Canvas Skies (Reliance on Citizens Makes Us Great!) by S. L. Wallace Page B

neighbors, the ones
in the blue house. The loud music has stopped. I kinda miss that.
Some of my poker buddies have stopped coming around too. Jenna tell
you what's going on?”
    “She doesn't know.” We stared at each
other.
    “Hey, think you could help me with something
before you head back?”
    “Depends. What'd you have in mind?”
    “See the guy in front of the window?”
    I quickly glanced over my shoulder.
“Yeah.”
    “He delivers goods for me. Now he tells me
something went wrong, the client never showed. Only he's not
returning the goods, and he's not giving me the money either.”
    “You want me to threaten him?”
    “Nah, I can do that myself, but there might
be an easier way to get what I want.”
    “Go on.”
    “He's friends with Mr. See No Evil, Speak No
Evil.”
    “Shit, news travels fast!”
    “And he's been watching you. I think you
already have him rattled, just by being here. Care to step it up a
notch?”
    I hopped down off the stool, so did Cole. He
leaned in and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I hugged him
back.
    “Congrats,” he whispered.
    “Thanks!”
    On my way back to the large booth in the
corner, I took a detour. As I passed the man Cole had indicated, I
ran my fingers lightly across his shoulders. When I sat down next
to Guy, I noticed the man had left. Cole smiled at me, patted his
pocket and ducked out the door.

 
     
     
-Brody-
Back at CalTech

    My transceiver buzzed. I turned on the
vidscreen and answered the call.
    “Hello?”
    Keira appeared. Red curls framed her face.
People hurried past in the distance. A wig and a public
transceiver.
    “Brody, I can't see you anymore.” Her eyes
shifted this way and that.
    “What?”
    “I think we've been spotted at the Dry
Martini.”
    “Wait, I...”
    “Goodbye, Brody.” She severed the
connection. Was it really over? A year of friendship, gone?
    I left my office in a daze and noticed
Irene. Had she been listening in? Had Keira counted on that? I
walked directly to her desk.
    Irene studied my face for a moment, then
asked, “Is something wrong, Mr. Delaney?”
    I shook my head but otherwise didn't
respond.
    “Can I get you something?”
    “A cup of tea. Thank you, Irene.” I returned
to my office and ignored the next few calls, but I remembered
Keira's advice and didn't drink the tea Irene set on my desk.
    After work, I went to the Dry Martini as
usual. The night was uneventful, how every night used to be.
Drinking alone was never much fun. Later, I returned to my
apartment and listened to some music, but the notes sounded flat. I
tried to read, but the same sentence danced before my eyes. I
should have told her when I had the chance.
    Monday morning brought a few surprises. The
first was Irene's resignation. She'd left it on my desk. I
immediately promoted a secretary from the finance department by the
name of Miss Ellis. Then I returned to business as usual and tried
to keep busy. A few hours later, I received a call from the head of
the finance department. If they were calling because I'd snagged
their secretary on such short notice, heads would roll.
    Instead, I was informed that a man was
waiting in the conference room with a business proposal. CalTech
was doing just fine, but as a courtesy, I'd listen to his
offer.
    “Miss Ellis, would you please join me?” I
explained her duties as we walked down the hall. “It will be your
job to make note of their offer and detail any parameters. They
usually have it in writing as well, but it never hurts to have too
much information. You are to remain silent unless I ask you a
question.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Today's meeting will be good practice for
you. I have no intention of accepting this particular offer.”
    “I understand, sir.”
    I opened the door and stepped into the room.
With my hand still on the doorknob, I froze and turned to dismiss
Miss Ellis. “I was mistaken. This will be a closed meeting. You may
take an early lunch.”
    The final surprise of the