“Sebastian. Congrats on catching the serial killer.” Her pretty face pops up on my screen, a baby in her lap.
“We couldn’t have done it without your protégé.”
“He is special and my partner’s ideas are making him even better. What can I do for you?” When the kid grabs her hair, she replaces it with a rattle. Damn, it’s high time me and Sam make one of our own.
I drop that thought and recall why I called. “I’ve been thinkin’. Why couldn’t your AI unit trace the strangler?”
“China. Their firewalls are miles beyond us. And yes, I’m working on it. I think we are in for another cold war and it’s going to get very, very, icy.”
A shudder runs through me and I ask the question everyone would, if they could. “Does Jason think COVID was man made?”
“I’m not at liberty to say but ponder this. One of the world’s biggest research labs is in Wuhan and they were highly invested in finding a cure for HIV.”
“Huh.” I need to contemplate the implications at a later time. “One more thing, I bought Sam a new computer and I need a favor, to save our marriage.”
“I’m listening.” Her brows lift, and as she bounces the child on her lap, I let lose.
“Is there a way Jason can spot trouble and tell me if Sam is in too deep?” Staring into the window, I will her to say yes.
Dr. Jones chuckles. “It’s a computer, not a crystal ball.”
I frown, not giving up. “Well, damn. There must be something I can do. I don’t want to spy on her, just know if things is gettin’ a mite… dicey.”
“Hmm… self-protection could be an interesting security feature. Let me get back to you.”
“Thank you.” I heave out a deep breath. Maybe I can keep my business and my gal.
“Will you tell her?” Like Sam, this genius don’t take no male chauvinistic shit.
“Yes ma’am and she will agree. I promise.”
“Good to hear. You stay safe.”
“You too. Say hi too Colin for me.” I wave at a grade school age girl tugging on her shirt. “How’s home schooling going?”
She laughs. “Thank God for Jason. He does their homework with them so I can work.”
“Another salable feature?”
“We’ll see, but yes, I think so.”
We say our goodbyes as I shake my head, picturing a bunch of AI units teaching kids one-on-one. No wonder the woman is a multi-millionaire. She’s years ahead of her time.
While helping my pretty wife stash the groceries, I tell her about my conversation with Dr. Jones. “What do you think? Jason will let us know if something appears too dangerous.”
“How could that possibly work?” She purses her lips, not yet a believer, but after talking to the genius, I’m sure Jenna Jones could pull off anything she put her mind to.
“You might want to call her.”
When Sam finishes talking to the millionairess, she has forty hours of consulting scheduled for Suds and Sam.
“What about Aunt Marion’s Salon?” I glance at the time.
“Shit. I’m late.”
“What the fuck is that?” Her Zoom meeting has sixty, not three or four logged on.
Sam shakes her head. “Didn’t you hear? Aunt Rose is charging a fee to view the serial killer footage. She’s making a friggin’ fortune.”
