((This chapter heading is a line from R.E.M.'s The Flowers of Guatemala.))
Chapter 3
Don't Look Into the Sun
Frank knew his sister. They hadn't seen each other for ages, but that didn't change the fact that he knew her better than almost anyone else and he could read her. She tried to be positive and cheerful for him. She'd tried all day while she'd taken him on a tour of the place, shown him where to buy a motorcycle, had gone to lunch with him. But the walls were coming down and there was nothing he could do.
They came back to their house, let themselves in, and Abigail vanished in her living room. He heard music from in there. After clearing away their shopping, he realised that she was listening to the same song on repeat over and over. With a sigh, he entered the room to find her sitting shaking on the floor, her forehead pressed against her knees.
Frank had never been good with drama. Not with his own and certainly not with others'. But this was Abi, his baby sister, whom he'd hurt deeply by mistrusting her, whom he'd ignored for years. Swallowing his discomfort, Frank stepped closer and knelt beside her. 'Hey,' he said softly. 'Abi. Abigail.' She didn't react. 'Beagle.'
This time she did look. It was a withering look, but better than nothing. 'You've got some nerve, Wendy.'
Frank grinned. He stood and extended a hand to her. With a rather sceptical look, she took it. Frank pulled her close and pressed his lips to her temple. 'Dance with me, Abi.'
'Getting sentimental?'
'Yes. I missed you.'
'How hard was it to say that?'
'Cost me a few years of my life.'
She wrapped her arms around him and they moved to the music, slowly. When he felt her tremors subside the song had repeated itself another two times. He pulled away. 'Can I please turn that off? It's starting to go on my nerves.'
'Yeah.'
He did. 'What on earth is going on, Abi? When you sent me that message you sounded happy, and I bought it. Today … not so much. So I'll ask again. Where is Fabian? Did something happen to him? I know he has a CASIE aug …'
'That … isn't it. He's fine. He's in Guatemala City, visiting his Lita …'
'Hold it. His what exactly?'
Abi's lips twitched minutely. 'His grandma. But the thing is … I don't know if he's coming back.' She swallowed. 'We … ah … had a major disagreement. I can't seem to get pregnant. And he wants to drag me from one doctor to the next and I just … can't do this anymore. If it's not meant to be … You know. But Fabian … well. I mean, I wanted kids, but I don't want … this.'
Frank huffed. 'Well. When does he intend to let you know? I mean, how long has he been gone?'
'Two weeks. That's okay, she's probably dying and he wanted to stay there. But … well. He didn't say when.'
'I'm a horrible adviser for this kind of thing, Abi, but if I were you, I'd give him a deadline.'
'Yeah. I did. It ended today and I don't have an answer. And … I don't know what to do now, Frank. Do I call my lawyer, or Fabian, or do I wait?'
'I can't answer that for you. God, I have the worst timing. You probably want to be alone.'
'No!' Abigail licked her lips. 'No. I'm glad you're here. I can't talk to mom and dad. They … ah … well. That I moved out of the US kind of made me an ingrate, too. Dad's words were, 'I have no children.''
'Damn, Abi.'
'Don't pretend you're surprised. It's not like I haven't made friends here. I'm not lonely, not by a long shot. But … well. You made my week … well, in fact, my year when you came here.' She scowled at him. 'Now. You have a call to make, I believe, don't you?'
Frank leaned in close and answered in a whisper. 'Yes, I will. But first, I think, we should find out what the shiny new silent alarm wants to say to us.'
Ϡ
Adam had heard the door open on his attempt to learn something about the place. The inhabitant – or inhabitants – had an impressive collection of books, an elaborate kitchen, and generally good taste. A few rooms were locked, but most were accessible. The upper floor was also inhabited, it seemed, but with fewer open doors. He had tried to get past one lock for a bit, but the AI had reminded him quickly of its presence. Just when he had decided to find out what would happen if he ignored it, someone entered.
Adam's first instinct was to confront whoever it was that had come in directly. Then he thought better of it. He stayed quiet, wondering if the AI would announce him. But for now, the blasted thing was quiet. Cautiously, he moved down the stairs after it seemed the arrivals had settled in one room. If you really wanted to learn something about people you had to see them when they thought they were alone. He approached sticking to the shadows and glanced around the doorframe.
And all it once, it made sense. The god-awful AI, the cryptic summoning, everything. The only thing that didn't make sense was that of all people, Francis Pritchard was dancing with a woman. He'd never thought of the man as a social person, let alone a romantic. A jab of some unpleasant emotion Adam refused to pin a name on filled him and Adam decided to persuade the AI to announce him before he could contemplate it further.
Ϡ
Frank ambled back to the radio and a wall panel next to it, hidden by a picture. 'Hello, MANES. What's going on here?'
'Welcome home. Adam Jensen has arrived prior to his ETA and demanded entrance. He appears to be spying on you right now.'
'Of course.' Frank sighed. 'MANES, amplify please. Jensen! Whatever you're doing, stop it and get here.' Frank's voice boomed through the entire house, from every hidden panel in every room.
Abigail had clapped her hands to her ears. 'Frank! Are you out of your mind?'
Adam stepped out of the shadow and through the doorframe. 'Some AI you've created here. All that in three days?'
'I'm good, but I'm not that good. I had basically the same thing back at home. When I had an actual apartment, mind you, before the world decided to go belly up.'
'What the hell am I even doing here, Pritchard?'
'You are going to help me here. I have … a few friends, believe it or not, and one of them happens to live here. He vanished, and he's not the only one.'
'I read the news. Why didn't you say who you are?'
'You made it abundantly clear you don't want to have anything to do with me the last time we spoke. I don't know anyone else I'd trust with this, though, and who could get the job done.'
'And you think luring me here under a false premise would help?'
'Oh, please, cut out the histrionics. I never pretended …'
'Oi!' Abigail stood with her fists rammed into her sides. 'Go outside if you want a cockfight, I won't have it here. What is Adam Jensen doing here of all people, Frank?'
Frank shrugged. 'You did say I could bring someone.'
'A partner! Not someone to help prove you're a stirrer!'
'Like that needs proving,' Adam said.
'Ignore her.'
'I'm going to ignore you, Pritchard. Miss Pritchard …'
'Objection. Escriva.'
For a moment, Adam was silent. Escriva was a name that had become rather famous in the last decade. He shook the thought off. The name might not be overly common, but that didn't mean anything. 'Mrs Escriva, I am sorry. I got a cryptic message that called me to this address. I suppose Francis would have warned you because I was supposed to come tomorrow. I caught an earlier flight, I didn't know this was a private property. I didn't even know he had a sister.'
'I'm starting to think this fellow spawned from sawdust. I can't possibly share his genes.'
'I … look. I'll leave. Do you know where I can rent a room for a night? I'll be flying back tomorrow.'
'Jensen, don't. There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you.'
'I will not intrude on your sister, Pritchard.'
Abigail rubbed the bridge of her nose. 'Mr Jensen, you can stay. I really have no problem with you at all. It's that idiot I'm mad at. Not that I can, for long.' She whacked his arm for good measure. 'But honestly, if you plan to fight, do it outside.'
'If I fight with Pritchard, he'll be sawdust after.'
'Don't flatter yourself.'
'I detect an increase in your volume, Creator,' the AI piped up. 'Do you wish me to classify Adam as an intruder?'
'No!' Frank said sharply. 'God, no. He's … a guest. Give him access to whatever he wants to.' He glared at Adam. 'See? Full disclosure. You can look into every nook and cranny.'
'Just what would your security do to an intruder?'
'Oh. It would stun you. Nothing major.'
'How?'
Frank raised his arms. 'Want a tour? I'll give you a tour. And an explanation how to wrangle the MANES.'
Abigail shook her head. 'And I'll play domestic and make dinner. I need some serious food right now.'
