AfterNet 01 - Good Cop Dead Cop

that’s nice,” she said. “Excuse me,” she told the group.
    He led her to the door she’d seen open and close and was delighted as it opened for them. The other room was a library with only a few people sitting in leather armchairs surrounding a low coffee table that held an AfterNet terminal.
    “Hope I’m not wrong. You looked kind of surrounded back there.”
    “No, thanks, they were being awfully … uh, friendly.”
    He laughed “Yeah, that’s the word for it. Actually, they’re all really curious why you’re here. You’re probably the poorest person here, no offense.”
    Yamaguchi was walking to the large French doors that gave the library a view of the garden. Humphries followed her.
    “None taken. And I’d like to know why I’m here, not that I’m complaining. The shrimp’s really good.”
    “It’s pretty obvious. It’s your partner. Bill’s headhunting him. I don’t know why, but that’s it.”
    “He really wants to hire Alex?” Humphries nodded. “I thought that was just a way of breaking the ice at the reception.”
    “I’m sure it was, but Bill’s hiring all the time, and not just the disembodied.”
    “What for? Isn’t he … retired?”
    “Bill? Hardly. Yeah, he’s given up trying to take back ClearView, but his next project … look, I’m sure your partner will fill you in. Bill’s talking to him now.”
    “But what’s he need a cop for?”
    “Can’t say. Bill hires the strangest people. He’s got an instinct about it. Sometimes he hires people just because they intrigue him. That’s my guess for his interest in your partner. A disembodied cop. Very noir.”
    “Yes, but if he works for Mr. Rybold, then he wouldn’t be a cop any longer.”
    “Ah hah, but if he hires him as an outside consultant, he’d be a disembodied private detective. Can’t get much more noir than that.”
    She lifted an eyebrow, or at least tried to. “Is he drawn to the dark side?”
    He did a much better job of raising his eyebrow. “No more than any other dead billionaire bent on world domination. I’m kidding of course.”
    “And I’m out of a partner,” she said. I’ve really got to figure out how to raise an eyebrow, she thought.
    “I’d bet it’s a package deal.”
    “And what would he want with me?”
    “It’s pretty obvious you two work together well. You could continue being his avatar.”
    “I’m not his avatar,” she countered, not quite sure whether being considered one to be an insult.
    “Well, whatever you want to call it, it’s not a bad job.”
    “What do you call your job?” she asked.
    “Me? Personal assistant. Secretary. And from time to time, avatar.”
    “It’s not a full-time job?”
    “Being an avatar? By no means. Bill needs me to be the public face of the company occasionally. But day-to-day, I’m his assistant. When he’s traveling, I make sure doors get opened. When he’s entertaining, I pour the drinks. Stuff like that. I’m sure it’s not too different from what you do.”
    “Back up a second. You said entertaining. Do you mean …”
    “I’ve said too much already, Linda.” He grinned.
    “OK, but I’ve got this image in my mind. Well, if he wants to hire Alex, and me, what’s he like?”
    Humphries shrugged his shoulders. “Bill’s an easy boss to work for, and he’s a brilliant businessman. But I’m closer to him than anyone else, obviously, and I still don’t really know him.”
    Munroe eased himself into the chair, which detected his presence and swung the terminal into position for him. They were in Rybold’s office. He logged in and saw that Rybold was already waiting for him in private chat.
ribaldhumor: Hello, Alex.
jollycopper: Bill, thanks for inviting me … us.
ribaldhumor: You’re welcome. Glad you could make it. And I really did mean to invite the both of you.
jollycopper: Nice house. Awfully big.
ribaldhumor: For a dead guy you mean?
jollycopper: Hell, big for Charles Foster Kane.
ribaldhumor: Where are you staying?
jollycopper: Anywhere I can. I mostly hang out at the department, hit the sports bars when I can, the library.
ribaldhumor: So no fixed address? Wouldn’t you like a place to call home?
jollycopper: I’m not saying it wouldn’t be nice, but the job doesn’t pay much and besides, as long as I have access to a terminal, the world’s my oyster.
ribaldhumor: I don’t believe your needs are that simple, Alex. I think you’re compensating for your situation.
jollycopper: Yeah, I’m