Cui Bono

III

A huge crowd gathered outside at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on the Saturday before Victoria Day; there were a few clusters of people, and everyone was talking, some drinking and/or snacking, as android servers walked around them, carrying trays.

Andreas maneuvered his way through the crowd; everyone greeted him like he was an old friend, and clusters of people even drew him into conversations at intervals.

"Andreas!"

Andreas turned; people got out of the way as Cammy ran towards him. He caught her as she leapt, and they shared a big hug.

"Don't you think you're a little old for that, Cammy?"

Andreas and Cammy faced Dr. Ortega, as Andreas put Cammy down. Grinning at Dr. Ortega, he said, "It's her birthday, Dr. Ortega. Let her indulge a little."

Dr. Ortega gave him and Cammy a scolding expression.

Cammy looked past Dr. Ortega. "Ew. Did Daddy really invite her?"

Andreas and Dr. Ortega followed Cammy's gaze to a woman in a form-fitting red dress.

Dr. Ortega looked at Andreas. "Crystal Kneuer. She has a mixed reputation. You either like her or you can't stand her."

"I don't know why anyone likes her. She clings to every and any man she knows has money. And she is so upfront about it." Cammy turned to Andreas. "Watch out for her. If she knows you have money, you'll never be able to get rid of her."

"That'll do, Cammy."

"Omigod—here she comes."

"Hello. Happy Birthday, Cammy. How does it feel to be an adult?"

"Hello, Crystal. It's fine."

"It sucks what that bitch Katherine did to you. You know, with Dr. Aragon."

Cammy grimaced.

Crystal turned her attention to Andreas. "Have we met?"

"He's spoken for."

Andreas furrowed his brow as he looked at Cammy.

"Really?"

Cammy tugged on Andreas's hand. "We really need to get going."

"It was nice seeing you, birthday girl."

Cammy smirked at Crystal, and led Andreas away. "She's a regular breath of vile air."

Screams filled the air; Andreas and Cammy turned in time to see a hatchet sail through the air before it pinned a man to a tree by the shoulder of his coat.

Katherine was on the scene in a heartbeat; she punched the man a few times, then removed and resheathed the hatchet, punched the man a few more times, and delivered a roundhouse kick in the bargain, knocking the man to the ground.

The man stumbled to his knees, and managed to raise himself to a genuflecting position, only to come face to face with the point of Katherine's katana. "You'd better rethink your strategy, asshole," she growled.

The man got to his feet, and almost fell as he ran away. When he had gone into the building, Katherine resheathed her katana.

Bianca hid her face in her hands.