Shutdown (Glitch)

Checil’s husband.
    Checil’s smile faltered and her grip on my arm tightened. “To tell the truth, I’m just out of sorts because it’s been too long since my last infusion,” she said, her voice low. “There’s a dealer here of course, but all on the quiet since Bud and some of the other old gens look down on it. I have to steal all the credits I can to even get my hands on a tiny bit.” Her eyes flashed with anger before she turned to look sweetly up at me. “But I’ve heard you’re quite the infusion enthusiast as well. I’d be happy to introduce you to Central City’s most prominent dealer. Maybe we could steal away and go have a real party.” She raised her makeup-darkened eyebrows and smiled. It was a desperate smile, almost feral.
    I had no idea what infusions were, but I suspected it had something to do with her bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. I smiled sweetly and disengaged my arm from hers. “Thank you so much for the kind offer, but I’m fine for tonight. Now, I must go find Nihem.”
    I turned to go but she grabbed my arm again, her eyes wild. Her fingers felt like claws in my skin. “But you have to help me! I mean, I don’t quite have enough credits for another infusion, but if you come, I’m sure the dealer will overlook that.” Her voice wavered between persuasion and panic. “He really has the best clientele. He heard of your … your interest , and asked me to introduce you.”
    “Really, I can’t right now.” I couldn’t keep the impatience from my voice. My target had shaken hands with Checil’s husband and was walking toward the exit.
    “But later? After the party?” Her fingers were still digging into my arm.
    “Sure, whatever,” I said, forcing a smile. Anything to get rid of her.
    She nodded vigorously, finally letting me go. “Meet me at the fountain at midnight. We’ll go then.” It was a command, not a suggestion. I was sure Darl would have put her in her place for her attitude, but standing her up tonight would accomplish the same thing.
    I hurried toward Warnost’s retreating back. But before I could get to him, he exited through the double doors. I stopped, wondering if I should follow him down the hall. He’d be alone, just like we wanted. Maybe this whole thing could work to our advantage. But when I looked behind me, I saw Checil’s bloodshot eyes on me, a small frown on her face. It would look odd if I didn’t go find Max like I’d said I would. And worse if it looked like I was following my target out. The way these people gossiped, every one of them would know by morning.
    I balled my hands into fists in frustration but then made my way over to Max until I saw who he was talking to. It was the second target, a woman who was far too old to be wearing the outfit she had on, a short red dress with so many cutouts that it looked like a hastily wrapped bandage.
    The way she was leaning into Max’s chest, I could tell his plan was working. I’d been skeptical when he’d been so sure he could get her alone without a trick like spilling wine, but now I saw why he’d been so confident. He was a natural at this, far more smooth than he’d been a year and a half ago when we’d still lived in the Community and he’d clumsily tried to seduce me. I was sure he’d had plenty of practice since then. I swallowed my disgust.
    Then again, as I got closer I could see the tiny key drive hanging like a pendant from a glittering gold chain around her neck. As long as Max got results, that was all that mattered right now.
    This might still work after all. We’d planned on getting in a public fight tomorrow afternoon to explain our absence from the main attraction of Fight Night, but doing it now would work just as well. And then maybe I could still leave to go track down Warnost without suspicion.
    I stopped several feet away and put my hands on my hips with an exaggerated look of disgust on my face. I stood a full ten seconds, making sure the people around me could see me watching them. Nihem was an infamous philanderer, this was all well within character.
    I went forward and knocked the cake out of his hand. “You bastard. The least you can do is try to hide your affairs.”
    Max smiled at the woman he was talking to before leisurely looking my way. “Usually you’re too bubbled to notice, darl ing.”
    “You know I hate it when you call me that,” I said through gritted teeth.
    “Oh, are we talking about the