Page 30 of The Genius
“Correct.”
For long seconds neither of us spoke.
“Tell me the truth,” Marco said and moved closer to me, his face hard. “Do you know I was in your facility last week?”
I licked my lips, my eyes blinking a few times. “I’m aware.”
“Did youseeme test the bot?”
My eyes focused on a spot on the floor.
“Shelly, look at me.” Marco’s voice rose a bit.
When I did, he read the answer on my face.
“Fuck… you did, didn’t you?”
“I’m sorry.” My cheeks felt hot and I fiddled with a ring on my finger, turning it around and around.
“Who invented that bot? Did you?” This time his question sounded accusatory.
“Marco, maybe it’s better if we don’t discuss this. No one ever has to know about it. We could just forget it ever happened.”
His hands covered his face for a moment, and he swore, low. “Tell me the truth, Shelly. Why me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you pick me to test the bot? Or maybe the whole thing was a set-up. Was I even the first one to test it?”
“Yes. No one else ever saw it,” I insisted.
“Then why me?”
“I don’t know. You weren’t even supposed to be there. I made sure you weren’t included in the testing rounds.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t want you there.” It was the truth.
“I took Storm’s place,” Marco explained and there was a long break when we just watched each other before he spoke in a low, incredulous tone. “You watched me have sex with a copy of you.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I didn’t.
“Were you repulsed or excited?” Marco challenged me, his nostrils flaring with a brewing anger.
“You always knew that scientists were watching the test sessions. You’re told about it every time you come in,” I reminded him.
“True, but I had no idea I was being watched by someone I knew.”
“That should teach you not to lie,” I said without thinking and right away my face flashed cherry red from my embarrassment.Who am I to talk?
“If you want to talk about truth, then how about you share a few details with me?” We had reached the city and the drone was flying toward the opposite end of where I wanted to go.
“Can you take me to the test facility?” I asked.
“As long as you start talking.”
“There’s nothing to tell. You were there, you experienced it yourself, and it’s best to just move on.”
