He’d never seen Jack happier than when he delivered the prototype internal Vasculator, albeit with a bit of blood and flesh still on the margins. Remy’s price was low. He just wanted the fucking thing gone and this solved a couple problems at once.

  “I know who messed with your job on Saturday and where you can find him. That’s free. I need explosives. Good ones that’ll fit into a shoe box.”

  Jack had Stefanie’s hand open in front of him on his desk, looking in the Vasculator hatch like a kid peeking at a skins-only holo. He looked to Remy with a smile.

  “Not killing anyone I know, are you?”

  “No one friends of yours, at least. Fair swap? You get the tech and info on the guy who fucked your plan, and I get a few minutes in your armory.”

  He made a show of considering the deal, but Remy knew Jack was sold. Franklin had mentioned the tech in passing before, but never said Vascorp had managed to produce any internal Vasculators. The thought sent shivers up Remy’s spine. Jack extended his hand and Remy took it. Making deals with Happy Jack. What a change a few months could bring.

  “I accept your proposal. Send me that information on the man whenever your…affairs…are in order? Tanner, show Mr. St. Claire here to the good stuff and let him have his pick. Our boy’s earned it!”

  “Bless your heart, Jack.”

  Jack roared in laughter and Tanner led Remy from the room. Remy hoped it was the last time he’d seen it.

***

  Murder in the flicks happened on dark and dreary nights or at the end of a secluded alleyway. No one was murdered in broad daylight, and certainly no one other than young socialites were murdered in their penthouses. Remy didn’t have any choice but to break with tradition and kill an old man in broad daylight.

  He walked from his apartment to Revolution Plaza carrying a package he wasn’t proud of. If it was for anyone but Josie, he’d likely have walked away. He still hadn’t worked through what his feelings were but they were there, and they were strong. What was one business associate for the one who shares your toothpaste, laughs, and bedroom? Nothing.

  Doorman Snooty was waiting outside and recognized Remy as he approached.

  “Good day, sir. Will you be visiting Mr. Mendez this afternoon?” Damn, he must’ve got quite the tongue lashing after his behavior last time. Remy just wished it had been someone he didn’t recognize. Not that it would matter. The speeder was packed and he’d be out before the the fires were out. Getting in and out of New Madison wasn’t that hard with the right friends and Happy Jack was about as close to a friend as he had in the city, at this point.

  “Yeah, I’m heading up for a drink now. I brought him a gift though, and I would be grateful if you would take it up to him after I leave. I’d rather not have him make a fuss over it while I’m there, you know?” A lie that malicious shouldn’t have come so easily. Snooty took the box under his arm and opened the door for Remy.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Absolutely, sir. I’ll watch for your departure and bring it up myself. He’ll be terribly surprised, I’m sure.”

  Remy entered an open lift and pressed the button for Franklin’s floor. “Yeah, I think he will be.”

  It was the most agonizing lift ride of his life, bar the one where he thought the Inspector had Josie in his tower. The fact that one had been worse told him all he needed to know about what he needed to do. The lift opened and Remy rapped his knuckles on the door. As always, Franklin opened the door himself and pointed Remy to the overlook while he tottered off to the bar to whip up a batch of strawberry or peach margaritas. The man’s mech suit must run off the stuff.

  He turned away to retrieve ice and tequila, and Remy knelt to tie his boot at the entrance to the overlook. Quickly, he slipped a small black transponder from his pocket and stuck it on the back side of a potted plant to the left of the doorway. It was an ugly plant for an ugly job.

  Remy sat and stared out onto another perfect day as Franklin brought over the pitcher of blended margaritas. Strawberry, as it turned out.

  “Well, Remy, you look like hell and I’m the one talking through a robot.” It would be funny if it wasn’t true.

  “It’s been a rough few days.” He replied honestly. “Josie didn’t make it out of the Freeworker.” True enough, from a certain point of view.

  Franklin could be and do many things but empathy from a paralyzed man in a mech suit is a tough trick to pull off. He almost managed it. Almost. He topped off his margarita and sat across from Remy.

  “I suspected as much when you didn’t stay to chat afterward. I am sorry that the plan didn’t work, by the way. I know how much she meant to you and how it feels to lose someone due to our own failures.”

  “Do you?” He snapped off harsher than he’d intended. It shouldn’t bother him anyway. The box would be up here in a few minutes and he’d have Josie back. A black pit welled in his stomach. If only Georgia had been faster, he wouldn’t even be here now.

  “Son, I’ve lost two wives and a husband in my years and they were all on the job. Do you think I wouldn’t have done anything I could to keep them with me? Sometimes, there’s nothing we can do. Vascorp gave me a life, a good life, but it took more than that over the years.”

  Vascorp. The word stank like old sewage. Without them, he wouldn’t be in this mess. Stefanie would be an actual middle-school teacher and still alive and Josie wouldn’t be in a cabin hours to the north. She’d still be running O’Malley Pawn, hustling Vascs on the side. Maybe she’d have a decent boyfriend for once. Remy’d be…well, Remy’d still be Remy but there might be less hurt in world on account of him.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just…it’s just hard right now.” Remy drank his margarita fast enough to chill his brain. The pain was good. He’d felt too numb most of the day. Just a few minutes more.

  “It’s nothing. The first one is the hardest. I’m glad you came to see me though.”

  “Me too.”

  They chatted through a margarita and then another one. The sun was growing low on the horizon when Remy staggered to his feet and decided to leave. His heart started to race and his palms sweat terribly throughout the entirety of saying goodbye. Franklin made him promise to come back for brunch this weekend as it was no good to spend so much time alone after losing someone so close. He promised.

  The lift down was nearly as agonizing as the lift up and he could barely choke out an acknowledgment to Snooty, who still stood with the package in the lobby.

  “Nice to see you again, sir. I’ll bring this right up to Mr. Mendez, yes?”

  “Yeah, thanks.” Remy managed to say. He practically burst through the doors and couldn’t believe how refreshing the frigid December air felt. Breathes came in deep puffs and he struggled to slow them to normal as he walked away. This was about to become a very bad place to stand.

  Remy paused two blocks away where he still had an angle on Franklin’s penthouse. It sounded like a demolition charge went off and jets of fire shot through the windows of the Regency just above the thinnest clouds. Around him, people screamed and ran every which direction. Manic rats caught on a wheel. Remy tugged his collar up and hunched his shoulders against the chill, biting back tears.

  “Goodbye, Frank. You deserved better.”