Between the Lines - the pilot cont...
***
“Tea,” Dominic blinked in surprise - as though things weren’t bizarre enough already. But his hostess had definitely gestured to an oriental looking tea set. Who the hell drank tea in LA anyway? Only a Brit apparently.
While he processed the offer she poured for him anyway and placed a small, delicate cup before him. He looked it over suspiciously and watched while she poured herself a cup. “Have you heard of the Dollhouse Mr Dominic?” The term was vaguely familiar, he took a moment to remember where he heard it; programmable people, zombies; an urban myth. “Fairytales can be distorted in the telling,” she said, making him think she might have read his mind, “but quite often they have a grain of truth at their heart.”
“Distorted fairy tales, urban myths - however you dress it up it’s not true.” There was a hint of amusement in her eyes as she looked back at him, one eyebrow lifted in a clear challenge. “You have to be joking.” It was not possible, people can’t be programmed - the girl before was acting, the dentist’s chair was a prop.
“Some years ago two rather brilliant met developed a technology that made it possible for a person’s original personality to be removed; wiped away and stored. When that was accomplished it wasn’t much of a leap to imprint a different personality in its place - one with skills, knowledge and experience that the person in question didn’t originally have.”
She was Frankenstein, or was that the monster? He never remembered. This is LA, so of course it figured that a beautiful woman was sitting here telling him that every zombie, brain sucking movie he’d failed to go to over the years was based on the truth.
“For obvious reasons the fact that we had this technology, didn’t mean that we should use it. It’s creators disagreed about that and their dispute became a permanent breech. One of the researchers took the view that the technology should be used and should benefit those rich and powerful enough to pay for it. The other was more reticent, intent on preventing abuse - fighting what was often a losing battle to maintain control. This organisation was formed by the man who developed the original technology but became convinced that it should not used in its existing form. Over the years he managed to refine the process so that the wipe and associated imprint is not total. The mind is a very complex organ and its capacity and potential is almost limitless. We are able use the imprint in such a way that the person undergoing it maintains a considerable level of self-awareness. We can alter someone’s body language, give them new abilities and knowledge they didn’t previously possess. But because that has to be integrated with who they are it’s a complicated, delicate process - we’re very careful who we recruit to be actives.”
“And that makes it better?”
“You met Kilo earlier? She’s imprinted as a rather wealthy and spoiled high school student who has recently arrived from overseas. One of her peers is running a narcotics distribution business from the high school she attends. The local Police have been ineffective at identifying who is involved; a mutual friend referred the Principal to us and Kilo, as Capri, is able to gather the evidence which will be passed to the Police. We help people Mr Dominic, the people no one else is able to.”
Apparently Frankenstein was also a philanthropist not to mention compelling; even while telling him that he was obsolete. “The people I met earlier?”
“Caroline and Anthony are actives - they have the technological enhancements to allow the imprints though neither of them are imprinted at present. Mr Ballard is Caroline’s handler - a non-active, who provides support and back up during all of her engagements. You may know he was previously with the FBI - his background as a profiler is extremely valuable when we are planning operations.”
“Why would they let you do this to them?”
“You’ll have to ask them about that - but I think they have a sense of justice and an understanding that, sometimes, the system fails. Caroline in particular is committed to helping the people. She’s a natural leader and a rather remarkable person. I doubt I’d be able to keep her here if she didn’t believe in what we were doing.”
“You could just alter her brain - she’d never know.”
“I could - but I don’t.” Her tone was sharp suddenly, “we’ve found a compromise - it isn’t perfect, but it is necessary. When it comes to the technology not everyone is so reticent.”
He narrowed his eyes, thinking about what she’d told him. “The other partner?”
“Part of our mission is to stop Rossum from abusing the technology.” He stopped his jaw from dropping, just. Rossum was an enormous corporation.
“They’re involved in this?”
“One of the original partners went on to establish the Rossum Corporation, he hasn’t been seen in public for some years. I doubt he is still in his original body.”
He was dazed and vaguely nauseous - but that might be the tea. “I didn’t pick your name out of a hat Mr Dominic. You were brought to my attention by someone whose judgement I trust and I’ve been following your career with some interest. If you require a character reference I can supply one.”
“Why don’t you do that.” Her lips curved into a smile - like a cat who has just sighted its prey; well, he’s done with being prey. She stepped towards her desk and, against his will, his eyes tracked her progress.
She was perfectly aware that he was watching her. Playing to that scrutiny wasn’t a good idea; it wasn’t sensible to move just that little more sinuously or stretch across her desk to reach for the phone when it would be just as easy to walk around. But she did it anyway - enjoying the rush. She dialled the number quickly and when it was answered turned on the speaker.
“Adelle?”
“I have someone here who’s asking about my character.”
“Brave of them.” Dominic blinked, disbelieving. He knew that voice, that voice belonged to the man who had recruited him, mentored him and just a few days ago tried to talk some sense into him.
“Perhaps you’d like to tell Agent Dominic that my motives are - well, not pure exactly, but not suspect either.”
“Put him on.” She handed him the phone receiver and then surprised him by turning off the speaker.
“Daniel?” He said, wary now - this all seemed far more real somehow.
“Has she hurt you?”
“So far it’s been very civilised.”
“Watch your step - Adelle is one of the most dangerous women I know.” Given who Daniel mixed with on a daily basis, that was quite a statement.
“You’re supposed to be her character reference.” He pointed out because, though he enjoyed the candour, so far Daniel was doing a pretty poor job.
“I think she probably knows what I’m saying to you about her.” Dominic glanced up to see DeWitt leaning against her desk - attention firmly on a file, probably his. The position did a remarkable job of displaying her body to an advantage and he gave her points for that - as well as for the body in question. “Besides, I’m the one who told her about you.”
“What!”
“Laurence - the agency has changed, you said so yourself last week. It doesn’t want people like you and I any more. She’ll pay you more money than you’ve seen in your life to do what you were trained to do, what you excel at.”
“I need more than a good salary.”
“But that doesn’t hurt.” He could picture the older man’s expression only too well - the exact combination of world-weary irritation and cynical amusement. “You want to get Balthazar? Adelle’s your best shot.” He looked up sharply and met Adelle DeWitt’s penetrating and intense gaze; there was a darkness and a depth in her expression and he wanted to ask Daniel if he should trust her, but at the same time he didn’t want to hear his answer.
“You do know what they do to people?”
“If that technology gets loose, we’re all screwed. It’s being used - you have to fight fire with fire.”
“So everyone says.”
“I don’t trust her completely - but if I was going to war, I’d want her on my side.”
“And what if she’s the one going to war?”
“I guess that would be the way that it would go. Chances are I’d follow her to hell if she asked nicely - I doubt I’m the only one.”
Biting back a question about what the hell that meant was a good idea, he didn’t want to know how well they knew each other. He’d met Daniel’s wife, they’ve had dinner together once or twice and he understands what it means to be in their line of work - what can get compromised along the way.
When he put the phone down she stepped back towards him and he was just a little impressed when instead of asking him about the conversation she sat opposite him, legs elegantly crossed, and laid a set of photographs.
In the images Balthazar growled moodily for the camera and, to Dominic’s askance, he was half in shot himself - caught in profile at the side of the man he’d worked and killed for. He dated the photographs without difficulty - but he has no idea how she’d got them.
“Is that your best hand?” He asked, even though as hands went, it was pretty damn good.
“I don’t bluff,” she replied and then her mouth twisted into a grim smile as she added, “unless the situation calls for it.” There was nothing about her expression that told him whether this was such an occasion.
He looked at the photographs once more, aware that she was watching but grudgingly impressed when she made no move to interrupt his reverie. He couldn’t believe that he was sitting here, considering giving up all that he’d known for a decade or more. But to get this guy there was very little that he wouldn’t do; even if that meant making a deal with someone who may or may not be the devil.
“What is it that you want from me?” His voice was hoarse, as though even asking was against his every instinct.
“Anthony lost his handler recently. I think you would be an excellent choice for a replacement.” He hated how relieved he was to hear that.
“No technology?”
“Anthony has the active architecture - he needs a good handler, someone he trusts and who understands how to plan and implement an undercover operation. From time to time I may ask you to consult on other engagements. Your expertise is valuable Mr Dominic; I’d be foolish not to make use of it.” He shrugged, not interested in her flattery and she probably realised that. “Anthony’s handler was killed during an engagement - our work isn’t without its risks.”
“I’ll bet.”
“The compensation package reflects that.” She slid a single piece of paper in front of him and his eyes widened. “Money is not an object.” But it wasn’t about the money as far as he is concerned.
“If I sign up, I want another shot at Balthazar.”
“I’m aware of that. Anthony can be whoever you believe has the best chance of getting to him, all of our resources will be at your disposal; including any other actives who are available.” He looked up at that, since it was more that he expected, and the eyes that met his were hard and cold.
She didn’t blink, perfectly aware that his past and his present were at war over this decision. She was confident of the outcome - but if it wasn’t a struggle he wouldn’t be the man she was looking for. “I read your report Mr Dominic and I agree with your analysis of the risk he represents.”
That would make her about the only person who did. The price for selling his soul was to get to Balthazar and she’d offered whatever he needed to get that job done. In the end his soul was a small price to pay.
“Where do I sign?”
He took the pen lying on the table and signed his name on the bottom of the contract she handed him - almost defiantly; as though he expected the heavens to fall at the action. She got to her feet and held her hand out to him. He took it, after a moment, and their handshake was firm as they stood face to face. But there was something, an alarm bell that rang in her head, a warning to be careful.
“I look forward to working with you,” she said, her tone as professional as ever, though she meant it more than she usually did. His slight smirk, quickly masked, was not the response she expected and she wondered what he was thinking that prompted that particular expression. She had no intention of asking.
“Yes ma’am.”