Matrix Man by William C. Dietz

now, and reshape it into something fine. And she would stand beside him. Carla stood.
    "I'd better get back. I've got a country to run. And on top of that, it isn't easy to keep the rest of the staff happy when they don't have access to the president."
    Numalo nodded. "I'm sure it is. Any other problems?"
    Carla shook her head.
    Numalo smiled. Having received a report from Dietrich only hours before, he knew about Rex Corvan and understood Carla's reluctance to mention him. The reop was nothing more than an annoyance so far, but given the potentially explosive nature of the situation, he could cause trouble. It was tempting to cancel Dietrich's ticket and put somebody more effective on the job. But if he did that, who would keep an eye on Carla?
    Besides, Dietrich was an effective tool, a soldier who liked to kill. A talent he came by honestly through his Germanic blood, just as Numalo had, although his was enriched by a thousand generations of Zulu warriors. A powerful mixture indeed, Numalo thought to himself. What they say is true. I am agod.
    Suddenly Numalo found himself on the very edge of orgasm, and bit his lip to push it back, using the pain to clear his head. For the moment Dietrich would live and Carla would carry on.
    "All right then, take care of yourself, Carla, and get some rest."
    Carla smiled in return, carefully ignored the black woman's bobbing head, and touched the door. It slid open and she stepped outside. It was then, just before the door slid closed, that she heard Numalo cry out and wished that he were dead.
    Â 

 

 
    7
    Â 
    Â 
    After completing his stand-up close, Corvan returned to his hotel. He had every intention of picking up exactly where he'd left off. Twelve hours of sleep followed by a huge breakfast and a day of rest. That's what he needed to put the edge back on.
    But when Corvan arrived at his hotel there was a message waiting. All it said was "Please see me as soon as possible," signed "Kim," but that was enough. His desire to see her plus his curiosity made a powerful combination. So, after a shave and a change of clothes, Corvan packed up and checked out. The shoulder guard and robo cam made his bag somewhat heavy, but he was used to that. If he couldn't sleep in Seattle, maybe he'd do better in his San Francisco apartment.
    Duffel bag in hand, Corvan stepped out onto the hotel's roof and headed for the nearest air cab. There was nothing special about the mousy-looking woman who followed him, and she was careful to keep it that way. About forty-five or fifty, she was dressed in a nondescript manner and looked like someone's mother, which she was.
    Corvan climbed aboard the air cab and slept all the way to the Nakasaki Business Complex, completely oblivious to the pilot's curious looks and the second air taxi which followed along behind.
    After what seemed like five or ten seconds, the chopper landed one skid at a time and the pilot shook him awake.
    Corvan shoved his credit card in the pilot's direction, stretched, and took it back with a mumbled thanks. Grabbing his duffel bag, Corvan made his way into the building, waved in the direction of the reception desk, and headed for the elevators.
    Louie called down to warn Kim of Corvan's arrival, but it was unnecessary. She was ready and had been for hours. Here she had news, really big news, and he was out screwing around. Yes, she knew he'd been on a story; after all, she'd seen the report along with millions of other people. But that didn't change the fact that he'd left her holding the bag, a rather nasty bag too, once you got it open and took a look inside. There was something else too, something she wouldn't completely admit to. She wanted to see him again.
    There was a knock on the door. Kim checked to make sure she had her I-don't-need-any one expression firmly in place, and yelled, "Come on in!"
    Corvan opened the door and stepped inside. It was cool and dark just like before. Kim stood in the soft glow of a recessed