Truancy City by Isamu Fukui

Author:Isamu Fukui [Fukui, Isamu]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

21

FULL CIRCLE

The next day, well-rested, Rothenberg leaned back in the car, enjoying the wind on his face. He was finally nearing the comfort of his home, which he had been assured was still standing, and the Government had granted his request to use it as his base of operations. The vehicle had been stocked with plenty of nonperishable supplies. Life was good.

“The General was really pleased. Don’t see that very often,” Colonel Hines said, steering around some fallen debris. “Turns out we’ve been looking for that Truant you caught yesterday.”

“It was nothing, really,” Rothenberg said. “She was hardly any trouble at all.”

“Right.” Hines smiled. “So, how’s your shoulder doing?”

Rothenberg scowled. The cut hadn’t been deep, but the medical treatment had brought back unpleasant memories of the hospital.

“Just a scratch,” Rothenberg said. “It’s not like a little girl could do me any real harm.”

“Whatever you say.” The colonel sounded amused. “I gotta admit, though, that was impressive—defending yourself with that clunky thing.”

Rothenberg glanced at the large construction hammer that was propped up next to him. He had brought it along as memorabilia.

“It just takes strength,” Rothenberg said. “For years I could only exercise my upper body. This thing feels like a toothpick in my hands.”

“Even so, I’d carry a gun if I were hunting rebels.”

“That’s what you’re here for, isn’t it?” Rothenberg snorted. “Me, I’ve always preferred to feel things break when I hit them.”

“I’ll let you know the next time I need a jar opened.”

Rothenberg laughed.

“You’re spying on me for Iris, aren’t you,” Rothenberg said suddenly.

“Of course I am,” Hines replied, not missing a beat. “Took you this long to figure that much out?”

“You are shameless.”

Hines snorted. “You know, I read your file—”

“All lies the Mayor made up.”

“—and you didn’t like the last guy sent to spy on you either.”

It took Rothenberg a minute to recall who Hines was talking about.

“Jack?” he said. “That man was a glorified clerk who never had the guts to get his hands dirty. I doubt anything ever made him happy other than writing reports.”

“Guess the Mayor had a bit of honesty in him after all,” Hines said. “By the way, we’re here.”

The car came to a halt, and Rothenberg lurched forward in his seat. There it was, the unassuming brownstone building that had been his home before his imprisonment, before unruly children had ruined his life.

“This entire neighborhood was vacated after the Truants took over,” Hines said, getting out of the car. “You’ll be alone while conducting your investigation. You have a radio, so let us know if there’s any trouble.”

“There won’t be any.” Rothenberg put his feet onto the pavement. “I have no intention of getting injured again just yet. I’ve had enough of maniacs in white coats trying to stick things in me.”

Together Rothenberg and Hines moved all of the supplies from the car onto the doorstep of the building. Finished, the colonel climbed back into the car.

“You’ve got all day to see what you can find, Rothenberg. I’ll be back to pick you up again tomorrow.

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