The iFactor (5 page)
Authors: R.W. Van Sant
Officer Perry followed him out, watching him depart the premises before walking over to stand next to Matt. “He doesn't seem so harmless to me. A violent display like this merits a report.”
“Against him.” She said. “Look I appreciate the concern, but really he's not like that.”
“Okay ma’am. If you change your mind, go to the station. I'll stand as a witness for your order.” Matt said.
“Yes, ma’am. Me too.” Perry agreed.
“No, thanks. I'll be fine.” She grabbed her bag. “I have a class to get back to. Really thanks for your concern.”
“Well since there wasn’t an assault or property damage it’s your choice.” The officers watched as the woman walked out of the patio and down the corridor.
“What an ass.” Officer Perry noted with a low whistle.
Matt wasn't placated. The image of her bruised and beaten was as clear in his mind as the smile she flashed as she walked away. He was certain that he would see her again, and that her face would be bruised, certain as his next breath. Not that he should care, since she was a stranger. He’d offered her help and she declined. For the moment, there was nothing more he could do. His heart leapt, however, at the thought of that meeting.
“Against him.” She said. “Look I appreciate the concern, but really he's not like that.”
“Okay ma’am. If you change your mind, go to the station. I'll stand as a witness for your order.” Matt said.
“Yes, ma’am. Me too.” Perry agreed.
“No, thanks. I'll be fine.” She grabbed her bag. “I have a class to get back to. Really thanks for your concern.”
“Well since there wasn’t an assault or property damage it’s your choice.” The officers watched as the woman walked out of the patio and down the corridor.
“What an ass.” Officer Perry noted with a low whistle.
Matt wasn't placated. The image of her bruised and beaten was as clear in his mind as the smile she flashed as she walked away. He was certain that he would see her again, and that her face would be bruised, certain as his next breath. Not that he should care, since she was a stranger. He’d offered her help and she declined. For the moment, there was nothing more he could do. His heart leapt, however, at the thought of that meeting.
Chapter 8
Detective Zimmerman was studying the documents that flowed across her monitor. She looked up momentarily as the two men entered, and then went back to her analysis. “Took you two long enough.”
“Sorry, a situation arose requiring a minor security presence.” Officer Perry said.
Zimmerman looked up, a concerned look on her face. “What happened?” Her eyes bore into Matt.
“Domestic disturbance.” Perry explained, as Matt remained silent. The indictment in her tone and the suspicion in her eyes annoyed him. Her first assumption had been that Matt was responsible.
So much for trust
. “Dales saw an altercation begin and defused the situation before it could grow violent.”
“It was just a lovers spat, got a little too hot.” Matt returned her glare.
“Galahad, here, tried to convince the woman to file a restraining order, but you know some people won't be helped.” Perry sat back into his seat. “We got our warrant!”
“Yeah, about twenty minutes ago.” She spun away from Matt and back to her own monitor. “Break over, let’s get to work.”
Matt sat into his seat and activated his monitor.
“Max, number 34129. Identity confirms identity as Toby Sawyer. Corporate affiliation-United Nations. Position data clerk. Perry, run the step three web.” She read the screen devoid of sentiment.
“Yes Detective.” Perry said. “It'll take a few hours.”
“Okay, for now we gather intel. Recall the tracking data from earlier. Start from the rape and run backward. Speed factor four. This time keep locked onto 34129. Keep tight on him.” The main screen lit up displaying the dots again. Matt followed the dots back to the table. “We're looking for moment that he drugged her.”
“It would have to have been at a point of close proximity several moments before she started to show signs.” Perry offered.
“The amount of drug in her system and her body weight would indicate that the drug was introduced into her system approximately ten minutes prior to the encounter. Time index minus ten minutes.” Zimmerman ordered. The dots flew around rapidly then continued at normal speed.
The rapist’s dot arrived at a table with two other dots. “Where is the victim? Can we get a split screen?” Matt asked.
“Sure thing detective.” Officer Perry manipulated the system until two screens appeared side by side. “Keep the other on the victim.” His dot appeared. It was moving in erratic patterns in unison with another.
“She's dancing.” Zimmerman said. “Perhaps there was an accomplice. Someone drugged her on the dance floor and left her to be picked up by Sawyer.”
“Can the net search tell us that?” Matt asked.
“Yes, the net will trace back his actions for a week logging everyone he encountered and then run a net on everyone they meet, out to three. That's a lot of people. Unless they are very clever, then we should figure it out fairly quickly; if not then it’s going to be some very long nights.”
“Well how would they get that much Fantasia into her system without her knowing it?” Officer Perry said.
“You're making an assumption.” Zimmerman said.
“Detective?” Perry asked.
“She may have taken it voluntarily.” Matt agreed. “I don’t think she would voluntarily take enough to induce memory loss.”
“Could have been accidental. She thought she was getting a trip to happy-land; instead, it’s a strong dose. Her mind goes compliant and forgetful.” Zimmerman said.
“And he goes to happy-land instead.” Under the glare of Detective Zimmerman, Officer Perry turned meekly back to his monitor.
“Can we get a visual?” Matt asked. “The only way we're going tell when she is drugged is to see it.”
“Agreed.” Zimmerman said.
“You got it. On one or both.” Perry asked.
“Just the victim. If he had an accomplice, then whoever it is would still have to come into contact with the victim.” Matt speculated. The screen on the right hand side, which contained the victim’s dot, split into a top and bottom image, the bottom pixelated and clarified into a video image of the victim dancing in the center of the dance floor. “Synchronize image and set speed to a factor of four.” The scene would have been comical, except for the tragic results.
Lori Holtz left the dance floor and went back to her table. No one touched her anywhere except her hand. She was offered nothing, nor visibly ingested anything.
“How accurate is the introduction time?” Matt asked.
“There are always variables.” Zimmerman said. “But the formulas are usually pretty accurate.”
“Of course,” Matt said. “Dancing.”
“Huh?” Said Officer Perry.
“Her metabolism was sped up. That could cause the drug to work more quickly, right.”
“Yeah, it could. But not by much.” Zimmerman conceded.
“There we go.” Matt pointed to the screen. Sawyer’s dot moved toward the victim’s dot and into the field of vision of the camera. Matt could see Sawyer talking to the victim. “Synchronize all views to normal time. Can we get sound?”
“None that would be of any use. Sounds of music and crowds would override any conversation. This isn't a covert surveillance system, Dales. There is still the right to privacy on this planet.” Zimmerman said.
“Well it would have been useful to know what they were saying.” Matt said.
“That's why they call this work.” She said. “Some things we just have to figure out ourselves.”
“He's moving out of frame.” Officer Perry announced.
“Can we keep on him with the visual feed?” Matt asked.
“Yes, sir.” Officer Perry complied. The center bottom screen followed Sawyer to the bar. He ordered two drinks and moved his palm over the transaction pad. The bartender made two drinks and brought them to his customer.
“There it is!” Matt called out.
“I didn't see.” Zimmerman said.
“The bartender, he made two identical drinks, but only stirred one with a spoon. Track on the glass he stirred.” Matt wasn't surprised when the drink that was stirred was put before the victim, who drank eagerly after her exertion.
“Damn, good eye Dales.” Officer Perry said.
“Was that within the variability limit of the drug?” Matt asked.
“Just barely.” Zimmerman said. “Run a track on that transaction. I want verification.”
“Yes, Detective.” Officer Perry pushed several buttons. “Whoa! That was an expensive drink.”
“Well,” Matt prodded.
“Two mixed drinks; five with a fifty tip.” Officer Perry said.
“Perry, focus web on the bartender.” Zimmerman smiled for the first time. “Good instincts, Dales.”
“It helps to be paranoid.” He smiled back.
“Save data and transmit to judicial council for arrest warrant on 'Max'.” Zimmerman then added, “Coffee break”
Detective Zimmerman was studying the documents that flowed across her monitor. She looked up momentarily as the two men entered, and then went back to her analysis. “Took you two long enough.”
“Sorry, a situation arose requiring a minor security presence.” Officer Perry said.
Zimmerman looked up, a concerned look on her face. “What happened?” Her eyes bore into Matt.
“Domestic disturbance.” Perry explained, as Matt remained silent. The indictment in her tone and the suspicion in her eyes annoyed him. Her first assumption had been that Matt was responsible.
So much for trust
. “Dales saw an altercation begin and defused the situation before it could grow violent.”
“It was just a lovers spat, got a little too hot.” Matt returned her glare.
“Galahad, here, tried to convince the woman to file a restraining order, but you know some people won't be helped.” Perry sat back into his seat. “We got our warrant!”
“Yeah, about twenty minutes ago.” She spun away from Matt and back to her own monitor. “Break over, let’s get to work.”
Matt sat into his seat and activated his monitor.
“Max, number 34129. Identity confirms identity as Toby Sawyer. Corporate affiliation-United Nations. Position data clerk. Perry, run the step three web.” She read the screen devoid of sentiment.
“Yes Detective.” Perry said. “It'll take a few hours.”
“Okay, for now we gather intel. Recall the tracking data from earlier. Start from the rape and run backward. Speed factor four. This time keep locked onto 34129. Keep tight on him.” The main screen lit up displaying the dots again. Matt followed the dots back to the table. “We're looking for moment that he drugged her.”
“It would have to have been at a point of close proximity several moments before she started to show signs.” Perry offered.
“The amount of drug in her system and her body weight would indicate that the drug was introduced into her system approximately ten minutes prior to the encounter. Time index minus ten minutes.” Zimmerman ordered. The dots flew around rapidly then continued at normal speed.
The rapist’s dot arrived at a table with two other dots. “Where is the victim? Can we get a split screen?” Matt asked.
“Sure thing detective.” Officer Perry manipulated the system until two screens appeared side by side. “Keep the other on the victim.” His dot appeared. It was moving in erratic patterns in unison with another.
“She's dancing.” Zimmerman said. “Perhaps there was an accomplice. Someone drugged her on the dance floor and left her to be picked up by Sawyer.”
“Can the net search tell us that?” Matt asked.
“Yes, the net will trace back his actions for a week logging everyone he encountered and then run a net on everyone they meet, out to three. That's a lot of people. Unless they are very clever, then we should figure it out fairly quickly; if not then it’s going to be some very long nights.”
“Well how would they get that much Fantasia into her system without her knowing it?” Officer Perry said.
“You're making an assumption.” Zimmerman said.
“Detective?” Perry asked.
“She may have taken it voluntarily.” Matt agreed. “I don’t think she would voluntarily take enough to induce memory loss.”
“Could have been accidental. She thought she was getting a trip to happy-land; instead, it’s a strong dose. Her mind goes compliant and forgetful.” Zimmerman said.
“And he goes to happy-land instead.” Under the glare of Detective Zimmerman, Officer Perry turned meekly back to his monitor.
“Can we get a visual?” Matt asked. “The only way we're going tell when she is drugged is to see it.”
“Agreed.” Zimmerman said.
“You got it. On one or both.” Perry asked.
“Just the victim. If he had an accomplice, then whoever it is would still have to come into contact with the victim.” Matt speculated. The screen on the right hand side, which contained the victim’s dot, split into a top and bottom image, the bottom pixelated and clarified into a video image of the victim dancing in the center of the dance floor. “Synchronize image and set speed to a factor of four.” The scene would have been comical, except for the tragic results.
Lori Holtz left the dance floor and went back to her table. No one touched her anywhere except her hand. She was offered nothing, nor visibly ingested anything.
“How accurate is the introduction time?” Matt asked.
“There are always variables.” Zimmerman said. “But the formulas are usually pretty accurate.”
“Of course,” Matt said. “Dancing.”
“Huh?” Said Officer Perry.
“Her metabolism was sped up. That could cause the drug to work more quickly, right.”
“Yeah, it could. But not by much.” Zimmerman conceded.
“There we go.” Matt pointed to the screen. Sawyer’s dot moved toward the victim’s dot and into the field of vision of the camera. Matt could see Sawyer talking to the victim. “Synchronize all views to normal time. Can we get sound?”
“None that would be of any use. Sounds of music and crowds would override any conversation. This isn't a covert surveillance system, Dales. There is still the right to privacy on this planet.” Zimmerman said.
“Well it would have been useful to know what they were saying.” Matt said.
“That's why they call this work.” She said. “Some things we just have to figure out ourselves.”
“He's moving out of frame.” Officer Perry announced.
“Can we keep on him with the visual feed?” Matt asked.
“Yes, sir.” Officer Perry complied. The center bottom screen followed Sawyer to the bar. He ordered two drinks and moved his palm over the transaction pad. The bartender made two drinks and brought them to his customer.
“There it is!” Matt called out.
“I didn't see.” Zimmerman said.
“The bartender, he made two identical drinks, but only stirred one with a spoon. Track on the glass he stirred.” Matt wasn't surprised when the drink that was stirred was put before the victim, who drank eagerly after her exertion.
“Damn, good eye Dales.” Officer Perry said.
“Was that within the variability limit of the drug?” Matt asked.
“Just barely.” Zimmerman said. “Run a track on that transaction. I want verification.”
“Yes, Detective.” Officer Perry pushed several buttons. “Whoa! That was an expensive drink.”
“Well,” Matt prodded.
“Two mixed drinks; five with a fifty tip.” Officer Perry said.
“Perry, focus web on the bartender.” Zimmerman smiled for the first time. “Good instincts, Dales.”
“It helps to be paranoid.” He smiled back.
“Save data and transmit to judicial council for arrest warrant on 'Max'.” Zimmerman then added, “Coffee break”
Chapter 9
Matt was happy to learn that detectives and specialists had their own break room. There was a coffee maker with ceramic mugs piled neatly on the counter near them. On the other side of the counter sat a small refrigerator, which he discovered contained drinks and flavored coffee creamers. Although the table was smaller, it had one thing going for it, and it had an open box of pastries sitting in the middle. “My, aren’t we spoiled.”
“We are treated well because they expect more from us.” Zimmerman poured a cup of coffee, forwent the pastries and sat at the table.
“I’ll go for that.” Matt poured coffee and took a pastry then sat down at the small table across from her.
“I've been dying to ask you a question.” She said.
“About the chief?” Matt asked. Their prior relationship seemed to be a matter of discussion around the station.
“About Dallas.”
“Oh,” It wasn't unexpected, neither was it a topic about which he was inclined to be talkative.
“I need to know if I can trust you in a pinch.”
He had gone through the interrogations when he first arrived, by the other officers. Even after working with them for months, there were still some that snubbed him and probably never would trust him. Hell, he couldn’t blame them. If he was in their shoes, he would have had concerns also, so what could he tell her that would gain her trust? All there was the truth. “You want to know what happened.”
“Yes, I do.” Zimmerman said. “Privacy laws protect your files, but do not stop rumors.”
“What do the rumors say?”
“That you lost it. That you killed civilians.” She said.
“Do you want me to deny it?” Matt set his cup down.
“I want you to tell me the truth.”
“I don't know the truth,” he said. “I only what they told me afterward.”
“Tell me what you remember then.” she pressed.
“Well, you want it? Here it is.” Matt took several deep breaths. He spoke quietly, quickly as though he’d been through the grilling several times, which he had. “The chief and I were partners, detectives for Dallas PD. If was a little over six years into the Great Drought. All water and food was being shipped into the city and distributed by the service corp. You know the government. If they can screw something up, they'll do a fine job of it. Water started to arrive polluted and food spoiled. The people started to complain. It wasn't until the elderly and young started to die that the riots started. All officers were called to the lines, including us detectives.”
He took a deep long swallow of the coffee. “I only remember what happened afterward, and only in pieces, and bad dreams. The psychiatrist says that I am repressing the memories. In any case, Ken and I were working on a case, the chief. We were looking into what had happened to the food and water shipments. I felt that they had been so badly managed; it had to be more than just incompetence. Everything gets all jumbled. I know I arrived at the riot late. People where armed and gathered, shouting, angry. I remember a child being shot, killed. Then there is nothing until the next day when I was wandering the streets looking at the carnage of the riots.” Matt took another drink.
“You really don't remember any of it?” she pressed.
“The doctors say it was post-traumatic stress.” he said. “Don't worry. I was cleared for duty before I left Earth.”
“So the chief and the doctors all say your fine now.” she said. “What caused you to snap in the first place?”
“I’ll tell you,” he looked hard into her eyes. “I really wish I knew.”
“Can I trust you to have my back? Like you did the chiefs?”
“That's something you're going to have to work out for yourself. The chief trusts me.” he stood up. “I'm heading back.”
“I'll be there in a few.” Zimmerman took another drink. Matt walked back into the monitor room.
“Oh, good you’re back.” Perry said. “I've got something. Should we wait for Zimmerman?”
“I'll fill her in.” Matt said.
“Your call, I only work here.” Perry pushed several buttons bringing up the main screen again. “I focused on our bartender. Following his activities for the last two days. Most of it is routine. Apartment, out with friends, nothing strange until this. The night before last.”
Matt watched as the dot11098 left his apartment. It was the middle of his regular sleep shift. The dot moved forward at a factor of at least twenty-five. It moved along the walkways to the docks where it met with another dot 06798.
The screen blanked out for a few moments.
“What was that?” Matt asked.
“A glitch in the system happens from time to time.” Perry said.
“Go back I want to see it.” Matt moved closer.
“I can't. The system didn't record anything.” Perry said.
“For how long?”
“This time, about twelve minutes.” Perry said.
“This time? Does this happen often?”
“Not really, but that info stays in this room.”
“Okay, got it. Hush hush.” The screen lit back up and with the bartender's dot moving back to his apartment. “Bring up the video.”
“I can't, Dales. The system failed to record. But we did get this.” Perry brought up the financial account of the bartender. Before the glitch, he had five thousand, six hundred and twelve UN's in his account, afterward only six hundred and twelve.
“Great, can we get a warrant to investigate the account of 06798?” Matt asked.
“No need, he was already under investigation.” Perry punched up the profile for the identification number. The name of the assistant bursar Matt had caught the day before came up. His accounts showed a five thousand UN increase before after the glitch.
“Perry you're a competent individual.” Matt said.
“I'll take that for what it’s worth.” he smiled.
The door opened and Zimmerman entered. She looked at the screen and glowered. “Well?”
“We linked the bartender to the purser who was busted by Officer Dales yesterday.” Perry said.
“Show me.” Zimmerman said. Matt watched quietly as the officer went over the data with Rishards. “Okay looks tight enough. Download to the judicial council and close the case.”
“Shouldn't we continue to investigate the web? We might find out who's in league with the bursar.” Matt said.
“That's not our case.” She informed him. “The UN laws governing rights and investigations are stricter than in the United States, Dales. Our case was to find the rapist. We did. We pushed a little further and got an accomplice. The whole thing links back to your drug bust. Anything further would be a fishing expedition and a violation of the procedures of the department and the rights of the colonists. I’m senior Detective. I say case closed.”
“Yes Detective.” Matt speculated what it would take to get another partner.
“My shift is up in a few minutes anyway.” Officer Perry shut down the workstation. He turned to Matt and whispered, “She won’t say it, but you did well.”
“The chief assigned you to cubical twelve.” Zimmerman said. “He mentioned a pile of paperwork needing your attention.
“I'll get on it.” Matt walked out.
Matt was happy to learn that detectives and specialists had their own break room. There was a coffee maker with ceramic mugs piled neatly on the counter near them. On the other side of the counter sat a small refrigerator, which he discovered contained drinks and flavored coffee creamers. Although the table was smaller, it had one thing going for it, and it had an open box of pastries sitting in the middle. “My, aren’t we spoiled.”
“We are treated well because they expect more from us.” Zimmerman poured a cup of coffee, forwent the pastries and sat at the table.
“I’ll go for that.” Matt poured coffee and took a pastry then sat down at the small table across from her.
“I've been dying to ask you a question.” She said.
“About the chief?” Matt asked. Their prior relationship seemed to be a matter of discussion around the station.
“About Dallas.”
“Oh,” It wasn't unexpected, neither was it a topic about which he was inclined to be talkative.
“I need to know if I can trust you in a pinch.”
He had gone through the interrogations when he first arrived, by the other officers. Even after working with them for months, there were still some that snubbed him and probably never would trust him. Hell, he couldn’t blame them. If he was in their shoes, he would have had concerns also, so what could he tell her that would gain her trust? All there was the truth. “You want to know what happened.”
“Yes, I do.” Zimmerman said. “Privacy laws protect your files, but do not stop rumors.”
“What do the rumors say?”
“That you lost it. That you killed civilians.” She said.
“Do you want me to deny it?” Matt set his cup down.
“I want you to tell me the truth.”
“I don't know the truth,” he said. “I only what they told me afterward.”
“Tell me what you remember then.” she pressed.
“Well, you want it? Here it is.” Matt took several deep breaths. He spoke quietly, quickly as though he’d been through the grilling several times, which he had. “The chief and I were partners, detectives for Dallas PD. If was a little over six years into the Great Drought. All water and food was being shipped into the city and distributed by the service corp. You know the government. If they can screw something up, they'll do a fine job of it. Water started to arrive polluted and food spoiled. The people started to complain. It wasn't until the elderly and young started to die that the riots started. All officers were called to the lines, including us detectives.”
He took a deep long swallow of the coffee. “I only remember what happened afterward, and only in pieces, and bad dreams. The psychiatrist says that I am repressing the memories. In any case, Ken and I were working on a case, the chief. We were looking into what had happened to the food and water shipments. I felt that they had been so badly managed; it had to be more than just incompetence. Everything gets all jumbled. I know I arrived at the riot late. People where armed and gathered, shouting, angry. I remember a child being shot, killed. Then there is nothing until the next day when I was wandering the streets looking at the carnage of the riots.” Matt took another drink.
“You really don't remember any of it?” she pressed.
“The doctors say it was post-traumatic stress.” he said. “Don't worry. I was cleared for duty before I left Earth.”
“So the chief and the doctors all say your fine now.” she said. “What caused you to snap in the first place?”
“I’ll tell you,” he looked hard into her eyes. “I really wish I knew.”
“Can I trust you to have my back? Like you did the chiefs?”
“That's something you're going to have to work out for yourself. The chief trusts me.” he stood up. “I'm heading back.”
“I'll be there in a few.” Zimmerman took another drink. Matt walked back into the monitor room.
“Oh, good you’re back.” Perry said. “I've got something. Should we wait for Zimmerman?”
“I'll fill her in.” Matt said.
“Your call, I only work here.” Perry pushed several buttons bringing up the main screen again. “I focused on our bartender. Following his activities for the last two days. Most of it is routine. Apartment, out with friends, nothing strange until this. The night before last.”
Matt watched as the dot11098 left his apartment. It was the middle of his regular sleep shift. The dot moved forward at a factor of at least twenty-five. It moved along the walkways to the docks where it met with another dot 06798.
The screen blanked out for a few moments.
“What was that?” Matt asked.
“A glitch in the system happens from time to time.” Perry said.
“Go back I want to see it.” Matt moved closer.
“I can't. The system didn't record anything.” Perry said.
“For how long?”
“This time, about twelve minutes.” Perry said.
“This time? Does this happen often?”
“Not really, but that info stays in this room.”
“Okay, got it. Hush hush.” The screen lit back up and with the bartender's dot moving back to his apartment. “Bring up the video.”
“I can't, Dales. The system failed to record. But we did get this.” Perry brought up the financial account of the bartender. Before the glitch, he had five thousand, six hundred and twelve UN's in his account, afterward only six hundred and twelve.
“Great, can we get a warrant to investigate the account of 06798?” Matt asked.
“No need, he was already under investigation.” Perry punched up the profile for the identification number. The name of the assistant bursar Matt had caught the day before came up. His accounts showed a five thousand UN increase before after the glitch.
“Perry you're a competent individual.” Matt said.
“I'll take that for what it’s worth.” he smiled.
The door opened and Zimmerman entered. She looked at the screen and glowered. “Well?”
“We linked the bartender to the purser who was busted by Officer Dales yesterday.” Perry said.
“Show me.” Zimmerman said. Matt watched quietly as the officer went over the data with Rishards. “Okay looks tight enough. Download to the judicial council and close the case.”
“Shouldn't we continue to investigate the web? We might find out who's in league with the bursar.” Matt said.
“That's not our case.” She informed him. “The UN laws governing rights and investigations are stricter than in the United States, Dales. Our case was to find the rapist. We did. We pushed a little further and got an accomplice. The whole thing links back to your drug bust. Anything further would be a fishing expedition and a violation of the procedures of the department and the rights of the colonists. I’m senior Detective. I say case closed.”
“Yes Detective.” Matt speculated what it would take to get another partner.
“My shift is up in a few minutes anyway.” Officer Perry shut down the workstation. He turned to Matt and whispered, “She won’t say it, but you did well.”
“The chief assigned you to cubical twelve.” Zimmerman said. “He mentioned a pile of paperwork needing your attention.
“I'll get on it.” Matt walked out.
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