"The lock to this door is broken!" Said Marla triumphantly as she stood up.
Bernie could hardly stifle his yawn of excitement as he leaned up against the side of Doctor Montague's workshop.
"Yeah, we know that, they had to, to get in."
"But it was broken and then the door was opened."
Bernie gave Marla the same look he always gave her when she made no sense. If he did the look any more often today his face might freeze that way permanently.
"Well at least look for clues instead of standing there looking pretty." She said.
"Okay. How about that blood trail over there."
"What blood trail?"
"The blood trail over there that we couldn't see because it was too damn early in the morning."
Marla crouched by the dried blood trail now made visible by dawn's early light. It led past the door and off into the distance.
"Hmmm, we may have a witness..." She ran a hand over the stains. "... And by the state of the drying, they were here at the time of the theft... Er... kidnapping."
She rose to her feet.
"Follow that blood trail!" She commanded and ran off.
Bernie sighed as loudly as he could but it was no good, she was already out of earshot.
-----
"Make this quick, the sun's coming up." Said the dark-grey cloaked HUnewm tersely as he glanced up and down the shadowy alley like he was expecting trouble.
"You're not some kind of vampire are you?" Said the orange and green RAcast taking a step back and covering its neck with its hands.
"No. I prefer the cover of darkness and in about thirty Beats there won't be any left." The newman replied.
"Ah." Said the RAcast relaxing. "Here is the data on your target, plus specifics of the mission. Our agent had to do a lot of... Persuading in order to get this, so don't screw up. You will only get one chance. For this mission your codename will be... Hugh."
"Shouldn't I have a code name that isn't actually my name?"
"No, I feel it is easier to remember this way."
"Well, if I'm called Hugh, what do I call you?"
"You don't." Said the RAcast walking away.
Hugh opened the envelope and tipped the contents into his palm. There were a couple of data disks, some building plans and a photo of Principal Tyrell.
-----
The trail of dried blood led away from the research district and wove its way around the Guild quarter of the city stopping off at a couple of bars before making its way (with an even more pronounced weaving) to the Hunter residential blocks. The trail insisted on taking the stairs and not the lifts for twenty floors. By the time they reached the door the blood had led to they were both exhausted. Marla's finger hovered over the doorbell and she looked to Bernie.
"Press... It...." He gasped." I'm too tired... Too care."
Despite doing her thing for two whole Beats, no one answered the door.
"Maybe the owner of the blood is dead? I mean, they did leave most of it behind on the way here."
"Great!" Exclaimed Marla unsheathing her Varista. "I get to break down some doors!"
She stood firm and thrust her foot out at the door just at the moment that it was pulled open with some speed. Before she could stop her foot, it connected with a groin. The owner of the groin crumpled to the ground allowing them the opportunity to examine him.
He was a newman with bright red hair spiked up. His armour and the bandages that covered the majority of his body reflected his hair's colour scheme with black armour patches to break up the monotone. Once he recovered somewhat, Marla extended a hand and helped back to his feet.
"Sorry about that whole foot to the groin thing. I was trying to kick the door down." She said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it." The man said through gritted teeth. "It happens to me more often than you think."
"People kicking you in the nuts?" Asked Bernie.
"No, people kicking my door in. Now what do you want?"
"Two questions. What's your name and does that blood belong to you?" Queried Marla.
"Vigore Harl and yes. Thanks for stopping by..." Said Vigore attempting to close the door on them.
"Not so fast!" Said Marla jamming the door with her foot. "What's with the blood? Shouldn't you be dead? Were you in the vicinity of Doctor Montague's lab between the time of nine-seventy and oh-oh-oh Beats? And did you see or hear anything suspicious or illegal."
"If I answer these questions will you leave me alone?"
"There's a very good chance that we might."
"Very well. I'm a haemophiliac. I have natural healing. Yes. Maybe."
"Maybe? Could you be any less vague?" Said Marla impatiently.
"Yes. I can tell you that I didn't hear the sounds of Androids up to no good." With that he closed the door firmly.
As Bernie followed Marla to the lifts he noted with some annoyance that BOC's and Escher's apartments were situated down the same hall.
"Do you think we should just arrest the entire floor now? It would save us a lot of trips."