Page 49 of Master A-0011

“Melissa was having an affair with you?”

“Not…Melissa. Not. Claudia. No.”

More silence from Elec. He let go and his hands ran down his face.

“It has to be her.She’s the only one like me fitting that description. Did this woman have you kill Vivia?”

“No.”

“…Did I kill Vivia?”

Nothing.

“Quincy, who do you believe killed Vivia?”

“I don’t know.”

“Find out.Keep thinking.”

The Main Master let out a roar, turning to collapse to my sofa.

“Elec, are you okay?”

Blue eyes rose to mine.

“Nothing he says is reliable. Not even that he killed Claudia. Nothing. None of it. Both him and Pearl have been compromised at the deepest levels. Everything I need is gone.”

“Could you ask Pearl again?”

Elec shook his head. “She’s like him. If she knew something, it’s gone. What was left behind was a make-believe story and a fragment of a memory hidden behind the implants. She remembers red hair. Nothing else. It’s probably why she can’t remember the accident either. Her mind has already been tampered with. Her and Quincy saw something. They made sure him and Pearl didn’t remember what it was. Why they gave them two different stories though is beyond me. It makes no sense. None of this does. And not just with them. There’s been...inconsistencies.”

“With people?”

“With me.”

“Elec.” I lowered to sit on the cushion at the far end. “Everything surrounding you has been doneforyou. Maybe they saw you kill her. Maybe?—"

“Ethan.”

The warning had my hand lifting. “You killed her, Elec. I know you don’t want to believe it. I know your mind has blocked it out, but she’s dead. You saw her?—”

“I saw something! I don’t know…” He took in a deep breath, calming himself. “I couldn’t tell if it was her.”

“Because you’re blocking it out.It was you.It couldn’t have been anyone else. You lost a child. She didn’t want to get married. You reacted in the worst way and your mind refuses to believe it. Elec.” I searched his eyes. “I’m sorry. You loved her, but you have to let her go.”

Slowly, he rose, glaring down at me.

“Easier said than done.”

“I know, and again, I’m sorry.” I glanced to Quincy, but turned back to Elec. “You said Melissa. You’re talking about Dr. Melissa LaRoe, aren’t you? You were arguing with her on auction night. You think she’s the one who had Quincy kill Claudia…and possibly Vivia?”

“She’s not who you think she is. She’s not whoIthought she was.”

“But… why?” My head shook. “Jealousy? Anger? Quincy mentioned an affair. If she was having one with Quincy, it would give her motive.”

“But nothing came from the affair. Why would Melissa have Quincy kill Claudia if she gained nothing from it?”

“Elec.” My head shook. “Why do you use electricity? Why do I eat people?”