As I grabbed a slice oozing with cheese, I stared at the crumpled invitation on the table. There was no avoiding the trident. The answer was there. I could feel it in my bones, dancing on the tip of my tongue, and yet I couldn’t place it. There was only one person who could connect the pieces.
16
“I was expecting you.”
I hadn’t even knocked when the apartment door opened.
Connor stood naked, oblivious to the taboo of answering the door in his birthday suit. His face remained void of emotion. There were two people I could have gone to with this conspiracy, but only one who wouldn’t question me about the other day. I decided on the emotionally null individual. Baby steps before walking into the office.
“I need your help.”
“Come in.”
I entered his apartment, not surprised by the decorations. Everything in sight had a muted gray, as if he feared color. A single bright yellow pillow sat on the edge of his couch. I wanted to ask why the single item, but minded myown business. I opted for Connor over Orion for the lack of judgment. The least I could do was return the favor.
“Your camouflage isn’t as effective as you think.”
He moved into the living room, where I could see a small hallway leading into his bedroom. A faint light from the nightstand showed a human-sized bump under the blanket. I was about to apologize when I saw two bodies move closer together, spooning.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“No worries,” he said. “I ensured their satisfaction. Twice.”
“Not appropriate.” After the incident with Apex, Connor had sworn off deception. In theory, honesty was the best policy. He struggled with how much honesty was necessary.
“Over-share?”
“Very.” I tiptoed over to the door, shutting it. I had the primal urge to high-five him, as if he might need validation of his dating prowess. “Wait. How did you know I was coming?” I had dodged busy streets, cloaked myself, and randomized my approach.
“I’ve upgraded my recognition software. You did a good job avoidinghumandetection.” If Orion heard the statement, he would see it as a challenge. “I commend your efforts. You evaded detection for nearly 12.7% of your walk from Rossi’s. I have room for improvement.”
It was hard to take him seriously as my eyes continuedcreeping down his body. “Would you mind putting on some pants?”
Connor smirked. “Is my extremely large penis distracting you?”
He taunted, and I couldn’t help but fire back. “I’ve seen bigger.”
“No.” Now he smiled. “You haven’t.”
I remembered him from before his body. He had been a crude and sassy computer. While he explored his humanity, the quippy AI had taken a backseat, but now and then it popped up.Thiswas the Connor I remembered. Thankfully, he conceded and grabbed sweatpants off the couch. Sliding them on, I wasn’t distracted by his… yes,extremelylarge package.
“I need your conspiracy brain. I have a problem that requirestheboard.”
Orion had programmed his obsession into the AI powering Connor. I needed his discreet and straightforward analysis. I believe I had all the clues, but I needed another set of eyes to help me connect the dots.
He gestured to the empty wall.
“What?”
“Oh.” He waved his hand, and the hologram of a corkboard filled the room, wrapping about us in three hundred and sixty degrees. “Human. Sometimes I forget.”
I was impressed by the improvements on Orion’sconspiracy board. On our side, the screen held a map of the city with dozens of tiny dots moving through the streets. I recognized the HeroApp™ logo and could only guess the dots were active villains. They had indeed flooded the streets. Vanguard needed its heroes, but for right now, I needed to focus on the mystery in front of me. As I touched the board, the light broke, and my fingers passed through a sparkle of blue.
“Impressive.”
“I know.” He hardly moved as a rectangle appeared and then filled with a picture of Synergy. “I assume this is your goal. Or would you rather start with Booker?” The board shifted to a picture of my partner… shirtless. I’d need to ask questions about that later.
“Let’s start with Synergy.”
