Chapter 2
It was the morning after the Opera.
Nathan Wallace couldn't help noticing the sky was tinged with red as he made his way over to the GeneCo building.
The building itself was unusually quiet. Even the usually perky Genterns seemed to be in a somber mood.
He went straight to the lift to Rotti's office, not wanting to linger.
The security on the door confirmed his identity and he was buzzed in.
Rotti's large wingback chair was facing away from the door as he walked in. He walked up to the desk and placed a case on it.
"I've completed the assignment you gave me" he said in a businesslike tone.
The chair slowly spun around. He realized with some shock that it wasn't Rotti sitting in it.
It was Amber.
She smirked at the surprised look on his face.
"Expecting to see Dad?" she asked. "I'm afraid he's no longer with us. I'm in charge of GeneCo now" she said self-satisfiedly.
"Rotti is dead?" Nathan asked, genuine shock on his face.
"Yes. He died last night… at the Opera" she said. For just a moment her expression clouded over and her voice showed a trace of grief for the man who had raised her.
"I am sorry to hear that…" he said, trying not to show his relief. With Rotti gone maybe Mag and Shilo would be safe.
She frowned slightly then her eyes fell on the case on the desk. "What do we have here?" she asked curiously. She opened the case. Inside were two bright blue mechanical eyes. Her lips curved in a smug grin.
"Did you kill her?" she asked. "Yes" he said, eyes not quite meeting hers.
She gave him a skeptical look but didn't say anything.
"Anyway there was another reason for me coming here" he said quickly. "I wanted to inform GeneCo that I won't be able to continue my duties as Repo Man."
She frowned. "You are leaving us?" she asked. "Yes" he said firmly.
She scrutinized him, eyes on his face.
Then she smiled, leaning back in the chair. She put her feet up on the desk. showing off long tanned legs.
"Could I persuade you to stay… Nathan?" she purred.
For a moment, just a moment he was tempted. But then he remembered whose daughter she was. And for some reason he couldn't get Mag's face out of his head…
"No Miss Sweet. I'm afraid my mind is quite made up" he said firmly. A pout came over her face before she could stop it.
She got to her feet and walked around the desk. She leaned against the desk, eyes on him.
"Someone has gotten to you haven't they?" she said shrewdly. "Your daughter maybe? Or that foolish Opera singer…"
He couldn't help his jaw clenching at the mention of Mag. "Mag is dead…" he said.
Amber laughed. "You aren't that great a liar Nate" she drawled. He bit back an angry retort. He didn't like her calling him what Marni used to call him…. what Mag called him.
She smirked as she watched him trying to control his anger.
"I tell you what… Nate" she said, picking up a piece of paper from her desk. "Get Shilo to sign this document renouncing all claim to GeneCo… and I will let you leave. And I won't send another Repo Man to do the job you didn't fully complete…" she said.
His hiss of breath betrayed him. "You have her eyes" he said, trying to keep voice even.
"Yes but you didn't kill her did you? You are hiding her…" she said.
"If you dare harm her…" he said, his voice changing to his Repo Man growl.
"Oh do you fancy her Nate? Marni would love that…" she smirked.
He tensed, looking like he was inches away from hitting her. She gave him a look that clearly said 'don't you even think about it.' He let out a breath and turned away, trying to calm down.
"Get Shilo to sign that piece of paper Nate…" she said threateningly. "Or there won't be anywhere safe for any of you…."