Chapter 20

Chapter 20

She made another attempt despite the fact the fetus isn't yet ready. A test because the situation is so dire, but it seems to have been a complete failure.

—Dr.Nils Verhoeven to Charisma Wai (3 October 2083)

CHARISMA CUT OFF Jitan when he would've spoken, and only spoke herself once they were out of the house. "You did as requested," she said. "Your task is done."

"It's not just my head on the line!" he said, his voice coming out through gritted teeth. The man's Silence had fallen as fast as he'd fallen for sexual contact and gambling highs, but unfortunately, he remained the best in the business at this kind of covert surveillance manufacture and installation. "If she finds out we left one in there—"

"She won't find out. I can remove it without her ever being aware it was present." Before she did that, however, Charisma had to be a hundred percent sure. Because while she wanted to believe, she didn't.

Not yet.

Auden's gaze seemed to flicker at times, her expression to soften. That could be a glitch in the transfer process, but it could also be a sign that either Auden was playing them or something had gone very wrong.

The latter was far more likely—Auden had been too brain damaged for too long a period to have learned to play such games with expert dexterity.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Jitan used a rag from his pocket to mop up the sweat that had broken out over his face. "I should—"

"Think about betraying me," she said, her tone brutal, "and I'll stop paying those debts of yours." Debts he'd taken out with the worst of the worst in the Net.

Face going white, he nodded. "Your head's on the line, though. If she finds out, I'll rat you out in a heartbeat. What she'd do to me would be far worse than the loan sharks."

Charisma waved him off, unworried. The man's vices made controlling him child's play, which was part of the reason she had him on the payroll. But she kept an eye on him and his activities and proclivities for the same reason; there would come a time when the vices would make him a liability.

Suddenly sensing that she was being watched, Charisma looked up…to see Auden at her window, her eyes on Charisma. It was too far for it to be possible, but Charisma could swear she felt the vicious blue of those eyes drill right into her brain.

She swallowed hard and raised a hand in greeting.

Auden didn't wave back.