After getting out of the car, Jackie slipped into Misty’s Esoterica, while Arthur pushed through the back door and stepped into Vik’s clinic.
“Looks like... you haven’t forgotten this old friend of yours. What brings you here?”
The sa dim lighting hung in the room. Vik sat at his desk, giving Arthur a once-over as he ca in. Only after confirming he wasn’t injured did Vik speak with a smile.
“Just seeing if your hands aren’t too shaky yet, old man. Honestly... Misty deserves the credit. Aside from her, who else would keep you company and listen to your endless chatter?”
Arthur ca closer and casually dropped into a seat.
“Ha! She’s my best tenant... and assistant. A good girl, no doubt about that.
So... you’ve been taking it easy all this ti? Looks like you’ve finally figured out how to live.”
Compared to the manager earlier, Vik’s smile was far more reassuring. Arthur shook his head and replied, “Quite the opposite. Jackie and I just finished so business, so I stopped by on the way... Things are about to get busy. Oh, right—we’re dealing with a guy nad Dexter DeShawn. You’ve been in Night City forever. Heard of him?”
“DeShawn... Black guy, real heavyset, right?”
Vik’s deep, magnetic voice always carried a storyteller’s weight. When Arthur nodded, he went on.
“A few years back, this Dexter was pretty famous. Pulled off so big, flashy jobs... People say he’s easy to deal with, but I wouldn’t be so sure.”
Arthur nodded again in agreent. “Good thing it’s just business. Doesn’t matter whether he’s easy to deal with or not...”
Arthur hadn’t planned to stay long, but Vik sent him off first. “Go handle your business. Co see this old codger again when you’ve got ti... Though, truth be told, I’m not that old. Just past fifty. These days, there are folks running around at two hundred with chro keeping them alive.”
Arthur stood up without argunt, but he didn’t leave without a jab, laughing as he said, “Still, you live like an old man. You don’t see many people in Night City this laid-back.”
...
Back in the car, it was around eight in the evening—the start of Night City’s nightlife.
Sitting at the wheel, Arthur’s stubbled face twitched slightly before he placed a call.
Beep—
Beep—
Beep—
Arthur shifted uncomfortably, staring at the comms window. The default black avatar displayed the na—redith Stout.
He rubbed his nose—it really was itching.
After what felt like forever, the damn comms finally connected.
On the other side, the woman still wore her brilliant golden hair—at least that was one thing they shared.
“I figured you’d avoid for life. What’s this? You’re calling ?”
She was in work clothes, clearly still at the office. Though she tried to smooth them out, lines on her forehead were still visible.
Arthur raised his hand slightly, glanced at her, then said, “Heard things have been rough on your end lately. Well... I an... That bot, the one they call ‘Flathead,’ stolen from Militech, I—”
“How do you know about that?!”
Her sharp voice cut him off instantly. redith forced herself to calm down, then, almost as if deciding there was no point, pressed urgently, “Where did you hear about that thing? I’m losing my mind here.”
“Uh... If you want answers, don’t interrupt! Here’s the deal—it’s in the Maelstrom gang’s hands now. I picked up a gig that needs it. Figured I’d ask you while I’m at it...”
Arthur’s tone hardened a little at last, though it quickly softened again.
“So...”
redith glanced around casually, then stood up. Through the comms window, Arthur saw her move offscreen before shouting, “That’s it for today! Off the clock! You useless bastards can crawl back to your holes.”
That clearly wasn’t ant for Arthur.
Monts later, she returned to the screen.
“Co to my place. We need to talk in detail—or Militech will have sinking in a river.”
...
Switching cars had its perks—at least it saved ti when things were urgent.
redith’s apartnt. Arthur hadn’t been there many tis, but he moved with practiced familiarity.
The biotric lock accepted him, and the door slid open, revealing a familiar interior.
redith sat at the bar by the window. Beyond the huge glass wall lood the gacorp towers dominating Corporate Plaza. Their self-promotion was as over-the-top as ever—from the holographic projections covering the square to the light-strips vanishing into the sky.
She still wore her dark blue uniform, clearly having just rushed back from the office.
At the sound behind her, redith didn’t turn around. Instead, she poured herself a drink and stared blankly out at the view.
“Seems you adjusted quick. At least you’re not snapping anymore.”
Arthur took the seat beside her, looking in no rush.
“Fine! We don’t have ti to waste. Tell —who has it?”
redith slamd her glass onto the counter, her tone sharp.
“Maelstrom. Got it from a fixer—he was trying to buy it off them, but things went south.
So... looks like I’ll have to go myself.”
Hearing that, redith froze, lost in thought.
The apartnt fell silent, save for the sound of Arthur swirling his drink.
After a long silence, she cursed under her breath before saying, “So that’s it... Damn it, I’ve treated you well, and you dare play ?! Fine. Fine...”
Muttering to herself, redith forced her anger down and looked at him. “Take the bot. That doesn’t change anything. But those Maelstrom bastards are mine. Need to help?”
“No need! They’re just a bunch of Maelstrom psychos.
What, you want them alive?”
Arthur asked, slightly puzzled, though he had no interest in Militech’s twisted politics.
“Alive... dead... doesn’t matter! But I want them whole!”
The words ca out like venom.
She drained her glass in one gulp, then lunged at him like a lioness.
Damn it. Emotions always had a way of causing trouble.
On the bar counter, the liquor rippled in its glass...
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