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page0044.mm
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<p>Page 44.</p>
<h5>CHAPTER
TEN</h5>
<p>“This is really unfortunate,” said Cassandra Cautery. “I
feel terrible about this.”</p>
<p>I couldn’t see her. I was having trouble opening my eyes. They
had sedated me, back at the cafe, while I was watching Lola Banks.
While I was transfixed by the opening and closing of her mouth, the
slowly spreading shock and fear on her face, someone had jabbed a
needle in my arm. My veins filled with chemicals as Lola’s
fingers described a slow arc through the air, terminating at the deep
red flower that blossomed beneath her yellow dress.</p>
<p>“What we need now,” said Cassandra Cautery, “is
just to take a few deep breaths.”</p>
<p>My right eyelid peeled open. My left was still gummed up, but I could
see a blob where her face must be, framed by watery blonde hair.
Beyond that was a nondescript ceiling. I could have been anywhere.
But I wasn’t. I was at work.</p>
<p>“Would you like some water?” she said. “I bet
you’re thirsty.”</p>
<p>Lola had reached for me. I had tried to catch her, but my legs
wouldn’t move. They were inert. They were anchors. I strained,
and Lola fell to the floor in front of me.</p>
<p>“I think there’s been some miscommunication on both
sides,” said Cassandra Cautery. “I think there are some
real lessons to be learned.”</p>
<p><em>Lola</em>, I croaked. Cassandra Cautery leaned closer. I don’t
think she heard me. But she knew what I meant.</p>
<p>“It’s understandable you’re upset, Charlie. I’d
be upset, in your place. But please bear in mind: this was a
high-pressure situation. Our people were forced into split-second
decisions.”</p>
<p>“Lola.” This time it was a real word. My left eye
fluttered open. In a minute, I would be able to sit up. Shortly after
that, I would be able to get my hand around Cassandra Cautery’s
tiny neck and squeeze some answers out of her.</p>
<p>“It’s the unknown,” she said. “It scares
people. Makes everyone think worst-case. All this could have been
avoided, if only there had been full disclosure.”</p>
<p>I managed to co-ordinate an arm and levered myself up. I was in a
medical room. It was small and windowless. The walls were a pale,
nostalgic blue. I could smell something acrid and unforgiving, like
detergent. Or maybe that was Cautery.</p>
<p>“With that in mind,” she said, “I’d like to
figure out why your girlfriend has a metal heart.”</p>