Albert sat at the kitchen table and wrapped his hands around a cooling mug of watery tea. He took a large gulp to steady his shakes. Why had Marcus targeted him? The thought had kept him awake all night. Marcus’ behaviour was becoming more erratic by the day. But the money had been stolen from Sal’s safe days ago, so what prompted Marcus to mark the back of his property now?
Albert had seen the red ‘X’ before on buildings outside of Waverley. A mark indicated the faction’s interest in a vacated property. But his tavern was certainly not vacant. He had considered Marcus’ interest to be connected to his extra house guests. But others in East Compound had also opened their doors to refugees. A quick walk around town an hour ago confirmed that they hadn’t been targeted in the same way. He came around full circle to the stolen money.
But another possibility existed, one that had to do with a certain Indigene working in his tavern. His grip tightened on the mug as he thought about Sal’s safety. If Isobel was the target, Sal’s cottage could carry the same red marking.
The door creaked open and Ben’s face appeared in the crack. He closed the door behind him and slipped into the chair opposite Albert.
‘What happened last night, Albert? What was all the commotion about?’ After the car had left, Ben had come downstairs, but returned to bed without answers when Albert had refused to tell him anything.
‘Like I told you last night, it’s nothing you need to worry about, lad. I have everything under control.’
‘Was it Marcus?’
Albert’s fear spiked. He grabbed hold of Ben’s arm. ‘I want you to stay away from Marcus and any member of that King gang. Do you hear me? If you see them crossing the street to talk to you, pretend you didn’t see them and walk the other way.’
Albert let go of his arm and sat back. ‘Is it because of Isobel?’ said Ben. ‘I wanted to tell you before now. It’s not the first time they’ve been here. They’ve scanned the tavern before, just after Isobel came to work here and before the Italians came to stay. I know we paid for her and they gave her up because they think she’s worthless. But what if they’re having second thoughts about letting her go?’
‘She’ll never be free, Ben. Not in this world.’ Albert stood up and carried his empty mug to the sink. The ceramic made a dull thud against the steel. ‘But she could be the key to changing things. I don’t know how, but—’
‘What do you mean? What’s going to happen to her?’
He had said too much. Ben eyed him as he turned and rested his hands against the sink. ‘Nothing will happen to her. Not on my watch. A woman called Jenny Waterson who works at the black market has asked to meet with her. Isobel mentioned she was looking for Jenny, so I plan to take Isobel to meet with her today. I don’t know why Jenny wants to meet her.’
Ben stood up. ‘You can’t send Isobel into a situation without knowing who this Jenny woman is—we don’t know why she was told to find her. Jenny could be working for Marcus. It’s not Isobel’s fault she was changed or that people don’t accept her.’
Albert squeezed Ben’s shoulder. He could feel him shaking. He hid his own fear from the boy.
‘Any fool can see you and Isobel share a connection. Do you agree that we need to change things?’ Ben nodded. ‘We can’t survive much longer without life support, and Jenny may be able to help us with that problem. I’ll be going with her and I give you my promise no harm will come to her. Do you trust me, lad?’
‘Of course I do. But let me come with you.’
‘I really need you here, to keep an eye on Kevin. I don’t want him getting into any trouble while I’m gone. Can you do that?’
‘As long as you report back everything from today’s meeting.’
Albert nodded. ‘It might not be much.’
Ben levelled a glare at him. ‘Everything, Albert.’
☼
An hour later, there was a knock at the front door. Albert opened it to find Sal waiting with Isobel. He stood back and they both entered.
‘Were you followed?’ Albert glanced up and down the street but saw nothing. He closed the door.
Sal took off her coat. ‘No more than usual. What’s got you in a tizzy this morning, old man?’
On his walkabout that morning, he’d dropped a note in Sal’s letterbox, asking that she accompany Isobel to the tavern.
The Italians mostly slept. Those who were awake were sitting up, folding blankets.
‘We had a visitor last night. Tell me, did you see any strange markings on your cottage this morning?’
Sal narrowed her eyes. ‘What kind of visitor? Someone from Waverley? An alien? Be more specific.’ Albert said nothing, prompting Sal to nod. ‘Just what I thought. What did that scum want?’
Some bodies on the floor stirred. Isobel still hadn’t taken off her coat.
‘I didn’t actually see him, but I know it was him. There’s a big red mark on the back of the tavern.’
Sal sat down in a spare chair while Ben and Isobel hovered in the background. The Italians muttered among themselves.
‘Are you sure you want to talk about this here?’ Sal nodded towards the Italian group. A few watched them with quiet interest.
Albert waved his hand. ‘Don’t worry about them. Only a couple of them can speak English but Sofia assures me they’ve been discreet.’
‘Okay then, why the mark? You think it’s because of Isobel, don’t you?’
Albert glanced at Isobel who stared at him. ‘I did at first, but now I’m not so sure. That would have made sense had your cottage been marked. Now I think we’re back to the stolen money. But we can’t worry about that amid more pressing matters. I need to bring Isobel and Jenny Waterson together.’
Isobel’s hard stare softened. ‘What can you tell me about her? When will I meet her?’
‘Later today, and I can’t tell you much. She keeps to herself. She said to come between 11am and 12pm, after the criminals have finished their morning rounds.’
‘She won’t get out of Waverley on her own.’ said Sal. ‘And Marcus will be suspicious if you take her yourself.’
Sal was right; Albert always went to the market alone.
‘I can take her,’ said Sal. ‘It will look more natural.’
Isobel agreed with a nod and Albert leaned forward, resting his arms on his lap. ‘In that case, I think we should rehearse how this will happen.’
☼
Albert approached Waverley’s gates alone with his empty grey satchel on his back and one hiking stick.
‘Off to get some things at the market, old man?’ said one guard at the gate. It was the same man who had stolen his apples.
‘Yes.’
‘Well, we’d prefer red apples next time. Them green ones are bitter and nasty, just like your smell.’
The guards laughed while Albert walked on with his head low.
He had agreed with Sal and Isobel to meet them at the market. But the closer he got to the red-bricked building the more his nerves jangled. He marched straight past the market entrance then double-backed after a deep breath and a lecture to himself. Inside the entrance, he browsed the stalls closest to the front hoping Jenny would spot his loitering.
He faked tiredness and leaned on his stick for support. Then he left the stalls to cross the road where he sat on the kerb and waited for Sal.
Sal arrived first, wearing her distinct purple World Government uniform. Isobel wore jeans and a shirt covered by a long trench coat. She had covered her head with a plain grey scarf, but her towering height identified her origin.
Sal dragged her along like the bought slave she was supposed to be. She barked some commands to Isobel who kept her head bowed in submission.
Albert moved to get up, but new motion caught his eye in the shape of a black military vehicle. It turned onto the approach road and would soon have a clear view of the entrance to the black market. If the criminals travelling in the vehicle spotted Isobel with someone other than him, they might order her back to Waverley. Or worse, have some fun with her.
Plan B. He stood up and strode across the road, his fist raised in anger.
‘Sal.’
She turned around. Isobel stopped, her eyes still focused on the ground. ‘What is it, old man?’
‘What the hell are you doing with my Indigene?’
‘I need her to carry some machine parts for my generator. What’s it to you?’
‘Did you steal her from my tavern? She’s my worker, bought and paid for. Get your thieving hands off her.’ Albert sensed the vehicle close by and heard one of its windows roll down.
He caught sight of Jenny and Greyson, who watched the fight from inside the warehouse.
Albert stepped forward and grabbed Isobel’s arm. The other customers pretended not to notice. The vehicle’s engine idled behind him.
Sal swatted his hand away from Isobel. ‘I’ll bring your precious girl back in an hour. But right now, she’s helping me.’
‘No, she isn’t.’ Albert clicked his fingers at Isobel. ‘You. Come here, now.’
Isobel’s fearful gaze shifted. She stepped forward, but Sal stopped her. ‘I told you, she’s not going anywhere.’
Albert shoved Sal. She tripped and stumbled to the ground. He stepped over her crumpled body, grabbed Isobel’s wrist and led her away down the side of the market, towards the storage unit at the back.
The military vehicle’s door opened and one of the Kings’ associates stepped out.
‘You need help roughin’ her up?’
Albert turned to see a man smacking a fist into his other hand. He sucked in a quick breath. ‘No, thanks,’ he grumbled. ‘I know how to keep my Indigene in line.’
‘You know she could kill you if she wants.’ The man was smiling now.
‘I’ll be fine. She knows what waits for her if she disobeys me.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘A life with you.’
The associate laughed hard, turned around and climbed back in the vehicle.
Albert pulled Isobel along, out of sight around the side of the building. He pushed her into the wall.
‘They’re gone,’ she said, nodding towards the road. She smiled, and eased Albert’s tense arm off her that pinned her chest. ‘He’s right, you know. I could kill you.’
‘I’m not your enemy,’ said Albert. ‘It’s those untouchable bastards out there you need to worry about.’
Jenny rounded the corner. Sal was behind her.
‘I thought you’d lost it,’ said Jenny.
Albert rushed to Sal’s side. ‘I’m so sorry. Are you okay?’
Sal grimaced. ‘I’ve felt worse.’
‘Quickly. Let’s get inside. No need to air our business out here.’ Jenny gestured to the storage unit at the back of the market.
Inside, Jenny, Sal and Albert removed their masks. Isobel slowed her rate of breathing to accommodate for the new air.
Sal introduced herself to Jenny.
‘And how do you know Albert?’ Jenny’s tone was friendly, but Albert sensed she was figuring Sal out.
‘I’m co-treasurer for Waverley.’
‘I don’t mean to be rude, but how do you fit into this little scenario?’
‘I discovered the stolen money. Isobel and Albert trust me and that’s all you need to know.’
Jenny stared at Sal for a moment longer than was necessary. She blinked and turned her attention to Isobel.
‘You may be in a position to offer us assistance, but before I can go into details, I need to verify your identity.’ Jenny removed a thin, short silver wand from her coat pocket. ‘I need to scan your neck.’
Isobel frowned, but removed her scarf and bent her head. Jenny waved the device over the back of Isobel’s neck and checked the details on her DPad. She nodded. ‘That’s the first part over with. You have a special chip under your skin that carries a UUID, a unique identifier code. And it matches with the one I was given.’ She offered her hand. ‘My name is Jenny Waterson.’
Isobel hesitated, then shook it. ‘And the second part?’
‘I’ll get to that shortly. I heard you were looking for me.’
‘Yes. I was sent here to find you, if that’s what you mean.’
‘Were you told why?’
Isobel shook her head.
‘Neither was I. But we might be able to give each other answers. I’m part of an underground movement and we’ve waited for someone like you for eight years. I’d like to show you what we do, introduce you to the head of the movement.’
‘When?’
‘Now, if possible. The criminals have finished their rounds. They shouldn’t be back for a while. We’ll be gone no more than an hour.’
‘Where do you plan on taking me?’
Albert wondered the same thing. ‘I agreed to bring Isobel to you, not so you could drag her off to some underground lair for your experiments.’
Jenny met his stare. ‘Isobel needs to meet with our leader. In the past, Indigenes have been sent back from Exilon 5 to help and things have not worked out. I can’t say any more until Isobel has met with Greyson.’
‘Your husband?’ said Albert.
‘Yes. But he doesn’t want to do it here. It’s too risky. We would prefer to talk at one of our secure facilities.’
‘What makes you so sure she won’t betray you like the others?’
‘Albert!’ said Sal.
‘Because she has passed the first test,’ said Jenny.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘The scanning device detected a specially designed chip in her neck that could only have come from the Indigenes. I also recorded her pulse and heart rate. She is confused, a little unsure, but she’s not trying to deceive me.’
‘I can control my emotions,’ said Isobel. ‘How do you know what I can do?’
Jenny smiled. ‘I’ve dealt with many Indigenes over the years, Isobel. I’ve come to recognise behavioural patterns in your race. If this discussion is to go any further, you must meet with Greyson. I won’t compromise on that.’
Albert pursed his lips. ‘Well, if Isobel agrees, then you take me, too.’
‘I’m afraid I can’t take you. Just Isobel.’
Albert shook his head. ‘I promised someone very close to me that I would keep her safe. And I don’t break my promises.’