'Wait here,' I said to him. 'Or somebody might recognize you.'
'No, wouldn't want that.'
I thought he might be insulted by what I'd said, but instead he sounded vaguely amused. I felt his fingers tighten at my waist and then he released me. The floor was carpeted and seemed a little squishy as I walked across it in my boots. I glanced back at Rogan while I moved through the dark room-but not dark enough to trigger my phobia. As long as I could see what was going on around me, then I was fine.
Colin was completely focused on his computer screen. His hands, encased in cybergloves, moved as he worked his way through the game. I could see it on the screen. His computer persona was walking through a darkened hallway with dirty walls. Doors appeared to either side as he moved along. I could see the tip of a weapon at the bottom of the screen. A big gun, maybe even a flamethrower. I wasn't sure.
Despite my disinterest in the gaming world, I recognized the game as one called 'Anarchy.' Apparently everybody played it. It had something to do with the bad guys trying to take over the world and the good guys trying to stop them.
But first you had to decide which side you wanted to play for.
I wondered what Colin would think about
'Colin.' I reached forward and closed my hand over his shoulder and shook him lightly.
He shot up in the seat and let out a hoarse scream. Onscreen, the door in front of the computer-Colin burst open and I could see the outline of a figure who immediately opened fire. Digital blood trickled down from the top of the game screen.
Words appeared on the screen:
YOU'RE DEAD, ASSHOLE! NUCLEARXXX KILLED YOUR SORRY ASS! EVIL REIGNS!
'Fuck!' Colin yelled, and whipped off his gloves. Then he took off his goggles and furiously spun around to face whomever had just made him lose his fake life.
His eyes widened when he saw it was me.
'Kira!' he squeaked. 'What are you doing here?'
I grimaced and nodded at the screen. Typed-in taunts were coming in from his opposing players. He wasn't being mourned for his great on-screen sacrifice, that was for sure.
'Sorry about that,' I said.
He looked regretfully at the screen, which now read: LOSER!!!!!!
'Yeah, well, whatever.' Then his gaze shot back to me. 'What… what are you doing here?'
I bit my bottom lip. 'I need your help.'
He looked confused. 'Didn't you ask me for help in the mall and then go all psycho and take off? I thought you were mad at me or something.'
'No, I'm not mad. The psycho thing may be debatable, though.' I let out a sigh. 'I've been really distracted lately. I'm sorry if I seemed like a bitch to you.'
'You told me to leave you alone.'
I forced a smile. 'I was having a really bad day. Do you have a minute?'
'You were with that guy-'
'Colin, listen to me. Can we just go somewhere private where we can talk?'
'Where are you going?' Another gamer next to Colin took off his visor. He looked about fifteen years old. 'You need some time alone? Colin, I didn't know you had a girlfriend. She's fucking hot, too.' He stuck his tongue out and waggled it very lewdly.
'She's not my girlfriend,' Colin said very coldly. 'She'd rather be with men who have police records. Sorry I'm not up to par yet, Kira. Where's your new friend?'
'Right here.' Rogan appeared at my side. 'Is there a problem?'
I glared at him. 'I thought I asked you to wait over there.'
'I guess I don't take orders too well.'
'Obviously.'
Rogan looked at Colin. 'Now, I believe that Kira was asking you for a favor because she considers you to be a friend of hers. Are you really saying no to her?'
Colin's eyes widened. 'I… I… don't know. Um …'
'Just chill,' I said to him. 'We don't need everybody in here freaking out right now.'
The fifteen-year-old took a step closer. 'You're Rogan Ellis.'
He didn't seem to be freaking out. Which was a good start.
Rogan studied him for a moment. 'That's right.'
'You can call me Snake.'
Rogan eyed him. 'Snake, huh?'
'That's right. It's not my real name, but it's my screen name and I prefer it. Man, I can't believe this. Rogan Ellis standing three feet away from me.'
My mouth went dry. This wasn't what I wanted. I didn't want a confrontation right here. Not now, there wasn't time.
'Let me guess,' Rogan said dryly. 'You want my autograph. A lot of people love to collect the signatures of serial killers. Got my share of mail asking for just that.'
'Nope.' Snake shook his head. 'You totally didn't do it.'
Rogan's eyebrows shot up. 'I didn't?'
'No. Why, are you saying that you did?'
'No … it's just…' Rogan closed his mouth for a moment, and his gaze flicked to me. 'It's just that when I meet new people they usually assume that I'm some kind of monster.'
The kid flicked his hand dismissively. 'You were set up. It's obvious to anybody with half a brain. I even have a Web site devoted to proving the conspiracy that sent you to prison.'
I eyed Colin. 'Did you hear about this?'
Colin nodded. 'Yeah, but Snake's theory is that it has to do with aliens. I never took it too seriously.'
Snake glared at him. 'Shut up, loser.'
Colin didn't even look at the kid; he stayed focused on me. 'I tried to show you one of those sites once as a joke but you blew me off. Said you weren't interested in some boring murder case. Guess you've changed your mind on that one now, right?'
Rogan raised an eyebrow at me.
I cleared my throat. 'Well, um … right. I think I remember that, now that you mention it.'
Hindsight has a strange sense of humor, I think.
Another gamer had taken off his visor and gloves and stood to the side watching our interaction silently. The remaining seven players continued on as if nothing were happening outside of their video game.
'Rogan Ellis,' he said after he'd been noticed.
Rogan eyed him. 'And you are …?'
'Name's Joe. Screen name's NuclearXXX. I own this place.' He extended his hand and Rogan shook it. 'So I finally, officially get to meet you.'
I took in a quick breath. The owner of the place Jonathan had a business card for was glad to meet Rogan. That had to mean something.
Rogan glanced at me. It was obvious that he was thinking the same thing.
'Good to meet you, too,' he said.
'A lot's changed since the last time we saw each other.'
Rogan pulled his hand away and studied the guy suspiciously. 'We've met each other before?'
'Well, not officially. I saw you in passing five and a half years ago when I came in to interview for a job at Ellis Enterprises.'
Rogan frowned. 'I never did interviews personally.'
Joe leaned back against the table. 'No, but we were in the same elevator.'
'Sorry.' He shook his head. 'I don't remember.'
'No, I'm sure you don't. But I do.'
'Oh, yeah?'
'I was completely floored to be sharing the same air as you. You were so… I don't know. Impressive, I
