Long Division (18 page)

My eyes automatically flicked up to James as I regained my lost balance. He still hadn’t glanced my way, and I felt any interest he may have had in seeing me after work must have completely left his mind. It was incredibly awkward, to say the least. Him wholly at ease, sitting back with his drink and forgetting my existence, and me, dashing about trying to dress, like the used party of a one night stand.

I shook myself, not sure why I wanted him to look at me so desperately. Where the desire came from, how it was so strong. It had hit me out of nowhere. I shouldn’t have been craving any sort of acknowledgement, but after last night, I was. And we hadn’t even fucking done anything! What was I thinking?

In frustration I walked to the door, wanting to get the hell out of his blank flat with those walls that were all marred with his overwhelming problems.

‘I’ll talk to you later.’

He might have responded, but I didn’t hear him. I was too angry with myself to pay attention. I closed the door to his flat, pounded down the flights of stairs and stepped to the pavement, casting a furtive look about to make sure none of InVizion’s nutters were watching the block. My stomach went queasy at the idea of leaving after spending the night and any of them knowing about it. A tabloid declaring something like:
“James Nightgood and mysterious gay lover attempt to take down InVizion and Godlink.”
Or some rot like that.

I wasn’t prepared for the discomfort, both physical and emotional, that it was having on me now. I thought perhaps I might be sick and would gladly have paid a tenner to any of the owners of these posh flats to use their toilet. I clutched at my stomach with a groan and staggered down the street towards where I thought the nearest tube station was. I wasn’t even sure what my route to work would be from here.

My insides clenched again and I had to stop against a railing.

Shit. This had hit out of nowhere. Where did it come from? I had a sickening suspicion it was nerves. Nerves, twisted and stewed into disappointment. Disappointment in myself for wanting more and not sure why. Disappointment in James for being so oblivious to it. And mixed in with it all: fear. Fear of the shit InVizion was capable of. Of everything that had happened yesterday. Of the transmissions, of what it meant. And how, no matter who we were, they could control us.

James Nightgood is a liar.

I wrinkled my nose. They could be transmitting now for all I knew. The idea made me shiver, and feel all the worse. I looked down to my watch, a cold sweat beading at my brow. Shit. Late.

I pushed my discomfort aside, along with every other thought in my head, and dashed for the station.

11:Breaking Slates

It was two days and I’d not heard from James Nightgood. I told myself that I was okay with that. That it didn’t matter. Whatever James was working on, or doing, clearly didn’t concern me or he would have called.

I tugged my jacket sleeves down over my wrists as I walked down the steps of the library. The sun was past the tops of the buildings now and twilight had set in. The city was starting to glow like so many stars. A sharp breeze blew and it stung my nose, burnt my lungs. Made me more…aware of my surroundings; my place. Yet after the last two days, I wasn’t sure what that was anymore.

I was struggling to deny the creeping suspicion that I may be sinking once again into depression. I didn’t want to believe that James Nightgood was the one thread in my life keeping me from falling back into the blackness that had haunted me for so many months. I didn’t see why James should be that for me. What had he ever done to bring me comfort? To make my life better? Nothing. If anything, James had made my life worse by sharing with me his morbid knowledge of InVizion. So, why did I crave it so much?

I knew why. I just rather hated to admit it.

James Nightgood and his InVizion obsession gave me something to think about besides the accident. Gave me something to do that wasn’t just sulking over my fate. Over what a useless waste of breath I was. As odd as it was, it was good knowing there was something greater than me out there. Something more important. And yes, the problem was far bigger than me. It was much larger than anything I could even fathom conquering. I was nothing but a small speck in this vast world and a corporation like InVizion, with the power they had, could crush me like a bug.

But it didn’t matter.

Because I was still with James.

I wasn’t yet sure why that was so important. But being with him, with what he knew, being a part of it, even if there was nothing to be done, was better than me on my own. Loads better.

A sharp shoulder struck my own and I stumbled, jarred from my thoughts. I turned round and glowered at the offender, feeling more confrontational than my usual meek self.

‘I am so sorry,’ the man said in an American accent, which surprised me. ‘Please excuse me. I wasn’t watching where I was going. Tourist and all.’

I took him in. He certainly didn’t look the part of a tourist. Sharp black suit—tie even. Shiny shoes, immaculate. Dead blue eyes. Eyes that raked me over in a way that were nowhere near apologetic. Or unfamiliar. I felt a tense stab of inexplicable fear slice through me. It was almost as if he recognised me.

‘No worries, mate.’

He smiled. An odd, cold, oily smile. I felt it best to keep it at that and began to turn from him, and he made to as well, but he paused and looked at me as if he’d forgotten to mention something. His eyes drifted up to the building I’d just come from. ‘Surprised to see places like this still in operation.’

I frowned, not wanting to chat. ‘I’m not sure exactly what you mean.’

He smiled again, that offensive smile. ‘Books. Rather obsolete now, don’t you think? I mean no offense to you, but, considering the recent advances in technology, why would anyone bother?’

I drew my mouth into a tight smile, which, upon reflection, no doubt looked more of a grimace. ‘You mean Godlink, I assume?’

The man chuckled. ‘Doesn’t everyone? Seems like everyone is taking about it these days.’

I shuffled uneasily. ‘Yeah…if you don’t mind, I’ve got to—’

‘Plenty of prophets of doom. For good, or bad. Like James Nightgood.’

The name made me stop dead, rooted to the spot. I prayed that I hadn’t reacted visibly to hearing his name. By that aggravatingly amused flicker that sparked briefly across his face, I knew he’d used that name on purpose. I had a nasty sense it was to set me up.

‘What about James Nightgood?’ I asked, unable to stop myself. He’d said good or bad. Which had he meant?

‘You know of him?’ That smirk was still there.

I spread my hands, which had been clamped at my sides. ‘I know of him, yeah. What about him?’

It would have been wise to abandon the conversation; to not stay. But an overwhelming sense of protection had risen in me at this American mentioning his name. It felt alien, wrong. No one should even know who he was. Wouldn’t have, as far as I was aware—outside of the mathematic community—before his little stunt on television.

‘With every new advancement in human society, there are always those who would hold us back. Those who would rather they stay smart whilst they keep the rest of us trapped in the past.’ His eyes drifted once again to the front of the library.

I swallowed, throat constricting me. ‘And you think that is James Nightgood?’ I asked, a dubious waver taking over my voice. ‘He’s a mathematician! He works to advance society. He believes in science. Why the hell would he be some obstructionist to the advancement of human kind as you so put it?’

I was feeling my temper flare. It hazed my thinking. How could anyone claim that James was a hindrance to the progress of technology after all he’d done?

‘Some fear the future.’

I straightened. It was none of this man’s concern. And the conversation had taken an all too personal direction for me. Why? Why would some stranger—from a different country no less—want to antagonise me about my friendship with James…was it becoming that well known?

It hit me. Damn, I was slow. The American accent had thrown me. My eyes went to the darkened paths. Were there others? Those dark-suited men who watched James and traced his movements, were they here? What the hell were they after? I hadn’t seen any of those suits with James since we’d had our little confrontation. It was as if they’d evaporated once he’d publicly shown his defiance. And save for their distant watching, I’d almost forgotten their existence.

‘Look, this has been…fascinating, but I’ve got to go. Nice chatting with you.’

‘Slater.’

‘Sorry?’ I blinked at him.

‘Oh. My name. It’s Slater.’

I did my best to keep my expression blank. It was too odd a thing for him to give me his name. Unless he wanted me to remember it.

‘Right.’

Slater gave me a curt nod and without another glance, was off into the dark. I stayed, as if glued to the pavement, watching him go, his black suit melting into the gloom. I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. Then I swore.

My fingers itched towards my mobile. He had to know. I wasn’t really sure
what
he had to know, but James had to hear about this. Perhaps he knew something. Perhaps he knew who this Mr Slater was. Hell, maybe I was simply overreacting. But that wanker coming up out of nowhere and—

My mobile went off. I jumped and swore again.

I dug into my pocket and fished it out. It was on its fourth ring by the time I had it in hand. I turned it round so I could see the name. James? No. Ashley. Damn!

I wrinkled my nose at myself. I wasn’t sure what was going through my head these days.

‘Hullo?’

Her voice was warm and happy.
‘Hiya, Mark. Now a good time?’

I glanced the way Slater had gone. ‘Uh, yeah. Yeah, it’s fine. Fine.’

‘I was wondering if you’d be busy later. Might want to go out for a drink with me?’

I chewed at my lower lip indecisively. I had wanted to talk to James, but, then again, he’d been keeping his distance from me, for one reason or another. Perhaps he needed the space. Perhaps, in light of what had happened between us…as…innocent as it was…we both did.

‘A drink?’ I’d paused, too long in thought. ‘Yeah. A drink sounds great!’

‘Fantastic. Got a few of the mates together and it appears I’m without a date. And haven’t seen your familiar mug in too long a time so I figured what the hell, might as well give you a ring and see. Can’t still be running round with that daft boffin friend of yours, can you?’

I winced, reminding myself just in time that InVizion had done its work. People believed James was a liar now. Disagreeing with them, and I’d only sound as bad.

‘No, no, a night out sounds good.’ Pity it wouldn’t just be me and her, but she had said the word “date” so that was a little promising.

I’d call James later. My run-in with Slater was probably nothing. Especially nothing to concern him with at this hour.

Besides, I needed a distraction.

‘So what is it that you had to tell me that couldn’t be said over the phone?’

I struggled to keep up with James’s long strides as he made his way down the path in Hyde Park. Why he insisted on meeting here, when he seemed so adverse to any outdoor, frivolous activity, was beyond me. But I wasn’t about to complain. The day was fair and sunny and I was glad to be out walking along the Serpentine instead of in the dark stuffiness of his flat.

Yes, I hadn’t wanted to call James over the issue. In the end, after much debate, I’d convinced myself it might not be such a good idea. It wasn’t hard to imagine InVizion had some way to listen in over mobile conversations. I thought it best not to risk it.

‘Had a rather strange encounter a few days ago,’ I said, fervently wishing he’d slow down.

James didn’t seem to be listening; his eyes were directed downwards to his cupped hand, where his precious mobile was.

‘Mmm.’

He glanced up for a moment, but not to me. Ahead. And I noticed a smile crack across his stoic features. I tried to follow the way James was gazing with my eyes but could see nothing save for a rather stunning woman reading on a bench.

I glanced back to James, irritated that he had ignored me completely for this… distraction. I hoped I was wrong. Nope…he was certainly looking her way.

I swallowed. ‘She’s certainly beautiful,’ I remarked, feeling a bit awkward, and confused. I’d thought he wasn’t interested in such things. Hadn’t he made that clear?

James shook his head, as if coming out of a trance ‘What?’

I nodded my chin towards the woman reading. ‘The girl. She’s what you’re looking at, right?’

Instead of answering me, James marched away, straight towards the subject in question.

‘Whoa, James, wait!’ I cried, hurrying after him. ‘James!’

Without so much as a, ‘Hello, mind if I borrow this?’ he swiped the news away from her.

It was then that I saw the headline, flashing on the smart paper: INVIZION TECHNOLOGY DENIES ROGUE EMPLOYEE’S DIRE RAVINGS. There was a black and white photograph of James on the front, staring, and looking a bit mad, at the camera.

The woman let out an outraged string of obscenities but James’s back was already to her.

My mouth went dry. ‘Shit.’

It was past time to tell him. That was clear. He crumbled the paper and I pulled it from his grasp, sheepishly apologising to its owner before hurrying to catch up to him.

‘You’re making enemies alarmingly fast, James. I don’t like it. Something terrible is going to happen and no one will bat an eye. I ran into someone threatening just the other day who was clearly tied in to all of this and he made it very plain he wasn’t pleased.’

Still not listening to me.

‘He mentioned you,’ I said, louder.

‘Hmm?’ A little more life from him.

‘And InVizion.’ I swore. ‘James will you just slow down and listen to me?’ I reached for his arm but didn’t catch it. ‘He knew who you were and I think it was a threat. He told me his name. It was Slater.’

James stopped so suddenly I was lucky to not crash straight into him.

‘What did you say?’
His tone was an alarming growl.

I told him as briefly, but thoroughly, I could what had happened. He didn’t tear his attention away from me till I’d finished, and even then, those sharp eyes were glued to my face, making me feel more than a little self-conscious.

‘Do…you recognise that name?’ I asked hesitantly at last, my ears going hot from his gaze.

James sighed darkly, face clouding over. ‘I’m afraid so. Mr Jack Slater is one of the shadier members of InVizion’s eclectic collection of employees. Though to be fair he’s technically not affiliated with the company, but he’s often seen with the chairman. He likes to keep out of the eyes of the public. So much easier to do their dirty work.’

I jerked in shock at his words. What he was alluding to…it dropped my stomach. All the bravery I thought I’d had was draining away.

‘By dirty work,’ I spoke slowly, carefully, ‘you mean…’

‘Yes,’ James snapped curtly, surprising me by catching my words before I’d spoken them. ‘I mean getting rid of people who would potentially cause a problem for them.’

My stomach seemed to tighten as if cinched.
Potentially cause a problem.
Like James. God, like me.

‘But…if what you’re saying is true, then, James, we’re in danger! He wouldn’t have just shown up the way he did if he wasn’t trying to send some sort of message to us!’

James looked dangerous. ‘Oh, they were certainly sending us a message. A warning. Slater wanted you to remember him, and he wanted you to tell me about it. He knew I’d understand what it meant.’