Obsidian Detective Read online

  “Wait, what?” She pointed over her shoulder to where Ryan had stalked off. “They chose to quit. I didn’t force them out. All I’ve ever asked is for them to do their jobs. We have a duty, sir, to uphold the law and public trust, even if it’s inconvenient or might take a little extra effort.”

  Captain Monahan sneered. “Listen to you. You think you have all the answers?” He slammed a fist on his desk. “Now I’m going to have to call a proud officer and get him to come back…because of you! He was only a few years from retirement. You’ve been here less than a year. You really think you know how to be a better cop than the two cops you replaced with your less than one year of experience? Huh?”

  Jia’s voice softened. “I’m not saying that, Captain. I’m saying all that experience could be brought to bear on solving cases, and I don’t understand why it wasn’t.”

  “Our case clearance numbers are fine.” The red-faced Captain Monahan’s mouth twitched. “I think you’re so hellbent on proving yourself that you’re looking for trouble when there is none, or at least nothing that should concern your division. Don’t go making trouble there doesn’t need to be. That’s part of ‘maintain order’ too.”

  She glanced up, and he rolled his eyes.

  “That’s just it,” she explained. “That’s what I’m talking about. This is trouble that could turn into something else. I’m not saying it’s insurrectionists or terrorists or any other type of offworld barbarians, but the only way we’re going to keep control here is by stopping people like this, right?” Jia sighed. “This is why I joined the police. I wanted to do my small part to make sure the heart of the UTC, the one place where crime and darkness are almost extinct, stays that way, and so I don’t understand why you’re resisting me on this.”

  Captain Monahan groaned and rubbed his temples. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t assign you another partner. They’ll just quit, and this enforcement zone can’t lose more detectives without the higher-ups wondering what’s going on. We both know if I try to fire you, it will cause trouble, too.”

  Jia nodded. “I don’t need a partner. I’m not saying either of them was a bad cop, but they were slowing me down. I’ll investigate cases myself. It’s not like we’re drowning in work you need me to do.”

  “You most certainly won’t investigate any cases yourself.” The captain glared at her.

  “What?” Jia blinked in surprise. “But you just said…”

  “I said I can’t assign you another partner, so I won’t.” Captain Monahan locked eyes with her. “I’m assigning you to assist with records verification. I know the traffic enforcement division needs help. Regulations require at least ten percent manual verification of all algorithmically assigned fines, and they’ve been falling behind. Way behind. From what I’ve heard, the city council is making noise.”

  “Wait. No.” Jia gestured toward the door. “I… How am I supposed to investigate crimes when I’m spending my days doing administrative work? That’s not my job. I’m a detective.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “Metroplex police regulations also clearly state that no detective is to investigate any felonies without an active partner. You no longer have an active partner.” Captain Monahan pointed to the door. “Because he just left. I gave you two chances, and you have two strikes. I’d be a fool if I went to three strikes since we can’t afford three lost officers. You have any idea how many years of experience have left in the last six months? Now, contact the traffic division and have them start sending things to your PNIU. No reason you can’t get started today.”

  Jia gritted her teeth, trying to think of some way out of her dilemma. She couldn’t defend against regulations, seeing as how she had just used them to argue her own case. Rebelling against her captain, even in a small way, could put her on a path toward turning her into everything she hated and had sworn to suppress.

  She hated this situation. “Yes, sir.”

  Turning, she reached for the doorknob.

  Where am I going to get a partner?

  Monahan watched his door close as his hand rubbed his eyes. She was going to be the end of his career if he didn’t figure out a way to curb her enthusiasm before it got her messed up in a level of politics she wasn’t prepared to deal with.

  He leaned to his right and opened his bottom drawer. Reaching in, he pulled out a stick of gum and unwrapped it before popping it in his mouth. In times like this, he wasn’t prepared to drink, or any other response that would let him think was out.

  Slowly, he crushed the gum in his mouth, chewing as he considered the ramifications of someone who meant well but was not prepared to see the world as it really was.

  If there was an organization for “clueless” and “idealistic,” they could have Detective Lin interview to become the poster child for the group. Add her family connections, and he had been handed a challenge that could be career-ending…

  Career-ending.

  He grabbed the wrapper, spat the gum out, closed the wrapper, and tossed it in the trash can.

  He had the experience to handle this. He just needed a solution to get her to look for her opportunities elsewhere.

  It wasn’t firing if she asked to leave.

  Chapter Seven

  Jia let out a long, weary sigh and set her chopsticks beside her bowl of rice.

  Even though it was lunch, she wasn’t hungry. It wasn’t like she was meeting with her sister Mei for a meal, even though sometimes it felt like if she didn’t meet Mei at a restaurant, the other woman might refuse to pencil Jia into her busy corporate schedule.

  Why am I here again? It’s not like I don’t know what her opinion will be.

  Mei took a sip of tea from her small black cup, a bland look of dismissal on her face. “I rescheduled an important meeting for this. I’m assuming it is important. You implied it was important when you sent your message about meeting.”

  “Importance is relative,” Jia pointed out. “I need to vent about work, and I figured my older sister might not mind listening.”

  “Oh?” Mei arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow. “What’s wrong?” She looked Jia up and down. “You’re looking fit and healthy enough.”

  “I just…” Jia shrugged, looking outside through the glass as she spoke. “Another partner quit. He was frustrated with me insisting he do his job, and now the captain’s angry with me because he thinks I drove him away.” She returned her attention to her sister. “I’m not trying to be difficult at work, but I don’t understand why it’s so hard for them to listen.”

  Mei blinked twice before speaking. “You’re not trying to be difficult? Maybe, but desire and actions are two different things.” Mei punctuated her sentence with another small sip of tea. “It’s not as if your stubbornness only applies to your partners.” She clucked her tongue. “Some things never change, little sister.”

  Jia groaned, barely stopping her eyes from rolling. “Please don’t start. I didn’t ask you here to lecture me.”

  Mei scoffed. “And why shouldn’t I?” She set her cup down and stared at Jia. The flinty look in her eyes, combined with her ornate four-braid hairstyle, made her look just like their mother, even though Mei was twenty-eight and only had four years on her younger sister.

  Guilt gnawed at Jia. Her parents might not disapprove of her career, but they’d made it clear it wasn’t their preferred choice for their youngest daughter.

  “I came here for a sympathetic ear and a waterproof shoulder,” Jia replied. “Is that too much to ask?”

  “As your older sister, it’s incumbent upon me to give you useful advice when I think you’ve erred.” Mei shook her head. “And we both know you’ve erred by becoming a police officer, and not just because it’s an inappropriate job for a woman of your education and status. Think about it. If it’s causing you so much stress, you should quit and take a position more fitting of our family name.”

  Jia frowned. “There’s nothing wrong with being a police officer. It is a respec
table job for someone of my status and family name.”

  Mei let out a single sharp, mocking laugh. “Perhaps you should quit your job and become a comedian with those kinds of jokes.” She waved a hand toward Jia. “You can’t be serious.”

  Jia leaned forward. “I am completely serious. Our status and wealth mean we’ve had great opportunities, but that wealth can only exist in an orderly society.”

  Jia gestured at the window she had been staring out of to the urban forest of bright widow-covered-spires piercing the blue sky, which was dotted with the occasional cloud.

  Many of the buildings extended ever farther than their kilometer altitude from the base level of the metroplex. Flitters of every color darted between the building on orderly paths, forming rivers of human ingenuity.

  Mei followed her sister’s gesture, but her frown remained. “What does you being a cop have to do with our orderly society?”

  She leaned back. “It’s important for members of all levels of society to contribute to keeping people safe,” Jia answered. “We don’t want all of a certain job done by a certain type of people. That can cause trouble in the long term.”

  Mei’s brow crinkled in confusion. “Trouble? Safe? The Neo SoCal metroplex is safe. The existing law enforcement methods are fine. You act as though you’re the only one holding back the hordes.” She snickered. “I think Father did you a disservice by letting you read all those novels about insurrectionists when you were younger. I was half-convinced you would run off and join the military and ask to be shipped to some violent border world.”

  Jia’s lips pressed together.

  Mei laughed. “Maybe I shouldn’t be encouraging you to quit. The last thing we need you to inflict on Father and Mother is running offworld.” She grimaced. “I know I might have to take a trip offworld for the company at some point, but I hope to delay it as long as possible.”

  “The point is,” Jia tapped the table in front of her pulling Mei’s attention, “I want to uphold my duty to both society and our parents. I can do that by upholding justice as a police officer.” She leaned back, crossing her arms. “If only my captain and partners will let me. I’m not the problem here. They are.”

  Mei’s arrogant smirk faded into something approaching actual concern. “Yes, you have a duty to our parents. I’m glad you remember that given you seem to think only about your job. Now think about it: how can you be upholding justice if the officers around you don’t think it’s necessary?” Mei paused, her face scrunching. “You’re not claiming they’re corrupt, are you?”

  Jia’s eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head in negation. “No, nothing like that. Of course not. I just…think they might have gotten a little too comfortable with not being as aggressive as they might otherwise be.” She inhaled. “I understand. It’s easy to get comfortable in a city like this. I just want to do more. I think we can all do more.”

  Mei reached over and patted Jia’s hand. “When I tell you to quit, or when Mother or Father tell you the same thing, we’re not trying to be cruel, Jia. Yes, there are certain parts of being a member of the Lin family that carry implicit duties, but this is also about you. Listen to yourself. You’re miserable, and you have been for this last year.” She gave Jia’s hand a gentle squeeze. “There’s no shame in admitting that perhaps you made a mistake. It’s obvious the police department wouldn’t miss you if you were gone. You could get a job at the company, or if you don’t want to do that, maybe accept Mother’s offer on the dates she is suggesting.”

  Jia rolled her eyes, ending their arc to pierce her sister with their own accusation. “I should point out that you’re not married yet.”

  “Because I’m still engaged in a corporate career. Both Mother and I are making sure to explore all possible options. That doesn’t excuse you, little sister, but this could also be a good thing. If you had a powerful husband, you could spend your time running a charitable organization or something similar. Isn’t that contributing to society? If anything, it’d probably contribute far more than being some random detective in a safe city.” Mei shrugged as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  Jia picked up her teacup with both hands and took a sip, enjoying the warmth as it passed through her. “I’m not doing any of this to be stubborn. I know Mother and Father would prefer me to have another job, but I’m not going to quit. I can contribute. I just need to find the right partner and the right cases; actual major cases that they’ll let me work. I understand they’ll be few and far between, which is why it’s so frustrating when they won’t listen to me.”

  “Your family will always be there when you finally come to your senses.” Mei managed a pained smile. The arches of her eyebrows were perfect, just like the power suit she was wearing. “I just hope you come to your senses sooner rather than later.”

  A moment later, Mei leaned over. “Now, I’ve come to this lunch as a favor, and I want a favor in return. I met a man who would like a date with you.”

  Chapter Eight

  June 16, 2228, Neo Southern California Metroplex, Commerce District 24

  Erik grinned at the yellow flitter resting on the ground.

  Sunlight reflected off the finish and windows of the angular flying car as it sat in the parking lot atop a massive platform extending from one of the many tall commerce towers in Neo SoCal.

  Dozens of other vehicles were parked in long rows, every color of the rainbow and more represented. None were that large, with most having two rows of seats and holding four to six people at a maximum.

  This was not a dealer for anyone interested in commercial vehicles.

  He stood there for a moment, taking in the flow of flitters around him and the steep drop between platforms.

  There was a verdant park on a platform in the distance, complete with trees. He’d grown up in a metroplex not all that dissimilar, if smaller, but the tall, sky-piercing buildings and maze-like platforms elicited a grunt.

  Detroit hadn’t forsaken the ground nearly as much as Neo SoCal. Erik looked around, getting accustomed to a view that was very different from those of his last thirty years.

  A salesman sidled up to Erik, his grin so wide it threatened to split his face.

  “Good eye, young sir! Offworld Systems Taxútnta (Ταχυτητα) MX 60. Integrated grav field with vector propulsion.” He patted the hood of the car. “This, my good man, is one of the best personal sports flitters on the market today, and an amazing example of advanced engineering.” His smarmy smile did nothing for Erik. “You have exquisite taste. Of course, since you’ve already paid for it, so I don’t need to point out why it’s such a fine vehicle. However,” he winked, “if you need me to point out any non-obvious benefits, or what club might work best with this vehicle, I’m the guy to ask.”

  Erik nodded in reply.

  He had always thought it was amusing that a company based out of Germany would call itself Offworld Systems and have a flitter with a Greek name. Maybe they were trying to trick people into thinking their cars were made using some sort of special technique.

  However, the reality was, most of the other core worlds were so far behind Earth, they wouldn’t be able to produce the same level of manufactured goods in any sort of economical manner. Plus, shipping a vehicle in-system didn’t make a lot of sense, let alone intersystem.

  Earth and the core worlds benefited from the receipt of massive amounts of raw resources while maintaining near-stranglehold monopolies on the most important aspects of large-scale industrial production, an arrangement that had not gone unnoticed by insurrectionists.

  “I wanted a nice, new flashy car,” Erik explained to fill the empty air time the sales guy was leaving. “It’s the first I’ve owned in a…few years. I thought I might as well get the best.”

  The salesman blinked, confusion replacing some of the greed on his face. “What are you, in your early thirties, maybe?”

  He gestured toward Erik’s hair. “I don’t know why you would ruin that face w
ith that old-man gray hair look, but that’s on you.” He shook his head. “But how did you go so long without your own flitter? Your license checked out. You do know how to drive, right?” He licked his lips. “The license wasn’t taken away? I mean, you’ve already paid, so obviously you can afford it, but…you know?”

  Erik shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I’m just used to driving bigger things, like transports. My previous employer always provided me a vehicle.”

  The salesman settled into his new understanding. “Ah, I see. Yes, corporate vehicles are nice, but not as nice as the MX 60.”

  Erik didn’t bother to correct him about the nature of his previous employer.

  The salesman walked around the flitter and patted the side. “I don’t see a ring on the finger, so does that mean you’re still on the market?”

  Erik laughed. “Yeah, you could say that.”

  The salesman caressed the car with the languid movement of a lover. “This baby will get you all sorts of dates. You can have the fun you want, or use it to snag the future Mrs. Blackwell.” The salesman looked at the top of Erik’s head and sighed. “You really should dye your hair back to your natural color. I might have a decade or…two…on you.” He glanced down at his paunchy stomach. “But I don’t think things have changed that much since I got married.”

  Erik shook his head, admitting to himself he was liking the stupid sales guy for worrying about him. “I’ll take that under consideration.”

  He circled the flitter, nodding approvingly. Even if part of the point of buying a flashy car was to throw off suspicion about his true intent and concerns, he couldn’t deny his personal excitement. He just appreciated the expensive vehicle.