The Gadgeteer

Chapter 21

MELANIE SAT UP, looking surprised when Arabeth explained she'd had a receiver embedded in her scalp. Its minuscule size was what impressed Arabeth. It apparently used the electricity of the brain to power it. The good news was that this would tell her precisely which frequency she needed to hijack.

"So, the implant is gone. That means I don't need to sleep in here anymore... and I won't be whiskey dependent at home... Do you mind if I stay, anyway? Just for a few days."

"I don't mind, no. There is more strangeness going on in our city than usual lately," Arabeth replied.

Now they knew why Melanie was acting violently in general, not only towards people. She was a failed prototype, so to speak. But how had they gotten that device in her head without her knowledge?

"Melanie, when did you first notice a behaviour change? More specifically, what had you been doing the day before? Did you go anywhere you don't normally?"

"Not really. I mean, I had an errand to run for Frank, but he's always sending me off to do some little thing after work." She paused, then inhaled sharply. "He had me run and get a package from storage. It was odd because it was just before supper break, but it was dark when I finally found it and came back out."

"The package - what was it?"

"A 'lost and found' item. The owner asked him to have someone drop it off."

"Keep talking. There must be something interesting about it."

"Well, it wasn't in the short-term storage. It was out in the Nissen hut."

She was knocked out in the shed, Arabeth realized. That was where it happened, and when. She wondered if there would there be fingerprints.

"I recognize that expression. You've had an idea, and it seems plausible, doesn't it?"

Arabeth nodded. "It may be too soon to know how useful it'll be, but it's a step in the right direction."

Frank Masters wasn't just a pawn in this - he was a key player. And he was doing it right under the noses of the police. She had to tell Hicks.

"Don't tell anyone about this, right?" Arabeth said.

"No, of course not. It's a little embarrassing, sadly."

"There's no shame in being trusting. They're the ones who should weep from the disgraceful methods they've employed."

How much would she tell Hicks? Obviously, she'd tell him about the device under Melanie's skull, and warn him about Frank, but.... She sighed.

"You look exhausted," Melanie said.

"I am. It's been a long few days."

"When's the last time you read a book? Played with your horse? Stared at a sunset?" Melanie asked.

"That all sounds amazing, but I can't slow down right now. I'll have time later."

"I understand. The world rests on you this week, right?"

"Sarcasm aside, there are a few things needing my immediate attention." Like Melanie's situation, for example. "You may still be a target, because of the information and people you have access to. They wouldn't try the same thing, and I have no idea what their end game is with you."

Melanie shivered violently once and sat down. "I think I'll just stay in here for the time being, if you don't mind. My job is not worth my sanity."

"This isn't exactly a fortress," Arabeth said.

"Still, it's better than my apartment."

"What if you were to stay with my family? There is always someone home, and their servants are trustworthy. My room was turned into guest quarters, so I know you can be comfortable."