If this is business, I need to dress appropriately. Right now, I’m just in jeans and a t-shirt. Hardly suitable for a business meeting.
It’s a surprise, pops up, followed by, What you’re wearing is fine.
I glance up at the camera in the corner of the room with a raised brow. I know Otto checks in every now and then. The reminder of the last time he’d. . . watched flickers through my mind and I blush, but I don’t say anything. Instead, I give a mock salute to the camera and go freshen up while I wait for the car.
I should argue, but despite never having met Otto_Bot in real life, I trust him. My conversations with him have been only through the phone and computer, but he’s never steered me wrong. Besides, I know his history. Otto_Bot is famous for many things, but targeting innocent women isn’t one of them. Cyber mercenary or not, he’s here to help me, not hurt me. Dagen wouldn’t have hired him otherwise.
Okay. How long? I ask a few minutes later.
Car is outside, is the reply.
I blink in surprise and glance up at the camera in the corner of my kitchen. It’s not necessarily there to spy on me, but I know Otto_Bot is there watching for my reaction. Sighing, I glance at the time. Elsie won’t be out of school for another six hours. I have plenty of time. I wave to the camera and tuck my phone in my back pocket. I grab my purse and jacket before stepping outside. John stands beside a black Mercedes, his arms crossed as he leans against it.
“Morning, Ava,” he says with a smile before opening the back door.
“You on babysitting duty today, John?” I tease with a grin. “I hope you’re getting paid extra.”
“Fox pays me well,” he reassures me. “But I do get a nice bonus for this.”
“As you should,” I answer, sliding into the backseat. I wait until he’s in the driver’s seat before I ask, “So where are we going?”
“I’ve been instructed to keep it a surprise,” he answers. “But I think you’ll like it.”
Well, alright then.
I settle back against the seat and busy myself with looking out the window. When my phone chimes, I pull it out and read the text.
Not much longer now, Boba_Juliette.
I smile at the use of my rarely used handle. I haven’t used it since I was a teenager, back when I was a major Star Wars fan. It felt silly at some point, and I’d changed it to sound more professional, but I can’t lie and say I don’t still love it. I don’t respond, but excitement starts to grow. Where are we going? Where is he taking me? Instead of asking him, I just wait for John to pull over and hop out. When he opens the back door, I tilt my head.
“The arcade?” I ask, confused.
He shrugs. “I don’t know, but I’ll walk you to the front door.”
“You’re not coming inside?”
“No need. You won’t be alone inside,” he answers. “At least, that’s what I’m told.”
I look around for Dagen’s car or for Wylan leaning against the building, but I don’t find them. John leads me to the door and opens it for me. Once I step inside, he closes the door and takes up post outside of it.
At this time of day, there’s no one in the arcade. Kids are in school right now, but there isn’t even a worker at the ticket counter. The games chime and ding as they go through their processes, all the lights flickering. The joy I’d felt as a kid in one of these places hits me again, and I can’t stop from smiling.
“Hello?” I call over the music of the games. The sound of Mario coins reaches my ears, like someone is winning a game, and I peer around the large building, but still don’t see anyone. It’s not like I can see behind all the tall games though. There could very well be someone in here with me.
My phone beeps again and I check the message.
Come further inside, Boba_Juliette.
My heart skips a beat. Come deeper inside. Is he. . . is he here?
I take a few steps forward, looking around, but I still don’t see anyone. Of course, I can’t see the entire place and I especially can’t see every game.
Find Pacman, another message beeps through.
Immediately, I begin to search for the Pacman game, checking every console. When I reach the back row, I’m disappointed to find the row empty, but I still search and find the game console.
“Okay. Now what?” I ask out loud. There are cameras all over this place. I have no doubt he’s watching me.
