I introduced them both to Scott, who demurred on a handshake, explaining that he was somewhat radioactive just now. I glanced at Ellis.
    "Um. Could I have a few words with you?"
    "Sure. Hans, why don't you head upstairs, find a room?" the senator suggested.
    "Okay." He climbed out of sight.
    Ellis gave me an update on Albert's condition—still serious, but stable—and more of a rundown on Hans.
    "Good. Look. I haven't talked to Lucky yet, and before I do, I'd like to find out how bad it is."
    He has that politician's trick of looking bad news in the eye with a squared jaw. "It's not good. Today helped—a lot, but I really don't know."
    "What's going to happen?"
    "Well,Vincent's not going to press charges. At least, his lawyers aren't, he's not awake yet."
    "That's not really a surprise."
    "It looks as if he might be setting himself up for a quiet little vendetta."
    "That would be an extraordinarily stupid thing for him to do," I said grimly.
    "Better than a loud one," he shrugged. "We don't need him to take this trial, not with her confession and you and Albert as eyewitnesses."
    "Right. So?" Eyewitness. It hadn't even occurred to me until then that I might have to testify against her. Although since she confessed in her statement, I don't know what they would want anyone else for anyway.
    "It'll go to a grand jury. And I really don't know. I'm calling in a lot of markers. Hard to tell at this stage. Like I said, today helped, the press are ecstatic. So far, no one really knows what happened, and we're keeping it as quiet as we can."
    "Hello?" came from upstairs. "I found a room. How do I know if I can take it?"
    "Is there anything in it?" I asked.
    "No."
    "Then go ahead." Deep breath. "Okay. That's something, I guess. I"ll let her know."
    "I'd appreciate that. That was great work today. Saving the city from that spider—impressive. Would you tell Kyla I said so?"
    "Sure." It was good work, actually. For once, we had acted like a team. He seemed to be getting ready to go. "Oh, one other thing. About Scott, here." I glanced at the radioactive robot. "What are we supposed to do with him? We're supposed to be watching him, but that seems a little, well, silly at this point."
    "Ah. Yes, especially as it seems they will not be charging him with anything."
    "Nonsentients can't commit crimes," I shrugged.
    "And he gained sentience after they were committed. And has been a pillar of moral virtue ever since?"
    "Far as I can see. He came in damn useful today." He. Now I'm starting.
    "Hm. So you want to put him on the payroll?"
    "Well, I don't know what he'd do with it, but it's a thought. I could talk to Dr. Scott, see if he has any objections."
    "I'll consider it. Thanks. Good luck, Hans, and keep up the good work."
    "Drop by any time."
    I'm going to have to tell him, I think. He's done a lot more for me than he realizes, and he doesn't deserve to be lied to, not on top of all this other crap. My paranoia's at low ebb right now; too much else to worry about.
    Anyway. That left me with Hans. He picked a room and I took him on a tour of our home sweet home. He's an odd guy; eager but somehow tentative. He admitted that he doesn't really know much about computers, so I showed him a little of the system—mainly what not to touch—and Scott proudly demonstrated how to operate the telephone. It wasn't much of a conversation; whenever I asked him any personal questions he tended to change the subject, usually to movies I haven't seen and bands I've never heard of. He moved here with his parents and brother, who's in high school, but didn't seem to want to tell me much about them, and when I asked him what Denver was like, he started talking about a recent movie. My antennae went right up, but I haven't tried probing too deeply. A screwed-up past might be a hidden job requirement around here for all I can tell.
    Then Lucky walked in. Hans introduced himself, they shook hands. She eyed his musculature and inquired as to its source; apparently it's the result of working out, not variance. It was almost funny to watch how quickly she leaped to defend her turf on the team.
    She ignored me and went upstairs. I finished giving Hans his tour.

    Shit.
    I can't tell if I'm going to cry or throw up. I guess I can't say I didn't ask for this.

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