The Ghost in the Doll (Fox Meridian Book 6) (5 page)

‘We switch it around sometimes,’ Sandy said, grinning. ‘Drew wears a suit and I get tiny little shorts, a breast band, and a lot of belts.’

‘And we usually get more men in browsing those days.’

‘Do we? I hadn’t noticed.’

‘She’s only got eyes for you, Drew,’ Fox said, grinning. ‘Can’t beat that.’ Her eyes caught on a strappy, leather bodice set out on one of the tables and she wandered over to pick it up.

‘I don’t plan to try,’ Drew said. ‘Uh… could I ask your advice on something?’

Fox was busy looking over the leather. ‘Sure. What’s up?’

‘Well, we get news up from the south, you know? Cable was up last week and he was a little worried.’

‘More than a little,’ Sandy said.

‘Okay, more than a little. They’ve got a problem with people going missing. Some of them probably just left, but not all of them. It’s happened to a couple of people at the camp and Cable said there were a lot of rumours of travellers vanishing…’

‘Has it been reported to NAPA? They still have ownership of patrols down there,’ Fox asked.

‘Yeah, I think so, but they’re not going to–’ Drew stopped himself, took a breath, and went on. ‘The reports are vague and NAPA don’t have the resources. You know, knowing Mister Runyard and your mother has really taken the bite out of my righteous indignation.’

‘Yeah, seeing the other side will do that. Look, Palladium has a contract to provide additional investigative services to NAPA in the protectorates, but they have to call us in. Even if I wasn’t on medical leave, I couldn’t authorise anything without NAPA’s permission.’

‘But NAPA won’t do that without some proof and they don’t have anyone investigating to
find
proof. The system’s broken. You couldn’t… I shouldn’t be asking this. You couldn’t just take a trip down there and look around?’

Fox felt her chest tighten, which was ridiculous. ‘I… It’s kind of doctor’s orders. Someone would shout at me, probably with sarcasm. It’s not exactly a place for someone just out of a hospital, Drew.’

Drew’s shoulders sagged. ‘No… No, you’re right. It’s just…’

‘Frustrating. I get it. They’re talking about contracting out patrols if the new system works out in the rest of the country. If we get that… Well, it’d likely mean more cyberframes doing the job, but I can guarantee a better response. Until then, my hands are tied.’ Fox forced a smile. ‘Speaking of bondage, I’ll take this.’

‘Good choice,’ Sandy said. She was forcing a smile too. ‘The workmanship on that is gorgeous and you’ve got the figure to pull it off.’

‘You really have got this shop assistant thing down well.’

‘It’s kind of easy when I don’t have to fib about the customer.’

~~~

‘Damn it, damn it, damn it,’ Fox muttered as she drove south toward home.

‘You did not enjoy lying to them,’ Kit said into her head, ‘so why did you?’

‘It’s not entirely a lie. Terri
would
be sarcastic.’

‘Yes, almost certainly, but that would not usually stop you.’

‘You know full well why I don’t want to go.’

‘Perhaps I’d like to hear you say it.’

Fox frowned. ‘Look, contact… Who’s in charge of intelligence on the Southern Protectorate?’

‘That would be Craig Norden.’

‘Okay, contact him and ask him if he could check with NAPA. See whether these missing people have been reported. Just remind him we can’t look into it without NAPA calling us in, and make sure you say it’s a request because I’m not his boss right now.’

‘Would you like me to have a nice fruit basket delivered as well? Perhaps I could get the message printed on a box of cookies.’

‘You’re getting too smart for your own good. If this keeps up, I’m going to turn up on your next date with Vali and show him pictures of you as a baby AI.’

‘Ha! I had them all destroyed.’

‘Does that mean there were some? Because I bet Terri’s still got them if there are.’

‘Me to know… And I happen to know where your mother keeps
your
baby pictures.’

‘You’re worse than Mom.’

‘Like your mother,’ Kit replied, ‘I only want what’s best for you. I just have the capacity to nag you twenty hours a day and you can’t get away from me.’

Fox looked up at the sky, though she doubted very much that there was anyone up there listening. ‘I want a divorce.’

31
^st
March.

‘They got the reports,’ Norden’s teleconference image said, ‘but they haven’t done much with them. To be honest, ma’am,
hundreds
of people go missing in the protectorates every year. Probably thousands. Most of them don’t want to be found.’

Fox nodded. ‘I know. It’s just that I’ve met Baxter Cable and he’s pretty grounded. If he thinks something weird’s going on, it’s not just paranoia.’

Norden shrugged. ‘About all I can do is pass the information to NAPA and suggest it might need a look from someone.’

‘Yeah. Do that, please, Craig. I guess it’s the best we can do at the moment.’

As Norden’s avatar vanished from in front of her, Fox turned back to her parents. ‘Sorry. I asked one of the guys to look into something Drew Maple mentioned yesterday. Some people going missing in the protectorate.’

‘Isn’t that pretty common in the protectorate?’ Andrea asked.

‘That’s kind of the problem. NAPA don’t really take it seriously, and they wouldn’t have resource to look into it if they did.’

‘Well, yes. That’s why we have the Watch.’

‘Uh-huh, but the same thing wouldn’t work down there. Too distributed a populace and no one to organise anything. A few places have private security, but for most of it you need something run by the government, even if it’s just a government contract serviced by a private company.’

‘I–’

‘Andy…’ Jonathan said.

‘I should have an argument, but I honestly don’t. You’re probably right, Tara.’

‘Wow,’ Fox said, grinning. ‘Did that hurt?’

‘There was a little pain, but I’m sure I’ll recover.’ Andrea grinned back. ‘The practicalities of getting the Watch started may have… changed my perspective a little.’

‘I don’t actually expect you to switch sides, but I’m glad to see you’re willing to see the other side now.’

‘Perhaps I’ve grown up a little. The party’s tomorrow. You managed to get something to wear?’

‘Uh-huh. And I found this really great leather bodice at Drew and Sandy’s shop. It’ll go down a storm at this club we go to in New York.’

‘That sounds lovely. What did you get for the party?’ There was a hint of innocent wheedling in Andrea’s voice which Fox picked up on and decided to play with.

‘You’ll see tomorrow night.’

‘I just want to–’

‘Check I’m not outdoing whatever you have?’

‘No, of course not. I just… Well, I mean…’

Jonathan chuckled. ‘I’d see if Bart wants to bet on who’s going to win this one, but I don’t think he’d take it.’

‘Jonathan,’ Andrea said, pouting, ‘you’re supposed to be on my side.’

‘I’m neutral.’

‘But–’

‘Ah, but Andy, you’re forgetting one thing. The more you compete with Fox, the better my eye candy.’ Andrea frowned at her husband, though she could not quite manage to make it look entirely serious. ‘Oh, and I’ve seen that bodice Fox bought… You’re going to have to try
really
hard to beat her.’

Andrea looked around at her daughter, narrowing her eyes. Fox looked back, focusing hard on keeping her face blank while she really wanted to giggle. ‘Right then,’ Andrea said, ‘it is
on
.’

1
^st
April.

‘Do you think it’s such a good idea to needle Mom into a sexy dress competition?’ Fox was busy taking a motor out of one of the agribots; Jonathan had decided it needed replacing and now they had the part. It was a one-man job, but they were doing it together.

‘Your mother has a competitive streak, like you, but she won’t make a complete fool of herself tonight. I think we’re safe.’ Jonathan was standing behind Fox, watching the proceedings with some interest. ‘You know, I know you said city folk tended to know robotic maintenance, but seeing it happen is still a little strange.’

‘House robots are common. If everyone had to pay for basic maintenance, no one would be able to afford them. And I’m not that competitive.’

‘And yet, you felt the need to try to “out-sexy” your mother at the party.’

‘That’s… It’s just… I think she’s confusing me. She acts more like we’re girlfriends than mother and daughter, and she doesn’t look much older than I do.’

‘You are both very attractive women. I have no idea what contribution I made to your genetics.’

‘Don’t fish for compliments; it’s unattractive in a
woman
,
never mind a man. Anyway, height, for one thing. I’ve got a good two inches on Mom.’ Fox chuckled. ‘Plus, I bought a pair of five-inch sandals. Which, thinking about it, Marie may beg me for. If she’s talking to me at all.’

‘Still not taking to the new you too well?’

‘No… Or she didn’t seem to. Maybe she just needs a little more time and I didn’t give it to her. Rushed out here as soon as I could.’ Fox got the last of the locking bolts free and lifted the motor out. ‘Okay, we’re ready for the new one.’

Jonathan handed over the new motor, taking the old one off Fox. ‘Thanks for doing this. I always skin my knuckles.’

‘Yeah, well, I do too, but my skin’ll be good as new in an hour.’

‘And we have to look good for the party, right? Skinned knuckles would not do.’

Fox giggled. ‘No. Definitely not.’

‘I’ve… been thinking of having a little cosmetic work done.’

‘Ow. And that was a small cut right there. Why? You look great. Mom hasn’t said anything, has she?’

‘Not a word. Not even a look. Maybe I’m a little competitive too. Besides… After your mother’s affair, she… overcompensates a little. She’s offered to do a few things in the bedroom which–’

‘I don’t need to hear about. Ever.’

‘Ahem. She always wants to look her best for me. I’ve tried pointing out that she looks perfect to me in old jeans, a tatty blouse, and no make-up, and she has eased up a little. But given the option, she tries… And I’m not complaining, at all, but I’m starting to feel like I could do a little more for her.’

‘Well… If she was pushing, I’d be annoyed. If
you
think it’s a good idea… The procedures are safe. Just don’t go overboard, huh? I
like
my dad looking older than me.’

‘Nothing too extreme, I promise.’

‘Good. I just had a
really
extreme makeover and I think we should stick to one per family.’

~~~

Fox paused in front of her mirror and smoothed her skirt. ‘Damn,’ she grumbled.

‘What’s wrong?’ Kit asked. ‘You look good. Very sexy. Um… I would? Is that the right phrase?’

Fox smirked. ‘Thank you, Kit. And that’s a phrase, certainly.’ She checked the line of her skirt again, nodding. The outfit was actually a skirt and top, not a dress, and the grey leather skirt had a high waist and was knee-length. However, it also had a wrap-around design which featured quite a wide V-shaped gap at the front, and her vest was a criss-cross of wide, off-white cloth bands with mesh between them. It stopped in a tight band just under her breasts, and it covered her nipples well, but not much else. It was a simple outfit, subtle in a very unsubtle way.

‘I’m bothered,’ Fox went on, ‘by the fact that I
am
competing with Mom over this. It’s dumb.’ She looked down at her sandals, which had five-inch heels, a wide silver ankle band, and a thin toe strap. ‘And these shoes are insane. Sexy, yes, but insane.’

‘Like they’re going to bother you. You have metal bones and motorised ankles. Competition between mother and daughter is a common, psychologically validated fact.’

‘When you’re
five
, sure. And I have no desire to sleep with my dad. This is just me wanting to win, and I’m not even really sure I want to win.’

‘Well, why don’t you go down and see whether you have? Then you can decide whether you want to.’

‘That makes… a tiny bit of sense.’

Andrea was not in the lounge when Fox walked in, but Jonathan was. ‘I got kicked out of the bedroom,’ he said. ‘Andy didn’t want me seeing “a half-finished product.”’

‘Makes her sound like a hand-thrown pot or something.’

‘Yes… You look spectacular, Fox. If I weren’t your father… Because I am, however, go upstairs and change into a sack. Immediately!’

Fox smirked. ‘No. I don’t have one in my size. And before you say it, the sacks you have in the workshop wouldn’t cover my dignity.’ She gave a shrug. ‘Not that I have much dignity, but your sacks wouldn’t cover it.’

‘How about a nun’s habit?’

‘I have one of those, and you’d like it less than this outfit.’ Jonathan raised an eyebrow and Fox flashed a grin at him. ‘I was honoured with lay membership of the Church of Saint Nicholas and given the title of Sister Protector for services rendered. They designed a new uniform style, just for me.’

‘
You
are a member of the Sisters of Corruption?’

‘Uh-huh. So are Sam and Marie. Sam actually earned it the normal way. Marie was given it for her portrayal of M. J. in her vid series.’

‘Oh. Well, that explains a lot.’

Fox swatted her father on the shoulder, but further discussion of the topic was forestalled by the arrival of Andrea. Her outfit was, essentially, the polar opposite of Fox’s. A black mini-dress printed with a snakeskin-like pattern aside from a pair of mesh triangles over her hips and upper thighs. There was a wide hole, like an inverted teardrop, cut into the front which left the lower slopes of her breasts on display. She had also gone for far darker make-up: where Fox had selected pale colours, Andrea was all dark, sultry eyeshadow and deep-red lips.

Andrea’s eyes scanned over her daughter and then her shoulders sagged. ‘Okay, you win.’

‘What? You look
amazing
!’

‘Oh, but your outfit looks really smart and you still look sexy. I’m more or less abasing myself and I don’t look that good. I just don’t have the figure for–’