This Automatic Eden by Jim Keen

Author:Jim Keen [Keen, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Transmission Digital LLC
Published: 2020-05-08T16:00:00+00:00

28

“So, what do you think?” Alice turned to Xavi as the employment center dropped to a gray disk below them. He studied her, and she was struck once more by his presence; it was as if he were the only solid object in a world of fog.

“The video is a fake, or there are multiple reprints of Julia.”

“What’s your money on?”

“Faking a video is a damn sight easier.”

“I agree, there’s no way she’s on Mars. Still, it seems Julia’s hidden help was her uncle, in part at least.”

“What do you know about him?”

Alice shifted in her seat. “Just details. I backgrounded her whole family as part of the Five Points investigation, but they’re all high and mighty, so I couldn’t get close. He moved to DC when she was young to set up Insight.”

“He’s that Mark Rothmore?” It was the first time Alice had seen Xavi surprised. She enjoyed scratching his tough exterior.

“The one and only. He started the company and built it into the go-to for the rich and famous looking to rebrand themselves.” Insight was the largest, most-successful advertising company in the country. Rothmore had dated the president when she was younger, much to the joy of lifestyle magazines. “It could explain where Julia got the MI from; he’s still in tight with the government and military. We need to talk to him.”

The Hopper flew higher, the Dyson engines loud as the skies cleared. Alice removed her phone, turned on the speaker, and pressed the Four icon.

The MI answered instantly. “Hello, dear. I do hope your day has improved. How may I help?”

“Thanks, Four. Not better, longer. Can you tell me where Mark Rothmore is?”

“Right now, he’s in his DC house finishing a call with Charles. He’s scheduled to speak with the director of Homeland Security afterward.”

“What are the calls about?”

“I’m sorry, dear, I don’t know.”

Alice sighed with frustration. “Is he going to be there all day?”

“Yes. According to his schedule, he’ll remain in DC all this week. He normally works at Insight from nine to nine, busy man.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Did you like the musical?”

“Yeah, it was great. Goodbye, Four.”

“Don’t be a stranger, dear.”

Alice put away the phone. “We need to pay him a visit.”

“That machine knows more than it’s telling you,” Xavi said.

“No shit. Look, either it can’t or won’t tell us more, so we need to follow its breadcrumbs.”

Xavi grunted and rubbed the new flesh plugs embedded in his chest.

Alice typed messages on her phone as the minutes passed. “Okay, I requested a get-together with Rothmore. Guess what.”

“He’s busy,” Xavi said.

“Yeah, they can’t see us for a month.”

“They’ll make an exception for me.”

“Mark Rothmore isn’t just going to let us walk in for a chat.”

“So we don’t tell him we’re coming. Drop me here. I’ll pick up a car, meet you in an hour.”

“Just don’t get another piece of junk, we’ll be in it for days.” Alice dropped the Hopper into Brooklyn and fumbled for a cigarette.

It was time to go home.

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