10
We left the thinking room and headed back into the entertainment area. We met Smiles in the hallway, who gave Sexy and Carol their energy drinks.
“This is fabulous,” Carol said with a smile.
“So what do you think, Zach?” Sexy asked.
“Well, I’ll have my computer do some research on PATA and analyze the notes for anything that can help us. I’ll check with the police to see what they’ve found so far.”
“The police don’t know about any of this,” Smiles said.
“What?”
“We haven’t reported the threats.”
“Why not?”
“We can’t afford the negative publicity,” Smiles said. “This tour has been all about positive energy.”
“Well, you’re calling the police now,” I said.
“If we call the police then the story will be in the press five nanos later,” Smiles said.
“If you don’t call the police, I’ll be off the case quicker than that!”
“It’s bad publicity.”
“Not as bad as Sexy being killed.”
“That’s not going to happen!”
I turned away from Smiles and spoke directly to Sexy, who had been watching us banter like a front row fan at a tennis match.
“I have contacts at the department. They’ll keep it quiet.”
“You can’t keep something like this quiet, Sexy,” Smiles said. “Word will get out. And when it does then the focus of the tour shifts away from you and on to PATA.”
“You wanted my help, Sexy,” I said. “Take it.”
Sexy thought for a nano and then nodded.
“Contact the police,” she said.
Smiles rolled his eyes.
“And you should probably lay low for a while to give me some time to check out your security systems,” I added.
“That won’t be possible, Zach. I’ve got a concert in about five hours.”
“What?”
“I’m on tour, Zach. Remember? Tonight’s the first of five shows at the Fart.”
“I suppose canceling the shows is out of the question, huh?”
Sexy didn’t even dignify the question with an answer. She simply flashed me a smile and gave me a hug.
“I have to do my prep for the show,” she said. “Sammy will give you the rest of the necessary data-flow.”
“I’d like Carol to stay with you, if that’s all right,” I said. “I’m going to speak with the police and check some things out. Don’t leave the hotel until I get back.”
“No problem,” Sexy said, flashing Carol a smile. “Right, Sammy?”
“Anything you say, Sexy,” Sammy smiled.
“Carol, you contact me if anything happens that I should know about.”
“Of course, Tio.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
The two turned and sauntered away, chatting like old girlfriends.
“So what’s the deal with Carol?” Smiles asked. “Is she in show biz?”
“Thank Gates, no,” I replied. “No offense.”
“Too bad,” he said as he turned and led me back through the suite. “She has potential.”
“I should meet with Sexy’s other bodyguards,” I said as we entered the entertainment room. “We’ll need to coordinate efforts quickly.”
“No problem there,” Smiles replied.
He turned his gaze upward to the three girls that I’d seen when I arrived. They were still sitting on the floating couch, playing video games and listening to Sexy’s music.
“Ladies,” Smiles called. “There’s someone here you need to meet.”
The three girls rose and leaped off the couch, somersaulting to the ground, each of them making a perfect, catlike landing.
“Zach, I’d like you to meet Misty, Sissy, and Lusty, Sexy’s bodyguards.”
Each of the girls bowed very theatrically on cue.
“Bodyguard isn’t by chance music industry slang for back-up dancer is it?” I asked.
“No.” Sammy chuckled, “but, you know, it should be. Ladies, this is Zach Johnson. Sexy’s new bodyguard.”
“Nice to meet you ladies. I’m not replacing you,” I said. “Just helping out due to the PATA threats. We’ll be working together. I just want to make certain that everyone’s cool with that.”
One of the girls, I think it was Misty, but it doesn’t really matter, approached me with her hand extended.
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” The tone of her voice was businesslike and polite (though I wasn’t crazy about being called sir).
“Call me, Zach,” I said, extending my hand in return.
She moved quickly, almost faster than I could see, grabbing my arm at the wrist, twisting it sharply to give me a jolt of pain. Then she moved in close, slipped her arm under my shoulder and flipped me onto the floor. I was lying on my back almost before I knew what hit me.
“Bodyguard is slang for b-slapper,” Misty said, with her foot on my chest. “And nobody tells us what to do.”
“We thought it would be more practical and economical to have multifunctional backup dancer-slash-bodyguards for Sexy,” Smiles said. “We have plenty of bots around during events. But we always keep the gal-pride around.”
“And we’re the best,” Misty added.
“Too bad you weren’t around last night when Sexy was in trouble,” I said.
“We were lying low ‘cause Miss Sexy was incognito.
“Lying low while someone else saves your employer? If that’s the best you can do then I’m not impressed.”
I grabbed her leg behind the knee and pushed her over the top of my body. I grabbed her wrist as she stumbled and twisted her arm behind her back (until I knew it was just slightly more painful than what she’d given me) and pinned her face down on the floor with my knee.
“Impressive,” HARA said. “Of course I did increase blood flow to your bones and muscles to help you pull off that move. And the other two are moving in behind you now, and I don’t think they’re admiring your butt.”
I turned as the first one (Lusty, I think) jumped at me, coming feet first with a flying kick. I rolled to the ground and let her sail over me. She landed on Misty as I continued my roll and leg swept Sissy (I think) who was just starting to move. I took her feet out from under her and popped my gun into hand just in time to stick the snub-nosed business end of it into the faces of the charging Misty and Lusty. It stopped their charge like a pause button on a playback.
“I don’t care if you’re the best, the guest or the rest,” I growled. “I’m here to keep Sexy alive and I don’t have time to waste with this posturing and pouting. You can either help me out or get out of the way but the next time we fight like this, my gun barrel does the talking. Got it?”
The girls started to laugh. Smiles started to applaud.
“Wow!” Smiles said. “Sexy told us you were hardcore. But, Zach, that was downright ub-zeen!”
“Obscene?”
“Slang for exceptional,” HARA whispered.
I popped my gun back into my sleeve and took my knee off Sissy’s back. Misty and Lusty had backed away, and were now relaxed, and smiling.
“What the DOS is with you people?”
“The girls were just trying to prove themselves to you,” Smiles said. “And maybe have you prove yourself a little to them.”
“We love Sexy, Mr. Johnson.” Misty said. “We’re here to protect her.”
I straightened my tie and tried to rein in my temper.
“I’m here to protect her too,” I said. “But if we’re going to work together, you have to promise me you won’t pull any DOS like this again. Agreed?”
“Yes,” Misty said.
“Absolutely,” Sissy said.
Lusty nodded.
“Good. Because we really don’t have time for this. And Gates knows that I don’t have the patience. Now grow up.”
“Wow,” Misty said, “you sound like my father.”
“Good,” I replied, “then you’re grounded too. And pull up your pants a little. You’re going to catch cold.”
That one didn’t go over too well.