Stephanie Steele
Chapter 35

Amy’s parents were hugely relieved as you’d expect to get their little princess back and wanted to give Steele a reward. Steele had told them that she was just doing her job and didn’t want any reward. Returning their daughter was reward enough.

That was twenty four hours ago. Now Steele sat in Andrea Tattenbach’s office expecting to be charged and dismantled for good. But she hadn’t been handcuffed, nor arrested. Freddy sat on a chair at the side of the desk she was sat in front of, opposite the new chief.

“You’ve got Freddy to thank for this. He came to me with the same crazy story you were peddling with an even crazier plan.” She said.

She went on to explain that Freddy had got her released and somehow had persuaded Andrea that she was the best person to finish the job. That the PD was full of corrupt officers who would cover things up and that Leon and the Order would continue to prey on children.

“We need to have a little chat about your methods though.” Andrea said with a crooked smile, silently approving but officially disapproving.

“So what does this mean?” Steele ventured. “Am I still a cop?”

“Weren’t you listening?” Freddy said. “You’re in the clear. Thanks to yours truly of course.”

“Interesting.” Steele said, nodding.

“Your ingratitude overwhelms me.”

“Shut up Freddy.” Steele said and turned back to Andrea. “So what about Noel Chandler?”

“That drive you gave me contained all the names and addresses of the Order members.” Andrea told her. “Rich businessmen, high ranking cops, lawyers, government officials. We’re rounding them up as we speak. As for Noel Chandler, his droids have been pulled off the street and the contract with the PD cancelled. His plans for war droids with the military will be scrapped. It’s the death knell for Global and Cyber Corp.”

“So what happens now?” Steele ventured.

Andrea opened a drawer and took out something and tossed it across the desk then leant back in the chair and looked like she belonged there.

Steele looked at the detectives badge on the desk.

“You’ll take a few days off.” Andrea began. “Get yourself patched up and when you’re ready we’ll see you back at work. There’s a tonne of paperwork you’re going to be doing on this shit storm you created.” Andrea smirked.

Freddy laughed and Steele looked at him sharply. His smile faded, then came back with another laugh.

Steel took her badge, stood, slid it onto her belt and headed for the door. Freddy followed her.

“And Steele . . .” Andrea said.

Steele and Freddy paused at the door to look back.

“Those illegal upgrades you’ve got. Where’d you get them?”

Freddy shuffled nervously thinking Steele was about to drop him in it.

“I can’t remember. I think when Frankenstein shocked me it was erased from my memory.”

Andrea looked from her to Freddy. Freddy shrugged innocently.

“I want them removed before you come back on duty.” Andrea said.

Steele said nothing, just left. Freddy shuffled after her.

In the outer office they met Walt. He came up to Steele, looking a little sheepish.

“Good job Steele.” He said. “Sorry I doubted you, and for the record I’m not a dirty cop. No hard feelings?” He looked like he was about to turn and run and hide.

“You need to rethink your interrogation techniques.” She leant into him and clamped a hand on his shoulder. He grimaced, trying not to show it hurt. “If I had hard feelings you wouldn’t be standing right now.” She winked and saw this relief.

“I’ve got to get back to work.” He said, and sloped off to his desk grateful he was still in one piece.

Steele had been through the wars and looked like it. Parts of her face were missing, her clothing was riddled with bullet holes and she felt drained. She was just looking forward to a drink and powering down for a day or two. Maybe once she was patched up she’d visit her favourite bar and drown her sorrows. Maybe she’d even let Red flirt with her some.

Everyone in the office looked at her as she and Freddy headed out. Some expressed their support, others still had their doubts and the way she looked frightened some who didn’t want to get too close to her.

She glanced at Nixon’s desk expecting to see her there then realised she was still in Freddy’s computer back at his place. She hadn’t asked Andrea what she should do with her. She didn’t know what she was going to say to her when they returned. She’d get Freddy to take her back to his apartment to fix her up so she could avoid that, she told herself.

In Nixon’s place was a new detective, a dark haired woman, who was now staring at her. She recognised the look and knew what was coming.

“So you’re the famous Stephanie Steele. Cute.” She said, leaning back in the chair.

Steele deliberately turned her face fully towards her, revealing her hitherto unseen left side of her face which was mostly exposed metal, ragged skin and a damaged eye. The girl’s face registered horror and she turned away, pretending to get on with some work. Maybe not so cute then? Steele smiled internally. She’d finally found a way to deter unwanted attention.

She left the rookie trying to hide her embarrassment and headed to the door where Freddy was waiting for her.

“Is this a good time to ask about payment for all the work I’ve done on you? I need to get some new parts and that stuff costs a shit load.”

Steele gave him a withering look.

“Just get me out of here.” Steele pushed passed him.

She entered the corridor and headed for the stairs, Freddy trailing behind her.

“One thing I don’t get. Why the stamp with Leon on it?” He said as they headed down the staircase.

“That’s one question I aim to ask when I interrogate the slime-ball, but my guess, he was the leader so they used his name.”

Freddy shrugged his shoulders in agreement and followed her into the street.

The moon was just poking through the cloudy sky casting a blue hue over the street and it looked like it would rain again. She didn’t care. All she cared about was that she’d taken down Leon and saved a little girl from certain death. And how many more? She was battered and torn up but she never felt better. She was back doing the job she loved. She was looking forward to her next case whatever that was. She just hoped it wouldn’t take her two years to solve the damn thing.