Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

They ran all the way up the stairs to the penthouse level, because the elevator was bound to be guarded, but neither of them was short of breath when they got to the top. Daniel eased the swing door open, and took a good look around the empty corridor. Tina shouldered her way past him.

“You have got to get over this protective nonsense.”

Daniel stepped cautiously out into the corridor to join her.

“How much time do we have?”

“Not enough. Let’s get moving.”

“You know the way?”

“The layout on this floor should be the same as the one below.”

“What if it isn’t?”

“One more question out of you that I don’t like, and I will punch your head through a wall.”

Daniel sniffed. “Probably your idea of foreplay.”

She smiled briefly. “Don’t distract me.”

They moved quickly through the empty corridors. There was no sign of life anywhere, and all the doors were firmly closed. The constant silence was starting to grate on Daniel’s nerves when Tina stopped suddenly, and gestured at the corner ahead.

“We have to pass the main elevator to get to the banquet hall,” she said quietly. “Which means we’re going to have to deal with whoever or whatever is guarding it.” She gave Daniel a hard look. “No mercy, and no holding back. Do you have a problem with that?”

“No,” said Daniel. “Let’s just concentrate on the life we’re saving.”

“Why are you so determined to save this new Frankenstein creature?” said Tina.

“Because I need to believe I’m not just a killer,” said Daniel. “That I’m only doing this to save innocent lives.”

“Hydes don’t do sentiment,” said Tina.

“This one does,” said Daniel.

“You’ll get over it,” said Tina.

She went flying round the corner, with Daniel right behind her. Half a dozen hulking creatures in oversized suits stood before the elevator doors, along with a spiky-haired young businesswoman in a smart city suit. One of the creatures turned to look at the new arrivals, and Daniel stumbled to a halt as he realized the Frankenstein creation had Oscar’s head set on its shoulders. The eyes stared right at Daniel and didn’t know him. Tina reluctantly stopped with Daniel, as the young businesswoman turned to see what was happening. Her eyes widened with shock as she recognized Daniel. He smiled at her coldly.

“Hello again,” he said. “Remember me? From the bookstore? You worked behind the counter. You killed my friends.”

She shook her head like a child, as though she could make him go away just by wishing it.

“They told me you were dead!” she said finally.

“Should have tried harder,” said Daniel.

She turned abruptly to her creatures. “Kill them!”

“You deal with her, Daniel,” said Tina. “She’s your unfinished business. I’ll take the late-night horror shows.”

She surged forward, slamming into the midst of the creatures. She lashed out with inhuman strength, and necks broke and skulls shattered. Tina laughed out loud as bodies dropped to the floor. The young businesswoman produced two brightly shining scalpels from her sleeves and launched herself at Daniel, hacking and stabbing viciously. She was fast, but Daniel was so much more than he used to be. He avoided the blows easily, twisting and turning so the scalpels always missed him, and then he punched the businesswoman in the face. She fell back, and Daniel went after her. She saw something in his face, and horror filled her eyes.

“You’re a Hyde!”

“I’m what you made me,” said Daniel.

“Let me go. Please. I’m no one important.”

“You’re a Frankenstein. And I still have really bad dreams about that cellar.”

“It was just business! And it’s not like we took anyone who mattered.”

“Everyone matters.”

“Then let me go.”

“Sorry,” said Daniel. “But I’m a monster now. Just like you.”

He started forward again, and she quickly lowered her scalpels.

“Wait! I know things. There must be something you want to know . . . ”

Daniel stopped. “I did wonder: how were you able to shrug off that Taser?”

“Genetically engineered transplants. Physical upgrades. We all have them.”

“You experiment on yourselves?”

“We share the wealth. We’re better than everyone else, because we’re made that way.”

“I saw what you did to Oscar,” said Daniel. “And I know what happened to Paul. But what did you do to Nigel?”

He was still speaking when her hand snapped forward, and one of the scalpels flashed toward his throat. Daniel snatched it out of midair, turned it around, and sent it flying back. The thin blade plunged through her left eye, and she dropped to the floor. Daniel looked down at the body for a long moment. This wasn’t closure . . . but it was a good start. He turned to Tina, who was standing grinning over a pile of dead creatures. Daniel didn’t look to see which of them had Oscar’s face. It didn’t make any difference. Tina looked back at the dead businesswoman, and then smiled at Daniel.

“Did it feel as good as you hoped?”

“Maybe. It’s complicated.”

“Hydes don’t do complicated.” She looked at her watch. “We really need to get a move on.”

“Yes,” said Daniel. “Let’s get this done.”

He strode off down the corridor, leaving her to catch up with him.