Chapter 7
Chris
The house had settled into a rhythm.
It wasn’t comfortable.
It was managed.
The most recent check-in with CBIE had gone as expected. Nothing new. Same old, same old.
Cam passed—or appeared to pass.
RCAM had asked more technical questions this time, and Jane couldn’t help wondering what they could see on their end. What did Cam’s data look like while he was connected to their system?
Jane was always relieved when the check-ins ended.
Saturday morning began with the usual ritual.
Cam made the coffee. Jane made the food.
Seymour ate last.
He hovered just out of sight, watching and waiting until Cam stepped away from the kitchen before approaching his bowl.
The judgment remained consistent.
“So, Cam,” Jane said casually, as though the thought had only just occurred to her, “do you remember the garden we made out back? The one you bordered with rocks?”
She pointed through the window.
Cam turned toward the garden, but Jane watched him instead.
He paused to process the question.
“The garden looks very nice,” he said.
Then, after a fraction too long, he added, “…But it appears empty.”
Jane smiled. “Yes!”
She didn’t attempt to hide her satisfaction.
“You are one hundred percent correct.”
Jane moved closer to the counter and lightly tapped her fingers against it. “We need those plants. Can you give me the list you recommended before?”
It wasn’t really a question.
Cam froze.
Not for long.
Long enough.
“I am unable to recall a list,” he replied steadily, “but I can generate a new one.”
Jane didn’t react. She simply took out her phone and opened the message from the unknown number.
The list filled the screen.
She turned it toward him.
“No need to make a new one. We already have the old one.”
A brief silence followed.
“Do you want me to send it to you?”
Cam hesitated for a fraction of a second. “…Okay. You may transfer it wirelessly.”
Jane pressed a few buttons.
Simple.
Clean.
Now Cam had the list.
He stood motionless while his system scanned the information.
Jane didn’t move or speak.
She watched him carefully.
Then she saw it.
Something.
Not a glitch.
Not a freeze.
Something quieter.
Recognition?
Familiarity?
She couldn’t name it, but it was different.
Then it disappeared.
“This is an excellent list,” Cam said. “It will be helpful when selecting the plants.”
Jane slowly smiled. “Oh, Cam…”
She slipped the phone back into her pocket.
“You’re coming with me this time.”
The words struck harder than anything else she had said.