Page 56 of Fragile Facade

“Yes, hello. We have video and audio devices planted, and we’ve worked out a schedule for us to take stations at certain times. Road is being monitored to scan all incoming vehicles.”

“And run facial recognition,” Glitch adds.

“Yes,” Facts agrees. “And Auggie gave us a room at the Umbra Inn so we can monitor guests from there. It’s booked solid.”

“Good. Thank you,” Director says, finger swinging to Ransom towards the end. “I need you to run Initiation Night next month, so start prepping. I won’t be there.”

“Why?”

“I’ll be away with Axel. Benton Wentworth is still funding his research, and he’s getting suspicious about Axel’s new affiliations in Moros. I’m going to… meet with him to appease the billionaire bastard.”

“Why?” Ransom asks again.

“Because we’re one small town going up against a multi-billion-dollar ruthless corporation, and we need his fucking money!” Director shouts, losing his cool. Wow, this threat is really weighing on his shoulders, and it makes me feel slightly guilty for fucking up the job last night. “We need his money. His funding. He’s been in bed with Yates, and it’s time we utilize him for our own needs. Axel is in good standing with him, so we’re going to build that bridge until we can burn it down later.” Which means Director will have to apologize and make up for the fact that we kept Benton Wentworth in the basement cells and chased him through town on our last Initiation Night. Oops.

“You want me to be you?” Ransom clarifies. “As in, run the night?”

“Stay at Vile House. You play my role during this one. You aren’t to leave and join the rest on the streets. You need to be here, welcoming the initiates who return. It’s good practice for you.”

“Practice for what?” Ransom scoffs.

Director only shakes his head and moves on to Krypt. “Remi is all set up with security for the music festival?”

“Yes.” Krypt looks at Menace. “And his tattooed friend.” Too many Cs in Cain Carson for him to call the prick by name, apparently.

Menace smirks. He must be the protection. “We’ve got plans in place for all the business owners. Don’t worry, Director. We’re watching out for our people.”

“Good. And as far as town-wide training goes, what are your plans?” he asks Menace.

“We’ve set up a spot out on Carnival Hill for combat training. The Harpy isn’t happy about it, but as long as we stay the hell away from her place, don’t disrespect Janie’s Woods, and leave her the fuck alone, she’s granted her permission. She has a request, though.”

Director finally looks up, meeting eyes with Menace. “What request?”

“She wants to be hired.”

“For what?”

“Poison. She wants a failsafe in place. If Reaper Corp takes over Moros, she wants to… uh, well, she wants a failsafe.”

“What fucking failsafe?”

“Poison. Ready to be released into the water supply. She won’t let Reaper Corp take over. If it goes down, they go down. She wants to kill everyone with poison. She claims she’ll ensure the town residents know before it happens so they can avoid drinking the water.”

Director inhales through his nose, nostrils wide and jaw clenched. “I’ll talk to her.” Gathering himself, he looks right at me, then Monster, and Riot after. “Weird thing happened early this morning. That mark you were supposed to track and bring backaliveshowed up in the morgue. Dead. Snapped neck. Bunch of broken bones, almost like he got trampled. Weird, right?”

This is the calmest I’ve ever seen him confront one of our fuckups. I almost grin, wanting to lay claim to that particular mistake. “Neon Demon was pretty rowdy last night,” I say instead.

“Must have been,” Director says, looking at Monster. “Though, I got reports of Brady walking out of there very much alive. With the two of you.” He whips his gaze to me and Riot. “So, oddly, I’m asking myself, where the hell did this guy get so many broken bones and a snapped neck?”

Kyd ‘ooohs’ like this is a suspenseful mystery story he can’t wait to find the answers to.

“Monster?” Director asks. “Any information?”

Monster just stares, stoic and calm.

“Riot?”

“Haven’t got a clue,” he says.