Phil Williams - 2050 - Psycho Island

In front of the hotel, he was picked up by his driver in the autonomous Mercedes. A few minutes later, he was safely away from The Regal Hotel and on his way home. He removed his handkerchief and wiped his sweaty palms. He reached into his pocket for his phone, hopeful for a distraction, but his phone wasn’t there. His stomach tumbled, and his mind quickly retraced his steps to the bar. She’d been looking at his phone. What did she do with it? Did she have it on her? Did she leave it at the bar?

Jacob said, “I need to return to the hotel.”

The driver programmed the Mercedes for The Regal Hotel again. Once back at the hotel, Jacob thought of bringing the driver inside for protection, but he didn’t want the man to see what kind of party Jacob had attended. He wasn’t there for the girl anyway. He just needed his phone. He took the elevator to the sixth floor, the men stepping aside without checking his chip card again.

He hurried to the restaurant, finding his phone on the bar. He shoved his phone in his pocket and headed for the exit. On the way out, he couldn’t help but notice the dead eyes and the vapid smiles of the live women, clearly playing the part of the interested suitor. The robots were better at faking it.

Outside the restaurant, he gazed down the hall to the penthouse suite. He stood there for a minute, fantasizing about being a hero, breaking down the door and saving the girl. The door opened, and he saw Zhang Jun. Two security guards left the suite, carrying a rolled-up oriental rug, something or someone inside.

Mr. Jun started to shut the door but noticed Jacob. He opened the door fully, his eyes flicking to the men carrying the carpet, then to Jacob. Zhang Jun exited his suite in a silk robe and walked down the hall. Jacob was a deer in headlights as the men carrying the carpet passed by as if they were simply carrying a carpet.

Zhang Jun approached Jacob and said, “I’m so glad you’re still here, Mr. Roth.”

Jacob said, “I was just leaving.”

“Pity. I’d like to continue our meeting.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Jun. I can’t do a 51 percent equity deal.”

“Come.” He motioned toward the penthouse suite. “Let’s talk.”

Jacob followed him to the suite. Inside, Zhang walked to the sitting area and sat on the couch. The suite boasted hardwood floors in a herringbone pattern, elegant off-white furniture, and fresh flowers. To the left, Jacob glanced into the open door. The king-size bed was disheveled. No sign of the women, robotic or live.

“Sit down,” Zhang said.

Jacob sat in a chair opposite the Bank of China CEO. Zhang’s hair was disheveled and damp with sweat. His bare calves were thin and mostly devoid of hair. A box with Chinese writing branded into the wood sat on the glass coffee table.

“I’ve been thinking about your offer,” Zhang said. “I would be willing to purchase a 25 percent stake, but I want a 30 percent discount to the current price.”

“A 22 percent discount,” Jacob countered.

“Twenty-eight.”

“Twenty-two is my final offer.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Roth.” Zhang nodded. “I’ve admired your family for many years.”

“Thank you, Mr. Jun.”

“I will accept your offer, but I have two conditions.” Zhang paused for effect. “This meeting never took place. I was never in this hotel, and neither were you. A family man like you would never associate with prostitutes. Do you agree?”

“Yes.” Jacob hesitated, then asked, “The other condition?”

Zhang grinned and opened the wooden box on the coffee table. Inside was a crystal tiger filled with liquid inside that looked like mostly clear urine. “You will drink with me. This is a very special Chinese wine.”

Jacob exhaled in relief.

“This is tiger bone wine, the best rice wine in all of China. It takes eight years to produce. It is made with rice wine, sage, ginger, and crushed bones. Almost all tiger bone wine is made with dog or pig or horse bones, but this is real tiger bone wine.”

Loud knocking came from their apartment door. Summer and Connor stood at the sink and near the dishwasher, cleaning up from their Saturday night dinner. They looked at each other as if to say, Who could that be?

“Are you expecting someone?” Summer asked.

“No,” Connor replied.

The knocking continued.

Connor fast-walked to the door, Summer close behind. He checked the peephole and opened the door. Mark Benson barged into the apartment, shut the door, and looked through the peephole. This wasn’t alarming to Connor or Summer, as Mark often acted paranoid.

“What are you doing?” Connor asked. “How did you get in?”

“Someone was coming out.” Mark turned from the peephole and removed his hood. He was red-faced, panting, and sweating. “I didn’t wanna buzz in. That might be tracked. I left my phone and chip card at home.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nobody can know I came here. Put your phones and tablets in the fridge.”

“My phone’s on the kitchen table,” Summer said.

Connor went to the kitchen and the bedroom, collecting their tablets and phones.

Mark settled onto a chair, his heavy breathing returning to normal. Summer sat across from him on the couch. Connor returned from the kitchen and sat next to Summer.

“We’re good,” Connor said.

Mark nodded. “I’m worried that I’m being watched.”

“This isn’t new for you.”

“But I didn’t have video of Jacob Roth trying to bribe a congresswoman.”

“Nobody knows that you have the video.”

Mark deadpanned, “What if they do?”

“You mean, the government?” Summer asked.

Mark nodded.

“Don’t you think, if the government knew, they would’ve already arrested you and Zoe?” Connor asked.

Summer frowned at Connor. “Don’t say that.”

“I’m not being mean. I’m trying to reassure him.” Connor turned from Summer back to Mark. “Think about it. If they knew, wouldn’t they have already arrested you?”

“I guess so, but I still have a bad feeling about all this. What if they find out?” Mark asked.

“Is the camera and mike still in Roth’s office?” Connor asked.

Mark shook his head. “Zoe took ’em.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about.”

Mark removed a tiny flash drive from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table. “Could you hide this? If something happens to me, I don’t want this to be for nothing.”

“Nothing’s gonna happen to you,” Connor said.

“I’d feel better knowing a copy’s out there.”

“I have a safe in my closet.”

“No. Not here. We’re too connected.”

Summer said, “I could stash it at the—”

“No!” Mark shouted.

Summer flinched.

“Sorry, it’s better I don’t know.”

Naomi and Alan sat on the couch, enjoying a movie. Alan’s phone chimed.

He grabbed it from the end table. “It’s a DC number.” He swiped right and said, “Hello.”

Naomi paused the movie and watched her husband’s face. He furrowed his brows, his face etched with worry. Naomi thought maybe his mother had died.

“There must be some mistake,” Alan said into the phone. “You do not have my permission to interrogate him.” Alan listened, then said, “I know he’s not a minor.” He listened again. “I’d rather you didn’t get the police involved.” Alan massaged the back of his neck. “We’ll be there in twenty minutes.” He disconnected the call.

“What is it?” Naomi asked.