The girl smiled nervously, spoke:
“Hey, Alex. Rita told me you’d like to meet me… Anyway, message me or call when you have time. I’m free tonight… And tomorrow too… Any time works, Alex.”
Contrary to my expectations, the message didn’t end there. The girl fluttered her long eyelashes and added:
“There’s something else… Wesley came to see me this morning. Big Po. He asked if I’ve been talking to you. Sony—I told him I was, and he asked me to tell you he wants to meet you. He said he went to your school, but you weren’t there. That’s all for now. Bye! Hope to hear from you soon!”
The message ended and I looked up at the boys. Ed shook his head.
“No, we didn’t see Wesley. Wonder what he wants…”
“He heard about the events in the desert, figured he was about to mess up,” Hung suggested and looked at me. “Are you sure it’s right to interview Ian in real life?”
“I think it’s our only choice. If the whole world learns that I’m the class-A Threat, then the preventers won’t dare try to get at me here in the real world. But first let’s meet Hairo, figure out the base. It’s high time we decided where we’re putting it. If anyone apart from Hairo and Willy know about Cali, then it isn’t an option.”
The boys shrugged. They didn’t like the idea of global publicity—they didn’t think that should be done until we became legal millionaires and could protect ourselves and our families not only from enemies, but also from stalking by journalists. And there’d be plenty of that!
“You going to go out with that girl?” Ed asked as if he didn’t care. “She looks a lot like Tissa, only…”
Hung motioned the shape of breasts with his hands and choked down laughter.
“Just a little bigger.”
“Nobody can compare to Tissa,” I cut him off. “I don’t plan to go out with her anyway, I don’t have time. But I’d like to know what Wesley has to say…”
“He’s a good kid,” Hung lightened up. “Wouldn’t hurt to have him.”
“The hell with Big Po!” Ed snapped. “Did you forget when the inwinova nearly killed us?”
“Well, nearly isn’t killed,” the big man shrugged.
“They didn’t kill us then! But I wouldn’t put it past that asshole now!”
“Hey, hey!” Malik shot up, standing between his friends and shouting. “Was it not enough losing Tissa? Don’t fight!”
His voice broke off and he blushed.
“I suggest we speak to Big Po together,” I said. “I think Hairo can make sure the meeting goes without a hitch. Well figure out what Wesley wants and make a decision. Alright?”
The suggestion found no enthusiasm, but the boys nodded. I thought Ed didn’t like the idea of Wesley potentially being involved in the clan’s business because his wounds from the pursuit in the sandbox hadn’t yet healed—he’d thought his life was over back then.
“Alright,” Malik grumbled. “And you two, make friends!”
Hung and Ed shook hands and each clapped Malik on the shoulder, making him jump. Then Hung walked over, threw an arm over my shoulder and said conspiratorially:
“Your folks are on the moon, the pad’s empty… You got a great chance to become a man here, Sheppard.”
“What makes you think…” I began, standing up and feeling my ears redden.
“Did you forget? Tissa and I have been friends far longer than you’ve been her boyfriend. And she’s a blabbermouth sometimes. She let slip that you and she never did the deed. So listen to your old friends—if a girl wants to date you already…”
“And she’s old enough!” Ed pointed out, raising a finger.
“…then you should date her,” Hung finished. “And if you’re worried about Tissa, then we’ll keep our mouths shut.”
“I don’t want to date anyone! We’re just on a break!”
Malik tapped the comm and brought up Tissa’s last photo, with she and Liam kissing.
“Sorry, buddy, but your break is a full split,” Hung sighed. “Call Karina and invite her over.”
“You need it, bro,” Ed added. “You’re going crazy over Dis.”
“Well see,” I muttered. Tissa’s photo didn’t quite take me out; subconsciously, I was ready for something like it. But it made me feel the worst I’d felt in a while. “Let’s go to Cali.”
Chapter 3: Unity
HAIRO AND HIS PARTNER Willy flew in Hairo’s personal flyer to Cali Bottom. For obvious reasons, he’d had to return the Shark to Excommunicado’s hangar. Still, they got there faster than we did, but they had a shorter journey.
It was cold and windy up at nine hundred feet, but the building’s roof had high protective barriers at its edges, and its surface was warm to the touch with the rising heat of the whole building. The residents of the massive highrise strolled around the edge on paths laid over artificial lawns.
Hairo sat on one of the benches where I first met Trixie’s grandfather. Next to him was a sinewy, dark-skinned man around thirty-five.
“Willy Brizuela,” he introduced himself after Hairo and I shook hands.
Gyula came over to us. I introduced him to the former Excommunicado security officers. A couple of minutes later, Manny Almeida joined us, fresh from a visit to the hospital with his brother Hank, who’d been put in an induced coma.
The builder hadn’t brought everyone to the first meeting; he invited us to his place as soon as we were all gathered, so as not to draw outside attention.
Gyula’s little bedsit differed from the one that Trixie and his grandpa lived in. Also one room, but twice the size. The builder explained that he’d rented two and combined them—the landlord had allowed it since the walls were practically cardboard anyway.
Gyula’s sister, Stephanie, and his wife Amanda warmly greeted us all, set the table and left us alone. It was crowded, and I could tell from Hairo’s eyes that listening ears weren’t welcome, even among family.
“Make yourselves at home,” the builder said, nodding to us. “Thanks to you boys, we eat more than UNBs now.”
Mismatched stools and chairs were placed around the table.
