Daughter of Shadows, page 12
As soon as the maid had left after serving coffee and tea to his guests, he rapped the table in front of him. “We’ve got a problem,” he said.
“What kind of problem?” Argus Brown asked, Brown was a medium-sized man in his late thirties with a lanky body and non-descript features.
“How much trouble are we in?” demanded Sarina Davis, not giving Mix time to answer Brown’s question. Sarina was a white-haired woman who looked like everybody’s maiden aunt. Like Mix’s fusty antique picker persona, her looks were deceptive. Sarina had been an investigative reporter who had gotten in trouble with one of the business conglomerates when she asked too many questions about some of their practices. She had emigrated to Shangri-La to get away from them and now visited earth using an alias.
“All the Outlawed Colonies, or just Shangri-La?” asked Haylie Clark. Haylie was the youngest Runner and she had been born on Shangri-La.
Mix nodded, holding up a hand to stop the flood of questions. “Very good questions, all of them,” he said. “At the moment, only Shangri-La has developed a leak, but rest assured, I’ll be holding meetings like this with Runners who service the other colonies as well so they can be on the lookout for similar leaks.”
“How bad is the leak?” Finn Lee, a mixed-race man with a background in smuggling, asked the question on all their minds.
“Are any of you familiar with the Silent Insurgence?” Mix asked.
“I’ve heard of it, I think,” said Lennox Hughes, a tall, Hispanic woman who specialized in obtaining black-market medical supplies which she sold for a nice profit to the colonists. “It’s some kind of rebel group attempting to overthrow Earth-Gov, isn’t it?”
“That’s a fair description,” Mix agreed. “Unfortunately, because of their attempts to undermine Earth-Gov, the authorities pay a lot of attention to their activities. A week ago, Jerilyn Grimes came to me with a tip they had managed to get a couple of agents inserted into the Shangri-La Colony. She got the tip from a group she sometimes works with on other things: It’s a private vigilante group known as the Earth Preservation League. Because they consider the Insurgence a threat to the status quo, they keep a close eye on them. About five years ago, they discovered the Insurgence was using the human clone manufacturers to create human weapons with the ability to influence the minds of government leaders. The League snatched the oldest weapon (a teenager) and had her sent to Shangri-La where they hoped her talents would be considered unremarkable.”
“Question, you said multiple weapons? What happened to the others?”
Mix nodded. “According to what Jerilyn found out, the other so-called weapons were just toddlers and infants. They were being kept at one of the human clone farms. When some wild clones raided it, massacring the guards and a lot of the clones, they missed the nursery. The children were found and rescued by some college students. Both sets of weapons, the six infants and the seven toddlers have since been adopted by parents living on St. Antoni and Arcadia.”
“Are the parents aware the children were intended to be human weapons?” inquired Haylie.
“As far as I am aware, they aren’t, but it doesn’t really matter; any plans for them are now as useless as the one for the older girl.”
“What about the agents on Shangri-La?” questioned Brown.
Mix nodded. “One of them, Jeremy Killwilner, is dead. The colony police are investigating his death. He revealed himself when he made an attempt to kidnap the teenager. She is nearly an adult now, and living with her foster mom, a woman named Grace LaSalle. I’m pretty sure an agent of the League took Killwilner out. I have plans for removing any others found myself. What I want, is for you to keep an eye out for any other activity both in Laughing Mountain and on Shangri-La.”
“You said Grimes brought this to your attention, why isn’t she at this meeting?”
“I sent her back to Shangri-La to see if she could ferret out the other Insurgence agents. I plan to join her shortly.”
Brown frowned. “You said an agent of the League took Killwilner out. Does that mean they have agents on Shangri-La too?”
“Probably. I’ve worked out a deal with the League; in return for the names of some of the two Insurgence agents, they’ve agreed to run interference with the Portal Authority for us.”
“Can we trust them?” Lee asked.
Mix nodded. “I think so. If it turns out we can’t, well we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,”
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
THE NEXT open portal run to Shangri-La; Tom Mix crossed over with the runners. He met Jerilyn Grimes in a small coffee shop called the Zig Zag Bistro. The café had a homey feel. From the outside it looked welcoming, beautiful and pleasant. Bricks and stone beams made up most of the building's outer structure. One way glass covered the outside windows, making it hard to see through them from the street, which Mix considered a plus.
Inside, it was just as comfortable. “You chose a good meeting place,” Mix told Grimes, sipping his coffee as he looked around. Art from local artists graced the wood paneled walls, and the coffee bar was a long slab of light-colored wood with ornately carved stools. Mix had noticed that everything on the colony was either baroque style or free-form art.
The tables were also far enough apart to hold private conversations without fear of being overheard.
“What have you found out?” he asked Grimes.
Grimes took a bite of the excellent oat-bran muffin before she answered. “I think the most likely candidate for an Insurgence Agent is a man named Jack Stevens. He is a Runner who deals in small electronics for luxury goods.”
“Is he here this weekend?”
“No, he skipped it, but one of his customers, Old Timothy says he only comes through about three times a year.”
“I want to meet this man Timothy. What do you know about him?”
“He does a lot of business in the Shadow Market.”
“What is the Shadow Market?”
“Well, it exists side-by-side with the regular Free Market, where colonists openly buy food, electronics, and other stuff. On the shadow Market, you can also buy a second identity, or get the credits you don’t want to report to the Augers washed (for a fee of course).”
“So they cheat the socialist system on the Shadow Market?” Mix asked, hugely entertained. “Capitalism triumphs after all.”
“Yes,” Grimes shared his amusement. “There is also a kind of Shadow Government aimed at reforming the Socialist Covenant controlling the government. Part of it exists out in the open. (The current Mayor is a member), and part of it hides what it’s doing underground.”
“Fascinating,” Mix murmured. “Is this shadow government of any use to us in watching for someone who might carry information back to the Insurgence or the Portal Authority?”
“Maybe. I suggest you speak to a retired Actress named Drusilla Alverez about that.”
“Have you made contact with Tracy Lucent yet?”
“No, I haven’t. Torrent would like me to tell her about her origins, but I didn’t know if you wanted me to do that.”
Mix ate a few bites of his muffin, looking down at it in surprise. “These are great. I wonder what they put in it that’s different.”
Grimes shrugged. “Probably the native ingredients give it a different flavor.”
“Yes,” he said, getting back to the subject at hand. “Go ahead and contact Lucent. Assure her, we are doing everything we can to stop anyone from dragging her back to earth. I need you to introduce me to this Alverez woman too.”
“Devon Morton knows her,” Grimes offered. “I understand he and Higgins stayed with her when the ambassadors from Arcadia and Barsoom first arrived. She might be more cooperative if he introduces her to you.”
“Is he in residence?”
“I believe so, I heard they just got back from St. Antoni.”
Mix found them at home at the house Devon was renting.
“What can we do you Tom,” Tash Higgins asked when she invited him in.
“You’re a lucky dog, Morton,” he said, eying her appreciatively. It was a source of wonder to many men why a stunner like Tash Higgins had fallen for Morton, who certainly didn’t have an edge in the looks department. Morton had limp, light brown hair, kept short when he remembered to have it cut. He wore loose, comfortable clothing by preference. Tash on the other hand, had a lush, figure, straight, blue-black hair, large green eyes and a full, red mouth.
“I’m sure you didn’t come here to discuss our appearance,” she said. “Lacey told us you found a leak on Shangri-La. How much does the P.A. know about our colonies?”
Mix shrugged. “We took care of things on this end, but I need you to introduce me to Drusilla Alverez on Shangri-La.”
Tash scowled at him. “What did you do with the bodies?” Morton simply sipped his coffee and allowed her to handle the interrogation.
“We didn’t kill anybody,” Mix snapped.
“This time?” Tash’s voice was skeptical.
“I think that was the special package sent to St. Antoni yesterday,” Devon remarked, laying a soothing hand on his partner’s arm. “Mark would have told me if they were dead. As far as I know, the two people were alive but unconscious.”
“Oh,” Tash said, relaxing. “Why do you need to speak to Drusilla?”
“How much do you know about the Earth Preservation League?”
“I know they keep a close eye on any insurgent or rebel groups, Why?”
“About five years ago they discovered the Silent Insurgence was attempting to create human weapons using the clone farm where you rescued the toddlers who were taken to Arcadia and the infants Liam and Tally adopted. What you don’t know, is there was an older girl, a teenager. About a week before the raid, the League removed her from the farm and sent her to Shangri-La where her special abilities would be considered normal. I understand Drusilla Alverez knows her and her foster family. I want to reassure them we will do everything we can to ensure she isn’t grabbed and taken to earth against her will. I understand there has already been one attempt.”
“I see,” Devon said. “Of course we can introduce you to Drusilla.”
“You should know,” Tash added, “I intend to warn my sister and Ivette about this. I’m assuming the children they adopted are the other ‘weapons’?”
Mix nodded agreeably. “It certainly won’t hurt for them to be on the lookout for trouble. I intended to warn Brendan myself.”
Back on Shangri-La, Grace was having an uncomfortable discussion with her adult daughter.
Clemintine sipped her tea. She actually preferred coffee, but she had become accustomed to drinking tea when she visited Grace.
“What is it you wanted to talk about?” she asked.
“How soon do you think it would be alright for me to start dating?” Grace asked, nervously pleating her napkin. She didn’t meet her daughter’s eyes.
“That might depend on who you want to date,” Clemintine said frankly. “Is it Malcolm?”
“Yes,” Grace darted a quick look at her.
“Malcolm is a nice guy. Mason approves of him or he wouldn’t have recommended him to help you get started with your garden and dairy herd.”
“I know your father has been dead for three years, but I don’t want you to think I’ve forgotten him—”
“Mom,” Clemintine reached across and covered her mother’s nervous hands with her own. “It’s alright. I’m glad to see you start living your life again. And no, I don’t think it’s disloyal to Dad’s memory for you to date again. Not to change the subject, but it’s a Portal Weekend next week, Are you planning to attend?”
“I don’t know,” Grace let the subject of the late Gregory LaSalle drop.
“Secrets all done?” Tracy entered the kitchen, followed by Cayenne and Ismelda.
“My goodness, he’s grown!” Clemintine exclaimed. Cayenne was nearly at his full height of fifteen inches, and his comb was now so dark a red it appeared black and was beginning to turn to bristles. He had lost most of his blue fuzz and his feathers were coming in scarlet tipped with black.
“Yes,” Tracy agreed, smiling. “He’ll be gorgeous when he grows into that comb and those tail feathers. Won’t you, sweetie,” she crooned at her pet, who fluffed up and preened, Much to Ismelda’s disgust. The Coati made the equivalent of a snort, demanding to be allowed into Clementine’s lap.
“It isn’t a secret,” Clementine announced. “Mom just wanted my permission to date Malcolm for whatever that’s worth.”
TIME TO SPEAK OF MANY THINGS
THE MORNING after the start of the next Portal Weekend, a strange woman knocked on Grace and Tracy’s door. She was around thirty, thin, almost skinny, with sharp grey eyes.
“Can I help you?” Grace asked, assuming she was a new client.
“I doubt it, but I think I can help you. My name is Jerilyn Grimes. I’m a Portal Runner from Laughing Mountain. May I come in?”
Grace had started to invite her inside. Now, she stepped back, holding the door partially closed. “Malcolm, could you come out here please?” she called.
The four of them had come back late from the carnival, and he and Seth had slept in the spare bedrooms. He was followed from the kitchen by Seth and Tracy, who were attended by an alert Jalapeno and an alarmed Cayenne.
“Is there a problem?” Malcolm asked, eying the Runner suspiciously.
“I don’t know,” Grace said. “This woman claims to be a Portal Runner.”
He gently put Grace behind himself before he opened the door the rest of the way. Seth did the same with Tracy and stepped up beside him.
“Jalapeno, Guard,” Seth pointed at the kitchen and the Arcarool obediently went to sit facing the kitchen door.
“What do you want?” Malcolm asked.
“Whew!” Grimes said. “I guess Killwilner really put the wind up the four of you.” She held up both hands placatingly. “You are in no danger from me, in fact just the opposite. Tom Mix and Simon Torrent sent me.”
“Mix, I’ve heard of,” Malcolm said. “He heads up the Portal Runners in Laughing Mountain. Who’s Torrent?”
Grimes said. “This might take a while. Can we sit down and talk?”
Grace sat down on the couch and patted the seat for Tracy to sit beside her. Cayenne hopped up on the back, fixing Grimes with his beady stare. She eyed him uneasily, but since he didn’t make any threatening moves, she did her best to ignore him.
“There is a chair behind you,” Grace told her.
When Grimes had taken a seat, Malcolm and Seth perched on the arms of couch at opposite ends. If she made any hostile moves, she would be in easy reach of one of them.
“Simon Torrent is the man responsible for rescuing Tracy from the Silent Insurgence and sending her here. When we learned about the kidnap attempt, Torrent sent me to reassure you that we are doing everything we can on our end to prevent that happening again.”
“What does everything you can, entail?” Malcolm asked, his suspicions in no way allayed.
Grimes took a deep breath. “We broke up the Insurgence cell that sent Killwilner here, and the two operatives on earth have been removed permanently to St. Antoni. Tom Mix is taking steps to remove their other Runner Agent; a man named Jack Stevens. He won’t be allowed back on Shangri-La.” She suspected Mix intended to get rid of Stevens permanently too and she had a feeling he wouldn’t be exiled the way the other two had been. She kept that suspicion to herself.
“If they try again, is there someone we need to report it to?” Seth asked, dropping a comforting hand on Tracy’s shoulder.
“If I’m not available, you can report it to Drusilla Alverez. She can make sure a message about it goes through the Portal to Laughing Mountain. The Runners will handle it from there.”
“We can do that,” Malcolm said after exchanging glances with the other three. “Is that all?”
“That depends on you,” Grimes replied. “I’ve also been instructed to answer any questions you might have about Tracy’s background.”
“Who am I?” Tracy asked.
Grimes nodded. “Your real name is Tracy Lucent.”
“Who are my parents?”
“That’s a little more difficult. You see, you were born if you will at one of the clone farms at the behest of the Parallel Genetic Agency.
“So, I’m a clone?”
“Ummn, not exactly. To be precise, you are an artificially created human designed with certain abilities.”
Tracy frowned at her. “What exactly does that mean?”
“As nearly as we can figure out, you and the others were created with the ability to influence people. A broadcasting empath if you will. You do seem to have been gifted with a few extra abilities.”
“There are others like me? What happened to them?”
“According to our sources, the other children, who would have been infants and toddlers at the time of your rescue, were taken to other outlawed colonies where they were adopted. The two couples who adopted them are treating them as ordinary children. We are satisfied they are in good hands.”
“I see,” Tracy said. “So, what happens to me now?”
Grimes smiled at her. “Whatever you want to happen. I suggest you go on with your life, Miss Lucent.”
Grimes stood up, and Cayenne crowed at her, still worried.
Tracy reached up and smoothed his feathers. “It’s okay, sweetie,” she said.
“I’ll be around for the rest of the weekend if you have more questions,” Grimes said, shutting the door behind herself.
CULLING THE HERD
TOM MIX WAS sharing a cup of Lacey Delaney’s special St. Antoni coffee in the breakroom of Delaney’s Antiques when her husband, Malachi Sullivan walked in.
“I heard you were in town Mix,” he said, helping himself to a cup. “I hear you’re looking for Jack Stevens.”
“I am. You haven’t seen him around, have you?”
“No, can’t say I have, but I’ll pass the word around you want to talk to him.”
