Machine Man (serial)

Once Lola had fallen asleep, I wheeled myself out into the corridor. Cassandra Cautery emerged from a door ten feet away. “Well,” she said. “That was some story.”

“Yeah,” I said.

“I’m always curious about what motivates people to choose their careers. It’s never what you think.”

I said nothing.

“She can have the heart. We haven’t disposed of it. So if it has sentimental value… well, she can have it.”

“I’ll tell her.”

Silence fell.

I said, “I want to continue the project.”

“Yes,” she said. “I thought you might.”

55.