Free S.W. Tanpepper's GAMELAND: Season Two Omnibus (Episodes 9-11) by Saul Tanpepper Page A

you’ve known like that, someone you’ve trusted, get turned into one of them?”
    The woman hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I do, actually. Why do you think this is so important to me?”
    Kelly pushed himself away from the tree. He was feeling ill. His body was shaking. He needed to get back, check on his little brother Kyle before heading over to Jessie’s.
    Home.
    â€œFocus,” the woman was saying. “That file on Jessica’s Link is our greatest concern right now.”
    â€œShe’s bound to notice it sooner or later,” Kelly told her. “I’m surprised she hasn’t already. After what Micah said—” Images floated through his mind, scenes from the conscription chamber inside the city hall.
    â€œJust make sure she doesn’t have a reason to remember that, okay?”
    He chuffed. “She’s not going to forget what he said. He called it the Jacker’s Code. I want to know what he meant by that.”
    â€œI honestly don’t know. You need to forget about it.”
    â€œHow can I forget about it?” Kelly cried. “Jessie heard it, clear as day. He told her he loved her. How can she not wonder?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to be jealous about, honey. Look, I’ve seen my share of conscriptions. People babble right before the end. It’s all nonsense. You make sure that’s what she thinks happened.”
    â€œI’m supposed to forget he said he loved her?”
    â€œWhat does that matter now? As long as she believes you love her.”
    He wasn’t sure she did anymore.
    He sighed heavily. “We got the system set up and we’re back in. Reggie’s taking the Player up to Jayne’s Hill first.”
    â€œGood. Keep Jessica away from there.”
    â€œWhat happens if she finds out?”
    â€œTell her what we talked about. Just keep her out of the system. The more time she spends on the Streams, the more likely she’ll know that something’s wrong with her Link.”
    Kelly looked up from his own Link and was surprised to see that he’d walked all the way to Reggie’s. Both of the Caseys worked in the state capitol, and they were rarely home before six in the evening. The house stood empty and dark in front of him. If Reggie was home, he was most likely out in the garage. Kelly shook his head at the lie he’d told to get him to accept the gear. He had to know that looking for Ashley was a hopeless cause.
    He swallowed, unsure how much longer he could keep pretending like this, holding the secrets in. Lying to the people he cared about.
    As if reading his mind, the woman said, “It won’t be much longer. We’re very close to getting what we need. Once all the pieces are in place, everything will become clear. That file is everything, Kelly. Remember that.”
    He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment as he tried to control his anger.
    â€œYou just have to be patient and trust me a little longer. Can you do that for me, hon?”
    He wanted to tell her to stop calling him that. It made him uncomfortable.
    â€œI’ll try,” he finally conceded. He was too tired to fight her anymore.
    â€œGood. Because I—”
    â€œKelly?”
    He spun around at the sound of Jessie’s voice, the skin on the back of his neck prickling. How long had she been standing there? How much had she heard? He quickly thumbed the disconnect and turned to face her.
    â€œWho are you talking to?” she asked.
    He glanced down at his Link and was relieved to see that it showed nothing but his home screen. He gave her a tentative smile. “The hospital. Just checking in on some blood work for Kyle.”
    The tension remained in Jessie’s face. She looked dubiously at the Link in his hands, then back to his face. “Is everything all right?”
    He sighed and turned and started walking, trying hard to act like nothing was wrong. “As good as can be