"I told that woman to stay away from me," said Alice, in a low voice.
"She promised not to bother you again." Harriet paused. "She's not working with Smith, by the way. She's just worried about you."
Alice snorted. "Of course they're working together. I bet they're going to kidnap me or something."
"I don't think so. I think Smith just wants you to—"
"And if I go to this school thing, they'll grab me for sure. Go on, tell Bernie. Tell her I don't have to give a speech to a bunch of kids."
"Sure. If you don't go, you can write your essay instead."
Alice pushed the keyboard away and got up. "I'm not doing anything, not any more!" she shouted. "I've had enough of essays, and speeches, and all this lousy studying. I'm done!" And with that, she ran for the staff room.
Harriet watched her go. She thought about following, but decided to let Alice cool off on her own. Then she saw Bernie's puzzled expression, so she explained the situation quickly and concisely. When she got to the locked box, Bernie nodded.
"I know of such devices. They cannot be opened without the correct DNA."
"Yeah, I think that's why Smith broke into our place yesterday. He took my brush - probably trying to open the thing with my DNA right now." She had a sudden thought. "Will that make it self-destruct?"
"No. Only forcing the lock would do that."
"Pity, it might have taken him and his ship with it."
"The box is designed to dissolve its contents. It would not explode."
"Bernie, do you really think it's wise to send Alice on this school visit?"
The robot nodded. "She must learn discipline, and she must develop her skills with regards to interacting with the general public. The visit is a sound idea."
Harriet wasn't convinced. Smith could be watching the office at that very second, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Still, as long as Alice left in the cruiser, it should be all right.
At that moment Alice came back, looking contrite. "Sorry. I—I'm just a bit stressed right now. My past, you know?"
Harriet nodded.
"I'll finish my speech," she said, gesturing at her terminal. "Just … don't bring up those people again. Okay?"
Harriet and Bernie exchanged a glance. They were happy never to discuss Teresa or Tyron again, but each could tell what the other was thinking. They couldn't shield Alice from her past forever.
— ♦ —
Harriet's train of thought was interrupted by the ringing of her commset. "Dismolle Peace Force," she said, in a businesslike tone. "How may I help you?"
"I want to report a vandal," said a male voice.
"Very well, let me check the details." Harriet glanced at her screen, but instead of displaying the caller's name and address, the fields were empty. "What's your name, sir?"
"What does that matter? Two kids are throwing rocks through my windows!"
"Is anyone hurt?"
"Not yet," said the man grimly. "They will be if you don't get here quickly."
"Just sit tight. I'm on my way." Harriet asked for the address and ran for the garage. Then she hesitated. If she took the cruiser, Alice would have to use a cab to get to her school talk. On the other hand, this was an emergency. "Alice, I've got a call. I need the cruiser, but I should be back before you leave."
"Oh, that's okay. Bernie says I have to take a cab."
Harriet closed her eyes. Was the robot trying to get Alice kidnapped? "We'll talk about that when I get back. I have a code 9-40."
"Which one's that?"
"Vandals smashing windows," called Harriet over her shoulder, hoping she was right. She pulled open the door to the garage, switched on the lights and dashed to the Peace Force cruiser. Steve opened the door for her, and she sat down quickly, fastening her belt. Lights came on all over the dash, and an inset screen showed the route to the call, already downloaded from her terminal. "Tell Bernie I'm on a call."
"Already done."
"Then let's go."
The car roared into life, and they shot out of the garage in a cloud of dust and jet fumes. Once clear, Harriet activated the sirens and lights, and Steve lit the after-burners. Harriet felt an almighty shove in the back, and they tore down the road with the sound of the howling jets echoing off the buildings on either side.
"Time to target?" she called over the racket.
"Forty minutes."
Harriet gaped. "How long?"
"Maybe thirty-five, if I shave the tolerances," said Steve.
"Get there as quick as you can." That's when she realised she hadn't exactly come prepared. She had no weapon, not even a baton. Still, the caller said two kids were throwing rocks, and with any luck Steve's arrival would intimidate them. If not, the sight of her uniform ought to do it. "Steve, can you get Bernie for me?"
"Complying. Connection enabled."
"Bernie, this callout … it might be a red herring." She remembered the robot's literal mind, and elaborated. "A fake call, I mean. Smith might be trying to get me out of the office."
"Unless Smith were to remove me from the office as well, such a plan would be pointless."
"Yeah, I guess." Harriet eyed a derelict warehouse. "How's your charge at the moment?"
"She's still working on her presentation."
"Not Alice. Your battery charge."
"It's at forty percent."
"Can you stay out of the charger until I get back? I just … I'm not sure about this call."
"Be careful, Trainee Harriet. Alice is learning fast, but she's not ready to replace you just yet."
"Nice to be wanted, I guess."
"I will hold off charging until you return. Bernie out."
— ♦ —
Tyron Smith strode down the lower deck passageway, heading for his cabin. The ship was sitting on a landing pad at the Dismolle Spaceport, and, like most spacers, Tyron hated being on dry land. Apart from the constant irritant of being planetside, the day had not gone to plan, and the crew were wisely staying out of his way. Not that there were many of them: the
