On the offense, Sable barks, “Is someone going to deal with that mad person, or shall I?”
The blonde inspector turns, staring right at Sable. “I’m certain the situation is being handled by the appropriate GROW personnel.”
They move to stand in front of Avrel. “Identify yourself.”
“F-Avrel-MSP-00034489,” she says, wringing her hands like she has something to worry about. The gesture highlights her youth, and hewould almost feel sorry for the young woman if he weren’t so busy trying to keep his cool.
Res6 shakes his head. “Not a match.”
Tension flows off Avrel as she rushes for the exit. “I’ll wait for you guys outside,” she says over her shoulder before the door closes behind her. But as she passes through the door, he spots a flash of auburn hair and a delicate finger in the face of a burly security guard.
His heart squeezes so violently he nearly doubles over. The men step up to James next and he gives them his attention. Viper’s scowl is now a deep frown as he eyes him. James flicks his eyes to Res6, who is studying him.
The inspector says, “Identify yourself.”
“C-Nixon-MSP-00010672,” he says, repeating the numbers he memorized. He doesn’t break eye contact with Res6 as the moment stretches on.I know you have a reincarnate, he wants to say. More like wants to threaten. With a subtle glare, he tries his best to wordlessly communicate the messageYou turn us in, I’ll turn you in. And if I have to run, I’ll find you and bribe you, which will be worse.
Finally, Res6 says,“Not a match.”
James’s head spins, making him feel like he’s floating as he walks to the door. How he’s going to get outside without Kate seeing him, he has no idea.
“No need to wait for me,” Sable calls. “Take Avrel and go back to the decommissioning chamber. We have a mess to clean up.” Her gaze flicks to the personal protection he’s holding. He quickly puts it on. “I’ll deal with that woman and follow shortly.” He assumes she adds the last part for his benefit, which is mildly reassuring.
The inspector clears her throat. “If you’re quite finished, identifyyourself.”
Sable’s voice follows him out the door. He can only imagine the frightening grin CHOICElover’s owner is receiving as she says, “E-Sable-MSP-00031475. A pleasure to meet you.”
41 – I Still Own Him
James
As James paces down the hallway, following Avrel back to the decommissioning chamber, he hears her hysterical voice.
“It’s that woman,” Avrel says.
They must have convinced Kate to move to a different room. He motions for Avrel to slow so he can peer around the corner. Kate is standing in front of a desk with her finger in another man’s face. Even though he’s down the hall, he can see her usually flawless makeup smudged and her cheeks shining with tears. Her stick-straight hair looks as if she’s been nervously running her fingers through it, and it needs a good brushing. Seeing her like this has his heart in his throat. Oro1 wouldn’t have told her about his and Sable’s plan. She must have gotten a notification from GROW.
He didn’t tell her about Plan B because he thought he’d make it home before she knew anything was amiss. And if he’d gotten caught,better that she was not privy to the details. Oro1 explained the possible ramifications. She could have been fined and suspended from her position. This way, she could honestly tell them she didn’t know he was turning himself in. He never expected her to find out like this, though. She must think he’s already been decommissioned.
As he absorbs the scene, Avrel pokes her head out beside him. “Oh, drama!” she whisper-shouts.
“Shhh,” he insists. Seeing Kate so frazzled and upset is almost more than he can take. The urge to go to her is so strong he nearly gives in.
“I have the money. I have it and you can’t do this,” she yells at the poor confused man. “I still own him.”
How could that be true? She didn’t have the money when he left.
“Ma’am, we’ve repeatedly told you that once a GROW unit is turned in for reprocessing, we are unable to reverse the transaction. This would be true even if it weren’t for the recall. It’s against company policy.”
“But I read the contract. I am supposed to get three notices,” she cries. “Three!”
“Your unit was voluntarily turned in this morning as a part of the recall, ma’am.”
“But I can pay for two years,” Kate sobs.
The man stares at her, grimacing. “We have made it clear there are no exceptions. Especially considering all units, regardless of their lease term, are included in the full company recall.”
She tries a different approach. “Can you see if he is still alive? Tell me they haven’t decommissioned him yet. At least tell me that.”
