Death is a Girl

Chapter 71 - Intermission 4 - Like a Stone

It was important to have friends. Though, Trish knew better than anyone that friends could only be as trustworthy as they were mutually valuable to each other. As for her new friend, clearly, she was valuable to him, but not in the usual way. She was rich, yes, but more importantly, she had resources. As C.E.O. of RoyTech, there was little that fell outside of her power to coordinate. But, that was here in the familiar human world. He operated on another plane entirely. He had shown her a glimpse of his world, and of his power. He was not subject to the laws and public speculation of this world, and that meant he could open new avenues of opportunity for her.

Trish sat in her father’s office—now her office—the soft hum of the city night outside her window. The lights of downtown glowed softly, but her mind was a storm of uncertainty and calculated plans. Six weeks had passed since her first unsettling meeting with her new friend, who had since introduced himself as Stone, and the implications of his revelations continued to gnaw at her.

She had attended a board meeting a few hours ago, but the tension from it lingered. They were becoming increasingly restless with her at the head of the company. She could sense their doubt, their thinly veiled concern over her ability to lead. She was just a rich girl, after all, born to a father who had been the one to build this company from the ground up. Many members of the board were here from those early days, and while some may have had a resonably thick coat of loyalty to her father, none of that extended to her. They wanted her out, and they wanted to replace her with one of their own. Because it was obvious enough, that she was not one of their friends.

Her fingers drummed rhythmically on the mahogany desk, a habit she had picked up from her father. Stone’s ambitions were not so different from her own. He existed in counter to the established structures of power, what he called Order, and while his were intertwined with supernatural realms, hers were rooted in the corporate world. But power was power, no matter the realm, and alliances were forged on mutual interests.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, and in stepped Jason, her brother. He looked more composed than he had in years. He seemed to have taken her advice to heart, focusing on staying sober and supporting her in their shared mission to protect their father’s legacy.

“Hey, Trish,” Jason said, his voice cheery. “You been here all night?”

She nodded, gesturing to the chair across from her. “Yeah, just going over some things. How are you holding up?”

Jason sank into the chair, running a hand through his hair. “Better, I guess. Just trying to keep busy, stay focused.” He paused, looking at her with concern. “You seem… different. Ever since Dad’s funeral, you’ve been more intense. Is everything okay?”

Trish sighed, leaning back in her chair. “There’s a lot going on, Jason. More than you know. I’m trying to keep the company together, deal with the board, and… there are other things. Things I can’t explain right now.”

Jason frowned, his eyes narrowing. “What kind of things? You know you can talk to me, right?”

She hesitated, weighing her words carefully. “I… met someone.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You mean like a boyfriend? You mean my sister’s finally letting herself be human and date?”

“That’s not what I mean. I meant someone who I believe will be a strong ally for us moving forward.”

He sat back, thinking about it. “So… a partnership? Someone at Macrosoft?”

“Forget it, I’ll tell you about it later.” She turned in her chair to look at him, her fingers steepled as she took him in. “You look good, Jason.”

He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you know, I haven’t had a single drink since Dad’s funeral. I almost did that very night; got the ice in the glass and everything. Damn, think I was half a second from actually drinking it, and I just thought, you know, I know where this goes. So I dumped the glass, then the bottle, and that was it.” He made a shooing gesture with his hand.

“That’s impressive, Jason,” Trish said, a smile touching her lips. “I’m proud of you. Genuinely. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

“Thanks, Trish. It means a lot,” he replied. “So, what’s this about an ally? You sound pretty serious about it.”

Trish sighed, leaning back in her chair. “It’s complicated. His name is Stone, and he’s not exactly… from our world. He has knowledge and abilities that go beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Well, you’re certainly talking him up. Not from our world? What does that even mean?” When she didn’t answer he sat back in his chair with a contemplative rise to his brow. “So, it’s not a partnership or a merger, I take it… Does this guy have a company?” He watched as his sister shrugged her shoulder. “So, an entrepreneur, then? What did he build?” Jason suddenly got excited, sitting forward in the chair. “Is he a coder, a biotech genius, what?”

Trish shook her head, smiling slightly at Jason’s persistence. “It’s not like that, Jason. Stone doesn’t operate in the traditional sense. He’s… let’s just say he’s involved in things that are beyond our current understanding. I believe he will usher us into a new era.”

“Damn, not even two months as C.E.O. and already talking about a new era. No wonder the board’s got their panties in a knot.” He laughed as he stood up and paced over to the window. “That’s great though. You sound like Dad. He was always thinking about the next big thing. Still haven’t given me much of a hint on what this next big thing is, exactly, though.” He stared down at the city below as he stood at the window. Trish turned in her chair to watch him, and she saw how the shadows down the hall past the bathroom expanded.

She first saw Stone’s eyes as he emerged from the darkness, the shadow man, and as he stepped into the light she saw him in his usual attire, looking much like a 50s gangster or detective with the trenchcoat and hat.

“So, come on, quit playing hard to get. Give me a hint.” Jason laughed. “Just a nibble. What do you have up your sleeve?”

“Well, you can ask him yourself,” Trish said with a smirk.

Jason turned to find Stone looming over his shoulder, and nearly stumbled backward. “Whoa! Where the hell did you come from?” he exclaimed, clutching his heart. He took a moment to compose himself, then chuckled nervously. “You must be Stone, I take. Trish was just talking you up.”

Stone tipped his hat, revealing a grainy smile on his large teeth. “I prefer to make an entrance,” he said smoothly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jason.”

Jason nodded, regaining his composure. “Well, you definitely succeeded there. So, you’re the mysterious ally my sister’s been keeping under wraps. Mind telling me what you’re all about? You’ve got me curious.”

Stone stepped around Jason and toward the center of the office, his presence commanding yet oddly reassuring. “As Trish has likely mentioned, my expertise lies beyond the conventional. I operate in realms that most humans are unaware of, dealing with forces that shape the very fabric of reality.”

“So youre a physicist, then,” Jason said, folding his arms and raising an eyebrow. “Oh wait, or are you talking quantum computers?” He shot his gaze back to his sister and then to Stone. “Hang on, this guy claiming he cracked commercializing quantum computers? You got any proof?”

“Jason,” Trish said, raising a hand. “We’re not ready to talk about it yet. But he wants to build something, and I’m going to help him do it.”

Jason sighed. “How much funding did you offer him?”

Stone took a seat in front of the desk, his lips fully parting to show rows of tombstone-like teeth. Jason had to look away because the way he held that smile was just eerie.

“So far, we have no official contracts,” Trish said. “We’re keeping this a friendly arrangement for the time being. But, I’m prepared to provide Stone with all the resources he needs.”

Jason looked relieved to hear she hadn’t actually given him anything yet. “Cool, well, don’t get me wrong. No offense or anything, Mr. Stone. Just asking the standard questions here, you know?”

“Of course, by all means,” Stone said, locking that toothy smile on him.

Jason once again let his gaze move away from the strange man. Then he laughed pacing back to the window. “Well, Trish is pretty excited about all this. Whatever this is. Must have been one hell of a sales pitch.”

“One hell of a sales pitch is precisely right,” Stone chuckled. “Now then, Trish, have you found a suitable location, as we’ve discussed?”

“As a matter of fact, I have. It’s on the other side of Portland. It was once owned by an auto manufacturing company that went under… or, moved locations. I’m not sure. But it meets all of your specifications.”

“Excellent. I don’t suppose we can go take a look?”

Trish shrugged. “I’ll arrange a car.”

Jason cleared his throat. “Mind if I tag along? I don’t have anything to do right now, after all.”

“I don’t think so, Jason. We’re still in the middle of—”

“Actually,” Stone interrupted her. “I think that’s a splendid idea. It will give me a little time with your brother to answer a few questions. This is a family company, after all. Is it not? I think it only appropriate your brother be involved. Perhaps I can even settle some of his worries.”

Trish hesitated, then nodded. “Alright, Jason. You can come. Just… keep an open mind, okay?”

Jason grinned. “Open mind, got it. Let’s see what this mysterious project is all about.”

Once the car was ready, the three of them headed out into the night. The car ride was anything but quiet. Jason’s curiosity was insatiable.

“So, Stone,” Jason began, leaning forward in his seat as Stone and his sister sat across from him. “What exactly are you planning to build? Manufacturing your invention or something?”

Stone, sitting calmly with his hands resting on his lap, smiled slightly. “It’s more than just manufacturing, Jason. We’re working on something that will bridge the gap between our world and others.”

“Others? Like parallel universes?” Jason asked, his eyebrows shooting up.

“Not quite parallel universes, but close. Think of it as accessing different layers of reality.”

Jason looked puzzled. “Different layers? Like, dimensions? Like 4-D stuff?”

“In a sense yes, but so much more,” Stone said, his eyes gleaming with a mysterious light. “The theory of 4-D space puts you on the right track conceptually, but I’m talking about more than just spacial dimension. I’m talking about realms that operate under different laws of existence entirely. Realms that some may call... chaotic. Imagine being able to tap into knowledge and power unavailable to anyone else on this plane of existence.”

Jason glanced at Trish, who nodded slightly, indicating that this was what she had been trying to explain earlier. Jason himself was skeptical... so skeptical, in fact, he thought he must be misunderstanding something. This just sounded crazy. “Okay, so you’re saying this project will let us access these other realms? How?”

Stone leaned back, his demeanor confident. “Through a combination of technology and arcane knowledge. It’s about creating a nexus point where our world intersects with others. This will allow us to draw upon the energies and resources of those realms.”

“Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie,” Jason muttered.

“It’s a natural evolution of human understanding,” Stone replied. “Just as we’ve harnessed electricity and nuclear power, so too can we harness these otherworldly energies. The potential applications are limitless. From advancements in medicine and technology to military contracts, to entirely new ways of understanding the universe and interacting with the world—much as the internet, cellphones, and A.I. have afforded us.”

Trish watched the interaction closely, noting the skepticism on Jason’s face. She understood his hesitation; after all, it had taken her weeks to come to terms with Stone’s revelations.

“Think of it like this, Jason,” Trish interjected, her voice calm and measured. “What Stone is proposing could place us at the forefront of a new era of innovation. RoyTech could become a pioneer in fields that don’t even exist yet. It’s a risk, but the potential rewards are astronomical.”

Jason nodded slowly. “This is… hard to believe. Do you have any evidence to support any of this? How are you so sure these other dimensions even exist, and how can you possibly have a way to access them?”

That irked Trish. Jason was speaking to her as if she were claiming the boogeyman lived in her closet or that Santa Clause was real. She understood it was a lot to take in, but he was dismissive in a way that just bothered her. Did he think she was crazy? She was the one who always had her act together while he spent his time partying and getting high. He had no right to shake his head at her like that.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak again, Stone spoke first. “An understandable question, Jason. But I assure you, you’ll see the evidence soon enough.”

Trish took a moment to calm herself. After all, she would be just as skeptical if she hadn’t actually seen a sliver of the other worlds Stone had access to. He had opened a portal right in her office upon their first meeting. She decided to let it go for now. Jason would understand… in time.

When they finally arrived, the empty warehouse loomed in the darkness, a relic of a bygone era. It was large and sturdy. Trish led the way, unlocking the gates and entering the building. She pushed up a large switch with a snap, and the warehouse was instantly filled with buzzing light. The inside was cavernous, empty, and echoing with their footsteps.

“This is perfect,” Stone said, his voice reverberating through the empty hall. “Thank you, Trish. You’ve done well.”

Jason wandered around, inspecting the structure. “So, what exactly did you want to build here?”

Stone smiled with his big tombstone teeth. “A gateway, Jason. Just as ancient humans have attempted long ago. Though while they achieved only limited success, we have the knowledge and technology to succeed where they failed.”

Jason looked around, then spoke with a dry, disbelieving tonevoice. “A... gateway.”

Stone stepped forward, his presence commanding. “In laymen’s terms, yes. The specifics are complex.”

Trish interjected, “Stone has shown me glimpses of what’s possible, Jason. It’s real. And if we can harness this power, it could change everything.”

Jason took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. He then gave his sister a serious look. “Trish, can we talk alone for a moment?” he asked in a low voice.

She looked back at Stone, who smiled at her. Jason didn’t like how she seemed to be asking him for permission. Stone gestured and said, “Please, take all the time you need.”

She nodded, giving him a brief smile before stepping away. “I’ll just be a moment.”

“Of course. I’ll just be looking around. Though I will say, I like what I see so far.”

Once Jason guided her toward the other end of the warehouse, Trish asked, “So what’s up?”

Jason glanced at Stone again, ensuring he was out of earshot. The strange man eyeballed the ceiling of the warehouse, walking with a slow, calculating posture. “Trish, how do you plan to explain purchasing this place the board? And how are you going to justify the expense to shareholders? They’re not going to buy into this supernatural stuff.”

Trish sighed, her brow furrowing. “I’ll come up with something. I’ll tell them it’s for a new research and development facility.”

Jason shook his head, his voice tense. “Trish, you can’t do that. That’s the quickest way to lose the company. Do you know how many laws you’d be breaking by lying to shareholders? It’s not just about keeping the board happy. That’s illegal.”

She crossed her arms, looking frustrated. “I know it’s risky, but Stone’s project could revolutionize everything. We just need to get it off the ground without raising too many questions.”

“Trish, listen to me,” Jason said, his tone urgent. “If you lie to the shareholders and they find out, you could be charged with fraud. We’re talking potential jail time, not just losing the company.”

“Jail time? Jason, honestly, you’re being dramatic.”

Jason took a deep breath and tried again using a different approach. “Look, Trish. After Dad died, I had time to just relax and process everything. You were thrown right into his shoes without really having that chance. I think maybe it’d be good for you to take a week off.”

Trish scoffed. “A week off? You have no idea the position I’m in, do you? If you think I can just take a vacation out of the blue.”

“Okay, fine, fair enough. But maybe…” he exhaled. “You know, maybe, talk to someone. You know, my psychologist is really good, and she already knows our family. So I can ask her to—”

“Jason. Stop.” She put an open palm up to silence him. “Honestly, how can you talk to me this way? You’re acting like I’m crazy. Why can’t you just trust that I know what I’m doing?”

“I don’t mean it that way, but think about what you’re saying. Building gateways to other dimensions? This doesn’t make any sense! And on top of it all you want to give this guy who came out of nowhere funding and lie to the board and shareholders what the money is for. You wanted to be C.E.O, well now you have it. And with that comes a responsibility to—”

“Responsibility?” Trish snapped, her face turning red with anger. “And who are you to tell me about responsibility? A lifetime of leaving it to me and Dad to clean up after you, now you’re two months sober—and what? Suddenly you’re trying to take charge? You had your chance, Jason. Where were you when Dad needed help with the company? Where were you when we were running around cleaning up your messes? You think two months of sobriety gives you the right to tell me how to run things?”

Jason’s expression tightened, but he held his ground. “I’m not trying to take charge, Trish. I’m trying to stop you from making a huge mistake. We need to think this through.”

She scoffed, throwing her hands up. “Think this through? Like you’ve ever thought through anything in your life. Don’t lecture me on responsibility, Jason. I was the one dad could keep around to help the company image while you were off ruining our family’s reputation.”

Jason took a deep breath, struggling to stay calm. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but this isn’t about me. It’s about the future of RoyTech. We can’t afford to gamble everything on a lie.”

Trish stepped closer, her voice low and icy. “And what do you know about the future of this company? You barely understand what we do here. To you, Dad’s job was just putting on a suit and taking phone calls. I don’t need a lecture from you. I’ll handle this. You just stay out of my way. You’ve always been perfectly capable of doing that in the past.”

Jason couldn’t find any words to respond with. Trish stepped into dad’s shoes alright... because that’s just how dad used to talk to him. The old man would lay his inadequacies out in front of him just like that. There were good times, but there were wounds he’d tried to numb with alcohol. Trish speaking to him that way suddenly ripped them open again.

He tried to say something to defend himself, but the words caught in his throat.

Trish turned away. “Just stay out of the way, I know what I’m doing.”

She marched back to where Stone was standing, her anger still simmering. Jason stayed behind.

“Sorry about that,” she said to Stone. “Just a little family disagreement.”

Stone nodded, his eyes gleaming with understanding. “No worries. Shall we continue?”

“Yes, let’s,” Trish replied.

Stone looked past her to Jason standing alone on the other side of the warehouse. The shadow man's lips spread wide, and his teeth turned to a grainy smile.

CLICK HERE TO READ NEXT CHAPTER!