She plopped the head down on a rock and slapped the face. “Wake up,” she yelled at it. The eyes fluttered open and surveyed their surroundings.

“What happened?”

“I was hoping you could tell me,” she said while she sifted through the nearest pile of limbs. She threw some to the side to create a new pile.

“I honestly can’t remember for the life of me.” The head was male with standard brown eyes and black hair. “The last thing I recall is getting into a cab.”

“Really? Well, I had a hell of a hard time tracking you down. They pulled your homing beacon out and tossed it in a dumpster near Phizzy’s.”

“Phizzy’s?” he said, “I don’t even know what that is?”

“It’s a seedy little place near the harbor. It peddles small hardware but has a not-so-secret collection for more prestigious customers. I’m surprised you don’t remember it.”

“No idea why I’d be there.”

“My only guess is you had a lead.”

“A lead?” He would have turned his head if he had a neck, but a raised eyebrow was all he could manage.

“For fuck’s sake Carter. Do you even remember being a detective?”

“Don’t get pissy with me Degrasse. I know who I am.”

“This is the last time I’m stitching you together,” she said, throwing a hand past his head, then one final limb onto the pile.

“Come on,” he smirked, “who else will do it?”

“That’s the point. Next time no one will and you’ll be stuck as an ornament in some hitman’s house.”

“You wouldn’t allow that.”

“Damn right I would. You’re too reckless.” She grabbed a torso and started attaching an arm. They were all mechanical with a soft exterior that mimicked human flesh. She tried to get the least damaged, but these parts were discarded for good reason.

“That left leg is female,” Carter’s head protested. Degrasse looked up for a moment then continued putting the body together. “I’ve got a spare at my place. Let’s just head there and I’ll be fit and willing in no time.”

“We have no idea what happened to you or what information you may have leaked or had stolen. For now, we assume your place is compromised along with all of your contacts and moles. This isn’t an easy fix Carter. You fucked up.”

He sighed as best he could without lungs. “I’m sorry Lin.”

She stopped but didn’t look at him. “Yeah, me too,” she said and finished putting the body together. She got up, grabbed the head that was Carter, and placed it on the mismatched body.

After a few moments of fine tuning, he took control and rose, stumbled, regained his balance, and stood.

“Not too bad for trash,” she said.

“Yeah, it’s a real ham sandwich. Can we get back to what’s important?”

She stepped aside. “Just lead the way, if you even know where to go.”

“I’m starting to remember.” He limped off in the direction of the wharf. She followed.