Concentrating on me, her mouth twists in the opposite direction. “And Dashiell Montclair. What brings a bounty hunter to my office?”
“I’m her chauffeur.” I point to Lanita.
The disembodied voice inserts itself into the conversation. “Your guest is attempting to be humorous.”
Jonathan lifts his lids. “He’s not at all funny.”
“I quite concur.” Whoever is speaking, obviously has no sense of humor.
Dr. Jones’ grin widens. “Well, isn’t this interesting? Let’s take this conversation into my conference room.”
I grab the bot tighter around the waist, lift him eye level, and mutter, “Be nice or I’ll drop you on your head.”
While he emulates my grimace, I place him in a rolling chair and tuck him close to the glass and chrome table. Desperate for more caffeine I note the coffeemaker on the back shelf and as I raise my gaze, my jaw drops.
What the fuck?The walls are covered in Wonder Woman collectables. There’re vintage dolls, comic books, sneakers, shirts, and all sorts of shit.
No doubt used to people gawking, the famous doctor shrugs. “Everyone needs a hobby. Coffee anyone? Donuts?”
“I’ll have both.” Not having slept last night, I could use a boost.
“Me too.” As Landy raises her hand, Jonathan does the same.
Clapping her hands, our hostess sits. “Excellent. The delivery boy will be here shortly. Let’s begin.”
A 3-D hologram of her infamous crimefighting meme pops up in a seat across the table. “Hello. I am Jason two thousand.”
The mystery voice revealed, Dr. Jones opens her keyboard, types, and his image changes from geek to gangbanger. “Lanita, meet Jarkon, my new prototype.”
The genius puts a finger to an earpiece and nods as if talking to someone in another room. “Before I grant access, I need reassurances you can safely navigate Tor and other dark web browsers.”
The way she frowns, I fear she’s going to reject Lanita’s request, so I barge in. “I’ll vouch for her.”
The tatted hologram winks, making the gold ring in his brow dance. “He’s biased. He wants to fuck her.”
“Apologies. To blend in, his persona must be realistic.” The brainiac blushes bright red and as she coughs into her hand, my partner’s eyes brighten.
“No worries. Jarkon, never curse or use vulgar language unless those you’re conversing with do it first.”
“Noted.” The image blinks and as it processes the new directive, his creator applauds.
“You’re hired.”
I don’t understand half of what they discuss next, but by the way they engage, I conclude the interview goes well. When done, me and my half-boyfriend go arm in arm back to my car which now has a ticket on it because we overstayed the time limit.
I tear it from under my windshield wiper, belt the humanoid in the back seat, and as I sit upfront, it asks, “Would you like me to delete the fine?”
I’m about to answer yes, but goody-two-shoes butts in. “Of course not. Jonathan, stop listening to Jarkon.”
“Too late. We’ve shared binaries. We’re BFF’s.” A creepy Chucky grin sends a chill down my spine.
After I buckle up and adjust the rearview mirror, I gather up my courage, lean over the cup holder, and whisper, “What did he mean?”
She shakes her head. “It’s not good, if that’s what you’re asking.”
~ Chapter 12 ~
Landy
