Dangerous Dames by John Zakour

Author:John Zakour [Zakour, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Private Investigators, Genetic Engineering, Androids, General, Science Fiction, Mystery Fiction, Fiction, Businesswomen
ISBN: 9780756404963
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Published: 2008-03-31T23:00:00+00:00

We continued our guided trip through the faux terrain toward Ona’s mansion, but I could tell that we were nearing our destination.

“Is it getting brighter?” I asked.

“Yes, it is,” HARV said. “Looks like we’ve arrived.”

“Arrived where?” I asked.

“Be patient,” HARV said.

The last of the simulated forest melted away before us and the car entered Ona Thompson’s compound.

It was like discovering Atlantis (only a little more ostentatious).

The outer layer was a ring of interconnected small buildings (and I use the word “small” only in relation to everything else), which encircled the centerpiece of the estate, a giant multilevel pyramid made of sparkling metal. If it hadn’t been the middle of the night, I think the glare of sunlight off the building would have permanently burned my retinas. As it was, it was like looking at the dazzling facets of a giant, utterly perfect jewel.

The entire estate was shielded by a translucent force field that, from the inside, was a gentle shade of purple, which I’m sure was not coincidentally a perfect match to Ona’s complexion. The field shielded the compound from the outside. It may have been raining in the real world, but rain was obviously something that never concerned Ona. I could see the droplets of water beading and sliding down the length of the energy-created hard surface, sizzling a bit as they slithered, like tears of grease and spittle on a griddle.

“I’m not sure if this is cool or eerie,” I whispered.

“It is a bit pretentious,” HARV replied inside my head.

“I won’t go blind if I stare at it for too long, will I?”

“I can’t say for certain. The clinical trial is still in progress.”

The computer auto pilot took control of our car and brought us slowly toward the main building.

“Nice pyramid,” I said.

“Ziggurat,” HARV replied.

“Gesundheit.”

“The building is a ziggurat. A pyramid is a structure comprised of a polyhedron base and four straight, smooth triangular faces. A ziggurat is a pyramidal structure that is built in successive stages. The pyramid is primarily Egyptian in origin. The ziggurat is Mesopotamian, although similar designs have been found in ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures.”

“So . . . nice ziggurat,” I said.

“I think so, too.”

“How much do you think a place like this goes for?”

“Let’s put it this way,” HARV said. “On the hover landing pad, the third directional light from the left, that bulb costs more than your house.”

“Well, it is a nice bulb.”

“As a matter of fact, Ona spent more credits on the window shades alone than you will make in your entire lifetime and that’s if you live to be one hundred and eighty-five.”

“And that’s meant to make me feel better?” I said.

“No, that is meant to inform you. I am your computer, not your nanny.”

“Now that’s comforting,” I said.

I mentioned earlier that Ona Thompson is the richest being on the planet. To explain exactly how rich she is and where her wealth comes from, we need to go back again to her father.

As previously noted, Dr. David Thompson was best known for two monumental creations.

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