"So run that by me again."
Aaron lifted the pile of cables from the boot of his car, casting his companion an amused grin. "The feds turned the whole place over and they left fuming over a dud lead?"
"Well, it was not as easy as I anticipated, but I managed it." Cynthia looked rueful. "Though I had to tell the officer who was watching me that I was feeling sick and that's why I was so long in the restroom. Ray Nicholson left the place in a bit of a mess, but the girls have been quite philosophical about it all. We all consider the invasion worth the trouble, since the FBI have issued a formal apology to Jewel and Misfits Music for the indignity of the raid."
Humour danced in her violet eyes. "And Sadie said that Ray not only apologised to Alex, he actually apologised to her for it personally, too. I don't know what's behind that, but Sadie took some pleasure in it. They've never seen eye to eye."
"And that's that? Burying the Synergy myth in plain sight?" Aaron let out a low whistle. "Big gamble, Cyn. But...I think it's been good for you. You seem much more yourself today."
"I have been feeling better." Cynthia owned. "I think I managed to overcome the side effects of Aja's desperate measures to reboot me. While I realise what she did was the only thing she could do in the circumstances, I was glad to get a moment to tamper with my own wires and circuits. Honestly, I felt a little out of control."
"I'm not sure you should be blocking out everything about Jerrica, though. Bottling things up isn't healthy in a human and it can't be good for you either." Aaron told her. "Plus, are you sure you're okay to be back at work already? Aunt Phyl is a tough taskmistress, and she'll have your nose to the grindstone the moment you walk in the door. I don't think she believes in compassionate leave."
"I feel well enough to come back, and the less idle time I have the better." Cynthia said decidedly. "Occupying my hard drive is as good a way as any to deal with things. And I am not blocking things out the way people do, Aaron. I have merely re-routed the emotional reflexes so they dilute before they hit my main sensors, that's all. It is quite different for me than it would be for you."
She touched his arm playfully. "Are you not glad to see me smile again?"
"Very." Aaron admitted. "All right. I'll go with you on this one. Just be careful, okay? You're still recovering from a major shut down, and I don't want you doing too much, too soon."
"Yes, doctor." Cynthia said dryly. "It's all right. I will be careful. I know what my circuitry can take."
"Cynthia!"
As the two entered the lobby, they were accosted by Jetta, who cast Cynthia a startled look. "Ain't you still on leave?"
"I decided to come back to work, if it is all right for me to do so." Cynthia cast Aaron a glance, then, "Home wasn't proving overly restful, and I felt a need to be busy again."
"I heard about the raid." Jetta pursed her lips. "Why would the FBI be interested in Starlight Mansion, anyway?"
"They were looking for Jerrica's computer." Cynthia said calmly. "At least that's what the officer told me. She asked me what I knew about it, but I could not help her. I think they had a tip-off...but the Starlight hasn't been in Jerrica's control for some time."
"You're an official fixture there, then, now?" Jetta narrowed her gaze.
"Yes, I think so. I don't like to be alone at the moment, and I like helping Topaz with Hollie." Cynthia nodded. "Ms Pelligrini, is it all right for me to return today?"
"Sure, so long as you mention it to Pizzazz." Jetta shrugged her shoulders. "She's been wantin' to talk to you, anyway. About the exact thing we're talkin' about."
"I don't follow."
"Jerrica's damn machine." Aaron groaned. "Mom, what is this! Everyone's obsessed with Synergy at the moment! You can't tell me you're interested in the reward the Tribune are putting out - or that Aunt Phyl is. So what's the deal? First you interrogate me - your own son! - and now you want to do the same to Cyn, days after her sister died?"
"We just want to know that, if the FBI are so 'ot keen on this machine, we know we ain't shieldin' anything we shouldn't be. Or anyone." Jetta spoke gravely. "Pizzazz is interested in the computer...who wouldn't be? I know after the Memorial I'd like to see what the damn thing can do. But it's a federal affair now. An' listen to me, kids. If you know anythin' at all, I want to know about it."
"Didn't you already do this to me once?" Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Mom, how many times do I have to tell you that the computer is not at my house, nor do I own it, nor have I ever owned it! It is not in my possession and if the FBI want to come check my place out to confirm it then they're more than welcome to drop by!"
"I'm glad to 'ear it." Jetta said grimly. "Because after the raid at Starlight Mansion, it's clear the Feds think it 'as some link with Misfits Music."
"No, Jetta, on the contrary." Cynthia shook her head. "I believe they raided the house because it once belonged to my sister and is detailed in her will."
"Who gave you leave to call me that?" Jetta demanded, and Cynthia coloured.
"Ms Pelligrini. Sorry."
"That's better." Jetta pursed her lips. "And all right, I suppose that's a valid point. But you are a Benton, Cynthia. Anything you do know about this machine..."
"What can I tell you?" Cynthia affected a helpless look. "I was born in nineteen eighty five. My father died the same year. When Jem and the Holograms split up I was sent away from my family. What could I possibly know about it?"
"It would've been helpful if you'd been a few years older." Jetta eyed her keenly. "But I guess I can't expect a mewlin' babe to remember anythin' useful about a computer. Not even with your interest in the subject. You didn't grow up with Jerrica?"
"No." There was a note of bitterness in Cynthia's tone. "No, I did not. In fact, I did not even know she had properly married and left Starlight Mansion until I returned to Los Angeles, before I began to work for you. That is the truth, Jetta. A lot of things in my sister's life I was never privy too."
"Shame, but I guess it puts Misfits Music in the clear." Jetta sighed. "I suppose you better go upstairs and tell Pizzazz you're back. No doubt she'll have plenty of things to ask you to do. Aaron, I want you. We got a problem in studio seven an' I need your screwdriver."
"I'm on it, Mom." Aaron nodded, as Cynthia headed across the lobby towards the lift. "What kind of a problem?"
"Somethin' to do with a shorted wire or fuse or somethin'. I ain't the tech, that's your job." Jetta linked arms with her son, leading him along the corridor to the one big ground floor studio where many of the lesser acts of the company laid down their songs. "An' I also wanted to talk to you about that girl."
"About Cynthia?"
"Yes."
"What about her?"
"I don't know anyone who gets over a death in a few days, Aaron. Doesn't it bother you?"
"No, it doesn't. Or not in the way you think." Aaron frowned. "Truth is, Mom, I think she's pretending it didn't happen. Distancing herself. You didn't see her after she heard the news. Copper broke it to her, and she had a complete breakdown. She wouldn't speak to anyone for two days. Not even me, not even Copper. It took Aja, of all people, to bring her out of her...her room. But I think she's decided the only way to deal with it is to put it behind her. And the raid yesterday didn't help. Maybe she feels safer being at work, under Aunt Phyl's protection."
"Perhaps you're right." Jetta frowned. "All right, kid. It was a professional interest, anyway. Jewel are set to be very busy and they will need 'er, so we don't need 'er breakin' down on the job. But God knows what 'appens if she does an' we wind up bein' sued for not givin' 'er the requisite time."
"Cynthia is decided that she's ready. Nothing you can do about that." Aaron assured her.
"She's never called me Jetta before." Jetta looked thoughtful. A wry smile touched her lips. "Or not to my face."
"Jewel all do, though. I suppose it proves she's not quite her careful, meticulous self." Aaron owned. "But unless she asks for help, Mom, I think we gotta let her deal with this in her way. If working helps..."
"Yeah, I suppose so." Jetta nodded. "All right. I'll leave you to do your rewirin'. I have paperwork to see to, anyway."

Upstairs in the main office, Cynthia stood before her boss's desk, eying Phyllis with an apprehensive look.
"It's normal, when someone in my company takes compassionate leave, for them to be signed off for a period of time, and then re-assessed by a doctor or psych before they come back." Phyllis toyed with her pen, clicking it on and off as she mulled over the situation. "It's procedure, and it's a damn nusiance because I need you on the job now. But I can't have you back here till the company shrink tells me you're fit to work. And that means...I think you know what it means."
"I have to go and see her." Cynthia sighed, dropping down into the vacant seat. "Must I, Ms Gabor? I do not wish to explore my feelings over Jerrica's death. I do not wish to even think about it. I wish to get back to my normal life and forget about it. I haven't given you a sicknote for the days leave you gave me already. Why must I see the shrink?"
"Because it's procedure." Phyllis repeated. "And that's the bottom line. I learnt something from my time here, you know. I'm rich, and when you're rich, you don't survive by being stupid. If you have a nervous breakdown because you came back to work too quickly, it's my neck on the block. I'm not gonna be sued."
"I would not sue you."
"And I really don't need you wasting more time seeing Dr Nolan, but you're going to go see her anyhow." Phyllis dropped the pen down onto the desk. "And you're gonna do it this afternoon. It'll only be for an hour or so, and then you can forget it ever happened. I need you to be on set with Jewel for Connie's Corner tonight, and I need you to be at your best. Sooner this is settled the better."
"Yes, Ms Gabor." Cynthia grimaced. "If I must."
"Sadly, bureaucracy says you must." Phyllis returned the grimace. "Oh, one more thing!" as Cynthia stood to leave.
"Yes?" The hologram paused, casting her employer a questioning look.
"Tell me about the raid."
"Not much to tell. I was stuck on the step most of it." Slowly Cynthia went over the details. "They didn't tell me much. Just asked me questions about Jerrica's computer, and left."
"And do you know anything I might like to know about that computer?"
"Ms Gabor, there is a half million dollar reward out on that computer." Cynthia said acidly. "If I knew anything about my sister's secret, don't you think I'd have cashed in on it already? I really owe Jerrica no loyalty for the way she treated me."
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"Oh God, did I just say that?"
"Maybe you're not as well as you look." Phyllis bit her lip. "Sit. I'll call Dr Nolan's office and send you down there now. I have pull, and sooner you're cleared the better."
"I suppose so. But Ms Gabor, I promise, I am quite well."
"Perhaps you are. But this company has to be sure." Phyllis scooped up her phone receiver, keying in an extension number. "And I won't be happy having you at Connie's Corner tonight unless...Dr Nolan? Phyllis Gabor. You have a free slot now? Well, make it free. I'm sending Cynthia Benton down to you and I want you to see her now. I don't care who else is on your books - this gets priority. I need her checked out because we need her tonight, and I want...right. I'll send her down."
She set down the receiver, gesturing to the door.
"Okay, go. She'll see you now. And Cynthia?"
"Yes?"
"If you did know about this computer, you'd tell me before the press, wouldn't you?"
"Ms Gabor, if it was in my power to reveal anything about Synergy, my loyalty is to Misfits Music." Cynthia said with a smile.
"Good. Make sure it stays that way." Phyllis nodded. "Now shoo. And come back here when you've finished. I want to read the report, and dammit, I want you at the show tonight - so don't give her any reason to think you're not competent to work!"