Peace Force by Simon Haynes

Author:Simon Haynes [Haynes, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spacejock, Peace Force, Harriet Walsh, science fiction, robots
Publisher: Bowman Press
Published: 2018-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

"But what about her bracelet?" demanded Walsh. "You can track it with your program. You showed me earlier!"

"The bracelet is no longer transmitting."

Harriet felt a chill. "You mean it's gone flat, right?"

"It's possible, although the signal faded quickly, which indicates —"

"Maybe she took it off?"

Bernie hesitated. "That is one explanation, although the bracelet adapts to the wearer's wrist when first worn. In order to remove it, she would have to remove her hand first."

Harriet didn't want to think about that. "Where was she when the signal failed?"

"Close to Canitt's business premises."

"Then that's where I'm going. I'll take Steve, it'll be quicker."

"No, Trainee Walsh. You must not reveal your identity as a Peace officer."

"Forget it Bernie, that game's over. I'm going in there in uniform, I'm taking a gun and I'm going to search the place top to bottom."

"I forbid it, Trainee. You must not —"

"Alice is missing and it's my fault. You can't stop me."

Quick as lightning, Bernie's hand shot out. The huge fingers closed around Harriet's wrist, applying pressure until her bones creaked. "If you will not obey orders, I will force compliance using other means," said the robot, her voice harsh.

Harriet realised she had no choice. "All right," she said sharply. "I'll keep up the damn charade. Plain clothes, no gun."

"No unauthorised searches," said Bernie. "And you must take a cab."

"Dammit Bernie, I can get there quicker with Steve. I'll just park round the corner."

The robot hesitated. "Do I have your word as a Peace Force Trainee?"

"You have my word."

Bernie released her immediately, and Harriet ran for the garage, rubbing her wrist on the way. "You could have broken my wrist," she shouted, as she pulled the garage door open. Behind her, she heard Bernie's thudding footsteps approaching. "Steve, we're on a case. Fire it up!"

The cruiser's door opened and Harriet slipped into the driver's seat. To her right, she saw Bernie entering the garage. "Get onto that tracking system and keep watch," she told her. "The minute … no, the second you get a peep out of Alice's bracelet you tell me. Got it?"

"Wait," said the robot. "I have additional equipment you can use."

"What is it?"

Bernie held out a second commset.

"Why the hell do I need another one?"

"This one is an improved model. It can track the bracelet once you get close."

"Thanks, Bernie." Harriet grabbed the commset and slammed the car door. "Come on, Steve. Start with Canitt's business address."

"Where is that?"

"Just head for town. Now!"

The main garage door rose behind them, and before it was fully open the car shot out of the garage in reverse, narrowly missing a cab. They spun through ninety degrees then set off, roaring past Birch's shop at full speed. Harriet dug in her pocket and found Canitt's business card. The car was moving so fast it was hard to hold it still, but when she started to read off the address Steve interrupted.

"I already have the address, Harriet."

"How?"

"I read it with my camera."

Harriet looked at the card, which was sitting in the palm of her hand.

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