Sims by F. Paul Wilson Read Free Book Online

treated.”
    â€œAnd, coincidentally, maximize profits,” Ellis said acidly.
    â€œNothing wrong with profits,” Mercer replied through his teeth without looking at his brother.
    â€œYou’re preachin to the choir, son.”
    â€œNo, I’m telling you the message we need to get out: We are a humane corporation that looks out for these creatures. We created them and we feel responsible for them.”
    â€œHumane,” Ellis said in that same tone. “Now there’s a concept.”
    Mercer wheeled on his brother. “Are you going to contribute something or just sit there and snipe?”
    â€œThat
was
a contribution, Merce,” Ellis said, leveling a soulful gaze at him. “A very relevant one.”
    Mercer turned back to Voss. He couldn’t stand Ellis’s holier-than-thou stance. “We can’t take any chances with this, Abel. I’ve heard of crazy things coming out of these NLRB hearings—especially where the regional office in Manhattan is involved. The wrong kind of decision and you’ll be using your stock options for toilet paper.”
    â€œDon’t have to worry about no labor relations shenanigans. Sullivan thinks he’s got an edge because the director of NLRB’s Region 2 is a maverick. Well, I’ve already seen to it that he never gets to the NLRB.”
    Mercer abruptly felt his mood lighten. “How did you manage that?”
    â€œHad myself a talk with Beacon Ridge’s attorney—bright kid named Hodges—and told him to seek a declaratory judgment in Federal court. He’ll argue that since Congress has designated sims as property, they cannot be humans. And if they’re not humans, then they’re not employees, and therefore not protected by the statutes of the NLRB.”
    â€œ
I
like the argument,” Mercer said. “But what if the judge doesn’t?”
    Voss puffed out his chest. “He will. I’ve seen to it that the case comes up before Judge Henry Boughton.”
    â€œIs he one of ours?”
    Voss shook his head. “We don’t own this one. Don’t have to. He’s our kinda guy—least so far as this union thing goes. Conservative with a capital C. Hates unions. Probably one of Reverend Eckert’s loyal listeners to boot. He’ll toss this case in two seconds flat.”
    â€œAbel . . .” Mercer shook his head, grinning. “You are amazing.”
    â€œThat’s what you boys pay me for—to be amazin.”
    â€œThat leaves the OPRR inspection.”
    â€œWe’ve been discussing that,” Luca Portero said.
    The sound of the security chief’s soft voice never failed to rattle Mercer. “Really. All by yourselves?”
    Portero went on as if Mercer hadn’t spoken. “We decided that I’ll be the tour guide.”
    Good idea. OPRR would get nothing out of Luca the snake.
    â€œExcellent choice.”
    Voss rose and straightened his suit coat. “Knew you’d like that. Matter of fact, Mr. Portero and me are gonna have us a little sit-down right now in my office. I’m gonna lay out the legalities we’re up against, and how we’re gonna slide around ’em.”
    â€œWhat about my lab?” Ellis said. He’d come out of his crouch now, sitting up with a rigid spine. “I won’t allow them in my lab. And as for the sealed section—”
    â€œHey, ain’t no one from OPRR or anywhere else gonna be anyplace we don’t want ’em to be. Mr. Portero will see to that.”
    Portero only nodded.
    â€œThank God,” Ellis said.
    Voss and Portero headed for the door. “Talk to y’all later,” Voss said.
    When they were gone, Mercer turned and found his brother on his feet, a small smile playing about his lips as he approached the desk.
    â€œHear them?” Ellis said.
    â€œHear what?”
    â€œThe trumpets. They’ve started to blow. And the first