I shakily got up on my knees. “Favor by attempted drowning? I guess you must know the Savant told me all about you. Thought you’d rub me out before I could get my memories back, that it?
“Take a look around, Troubleshooter. Do you observe anything?”
I noticed for the first time we were alone. "What the hell?"
"I came as soon as I received your message, but guards were on their way when you dumped your wheeler into the pool. I saw them coming and leaped in to escape their notice. Had you emerged along with your friends, no doubt you would have been captured as well. They all went straight inside.” He gestured to the hilltop mansion directly in front of us.
“Great. Now what?”
“We go in. As you must have surmised, the Grimoire lies within those walls. The New Man will be here soon to collect it.”
“You and I know this Grimoire business is pure bunk, Hunter. What’s the real story?”
“A thermal orb. Dr. Faraday created a source of renewable energy that is powerful enough to power this entire Haven. Or destroy it. Not only does the orb serve as a powerful conduit for energy, it also contains all of his recorded research.”
“No wonder every nutjob in town is desperate to get their mitts on it.” I gave him a sidelong glance. “Why are you helping me, Hunter? What’s your angle? The Savant told me you he downloaded all my memories into your data banks.”
“The general idea is correct: I am in possession of the data that was removed from your brain. As a result, my behavior and directives have been modified to imitate your thinking and mannerisms.”
“My mannerisms? No offense, but you’re about the stiffest guy I’ve had the displeasure of running into.”
“None taken. And to answer your query, I am merely acting out on the many layers of memory downloaded into my system. If my behavior appears ‘stiff’, as you put it, then you have only yourself to blame. You were not exactly loaded with personality. You were a number cruncher, a code breaker, and a precise assassin. Not hardly as colorful as the types that reside in this Haven. ”
“That sounds boring as hell. No wonder Dr. Faraday swapped my memories.”
“That and the fact you were assigned to kill him, steal his work, and allow the Secret Service full access to New Haven.”
“Yeah, I forgot about that part.”
“Indeed.”
Hunter’s verification didn’t do my disposition any favors. I had really started to not like myself. “Is that why you’re here? To finish the job?”
His face was as expressionless as drywall. “I am here to aid you in whatever it is you need. I have not been idle since we parted. I followed up on what meager clues were available about the technology behind the New Man. He is powerful, but not invincible. Once we take him down, we can get back to Dr. Faraday and you can get your memories and your life back.”
"Nix that idea. The New Man showed up before I could make sense out of what the good doctor was spilling. I personally saw him knock off Dr. Faraday. Rather messily, too. At first I thought the Savant was controlling him. Seems like he's operating on his own."
Hunter paused, digesting the info. "The most convincing puppets are the ones whose strings are hidden. The fact that Dr. Faraday is dead presents a more difficult situation, however.”
I dumped my ammo and replaced it with a fresh clip from the watertight case on my belt. "Yeah, well, first things first. Gotta get our friends outta the jam they’re in, then find a way to stop the New Man. Looks like it’s up to me to save the day."
He pulled a heater from its holster and activated the prep mode. It unfolded and hardened into a replica of the Dragon. “After you.”
I expected the front door to be locked, but it wasn't. I guess I could've come up with a better way of sneaking in, but that just wasn't my style. I eyeballed the joint as we strode down the long hallway. The place was laid out with all kinds of antique statues and ritzy paintings. Just the tile on the floor looked like it cost more loot than I could make in a lifetime or three.
"Come this way, if you please.” A tuxedo clad man gestured from the end of the hall. "Mr. Beck is expecting you."
“Beck? As in the mayor of New Haven — that Mr. Beck?”
“That would be the one. Come along. He doesn’t like to wait.”
I looked at Hunter, who shrugged. I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me the mayor of the town would be waist deep in our little game. You don’t get to be in his position unless you’re pretty good at pulling strings.
We followed the butler down the brightly lit hall, flanked by paintings of stern-looking men and women with secrets in their eyes. The doors of the hall opened to a wide room centered by a glittering chandelier. Rob, Poddar, and Ms. Kilby sat at a gleaming table.
They were drinking tea.
Not exactly what I expected. Hell, even Stinker was gnawing contentedly on a meaty bone. Mayor Beck turned as we entered. The old crust was still wearing the dinner jacket from the banquet hall, and had a merry twinkle in his eye.
"Ah, and this must the last of my guests. Imagine — driving a wheeler into my swimming pool! How am I going to explain that when they come to clean it? Well, no matter. You're here now, so make yourself at home. Sugar with your tea?"
"We break into the place, and you offer us tea? What gives?"
"Earl Grey, in fact. In answer to your question — I know a thing or two about people.” Mr. Beck was one of those rich old coots who appear bemused all the time. Probably because they’re so damn rich. "I can look at them and tell instantly the sort they are. If they're liars. If they're lost. Like you, my friend."
"Not really. I know exactly where I am. I decoded a positioning point to get here.” I took the tea offered by the butler and sipped. I’m more of a java man myself, but it wasn’t half bad.
"Being lost doesn't always refer to direction or location. But I'm sure you already know that. Now, I don't think you'd be parking in my pool unless you felt you were on some mighty important business. So, tell me… what brings you to my home?"
I tipped my fine china like a gentleman. "You're holding a dangerous item a goon with mental powers is currently on his way over to collect. We're here to get that item out of your home so this lovely little pad doesn't end up toasted when the New Man gets here."
His smile faded. "A goon with mental powers, is it? Surely not. A golem directed by my old friend the Savant would not be out of order, however. I was told he went insane. No doubt he hopes to take back what he rightfully sold to me."
"You know about him?"
"Young man, I'm a collector of many ancient artifacts. To do so properly, you must possess knowledge of the items you collect. In this case, the Grimoire. A book of death, secrets and many misinformed rumors I rightfully purchased from Dr. Faraday, who obviously had no idea of its value. Yet it is sealed against tampering unless one has the key. Which I do not, nor does anyone I know.”
He tilted his head, his face suddenly very serious. “Captain Graves informed me of the potential threat, which is why I left the banquet early. So. While I appreciate your efforts to look out for my safety, I'm afraid I can't comply. The Grimoire will be staying here, I'm afraid."
"Guess your information gathering needs an update, then. Because the Savant is dead. His ‘golem’ is the thing that killed him. Now it’s on its way here.”
I sat the china down and nodded to the others. They stood up slowly. "Thanks for the tea. But I don't think you understand your position, Mr. Beck. I'm not asking. I'm just being polite enough to tell you in advance. We're taking the book. It would be best if you showed us where it is, otherwise it's gonna get real unpleasant around here."
A grandfatherly smile crossed Mr. Beck’s face. "Really? And how will you do that? Beat me into submission? Torture me? Kill my butler in front of me, perhaps?”