Ties (9)

Liam sits at his desk in his office working on a project on a holographic computer. The doors open as Alia enters. He quickly switches off the screen and acknowledges her.
“You wanted to see me?” Alia says her arms folded.
“You’re getting rusty Alia. Someone infiltrated your operation and you let them get away,” Liam states as he gets up from his chair.
“Bison is working on it… we’ll get the core back. Was that all you wanted, to waste our time and criticise or did you have something relevant to tell me?” Alia stands like a tower unintimidated.
“There was an assassination attempt on the mayor today. It was a Stagger.
The mind readers have it but are getting nowhere. I want you to investigate and see if you can find out who sent the assassin,” he explains.
“I really think I would be at better use finding locating the stolen Core.”
“Like you said… Bison’s on it… he’ll find it soon enough,” Liam rebuts. Alia tilts her head at Liam, her eyes glaring at him. She turns around and walks out of his office. She enters the elevator and heads down two floors to her office. Alia’s office is a lot smaller than Liam’s.

Alia opens the door and standing at the desk is a familiar face.
“Reiken,” Alia says surprised. Her tone is warm yet cautious. “What are you doing here?”
Reiken looks at his old friend. “Hello Alia. How have you been?”
Alia walks around Reiken and sits at her desk. She looks up at him. “I’m good… again… what are you doing here?”
“I came to ask for your help,” Reiken admits. “It’s about Trey.” He pauses staring into Alia’s eyes. “He is finding it hard to cope in the asylum. He’s gotten a lot better but they treat him like an animal.”
“He shouldn’t have tried to kill him then.”
“Be that as it may… They shock him if he even gets agitated. He doesn’t deserve being locked in there like a monster… You of all people should understand that. Can you do anything to try and maybe get him on parole or probation?”
Alia does not answer straight away. She puts her head down and gets out of her chair. She walks around to Reiken standing face to face.
“I’m sorry Reiken. I know Trey isn’t a killer. But he tried to kill the Mayor… We can’t let him out,” Alia says. She looks deep into Reiken’s eyes. She can see his desperation. She knows that every moment Trey is in the asylum it is hurting him. “I’m sorry.”
Reiken sighs, then leans over and puts his arms around Alia hugging her. Alia stands there, her arms not leaving her side. Reiken steps back.
“It was nice seeing you,” he says. He turns around and makes his way to the door. He turns back before exiting. Alia is not looking at him; she is looking at her desk. He leaves the room closing the door behind him. Once she hears the door shut she peers up and sighs.