Chapter Nineteen
The Limelight
Aurora Village
Downtown Seattle
April 21, 2059
12:02 am
The Aurora Village. Two-hundred shops of mall madness. It is one of the largest malls on the western seaboard. There is a store for everyone. Everything from toys at Kay-&-Bees to guns at Weapons World.
Just as I suspected, Katie Florence mused. No one here. That Lenny was pulling my chain. She checked her Rolex. Though it was not the real thing. Just a cheap imitation. By her watch Katie saw that she was early.
"I'll give him a few minutes."
People bustled past the young woman. An endless sea of humanity flowed effortlessly through the massive complex. Packs of young girls giggled past. There arms filled with packages and their mouths full of talk. Old men sat on benches while their wives wondered through the craft tables. Noisy teenagers pushed through the crowd at an alarming pace. No doubt the lasted game had been released at the arcade or the food court was giving away samples.
Katie smiled to herself. Ah, to be young again. Without a care in the world. These kids really have it made. They have no idea about the pressures of the real world. If they think it is hard now wait until the stakes go up. When a career is on the line instead of a woman's reputation.
Katie walked to the American Lane store which sold outdoor equipment. It was as crowded here as it was anywhere in the Village. Three of the four benches outside the store were taken. The fourth one had a slightly overweight woman sitting on it. Katie smiled and sat across from the woman. A check at her watch reminded her of the time. She was not going to wait all day.
11:55 am
Riggs watched Katie sit at the bench. A glance around revealed that she was alone. Just as Lenny had said she would be. That did not mean anything to the rigger. Katie could have a platoon of UCAS regulars waiting nearby. Riggs would never know it until it was too late.
"Hey, bossman, refresh my memory." Riggs said into his commlink. "How do we know that we can trust this news woman? I mean, she's media. All she wants is a story. What's to stop her from taping this whole thing and putting it on the nightly news? I don't want to see my face plastered all over the trid screen."
"Riggs, let me ask you a question." Nightsky cut in. "Do you see her holding a camera? What about anyone around her holding a camera? I sure don't."
"Yeah, whatever." Riggs snorted. "What about mall security? I know they have cameras in this place. Maybe that's what she's counting on."
"Riggs, shut up." Gideon snarled into the commlink. The ork was one level above Katie Florence. He had an excellent view.
"Not to worry, Riggs." Lenny put his hand on Riggs's shoulder. The two of them were in the Radio Shop across from Katie Florence's bench. "Tart is blocking the cameras in this part of the mall. Smiley and Gideon are standing by incase Ms. Florence has been followed. Nightsky is ready with the distraction to cover our escape. We've got it covered."
Riggs snorted again. It sounded like he pulled something perfectly disgusting back up his nose. "Just like the Pier, uh?"
Lenny nodded. "Just like the Pier. We made it out of that one, we can make it out of this one."
"Okay bossman. Let's get this over with."
Ten meters away Smiley watched Lenny begin his walk towards the reporter. The eccentric samurai eyed him with confidence. Lenny could take care of himself. Smiley knew this. As Smiley glanced at his charge, the young woman sitting next to him named Abigail Starlight, he realized she could not take care of herself. A spark of reality struck Smiley. It was like the fog and haze around his mind had been lifted. For the briefest of moments his haptic thoughts had been put into order. Smiley knew what he had to do. He had to protect Abigail no matter to cost to him or anyone else. It was more than just an assignment. Smiley felled compelled to act as Abigail's soul protector. Under other circumstances Smiley couldn't care less. It was only a few hours ago that he was ready to beat Abigail into a bloody pulp. Now he felt nothing for her. Only a need to keep her safe.
For Smiley, that was all that he needed to know.
12:00 pm
There!
Katie Florence noticed the man as he melted out of the bustling crowd. He was tall. Katie could see that he was easily over six feet. A wave of reddish brown hair bounced gently as he walked. To Katie the man did not appear threatening. He was wearing a tailored suit that could be bought at any men's store. The suit was dull gray in color with a rain coat to match. He wore rigid sunglasses that looked to be the latest model of Fajetas, a popular company which specialized in professional and classical designs.
Okay, get ready Katie. You've only got one shot at this. Let's see how far this guy is willing to go.
Quietly Ms. Florence slipped out a pair of thick-rimmed sunglasses. They were large enough to cover her entire eyes. She put them on just as the man took a seat next to her. Despite his suit, the man had a the odor of a generic cologne. Katie had rubbed enough elbows to recognize the difference between a knock-off and the real thing.
"Ms. Florence." The man spoke without looking at her. The edges of his sunglasses had tinted blinders. It made it impossible to see the man's eyes from the side. "I must say that you look even more stunning in real life than you do on the trideo."
Katie forced a smile, but forced it away. She put on a players face so as not to reveal her emotions. Katie had to focus and keep this on the level. Otherwise she could get scammed without even knowing.
"I didn't think you called me here just to compliment me, Mr. Lenny." Katie stated with a curving smile. The smile was than it seemed. As her lips curled up the cyber-camera in her right eye focused on the man's features. A good reporter was always prepared. Katie was no different. "You said you had something for me?"
"That I do."
"Can you tell me a little about it?"
For the first time Lenny looked straight at her. A grin appeared on his face. "Just a teaser."
"I'm listening."
Lenny straightened, returning his eyes to the passing people. "A few days ago some colleagues and myself became aware of a potentially damaging situation that faces a well known public figure. If this information became public the loses that this person would face are astronomical. We have obtained proof of these shady activities."
"What sort of proof?"
Lenny was hesitant to answer this question. Like any other shadowrunner, Lenny did not like revealing too much. He felt like he should keep something back incase things did go according to plan. However, in this situation there was nothing that could be held back. It was all or nothing.
"Our proof consists of a eye witness whom is also the victim." Lenny answered.
Katie shook her head. "Another junkie accusing the mayor? Please, Mr. Lenny. I receive a dozen calls a day about that. I don't have to leave my office to hear them."
"This is not about the mayor." Lenny revealed. "Besides, we have more than just a person with a story. We have video footage."
This stirred Katie's interest. Footage that she could put on the air. That would make the story stick for sure. It wouldn't be just a quiet little scandal. This would be real. Real news. Katie tried not to look interested. She had to remain objective. On the outside at least.
"What sort of footage?" Katie tried to keep her voice objective.
Lenny produced a small chip player with a mini-screen. He pulled a chip-case from his pocket. Inside was a small, blue optical chip. The chip fit neatly into the slot at the bottom of the player.
"This is only a sample." Lenny explained as he handed Katie the player. He flinched a little when she took it. This was because she was putting pressure on his injured arm. Though the wound had been treated it would still be several days until it healed completely. "It has about fifteen seconds of footage."
Katie looked at Lenny. Then the player.
"Hit play." Lenny instructed.
Katie did. What she saw was a shock even to her. Immediately the screen was filed with an older man and a younger girl. Apparently they had both been engaged in some kind of sadistic act. There was no sound, but from what Katie could see the girl in the footage was suffering. The man had he tied to what looked like a pipe on the floor and held a whip in his hands. His lips were moving rapidly, suggesting that he was yelling. The girl had tears streaming down her eyes. It was obvious that she was scared to death. Bruises and blood began to appear on the girl as the man used the whip on her. Just as the scene got too horrific to stand, it cut off.
"I apologize for and discomfort, Ms. Florence. The man you see in the picture is Mr. James Wesson. A congressional candidate for Seattle."
Katie was motionless for a few moments. The horrendous nature of the tape had frozen her solid. It took her a moment to regain her composer. "How can you tell? The footage doesn't show his face."
"Like I said, Ms. Florence, this is only a small sample. The entire scene is nearly half an hour long. Though, I'm afraid it doesn't get any better." Lenny explained. A few words from Gideon came over his micro-transceiver. The ork wanted to hurry this up. He wanted to get to the punch and pull out of here. "What I can offer you is the entire footage plus the account of the victim. Exclusive rights, Mr. Florence."
"Something tells me that you aren't going to let me have those rights for nothing, Lenny." Katie still held her stare on the player. She played the scene again. Mainly to see if the man's face was any clearer.
Lenny watched her for a moment. Then something caught his eye. He could see the edge of Katie's eye from the corner of her sunglasses. The pupil seemed to narrow for a moment. It was hard to pick out, but Lenny's own eyes enhanced the view with a close up.
"No, this information is not for free." Lenny reached out and thumbed Katie's cheek. He tried to look past those dark sunglasses, but was having trouble. They were polarized in some way. "Please look at me."
Katie turned her head, looking at Lenny face-to-face.
"I must ask you something." A hint of curiosity hit Lenny. At the same time a sinking feeling filled his stomach. "Why are you wearing sunglasses?"
Katie's mouth dropped open, but she quickly closed it. She gave a sly smile. "Probably the same reason you are. The sun is blinding today."
"There is no sun inside, Ms. Florence."
"Then why are you wearing them?"
Lenny sighed. He had a theory why she was wearing sunglasses. He could also guess that she was hiding something. Already she had tried to change the subject. "Because I have a very good reason, Ms. Florence." Lenny pushed his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose. This revealed his cybereyes. Pitch black cybereyes with no visible pupils. It looked like there was an empty space in Lenny's head.
Katie held her breath. The sight took her by surprise.
"Oh, not to worry, Ms. Florence. I like my new eyes better than my old ones." Lenny smiled. "Now answer my question. Why are you wearing yours?"
"My eyes are very sensitive."
"Oh, really?" Lenny doubted. He reached out and pulled her shades down. At the same time he moved back. The movement was quick and sharp. The pupil of Katie's eye dilated with his movement. Lenny's own eyes kicked in magnification, making out the edges of technology behind Katie's flesh and blood eye. With a jolt his suspicions were confirmed.
"A cybercamera." Lenny sneered.
12:15 pm
"Cybercamera?" Gideon cursed into the commlink. "That slitch has been recording the whole meet. She's got you on film, Lenny."
"Awe, drek." Nightsky came over the link shortly after Gideon. "That's the last thing we need. It's not going to blow the trade, is it?"
"Lenny, don't blow the meet." Gideon warned. "Get a price from her. Do a trade and let's be done with it."
"Frag this!" Riggs shouted. If it wasn't for the crowd of people Lenny could have heard him without the aid of the commlink. "This slitch just pasted our faces! We'll be on the nightly news before we know it. Frag the meet! Let's get out of here! It's not worth this kind of drek."
"Shut-up, Riggs." Gideon snapped. "Lenny, get a price from her."
"Frag that, Gid." Riggs countered. "She's not worth for drek. Leave her."
12.16 pm
"That's right, Mr. Lenny. You didn't think I was going to meet you without some insurance? I deal with your kind every day. You just want money for your information." Katie smiled. Now she had this guy right where she wanted him.
Lenny's eye's narrowed. He snatched the player from her hand. "Ms. Florence, you have no idea what kind of person I am."
"I'm the one that's holding the cards, Lenny. I'm not paying for your information." Katie gave a contented smile. "Now let me tell you what's going to happen. You will give me the footage and this witness. I'll put it on the news and make the weekly report. It'll go straight to the top. In return, I won't just happen to drop off my own footage." She tapped a fingernail against her temple. "At the local Lone Star office. I'm sure you've got some kind of record. Peddling in pornographic and abusive chips carries a nice sentence with it, you know."
Lenny's features bent. A look of pure anger filled his face. "Ms. Florence, you are seriously trying my patience. It would not be above my ability to remove that footage from your cranium with a minium of effort."
"Now listen here-"
"You are in no position to make threats." Lenny cut her off. His voice was harsh and crude. "Like you, I also have a backup. Do not force me to use it. Its result will do more harm to you than just your reputation."
"Don't make me laugh. You can't possibly-"
"That is enough, Ms. Florence." Lenny said harshly. "I offered you a simple deal and you have betrayed me with this. Consider the offer withdrawn."
"You can't do that!" Katie raised her voice. A few people passing by stared, but they moved on. "I'll take my footage-"
"And do nothing with it. You will delete that footage as soon as possible. Otherwise I will delete it myself." Lenny keyed his commlink, switching to Nightsky's personal channel. At the moment Nightsky was the only one of the shadowrunners present who used a laser sight. The rest had smartlinks. "Sky, give me a sight." Katie looked at him like he was talking to thin air. There were a few words from Nightsky, but after that the line fell silent.
A ruby red dot appeared on Katie's blouse. It traced a line to the top button and stayed there. Katie noticed it. She began to look around frantically for the shooter, but there was too many people. She could not pick him out.
"Do we have an understanding, Ms. Florence?"
She looked worried. A bead of perspiration trickled down her cheek. "Y-Yes."
"I thought you were someone who could be trusted, Ms. Florence. Obviously I was wrong. If you had been open with me this would not have happened."
Katie still looked scared. She had good reason because that laser sight was still centered on her.
"Now, let me tell you what is going to happen. My associates and I are going to leave. You will never see anything I promised you. The deal had been canceled. In addition you will delete any footage you have captured today. And, Ms. Florence, someone will be watching. If I see our meeting on the news, or in the hands of Lone Star, I will know how it got there. You'll be seeing me again if it happens."
"But-"
"Shush, Ms. Florence." Lenny stood. "We have nothing more to discuss." With that he walked away, leaving Katie Florence sitting on an empty bench.
12:35 pm
"Lenny what the hell are you doing?" Gideon grumbled as Riggs away from the Village.
"She was recording the whole meet, Gideon." Lenny shook his head. "She wasn't there to deal. She was there to get an edge over us. Then use that edge to get what she wanted. There wasn't any money coming from her."
Gideon grunted and kicked the side of the Bison with his steel-toed boot. "Fragging media slitch."
"Hey!" Riggs came over the Bison's internal speakers. "Watch it, big guy."
"I can't believe this!" Abigail squealed. "I give you the tape and you guys can't do drek with it. You've got the be the worst band of so-called shadowrunners in the sprawl."
Rage surged out of Gideon. He snatched Abigail by the throat and slammed her against the wall of the van. The metal hand bruised the girl's soft skin without an problem. Hate and frustration had taken its toll on Gideon. "Listen, breeder, we're in this mess because of you! All we got to do is pull the trigger and you're gone! Mess over, problem solved. That's the easy way out, girl. Right now that easy way is looking pretty drekking good!"
Abigail clawed against Gideon's metal arm, but only succeeded in chipping her fingernails. She gasped for air.
"Put her down, Gideon." Lenny ordered. "Let her go."
Gideon roared. "She's the cause of it all. I've had enough of this!"
Lenny pushed Gid's head forward. The barrel of a smartlinked Predator II pressed against the ork's boney skin. "I said put her down, Gideon. Now."
Gideon slowly turned his head. Lenny held the pistol level with him. He showed no signs of backing down. "What's this, Lenny? You going to shoot me?"
Everyone in the van froze. Riggs, watching through the internal pickups, nearly ran a red light. Everyone knew that Lenny was faster than the ork. He could kill Gideon before the ork could turn around. Only two people could do something about it. Riggs was connected to the Bison by the jacks in his head. That left a pair of shadowrunners in the back. Nightsky did not know what to do. He'd never had a teammate to draw a gun on another teammate before. Smiley stood with an idiot's grin on his face. All he knew was that he was going to kill the runner that was left standing.
"You're breaking down, Gid. You're letting your feelings mess with your professionalism."
"Professionalism ended when Gabriel sold us out."
"Maybe." Lenny admitted. "But honor took over after that."
Gideon grunted.
"Now put her down."
Gideon, hesitating for a second, released his grip. Abigail slid to the floor, choking for breath. The ork turned around. Lenny took a step back in response. A razor sprouted out of Gideon's metal arm. That prompted action from Smiley. The eccentric samurai drew both his Predators and leveled them on Gideon. The look on Smiley's face suggested that he was about to express himself in a most violent way. Nightsky, moving a bit slower than Smiley, yanked his monosword. Both shadowrunners looked to be siding with Lenny.
"Don't do it, Gid." Nightsky pleaded.
"Stand down, both of you." Lenny directed Nightsky and Smiley. Both of them could not believe what they heard, but they did as they were told. "Gideon," Lenny addressed the ork. "There's more to it than money."
Gideon spared a glance at Abigail. The girl was still on the floor, but she wasn't choking to death like before. His cold eyes wondered back to Lenny.
"We get rid of her. She's nothing, but trouble."
Lenny nodded. "We'll get rid of her, Gid. Except we do it the right way."
Gideon snorted at the remark. With some reluctance he lowered his arm. The razor slid bad into place. Lenny lowered his gun, but it did not put it away.
"We do this the right way. No mistakes." Lenny said.
"Just how we going to do that? The media plan fell threw like a drunken mime." Gideon said doubtfully. "You got another rabbit you want to pull out of your hat?"
Lenny smiled. "As a matter of fact, I do."
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