CHAPTER TWO

Ebony narrowed her eyes. "Figures he would send you."

Lex came in and sat without being asked. Keiran followed.

"Have a seat." Ebony said sarcastically.

She rang a bell on the wall beside her desk and moments later a pretty girl in a flirtatious outfit came in, a tray of glasses and a bottle of bathtub whiskey on her arm. Silently she poured Ebony a drink and lit her a spice joint before leaving the room.

"You boys want a drink?" Ebony attempted to be hospitable.

"On duty." Keiran answered surprised.

"So what's the problem Eb?" Lex asked already bored with the scene.

"Didn't you read the report?"

"One of your slave girls was arrested for breaking a costumer's nose and you want her back."

"Damn right I want her back."

"She attacked someone Ebony. Law says she goes back to the Badlands."

"He deserved it the pig!" Ebony exhaled through her nose. "He tried to take more than he paid for. She was defending herself and my money."

"What was he doing here after hours anyway?"

Ebony took of swig from her glass. "He pays well and he's usually a good costumer. But even the good ones can cross the line sometimes. And I'm sick to death of these assholes who think they can break the rules just because I have slaves working here."

Lex rubbed his temples. He had a headache and the day had just begun.

"Which girl was it?"

"Kiki." Ebony smashed out her joint. "And I'll be damned if I'm gonna lose her. She's one of my best girls. She's young and she knows how to please the men. She's got so many costumers that she hasn't got time to dance. She's strictly a room girl now. I've got guys who reserve time days in advance for an hour with her. I am not losing her because someone didn't want to pay more to get in her back door. I want her back."

Lex knew Kiki. She was a thirteen year old who came from the dark side last spring. Like Ebony she was small in stature but a hell cat when cornered. A pretty girl with big, sad eyes and an already lovely little figure. He sighed. These kids were too young.

"I'll talk to Mega but you know what he's going to say."

Ebony shrugged. "Yeah yeah. He's gonna want me to pay some bogus fine and prob'ly get rid of one of my other girls just so it looks like I'm following the rules. Whatever. As long as I get Kiki back. She's well worth it."

"Not to mention it's her second offense. "Lex pointed out. "She screws up again and it'll be your ass. You might find yourself in the Badlands with her."

Ebony finished her drink as she thought that over. After a moment she sighed.

"What about the guy? He hit her first."

Lex sighed and scraped his thumb nail along the desk.

"Technically he didn't break any laws so he walks."

"Figures." Ebony looked disgusted. "What about his breaking the rules of my fine establishment? Any punishment for that?"

"Well, you can always ban him from coming back or place him on probation and not allow him access to your best girls. I mean it's your call. We can't touch him."

"Alright. Whatever. Just bring Kiki back."

"One more thing." Lex reached into his pocket in search of a pain killer. "Ten year old girl went missing from sector four yesterday. Thought she might try her luck in the clubs. You haven't seen or heard anything have you?"

"Hm," Ebony cocked her head to the side. "Not here. Try Berke's. He's sleazy enough to hire a minor." Ebony stood to signal the meeting was over.

Lex took the hint standing and heading towards the door with Keiran at his heels. "Thanks. I'll have Kiki back to you by tomorrow."

"Thanks for serving and protecting."

Lex smirked at her sarcasm as the door closed behind him.

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The day was nearly over and Lex and Keiran stopped for a couple slices of pizza. They'd be off duty in about a half hour and Lex offered to buy the kid an early dinner. Keiran was a good assistant, straight out of trade school. He was eager to work his way up through the ranks and flattered Lex allowed him to tag along. Any other kid in his shoes would be stuck in the office filing paperwork and delivering messages. They were walking back to the station when a voice blasted over the two way messenger Lex had strapped to his belt.

"What's up?"

"Problem at the city gate." The voice crackled back. "You're needed. And it's not pretty sir."

Lex sighed. "I'll take the trolley. Out." He gave Keiran a weak smile. "Looks like overtime."

"Want me to come along?"

Though he appreciated Keiran's support, Lex had an inkling that the boy wasn't ready to see what was going on at the gate.

"Naw, it's cool. Go. Clock out and have a nice night. See ya in the morning."

Keiran waved and watched Lex jump the trolley before continuing on his way.

The six trolleys in town were the only vehicles (with the exception of the ambulance and fire brigade) allowed in the New City and they all ran on a mixture of electricity and solar power. There were several horse drawn carriages which acted like cabs. They were more convenient but more expensive than the trolley considering they could be hailed and took you directly where you wanted to go. The trolley was more like a bus great for getting around the city in a hurry. Still most people used bicycles as their mode of transportation.

Lex jumped off the trolley before it came to a complete stop and sprinted to the city gate.

"What's up?" He asked while having his arm scanned for precautionary measures.

The young border guard shook his head. "Body sir. White female. Dumped right at the gate."

Lex walked with the guard toward the circle surrounding the girl on the ground.

"Did you scan her?"

He shook his head. "She had it removed through some scarification process."

"When was she found? Just now?"

"Right after shift change."
"And no one saw anything?"

"Sorry sir. One minute there was no one there... the next."

Lex made a face. "Get the surveillance tapes."

"Sir..."

"I said get them." Lex snapped before pushing his way into the circle.

The girl lay on her stomach, her wild hair covering her face and blood was oozing from everywhere. A medic had already reached the scene and handed Lex a pair of gloves.

"Did you touch her yet?"

The woman shook her head. "Only to check her pulse. I wanted to wait for you to come and verify the scene."

Lex knelt down looking over the twisted body.

"How do you think she got here?"

"From the position of her body, I'm guessing she was dragged."

Lex studied the tracks in the dirt and nodded his head in agreement. The girl's clothes were old and dirty. Time and neglect had chewed holes throughout the fabrics which were discolored beyond recognition. That and the fact she had the tattoo on her arm removed proved she was from the Badlands. A dead kid from the dark side wouldn't ruffle anyone's feathers normally but having her dumped right at the gate with no witnesses might cause a stir. Lex looked around the surrounding area which was growing darker by the minute. Though this was the one road considered safe for coming to and leaving the city, it could still be dangerous at night.

"Let's get a Polaroid so we can get her out of here."

One flash bulb later and two guards flipped the girl over to move her into a body bag. Lex felt his breathe catch in his throat as her face came into view. She'd been severely beaten, her jaw looked broken and half of her face was cut and swollen. But none of that changed the fact that Lex knew it was May.