Con Job by Laura VanArendonk Baugh

Author:Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Language: eng
Format: epub

Sergio dropped into one of the lobby couches. “Oh, man, what am I gonna do? Yeah, I said a MEGAN!ME exec should get hit by a bus — but that’s not the same thing as killing someone! It’s sarcasm, it’s exaggeration, it’s a lame joke. Probably I shouldn’t have said it, I get that. But now I’m a suspect.”

“They’re not really suspicious, or you wouldn’t be having this conversation with me right now,” Jacob said, hoping he sounded reassuring. “If they were convinced, or even fairly suspicious, they’d detain you. What’d they say? How did they know?”

“I’m guessing someone told them from the panel yesterday. They knew the topic, knew what I said — knew it better than I did, really. I didn’t remember. But good grief, I didn’t mean it to sound like some sort of call to rise and murder the evil distribution overlords! It was just a figure of speech.”

“They know that,” Jacob said. “Again, if they really thought you were the murderer, you’d be at the station right now and waiting to meet your state-appointed lawyer. They’re just being thorough.” He hoped he was right.

“They told me not to leave without talking to them, even after the con tomorrow.”

“That’s pretty standard. They have to tell everyone that.” That was a bit of a fudge, but Sergio was visibly relaxing, so it was likely worth it.

“You sure? Okay. But — man, it’s terrifying, you know?”

Jacob nodded. “Oh yeah. I’m sure it is. I can’t imagine.”

Sergio blew out his breath. “I was trying to think if there’s anything else that would get me in trouble…. I wrote a couple of angry Facebook posts, about Mr. Doobles and stuff. Not about illegally downloading or anything, just about MEGAN!ME being a jerk by C-and-D’ing everyone even while not releasing anything from the past decade. Do you think I should take those down? Delete them?”

Jacob shook his head. “I’m pretty sure they can get archives if they want them, and deleting stuff looks more suspicious, I think. If all you said was that the company was jumping on fans and that they haven’t released anything, that’s true, and you’re entitled to your opinion about it. People get mad at companies all the time without going as far as killing anyone.”

Sergio nodded. Now he looked almost normal again. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks, man. I didn’t mean to freak out, it’s just — that was pretty freaky.” He looked at the couch. “What’s all this blue stuff smeared on here?”

Jacob sighed. “Probably more Mole makeup. Some of the cosplayers used bad makeup and didn’t seal themselves, and they’re making a mess everywhere. Even trashed a really nice masquerade costume when a girl ran into it.”

Sergio’s eyebrows rose. “Ouch. Did that end in another murder? Because I know a few people who would call it justifiable.”

“Not really funny right now.”

“Sorry.”

Jacob’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. Where are you? Really need you.

“Hey, Con Ops needs me. Gotta go. You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.”

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