Zoe scanned the news as she soaked in her bathtub. She had considered just packing some clothes, getting on her GT4, and riding until she felt like stopping, but ultimately decided against it. Cynthia Rockford was a regional VP of Raven Technologies. So, if Zoe hadn’t gotten away as cleanly as it had seemed, she wouldn’t get away at all. Maybe, that wasn’t true, but Zoe had a good reason to stay in NYC. Aunt Anne and Jimmy lived here and were possible leverage points. Besides, she liked the city for the most part.

Deciding she needed more information, Zoe tentatively reached out to some slicers on the net, after upgrading her VPN, asking them how much it would cost her for them to slice Raven Technologies for everything they had on Rockford and the heist. Most refused, but a few of groups agreed to do it for 25000 credits or more. Zoe balked at the price, turning them down. Instead of using the slicer gangs, Zoe used some chatbots to start chatter on the net that CyberBionic had done the deed as revenge for Raven moving in on their operations in the region. It never hurt to throw some juice gossip out there even if it was made up.

That done, Zoe decided she needed cheaper criminals since she didn’t want to slice Raven herself. She could turn to the mob, but they would be wise enough to know something was up and hold it over her head. Plus, they would probably be expensive too. The Bratva and Triads were out for obvious reasons as well. That left the Yakuza, who probably wouldn’t be cheap, but she had to check anyway.

“My one interaction with them didn’t go well before,” Zoe mused getting out of the tub and toweling off. She got dressed and went up to the kitchen to finally fix something to eat. She decided to make a burger and fries. She briefly considered grilling the burger but dismissed the idea as she didn’t want to wait that long to eat.

A short while later while she was eating, she decided to call Akari. The Japanese courier was the one possible inside Zoe had to the Yakuza. Akari had known the Yakuza members that had tried to mess with her after all. Zoe sent the other woman a message asking to meet up before she could talk herself out of doing so. The other courier replied while Zoe was washing her dishes telling her where to meet at.

“Monk’s Jazz Club at 316 W 44th St at 7PM, huh?” Zoe said out loud. She went to her bedroom and changed into jeans, a yellow blouse, and her ankle boots. She killed time by working on the Locust Swarm.

Zoe grabbed her leather jacket and put it on after saving her work when it got 6:30. She decided to leave her hair down and headed out. The club was at least a 20-minute drive.

*

“Just getting off work?” Akari asked Zoe as she joined the other courier in line to get into Monk’s.

“No. I’ve never been to a jazz club before and wasn’t sure what to wear. So…”

“You defaulted to something that’s comfortable,” Akari concluded. Zoe nodded yes. Akari was dressed in sneakers, a skort or skirt, and a t-shirt with a saxophone printed on it. “We’re regulars here and always dress comfortably as you can see.

“We?” Zoe asked.

“Haru, I, and others,” the other woman answered.

“Oh.”

“Haru isn’t made with you if that’s what you’re worried about,” Akari said as the doorman let them in after checking their IDs and stamping Zoe’s hand with an X. Akari laughed. “Still too young to drink.”

“I’ve tried alcohol and beer before but don’t like the taste,” Zoe said as they entered the club. Akari led Zoe towards a corner booth that Haru occupied.

“That’s because you probably tried the cheap stuff,” Akari replied taking a seat next to Haru. Zoe sat on Akari’s right, which put her further away from Haru. “Where’s Genki and Ichiro?”

“At the bar hitting on some guy and girl that caught their interest,” Haru replied gesturing in the direction of the bar. He turned his attention to Zoe. “Zoe, it’s good seeing you again.”

“You too,” Zoe replied automatically. On second thought, she meant it.

“You probably don’t mean that after our last meeting,” Haru said.

“Actually, I do. It beats the alternative,” Zoe replied making Haru and Akari laugh.

“Good point,” Akari said as a waitress came over and took their orders. Zoe just ordered water while Akari and Haru ordered some kind of beer. They chatted for a while getting to know each other.

“So, what’s going on with you and Cartier?” Haru asked eventually.

“You can’t just ask that!” Akari said elbowing him in the ribs.

“It’s fine. I’ve somehow ticked off Lionel and Rita just by existing and they decided to take most of my runs. Henri said it was a seniority thing,” Zoe said shrugging her shoulders as the waitress delivered their drinks and left after Haru paid. “So, I guess they are phasing me out.”

“That sucks!” Akari said.

“It does,” Haru agreed. “You could always find work with another outfit though.”

“Or go independent,” Akari added in a wistful tone.

“That can be expensive,” Haru countered. “Do you have any plans?”

“Not yet. I’ve been busy with other things,” Zoe replied.

“Why did you want to meet?” Akari asked. “It can’t be just a social call.”

“You’re right, it isn’t just a social call,” Zoe admitted.

“Then what is it?” Haru asked.

“I was wondering if you two could put me in contact with the Yakuza…” Zoe answered. The other two couriers exchanged a look.

“That might be possible,” Haru said. “Why though?”

“Have you seen the news about Cynthia Rockford?” Zoe asked.

“Who hasn’t?” Akari laughed. “Serves her right. The newsfeeds are saying CyberBionic did it as revenge.”

Zoe laughed in disbelief. The media had bought her bull crap rumor.

“Zoe, did you, do it?” Haru suddenly asked.

“I think I might know someone that was involved,” Zoe hedged. “I need a great slicer or team of them to see what Raven knows.”

“I might be able to arrange that,” Haru said after a short silence.

“Oh, go head and call your uncle,” Akari told him. “This way you can satisfy your honor over her accident.”

“Haru doesn’t owe me anything,” Zoe protested. “I’m willing to pay for the service.”

“Akari is correct. My honor was called into question and doing this for you will satisfy things,” Haru said. He stood up. “Give me a few minutes.”

He walked off leaving the two women alone.

“You know, you should really consider joining another transport company if Henri is screwing you over like this,” Akari said. “We’re always happy to hire more.”

“I’ll think about it,” Zoe replied.