Free Metal Fatigue by Sean Williams Page A

and haven't been converted to accommodation because no-one really wants to live in this area. One hundred and twelve and 116 are tenantable, but unoccupied. City records don't mention anyone ever moving in, so they've been empty since the War — just like 114 itself, supposedly."
    They walked to where DeKurzak was standing, watching the squad move in and out of the house. Roads made the introductions. DeKurzak shook Barney's hand with an ingratiating smile, then suggested they move inside.
    The cellar was cool but crowded, and considerably more ordered than when Roads had last seen it. The piles of components had been returned to their respective boxes; all the cupboards were closed.
    Barney's replacement was talking earnestly with Raoul over one of the terminals. A short, dark-haired man, he had a large smallpox scar on his left cheek that Kennedy's utilitarian approach to medical care had not allowed to be removed. He looked up as Roads and company approached.
    "Good morning, Phil."
    "That depends. Have you got anything for me?"
    "I'm not sure. We have the security check on the data system."
    "And?"
    "It looks like nothing was stolen."
    Roads raised his eyebrows. "Run that by me again?"
    "As he said," said Raoul, his dark skin dusty. He wiped his hands on a rag as he approached. "It's as clean as a preacher's prick down here."
    DeKurzak looked curiously at the new arrival, and Roads explained as briefly he could: "Raoul ran this place. He can tell us what's been stolen."
    "Which is nothing," Raoul repeated.
    "But that's inconsistent," Barney said. "Why would the Mole go to the trouble of breaking in and then not take anything?"
    "To prove he can?" DeKurzak suggested, obviously dissatisfied with remaining an observer.
    "We already know he can."
    "Then maybe he was scared off."
    Roads shook his head. "The building was empty until Raoul arrived. Right, Raoul?"
    "That's correct. He set off the alarm as he left. He must have finished what he came to do."
    "Exactly. But what the hell was that?" Roads rubbed thoughtfully at his moustache. "How's the list of hardware coming?"
    "Finished. We're about to check for discrepancies."
    "Good. That might tell us something."
    "Do you really think so?" asked DeKurzak, peering curiously into an open box nearby.
    "Of course." Roads fought yet another explosive response, already sick of justifying himself to the liaison officer. "This is the first time the Mole hasn't lifted data in six weeks. If he took hardware instead, then that must mean something. And if he didn't, same again. Any break in the pattern, no matter how slight, is significant."
    "I guess you're right." DeKurzak looked suitably chastised. "I wasn't thinking."
    Roads, slightly mollified, turned away. "Rashid, this is Antoni DeKurzak of the MSA. When he's finished looking around, have one of the squad take him to see Wiggs at the scene of last night's homicide. HQ will give you the address."
    Rashid mock-saluted. "Yessir."
    "Meanwhile, I'm going to get some sleep. Have someone call me if you find something."
    "Will do, boss."
    "Okay. Ciao."
    As they climbed the stairs, Roads felt DeKurzak's hurt stare at his back. The liaison officer knew he'd been dumped, but Roads wasn't going to let that bother him.
    "He's keen, at least," said Barney.
    "Yes, but a little on the paranoid side, too, if I'm any judge of character."
    "Ain't that dandy."
    "No, not really." They exited the building. The thinning crowd watched them walk down the steps to the sidewalk with mild interest.
    They had hardly gone more than a few steps towards the car, however, when Barney stopped and squinted through the sunlight. "Hang on."
    "What?" Roads followed the direction of her gaze. On the second floor of one of the neighbouring buildings, half-visible through a curtained window, something moved.
    "That's strange," Barney said. "I checked 116 myself."
    "Did you actually search every floor?"
    "No. I just knocked where I couldn't get in, and left it at that." She