Machine Man (serial)

CHAPTER TEN

“This is really unfortunate,” said Cassandra Cautery. “I feel terrible about this.”

I couldn’t see her. I was having trouble opening my eyes. They had sedated me, back at the cafe, while I was watching Lola Banks. While I was transfixed by the opening and closing of her mouth, the slowly spreading shock and fear on her face, someone had jabbed a needle in my arm. My veins filled with chemicals as Lola’s fingers described a slow arc through the air, terminating at the deep red flower that blossomed beneath her yellow dress.

“What we need now,” said Cassandra Cautery, “is just to take a few deep breaths.”

My right eyelid peeled open. My left was still gummed up, but I could see a blob where her face must be, framed by watery blonde hair. Beyond that was a nondescript ceiling. I could have been anywhere. But I wasn’t. I was at work.

“Would you like some water?” she said. “I bet you’re thirsty.”

Lola had reached for me. I had tried to catch her, but my legs wouldn’t move. They were inert. They were anchors. I strained, and Lola fell to the floor in front of me.

“I think there’s been some miscommunication on both sides,” said Cassandra Cautery. “I think there are some real lessons to be learned.”

Lola, I croaked. Cassandra Cautery leaned closer. I don’t think she heard me. But she knew what I meant.

“It’s understandable you’re upset, Charlie. I’d be upset, in your place. But please bear in mind: this was a high-pressure situation. Our people were forced into split-second decisions.”

“Lola.” This time it was a real word. My left eye fluttered open. In a minute, I would be able to sit up. Shortly after that, I would be able to get my hand around Cassandra Cautery’s tiny neck and squeeze some answers out of her.

“It’s the unknown,” she said. “It scares people. Makes everyone think worst-case. All this could have been avoided, if only there had been full disclosure.”

I managed to co-ordinate an arm and levered myself up. I was in a medical room. It was small and windowless. The walls were a pale, nostalgic blue. I could smell something acrid and unforgiving, like detergent. Or maybe that was Cautery.

“With that in mind,” she said, “I’d like to figure out why your girlfriend has a metal heart.”

44.