Tyler expected answers before arriving at the estate, though much of his strategy relied on vague interrogations on Gideon Reese to avoid suspicion, draining him of whatever information he gave off that Tyler could dissect privately with Al and Eileen. Instead, Gideon Reese up and offered him the entire big picture was unexpected.
There must be some angle he's playing, thought Tyler. He had known too many corporate spooks, like his family, to know they're aiming the barrel of their gun at someone else.
When Tyler asked him if he knew what was happening with Aiden, the man feigned ignorance. "That is the beauty of an experiment, dear," said Reese, patting him on the back like a child as they sauntered toward the dining room.
"I thought you know all about your Androids. You're the maker."
Reese chuckled deeply. "Correction, I am not the only one nor the first maker. I am one of three. But Aiden is another matter."
Tyler rolled his eyes. "But you must know something. You are the Project Executive of SynTech."
"All I can tell you, Tyler, is this: I am not the one who built Aiden. If someone in the company was doing it, then, they're going behind the chairman's back. Let's discuss this matter later."
"But when will that be?"
"Wait. Patience is a virtue. Your answers will come along shortly. Right now, I want to enjoy my glass of brandy, talk to your father, maybe with some other folks around here, and then go to bed."
"Okay, Fine," said Tyler. He had no choice anyway but to play nice. He still didn't trust Reese, and he half-expected to find a knife lodged on his back every time he looked over. It hadn't happened yet.
"I leave you with this though: I suspect someone inside must be behind building Aiden. We'll find him. Or her."
Someone in the company, Tyler wallowed the words over and over. Aside from Gideon Reese, the only people he knew in SynTech were Al and Harry, but he barely knew the latter. He didn't know anyone else, except for one.
"Do you mean him? Doctor Quinn--" But Reese was gone behind the patio doors, lost in the crowd mingling out in the wintery air.
---0---
Everyone was already on the large patio. Conversations swirled throughout the space, laughter, and gossip bubbling on the surface. Robert urged Reese to join him with Carson and Paul at the far side of the patio next to the dozen of alcohol placed on the end table. Reese didn't hesitate on joining them with Paul pouring him another glass of brandy, filling it halfway.
Always the kiss-ass, thought Tyler, shooting daggers at Paul.
Tyler had always seen through his little act, even if his father chose to ignore it. Being the second eldest, Paul wanted to be better than anyone else, especially under Carson's shadow. Tyler found it amusing sometimes when these two butt heads. They were like Jay and William from work, except Carson and Paul were part of Tyler's family, which made them harder to ignore.
Tyler was left alone standing in the middle of the patio. Odd looks from the guests lingered at the periphery, and Tyler wished he could step back into the house and climb up to his room. Alas, that wasn't the case. Hannah sidled next to him and pulled him farther into the patio.
"Jeez, dad invited a lot of folks this year," whispered Tyler.
"About thirty. It's tradition, Ty."
YOU ARE READING
Mechanical Gods (lgbtq+)
Science FictionTHE YEAR IS 2050. Human-like androids have become integrated into society and every household, becoming part of our daily lives. They look exactly like us from the pigment of their artificial skin to every follicle of their hair. They protect. They...
