flashed with anger before she turned to look sweetly up at me. “But I’ve heard you’re quite the infusion enthusiast as well. I’d be happy to introduce you to Central City’s most prominent dealer. Maybe we could steal away and go have a real party.” She raised her makeup-darkened eyebrows and smiled. It was a desperate smile, almost feral.

I had no idea what infusions were, but I suspected it had something to do with her bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. I smiled sweetly and disengaged my arm from hers. “Thank you so much for the kind offer, but I’m fine for tonight. Now, I must go find Nihem.”

I turned to go but she grabbed my arm again, her eyes wild. Her fingers felt like claws in my skin. “But you have to help me! I mean, I don’t quite have enough credits for another infusion, but if you come, I’m sure the dealer will overlook that.” Her voice wavered between persuasion and panic. “He really has the best clientele. He heard of your … your
interest
, and asked me to introduce you.”

“Really, I can’t right now.” I couldn’t keep the impatience from my voice. My target had shaken hands with Checil’s husband and was walking toward the exit.

“But later? After the party?” Her fingers were still digging into my arm.

“Sure, whatever,” I said, forcing a smile. Anything to get rid of her.

She nodded vigorously, finally letting me go. “Meet me at the fountain at midnight. We’ll go then.” It was a command, not a suggestion. I was sure Darl would have put her in her place for her attitude, but standing her up tonight would accomplish the same thing.

I hurried toward Warnost’s retreating back. But before I could get to him, he exited through the double doors. I stopped, wondering if I should follow him down the hall. He’d be alone, just like we wanted. Maybe this whole thing could work to our advantage. But when I looked behind me, I saw Checil’s bloodshot eyes on me, a small frown on her face. It would look odd if I didn’t go find Max like I’d said I would. And worse if it looked like I was following my target out. The way these people gossiped, every one of them would know by morning.

I balled my hands into fists in frustration but then made my way over to Max until I saw who he was talking to. It was the second target, a woman who was far too old to be wearing the outfit she had on, a short red dress with so many cutouts that it looked like a hastily wrapped bandage.

The way she was leaning into Max’s chest, I could tell his plan was working. I’d been skeptical when he’d been so sure he could get her alone without a trick like spilling wine, but now I saw why he’d been so confident. He was a natural at this, far more smooth than he’d been a year and a half ago when we’d still lived in the Community and he’d clumsily tried to seduce me. I was sure he’d had plenty of practice since then. I swallowed my disgust.

Then again, as I got closer I could see the tiny key drive hanging like a pendant from a glittering gold chain around her neck. As long as Max got results, that was all that mattered right now.

This might still work after all. We’d planned on getting in a public fight tomorrow afternoon to explain our absence from the main attraction of Fight Night, but doing it now would work just as well. And then maybe I could still leave to go track down Warnost without suspicion.

I stopped several feet away and put my hands on my hips with an exaggerated look of disgust on my face. I stood a full ten seconds, making sure the people around me could see me watching them. Nihem was an infamous philanderer, this was all well within character.

I went forward and knocked the cake out of his hand. “You bastard. The least you can do is
try
to hide your affairs.”

Max smiled at the woman he was talking to before leisurely looking my way. “Usually you’re too bubbled to notice,
darl
ing.”

“You know I hate it when you call me that,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Oh, are we talking about the things we hate now?” The smile was still on his face. “My list is oh so long. Starting with the fact that you’re in love with another man.”

People all around had stopped to stare at us. They did love a good piece of gossip. I hoped we were performing to their standards.

I tipped my head to the side and laughed in Max’s face. “He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be. You’re just a bad imitation,” I couldn’t help adding, “A copy who could never live up.”

His smile was gone now. “You never gave me a chance. Besides, there was a while there when I lived up just fine.” He leered at me. “I didn’t hear any complaints.”

My face heated up. “Only because I was looking at you but imagining him.”

He pulled back. “I should have known from the start you’d break my heart. You always were a cold-hearted bitch.”

My hand flew to slap his face, but he caught my arm midswing. I glared at him, letting the hatred pour off me. I didn’t have to fake it.

“If I divorce you, you’ll lose everything,” I said, getting back on script. “My father will make sure you end up with
nothing
.” I spit the last word.

He only looked momentarily daunted, but then smiled. “Your father was glad to get rid of you. He’s happy I have to deal with you now so he doesn’t have to bother.”

I glanced around at all the people watching now and tried to look embarrassed, even hurt. I glared back at my pretend husband. Then I let out an angry huff and stalked out of the room toward the door my target had left through. It was the perfect excuse to make a believable exit.

Once I was out, I hurried down the hallway toward Warnost’s room, trying to let go of my anger at Max so I could focus. I hoped our little charade hadn’t lasted too long and I’d catch Warnost before he disappeared behind the locked door of his bedroom suite. But as I approached, the door sealed shut behind him. I put my ear against the chrome door. If I buzzed, I could still slip inside after he opened the door and stun him. But then I heard two voices inside and swore silently. There was someone else there. I couldn’t use the stunner on both of them at the same time.

“
Shunt
,” I swore under my breath. I stood one second longer, frustrated at how close I was to getting the key drive. But it was too risky if I tried it now. I finally pulled away from the door. I was so frustrated I wanted to kick something. Or punch a certain doped-up socialite for getting in my way.

I headed down the hallway to my own suite. We hadn’t intended on going to the preparty before the fight tomorrow, but now we’d have to so we’d have another chance to snatch his key. I didn’t like cutting it that close, but there was no other choice. I flopped on the bed in our suite and let out a long breath. Imitating Darl was exhausting, and my feet were screaming from the too-tight shoes I’d been wearing all night. I took a long bath, as if I could wipe all traces of her off me.

I dressed and came back into the main suite. Cream-colored silks and other manufactured gauzy fabrics were draped all over the room. They cascaded from a bar along the top of the bed and were bunched along the sides of the windows. I backed away from the window on instinct. We kept the heavy drapes always drawn so no one could peek in, but I was still glad it was nighttime. Even though I could control my allergies now, the outdoors still unnerved me.