Of course the govies wouldn’t confirm it. It had been a demoralizing loss for them. They couldn’t be happy with their defeat plastered on halo-screens for everyone to see. They also didn’t want the public to know the Levels were vulnerable and that some of the Undercity gangs could move freely. The Lasair members were supposed to stay locked below. It made everyone feel safer.
On-screen, the visicaster continued to speculate how this could signal the start of a war between Lasair and the govies. That didn’t concern Dade, though. The war was coming regardless.
The more pressing issue was that this attack against the govies had escalated the tension in the Sky Towers. It had been rising steadily ever since Arden had broken in, and then Dade hadn’t helped his cause by almost getting caught at the refinery. He’d still managed to sneak in and out occasionally. Now, though, everything was on lockdown. The number of guards had been tripled, and everyone coming or going was scrutinized, their implanted data sensors double-checked.
He could probably figure out a way to make it out of his Tower without detection, but he wondered if it would be worth it. He’d already had to stop his Ghost activities. He felt guilty for leaving the children without VitD and hoped they’d have enough of a supply to last until he was back on his regular rounds. He couldn’t risk being caught. It would end his efforts completely. There was nothing to do but sit and stew while watching the continuous news loop.
His datapad pinged.
Dade sighed, knowing exactly who it would be before he clicked the message center open. The ziptext didn’t fail to disappoint. His father had been locked up with Chief Nakomzer all morning, and now it seemed he was about to turn his attention on Dade.
He slipped his datapad into his pocket, trying not to feel concerned about their upcoming talk. They hadn’t spoken in a few days. Every time his dad went that long focused on something else, when he finally did remember that Dade existed, it was because of something big. And since there had been several “big” things to choose from in the last week, Dade expected the worst.
His father’s office was located inside Sky Tower Two, in a different wing than the family’s apartment. So while Dade didn’t have to leave the building, there was still a fair distance to travel.
Chief Nakomzer had just stepped out of his father’s office when Dade arrived. Nakomzer’s face was red and wore a thunderous frown. Dade stepped to the side, allowing the chief and the two guards who flanked him to pass.
That meeting had obviously not gone well. Which didn’t help to alleviate Dade’s growing tension. He nodded to the guard outside of the office before he walked into the room.
Hernim Croix sat behind his desk. Constructed from indigenous stone and polished to a glass-like shine, it was a massive structure that didn’t diminish the man in the least. He looked up as soon as Dade entered, pressing the button to close the door. He then indicated that Dade should take one of the chairs across from him. The wide-view screen on the wall projected a muted visicast. Visual images of the escape looped across the hologram.
Dade forced his gaze to stay on his father.
Hernim folded his hands together, his fingers loosely intertwined, and set his elbows on the desk. He appeared relaxed, inviting even. He leaned forward with his shoulders, creating an illusion of intimacy. “You’ve been busy.”
The words short-circuited Dade’s brain as warnings blared in his head. Even though he’d known an interrogation was coming, it had always been difficult to maintain an aloof appearance with his father. Yet he hadn’t actually been caught, so he didn’t think this was a fishing expedition about the refinery break-in.
“How so?” It made Dade happy that his words came out calm and confident with a hint of surprise, exactly as he’d wanted.
“I haven’t seen you in the last few weeks. What have you been doing?”
Dade shrugged. He refused to offer any sort of excuse that could be picked apart for lies. Instead, he waited it out. If his father had any evidence, he’d have been crucified already.
The seconds ticked by, Dade’s muscles tightening as each one passed. He struggled to keep his spine straight and not drop his gaze. The waiting seemed like an eternity. This was a longer pause than most, yet no accusation came. His father didn’t blink, didn’t present so much as a lie or a rumor.
His father had to know something. Maybe he couldn’t prove it, but he had a strong suspicion. It was in his every movement. The way he spoke. The way he squinted his eyes as he studied Dade, as if waiting for Dade to trip up.
“It’s time to stop hanging out with your friends and focus on something productive,” Hernim said, surprising Dade.
“I have been productive, sir. I’ve worked at the factory and go to social functions whenever I’m required.”
“At the factory,” Hernim repeated with a grunt, his eyes narrowing. “Rylick confirmed you’ve been there. Still, it’s time to get serious about your place here.”
“I’m always serious.”
Hernim began to tap a pen slowly against the desk. Tick-tick-tick. Then he allowed the silence to descend again—his father’s favorite tactic. “We need to move into the next stage of our operation. Unfortunately, the govies haven’t been able to keep up their end of the deal. That means we need to make alternative plans. We must all do our part, and that includes you.”
Dade felt the noose tighten.
“I’ve given a lot of thought to your marriage.”
Dade nodded slowly, struggling against the choking sensation closing his throat.
“I had thought that we’d give you a few months to settle into your engagement. But the events of the past day have moved up my timeline.” There was cool determination in his father’s look.
“What do you mean?”
“The Hemstock family requires a binding commitment before they are willing to stand with us on other issues.” His father paused his pen tapping to make his next words count. “The govies are leaning on us now too, and Nakomzer is trying to distance himself. We’re on our own, as it were.”
Dade’s throat was dry when he asked, “When is the wedding?”
“One week.”
“Father, no.” He managed to get the protest past his dry lips. His throat worked steadily as he tried to swallow.
“It’s for the best. You were going to marry her eventually anyway.” His father’s voice had taken on a harsh quality. Then his eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared. “I want the trouble you’re causing to end now.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
His father looked at Dade as if he could twist him from inside out. “You’ve been ditching your guard plenty. And don’t think I’m unaware of your trips into the Levels. Care to tell me what those are about?”
Dade wasn’t able to meet his father’s gaze. “No.”
Hernim snorted. “From now until your wedding, you’re on lockdown. The only time you’re to be out of the Tower is when your fiancée requests you accompany her or when you’re on family business, as we must keep up appearances. I won’t let this thing spin more out of control than it already has.”
“You can’t do that.”
His father raised an eyebrow. “I just did.”