You Had Me at Halo

“I wish I could say something to make you feel better but the truth is that it sucks Holly died,” Vince was now saying and even though it was Vince who was doing the hugging, Holly found herself tightening her grip around her stepmother’s slim shoulders. She hadn’t expected to feel like this.

“I can’t bear what people are saying about her,” her stepmother sobbed.

“You need to remember it’s not true,” Holly said before Vince could jump in there. “I’m sure people will stop saying those horrible things any day now. You wait and see.”

“Thank you, Vincent Murphy. It’s sweet of you to try and make me feel better and I hope with all my heart you are right.”

Well that would make two of them.

Or was that three?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Had that really just happened? Holly was still a bit dazed and confused as they walked back into the workshop and sat down at Vince’s bench. They didn’t have time to stop for lunch so Vince had just grabbed a sandwich on the way through. Holly had been too distracted to even remember about the sushi.

So what did you make of my stepmother? she suddenly asked him. Because you know that wasn’t normal behavior for her. When I was younger she was on my case the whole time and never cut me any slack at all.

“She seemed pretty genuine to me.

Yes, well that’s what I thought. She did seem genuine. But that’s the weird bit, don’t you think?

Yes, completely weird that your stepmother might be upset about your death.

Holly rubbed the bridge of her nose. It was too much to think about right now. Besides, all that really mattered was that she had evidence in Vince’s satchel to convince Todd of who she was. It was such a relief because the way the morning had been shaping up, Holly had seriously started to doubt if she would even come close to resolving any of her issues. If anything, thanks to being in Vince’s body, she had been worried about going back with more than she came with (and she so wasn’t including that embarrassing incident back there in her bedroom because that was completely forgotten).

Now things seemed a bit more promising and she had to admit she had Vince to thank for that. Who would’ve thought that under his geek exterior was such a nice guy? Well, not that he looked like a geek exactly. Or acted like one. In fact, Holly couldn’t quite remember why she had thought he was a geek in the first place.

So what are your plans now? Vince wiped the last of the crumbs away from his mouth I’ve got to reconfigure an operating system and then upgrade a printer for the Dock and Harbor board, but then I should be able to free myself up for the rest of the afternoon.

Oh, yes. Now Holly remembered where the geek thing came from and for a moment she smiled. It was sort of cute the way he spoke like that. When Todd talked about work it was always to do with how much money he had made from a particular job.

And speaking of her almost fiance…

I guess we need to talk to Todd and I’m sure now we have all this proof it won’t be a problem.

Like selling ice to Eskimos.

Look, I know he was acting a bit strange this morning, but it’s just because he’s so upset about my death.

Vince made a snorting noise but before he could retort another one of the technicians came up to them. This one was wearing a Donald Duck tie.

“Hey, Vince. Did you see the message Todd Harman left you?” Donald said and Holly could feel her eyes widening in excitement. She just knew that her earlier willpower had worked.

A message! Surely that’s a sign?

Or it could just be a message, Vince deadpanned before turning his attention back to the technician. “So what did he want?”

“He came in about half an hour ago saying it was urgent. He was a bit pissed you weren’t around. ”

Holly grinned. She had known somewhere deep down Todd recognized her spirit.

Definitely a sign, she said to Vince, but he ignored her as he nodded to Donald Duck to continue.

“Anyway, he’s left you three laptops that he needs you to look at ASAP. He also wants you to get him four more user manuals as well. There’s a note.”

Vince didn’t seem impressed. “Let me guess, for Peterson’s.”

The technician nodded. “Of course. Their system hasn’t crashed for at least three days, what do you expect?”

What’s he talking about? Holly silently asked, not that she really cared since she was fairly sure the laptops were just a cover for Todd to see her again.

One of your boyfriend’s accounts, Vince told her. A particular trick of the sales department is to undercut on competing quotes by not including a software licensing agreement. Instead they just copy the existing software and network it. Problem is, while it’s cheaper, it’s not legal or stable. Which is why the system keeps crashing.

Vince, you’ve got to stop with all of these conspiracy theories. Of course Todd wouldn’t do that and if there’s an omission it’s because he doesn’t know about it.

Vince stalked over to his workbench and pulled a folder out of an envelope, which he then flipped open. Holly quickly scanned the first page before reluctantly nodding. Okay, so apparently it’s illegal to do, but I’m sure there’s been a simple mistake.

Donald Duck coughed. “Are you okay, Vince? You seem a bit distracted.”

“Huh?” Vince looked up from the folder and gave an apologetic grimace. “Oh, I was just…thinking something through. What were you saying?”

Donald shook his head. “Nothing, it’s just you wandered off, that’s all.”

Sorry, Holly apologized to Vince. That was my fault.

I know.

“O-kay. Well I’ve got a firewall with my name on it.” Donald shot Vince a quizzing glance before heading toward the door, but before he got very far, he turned back towards them. “Don’t forget drinks tonight. Andrew said you’re coming along. First round on me.”

Holly frowned as something else occurred to her. But what I don’t understand is…oh, hang on. I think Donald’s saying goodbye.

Vince blinked and glanced up. “Oh right, see you later Donald…shit, I mean Graham.”

Whoops. It was the tie. Holly gulped and would’ve shot him an apologetic look if she wasn’t trapped inside his body.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Graham studied them through narrowed eyes.

“Yes, it’s just been a very trying day,” Vince assured him, but Holly couldn’t help but feel he might be referring to her.

Vince, I really am sorry. But why do they wear those things, anyway? Does someone come around selling them cheap or something?

For a moment Vince made a strangling sound from his throat as if he wanted to say something, but then he burst out laughing.

Is that a you-forgive-me laugh or an I’m-going-insane-from-the-pressure laugh?

It’s a, I’ve-never-known-anyone-else-like-you laugh, he explained as sat down and started to listen to his voice mail. (Ewh, two more from Amy-starting-to-turn-into-a-bit-of-a-stalker Jenkins). Well at least he wasn’t mad at her, but as to whether it was a compliment or not, well Holly couldn’t really be too