Free Crystal Deception by Doug J. Cooper Page B

isn’t a tech review.” She looked from one to the
other, and smiled. “Well done.”
    Sid didn’t waste any time. “Do you have something for us
from Criss?”
    “From Criss?” Juice asked.
    “Yes.”
    Juice’s excitement disappeared. “All I have is a message
from the four-gen. I was thinking that’s why you guys were here.”
    Realizing what was happening, Cheryl said, “The four-gen
told us he prefers to be called Criss. He said that’s his name.”
    “He did? Criss? That’s so cool. I wonder why he never
mentioned it to me.” She drifted away for a moment, lost in thought.
    Sid got her attention back in short order. “Juice, what do
you have for us from Criss?”
    From his brusque manner, Cheryl sensed that bad cop was a
role that came easily to him.
    Juice was again animated. “First, I’m supposed to tell you
that it will take some effort on your part to chase things down. The amount of
information that can be transferred by voice from Criss to me to you is very
limited.” She said the name Criss with a huge grin. “I have three web points from
him, and hopefully I get them right when I tell you.”
    Juice wrote some lengthy scribbles on a pad. Cheryl took it
from her and looked at it. “Let me get this over to research for a review.
Would either of you like a drink?”
    “Water, please,” Juice said.
    “Coffee. Black, thanks,” said Sid.
    Cheryl left and moved quickly to the adjacent room so she wouldn’t
miss any action. She sat down and set the pad aside. Techs located elsewhere
received the info as Juice wrote it. They were already deep into their work.
    Sid made his opening gambit. “Juice, our investigation shows
there’s a scam being played. But it’s not by Brady Sheldon. The evidence points
to you.”
    “What?” Her face showed complete bewilderment.
    “We think you’re the one orchestrating Criss’s kidnapping.”
    Juice looked at him and started twirling a lock of hair. “Why
are you saying this? I’m here trying to help,” she said, indignation slipping
into her tone. She turned in her chair so her knees were pointing away from
him.
    As Cheryl watched, she recalled Sid telling her that the
first reaction of the guilty tends to be defensive or aggressive behavior. This
was not that. She sympathized with Juice and wondered why Sid was being so
rough.
    He wasn’t done. “My question is whether you’re conspiring
with Criss. Or perhaps he’s deceiving you?”
    “Deceiving me?” Her twirling accelerated.
    He pushed onward. “Your signature is all over this. The only
thing we don’t know is if you and Criss are working together.” He paused. “Come
to think of it, Criss is so much smarter. Maybe he’s playing you. Maybe you’ve
become a willing pawn in his game.”
    A tear rolled down Juice’s cheek and she blinked rapidly.
    He pointed at her. “Innocent people defend themselves. They
don’t cry.”
    “I’m trying to stop something bad from happening.” Tears streaked
her face. “Why are you acting this way? I’m on your side!” There were no
tissues in the room, so she wiped her face on her sleeve.
    “Do you admit it’s possible?” Sid insisted. “You’re smart
enough to know it is.”
    “Lots of things are possible,” she said, regaining some
composure. “But that’s not the same as saying they’re likely or true. I think the
four-gen—Criss—is concerned about being taken by the Kardish. I think he
believes Sheldon is involved. I think he thinks you and I can help him. If you
won’t help, then I’ll find someone who will.” She crossed her arms across her
chest, then leaned forward like she was about to stand.
    Cheryl reached her limit. She grabbed beverages from the
service unit and hustled next door. “Water and coffee,” she announced as she
entered. She set the cups down and surveyed the scene. “What happened?” She
handed Juice a napkin so she could wipe her face and looked at Sid like he was
some sort of monster.
    Both Sid and