BroughttoyoubyWinterborn

REFLEX(Jumperbook#2)
by
StevenGould
ForEmmaandCarita,
Sequelsintheirownright,
Butalsostandalonetreasures.
(Andno,Emma,youcan'treadthisyet.)
Acknowledgments
ThankstoSageWalkerfornastythingstodowithone'svagusnerve,BobLeedsfordruginfo,
Doc"Sully"SullivanforTraumatalkandprocedures,RoryHarperandLauraJ.Mixonforfirst
readingsandgentlecorrections,andtoBethMeachamforthatperfectmixofstandingback
andsteppingin.
ONE
"Davywasgone."
Thefirsttimewaslikethis.
"YouarethemoststubbornmanI'veevermet."
ThelatestincarnationofthisargumentstartedinalittlepastryshoponSullivanStreet,New
YorkCity.
Hisfirstresponsewaslight."Youprobablyshouldn'thavemarriedme,then."
Sheglared.
"Ican'thelpit.It'showIfeel.AtleastIknowhowIfeel.That'sbetterthanIusedtobe."
Shewatchedhimpushcrumbsacrossthetabletop,herdingthemintoaneatlittlepile.The
busboywasleaningagainstthelimecoloredwall,watchingthem.Theywerethelast
customersintheplaceanditwasalmostelevenP.M.ontheEastCoast.
"Let'sgetoutofhere,"hesaid.
Theythreadedoutbetweenthetinytablesandintothechillairofthestreet.Itwasthefirst
weekofMarch.Outofsight,inadeepsheltereddoorwaysmellingfaintlyofurine,heputhis
armsaroundherandjumpedthem,andtheargument,atimezonetothewest,tothesmall
twobedroomcondotheyownednearherclinic,inStillwater,Oklahoma.
Herearspoppedandsheswallowedreflexively,sousedtoitthatshehardlynoticed.She
wasintenselyfrustrated.Howcanyoulovesomeoneandwanttokicktheminthebuttatthe
sametime?"ButwhataboutthewayIfeel?I'mthirtyone.I'dliketohavekidswhileI'mstill
youngenoughtokeepupwiththem!"
Thecornersofhismouthturneddown."LookathowmydadIdon'texactlyhavetheright
modelingtobeaparent."
You'llneverknowuntilyoutry.
"Andthere'stheAerie.It'snotexactlykidsafe."
"Wecanlivehere.Wecanliveelsewhereifnecessary.It'snotasifwedon'thavethe
resources."
"Andwhenthekidsstartkindergarten?'Didyoutakethebustoday,littleMillie?''No,my
daddyteleportedme.'"
Sheglaredathimbutshecouldn'treallyfindanargumentagainstthisone.Wasshetoask
himtostopjumping?Jump,butlieaboutittotheirchild?Letthechildknow,buthavethem

lie?Sheknewthatonealltoowell.She'dbeenlyingaboutDavyfortenyears.
Helookedathiswatch."IhaveameetingwithBrianinD.C.intenminutes.Hewantstosell
meonanothererrand."
Oh,that'sconvenient!Thensherecalledhismentioningitthedaybeforeandfeltguiltyfor
thethought.
"Youwanttowaithere?"heasked.
"Howlongdoyouthinkyou'llbe?"
Heshrugged."Nottoolong,Ishouldthink."
Shewasstillannoyed."I'vegotclientsatseventhirty.Ineedmysleep.Youbetterjumpme
tobed,first."ThoughI'dratheryoujumpedmeinbed.
"Okay."
Hepacedwhileshechangedintohernightgownandbrushedherteeth.Helookedatbooks,
openedthem,shutthem.Whenshewasready,hejumpedhertothecliffdwellingtheir
hiddenAerieintheruggeddesertoffarwestTexas.Itwascoolhere,butnotascoldasNew
YorkCity.
Heturnedonthebedsidelightandsheheardthefaintsoundoftheelectricalgenerator
kickinginfromitsownenclosureatthefarendoftheledge.Thefurniture,arough,knotty
pinequeensizedbed,contrastedsharplywiththemorecontemporarybedsteadbackinthe
condo.Thewalls,ceiling,andfloorwereallroughstone;thefaceofthiscliff,andonlythe
roughmortaredouterwall,madeoflikecoloredstone,wasmanmade.Mostofthewalls,
naturalandotherwise,werehiddenbyrowsofknottypinebookshelves.
Shesatontheedgeofthebedandsighed."Wetalkedaboutitwhenwegotmarried,you
know."
Hewinced."Yousaidwecouldtakesometime,first."
"It'sbeentenyears!"
Helookedathiswatchagain."Look,I'vegottogo,orI'llbelate.Wecan"
Sheturnedherback."Oh,justgo!"
"Millie...."
Sheshookherhead."Go,dammit!"Thenshethoughtbetterofitandturnedbacktohim,
buthe'dtakenheratherword.
Davywasgone.
Ofcourseshecouldn'tsleep.
WhendidIbecomeanappendage?Therewasapricetobepaid,beingmarriedtothe
world'sonlyteleport.ItwaslikebeingaSaudiwife,unabletotravelanywhereunless
accompaniedbyamalerelative.
Anappendage.
She'dacceptedthis,sherealized,quitealongtimeago,tradingherownindependencefor
thebenefits,butshewasbeginningtofeelthatsomethingwasatrophying.Ifnotmylegs,
thenmyspiritualwings.
AndevenSaudiwivescanhavechildren.
Shealternatedbetweenblaminghimandblamingherself,withbriefstintsofblamingMr.
BrianCoxoftheNationalSecurityAgency.Therealblame,sheknew,ifitwasgoingtorest
onanyone,belongedtoDavy'sfather,whowasanabusivealcoholicwhenDavywasgrowing
up,butevenhe'dchanged,havinggonethroughtreatmentandnowadecadeofgrumpyand
uncomfortablesobriety.
Decidingwhotoblamewasn'tgoingtogiveherachild.Butshewasn'twillingtoraiseachild
withoutapartner'shelp.Davy'shelp.
Forthemillionthtimeshewishedshecouldjump,likeDavy,soshecouldgoafterhim,to

finishthisargument,oratleastdefuseit.Sheregrettedtheirdecisiontolivehere,hidden,
insteadofinStillwater,whereshecouldexposehimmoretoherfriends'kids,tofamily
settingstotallyunlikehisownchildhood.
Instead,theycommuted,DavyjumpingherinandoutofthecondoinStillwater,usually
fromtheTexascliffhouse,thoughtherewereextendedperiodsoflivinginTonga,Costa
Rica,andonegloriousspringinParis.Still,theyalwayscamebacktothecliffhouse.Itwas
theonlyplaceDavyfeltsafe.
He'dbuiltitshortlybeforetheNSAfirstdiscoveredhim,andDavyandMillieweretheonly
humanswho'deverbeenthere.Thesurroundingterrainwasincrediblyrugged,atortuous
rockydesertregionknownasElSolitario.SinceDavy'soriginaldiscoveryoftheplace,ithad
becomemorepopular.TheoriginalranchsurroundingtheareahadbeenboughtbyTexas
andmadeastatepark.Still,thehousewasbuiltintoanaturaloverhungcliffledgetwo
hundredfeetfromthecanyonbottomandahundredfeetfromitstop.Backpackershad
madeitintothebottomofthecanyon,butsincetheAeriewasonthesideofElSolitario
awayfromthetrailhead,therewerefifteenmilesofwaterlessmountaindeserttobe
crossedjusttogettothebottomofthecanyon.
Shegropedforherglasses,gotup,andputthekettleonthepropaneburner.Whileit
heated,shestartedapionfireinthewoodstove,thenbrowsedtheshelvesforabook.Davy
hadcoveredthewallsinthefirstfiveyearsandthenaddedfreestandingdoublesided
shelveslater.Inthelasttwoyears,though,he'dfinallystartedcullingtheshelves,donating
bookstocommunitylibraries,buthisacquisitionratestillexceededhisoutgoingandthere
werepilesofnewbooksthroughoutthedwelling.
Itwasthreeinthemorningwhensheawokeinthereadingnook,acoldpotofteabesideher
andTheWoodWifefallenfromherlap,shegaveupandwenttobed.
Dammit,Davy!Youmustreallybepissed.
Whenheralarmwentoff,atsixthirty,hestillwasn'tthere.
Shit!Shecouldn'tevencancelherclients,ahusbandandwifecominginformarital
counseling.Therewasnophoneonlyalastditch406MHzPLBasatellitedetected
personnellocatorbeaconusedbyaircraftandshipsforemergencysearchandrescue.It
usedtheGlobalPositioningSystemtosenditslocationsosettingitoffwouldputsomesort
ofhelicopterontheridgeabovetheAeriefairlyquickly.
SheandDavyhadconsideredasatellitecellphonefortheAeriebutDavywasconvincedthe
NSAcoulduseittolocatethecliffhouse.Instead,hecarriedasatellitepager,soCoxcould
getmessagestohimallovertheworld,butitwasreceiveonly.
TheEmergencyPLBwasjustthat,foremergencies.Wasthisone?Notyet,shedecided.
HecouldgettotheAerierightuptoseventhirtyandstilljumphertotheclinicontime,but
herprofessionalclotheswereallintheStillwatercondo.Shewasn'tevensureshehad
clotheshere.
SheendedupputtingononeofDavy'sflannelshirtsandapairofhisjeans,whichweretight
inthecrotchandthighs,andlooseinthewaist.Shefoundapairofherownrunningshoes
andusedDavy'ssocks.
Forawhileshestaredatthepictureonthebedsidetable,aPolaroidofbothofthemtaken
atarestaurantinTahiti.SherememberedDavy'sirritationattheflash.Hehadn'thesitated
tobuyitfromthephotographer.Hedidn'tlikeimagesofhimselffloatingaround.Hewas
goingtodestroyitbutMillieaskedhimtogiveittoherinstead.Onlyherpromisethatshe
wouldkeepitintheAeriehadwonhimover.
Therewasn'tmuchinthepropanerefrigerator.SheatesomeWheatiesdryanddranktwo
glassesofwater.Theceramicwatertankatoptherefrigeratorwasonlyaquarterfullwhen
shecheckedthesightglass.

Comeon,Davy!Thisisn'tlikeyou.
Seventhirtycameandwent.
Sherehearsedspeechesofangerandpoundedthebedwithastick.Shereadmore.She
paced.Bymidafternoontheangerhadturned,liketheworm,andshebegantofeelafraid.
ShewasafraidforDavy.Onlydeathorsevereinjurycouldkeephimfromher.Nojailcould
holdhim,noprisonbars,though,sheremembered,chaininghimtosomethingsolidmight
doitsomethinghecouldn'tjump.They'dtriedthatexperimentonce,longago,handcuffing
himtoarailing.He'dnearlydislocatedhisshoulder.Oldfashionedmanaclessetinawall
wouldholdhimnicely.
Sheshuddered.
Awhilelater,shebegantofearforherself.
Shewentoutsideandwalkedtotheendoftheledge,tothedoorsetinaseparatestone
generatorenclosure.Theemergencypackwasinthere,butithadbeenyearssinceshe'd
evenlookedatit.
Sheturnedandlookedoutatthecanyon.Lookingsouth,shecouldseetherockyhills.Itwas
twentyeightmilesofroughtrailwithnowatertothetrailheadatSaucedaRanch
headquarters.Therewassomecactusandsagebrushandsurprisingamountsofgrama
grasses,butcertainlynotreesthissideoftheRioGrande.Rockscasttheonlyshade.
Well,atleastit'snotAugust.
ThebackpackheldtheemergencyPLB,severalsealedbottlesofwater,survivalrations,a
lightsleepingbag,asignalmirrorandflares,andaplasticbagcontainingfivethousand
dollarsinhundredsandtwenties.Thebagnexttoitheldeightymetersofelevenmillimeter
climbingrope,aseatharness,andcarabinerswithbrakebars.
Shetookthembackintothehouse.
Tomorrowmorning,ifhehasn'treturned...
Hehadn't.
Dammit,Davy,youareagreatdealoftrouble!
Shedrankmostoftheremainingwaterintheceramiccistern,thendressedinDavy'sjeans
andshirt,andapairofhisunderwear.Whenshesteppedoutsideitwascold,theledgestill
deepinshadow,andherbreathfoggedaroundher,butsheknewthatwouldchangerapidly
asthesunrosehigher.Shepursedherlips,thenduckedbackinsideandtookthephotofrom
thebedsidetable,puttingitinherbackpocket.
Outsideagain,sheshutthedoorcarefully,makingsurethelatchengaged,thendraggedthe
ropebagovertotheanchorboltandring.Davyhadsetitintoacrackintheledgewitha
sledgehammer,thenanchoreditfurtherwithconcrete.
Sheputontheseatharnessandclosedthefrontwiththebasecarabiner,thenusedadouble
bowlinetosecureoneendoftheropetothering.Shetuggedonit.Solidasthelasttimeshe
usedit,inthefirstyearsoftheirmarriage.Theyusedtopracticethedescenttwiceayear,as
aprecaution,butshehadn'tdoneitinoverfiveyears.Thereweremorecracksintherock
aroundtheconcreteandshetuggedseveralmoretimestobesuretheboltwasstillsolidly
anchored.
Sheputthepackontheendoftheropeandloweredit,handoverhand,seeingtheexcess
ropecoilreassuringlyontheloosetalusslopeatthebottomofthecliff.Shedidn'thaveto
worryaboutrunningoutofrope.
Anoddtinglewentthroughher,almostpleasurable,andshewonderedifitwasfear.AmI
thatjaded?Sheexamineditmorecloselyandrealizedwhatshewasfeelingwassatisfaction.
Afterall,forthefirsttimeinalongtime,shewashavingtodosomethingwithoutDavy,
somethingdifficult,evendangerous,andhewasn'ttheretobufferherfromthediscomfort

andeffort.
Well,onegoodthingcomesfromthis.
Shethreadedtheropethroughthe'binersandsnappedthebrakebarsclosed,thentookup
thetrailingendandbroughtitbehindher,runningitacrossthebackofherthighsbefore
comingbacktoherglovedhand.Shebackedtowardtheedge,lettingtheropeoutslowly.
Shecontemplatedthelonghikeinfrontofher,thefactthatherIDwasinOklahomaandshe
couldn'tflywithoutit,orrentacar,andshe'dhavetotakethebus.Shethoughtabout
walkingaminimaldistanceawayfromtheAerieandsettingoffthePLB,butgrittedher
teeth.Notyet.
Shereachedtheedgeandsighed,lettingsomemoreropeoutanddroppingovertheedge.
Shestarteddownwithsmalljumps,thensworeastheropecrumbledabitoftheedge,
showeringherwithgravelandanastypieceoflimestonethatcaromedoffhershin.Sand
driftedintohereyes,causinghertoblinkinthemorningsunlight.
Oh,great!
Shecouldn'thelppicturingthecondo,cluttered,friendly,sandfree,withherclothing,her
wallet,andafridgewithmilkinit.
DavyRice,you'rearealpainintheAboveher,therewasthesoundofgrindingrock,and
thenasharpcrack.Theropewentslackandshedroppedbackwards,watching,inhorror,as
theboltandapartialplugofconcrete,stilltiedtotheendoftherope,cameflyingoverthe
edge.Shedroppedlikeastone,stillahundredandseventyfeetabovetherocksbelow,her
armsandfeetflailing.Thecoldaircutpastherearsandtheadrenalinestabbedintoher
chestlikeasword.
Oh,God,ohgod,ohgodohgodohgod
ShecrouchedinthesmalllivingroomofthecondoinStillwater,apileofropedrapedacross
herkneesandfeet.Theheavyboltandring,withasmallcollarofconcrete,droppedtothe
carpetathersidewithathud.
Thatwasthefirsttime.
Shestoppedscreaming,hadn'trealizedshe'dstarted,buthervoicecutoffintochokingsobs.
Shesatbackfromthecrouch,bangingintotheglasstopofthecoffeetableandspillingapile
ofbooksacrossthecarpet.
Shetriedtorubherbackwhereshe'dstruckthetableedge.Itstungshe'dscrapedskin.
Thetroublewithbeingatrainedpsychologististhatwhenyouexperiencesomethingunreal,
youconsiderthechancethatyouareexperiencingapsychoticbreak.
Well,atleastIknowit'spossible.Davydidn'tthefirsttimeithappenedtohim.Herbreathing
slowedandsomeofthetensioneasedoutofher.Shefeltdrained,weak,asifshe'drunup
severalflightsofstairs.
Caneveryone?Ifthey'vetakenthousandsofexperiencedjumps?
ShewantedtotalktoDavyaboutitbut,ofcourse,shecouldn't.
Whereareyou,DavidRice!
Therewereseveralmessagesonvoicemailbuttheywereallfromthesecretarysheshared
withtheothertwotherapistsattheclinic.She'dmissedsevenclientappointments
yesterday.NoneofthemwerefromDavy.
Shecalledhispagernumberandpunchedin911,theircodeforcomehomenow.Hedidn't.
Shecheckedherwatch.Itwasonlysixthirtyinthemorning.Shehadwantedagoodstartfor
herhike.Butitwasaftereightontheeastcoast.
ShestartedbycallingtheAdamsCowleyShockTraumaCenterinJohnsHopkinsHospital,in
Baltimore.Davywasn'tthere.Allthepatientsadmittedinthelastfortyeighthourshadtheir
ownnames.NoneofthemwereJohnDoes.Noneofthemhadappearedsuddenly,

inexplicably.
Ittookherfortyfiveminutestofindthenumberinanoldphonebill.Usually,whenDavy
receivedapagefromCox,he'djumptoD.C.anduseapayphonetoanswer,butthere'dbeen
atimewhenhewassickwiththeflu,dizzyandfeverish,andhadactuallycalledfromthe
condo.
Itrangseveraltimesbeforeswitchingtothevoicemailsystem."BrianCoxhere.Leavea
message.I'llgetbacktoyou."
Thevoicetookherbacktenyears,toheronlymeetingwiththeman,ajudgesupervised
interviewwhentheNSAfirstdiscoveredDavy.Notlongafterthat,she'dspentseveraldays
illegallydetainedinanNSAsafehouse.Sheshudderedandalmostforgottospeakatthe
tone.
"ThisisMillieHarrisonRice,Davy'swife.Pleasecallme."Sheleftthecondo'snumberand
theclinic's,thenpushedthehandsetcradleswitchdown,cuttingtheconnection.
Shit!WhathadDavygotteninto?
Shetoreofftheclothesshewaswearingandtookaquickshower.Sheranthewaterhot,
hopingitwouldthawthefrozenplaceinherchest,aknotofsuppressedgrief,fear,and
anger.I'llletitoutsoon.WhenIdon'thavetofunction.
Sheputontherapistclothes,comfortablebutslightlyformal,acombinationshe'dfound
gavehertherightmixtureofaccessibilityandauthoritywithherclients.Jeans,aniceblouse,
asilkjacket,andflats.Sheputherpalmagainstthewindow.Itwascoldenoughthatshe
startedtograbherovercoat,but,atthelastminute,shepulledonDavy'swornleather
jacket,abitlargeonher,butcomforting,hissmellmixedpleasantlywiththeleather.
Therewasabulgeintheinsidepocketandshecheckedit.Itwasanenvelopewithfifty
twentydollarbills.Onethousanddollars.Theywerenewtwenties,oversizedAndrew
Jacksons,soitwasn'thisolderstash,theusedbillshe'dstolentenyearsbefore,fromthe
ChemicalBankofNewYork.
Sheshookherhead.Spymoney.Asmallportionofapaymentfromoneofhis"errands"for
BrianCox.Nonlethal,zeroexposuretransportationanagentinsertedintoBeijing,a
remoteelectronicradiomonitorleftinSerbia,adissidentpulledoutofBaghdad.More
rarely,hostagesrescued,buthekeptthosetoaminimum,forhersake.He'ddoneafewjobs
amonthmorerecentlyduringthemessinpreoccupationIraq.Theoriginalplanhadbeen
topaybackthemillionhe'dstolenwhilestillateen,buthe'dkeptongoing,evenafterithad
beenreturnedwithinterest.Hehadn'treturnedittothebank,though.He'ddonatedthe
moneyanonymouslytodozensofsheltersanddrugtreatmentcentersacrossthecountry.
Hestilldonatedheavily,now,buttherewasalsoaclosetbackinthecliffhousewithover
threemilliondollarsinit.
"WhatelseamIgoingtodo?"he'dsaid."Garden?"
Sheputthemoneybackinthejacket.Shemightneedittofindhim.
Herofficewasonlyaquartermileaway,afiveminutewalk,butshetriedtovisualizeit,tried
towillherselfthere.
Itdidn'twork.
Dammit.DidIimaginethewholething?WasIatthecondothewholetime?
Theclimbingropewithring,bolt,andconcretewasstillinthecornerofthelivingroom,
whereshe'dpiledthem.
Shewalkedtotheoffice,kickingthroughdriftsoffallenleaves,unabletoenjoythecolorsof
thechangingtrees.Shewantedtofindhim,todosomething.Butshehadnoideawherehe
was,wheretolook.Davywouldcometoher,whenhecould.
Shedidn'tknowifshewasstrongenough.
Waitingisthehardestrole.

TWO
"That'snothisblood."
DavyjumpedtoanalleyrunningbehindNineteenthStreetNorthwest,justeastofGeorge
WashingtonUniversity.Itwascoolandthepavementwaswetfromrecentrain,butitwasn't
quiteascoldasNewYorkhadbeenand,foronce,thealleydidn'tsmellofurine.Water
drippedfromfireescapesandtelephonewiresandhehunchedhisneckintohisjacketashe
turnedtowardthelightedstreet.
Justshortofthesidewalk,wherethealleywidenedbehindastore,arefrigeratorcartonlay
tuckedagainstthewall,waterproofedbyalayerofsplitplasticgarbagebags.Theragged
blanketthatservedasadoorcurtainwashalfopenandDavysawtwosetsofeyesreflecting
themercurystreetlamp.Children'seyes.
Hepaused.Didtheyseemearrive?Thedimfacesmovedbackintotheshadowand
vanished.
Sighing,Davycroucheddownwithoutmovinganyclosertothebox."Where'reyourparents,
guys?"
Therewasnoresponse.
Hepulledasmallflashlightfromhisinsidejacketpocketandtwistediton,pointingitdown.
Thetwochildrenflinchedinthefaintlight.Theywerecleanerthanheexpectedandthe
sleepingbagtheyweresharinglookedfairlynew.ThefaceinfrontwaspureMayan,bright
darkeyesandshocksofmidnighthair.Thesecondfacewaspaler,withstrawcoloredhair,
butthefeatureswereidentical.Girls,heguessed.
"Dondeestsumadre?"hetried.
Reluctantly,theeldest,perhapseighthecouldn'treallytellsaid,"Esttrabajando.Una
portera."
Ajanitor.Nightshiftworkthatdidn'trequiregoodEnglish.
"Ysupadre?"
Shejustshookherhead.
"Dedndeesusted?"Whereareyoufrom?
"Chiapas."
Displaced.Hethoughtaboutwhattheirtripmust'vebeenlike.Theyprobablytraveledon
thirdclassbusesupthelengthofMexico,theninsomehorriblycrowdedvanfrom
someplacelikeLaredoaftercrossingtheborderillegally.
Thelittlegirl,perhapsfiveorsix,suddenlyspoke,"Papafuedesaparecido."
Disappeared.ThematteroffactwayshesaiditmadeDavywanttocry.
"Cundovuelvesumadre?"
"Porlamaana."
Hedughisemergencycashoutofaninnerpocketfivehundreddollarsintwenties,another
thousandinhundreddollarbills,allwrappedwitharubberband.
"Oculteesto."Hemimedhidingitbeneathhisjacket."Destoasumadre.Paralacubierta."
Giveittoyourmother.Forhousing.
Thegirlslookedblank.Hesaid,"Parasupropiacasa."Foryourownhouse.Hetossedthe
cashlightlyintothebox,ontothefootofthesleepingbag.
Thekidsstaredatit,likeitmightbitethem.
"Oculteesto!"herepeated.Thatamountofmoneycouldeasilygetthemkilledintheir
situation.
Theoldergirlfinallytookitandshoveditbeneaththesleepingbag.
Heturnedofftheflashlightandstoodup.Asheturnedtowalkawayheadded,"Buena

suerte."They'dneedluck,evenwiththemoney.
Heheardmovementintheboxbutdidn'tlookback.
WhenDavyfinishedthreadinghiswaythroughtheentrancefoyerandintothesideroom,he
foundBrianCoxsittingnearafrontwindowwithanewspaperopen,butnotliftedquitehigh
enoughtoblockhisviewoftherestaurant.DavycouldtellCoxhadspottedhimfirst,
probablywhilehewasstillonthestreet.
Coxwaswearinghishairlongerthesedays,lookingsomewhatprofessorial,andthefootball
linemanphysiqueofadecadepasthadturnedintomiddleagedheavinessdrapedintweeds.
Davydroppedintotheseatoppositehimwithasigh.
"Somethingthematter?"Coxfoldedthepaperandputitdownonthetable.
"Yeah.IjusthadadelightfulconversationwithtwolittlegirlsfromChiapas."
"YoujumcameherefromMexico?"
"No.Thesetwolittlegirlsarelivinginarefrigeratorcartontwoblocksfromhere.Their
motherworksthegraveyardshiftasajanitor,leavingthemalonemostofthenight.Their
fatherwasdisappearedbackinChiapas."
Coxlookedathim,surprised."Howdoyoufindthesepeople?"
"They'reallovertheplace,Brian.Youjusthavetoopenyoureyes."
"YouwantmetocallChildProtectiveServices?"
"Hell,no.Sotheygettakenawayfromtheirmother?Howisthatgoingtohelp?Ileftthem
somemoney.Enoughtogetoffthestreet,Ihope."
Coxgruntedandlookedthoughtful."Youcan'tsavethemall,Davy."
"Iknowthat!"Davysnapped."It'sjust"Awaitresswithdirtyblondhairescapingher
barrettes,abaremidriffwithapiercednavel,andalargepatchofthighshowingthrougha
raggedholeinherjeansstoppedatthetable.Davyexhaled."Tea,please.Something
herbal."Heglancedatthelist."Lemongrasschamomile."
Coxpointedathiscoffee."Asliceoftheapplepieandarefill."
Shesmiledmechanicallyandleft.
Davylookeddownatthetabletop."Youhavekids,right?"
Coxnodded."Twoboys.Andyes,Iwasthinkingofthemwhenyoutoldmeaboutthosetwo
littlegirls."
Davyshookhishead."No.That'snottheconnectionI'dmade."Hesighedheavily."Ihadan
argumentwithMillietonight.She'sreadytohavekids."
Coxraisedhiseyebrows."Oh?Andtheargumentiswhat?Thatyouaren't?"
"Notyet."
"Isee."
Davywinced."Whatdoyousee?"
Coxblinked,hisfacemild."Thatshe'sreadyandyou'renot."
Adifferentwaitress,aheavilymadeupbrunetteinatightlyknottedtie,snowwhiteshirt,
andblackslacks,broughtouttheteaandCox'spie.Herhairwastightlypulledbacktoa
severebun.Davyshookhishead,bemusedatthecontrast.
Coxlookedannoyed."CouldIgetthatrefillonthecoffee?"
"Comingrightup,sir."
Davyplayedwiththeteabag,dippingitinandoutofthewater.He'dhadcoffeeinNewYork
onlyahalfhourbeforeandhopedhewasn'tinforanothersleeplessnight.Heinhaledthe
odorofthelemongrassanditcascadedamemoryofspicyThaisoupseatenonhighstools
underathatchedroofinChaAmonthecoastroadtoMalaysia.WithMillie.Hetookagulp.It
feltgoodonhisthroat,asurprise,sincehehadn'trealizedhisthroathurt."She'srestless,I
think.Shehasfriendsbutit'shardforhertogetreallyclosewhenshecan'tbetrulyopen
withthem."

Coxsighed."Iknowthatoneatleastyouguysareopenwitheachother,right?Thereare
thingsIcannevertellmywife."
ThebrunettewaitressreturnedwiththecoffeepotandrefilledCox'scup."How'sthetea,
sir?"
"Good.Reallygood."Hedranksomemore.
Coxstaredathimthenatthewaitress'sretreatingback."Shedressesalotbetterthanthe
otherservershere."
Davysaid,"ProbablyalawstudentatGeorgeWashington.Theyneedmoney,too,
consideringtuitionandall."
Coxshrugged."Seemedabitoldforthat,butyouneverknow."
"What'sthejob,Brian?"
Coxglancedaroundandloweredhisvoice."You'venevergoneintoPyongyang,right?"
Davyshookhishead."No.SouthKorea,yes.I'vegotjumpsitesinSeoulandPusanbutI've
neverbeenintheDemocraticPeoplesRepublic."Hedrankmoreofhistea.
"Wehavesomethingcomingupintwoweeks.We'dlikeyoutoacquireasiteneartheHotel
PothongganginPyongyang.WecanputyouonanAirKoryoflightfromTokyo.Youcangoin
asaCanadian."
Davyshookhishead."Ifyou'vegotsomethingcomingup,whynotjustinsertyourman?I
mean,withtwoweeksyoucouldprobablyputMadonnainplacewithoutdetection."
Brianrolledhiseyes."It'snotaninsertion.It'sanextraction.Thesubjectisonthecritical
massgeometryteamfortheirtacticalnukeandisunderconstantwatchbytheCivilSecurity
Forces."
"Ithoughtthey'dstoppeddevelopment.Wasn'tthatpartofthedeal?"
Brianshookhishead."Ostensibly,yes.Theyshutdownthefactory.Research?That's
unclear."
"Ishedefecting?"
"Hisonlydaughterwentsouthfifteenyearsago.Hehasgrandchildrennowthathe'snever
seen."
Davygulpedtherestofhiscup."Spellitout,Brian.Is.He.Defecting.Didhecometoyou
guys?"
"Hisdaughterdid.Subsequentcontactsweremadedirectlywithhimandhewaseagerand
willing."
"Okay.Justsoit'snotasnatch."
"It'snot."Briansnorted."Toobadyou'resoparticular.You'reawfullygoodatit."
Davyshookhishead."Imayhavebeengoodatit.Didn'tkeeppeoplefromdying."
Coxdidn'tpushit,shrugginginstead.
"Howsoondoesithavetobe?"Davyasked.
"He'sscheduledtotalkataconferenceinthecapitalontheeighteenth.Wethoughtwe'ddo
itfromahotelroom."
Davyrolledhisneckandfeltmusclesrelaxing.Hisshouldersdroppedastensiondrained
fromhisback."Okay.Let'sdotheflightfromTokyosometimenextweek.Tellmewhento
pickuptheticketandthepasssssssporrrt."Davyblinked.Thewordhadstretchedoddlyin
hismouth.Hefelthimselfsmile,thenhebegantolaughsoftly.
Cox'seyeswidened."Davy?"HereachedacrossthetableandliftedDavy'schin,thenputhis
thumbonDavy'seyebrowandlifted,pullingtheeyelidupsohecouldseeDavy'seye."Oh,
shit!Jumpoutofhere.You'vebeendrugged!"
ThiswasevenfunnierandDavystartedlaughingharder.Jump?Whynot?Hetriedtopicture
thealcoveintheJohnsHopkinsEmergencyRoomanditjustwouldn'tcome.Hethought
aboutthecliffhouseinTexasbutitjustdidn'tstayinhismind."Ican't."Hesaid.

10

Coxpulledaphonefrominsidehisjacketandhelddownoneofthekeys.Helistenedfora
momentthensaid,"AvenueHandNineteenthNorthwest.CoffeeshopcalledInterrobang.
It'sasnatch."
Anambulancepulledupoutside,itslightsflashingbutwithnosiren.Adriverandparamedic
jumpedfromthefrontdoors,thentwomoreuniformedattendantsjumpedfromtheback
andpulledagurneyout.
Coxbeganswearing,hiseyesswivelingbetweenthedoorleadingbacktothekitchenandthe
ambulanceattendantsjustnowenteringtherestaurant'smainentranceinthenextroom.
"Canyouwalk?"
Davygiggled.WhywouldIwanttowalk?
Coxstoodsuddenly,pickeduphischair,andthrewitthroughthelargeplateglasswindow.
Davywatchedasglassfloatedthroughtheairlikesnowflakesinablizzard.Peoplewere
screamingsomeplace,buthecouldn'tbebotheredtoturnhisheadtowatch.Coxgrabbed
Davy'scoatfrontandhauledhimbodilytohisfeet,thenstoopedsuddenly.
DavyfoundhimselfhangingoverCox'sshoulder,headlookingdown,thentheworldwas
spinningandtheywereoutside,crunchingthroughthefieldofdiamondsonthesidewalk.It
wasrainingagain.Hecouldfeelhisbuttgettingwetthroughhisjeans,andthediamonds
weregone,andCox'sfootstepshadmutatedfromcrunchingtopoundingstepsincreasing
steadilyinspeed.
Runsprettyfastforanoldguy.
AllhecouldseewereCox'slegssplashingdownthepavement.Hecouldfeelapoundingin
hisearsasbloodrushedtohisheadbutitwasjustanotherfact,anotherobservation,
seeminglyunconnectedtoanythingimportant.
Nothingseemedimportant.
HesawsomethinghitthesidewalknearCox'srunningfeetandfeltstonechipscuthisface.
Thesoundofagunshotfollowed,laggingbehind,andDavy'sorientationchangedsuddenly,
hisheadswingingwideasCoxabruptlyturnedacornerandincreasedhispace,hispounding
feethittingthewetpuddleshardenoughwithhisfeettosplashwaterupintoDavy'sface.
DavywasstillgigglingsoftlywithoddgaspseachtimeoneofCox'sfeethitthepavement.His
headwasswingingfromsidetosideandhecaughtglimpsesofthestreetinupsidedown
fragments,left,right,left.Oh,it'sNineteenth.Thiswasthewayhe'dcomeearlier.
CoxstumbledandDavyheardthegunshotimmediatelyafter.Coxmanagedthreemore
stepsthenwentdown,spillingDavyintoapuddle.Davyrolledsidewaysthroughthewater
andfetchedupagainstastorefrontsecuritygratingfacingbacktowardCoxandthestreet.
Coxtriedtogetupandfellagain,cryingoutthroughclenchedteeth.Betweenthewaterand
thedarkness,Davycouldn'ttellwhereCoxwashit,butheclearlycouldn'tputweightonhis
rightleg.
Therewererunningfootsteps,severalpairs,gettinglouder.
"Canyouhearme?"Coxsaid.
Davymanagedaslightnod.
"Idon'tgetoutofthis,tellCindyshe'sthebestthingthateverhappenedtome.Herandthe
boys."Herolledoverandraisedhisheadtolookback,thenreachedintohisjacket.Several
bulletsslammedintohimandhefellback,hishandfloppingout.Hiscellphoneskidded
acrossthepavement.
Thewaitressfromtherestaurantwalkedintoview,aboxyautomaticpistolheldextended.
Herperfecthairwasmussed,now,rainwetandcomingoutofthebun,andhermascarawas
runningindarkbroadstreaksdownhercheekslikeshewasbleedingfromtheeyes,buther
tiewasstilltightlyknottedandherstepswereprecise.
Coxgroaned,abubblingraspingsound,andthewomantookonequickstepforwardandput

11

anotherbulletintoCox'shead.
Davyfeltsomethingwetsplashacrosshisface,butitwasn'train.Itwaswarm.
Threemoremencameintoview,theambulancecrew.OneofthemdroppedtoDavy'sside.
"Christ,ishehit?"
Thewaitresswiththegunsaid,"That'snothisblood."
BlindinglightfilledDavy'seyesasavehiclepulledup,turningthemenintodarksilhouettes.
Theytookhimbythearmsandhauledhimupandpulledhim,toesdraggingthroughthe
puddles,tothebackoftheambulance.Inthedistance,thesoundofmultiplesirensbeganto
growlouder.
"Let'sgetamoveon!"
Astheypausedatthebackoftheambulancewhileoneofthemopenedthedoor,Davy's
slumpedheadsawtheslightestmovement,acrossthestreetatthemouthofanalley.Atiny
figure,achild,crouchedbehindatrashcan,staring.Oh,yeah.That'stheiralley.
Thenhewastumbledintotheambulance,facedownonthefloor,anditwasaccelerating.He
feltfingersonhiswrist,thensomethingstabbeddeepintohisleftbuttockHey!rousing
himalmostenoughtovisualizethelibraryinStanville,Ohio.
Thentheambulancetookaturnandkeptturning,spinning,likeatop,andthelightswent
completelyaway.
THREE
"Whereisyourhusband?"
"IknowJoelovesme,but,Christ,thethingshedoessometimes.Lastnightitwasthelaundry
thing,again."
Milliewasworkingthroughlunch,tryingtomakeupasmanyofhermissedappointments
fromthedaybeforeaspossible.Whatshereallywantedtodowasrunaroundincircles
screamingbutshecouldn'tseeanywaythatwouldhelp.
SheilaMcNeilwasthirtyfiveandhavingproblemswithherhusbandafterfouryearsof
marriage.FromeverythingMilliehadheardinthepasttwomonths,alargepartofthe
problemwasJoe's:afearofintimacythatdrovehimcyclicallybetweenapproachand
avoidance.Sheila'sattemptstogetJoetocomeinforsomejointsessionshadbeen
unsuccessfultodate,soMillie'scurrentstrategywasworkingonSheila'scopingskillsand
reducingthewoman'stendencytoobsessonherhusband'sactionsinsteadofdealingwith
herown.
Milliemadeanencouraging"I'mlistening"soundinherthroat.
"It'sjustasyousaid.Iwastryingtogethimtotalkabouthisfeelingsagain,whyhedidn't
wanttoseesomebody,and,pow,instantargumentbecauseIleftaloadinthewashing
machinefortwodaysandnowitwasgettingmildewed."
Millienodded."Howdidyouhandleit?"
"ItoldhimI'dtakecareofthelaundrybuthewasavoidingtherealissue."
"And?"
"Hestormedoutandstarteddoingthelaundry."
Atleasthewasstillinthehouse.IntheearlyyearsofMillie'smarriage,whenDavyhad
stormedoutofanargument,hewasusuallythousandsofmilesaway.
"Howdidyoufeelaboutthat?"
"Angry.Hurt.Pissedoff.Thenitstruckmeasfunny,butIdecidedthatlaughingathimwasn't
goingtoimprovethings."
Milliesmiled."That'sanimprovement."
"Yeah.Beatsfeelingguilty,anyday."

12

TheintercombuzzedandMilliefrowned."Excuseme,Sheila."Sheliftedthehandset."Yes,
Loraine?"
"I'mverysorrytointerrupt,buttherearesomeFBIagentsoutherewhoinsistontalking
withyou."
IsitaboutDavy?Millielookedatherwatch."Didn'tyoutellthemI'llbedoneinfive
minutes?"
"Yes,Idid."
"Tellthemyoutoldmethey'rewaitingandthatIsaidI'llbeoutinfiveminutes."
ShedidherbesttoconcentrateonSheilaforherremainingtime,butitwashard.
"Ourusualtime,nextweek,butcallfirsttoconfirm,allright?Mylifehasbecomeabitmore
hecticthanusual,rightnow."
ShefollowedSheilaoutintotheouteroffice.
Therewerefourmeninsuitswaitingintheoffice.TheoldestofthemwaslookingatMillie,
clearlydifferentiatingherfromSheila.
HeknowswhatIlooklike.
Sheila,wideeyed,lingered,puttinghercoatonslowly.
Milliesighed."Stepintomyoffice,please."
Threeofthemtroopedinsideandthefourthonegesturedforhertoprecedehim.
Polite?Orkeepingmefrombolting?
Shewenttoherdeskandsat.
"Goodafternoon,Mrs.Rice,"saidthemanshe'dalreadypickedasthelead.
Yep,heknowsme.
Themanwasslightlyshorterthanhiscompanions.Hehadatouchofgrayathistemplesand
hedidn'tquiteexplodewiththeoverexercisedphysiquethattheothershad.
TheMrs.Ricewould'venormallypissedheroffbutrightnowitjustmadeherthinkofDavy.
"I'mnotsosureit'sthatgoodanafternoon,actually.Whoareyou?"
"AgentAnders.Couldyoutelluswhereyourhusbandis?"
Shedidn'tknowwhethertoberelievedorfrightened.Atleasttheyhadn'tsaidDavywas
founddead.Isawhimtwonightsago,secondsbeforehewasprobablyseeninWashington
D.C.AndhowdoIexplainthat?
"MayIseesomeidentification,please?"Shewasstallingfortime,butdidn'tlikethewayhis
eyeswidenedslightlyatherrequest.
"Certainly."HepulledanIDwalletfrominsidehisjacket,exposingabriefglimpseofshoulder
holsterandgun.Hehelditouttowardher,butpulleditbackwhenshereachedforit.
"AgentAnders?I'mnearsighted.Howdoyouexpectmetoreadit?"
Heleanedforwardagain,reluctantly.TheIDwasnotFBI,butNationalSecurityAgency.
"Well,atleastyournameisAnders,ThomasP.Andtheseothergentlemen,Tom?"
Andersnoddedreluctantly."AlsoNSA."
"WhereisBrianCox?"
Hecounteredwith"Wheredoyouthinkheis?Andyourhusband?"Hisexpressionwasn't
challenging.ItremindedMillieofmirroring,atechniqueoftherapydesignedtodrawoutthe
patient,answeringquestionswithotherquestions.Anders'sposturewaspatientandstill,
likeabenevolentprayingmantis.
Peoplegivethemselvesawaytothismanwillingly.Inanotherlifehemight'vemadeadecent
therapist.Shetriedagain,offeringapieceforapiece."Myhusbandismissing.Where'sBrian
Cox?"
"Missingsincewhen?"
Hmmph.Moremirroring."Twodays,now."Sheneededtoleaveitsloppy.Shewasn'tgoing
toexplainDavy'steleportationiftheydidn'tknowaboutit.Sheneededtoleavetimeforhim

13

togettoD.C.byconventionalmeans.AndthereisnowayinhellI'mgoingtotalktothem
aboutmylittletripfromTexastohere!
Andersstaredatthewallbehindherforamoment,thennoddedsharplyasifmakinga
decision.Hetookacellphonefromhisbelt."OnemomentandI'llansweryourquestion."He
punchedaspeeddialcombinationthen,afteramoment,spoke."Andershere.Theassetis
missing.Hiswifehasn'tseenhimfortwodays."Helistenedagain,thensaid,"Allright."He
putawaythephone.
Millieshuddered.Asset?Wasn'tthatthesameassaying,"thing"?
Anderssquaredhisshouldersandsaid,"BrianCoxisdead.HewasfoundinD.C.on
NineteenthAvenueNorthwest.He'dbeenshotseveraltimes,thenagainintheheadatclose
range."
Millietookasudden,deepbreaththroughhernose."Oh,thepoorman.Didhehavea
family?"
Anderswinced."I'mafraidso."
Youwereavoidingthinkingabouthisfamily,weren'tyou?Sheshookherhead.AndDavy?
"Davywasmeetingwithhim,"shesaid,sincetheymust'veknownthat.
"Yes.Coxtoldhisunit'sdutyofficer.Shetookyourmessageoffthevoicemailsystemearly
thismorning.I'mstationedinOklahomaCityandtheydispatchedme."
"Ihaven'tseenDavysincehe,uh,leftforthemeeting."
Andersnotedthepause."Gentlemen,"hesaidtotheroomatlarge."Establishaninner
perimeter."
Millieblinked.Innerimpliesouter.Howmanymendidtheybring?
Theotheragentslookedbrieflysurprised,thentroopedout,closingthedoorbehindthem.
"MayIsit?"askedAnders,indicatingoneofthechairsshekeptagainstthewallforgroup
sessions.
Shenodded.
Hemoveditinfrontofherdeskand,well,settledinit.Sittingwasn'tquiteaccuratetoo
muchofhisweightwasstillonhisfeet.Hetookadeepbreathandsaid,"Youprobablydon't
recognizemeIthinkyousawmeonlytwice."Hepursedhislipsandfrowned."Iworked
David'scasetenyearsagoandwasontheperimeterteamwhenwetookyouintocustody."
"Custody?"Shesaidthatwordslowly.TheNSAhadkidnappedher,seekingtouseherasa
levertocontrolDavy.
Andersdroppedhiseyesandclearedhisthroat."Thepointis,Iwasoneofthoseagents
watchingyourcollegeapartment.HegrabbedmeandteleportedmetoOrlyAirport,in
France."
Shelettheoldbusinesspass.Itdidn'tmatternow."Thenyouknowabouthim.Right.Davy
leftmeatfiveminutesuntileleventhenightbeforelast,centraltime.FromwhatI
understood,hewasmeetingCoxatmidnight,easterntime."
Andersnodded."Yes,acoffeeshopcalledInterrobang."
"Ah,Ididn'tknowthename.Weneverwenttheretogetherbecause...well,becauseI'dhad
enoughinvolvementwiththeNSA.Didtheymeet?"Shewasperchedontheedgeofher
chairnowandcouldn'tremembershiftingforward.
"Yes.ThenightdutyofficergotadistresscallfromCox'scellphoneattwelvetwentyfive.
Coxgavehislocationandsaiditwasasnatch...akidnapping."
"Davy?"Theknotinherchestwasaching.
"Probably.Witnessessayanambulancepulleduptothefrontdoorandfourmenstarted
inside.Whiletheywereinthefoyer,Coxpitchedachairthroughthefrontwindow,threwhis
companionoverhisshoulder,andleftthroughthewindow."
"Hiscompanion.WasitDavy?"

14

"Theagencyhassomerecentpassportphotosandwepresentedthemmixedwithothers.
ThreeofthewitnessespickedDavy'spicture.Severalothersdidn't."
"Whywasn'tDavywalking?Whydidn'thejump?"
"Hewasdrugged.Ourlabfoundacocktailofdroperidolandgammahydroxybutyrateinthe
dregsofhistea.Astheytookeffect,itmust'vebecomecleartoCox,andthat'swhyhe
scrambledthealertteam.Therewasawaitresswhowasn'tawaitressatInterrobang.She
bribedthemanagerfiftydollarstowaitonCoxandyourhusband.Saiditwaspartofa
fraternityjoke."
"ThatsamewaitressandtheambulancecrewranoutoftherestaurantafterCox.The
witnesseshearddistantgunshotsandwhenouralertteamarrivedtheyfoundCoxablock
andahalfaway,dead.
"Therewasnosignofyourhusband."
Millieleanedbackagain.Theywouldn'thavedruggedDavyiftheyjustwantedtokillhim.
Thefearsubsidedslightly,thensurgedback.Theydon'tbalkatkilling,though."Whodid
this?"
"Whodoyouthinkcould'vedonethis?"Moremirroring.
"Ifitwasn'ttheNSA,Ihavenoidea."
"Ah."Andersshookhishead."Wedon'tknowwhodidthis."
Milliestaredoutthewindowforamoment."Well,itwassomeonewithaccess.Theyeither
knewaboutthespecificmeetingortheyknewCoxwasDavy'scontrolandhavebeen
monitoringhimcontinuouslyuntiltheymet."Shethoughtforamoment."Itmightevenbe
anotherUSintelligencebranch.OneofthoseagenciesthatDavyprovidedtransportfor.
Someonewhowantsthoseservicesattheirdisposal."
Andersfrowned,startedtosaysomething,thenstoppedhimself.Finallyheshiftedinthe
chairanddroppedhishandstohisknees."You'reright,thosepossibilitiesareunder
consideration.EveryoneinCox'sunitisundergoingpolygraphsrightnowandthey'redoinga
majorscreenforelectronicintelligence."
Millielookedblank.
"Bugs,wiretaps.We'realsocheckinghisfamily,toseeifanyofthemmentionedthemeeting
toanybody.NowIneedtoaskyouthesamequestion:Didyoumentionhismeetingto
anybody?"
Millieshookherhead."Ididn'tactuallyknowaboutthemeetinguntiltenminutesbeforehe
left.Wewerehavinganarguwell,aratherheateddiscussionaboutsomethingelse."
"Andthatwas?"
"Noneofyourbusiness,"shesaid,blushing."You'lljusthavetotrustmethatithadnothing
todowithDavy'sdisappearance."
Andersstaredatherforamoment,thennodded."Allright."
Milliefrowned."HowcantheyhopetocontrolDavy?Theminutethedrugswearoff,he'llbe
outofthere."Perhapsearlier,even.Ithadn'thappenedlatelybutintheearlyyearsoftheir
marriage,Davywouldgetnightmaresandenduphundredsofmilesaway,fleeingan
illusionarydanger,jumpingbeforehewasfullyawake.Unlesstheychainhim.Shedecided
nottomentionthistoAnders.
Adeeplyparanoidthoughthither.WhatifthisinterviewisnotaboutfindingDavy,but
learninghowtocontrolhim?Hernextthought,alsoparanoid,broughtupadifferent
possibility.
Sheopenedhermouthtospeak,thencloseditagain,lickingsuddenlydrylips.Finallyshe
said,"So,ifCox'sunitiscompromised,thenI'malsoindanger.Threateningmemightbeone
waytocontrolhim.Isthatwhyyouhadthemestablishaperimeter?Doyouexpectthesame
peopletocomeafterme?"

15

Anderswaitedamoment,frowningslightly.Finally,hejustsaid,"Yes."Shestaredathimfor
amoment,thinkingitthrough.Whatsheconcludedfrightenedherverymuch.
"Andyouwantthemto.Ifyoucancatchthemtryingtotakeme,it'sonewaytofindout
who'sbehindthis."
Hiseyeswidenedandforamomentshethoughtshewaswrong.Thensherealizedthe
surprisewasn'tabouttheideaofusingherasbait.Hewassurprisedthatshe'dfigureditout
sosoon.
"I'mnotstupid,Mr.Anders."
Hisnodwasrespectful."Obviouslynot.Wehadn'tplannedontellingyouthatpart."
Shefeltherselfhunchdown,herneckdrawingdownbetweenhershoulders."Doesn't
matter.IfitstandsachanceofleadingustoDavy,we'vegottotryit."
Herlastclientcanceledonherandshewasabletogohomeatfourthirtybutdidn'tactually
leaveuntilfive.Anderswentovertherouteshewouldwalktohercondo,thendeployedhis
menaccordingly.
"I'dlosethesuitsifthisistogoon.Yourguyscouldpassforcollegejocksiftheydressed
right."
Anderssmiled."We'renotamateurs,Mrs.Rice.Themeninsuitsarenottheonlyassetson
site."
Ah,theinnerperimeter.TheouterperimeterwasprobablyinplacebeforeAndershadever
enteredtheoffice.Shehadtolaugh."Obviouslynot.ButitisHarrisonRiceandIpreferMs.
ToMrs."
"Allright,Ms.HarrisonRice."Hebenthisheadtoonesideandcoveredhisear.Hewas
wearinganearplugnowthatsnakeduphisneckonafleshcoloredcord."Right.Mymenare
inplace."
Anderstookathinoblong,fleshcoloredplasticcaseperhapstwoincheslongoutofhiscoat
pocket.Hedidsomethingtothesideanditopened,revealingcircuitboard,lithiumbattery,
andasmallslideswitchthathemovedbeforerecoveringit.Hetouchedsomethinginsidehis
jacketandspoke."Thelocatorisonareyougettingasignal?"Theanswerwasapparently
positive.
HeturnedbacktoMillie."We'dlikeyoutowearthisonyourperson.It'saGPStracker,a
backupshouldtheygetcloseenoughtosnatchyou."
Shestaredatit."Onmyperson?That'salittlevague,isn'tit?Notinmypurseorjacket,
right?"
Anderscoloredslightly."Thebraisprobablyyourbestbet.Underneath,to,uh,secureit."He
handedherthecase."I'llbeoutside."Helefttheoffice,closingthedoorbehindhim.
Alone,thehumordrainedawayandshefeltsmallandfrightened.Shewaswearingasports
braunderherblouseandwhenshepushedthecasebetweenherbreastsitstayedthere,
withoutanytelltalebulgesvisible,evenbeforesherebuttonedtheblouse.
Again,sheputonDavy'sleatherjacket,takingamomenttoburyherfaceintheliningand
inhalingdeeply."Oh,Davy.Whathaveyougotteninto?"
Therouteshe'dgivenAnderswasn'therusualone,butaslightdetourpastacity
playground.Shestoppedatthefence,watchingmotherswithpreschoolagekidsplaying.
Onewomanunderthetreeswasbeingburiedinleavesbytwingirls.Allthreeofthemwere
gigglinginsanelyandMilliefelttearscometohereyesevenasshesmiled."Oh,Davy,"she
muttered."Iwishyou'dknockedmeupbeforeyoudisappeared."
Enoughofthat!Shewalkedon,tryingtopushthethoughtawaybutshewasn'tjustworried
aboutDavy.Shewasscaredshe'dneverhavethechancetohavehischildren.
Shelookedaroundmoreobviously,lookingforAnders'smenandhadtoadmitshecouldn't

16

reallypickthemout.Thiswasfairlyclosetotheuniversitysotherewerealotofpedestrians
andvehicletraffic.
Onlyoncewasshesure.AblondmaninanOSUsweatshirtwithabackpackslungoverone
shoulderpassedher,goingthesamedirection.Thebrightorangesilkscreenoftheuniversity
mascot,PistolPete,onthesweatshirthadobviouslyneverbeenwashedandtherewerestill
creasesfromahangerstandingupontheshoulders.Theclincher,though,wasacoilofflesh
coloredwiretrailingdownhisneckfromhisrightear.
Orangeisnotyourcolor.
ShehalfwayexpectedAnderstobewaitinginthelobbyofthecondominiumsbuthewasn't
there.Therealsowasn'tanybodyonthestairsorinthehallway.Didtheyevencheckthe
building?
Shehesitatedbeforeherdoor.Goddammit,thiswasmyrefuge.Nowitfeelslikeatrap.She
startedtoturnawaywhenitopened.
"Comeonin,Ms.HarrisonRice.It'sallclear."
ItwasAnders.
Sheglared."Idon'tsupposeyouneededakey."
Heshruggedapologetically."Itwasbetterthanhangingaroundinthehall."
Shepushedpasthim.Therewasanothermansweepinganantennaedboxacrossthefarwall
andathirdstandingbesidethedoortothebalcony,lookingoutsidethroughapartinthe
drapes.
"Doyouplanonmovinginwithme?"
"No,ma'am.We'vebeensweepingforbugsandtogetthelayout.There'saunitavailableon
thenextfloorup.We'rearrangingforitsuse."
Shelookedaround.Theclimbingropeandplugofconcretefromthecliffhousewasstillin
thecorner.Whenshe'darrivedbackhere,thismorning,ithadseemedspacious.Withthe
threemenpresent,itfeltlikethewallswereclosingin.
Andersmust'veseenthis."We'llbeoutofhereshortly."
Millieswallowed."Leavingmealone?"Makeupyourmind,girl.Doyouwantthemhereor
not?
"We'veputacamerainthehallandwe'llbewatchingtheentrancestothebuilding.There's
thethree,right?"
Millieshookherhead."Four.There'sastairwayfromtheparkinggarageinthesoutheast
corner.Thenthere'sthefrontandbackdoor,andtheonebythepool,thoughthey'dhaveto
gooverthefencetogettothatone."Shefeltherbreathingslow."Wheredoyoumonitor
thecamera?"
"We'vegotavanparkeddownthestreet."Atherlookofalarmheadded,"Butthere'llbe
menonthepremises,closer."
Shedidn'tknowwhetherthatmadeherfeelbetterornot,butshesaid,"Allright.I'mgoing
totakeashowerandchange.Um,youdidn'tputanycamerasintheapartmentdidyou?"
Andersshookhishead."No...butyoushouldbeaware"Helickedhislips."Well,the
trackingdeviceIgaveyouhasamicrophone."
Beforeshecouldsayanythinghequicklyadded,"I'msorryIdidn'tmentionitearlier,butI
realizedthatnomatterwhatyouthoughtabouttheinvasionofyourprivacy,youwouldn't
toleratetheinvasionofyourclients'privacy."
Herinitialsurgeofangersubsided."Quiteright.We'llhavetotalkaboutthis,butrightnowI
wantashower."
Sheshutthebedroomdoorandstood,herbacktoit,herhandsoverherface,rubbingher
eyes.Firstthingsfirst.Shedugthetracker/bugoutofherbraandputitonthebedsideclock
radio,rightonthespeakergrill,thenturnedonthenews.Hopethatdidn'thurtanybody's

17

ears.Onlythendidshefeellikeshecouldcontinueintothebathroom.
Sheranthewaterhotandletitstreamacrossherface.Then,likemeltingice,thetearscame
andthesobsandthefearandgrief.Davy,Davy,Davyyoubetterbeallright!
ThenextmorningshemetAndersintheparkinggarageandfollowedhimtoafullsized
customvanwithmirroredwindowswhosechromeroofrackbarelyclearedthecement
beamsabove.Heopenedthedoorforherandsheclimbedin.Insteadoftheplushcarpeting
andupholsteredseatstheexteriorledonetoexpect,theinteriorwasmetalandutilitarian
withracksofelectronics,monitors,andcable.
Amanwearingateeshirtandshortssatinapivotingvinylseat.Andersdirectedhertoa
backwardsfacingbenchseatbehindthedriver'sstation,andperchedbesideher,shutting
thedoorbehindthem.Itwaswarminthevan,despitethelatewintertemperaturesoutside,
andMillieshruggedoffhercoat.
Andersgesturedattheotherman."ThisisWatson.That'shisfirstname."
Watsonsmiled."I'mnamedafterthreefamoussidekicks."
Milliethoughtaboutitasecond,thensaid,"SherlockHolmes'sWatson.Uh,andWatsonand
Crick?Who'sthethird?"
Watsongrinned."ThemostappropriateoneAlexanderGrahamBell'sassistant,atthe
otherendoflisteningdevice.'Watson,comehere,Ineedyou.'"
Anderswavedhishandimpatiently."GiveusMs.HarrisonRice'sbugonspeaker."
Watsonpushedasliderbarupandtherewasaslighthum.WhenAnderssaid,"Itcanpickup
thosearoundyou,too,"hisvoiceechoedoutofthespeaker."But,youcanturnitoff."He
heldouthishand.
Millietookthetrackeroutofherpocketandhandedittohim.
"Itcomesapartlikethis."Heputpressureonthetwofacesandslidtheminopposite
directions.Thefacepoppedoffandheindicatedaslideswitchwithazeroatoneendanda
twoattheother."Atzeroit'sallthewayoffsodon'tdothat.Inbetween,it'sjusttheGPS
locator.Andallthewaytotheright,it'saGPSlocatorandanaudiobug."Heslidittothe
middlepositionashewassayingthisandthespeakerstoppedechoinghisvoice.
Watsonpointedatacomputerscreenthatseemedtobeastreetmapofherneighborhood
withaflashingdotattheappropriatespace."Butwe'renotgettingtheGPScoordinatesright
now,becauseyou'reinthisferroconcretegarageandcan'tgetthesatellites.That'llchange
whenyouwalkoutside."
Andersturnedtheaudiobugbackon."Isthatsatisfactory,Ms.HarrisonRice?"
"Right.WhenI'mwithclients,themikeisgoingoff.Otherwise,it'llbeonandI'lljusthaveto
watchwhatIsay."
FOUR
"...thatactivityiscontraindicated."
Somethingwasn'tright.
Davywassureofitbuthecouldn'tputhisfingeronit.
Therewaslightontheothersideofhiseyelids.HeknewheshouldgetupMilliegotpissed
ifhespentalldayinbedbuthecouldn'tevenmakehimselfopenhiseyes,muchlesssitup.
Maybeit'savirus.MaybeIjustdon'twanttogetintothehavingchildrenargumentagain.
Milliemust'vebeenlisteningtosomethingonthetelevisionortheradio.Adistantvoice,
deep,male,said,"Uh,oh,thatlookslikeanarousalpattern."
"Where?"Atenor,orwasitanalto?
"ThatKcomplex...andthosethetawavesareincreasinginamplitude."

18

"HithimwithsomemorefentanylIV.Thenincreasethedriponthefentanyl/midazolam."
Definitelyanalto,awoman.
Hefeltsomethingcoldinhisarmandthoughtitoddthatitshouldbeinhisarmratherthan
onitandthenhewentbacktosleep.
TheTVwasonagain.Itsoundedlikesomesortofdaytimehospitalsoap."aninfection?"
"Probably.EitherfromtheIVorthecatheterorwhenweintubatedhimsomethingfrom
thesinuses.Youcan'tkeepsomeonesedatedthislongwithoutdepressingtheirimmune
system.I'vestartedhimonZyvoxandSynercid,andwe'reworkinghimupwithblood
cultures,UA,andchestfilmfornow."Aman.
"Dammitthesurgery'sscheduledfortonight."Thewomanfrombefore,thealto.
"Well,youopenhimlikethis"
"Iknow,Iknow.It'sjustthatthesurgicalteamisnotinonit.Gettingthemtogetherwas...
difficult."Shepaused."We'llabortifhistempdoesn'tdropbelowninetyninefivebefore
seventeenhundred.What'shiswhitebloodcellcount?"
"Fifteenfive.There'ssomethrombocytopeniaandhisiron'sdown."
"Well,he'sfightingit.Hey,thosethetawavesareawfullysharp.What'sthe
fentanyl/midazolamdrip?Thathigh?"
"Youcan'tleavehimonitfordaysandnotexpectsometoleranceincrease."
"Well,wecan'thavehimwakingup,either.Bumpit.Hopefullywecantakehimoffitina
coupleofdays."
"Okay,I'mincreasingittothreehundred."
"Youseeanysignofbetaformation,youhithimwithmorefentanyl."
"Well,okay,butwecouldlosehimtodruginteractions."
"You'vegotacrashcart.We'retakingthatrisk.Youhaveaproblem,takeitupwithher."
Themanclearedhisthroat,butdidn'tsayanything,orifhedid,theTVmust'vebeenturned
offfirst.
Hehurt.
Hisbackhurt,hisheadhurt,hisneckhurt.Hislipswerecracked,andhissinusesburned,and
hewashungry.Ravenous.
WhatonearthdidIdolastnight?
HerememberedgoingtodinnerwithMillie,thenpastriesinthevillage,andthenhewas
supposedtomeetChrist.Brian!
Imagesfloodedback.
Glassflyingoverastreetlightlitsidewalkmixedwithrain.Adizzyingviewofanupsidedown
street.Brian,lyingonhissideinasidewalkpuddle,askinghimtotellhiswifesomething.
ThenthebulletsandthebleedingeyedwaitressfromthecoffeeshopshootingBrianinthe
face.
Brian'sbloodsprayingontohisface.
Davy'seyesrippedopen.Thatwastheonlywordforittheeyelidswerestucktogether.The
roomwasdarkgrayandthelightingwasindirect,puttingpuddlesoflightontheceilingthat
hurthiseyes.
Theblanketandsheetwerepulleduptohisneckandhisheadwasproppedslightlyup,asif
hewereonmultiplepillowsoroneverythickone.Hetriedtolifthishandtopushthecovers
downbuthishandseemedstuck.Hetriedtheotheroneandthoughtherewasabitof
motion,hecouldn'tpullitupeither.Hetriedtositupandfellback,painshootingfromhis
shoulders.
AmIthatweak?

19

"Ishouldn'ttryandmovejustyet."Thevoicewasdigitallydistorted,acrossbetween2001's
Halandawashingmachineonspin.Itcamefromaspeakeroverthemirroronthewalltohis
right.
Mirror?Probablynot,thoughtDavy.They'rewatching.
"Who"Davy'svoicewasthebaresthuskandthewordwascompletelyunintelligible.He
triedtoclearhisthroatandwinced.Itwasincrediblyraw.
"Bestnottotryspeaking,either,"thevoicesaid."Notjustyet."
Thedooroppositethefootofhisbedopened.Itwasbrighterlitinthehall,apainfulglimpse
ofawallpaintedwhiteonitsupperhalf,woodpaneledbelow,andthenitwasocculted.
Whenheopenedhiseyesagain,thedoorwasshutagainandtherewassomeonestandingin
theroomwithhim.
Heblinkedagain,tryingtogettheafterimageofthedoorwayoutofhiseyes.Hewashaving
troublefocusing."DrinkupforMummy,"saidthedistortedvoice.
Thefigureguidedastrawtohislips.
ItwasicewaterandDavysuddenlyrealizedthathewasparched,likeamanlostinthe
desert.Hesuckedgreedilyandthenbrokeintoaspasmofcoughingassomeofitwentdown
hiswindpipe.
ThefigurebackedawayandDavy'seyesfinallyfocused.Ithewasalargemanwearing
bluescrubscompletewithacap,papersurgicalmask,andlatexgloves.Hiseyeslooked
concernedashewatchedDavycough.
Davycoughedalittlelongerthanactuallynecessary,usingthetimetolookforidentifying
marks.Themanhadbushybrowneyebrows.Therewasafaintreflectionfromhiseye,the
edgeofacontact,andhisearswereflattohisskullwithlargeattachedlobes.
Davystoppedcoughingandlickedhislips.Anothershock.Hisface,normallycleanshaven,
hadaquarterinchofbeard.Howlong?
"More,please."Hisvoicewasabarehuskbutatleastthistimethewordswerediscernable.
Themanclearedhisthroat,asiftosaysomething,butstoppedandinsteadhelduphishand,
palmout,asiftosay,"Slow."Thenheofferedthestrawagain.
Davydranksmallsipsthistimeandmanagednottoaspirateanymorewater.Hewasoddly
heartenedbythefacttheyweretakingsuchcaretoavoidrecognition.Itimpliedthey
weren'tgoingtokillhimoutright.Italsoimpliedtheywerescaredofhim.
Whenhefinished,themanwentthroughanopendoortotheside.Davyheardrunning
waterbriefly,thenthemanwasback,placingtheStyrofoamcuponasidetable.
DavyrememberedCox'sbloodsplashingacrosshisface.They'rerighttobescared.
Heconsideredjumpingaway,immediately,eventhoughtheywerewatching,buthe'dprefer
todoitsilently.
Whoknewaboutthemeeting?I'mneverworkingfortheNSAagain.
Thenahorriblethoughtoccurredtohim."Whycan'tIsitup?"Hisvoicesoundedbetterthis
time,stillanoctavelowerthanusual,butlessraspy.
Themaninthesurgicalmasklookedoveratthemirror.
Thedistortedvoicecameoverthespeaker.
"Do.Showhim."
Themanreachedoverandpulledthecoversslowlydown,allthewaytoDavy'sfeet.
Hewasdressedinahospitalgownandhisbarelegsstuckout.Aclearplastictuberanout
fromunderthegownwithstretchesofclearyellowfluidwithin.Oh,Christ!Itwasaurinary
catheter.Hethoughtaboutjumpingwithitinplaceandwinced.However,thatwasn'twhat
waskeepinghimfromsittingup.
TheyweremoreelaboratethantheusualICUrestrainingstraps.Thecuffswerepaddedbut
theyweresurroundedbystainlesssteelandthechainsattachedtothemwithsmallpadlocks

20

lookedheavyenoughforplaygroundswings.Themanliftedthecoversabithigherandhe
sawthesamerestrainingcuffsathisankles.
Theyknow.
Thedistortedvoiceonthespeakerconfirmedthis."Wewererelievedtofindyou're
restrainable.Youtriedtoteleportseveraltimesasyouwerecomingoutfromunderthe
anesthetics."
Thestiffnessinhisshoulderssuddenlymadesense.Heliftedhisrightkneeandwinced.
Thosejointshadbeenstressed,too.
"Whatdoyouwant?"
Therewasanoticeablepause."Ah.Well,we'llgettothat.Yourestforrightnow.You'vestill
gotsomerecoveringtodo."
TheattendantchosethismomenttopullthecoversbackuptoDavy'schin.
Davyblinked."Recovering?Fromwhat?"
Again,therewasapause."Justrecovering."
Theybroughthimfoodtwohourslater.Oneofthemwasthefirstman,recognizablebyhis
earsandbushyeyebrows.Theotherwasobviouslyfemalebutdressedandmaskedthe
same.Thechainsclankedbehindhim,lengtheningtothepointwheretheycouldcrankthe
backofthebedupandhecouldlifthishandshighenoughtofeedhimself.Theyworked
withouttalkingandthevoicefromtheothersideofthemirrorwassilent,makingDavy
wonderifoneofhisattendantswasthevoice,orifithadbeenthismanorthatbitchwho
shotBrian.Herememberedtheambulancecrewandwonderedhowmanypeoplewere
involvedinhiscaptureandkeeping.
Thefoodwasasurprise.Thesoupwaslobsterbisque,thebreadwasfreshwholegrained,
thesaladwasbabygreens.Thisisnotfromaninstitutionalkitchen.Ontheotherhand,the
silverwarewasplasticandtheplatesandbowlwerepaper.Hisbrainthoughthewasstarving
buthisbodyquitabruptlyafterafewbitesofeachdish.
"WhatifIneedtodefecate?"Heaskedabruptly.Themalehelduphishandandreached
underthebedsidetable,bringingoutastainlesssteelbedpan.
"Yuck.Whydon'tyoujustbringaportabletoiletandputitbesidethebed.Surelyyoucould
loosenthechainsenoughforthat."
Themanexchangedglanceswithwoman,whoshrugged,thentheybothlookedatthe
mirroredwindow.
Thedistortedvoicecameon,stillsoundinglikeacrossbetweenHalandmachinery,but,
somehowsoundingdifferentthanbefore."We'llseewhatcanbearranged.Doyouneedthe
bedpannow?"
Differentshift,Davythought."No.Notnow."Hewonderedifthey'dloosenhishandsenough
towipehimselforifsomeoneelsewouldbedoingit.Heshudderedandrolledhisneck,
tryingtorelieveakink.Hischestitchedandheliftedhishandtoscratchitbutwhenhe
touchedthearea,justunderhisleftcollarbone,ithurt.
Hepulledthegown'sneckup.Therewasalightdressingtapedtotheskin,athreebytwo
squareofgauze.Alineofinflammationcameupfromthedressingtohisneck.Hetracedit
withhisfingers,aridgeofdiscomfortthatcrossedhiscollarboneandmoveduptheright
sideofhisneck.Itterminatedinanotherdressing,alargeBandAidreally,totherightofhis
trachea.Hepokeditandwinced.
"Don'tdothat,"thevoicefromtheloudspeakersaid.Themaleattendantpulledhishand
gentlyaway.
"Whatdidyoudotome?"Davyasked.DidtheyshootmewhenBriandroppedmeonthe
sidewalk?

21

No,theycutyouopenandtheyputsomethinginsideyou.Hecouldn'thelpit.Heknewhe
shouldn'tjump,thathisrestraintswouldkeephimfromsucceeding,buthetriedanyway,an
almostflinchingreaction.
Itwasbad,but,luckily,therewasmoreslackinthecatheterthanthecuffsforheonlyhad
themildestdiscomfortfromhiscrotch,buthisshouldersfeltlikethey'dbeenpulledfrom
theirsockets.
Stopit!hetoldhimself.You'rejustgivingthemmoredata.
Asmuchaspossiblehecurledinonhimself,groaning.
Thecomputerdistortedvoicefromtheloudspeakersaid,"Ifeelsafeinsayingthatthat
activityiscontraindicated,eh?"
FIVE
"Doyoumean:amIcrazyagain?"
ShereachedthebreakingpointninedaysafterDavydisappeared.
Shestartedtellingherclients,"I'mgoingtobegoneforthenextthreeweeks.I'msorry,buta
familyemergencyhascomeupandIdon'thaveanychoice."Shedidherbesttoarrangehelp
forthemostneedy,loadinguptheothertherapistsinherpractice,but,still,sheknewshe'd
losesomeofthem.Shetriedtocarebutitwashard.
Sheturnedonthebugbeforeleavingtheoffice.Speakintothebra."Anders,Ineedtotalkto
you.I'mgoingbacktothecondo.Isuggestyoumeetmeintheparkinggarage."
She'ddriventhatday.Thegloriouscrispdaysofautumnweregivingwaytosleetandrain.
Onthewayback,sherecognizedinherselfadesiretofloortheaccelerator,todrive
recklessly,justtobedoingsomething,butcontrolledit,traversingtheslickstreetswithcare.
Anderswaswaitingintheshadowedcornerfarthestfromthestairs,hisbreathforminga
cloudaroundhishead.
"I'mgoingtoD.C.,"shesaidwithoutpreamble."Ican'tsithereanymorepretendingnothing
iswrong."
Heblinked."Whatdoyouimagineyoucoulddo?"
"MorethanI'mdoinghere!"
Heexhaledslowly,atechniqueMillieoftenusedwithexcitedclients.Itwasawayofsaying
"easydoesit"withoutirritatingthem,usuallywithoutthemevennoticingitconsciously.
Oftentheclientwouldmatchtherhythmwithoutrealizingitandtheywouldcalmdown.
ThisjustpissedMillieoffmore.
Anderssaid,"You'redoingusefulthingshere.You'rehelpingyourclients.You'restillthebait
thatwilllurethemin."
"It'sbeenoveraweek.They'renotbiting.Eitherthatorthey'vespottedyouandgotscared
off.IfI'minD.C.they'llhaveevenmorechanceatme.That'swhyI'mtellingyounottoget
yourpermissionbuttogiveyoutimetoshiftyourbaseofoperationsorhandofftoyour
peopleinWashington.Ifithelps,youcanmakethearrangements,buteitherway,I'm
leavinginthemorning."
Shetookonecarryonbagmostlyunderwear,toiletries,andthefivethousanddollarsfrom
theemergencypacktuckedunderasparepairofjeans.TheforecastforD.C.wascoldand
wetsosheworeablueraincoatwithawoollinerandtheNSAlocaterbuginherbra.
AtWillRogersWorldAirportthedamnbugsetoffthemetaldetector,butwhentheysent
hertothesidefora"femalewand,"thesecurityguardloudlydiagnosedtheoffendingobject
asanunderwirebra.
Hercheeksburning,Millieseriouslyconsidereddroppingthebuginthenearesttrashcanas

22

soonasshewasawayfromthesecuritystation,butcontrolledtheimpulse.
Andershadmadetheflightarrangements,puttingherona12:40P.M.DeltaflightintoD.C.
withonestopinAtlanta.ItleftfifteenminuteslateandtherewasanotherdelayinAtlanta,
puttingherintoReaganNationaloveranhourlate.Herappreciationforteleportationhad
risentoanalltimehighbythetimeshetoucheddowninD.C.She'dspenttheflightstrying
tosleepbutallshecoulddowasworry.Ishedead?Ishehurt?Wherethehellishe?
BythetimeshestumbledoutofhertaxiattheStatePlazaHotel,shewastrulyexhausted.
Theroomtheygaveherwasontheseventhfloorfacingnorth,awayfromthemallandthe
brightlylitlandmarksoftheWashingtonMonumentandtheCapitolbuilding.Shecould,
however,seewhatinterestedherfarmore:thesprawlingmassofGeorgeWashington
UniversityHospital,andthestreetsnearit,whereDavyhadbeensnatched.
Sheorderedalightsaladfromroomserviceandatewiththecurtainsopen.Tomorrow,she
promisedthelightedstreets.
Tomorrow.
Shestartedearly,buyingaportablebreakfasteggandbacononarollandcoffeethen
sittingonthestoopofacopyshopfifteenfeetfromwherethey'dfoundBrianCox,deadon
thesidewalk.
Itwasmorningrushandshewatchedthecrowdswithunfocusedeyes,tryingnottofilter
anything,toabsorbituncritically.Whatsurprisedherwerethenumberofhomelesspeople
out,workingthecrowdforchange.Alotofthemwerewomen.
Ithoughtweweregettingahandleonthis.Sheshookherhead.MaybeinStillwater.
Thetemperaturedroppedsteadilythroughthemorningandathingrayfogdriftedupthe
streets,dampeningthesidewalksandthewalls,andleavingdropsofwaterhanginginher
hair.She'dseentheforecastsoshewaswearingherpowderblueraincoat.Shepulledupthe
collarofthethickhandknittedsweatersheworebelowtheraincoatandsunkherneckinto
it,feelinglikeatimidturtle.Shewasgratefulshe'dchosenherMerrellChameleonhiking
bootseventhoughtheymakemyfeetlooklikeboulders.
Shekeptwipingherglassesoffwithherhandkerchief.
Traffic,bothwheeledandfooted,lightened,andthenumberofhomelessonthestreet
seemedtoincrease,butshesuspectedthereweren'tmoreofthemthanthismorningjust
fewer"normal"peopleonthestreettohidebehind.
Hide?They'renothiding.Youwerejustlookingatthenormalpeopleinsteadofthem.
Sheedgedclosertothebalustrade,usingittoshieldherfromthemist.Shefeltcold,butit
wasn'tfromtheweather.
Howcoldarethey?
Therewasagroupoffourmentalkingatthemouthofthealleywayacrossthestreet,
leaningagainstthewall.Oneofthemhadarattybackpack,twocarriedbedrollsundertheir
arms,andthefourthworeanindeterminatenumberofblankets,Indianstyle.
Shecouldtellthatmostoftheblanketshadbeenbrightlycoloredbutnowtheyweremuted,
thebaresthintofpastelswhereonceprimarycolorsruled.Themanwiththeblanketswore
oldNikes,ripped,showingbare,dirtyskinbeneath.Heturnedhisheadasabrightlycolored
BMWwentby.
Thesepeoplearenearlyalwaysonthestreet.
ShelookedinherpurseatthepictureofDavyshe'dtakenfromtheAerie.Shewentdown
thestreettoKinko'sandhadhishalfofthephotoblownup,blackandwhite,alittlefuzzyat
eightandahalfbyeleven,butclearlyrecognizable.
Shestartedtogetahundredrunoff,soshecouldpostthem,thenstopped.Howwillthey
contactme?

23

Sherejectedusingherhotelroom.Thesearchmightleavethearea.Shethoughtabout
puttingthenumberoftheNSAonthere,butiftheyhadn'tfoundhimyet,shewasn'tsure
shetrustedthemtotakethecalls.
Sheaskedtheclerk,"Istheresomeplacearoundherethatsellscellphones?"
Fortyminuteslatershehadalocalcellphonewithseveralhundredpreboughtminutes.
And,mostimportant,aphonenumber.
OnthewaybacktoKinko's,shestoppedinahardwarestoreandpickedupahammer
staplerandaboxofstaples.WhensheleftKinko's,shehadonehundredsheetswithDavy's
pictureandthewords,"Haveyouseenthisman?"thenewcellphonenumber,andtheplace
anddatehehadlastbeenseen.
ShestartedatInterrobangandworkedherwaywestonHovertoGeorgeWashington
University,puttingthemuponthephonepolesandtheoccasionalplywoodfencethat
blockedoffconstruction.AtTwentiethshewentnorth,first,uptoPennsylvaniaAvenue,
thenwentbackanddidthestretchdowntoGstreet,theneastasfarasEighteenth.
Everyhomelesspersonshesawshegavetwobucksandaflyer."Hi,I'mlookingformy
husband.Thisishispicture.Haveyouseenhim?"
No.
Nextperson.
No.
SheworkedherwayinalargesquarearoundtheabductionsiteandtheInterrobang.She'd
almostcompletedthesquare,comingwestonHbackfromEighteenthwhenshetriedapair
ofmenplayingcardsonapackingcrate.Oneofthemwasclearlyarecycler,leaningagainst
threeenormousplasticbagsfilledwithaluminumcans.Theotherhadabedrollandabasset
hound.
"Nah.Neverseenhim,"saidtherecycler.
"Meneither,"saidthemanwiththedogashelaiddownacard."Gin.Yououghtatry
RetardedKaneesha.Sheseeseverything."Hetiltedhisheadtothealleywayacrossthe
street.
Milliecouldjustmakeoutawomaninamaroonkneelengthcoatleaningagainstthealley
walljustoffthesidewalk.Herheadandshoulderswereinshadow.
Milliegavethemensomemoneyandwalkedslowlyacrossthestreet.Shecouldtellthe
womanwaswatchingher,soperhapsshereallydidseeeverything,butMilliewasn't
particularlyheartenedbytheappellation"retarded."Asshegotcloser,shenoticedthe
woman'sfacewasneverstill.Herlipswerepursinginandoutandoccasionallyhertongue
wouldprotrude.Hereyebrowskeptrisingasifshewerebeingcontinuallysurprised.She'd
blink,butitwasn'tanormalblink.Botheyeswouldsqueezeshut,thenopenagain,ona
regularbasis,longerthanablink.
Blepharospasm.Millieletoutadeepbreathofunderstanding.RetardedKaneesha!Ha.
"Ilikeyourcoat,"Milliesaid,andshemeantit.Itwasheavywoolwithalargehoodthat
seemedtobelinedinblacksatin.Therainwasbeadedonit,notsoakingin.
Thewomannodded."Me,too."
Millieheldoutherhand."MynameisMillie."
Thewoman'sfacestoppedtwitchingasshesmiledslightly,butshewouldn'tmeetMillie's
eyes.ShedidshakeMillie'shandbriefly."MynameisSojee."
"Pleaseexcusemeforaskingthis,butyou'vegottardivedyskinesia,don'tyou?"Retarded
Kaneesha.
"Gotitbad.Youadoctororsomething?Mostpeopleseeitandrun."WhileSojeewastalking
andwhileshesmiled,thetwitchingwentaway,butwhileshelistenedforMillie'sanswer,it
startedagain,suddenjerksofherjawtoonesideortheother,accompaniedbylipsmacking.

24

HereyesroamedthestreetpastMillie'sshoulder,watchingpurposefullyinawaythat
contrastedsharplywiththerandommovementsofherjaw.
Millieshookherhead."I'mapsychotherapist.I'vestudieditinschool.Whatwereyouon,
thatcausedtheTD?"
"IwasonHaldolforparanoidschizophrenia."Shesaiditlike"Ihavebrowneyes"or"I'mfive
footeight."
"Thisisnoneofmybusiness,sofeelfreetotellmetoshoveoff.Didyouchange
medications?"
Sojeeshookherhead."Stoppedtakingit.Couldn'tsleeponit.Plusthis"Shegesturedat
herface."Theysayitmightnevergoaway."
"They?"
"ThepeopleoveratSt.Elizabeth'sHospital."Sojee'stonguelungedoutofhermouthand
retreated.Hereyebrowsarched."Youknow,wheretheykeepHinkley,theguywhatshot
Reagan."
"Howdidtheytrytotreatit,thedyskinesia?"
"TheywantedtoupmydosageofHaldol."
Millieshuddered.Takingmoreofaneurolepticdrugwouldprobablystopthesymptoms
temporarilyuntiltheyreturnedevenworse.
SojeesawMillieshake."Oh.DoyouhaveTD,too?"
"No.Hasgoingoffofyourmedscausedyour,uh,symptomstoincrease?"
Sojeesmackedherlipsseveraltimesinsuccessionandthenherlowerjawjerkedtothe
right."Doyoumean:amIcrazyagain?Theycomeandtheygo."
Despiteherself,Milliehadtosmile."Youdon'tmincewords,doyou,Sojee?Whatdoyou
meanby'they?'"
"Angels.Angelsanddemons.Ihearthemboth.AndsometimesIseethem."
Millienodded."Whatdotheywantyoutodo?"
"Theusual.TheangelstellmeI'mthechosenone.I'mtheirhumanchampioninthe
angel/demonwarhereonEarth.Thedemonstalkaboutmyexhusbandandtellmetokill
myself.Ihearthemallthetimereally,buttherearedayswhereIbelievethem."
Milliecouldn'thelpherself."Andtoday?"
"Oh,thisisagoodday.They'rejustchatteringatthebackofthebus.I'mnotlettingthem
drive."
Itwassurreal,thisdiscussionofmentalillness,yetalsoliberating.Herewasapersonwhose
personaltravailsfareclipsedMillie's.Onewayoranother,Milliewouldgetpastthiscrisis.
Barringamiracle,Sojeewouldbestuckwithschizophreniaandtardivedyskinesiaaslongas
shelived.
MilliesighedandshowedSojeethepicture."Idon'tsupposeyou'veseen"Shewas
expectinganothernegative,butshecouldn'thelpholdingontoafainthopeahopedriven
bythehomelessmen'sassertionthat"RetardedKaneeshasaweverything."Whatshewasn't
expectingwasforSojee'seyestorollbackinherheadandherkneestobuckle.
Milliesworeandlungedforward,droppingthestackofflyersandthestaplerasshetriedto
breakSojee'sfall.ThewomanwasbothtallerandheavierthanMillie,butMilliejust
managedtokeepherheadfromhittingtheasphalt.
Whatonearthcausedthat?Shestareddownatthewoman'sface,whichwassuddenly
different.Thetardivedyskinesiahadceasedwithunconsciousness,and,relaxed,herface
wentfromsomecaricatureofmadnesstonormalcy.She'sbeautiful.Milliewantedtoweep,
suddenly.
Milliesnaggedadiscardedcardboardboxfrombesidetherecyclingbinanddroppedher
kneeonit,burstingit,thenfoldingitonehanded.ShesliditunderSojee'shead.

25

Thewomanwasstirringalready.Hereyelidsflutteredandshewasmoaningslightly.There
wereahundreddifferentpossiblecausesforSojee'sblackoutbutMilliesworeitlookedlike
anoldfashionedfaint.
WasitDavy'spicture?Whathadthiswomanseen?
Sheheardstepsbehindherandturnedherhead.Thetwohomelessmenfromacrossthe
street,therecyclerandthemanwiththedog,hadcrossedthestreet.
"Jesus,lady!Whatdidyoudotoher?"
"Shefainted."
Therainwasworsening,fallingonSojee'sface.Millieshookherhead."Goflagdownacab.I
needtogethersomehelp."
Theystaredatherlikeshewasfromanotherplanet.
"Well,canyou?Sheliesheremuchlonger,she'llgetsoaked!"
Therecyclersaid,"Lady,cabsdon'tstopforpeoplelikeus."
Millieblinked."Right,then.Youguysbringher.I'llgetthecab."Shesnaggedthestapleroff
thegroundandputitinherpocket.Sheignoredtheflyershalfofthemweresoakedand
theotherswouldbesoon.Itdidn'tmatter.TheoriginalwasbackatKinko'sandshecould
havemoremade.
Ittookhertenminutestofindacab.Therainwasgettingworseandthecabswerein
demand.Whenshegotitbacktothealley,thetwohomelessmenwerehelpingSojeestand.
WhenthewomansawMillie,though,sheflinchedandtriedtopullaway,nearlyfallinginthe
process."Stayawayfromme!"Herfacialmotionswereback,tonguethrustsandthe
prolongedblinks.
Milliespreadherhandsandtriedtolookasharmlessaspossible."Youneedhelp,Sojee.You
passedout.Letmetakeyoutoadoctor."
"Noway!Iwasjustsurprised,that'sall.AndIain'tettoday.Orsleptit'sthisrain."
"Well,thencomewithmeandI'llgetyousomethingtoeat.Youdon'thavetodoanything
youdon'twant."
ThebellhopatthehotelwasclearlydisturbedwhenMilliebroughtSojeeintothelobby.
Milliealmostwalkedherintothediningroomoutofspite,butinsteadtookSojeeuptothe
roomandorderedroomservice.
"They'rekindofslow,"Milliesaid."Wouldyouliketoliedownandrestuntilitgetshere?"
SojeewasstaringpastMillie'sshoulder.ShejerkedatMillie'svoice."Sorry,whatdidyou
say?"
Millieturnedaround.Thebathroomwithitsgoldentileandgleamingchromefixturesfairly
glowedinthefluorescentlight.SheturnedbacktoSojee."Orperhapsabath?"
Sojeenodded."Oh,yes,please.Youcangetshowersintheshelters,butthey'llstealyour
stuff,andthecoldwater'sstandingfourinchesonthefloorandthewater'snevermorethan
warm."
Millienodded."Lockthedoor,ifyoulike.Idon'tmind."
Sojeetooklongerthanroomservice.Whileshewasinthere,Millieremovedthebugand
turnedoffthemicrophone.ThefoodwascoolingwhenSojeecameoutofthebathroom.
Milliewasgettingbetteratreadingherfacialexpressions,attellingtherandomnoiseofher
neurologicalconditionfromhertruefeelings.Shewassurprisedatthedegreeofemotion.
Schizophrenicswereknownfortheirflatnessofaffectnottoohappy,nottoosad.Sojee's
expressionseemedmorethancontentwhenshecameoutofthebathroom.
Milliegesturedatthefood."Ihopeyou'renotavegetarian.Iorderedthechicken."
Sojeeinhaledsharplyandlickedherlips."Chicken'sgreat."Shehesitatedthough.
"Goon,then.Helpyourself.Please."

26

Duringtheinitialrush,Milliesatquietly,butteringarollandeatingitwithsmallbites,small
movements,waitingwithintent.Shedidn'twanttostartlethewoman.
Sojee'stablemannersweregoodshedebonedandatethechickenstrictlywithknifeand
fork,pattingherlipscleanwiththeclothnapkineveryfewbites.Milliewould'vehelditin
herfingersandMilliehadeatenrecently.Maybeitwasobsessivecompulsivebehavior,but
Milliedidn'tseeitthatway.Assheactivelydidthingswithherfacebiting,chewing,
drinkingtherandommovementsandtwitchesstilled,untilthenextmomentthatpartof
herfacerelaxed.Thenthetonguethrustsandprolongedblinksresumed.
SojeeturnedtothesaladandMilliesaid,"Ididn'tknowyourtasteindressingbutthere's
Italianontheside."
Sojeeuseditlightly."Italianissafe.I'mpartialtobluecheesebutI'malittlebitlactose
intolerant."
Millienodded.SheitchedtoaskSojeeaboutDavyagain,butwasnotonlyafraidofspooking
heragain,butalsooffindingoutSojeehadneverseenhim.
Sojeeateslowlynow,eatingthesaladwithcare,pushingtheonionscarefullytotheside,but
eatingalltherest,wipingthedressingandchickenjuicesfromtheplatewithdelicatewipes
ofherbread.
Wheneverythingwasgoneexceptasmallpileofdicedonion,Sojeewipedherlipscarefully
withtheclothnapkin,foldeditcarefully,andplaceditsymmetricallyinthemiddleofthe
shiningplate.Thewomansighedandleanedbackinherchair.
"Iknowyouwanttoaskmesomethingit'swrittenalloveryou."
Millie,tense,anxious,andfocused,wastakencompletelybysurprise.Shelaughed,ashort
barkthatcameclosertobreakinghercarefullymaintainedreservethananythingthathad
happenedsinceDavy'sdisappearance.Sheturnedherheadtothewallandsqueezedher
eyesshut,breathingcarefully.Themomentpassedandshewasstillincontrol,buthereyes
burned.
"Yes.Istartedtoaskitonce,already,butyoufaintedwhenIshowedyouhispicture."
Sojeelookedawayforasecondand,foramoment,hertonguethrustsstoppedasher
mouthtightened."Yeah.Iwassurprised,that'sforsure."Shesankdeeperintothechair."I
thoughthewasahallucination.Imust'vebeenbreakin'prettyhardwhenIsawhim.Hekept
vanishingandreappearingonme."Shepointedathercoat,drapedovertheluggagestand
bythedoor."Hetookmetogetthatcoat.OneminuteIwasshiveringinthesnowandthe
nextthingIknow,I'mstandinginMacy's,onlyit'snottheMacy'soutatPentagonCity,but
theoneinNewYork,andhe'saskingmewhichcoatIlike.Theclerksdidn'twanttocome
anywherenearme,buthewaslikeacatonaratandwouldn'ttakenoforananswer.WhenI
foundthisone,Inevertookitoffagain.Hepaidforitwithhundreddollarbillsandwe
walkedaway,butthenIfoundmyselfbackonthestreet,inD.C.Iknowsomethinghappened
butitwasallsoweird,Idon'tknowwhatwasrealandwhatwasn't."Shereachedouttoward
thecoat."Exceptforthat,Iguess.Ikeepitontoomuch,evenwhenit'shot,becauseI'msure
it'sgoingtodissolvesometimesoon.DisappearintothinairlikemyAngel."
"Yourangel?"
"Well,whatelseshouldIcallhim?"
Millietookthepictureoutagain."HisnameisDavy.He'smyhusband."Ittookheramoment
toadd,"Andhe'smissing."Theroomwasoutoffocusbutwhenshecleanedherglasses,it
didn'thelp.Sheblewhernoseandthathelpedabit."Whendidyougetyourcoat?"
"Januarythird.ItwasthatarcticairmasscamedownandfrozealltheFloridaorangetrees.
InD.C.itgottothreebelowzero.Areyougoingtovanish,too?"
Damn.Thatwastwomonthsago.
"Whatmakesyouthinkthat?"MillierememberedherjumpfromWestTexastoOklahoma

27

andherstomachlurched.It'spossible,Isuppose.
"Well,anangelwouldbemarriedtoanangel,right?"SheeyedMillie'sblueraincoat."Or
maybeyou'retheBlueLady."
"TheBlueLady?"Millieshookherheadandletitgo."IsthatthelasttimeyousawDavy?
Whenheboughtyouyourcoat?"
"Hecheckedonmeamonthago.HeaskedhowIwasdoingandgavemesomemoney."
"Butnotlastweek?"
Sojeeshookherhead.
ThecornersofMillie'smouthturneddownsharply,surprisingher.Keepittogether,girl!You
cancrylater.
Shetookadeepbreathandexpelleditthroughtightlips.LikeLamazebreathing,she
thought,andthatnearlycausedthetearstorisebacktothesurface.
Sojeewaswatchingher,browfurrowed,eyesnarrowed."Didyoujustwasteagoodmealon
me?"
Millieshookherhead."Ineversawameallesswasted."Shesuckedonherlowerlipand
lookedatSojee."Weneeddesert,Ithink."
Sojeeopenedhermouth,thenclosedit.Afterafewrandomtonguethrusts,shesaid,"Bring
iton."
Theykeptitsimple,applepielamodeandcoffeedecafforSojee.
"WhatsortofnameisSojee,anyway?"
"ShortforSojourner.MyfullnameisSojournerTruthJohnson,buthowonearthdoyougo
aroundwiththatmouthfulwhenyou'resix?Sojeeiswhatit'salwaysbeen,really."
Bothwomanwerequietforamoment.ThenSojeesaid,"Icouldaskaround...checkthe
sheltersandthekitchens.Somebodyprobablysawsomething."
Milliefeltherthroattightenupagain."Iwouldbeverygrateful."Shehadtoblowhernose
suddenlyandsnatcheduptheroomservicenapkinstillinherlap.Shefeltlikeoneraw
wound.IthoughtIwasholdingthisin.Kindnesshadbreachedherdefenseswhereadversity
hadn't.
Sojeewaslookingatherwhenshefinishedwipinghereyes."Ishouldgetgoing,soyoucould
rest."
Milliestartedtoagreeabsently,thenshookherhead."Getgoingwhere?Didn'tyousayyou
hadn'tslepttoday."Shelookedpointedlyatthetwoqueenbeds.
Sojee'seyesweremoistnow."Yousure?"
"Nobodyelseisusingthatbed,Sojee.Youmightaswell."Shesmiled."It'sinmybestinterest
tohaveyouwellrestedtomorrow,whenyou'reaskingaround."
SIX
"Nowyoucanmopthefloor."
ThelasttimeIspentthismuchtimeinoneroomwasoverfourteenyearsagoandeventhenI
leftittogotoschool.
Anditwasn'tjustbeinginoneroom.Davylivedoutdoorsmorethanmostpeople.Weather
didn'tconstrainhimthewayitdidothers.Ifitwasrainingorsnowingortoocoldinone
place,hesimplyjumpedelsewhere,usuallystayinginthesamehemispherebutnotalways.
EarlymorningintheStateswasalwaysagoodtimeforawalkdowntheesplanadein
Brighton,SussexortrampinginthehighmeadowsontheCambrianWayinthemountainsof
Wales.LateafternooninOklahomawasagreattimetosnorkelatHamoaBeachontheeast
sideofMauiortohikeuptothePuakoPetroglyphsontheBigIsland.
Stayinginoneplace,indoors,wasgettingtohim.Davyhaddefinitelyprogressedintothe

28

"gettingwellenoughtobereallycranky"phaseofhisrecovery.Comingoutofsurgerywas
badenoughwhenyouweren'tchainedtothewall.Whenyouwerewell,crankydidn't
reallycoverit.
They'dremovedthecatheterandbroughtinabedsideportabletoilet,then,apparently
workingonthefarsideofthewallbehindhisbed,theyletoutenoughchainsohecould
reachthetoilet,thesink,andevenasfarasthefootofthebed.
Hetooktopacing,movingfromthewalltothefootofhisbed,stoppingjustshortofthe
chain'sreachbeforeturningbackagain.Themanagementofhischainsbecamesecond
nature,theirrattlingandslitheringacrossthefloor,backgroundnoise.
JustcallmeJacobMarley.
Hedidn'tcarethatthehospitalgownwasallhewaswearingandeverytimeheturned,he
moonedthewatchersbehindthemirror.Hesuspectedthepacingwasbeginningtobother
hiskeepers.Thecomputerizedvoicesaid,"Wouldyouliketowatchsomevideos?"
Helaughedashortunfunnybark."Yes,I'dlikeStalag17,ChickenRun,Alcatraz,andThe
GreatEscape."Andwhentherewasn'tanyresponse,headded,"Andabaseballanda
baseballglove."
Theydidn'tsayanythingafterthatbutwhenlunchwasserved,therewasapaperbacknovel
onthetray:TheCountofMonteCristo.
Well,someonehasasenseofhumor.Heopenedthebook.Onthe24thofFebruary,1810,
thelookoutatNotreDamedelaGardesignalledthethreemaster,thePharaonfrom
Smyrna,Trieste,andNaples.
He'dreaditbefore,acoupleoftimes,butastherewasn'tanythingelsetodo,hestartedit
again,thefirstthreechapters,thenthrewitacrosstheroom,tobounceoffthemirrored
observationwindow.
Ithadbeensometimesincehe'dreaditand,whileherememberedTheCountofMonte
Cristowasabookaboutaprisonbreakoutandrevenge,he'dforgottenhowmuch,firstofall,
tojustifythelaterrevenge,itwasabookaboutbetrayal.AndDavywasfeelingverymuch
betrayed.
Somebodyknewaboutthatmeeting.OratleasttheyknewenoughtofollowBrian.Andit
wasn'tBrian.Brianhadclearedhimselffromsuspicionverythoroughly.
Heglaredatthebookwhereitlay.He'dmeanttohurlitoutofreachbutitsreboundhad
carrieditbacktothefootofthebed.Heputouthishandandjumped.
Thechainswrithedlikesnakes,acrackthewhipmovementthatmovedtothewallandthen
backdowntowardhim,smackinghiswristsandanklespainfully,buthewasstandingatthe
endofthebed,hishandonthebook.
Hecouldstilljumpwithinrangeofthechains.
Thatisifhewaswillingtoriskbrokenwristsorankles.
Partsofthechainwerebeingacceleratedinstantly,overadistanceofmerefeet,butthe
energyimpartedtotherestofthechainwasconsiderable.Plasterdustfloatedintheair
nearthewallwherethechainsvanishedthroughroughholes.
Hewonderedifhisobservershadseenhimdoitorgraspedanyoftheimplications.He
waitedforamoment,buttherewasnoreactionfromthespeaker.Thedoordidn'topen.
Hepickedupthebookagain.He'dgottenthroughthebetrayal.Perhapsitwastimetocheck
outtheescape.
Theybroughtsupperthatnight,asusual,twodifferentmeninsurgicalmasksandscrubs.
Hewasn'tfeelingverywell.Therewasapersistentachefromthesurgicalscaronhisupper
chestandabove,too,atendernessthatranundertheskin.Yethehadenergy,too.
Sohetooktheirmasksoff.

29

Onesecondhewasreadinginbed,thenexthewasstandingattheextentofhischains,
reachingoutwithbothhandsandclosingontheirmasksjustastherecoilfromthechains
reachedhiswrists.Thechains,really,morethanhisownarms,snatchedthepapermasks
off.
Theyjerkedback,theoneholdingthesuppertraydroppingitwithaclatter.Theystopped,
outofreachandstaredathim,startled,perhapsevenafraid.
Hewasn'tsure,buthethoughtherecognizedoneofthemfromtherestaurantoneofthe
ambulancecrew,asmallchinnedmanwithblondeyebrowssowhiteastobealmost
invisible.Theothermanwasahooknosedindividualwithbushyreddishbrowneyebrows
andfreckles.Notyoung,thoughinhisforties,perhaps.
Davystaredatthem,hungrily.Thesewerehisenemies,buttheywerethefirstfaceshe'd
seenindays,perhapsweeks.Hehadnoideahowlonghe'dbeendrugged.
Theblondeheldhishandtohischeekwherealineofbloodwasforming.Davymust've
caughthimwithafingernail.
"Sorry,"Davysaid,gesturing.Thechainsclankedagain."Didn'tmeantogougeyou."
Thecomputervoicecameovertheloudspeaker."Leavetheroom,Gentlemen."
Theyturnedandleft,withouteverspeaking.
Davysighed.
Thesuppertraywaslyingoutofreach,asmallsteak,bakedpotato,andsalad,lyingina
smalllakeofmilk.Davylookedatthemirror."Anychanceofgettingmysupper?"
Therewassilence,andDavythoughttheywereignoringhim,orhadn'theard,whenthe
computervoicesaidabruptly,"Ithink...not."
Davyshruggedphilosophicallyandturnedbacktothebed.Therewasmoreplasterdustin
theairandsmallchunksofSheetrockonthefloor.Hewentovertotheholesinthewallthat
thechainranthrough.Hecouldseethroughtotheotherroom,whichwasdimlylit,buthe
couldn'tseewherethechainswent.Theydroppeddownandvanished.Whenhetuggedon
oneofthem,itwasassecureasever.
Hegotbackonthebedandpickedupthebook.
Thenextmorning,thingschanged.
Theycamebeforebreakfast,rightafterhefinishedusingtheportablecommode,three,in
scrubs,unmasked.
Twoofthemwerethemenhe'dunmaskedthenightbefore.Twothugs.AndIcallthemThug
OneandThugTwo.ThethirdwasthebrunettewaitressfromInterrobang.
Thewomanwho'dmurderedBrianCox.
Theystoppedbeyondthereachofhischains,ThugOneandThugTwoslightlybehindthe
woman.Atfirst,Davythoughttheywerestillcautious,waryofhimbecauseofhisactionthe
eveningbefore,butthenherealizeditwasmoreofapowerdynamic.
Thewomanwasinchargeandtheywereafraidofher.
Wise.Verywise.
Hewastorn.Ifhewerefree,he'djump.Away?OrdoItakeheranddropherfromtheEmpire
StateBuilding?AnddoIcatchherbeforeshehits?
"Getoffthebed,"thewomansaid.
Davyslidtothesideandstood.Forthefirsttimeindayshewasconsciousoftheopen
backedgownandhisbarebutt.Standingfeltsafer,anyway.Henotedthatherhairwas
pulledbackinthesametightbunandhermakeupwasjustasheavy,thoughnotrunning,
thistime,likeitdidintherain.Ifsheshoots,perhapsIcanjumptooneside
Thechainsstartedclankingacrossthefloor,pullingbackintothewall,removingtheslack.
Hehadtoshufflebackwardstokeepupwiththem.Whentheystopped,hetugged,butthey

30

weren'tjustbeingheldbysomeonethey'dbeensecuredsomehow,inthistighter
configuration.
"Okay,moveit."Shewasn'ttalkingtoDavy,thistime.ThugOneandThugTwopulledthe
bedawayfromthewallawayfromDavythenunlockedthecastersandrolledittoone
side.
Davydidn'tlikethelookofthisbeingheldupagainstthewallbroughtbackmemoriesof
hisfatherandaflashingrodeobuckleattheendofswingingbelt.Hisstomachchurnedand
helickedhislips,somepartofhimexpectingabeating.
Thenthechainsloosenedandhewalkedforward,expectingthemtostopagainwherethe
endofthebedhadbeen.Instead,ThugsOneandTwoandthewomanbackedupagainstthe
door.Thechainsstoppedwhenhewastwoyardsshortofthem.Thearcofthechainslethim
walkovermostoftheroom,exceptingonlytheendoftheroomwiththemirroredwindow
andthedoor.
Thewomansaid,"Getthebucket."
Again,itwasn'tdirectedatDavy.Thehooknosedredheadsteppedthroughthedoorand
returned,rollinganinstitutionalmopbucketinyellowplasticwithamopsqueezer.There
wasamopinitandheheardliquidsloshing.Davycaughttheheavysmellofpinescented
disinfectant.
"Youwantmetomopthefloor?"Davyasked.Icouldreachyouguyswiththatmop.
Shelookedathim,eyesnarrowed."Inaminute."Sheturnedherheadtotheside,toward
themirror."Whenyou'reready."
Davycoughed.Hefrowned.Hedidn'thaveacold.Hehadn'tbeendrinkingoreating.Some
salivainthewindpipe?
Hecoughedagain,harder.Andtherewasanoddtinglinginhisthroat.Hecoughedhard
enoughtodoublehimoverbutwhenthespasmwasoverhehadnotroublebreathing,no
feelingofsomethinginhisthroat.
"That'sit?"saidthewoman,lookingtowardthemirror.
Thecomputervoicecameback."Calibration.Justatickle.Thisistheoperationallevel."
Davydoubledover,vomitedviolently,andlostallmotorcontrol,fallingtothefloor.His
chesthurt,stabbingpaininthevicinityofhisheart,andhewashavingtroublebreathing.He
vomitedagainandagain,thoughthefirstspasmsweresospectacularthatnowhewas
bringingupjustdropsofbile.
Abruptly,itstopped.
Hewaslyingonhisside,inapuddleofhisownvomit,hisfaceandhairstickywithit.He
gaggedagain,butitwasn'tthetectonicupheavalofsecondsbefore.Itwasmild,by
comparison.Hetriednottobreathethroughhisnose.
"Oh,Christ."Hebecameawarethathe'dlostbowelcontrol,aswell,apparentlyasviolently
aseverythingelse.Thecombinationofsmellswasnauseating,buthetrulydidn'thave
anythingelsetothrowup.
Heclimbedtohisfeet,awareofachingstomachmusclesandsorespotsonhisshoulder,
elbow,andthesideofhisheadwherehe'dhitthefloor.Thepaininhischesthadlessened
thoughtheghostofanginaseemedtolinger.Oneofhishandswasfreeofvomitandhe
gingerlytouchedhishead.Thefingercameawaywithbloodonit.
Hehadtroublemeetingtheireyes.Eventhoughhewasawarethatwhathadjusthappened
wasdonetohimnotbyhimhefelthumiliatedandashamed.
Thetwomenwatchinghimwerepale,theblonde,ThugOne,tendingtowardanactual
shadeofgreen.Thewomanseemedunaffected.Shetookthemophandleandpushedthe
bucketintothepartoftheroomhecouldreach,lettingthemophandlefalltothefloor
whereitbouncedbap,bap,bapthreetimes.

31

ThugsOneandTwowentoutthedoorway,eagerly.Thewomanpaused,withthedoorstill
open,andtuckedafewstrayhairsbackintothetightbunonthebackofherhead.She
smiled.
"Nowyoucanmopthefloor."
Ittooktwoattemptsbeforehecouldclimbtohisfeet.Hewasweakasakittenand,once
vertical,theroomspunaroundhim.Ittookallhisconcentrationtostayonhisfeet.
Well,theonlygoodthingwasthat,withhischainslengthened,hecouldactuallygointothe
attachedbathroomandusethebath.Hehadwantedtobathebeforethisincident,butnow,
drippingwiththreedifferentkindsofbodilyfluids,hiswanthadbeensupplantedby
overpoweringneed.
Thebathroomlookedlikeastandardresidentialtoiletexceptalargemirroroverthesinkhad
clearlybeenremovedpaintandtheouterlayerofsomeSheetrockhadbeenrippedoutby
theglassadhesiveandasmaller,plainsteelmirrorhadbeenboltedtothewallinstead.
Davytookonelookinthemirror,thenturnedaway.
Thegownnearlydefeatedhim.Itwasdisposablepaper,butthefibersrunningthroughit
madeithardtotearand,eventhoughhemanagedthetiesinback,thechainsprevented
himfromjusttakingitoff.Finallyhesummonedthestrengthtoripouttheshoulders,
allowinghimtopullitoffthechains.Hewaddeditupandstuffeditinthesmallplastictrash
basket.
Hedidn'tknowiftheyhadacameraintheroom.Hepulledtheshowercurtainclosedand,
withthewaterfullinhisface,lethimselfcry.Hedidhisbesttokeepitquietandtohidethe
tearswiththerunningwater,buthedidn'tstopuntilitabatedseveralminuteslater.
Therewasabottleofsqueezesoapintheshowerandhescrubbedhimselfagainandagain,
untilhisskinhurt.Heknewhe'dgottenallofit,buthestilldidn'tfeelclean.
Hegotsoaponthebottleanditslippedthroughhisfingers,fallingtothebottomofthetub.
Hegroanedashepickeditup,thenstaredatit.Heturnedhisbackontheshowerand
squirtedsoapunderneaththemanaclepaddingonhisleftarm,twistingittodistributethe
soapallaroundhiswrist.
Hepulledandtwisted,tryingtorelaxhishandasthemanaclerodeupthebaseofhisthumb.
Thepaddingcompressedtoadegree,butthemanaclestoppedshortrightbelowthe
accumulatedbulgeofknucklesatthebaseofhisfingersbutithadslidalotfartherthan
he'dexpected.Hewonderedwhatwouldhappenifhesoapedbothwrists,thenjumped.
Helookeddown.Therestraintsonhisanklesweren'tgoingtofitoverhisfoot,nomatter
howmuchsoapheused.Hesighedandrinsedthesoapoutfromunderthemanacle
padding.
Dryingoff,helookedinthesteelmirroroverthesinkandshuddered.Thescaronhischest,a
semicircularcurvestartinganinchbelowhiscollarbone,hadthered,rawlookofstill
healingtissue.Asmallerstraightversion,healedtothesamedegree,wasmidwayuptheleft
sideofhisneck.Hewantedtoclawthroughtheskinandyankitout,whateverthey'dputin
there,butjudgingbythescar,partofitwasveryclosetothejugular.
Helookedupathiseyes.Thescarswereawfulinandofthemselvesandalsoinwhatthey
concealed,butwhathesawinhiseyeswasevenmoreterrible,morefrightening.Hehadto
lookawayanditwasbeyondhisstrength,justthen,tolookback.
Whenhereturnedfromthebathroom,wrappedinatowel,hefoundapairofwhatlooked
likehospitalscrubsonthebed.Heheldthemupandfoundthattheoutsidepantsseams
wereVelcroedfromcufftowaistandhecouldactuallyputthemondespitethechains.On
theshortsleevedshirttheVelcrowasonthesideseamsfromthewaisttotheunderarm
sideofthesleeve.Hecouldpullthemonoverhisheadandsealthesides.

32

Helikedwearingpantsagain,butthinkingabouttheforethoughthiskeepershadputinto
thisbotheredhim.Itlookedliketheydidn'texpecttotakeoffthechainsanytimesoon.
Theroomstank,andhismessandfootprintswerestillonthefloor.Likeintheshower,he
washedthefloorseveraltimesmorethannecessary.
It'snotthemessyou'retryingtoerase,isit,Davy?Nomatterhowmanytimesyouwashthe
floor,itwon'tundoit.Ithappened.
Andit'sprobablygoingtohappenagain.
SEVEN
"Thisisn'texactlywhatwehadinmind,youknow."
MilliearmedSojeewithastackofflyersandthestapler,thendroppedheronColumbia,
nearChristHouse.
"I'llmaketherounds,"Sojeetoldher."I'llcallyouifIhearsomething."
Milliegavehersomechange."Callmearoundfive,evenifyoudon'thearanything,okay?"
Sojee'slipssmackedseveraltimesandshefinallysaid,"Well,okay.Aboutfive."
MilliehadthetaxidropherbackonthestreetinfrontofInterrobang.Shewalkedslowly
downthestreetandaroundthecorner,backtowardwhatshewascomingtothinkofasthe
"departurezone"theplacewhereBrianCoxhaddiedand,possibly,theplacewhereDavy
mighthavebeenseenlast.
Hopefully,Davyhad"departed"thatplaceinadifferentmannerthanCox.
She'dhadbreakfastwithSojee,butshewentintotherestaurantanyway,askingforatable
atthewindow,theveryone,shefigured.
Thewindowsintheplacewereborderedwithannouncementsofthisandthatperformance,
thisandthatdancestudioofferingclasses,thisorthatdojoofferingmartialartsinstruction,
thisandthatpersonlookingforaroommate.Evenwhenthey'dbeenrippedoff,thelayersof
yellowedScotchtapeformedreefsandshoals.Exceptthiswindow.Thiswindowmust've
beenreplacedrecently.Therewereafewannouncementsonit,butnoneoftheancient
evidenceofbygoneposters.Thiswindowhadjustbeenreplaced.
Sheorderedcoffeebutdidn'tdrinkit.
Hopefullythemanagementwasalittlemorecarefulaboutlettingnonemployeesservefood
now,butthiswasn'tthetimetotesttheissue.
Shefeltalittleodd,today,likeacornerhadbeenturned.She'dlooked,thedaybefore,for
theNSAwatchers,buthadn'treallyseenanybody.Shebelievedtheywerekeepingback,
dependingonthebugandintermittentchecks,hopingtolureDavy'ssnatchersbackintothe
open.Theirabsencehadbeenpalpableafterthesevendaysshe'dspentundersurveillance
backinStillwater.
Today,herbackitched.
They'reoutthere.
Shelaughedatherself.
You'reimaginingthings.
Theitchwasstillthereandnomatterhowshesquirmedinthechair,shecouldn'tscratchit.
SheleftInterrobangandwalkedeast,butthesidewalksweresobusythatanybodycould
havefollowedherwithoutdetection.Acabwentby,thenanother.Sheflaggedthethird
one,selfconsciouslythinkingaboutSherlockHolmes,andtoldthedriver,"TheMall,please,
attheCapitolend."
HedroppedheratthecornerofFourthandIndependenceandshewalkedacrossthegrass
totheEastWingoftheNationalGallery.SheheadedupthestairsfortheUpperLevelwhere
thehugeredandblackCaldermobilehunginspacebeneaththefacetedglassroof,but

33

whenshereachedthetopofthestairstheelevatordoorsopenedandawomanpushinga
fussingbabyinastrollergotout.Milliecouldn'thearanybodyonthestairsbelowbutshe
steppedquicklyintotheelevator.Thedoorsshut,thenitcontinuedup.Shestayedinwhenit
openedonthetopfloor,thenshepushedthebasementbuttonandtookitdownandrode
themovingsidewalkdowntheconcoursetowardtheolderWestbuilding.Attheendofthe
walkway,shecrossedtothegiftshop,andbrowsed,standingbehindoneofthedisplay
shelvesandwatchingthepedestrianscomingfromtheEastbuildingcarefully.Acrossthe
way,watersheeteddowntheglasswalloftheCascadeCaf.
Severalminutespassedandshefrowned.TherewasaclusterofJapanesetourists,afamily
offive,threeelderlyladiespracticallytottering,oneofthemusingarollingwalker,anda
singlemancarryinganeaselandwoodenpaintscase.They'dhavetobemoreorganizedthan
Icouldimaginetocomeupwiththatoutfitonsuchshortnotice.
Shewasabouttorelaxwhenshesawhim,amancomingfromtheWestBuilding,walking
slowly,casuallycheckingoutthepatronsseatedatthecafe.Overhalfthefivehundredseats
werefullandhewaspausingoftentoexamineaparticulargridoftables,thenmovingto
another.
He'dactuallywalkedpastMilliealready,buthadn'tseenherasshe'dbeenblockedbyashop
display.Shemovedaroundthatsamedisplayunitandpositionedherselftopeeroverit,
betweentwolargecoffeetableartbooks.
Hewasaverageheightwithblondhaircutveryshortaroundalargebaldspotlikeamonk's
tonsureandwearingadarkbluewindbreakerandslacks.
Hecouldbelookingforhiswife.Hiskids.Hisgrandmother.
Shelookedatthewayhestoodandsomethingmadeherdoubthisinnocence.Shepulledoff
herblueraincoatandrolledit,whitelinerout,intoacompactbundle.Therewasalullatthe
counterandshesteppedupquicklyandpurchasedascarf,afabricprintedwitha
reproductionofMaryCassatt'sChildrenPlayingontheBeach.Shepaidquickly,withcash,
andaskedforalargerbagthantheonetheclerkinitiallyofferedher."Formycoat,"she
explained,smiling.
Theclerkshruggedandgaveherapaperbagwithplastichandles."Thankyousomuch."
The"monk"hadstoppedattheedgeofthecaf,wherethewalkwaysterminated,hiseyes
directedtowardtheEastWing.
Millieduckedintotherestroom,rightbytheGiftShop,andhurriedlytiedthescarfaround
herhead,gypsystyle.Wrappedandtied,ittransformedthekidsonthebeachtojust
anotherabstractpatternintansandblueswiththecheeksofthegirlapinkhighlightabove
theknot.SheexitedslowlyandwalkedacrosstotheEspressoandGelatoBar.
Hewasstillstandingattheendofthewalkwaybutnowhewastalkingonacellphone.
IsheNSA?Theysaidthey'dkeepclear.
Shewastremblingand,sherealized,afraid,butitdidn'tmakeherwanttorun.Itmadeher
wanttobreakthings.Shefocusedontheman'sbaldspot.Orheads.Fightorflight.Shewas
surprisedwhichsideofthedivideshecamedownon.
IfIcouldonlyhearwhathewassaying.Unconsciously,shewasleaningforward,even
thoughhewasoversixtyfeetaway,attheotherendoftherestaurant,strainingtohearwith
herentirebeing.
"signofher.Wepickedherupatthehotel.ShedroppedtheblackwomanonColumbia
thencametotheNationalGallery."TheaccentwasvaguelyBritish,butnotperhaps
Australian."HyacinthfollowedherintotheEastBuildingandherteamisstakingoutthe
groundfloorexitswhileI'mcoveringthatundergroundwalkwaytotheotherbuilding."
Millienearlyscreamed,butmanagedtocontainit.Herkneeswobbledandshesagged
heavilytotheright,clutchingatthewaisthighbarrierthatseparatedtheCascadeCaffrom

34

thewalkway.
ShewasstandingrightbehindtheMonk.Sheturnedherbackonhim,breathingdeeply.
Ijumped?
Ijumped.
Ijumped!
Immediatelyontheothersideofthebarrieroneofthediners,awoman,wasstaringather
withhermouthopen,aglassofwaterliftedhalfwayoffthetable,butfrozen.Her
companion,amanfacingawayfromMillie,wassaying,"What'sthematter,Paula.Youlook
likeyou'dseenaghost."
Millietriedtoreassureherwithasmilebutshewasstillshakyandtheexpressiononher
facefeltstrange.Apparentlyitlookedstrange,too,forthewomanflinchedanddroppedher
glassonthefloor.Itwasn'taloudnoiseamongthedinofthedinersbuttheMonkturnedhis
headjustasMillieturnedbacktocheckonhim.
Hiseyeswidenedslightlyandheturnedbackawayfromher,casually."Wouldyougivemy
besttoPortiaandthegangandtellherIcan'twaittoseeher?"Helistenedforasecond.
"That'sright."Hewaswalkingawayashetalked,movingacrosstheconcoursetowardthe
giftshop.
Milliefoughtbackanurgetoplanthertoefirmlyuphisassandturned,walkingasquicklyas
shecouldtowardtheWestBuilding.IfsheunderstoodtheMonk'sconversation,there
wasn'tanybodycoveringthisendoftheconcourse.Well,notyet.Theremightbesomeone
runningacross,attheMalllevel,rightnow.
Shepausedattheendoftheshop,justbeforesheturnedrighttowardthestairs.TheMonk
hadturnedandwaswalkingbrisklyafterher,stillbackbytherestaurant,butclosing.Hewas
talkingonthephoneagain.
Sheranupthestairsbutshiedawayfromthedooratthetop.Itwasstraightacrosstothe
EastBuildingandshecouldseeafiguresprintingtowardthisdoorbutstillquiteaways
away.Sheduckedintothegalleryatthetopofthestairsandstopped,unabletomove,
beforeWhistler'sTheWhiteGirl.
"OhmyGod."Shesaiditoutloud.Thegirl,cladinalongwhitegownandstandingonawolf
skin,waslifesize,thepaintingitselfalmostsevenfeettall.Whitedrapesbehind,shiningwith
light,anorientalcarpetbelowthewolfskin.Thewoman'seyes,herdarkbrows,herdark
brownhair,andredlipsstoodoutagainstaseaofvaryinghuesofwhiteconveyinga
surprisingamountofdetail,butthethingthatstoppedMillieinhertracks,thatcapturedall
ofherattention,washerstillness.Notanartificialstillness,butacalmstance.
Serenity.She'sserene.
Shewasn'trunningawayfromstrangers.Whatevershewasdoing,shewasfacingitcalmly,
withpoise.
Icandothis.Shereachedintoherblouseandpulledoutthetrackingbug.Sincetalkingto
Sojeeshe'ddisabledthemicrophonepickupbutnowsheslidthebackoffandpushedthe
slideswitchtoitsfullfunctionposition.
Therewasamuseumguardstandingattheentrancetothenextgallery,butshewas
watchingagroupofchildreninsteadofMillie.Millieturnedandsaidconversationally,"I'm
beingtailed,guys,and,unlessit'syou,youbettergetyourassoverhere.I'mgoingtostayin
theNationalGallery,WestBuilding,mainfloor,butgoingfromgallerytogallery."
Shetuckedthebugbackintoherbraandtookthescarfoffherhead,thenknotteditloosely
aroundhernecklikeatie.ShetookonemorelookatTheWhiteGirlandsummonedresolve.
Sharesomeofthatserenity,please.
Therewerestepsintheeastfoyer,attheheadofthestairs,andsheleft,movingtothenext
gallery.HerheadtwitchedasshepassedfiveWinslowHomerpaintings.Thisisthatsortof

35

place.Getoverit.Shesummonedmentalblinkersandmovedon.
Manyofthegallerieshadmultipledoorsleadingfromthem,makingtheplaceamaze.She
workedherwaytowardthemiddleofthebuilding,settlinginGallery56beforeasixfoot
highportraitofNapoleoninhisstudy.Therewerefourentrancestotheroomandtwo
museumguards.
Shethoughtitwastimetosettle,toletherchasersfindher,butNapoleonwasstaringather
abittoodirectly.Shemovedaroundthebenchinthemiddleoftheroomandstudied
insteadPortraitofaLadybyVigeLebrun:awomanportrayedbyawoman.Whilethis
subjectwasn'tassereneasTheWhiteGirl,sheseemedtoknowwhatshewasabout.When
shelookedoutoftheframeatMillieitwasasiftheyweresharingsomething.Milliedidn't
feelstudiedandjudgedasshedidbyNapoleon.Thescalehelped,too.PortraitofaLadywas
onlythreeandahalffeethigh.Shedidn'tloomoverMillieliketheEmperordid.
Shestoodandmovedcloseenoughtoreadthenotecard."wasunderthreatofthe
guillotineaftertherevolution.ShewasforcedtofleeParisindisguisein1789."
Maybethat'swhatyouhavetosharewithmeyouareanotherwomanpursued.Millie
lickedherlips.Andyousurvived.
NexttoPortraitofaLadywasanotherworkbythesameartist,twowomansittingnextto
eachotherwhiletwochildrenhungononeofthewomen.TheMarquisedePezandthe
MarquisedeRougetwithHerTwoChildrenreadthecard.TheywatchedMilliekindly,even
theveryyoungboywithhisheadinhismother'slap.
Myalliesareeverywhere.Millielaughedquietly,causingthefemaleguardtolookherway.
Milliesmiledather,thenlookedup,atthesecuritycameras.Andnotjustinthepaintings.
Shethoughtaboutherjumpontheconcourselevel.Wassheundertheeyeofasecurity
camerathen?Wouldanyonecheckitifshewas?Sheshookherhead.Whatmatteredfor
nowwasthatherfollowerswerewalkingpastcountlessvideocamerasastheysearchedfor
Millieinthemuseum.IftheNSAcouldn'tgetaccesstotherecordings,thenshewouldbe
verymuchsurprised.
Shenoddedatthetwowomeninthepaintingandmovedon,outthewestdoor,toconsort
withseveralmoreallies,severalportraitsbyGoya,particularlySeoraSabasaGarcia.
Here,finally,theyseemedtocatchupwithher.TheMonkpassedbythedoortotheEast
SculptureHall,andmovedonwithoutpausing,butshortlythereafter,abrunette,herhair
pulledtightlybackinabun,wearingheavymakeup,atailoredjacket,jeans,andkneehigh
bootscameinandbeganstudyingtheStillLifewithFigsandBreadonthewallbehindMillie.
MilliesmiledatSeoraGarciaandleftbythenorthdoor,movingwestthroughthemainhall
andintotherotundawhereabronzeMercurydominatedthecenter.Sheeyedthemain
entrancetothesouthbutwantedtostayundertheeyesofthesecuritycameras,nearthe
museumguards,inthepubliceye.
ShemovedintotheWestSculptureHallandtookthesecondleft,chosenbecauseitwas
emptyforthemoment,except,ofcourse,fortheeverpresentguard.
Shestopped,blinking.Whyisnoonehere?Ithadtobeanabnormalebbinthetideof
patronstheroomwasfilledwithRembrandts.Sheturnedslowlyinthemiddleoftheroom,
thenfrozeoppositeanotherallySaskiavanUylenburgh,theWifeoftheArtist.Milliefelt
theconnectionagain,thesenseofsharedproblems,ofsharedstrengths.
Acouplecameinthroughtheeastdoorandstartedmovingaroundthegallery,studyinga
gorgeousrenditionofaEuropeanmaninturbanandrobe.Millieeyedthem.Theyweren't
veryconvincing.Thewomanhungontheman'sarmbutherposturewaswrong,notrelaxed.
Ifthey'dwalkedintoherofficelikethatshewould'vethought,impendingdivorce,they're
goingthroughthemotions.
Nowshegaveitanotherinterpretation.Theydon'thaveanexistingrelationshipthatcallsfor

36

touchingeachother.That'scamouflage,forme.
Millietookthewestdoorandturnedsharply,toputheroutofsightofthecouple.She
countedtothree,thenstuckherheadbackaroundthedoor.Thecouplewasmovingtoward
her,walkingapart,nolongertouching.TheinstanttheysawMillietheyeachswerved
towardtheother,thenpausedtostudyanotherRembrandt.
Gotcha.
Millieturnedandwalked.Shewasscaredbutshewasalsosmiling.Comeon,guys,it'stime
fortheNSAtoputinanappearance.Shemovedthroughthegallery,aroomfulofDutch
painterswhowerenotRembrandt,andintoaroomfulofFlemishwork,notably,Rubens.She
pausedbeforeagiantpaintingovertenfeetwideandsevenfeettall.
Ouchthat'salittletooclosetohome.
ItwasDanielintheLions'Denand,whileDaniel'seyeswereonheaven,severalofthelife
sizedlionslookedoutatMilliewithstartlingintensity.
Sheonlyhadoneotherexitfromthisroom,besidesthedirectionshecamein.Shetookit
andfoundherselfinasmallerroomwithmoreRubens.Shecutthroughitintoalarger
galleryandpausedbeforeyetanotherRubens,TheAssumptionoftheVirgin.
Shepausedagain."That'stheticket,"shemuttered.Angelsandcherubscarriedthe
Madonnatowardheavenwhileonlookerseitherstaredupinaweortouchedthediscarded
shroud.Whereareyou,Angels?
ShetookdeepbreathsandturnedfromTheAssumptiontoMarchesaBrigidaSpinolaDoria,
theonlyotherRubensintheroom.ThewomanworeanenormousElizabethancollarbutshe
lookedoutatMilliewithimpishmerriment.
Right,anotherally.Ifshecanlookamusedinthatcollar,perhapsIcanrelaxunderthese
circumstances.Shedecidedtosettleforamoment,toletthempresentthemselvesagain,to
givehersomeonetopointat,whentheNSAfinallyshowedup.Fifteenminuteswentby
whiletheMarchesaandshecommuned,duringwhichtheonlypeopletoentertheroom
wereawomanshepherdingsevenpreteengirls.
HerphonerangandMilliejumped.Theguardglaredatherandshescrambledtosilencethe
ringer.
"Hello?"Itwasthefirsttimethephonehadrungandsheseriouslyexpectedittobefrom
someonewho'dreadtheflyer.
"Millie,doyourecognizemyvoice?"
ItwasAnders,theNSAagent.
"Yes.ThoughtyouwerestillintheSoonerState?"
"Wecangossiplater,girlfriend.Rightnowwe'dlikeyoutoleavethebuildingontheSixth
StreetandConstitutionAvenueside.Bythenorthdoortheonethatfacesawayfromthe
Mall?There'llbeawhitecabwaiting.Thedriveriswearingaredbaseballcap.He'soneof
ours.Getin."
"Whataboutmy,uh,companions?"
"We'llbewatchingandrecording.Trustus.Thisiswhatwedo."
"Allright."ShestaredattheimpishfaceoftheMarchesa."Now?"
"Now."
"Onmyway."Shehungupthephoneandputitinherpurse.Thefastestroutewasthrough
theMainGallerytotheRotunda,thendownthestairs.Shewalkedquickly,lookingstraight
ahead,fightingnottostareintoeverydoorwayshepassed.Shecontinuedtoholdherallies
inhermind,theimagesofwomenthroughouttheGallery.
Serenity.That'stheticket.
Itwasrainingagain,withanastywindthatrippedatherclothes.Herraincoatwasstillinthe
bag,butshedidn'twanttotakethetimetoputiton,sosheheldthebagoverherheadand

37

sprintedforthestreet.
Thecabwasthere,aspromised,butshefeltastabofdismayasshesawsomeonesittingin
theback.Didsomeonegrabitfirst?Inthisrain,cabswouldbeeagerlysought.Butthe
personintheseathandedthedriversomething,thenopenedthedoorandgotoutasshe
approached,leavingthedooropenforher.
"Thanks,"shesaidassheduckedintothecab,butthemanwaswalkingbrisklyaway,toward
themuseum.Thecarleftthecurbbeforeshe'dfinishedshuttingthedoorandturnedhard
acrosstwolanesoftraffictomaketheSixthStreetturn.Shetwistedintheseattowatchthe
museumdoor,butparkedcarsalreadyblockedit,andthenbuildingsasthedriverwhipped
rightontoPennsylvania.
"Wherearewegoing?"Shedabbedatherglasseswithherhandkerchief.
Thedrivergrunted."We'remeetingupwithmybossbutfirstwe'refeelingforticks."He
continuedondownpastthereflectingpoolandenteredthetrafficcircleneartheCapitol
building.Hestayedinthecirclethreetimesaround,thenspunoffsouthonFirst,spun
aroundthenexttrafficcircletwice,thentookMarylandAvenuetowardthesouthsideofthe
Mall.
ThetrafficcirclesmadeMilliecarsickandsheleanedbackandclosedhereyes,takingdeep
breaths.Whensheopenedthemagain,theywererunningdownthefarsideoftheMall,
behindtheAirandSpaceMuseumonIndependenceAvenue,southoftheNationalGallery
butoutofsight.
"Lookslikewe'reclear,"thedriversaid.
Millielookedathimforthefirsttime.Hewasbeardedandlookedsomewhatmiddle
eastern,thoughhisaccentwaspureBoston.Hewaswearingdarkglassesdespitethegray
rain.
"I'mgoingtostopinasecond.There'llbeaVerizonphonevan.Hopoutandintoit,quickas
youcan."
HeturnedsharplyonSeventh,northagain.Thephonecompanyvanwasparkedillegallyon
thecorner,orangeconessetout,frontandback.Oneofthevan'sbackdoorsswungopenas
thecabbrakedandshewasoutthedoorandinside.Sheheardthecab'stiressquealonthe
rainslickedpavementasitacceleratedawayandthenthevandoorwasslammedbehind
her.
Theinsideofthevansmelledofozoneandmildew.Itwaslikethesurveillancevanthey'd
usedinStillwater,cabinetsofelectronicsandmonitorsandapivotingworkstationseat.
Anderswastheonewho'dopenedthedoorforherandhemovedback,now,threadinghis
waybetweentheoperatorintheworkstationchairandtheslidingdoor.Hesatinthe
backwardsfacingbenchseatbehindthedriver'sseatandgesturedherforward.
Theconsoleoperator,awomanwithshortgraystreakedhair,moved,too,andpattedthe
consoleseat."Here,dear.We'dlikeyoutolookatsomepictures."
Milliesetthebagwithhercoatinitonthefloorandedgedontothechair.Itwaswarmin
thevanbutshe'dgottenwetinherrunforthecab.Sheunknottedherscarfandpulledit
acrosshershoulders,likeashawl.
"ThisisBeccaMartingale,"saidAnders,indicatingtheoperator."She'sourliaisonwiththe
Bureau."
"FBI?"
Beccanodded."Yes,Counterintelligence."
Milliegropedforsomethingpolitetosay,butsettledforatirednod.ShelookedatAnders
andbitherlip."Isshefullybriefed?"
Anderssaidcarefully,"SheknowsthatDavywasoneofoursandwaskidnapped.Shedoesn't
knowwhatDavydidforus."

38

Beccawaswatchingthisinterchangewithinterest.Whenitdidn'tgoanyfurther,sheleaned
acrossandpulledthemousetoherendofthenarrowcounterrunningunderthemonitors.
"Here.We'vegotashortclipofyourexitfromtheGallery."Sheclickedacontrolandvideo
inawindowbeganrunningontherightmostmonitor.
Milliewatchedherselfexitthebuildingandrunupthesidewalk,thebagheldoverherhead,
splashingthroughpuddlesshedidn'tremember.Thecameramust'vebeeninacaronthe
streetforsheangledpastit,buttheviewstayedontheGallerystairs.Thefirstpersonexiting
theGalleryafterherwastheheavilymadeupbrunetteinthekneehighbootswho'dsat
withherintheroomwiththeGoyas.Shestarteddownthestairsatagoodclip,then
stoppedsuddenlyandtookoutaphone.Thecamerazoomedonher.Thewomansaid
somethingonthephone,thenretreatedbackintotheshelteroftheoverhang,stillholding
thephonetoherhead.Amanenteredtheframe,comingfromthestreet,butpausedthere,
intheshelter,clutchinghistweedjackettogetherattheneck.
"He'stheonewhoheldthecabforme."
"Yes,"saidBecca."Whataboutthewoman?"
"ShewasintheGoyagallerywithme,butthat'stheonlytimeIsawher.However,itwas
aftertheMonkfoundme,soIthinkhepassedmetoher."
"TheMonk?"askedAnders.
"Blondman,bluewindbreaker,largebaldspot."Sheusedherfingertodrawitssizeand
placementonherownhead."Likeatonsuredmonk.Ilosthimonceanddoubledbackclose
enoughtooverhearaphoneconversation."Sheclosedhereyesforamoment."Hesaid,'We
pickedherupatherhotel.ShedroppedtheblackwomanonColumbiathencametothe
NationalGallery.HyacinthfollowedherintotheEastBuildingandherteamisstakingoutthe
groundfloorexitswhileI'mcoveringthatundergroundwalkwaytotheotherbuilding.'"
Millieopenedhereyesandshrugged."Thenhesawmeandcutthecall."
BeccablinkedandturnedtoAnders."Youdidn'tsayshewasinthegame."
Anderslookedmad."She'snot.Why'dyoudothat?Sneakuponhim,Imean."
Milliecheekswarmed."Ihadtoknowiftheywerereallyfollowingme."
Anderskeptstaringatherasifhewantedmore.
Shebitherlip."Thishasbeenstressfulenough.IwantedIneededtoruleoutparanoid
delusions."
Beccaopenedhermouthasilent"ah.""Youareamentalhealthprofessional,aren'tyou.
Andtheblackwoman?"
"She'sprettymuchamentalhealthprofessional,too,inherownway."Milliesmiledto
herself."She'sahomelessmentalpatientwhoknowsDavy.He'shelpedherseveraltimesin
thepastfewmonths.She'saskingthestreetpeoplesheknowsiftheysawanythingthenight
oftheabduction."Shegesturedatthescreen."Didyourmanhearanything?"
"No,shefinishedashecameup.ButBeccarecognizedher,"Anderssaid.
"You'rekidding."
"I'vebeeninCounterintelligencemyentirecareer."Beccawasfiddlingwiththemouse
again.Sheenlargedanothervideowindow.Itwasthesamescene,withthewomanstill
waiting,butthewindowtitlesaidLiveFeedA."Shewasafreelanceradeniableasset.I
workedwithheronce,fifteenyearsago.HernameherfullnameisHyacinthPope.
Couldn'tforgetanamelikethat.ShehadjuststarteddoingsomecontractworkfortheCIA
then,butthewallcamedown,andmostofhercareersincehasbeenintheprivatesector."
"Whatdoesthatmean?"
"Corporatesecurityandespionage."
"Andkidnapping?"
Beccashrugged."Orworse,butshe'sneverbeenindicted,muchlesspickedup.Butthis

39

affairmaybecompartmentalized."
"Youguysdon'tlikeEnglishverymuch,doyou?"
Anderssaid,"Meansthathergroupcouldbeinvolvedbutthatadifferentcelldidthe
snatch."
OnthescreenHyacinthPopelefttheshelteroftheoverhangagain.Thecameratrackedher
tothestreetwhereshegotintoalatemodelDodgeCaravan.Thecamerazoomedonthe
driver.
"That'stheMonk,"Milliesaid.
Andersleanedforward."Ah.Padgett.Well,thattellsussomething."
"Andthatis?"
"PadgettwaswithExecutiveOutcomes,butnowheworksfortheBAdboys."
Beccawhistled."BochstettlerandAssociates."ToMillie,sheadded,"They'rea'consulting'
firm."
"Whatdotheydo?"
Beccasaid,"Well,ostensiblythey'reinternationalcommercespecialists,helpingtodevelop
andmaintainmarketsinforeigncountries."
"Andisthatwhattheydo?"
"It'sexactlywhattheydo,"saidAnders,withagrimface.
Milliemust'velookedpuzzled,becauseBeccaadded,"Theyaren'ttoopickyabouthow.Like
ExecutiveOutcomes,beforetheSouthAfricangovernmentshutthemdown,wesuspectthe
BAdboysoftopplingwholegovernmentstoarrangeamorefavorablebusiness'climate.'
That'srare.There'salsoacoupleofquestionabledeaths.Usually,though,theytendtowork
throughbriberyandblackmail."
"Whodotheyworkfor?"
Beccashrugged."That'shardertofigureout.There'susuallymultiplebenefactorstotheir
variousoperations.Wheneverabigbusinessprojectgoesthrough,nomatterwhoithurts,it
usuallybenefitsmultiplepartiesisittheprimarycompany?Oneofthejuniorpartners?The
localvendors?Theinternationalvendors?Specificlocalpoliticians?
"TheirovertclientistheWorldTradeStudyGrouphereinD.C.,aPACfundedbyseveral
multinationals.WTSGpromotes'streamlining'internationalbusinesspractices,buttheovert
worktheBAdboysdoforthemislegitsimplePRstuff,pushingthebenefitsofinternational
tradetoforeigngovernments."
Millienoddedslowly."WTSGI'veheardof.Streamliningmeansremovingasmany
regulationsandlawsaspossible,right?"
Andersnodded."Right."
"Whyaren'ttheyinprison?BA,Imean."
Anderslookeduncomfortable.Beccalaughed,buttherewasnohumorinit.
Anderssaid,"Primarily,evidence.There'scircumstantiallinksbutnothingincontrovertible."
Beccaadded,"However,there'salsonopressuretogogetharderevidence.'It'saboutthe
economy,stupid.'Biginternationaldealsbenefitoureconomy.That'sbeenthebottomline
forthepastseveraladministrations.Infact,pastattemptshavebeenactivelydiscouraged
andinthepostnineeleveneconomy,it'sevenmoreso."
Again,Anderslookeduncomfortable,buthedidn'tgainsaythis.
Milliefrowned."Andnowtheymayhavekidnappedmyhusbandwait...letmeputit
anotherway.They'vestolenaU.S.IntelligenceAsset.Isn'tthatworthgettingconcerned
about?Seemslikethey'vegonefromillegalactionsagainstforeigngovernmentstoillegal
actionsagainsttheirown,doesn'tit?"
Andersheldhishandoutpalmdownandwiggledit."Westilldon'tknowiftheBAdboysdid
thesnatch.AsBeccasaid,itmightbecompartmentalized.Butthere'ssomesortof

40

connection,allright."
Milliepushed."Andyou'regoingtofollowuponit?"
BeccaandAndersbothnodded.
"Oh,yeah,"saidBecca.
TherainhadstoppedbythetimethewhitecabdroppedheratMartha'sTable,thefamous
soupkitchenonFourteenthStreetNorthwest.Shewalkedpasttheyellowbuildingface,past
thelonglineofpeoplewaitingtobefed,andfoundSojeerightwhereshe'dsaidshe'dbe,
nearthecornerattheendoftheblock,shelteredinthedoorwayofaboardedupstore.She
seemedrelievedtoseeMillie."Whattookyousolong?"
"Sorry."BeccaandAndershadn'twantedhertogoatall,butthey'dreallyinsistedthatshe
waituntilthey'dput"supportintheenvironment."Milliewastryinghardnottoexamine
everyfaceshepassed.Atleastshehadn'tseentheMonkyet.
Doesn'tmeanheisn'there,though.
"Thisway,"Sojeesaid,headingsouth."Ifoundsomeonewhosawmyangelthenighthe
disappeared."
Millie'sskinitched.Shefeltlikehostileeyessurroundedher."AretheysureitwasDavy?"
"Matthew,chapterseven,versetwenty:Bytheirworksshallyouknowthem."
"Whatworks?"
"Well,theysaid,'Unngelnosdioeldinero.'"
Millieforgotabouttheeyesforamomentandtriedtoswitchmentalgears.Finallyshe
managed,"Anangelgavethemthemoney?"
Sojee'ssmilewastwisted,overlaidbysomethingdark."Yeah.Lookslikeseeingangelsis
contagious."
"Howmuchmoney?"
"Shedidn'tsay.Myfriend,Porfiro,saysherandhertwokidswentfromlivingina
refrigeratorcartoninanalleyoffNineteenthtosublettingaroomfromafamilyinhis
building.They'veagreedtomeetusatTheBurro.TheonedownonPennsylvania."She
lookedsidewaysatMillie."You'rebuying."
Milliesmiledbriefly."Ofcourse.MySpanishisn'tverygood,though.Areyouupto
translating?"
Sojeeshookherhead."No.Porfiroiscoming,though.He'lldothejob.Smartestcrazyperson
Iknow."
"Uh,andPorfirois...?"Shelookedaway.ThegyrationsofSojee'sfaceweremakingithard
forMillietoconcentrate.
"PorfirowasinSt.Elizabeth'swithme.Bipolarbutlithium'sgothimsmootheddown.He's
thesuperinthebuildingthisfamilymovedinto."
"Andwhat'stheirname?"
"Ruiz."
SojeeswungwestonTStreetandMillie,caughtbysurprise,scrambledtocatchup.Her
phonerang.
"Yes?"Shekeptwalking.
ItwasAnders'svoice."They'reuptosomething.They'removinginforce,butsoarewe.
We'llberightthereif...iftheydoanything."
Milliefeltasinkingfeelinginthepitofherstomach.Shestruggledhardtokeephervoice
calm,neutral."Youwantthemto,don'tyou?"
Andershesitatedforthebriefestinterval."DoyouwanttofindDavy?"
"Ah...allright."Millielickedherlips."Bringiton."Shedisconnected.
Shestartedtolookaround,thenstoppedherself.WhataboutSojee?Wasitfairtoinvolve

41

herinthis?"Sojee,there'ssomethingIshouldtell"
TheDodgevanfromtheMuseummadeahardrightintothemouthofthealleysometwenty
feetinfrontofthemandstoppedabruptly,blockingthesidewalk.Thedriverreachedback
andslidthesidedooropen.ItwastheMonk.
Atthesametime,Millieheardfootstepsonthepavementandturnedherhead.Twomen
rushedfromtheopendoorofabodegaandtherewasascreechofbrakesonthestreet.Two
moremenwerecrossingthestreetatarun.Acabby,who'dhadtobrakeforthem,was
shakinghisfistandcursinginFarsi.
Thetwomenfromthestorereachedthemfirst,walkingfast,theirarmscomingoutfrom
theirsides,palmsforward.Likesomeoneherdingsheep.
Milliestartedtomoveforward,toputherselfbetweenthemenandSojee,whenSojee
pulledMilliebackandsteppedforward,instead.Sojeeheldherfistout,thumbup,and
waveditbackandforthatthetwomen,whosworeandrecoiledfromasuddencloudofred
mist.
Pepperspray,Millierealized.Thetwomen'sfaceswerestreakedwithanorangishred.Dyed
pepperspray.
Sojeepivoted,movingtowardthetwomenwhowerethreadingtheirwaythroughanarrow
gapbetweentwoparkedcars.Theoneintheleadhadseenwhathappened,andhewas
hesitating,buthispartnerbumpedhimfrombehind,forcinghimforward.Heduckedbelow
Sojee'ssprayandchargedforward,goingforherlegs.Thecloudcaughtthesecondmanfull
intheface.
Sojeewentoverbackwardsontothewetsidewalkasthefirstmangrabbedherlegs.
She'stryingtoprotectme.Millietookastepforward.Themanwasscootingquicklyup
Sojee'sbodyinahorridparodyofsexualassault,tryingtogetuptoherarms,togetthe
peppersprayawayfromher,Millie'sfear,predominate,gavewaytosuddenrage.Shetook
anotherstepandkickedhimfullinthefacewiththetoeofherMerrellhikingboots.
Hefelltotheside,hisnoseasuddenredfountain,andSojee,cursingloudly,emptiedthelast
ofherpeppersprayintohisface.Themanrolledover,clutchinghiseyesandwheezing.
Oneofthemenwho'dcomefromthestorehaddroppedtohisknees,hisbreathcomingin
wheezes,buthispartnerwasrushingbackatMillie,hisredstreakedfacecontortedwith
rage,blinkingwaterfromhiseyes.Hecameatarush,topropelhertowardtheopendoorof
thevan,butsuddenlydroppedtothepavement.
Sojeehadhookedhisankleandhelditnowwithbothhands.Hehitthepavementhard,only
partiallybreakinghisfallwithhisarms.Sojee,screamingandcursing,pulledherwayupthe
backofhislegs.Hetriedtogetbackup,butshegrabbedhisbeltatthesmallofhisbackand
heavedhimdownagain.Hebalancedononehandandraisedtheother,toswingahammer
fistbackatSojee,soMillieslammedherbootdownontheoutspreadfingersofhis
supportinghand.
HescreamedandMilliefeltbonescrunchunderherboot.
Millieheardracingenginesandscreechingtiresfollowedbythesoundofpoundingfeet.
Notmoreofthem?
Inthevan,theMonklookedwildlyaround,thenacceleratedthevehicleintothealley,
disappearingbetweenthebuildings.
TherunningfiguresworeFBIbaseballcapsandwindbreakers.Theyfocusedontheir
attackers,insteadofthetwowomen.
Notmoreofthem.
Sojeewaspoundingheropponentwiththeemptypepperspraycontainer,punctuatingeach
blowwith,"You!Got!My!Coat!Dirty!"
Milliecaughtherhand."That'lldo,girlfriend.That'lldo."

42

SojeestaredupatMillie,hereyeswide.Thenherfacetwistedandhertonguestuckoutof
hermouthtothesideandshehadablepharospasm,aprolongedblink."Oh.Right."She
pushedoffthebackofheropponentandstoodawkwardly.Milliepulledhertotheside,out
ofthewayofthelargeandhealthylookingmenwiththeshotguns.
Therewasthesoundofdistantscreechingtiresfromthealleywayfollowedimmediatelybya
loudcrash.Millie,seeingthatthefourmeninherimmediatevicinitywereundercontrol,
pokedherheadcautiouslyaroundthecorner.
Thefloristvanwastwistedatthefarendofthealley,thewindshieldstarredwithbullet
holes.Alargecloudofsteamwasbillowingfromitsfrontend.Thereseemedtobeanother
caracrossthefaralley.
"Don'tdothat."
ItwasAnders,standingonthesidewalkontheothersideofthealleyway.Beccawasright
behindhim.
Milliepulledherheadback."Why?"
ThreerapidgunshotssuddenlyboomeddownthealleywayandMilliejumpedback."Oh."
Anders,nottakinghisownadvice,waslookingdownthealley."Hmmm.Okay."Hestepped
acrossthealleyway,movingbriskly.Helookedatthefourmenwhowerenowhandcuffed
andbeingfrisked."Thisisn'texactlywhatwehadinmind,youknow.Wethoughtwe'd
actuallyletthemstartthesnatchbeforewemovedin."
"Iwasn'tgoingtoresist.Ididn'thavetimetowarnMs.Johnson."
Anderstriedtofrown,buthecouldn't.Hecoveredhismouth,thenlaughedoutright."Ican
tellI'mgoingtoneedapersonalcopyofthisvideotape."
Milliestaredathim."Youvideotapedit?"Shelookedaround,wonderingwherethecamera
was."Ofcourseyoutapedit."
Beccawaslookingaroundthecorner,thensqueezedhercoatlapelandsaid,"Rogerthat."
Millienoticedtheearplug.ThentheFBIagentjerked,hereyesgoingwide."Agentdown!"
shesaidloudly,andtoredownthealley,drawinghergunasshewent.Threeagents
followedher.
Anders,hiseyesnarrowed,gesturedforthemtocrossthealleyway.Hedrewthemfurther
downthesidewalk.
"YouandMs.JohnsonwillfindCurtisattheendoftheblockinthesameWhiteCab.He'll
takeyoutoTheBurroforyourappointment."
"Wedon'thavetomakestatements?"
"Later.Thevideowilldofornow."
Sojeewasstaringaroundher,herlipssmacking,hercheektwitching.Atthementionofher
name,shestaredatAndersspecifically,thenaskedMillie,"Arethesefriendsofyours?"
Milliehesitatedforthebriefestintervalbeforesaying,"Allies."Shebrushedsomebeaded
wateroffofSojee'scoat."Areyouallright?"
"I'mgonnaneedsomemorepepperspray."
Millienodded."Imaygetsomemyself."ShelinkedarmswithSojeeandstartedwalking,
wonderingwhathadhappenedattheendofthealley.Whenthey'dgoneseveralyards,she
said,"Thanks,Sojee,forprotectingmebackthere."
Sojeesnorted."Lookslikeyoudidn'tneednoprotectin'.Thoseassholeswhojumpedussure
did,though.Theybetterstayawayfromme,I'llwhuptheirassesagain."Thenshesmiled.
"Younailedthatmaninthenose.Youprettyhotwiththatcanofwhupass,yourself."
"Youhold'em,I'llkick'em."
EIGHT
"Ilikeamaninchains."

43

ThugOne,theblondmanwiththenearlyinvisibleeyebrows,putthelunchtraydownjust
insidethedoor,thensliditwithinchainreach.
Davywasravenousforlunch.He'dnothadbreakfastandtheinvoluntarypurgingofhis
stomachworsenedmatters.Heateslowly,though.Histhroatwasstillrawfromthebileand
hedidn'twanttoriskrepeatingthismorning'sexperiencewithorwithoutoutsidehelp.
Afterfinishingeverycrumb,heusedthebathroom.Onthewaybackthechainsstarted
retractingthroughthewallagain.
Oh,great.
Whenhe'dbeenpulleduptothewallagain,theycameback,theblondThugOnewho'd
broughtbreakfast,thebrunettewho'dkilledBrian,andthehooknosedmanwiththe
reddishbrownhairThugTwo.
Whatnow?
Theyignoredhim.Thewomanheldasmallplasticmeterofsomekind,withastubantennae.
Shewaswatchingadigitalreadoutcloselyasshewalkedacrosstheroom.Whenshewasin
themiddleoftheroom,aboutthreefeetoutfromthefootofDavy'sbed,shecrouchedand
beganmovingitfromsidetoside.Atseveralpointsshemademarksonthefloorwithafelt
tippedpen,then,afterabouttenminutesofthis,shewavedattheothertwo.
"There.Asmarked."
ThugOneheldarolloftwoinchwidegafferstapeinfluorescentgreen.Heputlongstripsof
itonthefloor,formingasquarefourfeetacross.
Whiletheyweredoingthis,thewomanwasworkingfartherout,again,lookingcloselyatthe
meterandmakingmarksonthefloor.Whenthemenhadfinishedthesquare,shesaid,
"Yellowtapehere."
Whenthemenweredone,theyhadayellowsquarewithtruncatedcornerseightfeet
outsidethegreensquare.Theydidn'tbothercompletingthislargersquarenearDavyorthe
bed,butwhentheywerefinished,thewomanranhermeterarounditsperimeterboth
insideandout,thencheckedthegreensquareagain.
"Right.We'regoodtogo."ShehandedThugOnethemeterandjerkedherthumbtothe
door.
Bothofthemenwenttothedoor.ThugOneturnedrightbeforehewentthroughthedoor
andlookedatDavy,then,forthefirsttimesinceenteringtheroom."Beagooddog,"he
said,hismouthtwistedoddly.
Whenthedoorwasshutagain.Thewomanbackedup,outsidethelineofyellowtape.
Almostimmediately,thechainswentslackagainandDavysatdownontheedgeofthebed,
justinsidethelargersquare.
"You'llnotbestayingthere,"shesaid.
"Great.I'dlovetogetoutofthisroom."
Sheshookherhead."Notmymeaning."
"Whoareyou,anyway?"
Shedidn'tanswerhim.
"Well,Imightaswellcallyousomething.Murdererisaccurate,butitjust...wellitlacks
something.IbelieveI'llcallyouMissMinchin."
Thewomanlookedintrigued,despiteherself."Andthisrefersto?"
"MissMinchin'sSeminaryforSelectYoungLadies."Davywasn'tsurehewantedtogetinto
theplotofALittlePrincesswiththiswoman,especiallydetailingwhatacastironbitchMiss
Minchinwas."Shelikedlittleboxes,too,andpeopletostayinthem."
"Idon'thavetimeforsweettalk.Getinthegreensquare."
Davystayedwherehewas.

44

Sheliftedahandtowardthemirrorandsnappedherfingers.
Davydoubledover,coughingviolently.Hewasnauseated,ontheedgeofthrowingup,his
foreheadcoveredwithclammysweat.Hepushedoffthebedand,bentover,stillcoughing,
shuffledtowardthegreensquare.Almostimmediatelythecoughingandthenausea
lessened.Whenhesteppedoverthegreentape,theurgetocoughandthenauseaceased
completely.
Shewentontalking."Outsidethegreenbox,you'llfeelit.Justoutsidetheyellowbox,you
getarepeatofthismorning'sride.Youdorememberthismorning,don'tyou?"Shelooked
overattheemptymopbucketandmop,leaninginthefarcorner.
Davywantedtowipethesweatfromhisforeheadbutheforcedhimselftostandthere,
unmoving,watching"MissMinchin"witheyescoldanddistant.
Shecontinued."Yougooutsidetheyellowboxandtheconvulsionswillprobablykillyou."
Boxistherightword.
"Doyouintendformetolivehere?Inthisfourfootsquare?Areyougoingtobringthe
portabletoiletback?"
Sheshookherhead."Yourbodywillletyouknowwhenyouneedtobeinthesquare."
"IfyouturnthisonwhileI'mtakingashower,Icouldcrackmyskullanddie.I'mprettysure
youguysdon'twantmedead."
"Therearealotworsethingsthandying,darling.You'llgetawarning,sortoflikebeinginthe
yellowsquare.Ifyou'renotinthisbigsquare,"sheindicatedtheouteryellowboundary,
"withintwoseconds,it'llbelikethismorningandworse.Youwon'tbe,ummmm,'symptom
free'untilyou'reallthewayinsidethegreensquare."
"MissMinchinwastherightname."
"Ireallymustlookthatup.We'regoingtoleavethezoneonforafewmoreminutes.You
figureoutwhenyoucanleaveit."
Sheturned.Asshewalkedawaysheswungherhips.Davywatchedherassswayfromsideto
side.Inthedoorwayshepaused,blewakiss,andletthedoorswingshutbehindher.
Nicelegs.
I'dliketobreakthem.
Hestuckhishandovertheedgeofthegreentape.Nothinghappened.Hesatdownand
stuckhisfeetovertheedge.Again,nothinghappened.Didtheyalreadyturnitoff?
Hescooteduptotheline.Ashistorsoedgedoverthetape,hecoughedlightlyandfeltamild
waveofnausea.Hescootedbackagain.Thecoughingandnauseaceased.Helaydownon
hisbackandstartedinchingoutofthesquare,feetfirst.Hedidn'tfeelanythinguntilhis
upperchestcrossedtheline.
Nosurprisethere.That'swherethescarwas,wherethey'dputthedevice,whateveritwas.
Hestoodbackupinsidethesquare.
Heexperimented,leaningoutintothelargersquare.Hisstomachheavedandhiscoughing
wasroughbuthecouldwalktwothirdsofthewaytotheyellowlinebeforehehadto
staggerbackindefeat.Hethoughthecouldprobablypushitevenfurtherinanemergency,
buttheywerewatchingandtherewasnoreasontoletthemknowhislimitations.He
believedthemaboutthefaredge.Thememoryoffloppingonthefloorlikeafreshlycaught
fishwasstillstronginhismind.
Hewastestingtheborderagainwhenthesensationscutoffabruptlythecoughingand
nauseadroppedawayandhestaggered.Hefeltlikesomeonewho'dbeenshovingata
stuckdoor,whenallofasuddenthedoorisopenedfromtheotherside.
Hewantedtowashthesweatfromhisfaceandrinsehismouthbutittookadefiniteactof
willtostepovertheyellowlineonthewaytothebathroom.
Twoseconds,hetoldhimself.Twosecondsislotsoftime.

45

Theystartedtestinghimanhourlater.Hewaslyingdown,readingTheCountofMonte
Cristo,whenhefeltatinglinginhisthroatfollowedalmostimmediatelybyawaveofnausea,
thentheinevitablecough.Thenitstoppedandhewonderedifitwasafluke.
Thenhedoubledover,coughingandthrowingup,gettingvomitonhissheetsandcovers.He
scrambledfortheendofthebedandthesafetyofthegreensquare.
Shit!Shit!Shit!
Thescrambledvoiceoverthespeakersaid,"Twosecondswemeantit."
Hefeltlikecryingwhenthewaveofnauseaquitbuthecouldn'tstandthethoughtofgiving
themthepleasure.Hestoodslowly.He'dgottenvomitonthepantsofhisscrubs.Heripped
thesideseamsopen,pulledthemoff,usedtheunsoiledsectiontowipehismouth,then
bundledthemupandthrewthemintothebathroom.
Hetriedtheborderbutfeltthetelltaletickleinhisthroat.Hesteppedoutfarenoughtosnag
therailingattheendofthebed,coughingheavily,andthendraggedittowardhim,backing
intothesafetyzone.Hestrippedthesoiledsheetsandthrewthemintothebathroomas
well.Thestillcleanblankethewrappedaroundhiswaist,sarongstyle.
Thenhedraggedthebedfarther,untiltheheadwasinthegreensquare,andlaydown,his
chestcenteredoverthegreensquare.
Hetriedtoread,butcouldn'tconcentrate.Forawhile,then,hecountedslowlytotwenty
andturnedpagesasifhewasadefiantformofmeditation.Thenhemadeashowof
yawninglargelyand,puttingthebookdown,herolledoveronhissidefacingawayfromthe
mirror,andpretendedtosleep.
Thisisnotgoingatallwell.
Hewasawakenedbymovement,disorienting,ashehadn'tbeenawarehe'dfallenasleep.
HesatupintimetoseeThugOnebackingaway,again.Lookingaround,hefoundthatthey'd
movedhisbedbackoutofthesquare.
Why?Oh.Theycan'ttrainmeifI'mnotoutofthesquarewhentheyturniton.Hehopped
backoutofbed,swinginghischainsclearautomatically,andstartedtodragthebedback.
Theblondeshookhisheadandstartedbacktowardhim."You'vegottoleavethebed
againstthewall."
Dammit!
Davyjumped,nottowardtheman,buttowardthemirror,tothefullextentofthechains.
Almostimmediatelythechainsbeganreelingthroughthewall,slowlypullingDavybackas
hisunseenjailersrealizedhewasclosertothedoorthantheblondewas.
ThugOnelookedfrightenedandhishandwentuptothescabonhischeek,leftoverfrom
whenDavyhadsnatchedthemaskfromhisface.Hestartedbacktowardthedoor.
Davyjumped,beforethechainswerepulleduptooshort,pastThugOne,acrosstheman's
pathtothedoor,andbracedhimself.
Thechainsmovedsofastyoucouldheartheirpassagethroughtheair.TheycaughtThug
Oneattheshin,knee,hip,andstomach.
ThepullonDavy'swristsandanklespulledhimforwardtwometersbutitthrewThugOne
acrosstheroomandintothewallwithadustraisingcrash.Themanhungthereforabeat,
likeacartooncharacter,andthenhecrumpledtothefloor.Wherehe'dhitthewallthe
Sheetrockandpaintwerecavedin.
TheslowreelingofthechainscontinuedandDavyshuffledback,keepingupwiththem.He
feltashamedofhimself.Showsomecontrol!Don'tshowthemwhatyoucandountilyoucan
useittogetfree.
WhenhewasallthewayupagainstthewallthedooropenedandtheycameforThugOne.

46

Theyusedabackboardandacervicalcollarandtheycarriedhimoutlikehewasmadeof
glass.
Davyexpectedthechainstoloosenagain,buttheydidn't.Theyweretooshortforhimto
reachthebed,tooshort,even,forhimtoliedown.Hecouldsitwithhisarmshanginginthe
wristcuffs,levelwithhisshoulders.Hecouldn'treachthebed,orthebook,orhisStyrofoam
drinkingcup.
Hecoughedtwiceandawaveofnauseapassedoverhim.Oh,Jesus!Hepulledonthechains
buttheywereunyielding.Hewasjustoutsidetheyellowline.
Itwastheworstyetanditwentonandonandonuntilhefinallypassedout.
Hewokeupslumpedinapoolofvomitandfeces,stilldanglingfromthechains.
MissMinchinwasstandingtherewiththemopandthemopbucket.Shewaswatchinghim
closely,herheadtiltedtooneside."Wasthatfun?"sheasked.
Davydidn'tsayanything.Histhroatwasrawfrombileand,eventhoughthedevicewasn't
activated,hewasnauseated.
Shepersisted."Wasyourlittlechaintrickworththeresult?"
Davylookedathersteadily,doinghisbesttoignorethefluidsandthesmells.
Shestoppedsmiling."Don'tmesswithus.You'llregretiteverytime."
Davyspittotheside,tryingtogetthetastefromhismouth."Doyouknowwhataspiration
pneumoniais?"
Sheshrugged."We'vegotairwaysuction,antibiotics,oxygenhell,we'veevengotacrash
carttorestartyourheart.Youwon'tgetoutofitthateasy."Shethrewthemopdownbefore
him."Nowcleanupyourmess."
Hetookashower,first,then,atowelwrappedabouthismidriff,cleanedthefloor.When
he'dflushedthewaterandcleanedthemopandbucket,hetookanothershower.
Hecoughedtwice,undertheshowerhead,andthewaveofnauseabegan.Hedidn'tbother
tryingtorunorwalk.Hejumpedandfoundhimselfstandinginthesquare,nakedand
dripping,automaticallybracingtoavoidbeingpulledoffbalancebytherecoilingchains.
Should'veatleastgrabbedthetowel.
Hehadpushedthebedaside,tocleanthefloor,anditwasatthelimitsoftheyellowsquare,
toomuchforhimtotry.Eventhethoughtofreachingforitwasenoughtomakehimgag.He
didhisbesttosqueegeethebeadsofwateroffhisbodywithhishands,thensat,hisknees
pulledtohischesttoconserveheatwhilehedried.Hecountedslowlytoahundred,then
triedtheborder.Thedevicewasoffagain.
Hewentbackintothebathroom.Thereweredeepgougesinthedoorframeandtheshower
curtainhadrippededgeswherethechainshadslashedthroughit.Hedriedoffandwalked
backoutintotheroom.
They'dbroughthimsomecleansheetsforthebed,buttheyhadn'tbroughthimanynew
scrubs.He'drinsedtheworstofthebodilyexcretionsoutofthesoiledscrubsearlierduring
hisfirstshower.Nowheheldthemupbeforethelargemirror.
Thecomputerizedvoicewassilent.
Likethat,isit?
Hewashedthescrubsinthetub,inwaterashotashecouldstand,usingtheshowergel
fromthedispenseronthewallasdetergent.Whenhe'dwrungthemouthehungthemand
thetowelacrosstherod.
Pettypunishmentsareasnastyasthebigoneswhentheygoonandon.Hehadbeen
regrettinghurtingThugOne,buttheregretwasfadingfast.
Hisstomachmuscleshurtfromtheprolongedvomitingandcoughing,asifhe'dbeendoing
situps.Mightaswelldotherest.Hespentthenextthirtyminutesdoingmildcalisthenics

47

andstretches.Hedidtheexercisesnakedafterrejectingthethoughtofwearingadamp
towelorworse,ablankettoga.IfitwasgoodenoughfortheGreeks...
Hecouldn'thelpthinkingabouttheobserversbehindtheglass,orher.Isshewatching?He
didn'tfindthatthoughtatallerotic.Atleastitkepthimhonest.Hedidn'tcheatonthe
numberofpushupsordeepkneebends.
Therewereseveralexercisesherejectedwhentheytuggedonhishealingscars.Onothers,it
becameclearthattheflailingofthechainsinterferedtoomuch.Onafew,theweightof
chainwasahelp,likeleglifts.
Neartheendofhisworkout,theyturnedthedevicebackonandhehadtomoveabruptly,
threefeettotheright.Hepivotedtwostepsandcontinuedhishamstringstretchesinside
thesquarewithhardlyamissedbeat.Aftersomeseatedquadricepsstretcheshetriedthe
borderagain.Therewasnotelltalenausea.
Heconsideredstayingwherehewas.Theywon'tstandforthat.Theycan'ttrainmeifIdon't
feelit.Hewenttothebathroomanddrankwater.Itfeltgoodonhisrawthroatbuthe
couldn'thelpbutthink,ifyou'vegottothrowup,mightaswellmakeitasinnocuousas
possible.
Hisstomachrumbled,hungryagain.Hewonderedifthey'dfeedhimorwhethertheywere
stillinpunishmentmode.
Hewentbacktothebedandpickedupthebook.
Therewerenodeviceactivationsduringsupper.Hewasravenous,buthisrawthroatmade
eatingpainful.Still,frequentapplicationsoficewaterallowedhimtogettheentiremeal
down.
Theystillhadn'tbroughthimfreshclothes.Heleftthetraybythedoor,slidingitacrossthe
floorforthelastyardhischainswouldnotreach.Thescrubshe'dwashedwerefinallydry
exceptforsomedampnessattheseams.Hefoldedthemneatlyandsetthemonthefootof
thebed,thenwentbacktoreading,recliningonthebed.
Fifteenminuteslatertheywereatitagain,buthefoundhecouldstroll,stillreading,intothe
square,eventhoughhewascoughing.Hestartedtoleave,aftertheusualminute,butfound
thefieldwasstillon.Hesat,crosslegged,onthecoldfloor,andcontinuedreading.Atthe
endofthechapterhecheckedagainbutthecoughingandnauseastillwaitedoutsidethe
tape.
Hisbuttbecametoocoldtokeepsitting.Heputthebookdownandbegansomedynamic
stretches,towarmup.Hisabdominalsstillhurtfromthecoughingandvomiting,butnotas
muchastheyhadearlier.Hecreditedthestretchingexercises.
Nicelywarm,hecheckedtheborderagain.Stillon.Hereadsomemore,standing,checking
theborderaftereverypage.Anotherchapterpassedandthefieldwasstillon.
Oh,comeon!
Hedidsomemorestretches.Thecoldwasconcentratingwatertohiskidneysandhewas
beginningtofeelitinhisbladder.Hethoughtaboutpeeingonthefloorbuthe'dhadenough
involvementwithbodilyfluidsalreadytoday.
Thebedhadbeenmovedintothecornerwhilehewasunconsciousanditwaswelloutside
theyellowsquare.Dotheywantmetowearclothes?AretheytellingmethatIshouldn't
haveparadedaroundwithoutsomethingwarmon?
Hefroze,suddenly.Maybetheyturneditonandjustleft?Wentoutforsupper.Afterall,why
shouldtheywatchmewhenthey'vegotthisdevice?
HehadamentalimageofMissMinchinandtheredheadedThugTwoinsomeclinicor
hospitalvisitingtheblondehe'dinjured,whilealltheotherstaffwerebowling,ateamina
localleague,theirscrubsandmaskstheirteamuniform.

48

Hetestedtheborderagain,butitwasstillactive.
NexttimeIkeeptheblanketwithme.
Hewonderedwhatwouldhappenifhejumpedpasttheyellowzoneentirely.WouldIgetthe
twosecondwarningifIavoidedthemiddlezone?Wouldthatbelikewhentheyfirstturnit
on?Hefrozeinplace.
Hecoulddoalotwithtwoseconds.
HerememberedMissMinchinworkingthemeteracrossthefloor.Signalstrength.Butwasit
azoneofloworhighsignalstrength?Hetouchedhischest.Doesmylittlefriendhere"tickle
"mewhenitgetstoahighersignalstrengthorwhenitlosesitaltogether?
Henolongerfeltcoldatall.
Theyknewhecouldteleport.That'swhythey'dgrabbedhiminthefirstplace.So,aborder
ofastrongerradiofieldwasrightoutunlesstheycouldblankettheentireplanet,hewould
alwaysbeabletojumppastit.
Buthecouldn'tjumpawayfromthisgadgetinhischest.Thatcouldmeantheywere
broadcastingsomelowstrength,focusedfieldatthegreensquare.Aslongasthedevice
receivedthissignalatasufficientfieldstrength,itstayedoff.Thiswouldimplythatthe
yellowzonewasanareaofleakagebeforethefieldattenuatedcompletelybelowsome
detectablelimitandthedeviceadjusteditslevelofpunishmentaccordingly.
Sowhataretheydoingwhenthedeviceis"off?"WhenIcanwanderatthelimitsofmy
chain?
Perhapstheybroadcastalessfocusedsignal,onethatcoveredtheentiresuite,perhapsthe
entirebuilding.
Christ,Ihopethey'vegotsomesortofbatterybackup!Hepicturedaheavyspring
thunderstormknockingoutpowerlinesandhimdyinganuglydeathinapoolofmixed
bodilyfluids.
Suddenlyhefeltthecoldagain.
Heleanedacrossthegreentape.
Itwasoff.Orit'sjustonmore.
Heputthescrubsinthemiddleofthegreensquarealongwiththeblanketfromthebed,
thentookahotshower.Theywaiteduntilhewasdryinghimselfbeforehefeltthepainfully
familiardoublecough.Hewalkedbrisklyout,stilltoweling,andintothesquare.
Whilehedressed,hethoughtaboutthewarningthebriefspateofnauseaandthe
coughing.Wasitthedevice'sreactiontonoradiofieldorweretheydoingabriefdipin
broadcaststrengthofthelargerfield,thenwaitingtwosecondsbeforeturningitoff?
Ifitwasanautomaticfeature,itgavehimsomelatitudeifhecouldgetoutofthesechains.
ForsomeonelikeDavy,alotcouldbeaccomplishedintwoseconds.
Hewantedtoexperiment,totestthelimits,buthealsowantedtodoitwithoutanaudience.
Hedidnotwantthemtoknowwhathewasandwasn'tcapableof.
Hecheckedtheborder.Itwasstillon.Hewasstill"inthebox."Hesteppedbacktothe
centerofthesquare.
ThecopyofTheCountofMonteCristowasstilllyingonthebed,beyondtheyellowborder.If
histheorywasright,itshouldbeinthezoneofnosignal.
Theywereworkinguptoawaytocontrolhimwithoutchains.LiketheNSA,theywantedto
usehisabilities,buttheycouldn'tdothatiftheycouldn'tunchainhim.Andifhejumped
awayandthedevicecameonfullforce,asifhe'dforcedhimselfpasttheyellowline,there
wasgoodchancethey'dlosehimandhisabilitiesaltogether.
Yougooutsidetheyellowboxandtheconvulsionswillprobablykillyou.
Wouldthey?Ifhewentdirectlytothatzone?
Hegrittedhisteethandjumpedtothesideofthebed.Thechainssangthroughtheairand

49

hefeltthewarningcough,butonlythewarninglevel.Hetookthebookandjumpedback.It
tookslightlymorethanasecondbecausehe'dpaused,bythebed,tofeeltheeffects.
Quicklyhecheckedthelineofgreentapeagain.Notheyhadn'tturneditoff(oron,asthe
casemaybe).Thecoughandnauseawasstillthere.He'dbeenworriedthewarningcoughby
thebedwaspsychosomaticexpectedandthereforeexperienced.
Heactuallyfeltlikesmiling,buthidit,turningawayfromthemirrorandsittingonthefolded
blanket.Hepretendedtoreadforawhile,hismindracing.Hadtheynoticed?
Thechainsstartedreelingthroughthewallandhequailedinwardly.Aretheypunishingme
again?Hecheckedtheborderbeforethechainsdraggedhimacross,buttheyhadturnedon
thelargerradiofieldandhefeltnothingunpleasant.Hestrolledwiththemovingchainsand
positionedhimself,backtothewall,astheypulledupshort.
ThedooropenedandMissMinchincamein.Behindherwasamaskedmaninglassesand
surgicalscrubspushingacartwithacomputeronit.Herolledittothewallandpluggeditin.
Whileitwasbootingup,hesaid,"Here'sthewand."HehandedMissMinchinaflatplastic
boxontheendofatelephonecord.Itwasaboutthesizeofatelevisionremotecontrol.The
otherendofthecordwaspluggedintothebackofthecomputer.
Sheexamineditclosely."Leftside,yeah?"
"Yes.I'llneedanothermoment,tofinishbooting."
ThatthemanspokesurprisedDavy.Untilhe'dunmaskedtheblondeandredhead,allthe
staffhadkeptquietinhispresence,usingthevoicescramblertocommunicate.Maybethe
staffdidn'tcareanymore.Maybetheythinkthey'veachievedenoughcontrolovermesoitno
longermatters.
MissMinchinwalkedslowlytowardDavy,tappingtheboxagainstherouterthighwitheach
step.WhenshewasametershortofDavy,shestoppedandlookedbackoverhershoulder,
towardthetechnician.
Hewasstillwatchingthescreen."Oh...kay.We'reup."
Shereachedoutwiththe"wand"andDavyflinched.
"Relax,littleboy.IfMamawantedtospank,shecould'vedoneitfromtheotherroomwith
abutton."SherestedtheflatsideoftheboxoverDavy'sleftpectoralwherethenewly
formedscarwas."How'sthis,"sheasked.
Themaskedmansaid,"Negotiating...connectionestablished.Right.Givemeaminuteto
uploadthenewparameters."
MissMinchinsmiled,hereyesonDavy."Takeyourtime.Ilikeamaninchains."Shetraced
herfreeforefingeracrossDavy'scollarbone.
Davylookedatherandsaidearnestly,"I'mgoingtothrowup."
MissMinchinsteppedbackslightlylookingalarmed,thensaidoverhershoulder,"Shouldhe
befeelinganything?"
Thetechniciansaid,"Nothingfromthedevice."
Davysaid,"Right.It'snotthedevicethat'snauseatingme."
MissMinchinchuckledsoftly."Youaresuchatease."
Davywonderedifhepulledherhairoutofitsbunifherbrainswoulddropoutonthefloor.
Itwasathought.
Themanatthecomputershookhishead.Hewaswatchingthecomputermonitor."Oh...
kay.I'vechangedtheparameters.Letmerunachecksumtoverifytheuploadandwe'llbe
done."Heclickedafewmorekeys,shiftedthemouse."And...there.Confirmed."He
acceptedthepaddlebackfromMissMinchinandstoweditwhilethecomputershutdown,
thenunpluggedtheunitfromthewall.Whilehewascoilingthepowercordhesaid,"You
shouldtellhim."
MissMinchinshrugged,stillwatchingDavy.

50

"Tellmewhat,"Davyfinallysaid.
MissMinchinpointedattheyellowline."We'veshortenedthegraceperiodbeforeit
activates.It'salotshorternow.Iwouldn'ttakeanychancesifIwereyou.Nomore
experiments,right?"
DavypictureddroppingherintothequarrypoolnearhishomeinWestTexas.Atthistimeof
yearthewaterwasanicechillyfiftyfivedegrees.Thetemperaturewouldn'tkillhersince
shecouldgetoutprettyquickly,buttheimpactafterthesixtyfootdropwouldbesevereand
she'dbeprettymiserableuntilherclothingdried.
"What'ssofunny?"sheasked.
Heblankedhisface.Hehadn'trealizedhewassmiling.
"No,really.Icoulduseagoodlaugh."
Heshookhishead.
Sheshruggedandvampedacrosstheroom,holdingthedoorwhilethetechnicianpushed
thecartout."Sleepwell,"shesaidandletthedoorswingshutbehindher.
Hedidn't.
Beforebreakfast,they'dputhim"inthebox"overtwentytimes.Helosttracksometime
afternumbereighteen.
Hetriedtosleepinthegreenzone,curlingupwiththeblanketandpillowonthefloor,but
theyreeledinthechainswhenhedidthat,pullinghimout.Hewasafraidthey'dleavethe
chainsshortandturnoffthefield,arepeatofhislastpunishment,sofortherestofthe
activationshestoodnearthegreenlineswayinginandoutofthefielduntilitwentoff,then
stumbledbacktobed.
Bytheendofthenight,hewasn'tsureifhewasactuallywakingupduringeachincident.Not
thatthisearnedhimmorerestitfeltlikesomecontinuousnightmare.
Theylefthimalonewhileheatebreakfast,buttheystartedupagainwhenhewas
showering,leavinghimlathered,dripping,andnakedinthemiddleofthegreenzone.They
kepthimthereatokenthirtysecondsbeforehewasabletogobackandfinish.Oncedry,it
wasonagain,offagain,rightthroughlunch.
Healwaysjumpedtothesquare.Hedidn'twanttotakeanychanceswiththenewly
shortenedgraceperiod.Or,tobespecific,hisbodydidn'twantto.Hetriedmorethanonce
tostrollnonchalantlybacktothesquare,butitwasalwaystoohard,andhe'dflinchbefore
hecouldcompletethewalk,andthenhe'dfindhimselfstandinginthesquare,bracingfrom
therecoilofthechains.
Operantconditioning.Areflexiveresponse.
Justwhattheywant.
NINE
"I'vestillgotbloodonmyboots!"
TheBurrowasinaclusterofotherrestaurantsatthecornerofPennsylvania,whereitangled
throughtheintersectionofTwentiethandIStreetNorthwest.ThefamilyRuizandPorfiro
wassittingacrossthestreetinasmalltriangularpark.
Sojeewavedtothem."Getinlineforatable,"shesaid."I'llfetchthemover."
Millieobedientlyjoinedthesmallgroupwaitingoutsidethedoor.Thecouplebesideher
said,"They'retakingnames,"soshestuckherheadinandtoldaharassedyoungman"Six,
please.Nonsmoking."
"Right."Hestaredatherlikeshewascompletelyinsanebutshecouldtellseveralpeople
werereadytoleaveandthattableswouldbeopeningupsoon."Whatname?"heasked.
"Rice,"shesaid.

51

"I'llcallyou."
Shewentbackoutside.ThegroupwasmovingacrossthestreetwithSojeeononesideof
thestocky,mustachedPorfiroandtheRuizesontheother.Thechildren,twogirlsin
parochialschooluniforms,wereclingingtotheirmother,whowastryingtogetthemtowalk
fasterbeforethelightchanged.
Whentheyreachedthecurb,Sojeecameaheadandsaid,quietly,"Kidsarescaredofmeof
myfacialtwitches."
Millieshookherheadandspontaneouslyhuggedthewoman."That'sgottabehard."
SojeelookedsurprisedandhereyesweresuspiciouslybrightwhenMillieletgo."Ijust
wantedyoutoknowwhytheywerefreakin'.MaybeIshouldwaitouthere."
Millieshookherheadslightly."No."SheturnedtoPorfiro,justcomingup."Hello,Porfiro,
I'mMillie,"shesaid,holdingoutherhand.
"Thoughtso,"hesaid,smiling.HeshookherhandandthenintroducedtheRuizes."Thisis
SeoraRuizandherdaughtersJuanitaandNuk."
Juanita,theolderofthetwo,hadlustrousdarkhairanddarkbrowneyes.Thetwogirls'
facialstructureandeyeswereidentical,butNuk'sskinwasmuchlighter,andshehadpale
strawblondhair.
Albino.Milliesmiledandsaid,"Hola.Conmuchogusto!MellamoMillie."
Thechildrenhidbehindtheirmotherwhonoddedslightlyandsaid,"Quesoaste?"
MilliewrinkledherbrowandglancedatPorfiro."I'mafraidmySpanishisn'tverygood."
"Itmeanswell,it'sagreetingwheretheycomefrom,"themansaid.
"Ah."Shewantedtoscreamatthem,WhatdoyouknowaboutDavy!Shetookasudden
shudderingbreathofair,exhaled,andtriedtosmileagainatthegirls,whowerepeepingout
frombehindtheirmother'sdress.
Shethankedthemforcoming."Graciasporvenir."Shegropedformorewords.She'dabout
reachedtheendofherSpanishfromherstayinCostaRica."Yorealmenteapreciosuayuda."
Ireallyappreciateyourhelp.Milliesawunderstandinginthewoman'seyes,andpain.This
womanneededhelponce,shedecided,anddidn'tgetit.
"Ricepartyofsix!"
ShegesturedforSeoraRuizandherchildrentoprecedeher."Vayamos."Sherubbedher
stomach."Tengohambre."ShepulledPorfiroasideandsaidquietly,"Whathappenedto
theirfather?"
PorfiroglancedaheadatthewomanandherchildrenbeforelookingbackatMillie.Hemade
anabbreviatedmotion,histhumbacrosshisthroat,thenwhispered,"Withmostoftheir
village.Taken.Nobodiesfoundbloodeverywhere.Shetookthegirlsintotherainforest
whenthefirsttruckpulledintothevillage."Hismouthtwisted."She'dhadadream."
Milliestaredforasecond,thennodded.Theycaughtupwiththeothers.Twooldermen
werearguingwiththereceptionist."We'vebeenherelongerthantheyhave!"
Theyoungmanwaspatientlyexplaining,"Wehavelargetablesandsmalltables.Alarge
tableopenedup.I'llhaveatablefortwoinjustaminute,sweartoGod."Whenhewas
inside,andleadingthemtotheirtable,Millieheardhimmuttertohimself,"WhatanAtwo
hundred."
Theirtablewasalargishcornerboothwithbenchseatsonthreesides.Millieslidinandtook
thefarside,whichputthegirlsononesidewiththeirmotherattheend,andPorfiroand
Sojeeontheotherside.
WithPorfiro'stranslationskillstheygotthedrinkorderinfairlyquickly.Afterthewaiterleft,
Millieasked,"Iunderstandyousawmyhusband."Shetookoneofthephotocopiedpictures
fromherpurseandunfoldedit.
SeoraRuizlookedbrieflyatthepictureandthenatthegirlswhobecameexcited.

52

"Si,si,nuestrongelenlanoche!"saidJuanita.
Porfirotranslated,"Theirangelinthenight."
"Porqullmeloeso?"sheasked,surprisingherself.TheSpanishwascomingback.Whycall
himthat?
"laparecifueranada,"saidNuk.
"Outofnothing,yousay."Millieblinked."WhenwasCundo?Quda?"
SeoraRuizsaid,"CincodeMarza.Cercademedianoche."ShelookedatPorfiro.
"Yes.Theymovedintothebuildingthenextdaythesixth."
Theverynight.Theverytime.
ThedrinksarrivedandMillieforcedherselftobestill,towait,whichwastestedevenmore
whenthewaiterwantedtotaketheirfoodorder.Shegroundherteethandinsistedthe
familyRuizorderanythingtheywanted,nomatterthecost.
WhenthewaiterhadfinallydepartedshefixedhereyesonSeoraRuiz."Quustedvio?"
Whatdidyousee?
"Nada.Noestabaall.Eran."Shetiltedherheadtohergirls.
Youweren'tthere?Shetookadeepbreathandtriedtofindthatutterlycalm,non
threateningplaceshesoughtwhenshedidfamilytherapy.Shestackedherhandsoneupon
theother,thenloweredherheaduntilherchinrestedonthebackofthehandsandhereyes
wereonthesamelevelasthechildren's."Quvieronustedes?"
ShedependedonPorfirototranslate.Shecouldn'tunderstandwhattheyweresayinghalf
thetimeandevenPorfirohadtoclarifyseveraltimes,askingSeoraRuizthemeaningofa
phrase.MilliewassureseveralofthephrasesthegirlsusedwerenotSpanish.
Thestory,toldmostlybyJuanita,started,"Wecouldn'tsleep.Ithadbeenrainingandthefire
escapewasdrippingonourbox,ourrefrigeratorcarton,bap,bap,bap.Noonewasthere
andthenhewasthere,likehefellfromtheskyorgrewoutoftheground.Nukgaspedand
heheard."
"Juanitamadethenoise."
"Nukdid."
"Juanita."
"Nuk."
Milliesmiled."Noimportante.Yentonces?"
"HetalkedtousinEnglishbutwedidn'tanswer.Hebentdownandlightcameoutofhis
fingers.Helookedatusbuthestayedback.HetalkedtousinSpanish.Hewantedtoknow
whereourparentswere.Becausewe'renotsupposedtotalktostrangers,Ididn'tsay
anythingbutNukdid."
"Whatalie!Inever!"
"Youdid!"
"Didnot!"
Milliesaid,"Whatdidhelearnfromwhoeveritwasthattalked?"
"ThatPapaisdisappearedandMamaisajanitor.Thatsheworksatnight.Thenhegaveus
themoneyandtoldustohideit.Foraplacetolive,hesaid.Ididn'twanttotakeitbutNuk
saidweshould."
"Inever!"
"Hegaveushisblessingthenandheleft."
Millieblinked."Heblessedyou?"Thatdidn'tsoundlikeDavy."Whatwerehisexactwords?"
"Buenasuerte."
"Ah.Howdidheleave?"
"Hewalkedaway.Wecouldhearhisfootstepsdownthestreet.Wegotoutofthebox,then,
andhidthemoneyundertheloosebrickinthewallofthealley,sonoonecouldtakeitfrom

53

us."
Milliewasdisappointed.ItwasthesortofthingDavywoulddogivethekidsthemoney
andshewasgladtohearthestory.Therewasreallynothingherethatwouldhelp,though.
"Andyoudidn'tseehimafterthat?"
BothgirlslookedateachotherthenbackatMillieasifshewasbeingincrediblythick."When
LaLloronakilledhisfriendandtookhimaway,wesawthat,too."
Milliejawdroppedandshestared.Withamanifesteffortsheclosedhermouthandsaid,
"Yousawthat.That'shorrible.That'swonderfuldon'ttranslatethat.Whatdidtheymean,
LaLlorona."
Porfirosaid,"Theweepingwoman.She'stheghostofawomanwhodrownedherown
childrenandshetakesotherchildreninanefforttoreplacethem.Sometimestheycallher
BloodyMary."
"Whydidtheythinkitwasher?Scratchthat.Justaskthemtotellmewhathappened."
Thestorycontinued.
"Thereweregunshotsontheothersideofthestreetandwegotoutofourboxandhid
behindthetrashcans,sotostopthebulletsbetterthanthecardboard.Amancarryingour
angelisrunningupthestreet.Othersarechasingthem.Heisshotinthelegandhefalls,
spillingourangel,whoseeyesareopenbutcannotmove.
"Themanwhoisshotreachesintohiscoatandtheyshoothimsomemore.Hedropsa
telephone.Heisalloverblood.
"ThenLaLloronacomes.Heremptyeyesaredrippingblackbloodandshecarriesalarge
gun.Iwasmorescaredthaneventhenighttheparamilitarycametothevillage.Iwasafraid
thatshewouldkillourangelbutsheshootstheotherman,instead,intheeyessohewon't
beabletofindherintheafterworld.
"ThentheambulancecomesandtheyputtheAngelinanddriveaway.Theylefttheother
manlyingonthesidewalk."
Nukadded,"Therainwashedhisface."
"Thedifferentambulancesandthepolicecamethenandbeforetheyfoundus,wetookour
sleepingbagsandthemoneyandranthroughthealley."
"Differentambulances?Howweretheydifferent?"
"Theydidn'thavetheangel."
"What?Davymyangel?"
"No.Theangelonthedoor.Unangelito."
"Therewasalittleangelpaintedonthedoor?"
"Yes."
"Whichdoor?"
"Onthedriver'sdoor.Maybetheotherdoor,too,butwedidnotsee."
"Werethereanyotherdifferencesintheambulance?"
"Maybethewordsonthesidebuttheyweren'tEspaol.Idon'tknow."
"Thecolorswerethesame?"
"Yes.Whitewithanorangestripe."Juanitadrewahorizontallinewithherfinger."Thesnake
onthestickintheblue..."ShedippedherfingerinherlemonadeandsketchedtheEMSStar
ofLife,anXwithaverticallinethroughitonthetabletop."...comounasterisco."
AwaiterandwaitressappearedbearingtraysandMilliesatbackastheirfoodwaspresented
withthestandardmantra:"Carefultheplateisveryhot."
Milliewaseatingthefishtacos,grilledmahimahifiletswrappedinasoftcorntortillaand
toppedwithlimecuminslawandsalsafresca.TheRuizeswerehavingcarnitasburritos.
Porfirosaid,"Theydon'teatmeatveryoften.It'sanexoticluxuryforthemtheylivednear
alakeandoccasionallywouldgetfishandtheykeptchickensforeggs.Usuallyit'sbeansand

54

corn.Orsometimestheywouldeatvenisontokeepfromlosingtheircrops."
Milliefeltconfusedandmusthavelookedit,too,forPorfirosaid,"Iftheydon'tkillthedeer,
thedeerwouldeattheircrop.Andoncekilled..."
"Ah.Estbueno?"Millieasked,indicatingthefood.
"Si!"saidSeoraRuiz.Shegesturedwithherfingers,forMillietotrysome.
Milliecutasectionofherfishtaco,transferredittotheedgeofthewoman'splate,thencut
asmallchunkofftheuneatenendofSeoraRuiz'sburritoandpoppeditinhermouth.
Sheshookherfingersandsaid,"Delicioso!Muysabroso."
SeoraRuizsmiledshyly,thenherexpressionbecameserious.Shebegantalkingagain,
gesturingtoPorfirototranslateforher."Iamgladyouhavemoneybecauseitishardfora
womanwhenhermandisappears,butIwouldunderstandifyouwouldlikethemoneyback
thatyourmangaveus.Whentheytookourvillagewehadnothingtheytookeventhe
chickensanditwasveryhard."
Millieheldupherhands."Yonoquierodinero.Tengobastantes."HerSpanishfailedherand
shesaidtoPorfiro,"TellherI'mjusttryingtofindmyhusband."
SeoraRuiznoddedvigorouslywhenPorfirotranslated.
"Iknowwhatthatislike,too.IhopeGodwillreturnhimtoyou.Sinceyouhavemoney,itis
tobehopedthattheywillransomhim.Alas,inourcase,theyonlywantedourland,andifI
hadn'tgoneintothejungle,wewouldbedead,too."
"WhydidyoucomeheretoWashington?WastherenoplaceinChiapas?"
SeoraRuiztiltedherheadtooneside,considering.ShesaidsomethingthatPorfiro
translatedas,"IgotomyfamilyinNaha."Thenshesaidsomethingthathedidn'tunderstand
atall.Sherephraseditandhesaid,"Godwantedhertocomeherefirst.Ontheway."He
shrugged.
ThenshesaidsomethingtoPorfirothatcausedhimtolookuncertain,butsherepeatedit.It
wasthephraseshe'dusedwhenthey'dbeenintroduced,Quesoaste?
Porfirosaid,"Sheasks,whatdidyoudream?Itisthewayherpeoplegreeteachother."He
fingeredsomethingbelowhisneck,underthefabricofhisshirt.Almostreluctantlyhe
added,"Theybelievedreamsareaboutwhathashappenedorwillhappen."
Hedoesn'tlikethis.Shesawthegleamofasilverchainaroundhisneck.Acrucifix?
Shethoughtaboutsomepoliteevasion,awhiteliedenyinganydreams.Shehadn'tslept
wellatallsincethenightDavyleft.WithSojeeintheroomwithherthepreviousevening,
someonewhowasn'tDavy,she'dtossedandturnedmostofthenight.
Still,therewasthatweirdsequencejustbeforethedawnandshewantedtogivethem
somethingback,somethingforthecluesthey'dgivenher.
"Ihadtroublefallingasleep,butwhenIdidIdreamedthesamething.Iwastryingtosleep
buteverytimeIrolledovertogetcomfortable,Iwouldlandonapin.Itwouldpokemeand
I'dthrowitoutofthebed,butthebedwasfullofthem,andIdidn'tgettosleepuntilIlaida
redbedspreadoverthem."
PorfirotranslatedforherandSeoraRuizquestionedthemanabouthischoiceofcertain
words,narrowingthemeaningtomorespecificchoices.ShelookedbackatMillieandasked
anotherquestion.
"Whatcolorisyourbedspreadtherealone?"
"Atthehotel?Green,withyelloworchids."
SeoraRuiznodded,thenaskedanotherquestion.
Porfiroapparentlydidn'tunderstandandSeoraRuizrephrasedit.HeturnedbacktoMillie
andsaid,"Shewantstoknowyouronen,yourclanyourtotem.Shesaysforeignersoften
don'tknowwhattheirtotemis."Hemadeaveryabbreviatedsignofthecrossandtouched
hisshirtagain.

55

Millieblinked."Ihavenoearthlyidea."
PorfirotranslatedthisandSeoraRuiznoddedandbegantalkingagain.
"Shesaystointerpretyourdreamitwouldhelptoknow.Shethinks,fromthesymbolsin
yourdreamthewayyoupresentthebloodandsnakes,thatyouareafemalespider
monkey,whichmakesyouadistantrelativeofherclan."
"Whatsnakes?Whatblood?"
HeaskedSeoraRuiz,thentranslatedtheexplanation."Thepins.Thorns,pins,needles,a
ropeareallsymbolsofsnakes.Theredblanketisblood."
Millieshuddered.Shefeltthequeasyfascinationofarationalpersonforthesupernatural.I
knowtherearethingsinthisworldIcan'texplain.LookatDavy.
"Doesthispredictthefuture?"
Porfirochecked."Shesaysitwarns.Abadthingcanbeavoidedthroughadvancenoticeina
dream.Itisn'tunchangeable.Itoldyouofhergoingintothejunglewhentheparamilitaries
came?Thenightbeforeshehadadream."
SeoraRuiztalkedagainandPorfiroresumedhistranslation."Ifyou'reofthemonkeyonen,
shethinksyourdreamtellsofdangercomingatnight,whenyouwouldsleep,adanger
waitingforyou."
Consideringtheeventsoftheday,thiswasn'tthemostunlikelythingshe'deverheard.
Gravelysheasked"Whatdoesshesuggest?"
"Donotsleepinthatbedtonight.Gosomewhereelse."
MilliesentPorfiroandthefamilyRuizhomeinacab,payingthedriverinadvance.
Justbeforetheydroveaway,SeoraRuizhadsaid,"Ki'wenentech.Ki'iba'willik."Millie,
puzzled,lookedatPorfiro,whoshrugged.SeoraRuiz,seeingtheirconfusion,said,"Tenga
cuidadoparaelqusuea."
Porfiromadethesignofthecross,thentranslated,"Becarefulofwhatyoudream."
Milliestaredafterthecablongafterithadturnedoutofsight.
Sojeesaid,"Youoffyourmeds?"
Millieshookherself."Notonmeds.Justdistracted.Wondering,really."
Sojeelookedaround,herheadtwistingandturning.Shegrumbled,"It'sbadenoughbeinga
paranoidschizophrenicwithouthavingactualpeoplefollowingyouaroundandattacking
you."
Millieturnedwestandbeganwalkingupthesidewalk.Sojeefellintostepwithherbut
lookedoverhershoulderoften.Thestreetswerebusybothwithcarsandpedestrians.
Sojeesaidabruptly,"I'vebeenaskedtocheckbackintoSt.Elizabeth's.IguessHinkleymisses
me."
"Why?Dotheywanttotreatyourschizophrenia?"
"No.Mypsychiatristgotmeaplaceinadrugstudytotreatmytwitches.They're"She
switchedtoanexaggeratedpompousacademicvoice."checkingtheefficacyofa
combinationregimeofvitaminB6andtetrabenazineinthetreatmentoftardivedyskinesia
andotherhyperkineticinvoluntarymovementsoftheface."Amancameoutofadoorway
andSojeejumped,butheturnedandwalkedeast,theoppositedirection.
MilliepattedSojee'sarm."Whendotheywantyoutocheckin?"
"Theywantmetonightortomorrow."
"Ah.Doyouwantto?"
"Well,Iwasn'ttoothrilledaboutit."
Millieraisedhereyebrows."Isthereachanceofworsenedeffects?Dystonia?"Tardive
Dystoniawouldexpandherinvoluntarymovementsfromherfacetotherestofherbody.
"Nahandwhatsideeffectsthey'veseenarecontrolledbyreducingthedosage.

56

Tetrabenazineseemsprettysafethatway,butit'sthehope/disappointmentthing."
"Ifyoudon'ttryit,itwon'tnotwork."
Sojeenodded."Yeah,butfranklyit'slookingbetterandbetter,now."
"Togetoffthestreet?Ortogetawayfrommyenemies?"
Sojeelookedaroundagain."Wellyouspendanightinarealbed,asafebed,anditruins
youforawhile.Makesithardtostayupallnight.Eveninthesheltersyou'vegotpeople
tryingtostealyourstufforfeelyouup.Youmaybewarmbutyoudon'treallywantto
sleep."Therewasaloudbangdownanalleyandshejumped.
Millielooked,butitwasonlyadoorflungopenbysomeonecarryingoutgarbage.
Sojeewasholdingherhandtoherchest."Allright.I'mnervousaboutthoseguyswho
jumpedus,too.EspeciallyafterhearingaboutBloodyMaryandyourdreams."
"Ah.Notyourusualstory,wasit?"
Millie'scellphonerangandshefumbledittoherear."Yes?"
"We'dliketomeet."ItwasAnders.
"Holdonaminute."ShelookedatSojee."WouldyouliketogotoSt.Elizabeth'stonight?"
Sojeenodded.
Millietalkedintothephone."Ms.JohnsonneedstogotoSt.Elizabeth's.IthoughtI'dtake
herinacab,thenIcouldmeetyou?"
"Allright,"saidAnders."Curtiswillpickyouupwhereyouare.Justkeepwalkinguntilyou
seehimcomingdownyoursideofthestreet,thenflaghim."
Millielookeddownthestreetatthecars,dimshadowsbehindglaringheadlights."It'squite
darknow.It'llbehardtoidentifytherightcab."
"Hisoffdutylightwillbeonbuthe'llblinkit,thenswitchovertoondutyashenearsyou."
"Allright.Pleasemakeitso."
AftertheydroppedSojeeatSt.Elizabeth's,Curtistookthewhitecabinalongcircuitous
routeoutpasttheNationalZooandthenbackagain,towardtheMall.Millieclosedhereyes
andtriedtorest.Atleasthewasn'twhippingaroundtrafficcirclesagainandagain.
EventuallytheyendedupattheWillardInterContinentalHotel.Hepulleduptotheside
entranceandsaid,"They'reintheRoundRobinBar."
"Notags?"
Hesnorted."Puhlease."
Shefeltseverelyunderdressedasshethreadedthroughthecolumnsandfurnitureofthe
lobbywithitselaboratelycarvedceilingsandmosaicfloors.ShefoundAndersandanother
mansittingatacornertableofthebarwhere,asmallplacardinformedher,HenryClay
introducedtheMintJuleptoWashingtoninthe1820s.Bothmenstoodwhenshecamein.
Anderspulledoutachairforher.
"Ms.HarrisonRice,thisisDr.HenriGautreau."
Awaitressapproachedinatuxedoshirt,cummerbund,blacktie,andminiskirt.
Milliewaiteduntilherpencilwaspoisedbeforesaying,"Glenlivet,double."
Dr.Gautreausaid,"AnotherSamAdams."HehadaveryslightFrenchaccent.
Anderssaid,"I'llswitchtocoffee."WhenthewaitresswasgonehelookedatMillieand
raisedhiseyebrows."Adouble?"
"I'vehadahardday.Youshouldknowexactlyhowhard."Shelookeddownatherfeet."I've
stillgotbloodonmyboots!"
HisglanceflickeredsidewaystoDr.Gautreau.Hehelduphishands."Acknowledged.It'sjust
notover,youknow."
It?Theday,orthewholemess?"Thenyou'llhavetokeepmesafe,whileI'm'impaired.'"She
turnedtoDr.Gautreauandsaidbrightly,"AndwhatisDr.Gautreau,whenheisathome?"

57

Hesmiled."I'mananthropologist."
Andersadded."Itwasquiteacoincidence,really.OurMexicoanalystpoolhasacoupleof
indigenouslanguageexpertsbutnoneofthemknewmorethanafewwordsofLacandon.
Dr.GautreauwasattendingasymposiumattheSmithsonianthisweek."
Millie'seyebrowsraised."TheRuizes?Whentheyweren'tspeakingSpanish?"
Dr.Gautreaunodded.Hewasdressedinarumpledsuitandhistiehadclearlybeenremoved
earlierbunched,itstuckoutofthebreastpocketofhisjacketlikeadistemperedcabbage.
Hehadatightlytrimmedbeardandlong,wildhairpulledbackfromhisfacebyaknotted
pieceofGuatemalancloth.
"IhopeIamabletohelp.Iwouldnot,though,ifIhadn'tbeenassuredthatSeoraRuizand
herfamilyweren'tthesubjectsofthisinvestigation,butonlywitnesses."
"That'scertainlymyunderstanding,Professor."ShelookedatAnders."TheFBIisn'tgoingto
turnthemovertotheINSarethey,becauseoftheirimmigrationstatus?"
Andersshookhishead."TheFBIdoesn'tknowabouttheRuizes.They'rehelpingus,but
we'renotgivingthemaccesstoourrawELINT."
Milliefrownedandopenedhermouthtospeak.
Hehelduphishand."Don'tworry.We'vealreadypassedthedatumabouttheangelonthe
ambulancedoorandthey'rescrambling.Buttheydon'tknowabouttheRuizesperse.We'll
passalltheusefulinfo."
Milliesubsided.Thathadbeenherconcern.
Dr.Gautreaufrowned."Therearelessthanfivehundredofherpeopleinexistence.BeforeI
leavehere,I'mgoingtooffertotakethembackwithme."
"Wasthatfivehundredbeforeorafterhervillagewaswipedout?"
"Both.SeoraRuiz'ssecondhusbandwasn'tHackWinik,butNahuat.ItwasaNahuatvillage
thatwasdestroyedwhenshefled."
"Howdoyouknowthis?"
"IdividemytimebetweentheMuseumofAnthropologyinMexicoCityandChiapas.It's
whereIlive.I'mpainfullyawareofeachandeveryknownatrocityinChiapas.I'vealsomet
Nukbefore."
"Heryoungestdaughter,thealbino?"
"No.NukisalsoSeoraRuiz'sfirstname.SheoriginallycamefromNaha,thenorthern
Lacandoncommunity."
MillielookedatAnders."Justhowmuchoftheconversationdidyourecord?"
"Therewereafewwordslosttoambientnoises.Dishesonthetable.Otherdiners.Not
many.Signalprocessingis,afterall,whatwedo."
"SowhatweretheRuizessaying,whentheyspokeinLoLacandon?"
"Yes.Or,HachWinikiswhattheywouldcallit."
ThewaitressbroughttheirdrinksandGautreauwaiteduntilshewasgonebeforesaying,
"Whatwasreallyinterestingtomewasthedifferencesbetweenwhattheysaidandwhat
yourtranslatorsaid."
"Hewasn'ttranslatingthemcorrectly?Deliberately?"
"Oh,nonotdeliberately.Mostofitseemstobereligiousbias.Forinstance,everytimehe
saidGod,SeoraRuizorherdaughtershadeithernamedaparticularLacandongodorsaid
gods.ThetranslatorPorfiro?keptsuggestingLaMadonnaforanythingfeminine,butshe
wouldn'thaveit,andhejustfellbackonGod,finally."
"WasthatduringtheinterchangewhenshesaidthatD.C.wasonthewaytoNaha?"
"Yes.Whatshereallysaidwasthatinaseriesofdreamsitwasrevealedthatshecouldn'tgo
homeunlessshecameherefirst.Thatallherotherchoiceswerebad.Shealsosaidthatnow
shecouldgohome."Heshookhishead."Obviously,thisiswhereI'mmeanttocomein."His

58

expressionwasmatteroffact.
"Likesheknewyou'dhelpherhome?"Anderssnorted."That'spushingthings,isn'tit?"
MilliestaredatDr.Gautreau,bemused.Shepursedherlips,thensaidtoAnders,"You'rethe
onewhosaid'it'squiteacoincidence,really.'"
Dr.Gautreaujustsmiledandsippedhisbeer.
Millieturnedbacktotheanthropologist."IheardthemactuallysayLaLlorona.Porfirodidn't
makethatup,right?"
"Yes,andno.ThegirlssuggestedLaLloronabutfirsttheysuggestedUNa'ilKisin,thewifeof
thegodofdeathandearthquakes."Helaughed."Atanotherpoint,theirmothereven
suggestedthattheirjourneytoD.C.wasduetotheinterventionofHesuklitos,butPorfiro
didn'trecognizethatthisisactuallytheinclusionofJesusChristintheLacandonpantheon.
TheyconsiderChristthesonofkyantho,thegodofforeigners,andthereforeaveryminor
deity."Heshrugged."They'requiteopenmindedaboutotherreligions.Almostthe
UnitariansofMesoamerica."
Thisisallverywellbut...ShetookalargeswallowofherScotch,almostgratefulforthe
burningsensationinherthroat."Isthereanythingtheysaid,thatwedon'tknow,thatwill
helpuslocatemyhusband?"
"Hmmm.I'mnotsureifI'mthebestjudgeofthat.Therewereseveralthingstheydidsay
thatdidn'tgettranslatedorweren'ttranslatedcorrectly.Therewasaspeculationthatyour
husbandwasactuallyoneoftheassistantstotheraingod,Mensbk,whoarethe
Hahanak'uhor"WaterHouseGods."Inparticular,theywerethinkinghemightbeXmn,
whoalsorepresentsnorth.TheHahanak'uhcreatethunderwhenKisinexposeshisbuttocks
tothem,makingthemangry."Hefrowned."I'vebeenaroundtheLacandonforfifteenyears
butI'veneverheardthemtalkaboutalivingpersonthisway."
Andersliftedhishead."They'rejustchildren,afterall."
Dr.GautreaulookedatAnderswithalevel,skepticalgaze.Finallyhesaid,"Infifteenyears
I'vetalkedtoalotofLacandonchildren,too.It'sstillunusualtome."
Millieshookherhead.Ifyouonlyknew."Kisin?Isthatthegodtheythoughtthewomanwas?
LaLlorona?"
"Herhusband.TotheLacandon,thegodsarelikepeople.Theyhavespousesandchildren
andoneparent,K'akoch,whomadetheflowerthatalltheothergodswerebornfrom,and
doesn'tcareatallabouttheaffairsofhumans.Theyaresubjecttoalotofthesame
constraints,too,thatpeopleare."
Helookedattheoutspreadfingersofhishand."Hmm.Therewasanadditionaldescription
ofLaLloronaaspossiblybeingN'ailkyantho',thewifeofthegodofforeigners,butthey
rejecteditimmediately.TheLacandondescribekyantho'asalightskinnedmancarryinga
gun,asforeignerscarryagun,soitwasprobablyherweaponthatmadethemconsiderthis."
ThatremindedMillieofsomethingthechildrenhadsaid."Theysaidhereyeswerebleeding
black,oratleastPorfirotranslateditlikethat.Doyouhaveatakeonthat?"
Dr.Gautreaupursedhislips."Thekidsprettymuchsaidjustthat.Itwasrainingthough.
Mascara?"Hetracedhisfingersdownhisfaceliketears.
"Perhaps."
Anderssaid,"She'sprobablythefakewaitressfromInterrobangtheonewhodruggedhim.
Thedescriptionwasofayoungwomanwithheavymakeup.Wetriedtodoacomposite,but
thedifferentwitnessescameupwithwildlyvaryingimages.Lotsofmakeup,though.That
theydidagreeupon."
"Ah.Isthereanythinginthedescriptionoftheambulancethatdidn'tgettranslated?Orthe
people."
Heshrugged."Thefactsareprettymuchallthere.TheinterpretationsthattheRuizesgaveit

59

werequitedifferent."
MillietookthelastofherScotchandswirleditintheglassbeforeswallowingit.Shewas
startingtofeelthealcoholnow,aglowinthestomachandarelaxationintheshoulders."I
wonder,"sheposited,"ifIshouldaskSeoraRuizwheretofindDavy?"
Dr.Gautreaushookhishead."Itdoesn'tworklikethat.NinetyninepercentofallLacandon
dreaminterpretationsare,uh,negativenotinformational.Thedepictionofdanger,
sickness,orbadlucktocome.AsPorfiroandSeoraRuizsaid,it'snotfixed.Forewarnedis
forearmed,butfindingthingsorpeopleisnotpartofthetradition.Whensheleftyou,she
said,'Sleepwellyou.Becarefulwhatyousee.'Dream,inotherwords.It'sthetraditional
goodnight,butitshowswhattheythinkaboutpredictions.Notonlycandreamsoftrouble
helpyouavoidit,butthere'sanimplicationthatcontrollingwhatyoudreamalsokeepsyou
fromtrouble."
"Shedidtellmenottosleepinmyroomtonight."
"IwasoncewarnedbyaHachWiniknottotraveltoaparticularvillagebecauseofadreamI
had.Becauseitwaslateintheday,Istayedwithmyhostsovernight.Thenextday,whenI
drovethatroad,bodieswereeverywhere.Therehadbeenabattlebetweenthe
paramilitariesandtheEZLN."Dr.GautreautiltedhisheaddownandlookedatMillieintently.
"Ifshehadsaidthattome,Iwouldchangehotelsimmediately."
Anderslookeduncomfortable."Idon'tbelieveindreamwarnings,butitmightnotbesucha
badidea,afterall.EspeciallyconsideringMr.Padgettisstillatlargeand"helookeddown
"thebloodonyourboots."
TEN
"Tantrums,youknow."
TherewerefourblankendpagesinthelastsignatureofTheCountofMonteCristo.Davy
torethemoutcarefully,underthecoversinthemiddleofthenight.Initially,hehidthemin
hispillowcase,butinthemorningheslippedthem,foldedintightcreases,nexttotheroller
ofthetoiletpaperdispenserinsidethecardboardtube.
Hewantedapenorapencil,butifworsecametoworst,hecouldimprovisesomethingusing
foodor,heshuddered,othersubstanceshe'dbeenseeingtoomuchoflately.
Whathewanted,really,wastosendamessagetoMillie.
DearestMillie.Havebeenkidnappedandwiredforelectricity.Hopeyouarewell.Davy.
Helaughedtohimself,butfelthiseyesstingsuddenlyandtookashudderingbreath.Too
close?
He'dbeenavoidingeventhethoughtofMillie.Ifheevenstartedthinkingabouther,there
weretoomanythingstoworryabout.
DidshegetoutoftheAeriesafely?DoesshehaveanyideawhathappenedinD.C.ordidshe
justthinkIabandonedherafterourfight?Ifshedidfindoutaboutmykidnappingdoesshe
realizeI'malive?IstheNSAwatchingoutforherandisthatagoodthing?Issheactively
lookingformeand,therefore,indangerofbeingfoundbythesepsychopaths?
Andthatwasthebiggestworryofall.
Hishandshurtandhelookeddown,surprised.Hisfingernailshadleftaseriesofcurvedlines
acrossthepalmsofhishands.Heconsciouslyrelaxedhisfingers,thenrubbedatthemarks
withhisthumbs.Couldusesomefingernailclippers.
Couldusealotofthings.
Heshookthechains.Freedomtoleavethisplace.Freedomfromobservation.Freedomtogo
toMillie.Hefelthishandsclenchingintofistsagainandgrabbedthechains,instead.He
jerkedheavilyonthem,anupanddownmotion,andtheycrackedagainstthewall,chipping

60

thepaint.Hetookallfourchainsinhishandandjumpedtenfeetback,stillfacingthewall,
totheextentofthechains'reach.Thechainsjerkedrigid,butdidverylittletothewall.
Instead,Davywasyankedforwardontohishandsandknees.
Oh!Hefroze,staringatthefloor,hammeredbyasuddenrealization.Itwasn'tthegriefhe'd
beenavoidingbynotthinkingofMillie,ofthethingstakenandkeptawayfromhim.
It'srage.
Hejumpedtothebathroomdoor,bracingautomaticallyasthechainswhippedaroundand
crackedintothewall.Thentotheoppositeside,bythebed.Sheetrockcrackedandpaint
chipsdroppedtothefloorundertheimpact.Thenoisewasawful.
Thenoisewaswonderful.
Hejumpedagain,alternatingsides,accentuatingtheeffectsbytiminghisleapsto
correspondwiththesinusoidalwavesrunningdownthechains.Hiswristsandankleswere
beingwrenchedpainfullyandhewasawareofthis,onsomelevel,butonanother,itdidn't
matteratall.Sheetrockwasexplodingawayfromtheedgesofthehole.Entirefootwide
sectionswerecracked,hangingoffbythethinnestshredsofpaperlaminate.Sheetrockdust
hungintheair,dancingeddiesofparticlesstirredbythewhippingofsteellinksthroughthe
air.
Andthenhewasstandinginthesquare,inthegreenbox,histhroattinglingfromthe
aftermathofthewarningsignal.
Herockedonhisfeet,surprised.Hehadn'tbeenconsciousofacough.Hewonderedifhe'd
mistakensomephysicalreactionthedustintheairwouldmakeanybodycoughandhad
jumpedinresponse,butwhenheleanedoverthegreentape,itwasthere.Thetingleinhis
throat,theincipientnausea.
Hesteppedbacktothecenterofsquare,blinking,hisnosesuddenlyitchingfromallthedust
intheair.Hesurveyedthedamage.Theholefromwhichthechainsemergedwasthreefeet
high,exposinguprighttwobyfourstudsandasmallerholeintheSheetrockontheother
sideofthestuds,thewalloftheadjacentroom.Thatroomwasasunlitasever,butthere
wasenoughlightcominginthroughthenewlyenlargedholethatDavyhadhighhopesof
actuallyseeingwhatlaybeyondwhenthefieldwasshutoffagain.Butthewallwasareal
mess.
Hmmm.They'renotgoingtolikethis.
Theykepthim"inthebox"forhours.Theydidnotbringhimlunch.
Hisfirstawarenessthathewasnolonger"inthebox"wasthecomputerizedvoice."You
havetwominutestousetherestroom."
Hedidn'tneedtellingtwice.Forthepasthourhe'dbeenconsideringpeeingonthefloor.
Whenhe'dfinished,theyreeledthechainsinthroughthenowlargerholeinthewall.He
crouchedandlookedthrough,keepingtotheedgetoallowlightthrough.
Ittookhimaminuteforhiseyestoadjust.Itwasasmallroomwithabedanddresser
stackedagainstonewall,crowded,asifthey'dbeenpushedoutofthewaytomakeroomfor
thelargedrummedmarineelectricwinchthathadbeenboltedtothemiddleofthefloor.
ThedooropenedandDavyturnedaround,suddenlyverynervous.Ofcourse,iftheywanted
topunishme,theycould'vejustturnedoffthefield.
MissMinchinledintwomen,dressedlikemaintenancestaff,thoughtheydidwearthe
ubiquitouspapersurgicalmask,asdidMissMinchin.Shepointedtoaspotjustinsidethe
yellowsquareabouthalfwaybetweenthegreenboxandthebathroomdoor."Abouthere,I
suppose.Makesureandstraddleoneofthefloorthingies.Thebeams."Inadditiontothe
maskstheywerewearingrubbergloves.
"Thejoist,"saidthefirstman,thumpingahalfinchthick,footsquaresteelplateontothe
floor.

61

"Whatever!"MissMinchinsnapped.Morecalmlyshesaid,"Keepyourmaskson.Believeme,
youdon'twanttocatchhisdisease.Andkeepyourtoolsinthehallunlessthey'reinyour
hand."
ShewalkedacrossthefloortoDavyandsaidquietly,forhisearsalone,"I'mgoingtobein
there"shepointedatthemirror"withmyhandonthebutton.Yousayonewordto
themandyou'llbepukingandcoughingallovertheplace."Thensheleanedforwardand
added,"AndI'llhavetokillthem."Shejerkedherheadminutelybacktowardthemiddleof
theroom."Gotit?"
Davyconsideredheadbuttingherinthenose.Hetookadeepbreathandsaidquietly,"Got
it."
Hecouldn'tseeherlipssmilebuthesawitatthecornersofhereyesandhercheekbones.
"That'sMama'slittleangel."Sheturnedbacktothemenandsaidtothetwoworkmen,
"Quickaspossible.We'llbegettingyouthechainsinamoment."
Sheexitedtheroomwithoutlookingback.
Whenthedoorhadshut,themanclosesttothedoorsaid,"Nowthaaaat'swhatcomesfrom
keepenyourdildointhefreeeeezah."
Theothermanlaughednervously."Don't.Ihelpedwirethisroomforsound."
Themangrunted."Ah."Hebegantappingthevariousspotsonthefloorwithhishammer
untilitmadealesshollowsound,thenslidtheplatetothatpoint."There.Taketheother
platedownstairsI'lldrilltheholesanddroptheboltsthroughandyoucangetthenutson,
eh?Thenyoucanbringthewelderwhenyoucomeback."Hetappedthefloor."Andafire
extinguisher.Justincase."
Iknowthataccent.ItwasanextremeNewEnglandaccent,onlydifferent.I'vebeenwhere
theyspeaklikethat.
Themanwhostayedbehindusedalongshaftedhalfinchdrillbittodrillthroughthefloor,
usingthecornerholesontheplateasaguide.Inlessthanfifteenminutes,they'dboltedthe
platetothefloor,presumablyanchoredtoanidenticalplateintheceilingbelow.Thetwo
anklechainswerecutwithanabrasivewheelintheroombehindhim,andMissMinchin
camebackintotheroomtopullthemthrough.Theymeasuredthedistancefromtheplate
intothebathroom,andthentrimmedthechainback.
OneofthemtookaUboltoutofhispocket.Ithadbeenbentsothattheopenendwasata
rightangletotheclosedloop.Theythreadedlastlinksofthechainontoitandbegan
weldingittotheplate.
Davycoughed.Histhroattingled.Hejumped,evenbeforehethought,butslammedback
againstthewall,hisshouldersflaringwithpain.HestaredwideeyedatMissMinchin."Did
youturnitoff?"
Thetwoworkmenlookedup.Theyhadn'tseenhimtrytojumpbuttheyheardthesoundof
hisbackhittingthewall.
MissMinchinfrownedandlookedatthemirror.
Thecomputerizedvoicespokeoverthespeaker."It'sthearcwelder.It'sjammingthesignal.
It'llbeallrightiftheykeeptheirarcsunderonesecond."
"Wecandothat,"saidthewelder.
"No!"MissMinchinsaid."Theconditioningwillbecompromised."Shepulledthewelding
unit'splugfromthewallsocket."Wait,"shetoldthewelder."He'sgotanelectronic
prosthesis.Youcouldkillhim."Shelefttheroomatarun.
Onesecond?Isthatthenewtimelimitbetweenwarningandfulloutconvulsions?
MissMinchincamebackcarryingaplasticboxwithashort,stubbyantennae.Shewalked
rightuptoDavyandhelditout,towardhischest.Davystartedtoreachforitandshe
slappedhishand."Handsoff,vomitboy."Sheturnedadialandsaidtothewelder."Tryit."

62

Hetappedtheelectrodetotheplateandtherewasaflash,butthistimetherewasnotingle,
nocough.
MissMinchinheldherthumbup."Looksgood."
Theystartedtoweldinearnestandtheoverheadfluorescentlightswentoffandasmall
emergencylight,mountedinthecorner,cameon.
"Sonofabitch,"saidthewelder.
Hispartnervoicesaid,"It'sjustthebreaker.I'llgetit."Heleft,proppingthedooropen.
Distantsunlightshoweddimlyinthehall.
MissMinchinbackedawayfromDavyandlookedatthemirror."What'sthestatusonthe
primary?"
Therewasnoreply.
Hmmmm.Aretheyoutoverthere,too?HestaredattheboxinMissMinchin'shands.
"WouldIbepukingifyoudidn'thavethathere?"
Shelookedathim,apparentlythinkingitover.Finally,sheclickeditoff.Therewasnotingle.
"See?Theprimaryisonabatterybackup.Thegreensquareisalwayssafe."
Thelightscamebackon.Whentheworkmancameback,hesaid,"It'sathirtyampbreaker,
butthere'salotofotherequipmentonthecircuit.You'llhavetokeeptheweldingcurrent
down."
"Can'ttheyshutdowntheotherstuff?"
"No,"saidMissMinchin.Sheturnedtheboxbackon.
Theyshruggedandwentbacktoworkatthelowersetting.Itseemedtotakeforever.
MissMinchinkepthereyesonDavy,butherhandsrelaxedabitandthedevicetilted
forwardenoughthatDavycouldseethefaceplate.Itwasagrayplasticprototypeenclosure
ofthesortyoucouldbuyatRadioShack.Itsonlyfeaturesweretheantennae,anLEDpower
indicator,andarotaryswitchmarkedOFF,2m,10m,30m,100m,and500minmagicmarker.
Theswitchpointedto500m.
Meters?
Theykeptpouringwaterontheplate,tokeepthefloorfromcatchingonfire.Davywassorry
toseetheresultingweldlookedquitesolid.
MissMinchinturnedofftheboxandputitinthehallway.
"We'lljustgogettheplywoodnow?"theworkmansaid,halftelling,halfasking.
MissMinchinnodded.Then,toDavy'ssurprise,assoonasthey'dleftshetookakeyfromher
pocketandunlockedthepadlocksonhiswristrestraintsusingthesamesmallkey.
Heeyedthekeythoughtfully.
Shesaid,"Don'teventhinkaboutit.You'dbeinconvulsionsbeforeyoucouldgetitintothe
firstlock."
Withthecuffsoff,hiswristsshowedrawandred,almostscaly.Herubbedthemcarefully,
resistingtheurgetoscratchuntilhebled.MissMinchinbackedawaytooneside,clearofthe
chains,andsaid,"Inthebox."
Hedidn'twaitforthewarningcough,jumpingimmediately.Hebraced,fromhabit,forthe
pullofthechainsonhiswrists,buttheyweren'tthereanymoreandhefelloverbackward,
hisfeetjerkedoutfromunderhim.
MissMinchinlaughed.
Davysatupgingerly,keepinghisfaceimpassive,buthecouldfeelhisearsheatup.He
checkedtheborder,outofcuriosity.Hewasindeed"inthebox."
MissMinchincoiledthenowunusedchainsandwristrestraints,andtossedthemthrough
theholeintotheotherroom.Afteramoment,theworkmencamebackwithasheetofhalf
inchplywood,whichtheyfastenedtothewalloverthebrokenSheetrock,anchoringittothe
studswithtwoinchscrews.

63

"Youwantustocleanupthisstuff,Ma'am?"TheyindicatedthebrokenSheetrockscattered
onthefloor.
"No."
Theynoddedandleft.
MissMinchintorethemaskoffherface.Sheturnedtothemirror."Lethimout."
Davytestedtheedgeofthefield,thensteppedout.Hisarmsfeltunnaturallylightwithout
thechains.Still,thechainsonhisanklespulledasheavilyaseveronhislegs.Andonmy
spirit.Hetouchedthescaronhischest.Buttherealchainsliehere.
MissMinchinsaid,"Betterseeifyoucanreachthebathroom."
Hefoundthathecouldsitonthetoiletifhislegswereextended.Hetriedtheshower."I
won'tbeabletostandinthetub."Thechainsweretooshort.They'dmeasuredintothetub
buthadn'taccountedfortheangleupanddownoveritsedge.
MissMinchincametothedoorandlooked."Takebaths.Letyourlegshangovertheedge."
Shewentbacktothedoor.Asshewentoutshesaid,"It'syourownfault.Tantrums,you
know."
Shehadn'tsaid,"Cleanupthismess,"butthatseemedtheimplication.Onhisnew
shortenedleash,hecouldn'twalkuptomostofthewallsbuthecouldreachthem.Since
they'dremovedthewristrestraints,hecouldgetdownonhishandsandkneesandstretch
outtopickupthechunksofSheetrock.
Whilehewaspilingthemtogetherhefoundthescrew,oneofthetwoinchSheetrock
screwsthatthey'dusedtofastendowntheplywood.Itwasupagainstoneofthepiecesof
SheetrockandhalfburiedinSheetrockdust.
Hepalmeditandcontinuedtocleanup.Whilethemopbucketwasfilling,heusedthetoilet,
thenslippedthescrewintothetoiletpaperroll,withhisscrapsofpaper.
Unfortunately,itlookedtoolargetogetintothekeyholesonthepadlocksoftheankle
restraints,buthewouldcheck,inthenight.
Theyputhimintheboxtentimesbeforesupper,thenseveraltimesthroughthenight,on
somerandombasis.Hewonderedhowtheydecided.Didacomputerprogramtellthem,
usingsomerandomnumbergenerator?Orwasitscheduledweeksinadvance?Ordidthey
justwaituntilhewasfullyasleep,tomaximizehisconfusionandthoroughlydisrupthisrest?
Hepicturedthembehindthemirror.Sometimesheimaginedthemwatchingintently,some
savagesmilelingeringontheirlips,laughingeachtimetheysenthimtothebox,drinkinghis
miserywitheagereyes.Hisotherimagewasmuchworseamannotevenwatching,bored,
readingsomemagazineorbook,andonlyreachingouttopoketheswitchwhensometimer
wentoff.Then,glancingbrieflythroughthewindowtomakesurehewasactuallyinthebox,
beforeturningbacktohisbook.Oh,yeahandyawning.
Thissecondimagechilledhimbecausehethoughtitmorelikely.Howcouldsomeonedothis
toanotherhumanwithoutmentallyplacinghiminthecategoryof"thing"first?Passion
impliedinvolvement.HesuspectedMissMinchinofsomeformofinvolvement.Butthe
others?
Underthecovers,inthenight,hetriedthescrewonthepadlocksoftheanklerestraintsbut
hisearliersuspicionwascorrect.Itwastoothick.
Itwassharp,though.Foronebleakmomenthethoughtaboutusingittopophisjugulars,
coverspulleduptohischin.Theywouldn'tfindoutuntiltheyputhimintheboxornoticed
theblooddrippingunderthemattress.Itwasn'taseriousthought,though.
Notyet.
Ofmoreseriousconsiderationwasabitofsurgery,onhischestorlowerneck,toseeifhe
coulddisablethedevice.Withasharpscrew,noantiseptics,andnoanesthetic.Soundslike

64

funtome!
Heshovedthescrewbeneathhispillowandturned.Amattresscoilcreakedasheshiftedhis
weight.
Hmmm.Thereareotherthingsthatcanbetornbyasharpscrew.
Hedidn'triptheclothcoverofthemattress.Hewasprettysurewhathewantedtodo
wouldtakealotlongerthanonenight,andhewouldneedtoconcealtheeffort.So,hisfirst
sessionhesettledforpainstakinglyopeningthebottomseamofhismattress,nearthe
cornernexttothewall.Leftalone,theweightofthemattresshelditclosed.Withthefitted
bottomsheetinplace,itwasundetectable.
Unlesstheylook.
Heleftthescrewtuckedinsidethemattress.
Anhourlater,aftertwoturnsinthebox,heresumedhiswork.Hisgoalwasthewirefroma
coilspringoneoftheinteriorcoilstoavoidadetectablesagintheedge.Ittookhimthe
restofthenighttocuthiswaybetweentwobordercoilsandthroughthepocketofoneof
theinteriorcoils.Thefabricdidn'trip,evenwhenhe'dstartedagoodholewiththescrew.
Hehadtosaw,roughly,withthethreads,thentug,thensawsomemore.
Everythingwasonehanded,ashehadtoworkwithoutapparentmovement,lyingonhis
stomach,faceburiedinthepillow,onlyonearmovertheedgeofthebed.
Thentheyputhimintheboxandhenearlytoreopenhisarmpullingitoutbetweenthecoils
ashejumped.Anothertimehedidn'tletgoofthescrewandnearlydroppeditonthefloor
inthebox.Hesatonthefloorquickly,backtothemirror,andhiditbetweenthestainless
steelbandandtheinnerpaddingofhisanklerestraints.
Bymorning,hehadthecoilcompletelyexposed,butthetopsandbottomofthespringwere
fastenedtothewireframebycrimpedmetalclipsandtheyeludedhisinitialeffortsto
wrenchitfree.
Heleftthescrewinsidethemattressandgaveupforthatnight.Thistime,hewasreadyfor
sleep.
Afterbreakfast,MissMinchinenteredtheroom.Shewasdraggingachainthatwentaround
theedgeofthedoorandshecarriedapairoffeltslippersandaheavybathrobe.
"Inthebox."
Hecompliedimmediately,fromchoicenotreflex.Hewantedtogiveheranimpressionof
cooperationforthemoment.
Shewalkedforwardandstoppedfivefeetfromtheedge."Liedownstickyourfeetoutto
me."
Hedid,keepinghisupperchestinsidethegreentape.Sheunlockedhisleftanklerestraint
but,insteadofremovingit,sheswitchedchains,lockingthepadlocktothenewchainthat
ranoutthedoor.Thensheunlockedtherightankle,butthistimeshecompletelyremoved
therestraint,droppingitonthefloorandleavingthesmallpadlockbesideit,stillopen.
Shestraightenedbackupandtookaradiofromherpocketnottheplasticboxshe'dhad
before,butascrambledhandheldtransceiver."We'rereadyhere.You?"
"Switchingon.On,"saidavoicefromtheradio.
SheslidthebathrobeandtheslippersacrosstoDavy."Comeon,boy.Walkies."
Hescrambledtohisfeetstaringather.
Shewalkedtothedoor,thenpaused."Well,Isupposeyoucanstayhereifyouwant."
Hethrewontherobeandtestedtheborder.Theywerebroadcastingalargersignal,
apparently,fortherewasnowarningtingleatthegreentapeortheyellow.Hepushedhis
feetintotheslightlylargeslippersandwalkedforward,coilingthechainashewent.
Itfeltveryodd,goingthroughthedoorsurprisinglydifficult.

65

He'dbeenexpectingsomesortofinstitutionalsettingsomesortofclinic,butthehallway
wasclearlynotthat.Itwasmanorialoldandelegant.Carvedormoldedaccentsdecorated
wainscotedwalls.Thereweresmalldark,satinfinishedsidetablesadornedwithbowlsof
freshflowers.Atthefarendofthehalltherewasanactualwindow,framedbyheavy
drapes,wherebrightsunlightpuddledonthethickcarpetandmadehiseyestear.
Theoutside.
Thechainrantheotherdirection,awayfromthewindow,andended,Davysaw,justdown
thehall.Aheavyfurniturehandtruckstoodthereandstrappedtoitwasanuprightcylinder,
oneandahalffeetacrossandtwofeethigh.Hetookastepcloserandsawthatitwas
concretecastinanironpipe.TheendofthechainwassecuredtoaUboltprojectingfrom
thecement.
MissMinchinledhimtowardit."You'llneedtopushthisalong."
Davyeyeditandtriedtorememberhowmuchconcreteweighedpercubicfoot.Thepipe
itselfwasatleastahalfinchinthickness,asignificantweightevenwithouttheconcrete.He
triedtotiltthedollybackonitswheelsbutdidn'tsucceeduntilhe'dbracedonefootand
leanedfarback.Thelittleplateonthebackofthedollysaiditwasratedto700pounds,but
thewayitcreaked,hestronglysuspecteditwasoverloaded.Hebalanceditcarefully,looping
thecoilofchainhe'dbeengatheringoverhisarm.
IfIjumped,Ibetitwouldcomewithmeallsevenhundredpounds.Herememberedmoving
entireloadedbookshelvesnothugeones,butweightyenoughandonceasmall
refrigeratorwhenheandMilliehadpurchasedthecondoinStillwater.
AndwherewouldIbe,then?Floppingonthefloorandvomiting?Perhapsgoingintocardiac
arrest?AndwhenItrytojumpback"inthebox"Iwon'thavethecoordinationtobringthe
weightwithme.
HelookedatMissMinchinandraisedaneyebrow.
Shepointeddownthehall,thedirectionhewasfacing."There'sanelevator."
TheypassedadoorontherightandDavymadehimselfignoreit.Thedoorwaywasinthe
rightplacetoleadtotheobservationroomontheothersideofthemirror.
Theelevatorwasontheleft,attheendofthehall,woodpaneleddoors,woodpaneled
interior,acutglassinsert,asmallmirror.TherewasbarelyroomforMissMinchin,Davy,and
thehandcart.MissMinchintooktheopportunitytostandalittlecloserthannecessary.Davy
foundhisbodyreactingtoherwarmthandscent.
Heshuddered.
RememberCox.Remembersheputabulletinhisheadandshe'ddothesametomeifthey
everdecideIwon'tcooperate.
Theelevatorcontrolsshowedfourlevels,basementthroughthird.Theywereapparentlyon
thethirdfloornow,forMs.MinchinhadpressedOneandthey'dpassedanotherfloor.They
exitedintoanother,tallerhallwaygranderopeningonahotellobbysizedlivingroom,a
parlor,andalarge,formaldiningroomwithrunwaytable.
MissMinchindivertedhimdownasmallerhallway,tohisright,andtheypassedalarge
kitchen,alaundryroomwithmultiplewashers,dryers,andaheavydutycommercialironing
station.
Thisissomebody'sgrandhouseamansion,really.
"Servants'dayoff?"
MissMinchindidn'trespondandheconcludedthatthey'dclearedthemoutbeforebringing
himthrough.
Attheendofthesmallerhallwaytherewasanexteriordoor,whitewithrowsandrowsof
fourinchbeveledglasspanes,andbeyondthat,aporchoverlookingawalledexpanseof
browngrassbisectedbyawalkwaythatranstraightacrosstoacastirongateinthefarwall.

66

Anundulatingborderofevergreenplantsranbeneaththewallsandadrystonefountain
decoratedthecorner.Theairwascoldbutthesunwasupandthewallsblockedwhatwind
therewas.Davytookamomenttotietherobeshut.
"Toyourright,"MissMinchinsaid,frombehindhim.
Therewasawheelchairramp,runningdownbesidethebuilding,thenturningintoadown
slopingpaththatcurvedthroughwintermulchedflowerbedswherethebaresttipsofearly
tulipsoririseswerepokingupthroughthestraw.Thehandtruckwantedtorunawayonthe
slopeandittookallofDavy'sconcentrationtokeepitundercontrol.Thiscurvingpath
rejoinedthemainwalkbackneartheporch.
MissMinchinledhimtothecenteroftheyard.
"There."MissMinchinpointed.Someonehaddugaholebesidethewalk,roughlythesizeof
thecylinder.ShesteppedupbesideDavyandtiltedthehandtruckforward.Thecylinder
bounceddownhardonitsbase,thenfellforwardwithathudthatcouldbefeltthroughthe
ground.Sherolledthecylinderuntilitsendwasoverthemouthofthehole,thenpushed
downwithmostofherweight,totipitonintothehole.
Shehadtopullherfootbackquicklytoavoidgettingitcaughtwhenthecylinderdropped,
butshemanaged,justintime.
Toobad.
Hesworeathimself.Ishould'vejumpedtotheAdamsCowleyShockTraumaCenter.Ifany
oneplacecould'vekepthimaliveandfiguredoutwhatwascausinghisconvulsions,itwould
bethem.Now,cylinderdowninthehole,there'dbenomovingit.
MissMinchinwheeledthehandtruckbacktowardtheporchanddroppeditonthebrown
grassjustshortofthesteps.
Well,maybeIwould'vesurvived.
Davytookadeepbreathandblinked.Thesea?Therewasawhiffofsaltairandthemore
pungentodoroflowtide.Asiftoconfirmit,heheardthecryofasingleseagull,lonelyand
hauntingsoloandraucousincompany.Hethoughtbacktotheworkman'saccent.Martha's
Vineyard?
OrmaybeNantucket?He'dneverbeenonNantucketbuthe'dspentseveraldaysbicycling
aroundMartha'sVineyardonce.Hedidn'tstaythere,buthadjumpeddaily,rightbefore
MemorialDay.He'dtrieditafterMemorialDay,too,butitwasfartoocrowded.Theaccent,
onceheard,wasunforgettable.He'dheardthattheaccentonNantucketwassimilar,only
moreso.
Andtherearemansions.
Itwouldexplainalltheseafood.
Hepushedonthetopoftheconcretecylinderwithhistoe.Itdidn'tbudgeintheslightest,as
ifitwerepartofsomemassiverockoutcroppingreachingupfromthebonesoftheearth.He
waspuzzled.Itwouldtakeacranetogettheweightbackoutofthathole,butitsplacement
lookeddeliberateandlongterm.Aretheygoingtoleavemeouthereintheopentograze
uponthegrass?
Thebrickwallsenclosingthethreesidesoftheyardjoinedthecornersofthehouseand
wereatleasteightfeethigh.Thecastirongateatthefarendhadgapsbetweenthebars,
butallhecouldseewasadistantgaragedoorframedbyleaflessshrubberyattheendofa
gravelpath.Thehouse,ashe'dnoticedintheelevator,wasthreestoriesaboveground,but
therewerebigdormerwindowsjuttingfromtheroof,hintingatsubstantialspaceinthe
attic.Thebasementwasclearlyevident,too,bothinthewindowspeekingabovewindow
wellsandthestairsoppositethewheelchairramp,leadingdowntoadoorundertheporch.
Hiseyeswereslowlygettingusedtothelight,andnowheliftedhiseyestothesky,bright
andblueandcloudfree.Hetookadeepbreath.Therewerecontrailshighoverheadand,

67

afteramoment'ssearching,hespiedalowerjetliner.Hmm.BoundforLogan?Ifso,the
housewasnorthofhim,andthegatewaysouth.Thiscertainlymatchedthesun'sposition.
UnlessI'mtotallywrongaboutwhereIam.
MissMinchinwassittingontheporchstepswatchinghim.Hedecidedtoignoreher.The
chainallowedhimafortyfootcirclethatkepthimprettymuchonthegrass,fivefeetshort
ofthewalls'bordershrubberyandtwentyfeetfromthegateandporch.
Heshivered.Towarmuphewalkedtheperimetercounterclockwisesincehisleftankle
wasconstrainedbythechain.I'llwearagrooveinthegrassiftheyleavemeherelong
enough.Likeadogonachain.Heswunghisarmsandscuffedhisfeetasmuchaspossiblein
theshortgrass.Acirclewouldbevisiblefromtheair,fromsatellite.Likeadogonachain
andthat'swhattheywouldthink.Hestoppedscuffing.
Afterfifteenminutesofthis,MissMinchintalkedintoherradio.Heheardthestaticanda
voiceinreply,butcouldn'tmakeoutwhatwassaid.Shestoodandcameupthewalk,halting
wherethearcofhiscirclecrossedthecement.Shetossedsomethingshinyontotheground
and,curious,heapproached.
Itwasakey,presumablythekeytothepadlock.Helookedather.Shewasholdingtheradio
tohermouthandwatchinghim.
Hecrouchedandtookit,stillwatchingher.Whenshedidn'tsayanything,hemovedit
towardthepadlock.
"Now,"shesaid,intotheradio.
Hefeltthetingleinhisthroatandcoughed.Thekeywouldn'tgoin,butthenheturneditone
hundredandeightydegreesanditslippedin,twisted,andthelockpoppedopen.Hegotit
outofthehasp,pulledtherestraintopen,andjumped.
Hewasinthebox,gasping.
HehadtriedtogotoAdamsCowley.HehadpicturedAdamsCowley.
He'dendeduphere.
Thecomputerizedvoicesaid,"Putthemanacleon."
HejumpednottoAdamsCowley,nothometotheAerie,nottothecondoinStillwater.He
jumpedtothehallway,rightoutsidetheobservationroom,andopenedthatdoor.Evenas
hedidso,hecoughedandhisthroattingled,buthemanaged,foroneinstant,tolookatthe
threemeninsidetheroom,beforehisbodyflinchedbacktothebox.
Heclosedhiseyes,tryingtoekeeverythinghecouldoutoftheoneglimpse.He'dseena
darkenedroomwithacounterunderthetintedwindow,amicrophone,videomonitors,a
videocamera,andthreemen.
Threestartledmen,staringbackovertheirshouldersattheopendoor,theireyeswideopen
withsurprise.OneofthemwasThugTwo,theredhaired,hooknosedman,andanother
wasThugOne,theblondehe'dthrownagainstthewall.Theblondewasstillwearingafoam
cervicalcollar,souvenirofhislastencounterwithDavy.Davyhopedithadhurtwhenhe'd
beencompelledtotwisttofacethedoor.Hehadn'tseenthethirdmanbefore.Hewas
older,withawhitelabjacket,darkhairgonemostlygray,glasses,sharplongnose.Oneof
thevideomonitorshadshownthebathroomtubandtoiletandarimofthesink,brightand
clear,eventhoughthebathroomlightwasoffandthedoorshut.
Darknesswillnothideme.
Thecomputerizedvoicesaid,"Now!Nomoretricks.Putthemanacleon."
Davycoughedandfeltthetingleinhisthroat.
ButI'minthebox!
Heconsidered,forthebarestinstant,notobeying.Itwouldcounteractsomeofthe
conditioning,iftheysenthimintoconvulsions"inthebox."Itwouldbeagravemistake,on
theirpart.

68

Buthecouldn'tmakehimselffacethatnotnow.
Hecrouchedandputthepaddedrestraintoverhisankle,threadedthepadlockshackleonto
thelastlinkofthechain,andputitthroughthehaspontherestraint.Hetwistedthepadlock
shackleintoalignmentandpretendedtopushitshut,usingthemotionofhishandstorap
thebodyofthepadlockagainstthestainlesssteeloftheoutercuffwithamuffledclick.
Weirderthingshadhappened.Theymightnotcheck.
Thetinglestoppedandheexhaledabreathhehadn'trealizedhe'dbeenholding.Hechecked
theborderhewasstill"inthebox."Sohedroppedtothefloorcrossleggedwiththe
unlatchedpadlockhiddenbeneathhiscalf.
Theylefthim"inthebox"forfortyfiveminutes.HeimaginedthemtalkingtoMissMinchin
andplottinganewpunishmentforhim,butnowthatthey'dremovedthewinch,therewas
nothingtopullhimphysicallyoutofthebox.
Heimaginedthemdoingitdirectly,muscleagainstmuscle,maybesendingThugTwoin,but
theyprobablyrememberedwhathadhappenedwithThugOne.Davylookedoveratthe
wallthedepressionfromtheblonde'sshoulderandhipwerestillvisible.
Letthemcome.Hewasn'tfeelingthatmanageablejustyet.
MissMinchinenteredtheroomandhetensed.Hecouldslipoffthemanacleandjump
behindher,dropherinthepitinwestTexas,andbebackintheboxbeforethefull
convulsionskickedin.ButI'dstillbeintheboxattheendofit.
MissMinchinsaid,"Stickoutyourfoot."
Heextendedtheonewithoutthemanacle.
"Ha,bloodyha.Theotherfoot."Sheraisedherhandtothemirror,threefingersextended.
Sheretractedoneofthem,waitedabeat,andretractedtheother.
Reluctantly,heextendedhisfoot.
Shelookedattheopenpadlockandsighed,thenlookedmeaningfullyatthemirror."DoI
havetodoeverything!"ShegesturedatDavy."Shutthepadlock,vomitboy."
"Shutityourself."Hepulleditfromthehaspandtosseditacrosstheroom,followedbythe
anklerestraint.Hestoodup.
Hedidn'tthinkhecouldlosethisone.Iftheywentaheadandsenthimintoconvulsions,in
thesquare,itwouldcounteracttheconditioning.Hewasvisualizingthetraumacenterat
AdamsCowley,readytojump.
Shelookeddownatthelockandmanacle,thenbackupathim."Don'tmesswithme,vomit
boy.You'llregretit."
Heslappedherintheface,startingtheswingbeforejumping.Theimpactswungherhead
around.Shelashedoutbuthewasalreadybackinthebox,hisarmdroppingtohisside.The
coughandtingleweremomentarilytherebutfadingalready.
MissMinchinhaddroppedback,eyeswide,handsraised,bodyflinchingintosomesortof
martialartsstance.Davy'shandprintwasvividonhercheek.
"Probably."Regretit,hemeant.Davyheldhisbreath,waiting,expectingthewarningbuzz.It
didn'tcome.What'saboygottodo?
Hejumped,sweptherrearfootfrombehindandwasbackinthesquarebeforeshehitthe
ground.Sherolledtoherfeetagain,herhandheldpalmouttothemirror,asiftosay,
"wait."
Heslappedthetopofherhead,hard,frombehind,andshekickedback,cobrafast,buthe
wasbackinthesquareandshewasdancingononefoot,offbalance.Sheturnedand
reachedforthedoorknobbutheknockedherspinningawaywithabodyslam.
Shescrambledup.Thistime,insteadofgoingforthedoor,shecameathim.Hewalked
towardherslowly,despitethecough,and,whenshecommittedherselftoafrontkick,
jumpedbehindher,reachedoutandgrabbedhercollar.Bothfeetwentoutfromunderher

69

andshelandedhard,onherback.
Thistime,backinthesquare,hecoughedagain.Anoddmixofdreadandreliefcoursed
throughhim.Hewaitedhewantedtobeinfullconvulsionswhenhearrived,hopefully
unabletojump.Ifhecouldsurviveanywhere,itwouldbeintheTraumaCenter.
He...jumped.
Heblinkedasthelightingchangedandhewasonhospitaltile,doubledover,vomiting,
coughing,defecating.Hisvisionwastunnelingdownbuthesawapairoflegsinscrubsturn
towardhim,avoicesaying,"Whatthe"
No!
Hewasbackinthebox,onallfours,thevomitingstopped,weakasaninfantandsoiledlike
one.HesawmovementoutofthecornerofhiseyeandturnedhisheadjustasMissMinchin
kickedhimintheface.
ELEVEN
"Acupoftea."
CurtistookheroutintotheVirginiasuburbsandsaid,"Pickone.I'mprettysurewe'reclean
andourescortsaysthesame."
Millieblinked.Escort?Sheswallowed."Right."Shedidn'twasteanytimewatchingforthe
watchers.Thecabwascruisingastripofhotelsandstores.ShesawaComfortInnwiththe
vacancysignlitbesideatwentyfourhourdrugstore."Thatone,"shesaid."Dropmeatthe
drugstore,first.Needsomethings."
Hepulledup."Usethebugifyouneedhelp,orwhenyou'reready,"hesaid."We'llbe
around."
"Sure,"shesaid.IfIneedanythingI'lljusttalktomybra.
Atthedrugstoreshepickedupatoothbrush,toothpaste,deodorant,andapackageof
cottonunderweardecoratedwithcartooncharacters.Davywouldlikethese,shethought.
Well,he'dliketotakethemoff...Itwasoneofhisfavoritelines."Youknow,thatsweater
wouldlookmarvelous...onthebedroomfloor."
Shefeltanacheofdesire,oflonging,ofanger.Damnyou,Davy.Getyourassbackhere.I
needtogetlaid.
Shepaidcashforherpurchases,thencashagainatthehotel,usingafalsenameonthe
registrationcard.Whenshewasintheroom,asecondfloorunitunfortunatelyclosetothe
icemachine,shetriedtorelax.
Theeveningbefore,she'dbeenunabletosleepbecauseSojeewasintheroom.Now,she
wantedSojeeback.Beinghuntedthroughthemuseumandattackedinthestreetscertainly
changedthetenorofthings.
Yesterdayhersearchhadbeencoloredwithfeelingsofhopelessdesperation,ofasearch
conductedforaneedlelostinalimitlesssea.Hermotionsandeffortshadbeendrivenbya
needtobeactuallydoingsomething.Now,whenthehopelessscopeofhersearchhad
revealedthefaintestnarrowingofpossibilities,itwasalmostmorepainfulthantheprevious
abjecthopelessness.
Butthedesperationisstillthere.Shelaughedatherself.Atleastsomethingsremainthe
same.
Shegotintoahotbath,tryingtorelaxasmuchasshecould,butshecouldn'tcomecloseto
unwindinguntilshehadclimbedoutand,dripping,leanedoneoftheroom'stwochairs
againstthedoortothehallwayandtheotheragainsttheconnectingdoortotheadjacent
room.Theywouldn'tstopanyonecapableofdefeatingthelocksandbolts,butthey'dmake
noise.

70

Thenshesankbackinthetinytubandlettheheatworkonherneckandupperback
muscles.
Thesecondyearoftheirmarriage,Davyhadtakenasixweekmassagecourse.Thethought
ofhishandsonherneckandbackbroughttearstohereyes.Shesankbackinthewater,to
letthetearswashaway,butwhenshecamebackup,hernosehadstartedtorun.Shecould
reachthetoiletpaper,butitdisintegratedandstucktoherwethands,useless.
Shewasstretchingupforthethinhoteltowelwhensheheardaheavyimpactandthesound
ofsplinteringwoodfollowedalmostimmediatelybysomeoneswearingandstumbling
heavily.Sheheardthechairkickedviolentlyforward,crashingagainstthedresserandthen
Itwasn'taconsciousthing.Herheartgaveatremendousthudandadrenalinesurged
throughher,andshewassittingnakedonthelivingroomfloorinhercondoinOklahoma
withasurprisingamountofwatersoakingthecarpet.
Oh.My.God.
Shescrambledthroughthedarkroom,toherbathroom,inadaze,surprisedtofindtheold
familiartowelsandevenDavy'srattyterryclothbathrobe.Sheburiedherfaceinit,clutching
therobelikeadrowningwomangrabbingatalifebuoy.
Jumping.
ThedamnthingwasapainbutthankGoditwastherewhenshereallyneededit.Not
wanted.Shehadn'thadtimetowant.She'dheardthecircumstancesofDavy'sfirstjumps,
butthesheeremotionalforcewell,shesuspectedsheunderstoodabitmore,now.
Here,atimezonetothewestandslightlyfarthersouththanD.C.,brighttwilightstillshowed
throughtheblinds,butitwasdimintheapartment.Sheputherhandonthebathroomlight
andthenjerkeditaway,asifitwerehot.
TheythinkI'minD.C.butitdoesn'tmeanthey'renotwatchingthecondoforDavy.Andit
didn'thavetobewhoeversnatchedDavyandattackedherandSojee.IftheNSAwerestill
watching,theymightmoveinthinkingheroneofthekidnappersorevenareturningDavy.
Andthenthey'dknowshecouldjump.
Shetookadeepbreath.Shedeeplyregrettednothavingherwalletandhercellphoneand,
mostofall,herglasses,butthankGodIwasnaked.Thatdamnbugdidn'tsuddenlygofrom
D.C.toStillwaterandreportitsGPSdeterminedposition.
Herspareglasseswereinthetopdrawerofhersidetable,thoughfindingthemwasamatter
ofgropingandmutteredswearing.Finally,wearingthem,theroomwentfromadarkblurof
shadowstoasharplydelineatednetworkofdimlylitoutlines.Shetookthecomforterfrom
thebedandwrappeditaroundher,bathrobeandall,thensatdownonthefloor,propped
againstthewallsinthecornerofherbedroom.
Ourbedroom.
Ourbesiegedbedroom.
Shetriedtoclosehereyesmomentarily,justtocalmherbreathingandthethuddingofher
heart,buttheslightestdistantcreakinthebuildingcausedhertostartandstarefrantically
atthebalconyandbedroomdoors.
Howdidtheyknow?
Eithertheyhadfollowedhertothehotel,despitetheassurancesofCurtisandescort,or
Curtishadreportedbackandtheleakhadoccurredabovehim.Thetimingwouldworkfor
eitherscenario.Shedidn'twanttothinkthatCurtis,himself,wastheleak,buthercurrent
levelofparanoiawassuchthatshecouldn'tdiscountthepossibility.
I'vegottogetoutofhere.
Shewenttoherdresserandpulledwholestacksofunderwear,socks,pants,andshirts.She
foundDavy'shardsidedsuitcaseinthehallclosetanddumpedtheclothesin,addingshoes,
toiletries,andDavy'soldleatherjacket.

71

Idon'thavemykeys,Idon'thaveanymoney.
Shelookedatthedoortotheapartment.AndI'mnotgoingoutthatway.
Shetookafirmgriponthesuitcasehandleandliftedit.
WhatdoIdonow?Raisemyfistandsay,"totheAerie"?Mightaswellsay,"tothe
Batmobile!"
Shetriedtoimaginethesheepskinstrewnrockfloorofthecliffdwelling,itsdarkshadowing
corners,andknottypinefurniturewithlegscuttooddlengthsontheunevenfloor.She
willedherselftobethere,grittingherteethasiftheclenchingofherjawmuscleswould
pushherthroughspaceandtime.
Shedidn'tmove.
Dammit!Whatdoesagirlhavetodothrowherselfoffthebalcony?Sheturnedangrily,and
thesuitcaseknockedloudlyintoanendtable.
Shetwisted,lookingbacktowardthedoor,herheartthudding.Didtheyhear
Shewasstandingoncoldstone,inthedarkinterioroftheAerie.
Thisisridiculous.
Shemadetea.
Therewasjustenoughwaterforthatandnomore,anditwasahorridwasteofwaterwhen
oneisinthemiddleofamountainousdesert.Eventhelocaloasiswasoutofherreachthe
rappellingropewasbackinthecondo.
Butteaiscomforting.Teaissoothing.
OfcourseIdon'tseemtobeabletojumpunlessI'mscaredtodeath,somaybesoothingisn't
thewayIshouldbegoing.
Itwasn'tquitetrue.Sherememberedthetime,intheNationalGallery,thatshe'djumpedto
eavesdropontheMonkwhathadAnderscalledhim?Padgett.Thattimeshehadn'tbeen
afraidforherlife.
Shewanderedaimlesslywhilethekettlewarmedonthepropaneburner.
ButIwasn'tthinkingaboutjumpingeither.That'sprobablytheticket.Itwasaregular
defenseamongherclientsintellectualizing.They'dexamineaproblemwithallthesharp
focusofintelligentminds,dissectingandanalyzingeverythinganythingtoavoidanactual
feeling.Well,feelingsoftenhurt,didn'tthey?
Somaybethisisafeelingthing.
Shefeltprettysurethatifshejumpedofftheledgeoutsidewithadestinationinmind
someplacesafethatshe'dactuallyjump.
Shewasalsoterrifiedatthethoughtoftryingthat.Whatifshedidn'tjump?Mustsherisk
herlifeeverytime?
Theteakettlebegantowhistleatthefarendofthedwellingandsheturnedtowalkbackto
itthenstoppedherself,wellshort.
You'vegottosolvethis.Maybeit'snotsodramaticasflinchingawayfromdeath.Maybeit's
assimpleaswantingtooverhearsomeonefarawayorShelickedherlipsandlookedatthe
burner.She'dhavetodosomethingquicklyortheverylastwaterwouldboilaway.
Maybeit'sassimpleaswantingacupoftea.
Shedidn'ttrytojump.Instead,shethoughtaboutthesoundtheteakettlemadeits
piercingwhistle,thefranticvibrationsofthousandsofbubblesshakingthecontainer,making
itrattleslightlyontheburner.Shethoughtaboutthefeelofvapor,thesenseofairheavy
withmoisture,therich,almosttropicaldampnesswhenyoustoodnearaboilingkettle.She
thoughtaboutthesmell,thepromisingfragranceofadryblackpekoeteabagasyouopened
thepaperenvelope,thewetter,heavierscentwhentheboilingwaterfloodsthecupand
soaksthetea.

72

Andshewasthere,standinginfrontoftheburner,twentyfeetcrossedinthebeatofa
singleheartvalve.Thehairsroseonthebackofherneckandsheturnedofftheburner.
There'snothinglikeagoodcupoftea.
Sheseemedtohavegotthehangofit.
ForthecondoinStillwateritwasthevanityinthemasterbathroom:apotpourriofsmells
rangingfromperfumetotoothpastetobabypowder;thefeelofbroadMexicantileonbare,
oftenwet,feet;theraspofatoothbrushacrosslips,gum,andincisor.
FortheAerietherewasthesmellofstone,ofoldpionwoodsmoke,thefeelofthick
nappedsheepskinwoolpressingupbetweentoes,andasenseofsoliditythatthefloorin
hersecondfloorcondodidnothave.
Therewasavisualelementaswell,butitreallytookmorethanjustpicturingaplace.She
hadtouseothersenses,toimagineherselfalreadyatherdestination,alreadyengagedwith
theenvironment.
Andimaginingmakesitso.
Shemadethreequicktripstofilltheceramiccistern,runningthewatercoldfromthebath
tapandhopingthecondowasn'tbuggedforsound.
Itwasgettingeasiernowthatshe'ddonethesametripafewtimes.Thescents,thetextures,
thecolorsweren'tbeingrecalledpiecemeal.Nowitwasaflickerofsensorymemoriesthat
abruptlysolidifiedintotherealthing.
Sherefilledthekettle.Shehadn'tmadethatcupofteayetandshereallyfeltshedeserved
anentirepot.
Itwasonlyfiftyfiveminutesaftershe'dfledtheD.C.hotelbathtub.Shethoughtabout
AndersandtheNSAandtheFBI.
Therewasaleak.Eithertherewasamoleorabug.Howelsedidtheyfindherthere?She
couldn'tbelieveitwasarandombreakin.
Itcan'tbeAndershe'shadalltheopportunityintheworldtosnatchme.Butthatwasasfar
asshecouldbesure.
He'llbeworriedsick.
Shewrappedherarmsaroundherself.Thedamnkettlewastakingforevertoboilandthe
Aeriewascold.Shebuiltafireinthewoodstove,bonedrypineneedles,resinouspine
cones,splitpionkindling,andatwistedpionlogatopall.Onematchandittookeasily,
brightyellowflamesandcracklingignitionsofresin.Theheatwaspalpableandshecrouched
downbeforeit,openingDavy'srobetoletitfallonherbareskinuntiltheteakettlewhistled
again.
Shejumpedbacktothekettle.Itwaslessthanfivelongstepsawayfromthefireplace,but
shewantedcontrolofthisthingandfeltpracticewouldbringit.
Shesettheteapot,warmed,emptied,refilled,andnowbrewing,nearthewoodstove.There
wasnomilkintheplace.Thelasttimeshe'dbeenstuckhere,whenDavyhadinitially
disappeared,she'dmadedowithcreamer.Thatwasn'tnecessary,now,ifshecouldgetthis
thingundercontrol.Therewasn'tanymilkinthecondo,either.She'dgiventhekitchen
spoilablestoaneighborbeforeflyingtoD.C.
Wherecouldshebuymilk?Whatplacesdidsheknowsointimatelythatshecouldjump
there?Shelookeddownattheterryclothrobeshewaswearing.Shecouldthinkofafew
placesbutnonewhereshewouldbecomfortableinabathrobe.ExceptMom'skitchen.
There'sprobablymilkthere.Buthermotherhadhearttrouble.SeeingMilliesuddenlyappear
wouldprobablykillher.
Milliedressedinawarm,longsleeveddressfromthehardsidedsuitcaseandslippedher
feetintoapairofflats.

73

Moneywasnoproblem.ShewenttoDavy'schest.DavyJones'sLocker,she'dcalledit.Itwas
anantiquewoodensteamertrunkatthefootoftheirbed,drapedwithasparecomforter.
TheancientlockhadrustedopenlongbeforeDavyeverboughtit.Shepushedthecomforter
asideandliftedthelid.Itwashalffull,mostlyhundreddollarbills,buttherewasasmalltray
of"spendingmoney"bundlesoftwentiesandtensontop.
Shedidn'twanttothinkaboutit.Lasttimethey'dseriouslychecked,therewasovertwo
milliondollarsinthechestbutthelevellookedhighernow.Shetookarubberbandoffofa
bundleoftendollarbillsandusedittopullhertangled,stilldamphairbackintoaponytail.
Asanafterthought,shetookoneofthetensandclosedthetrunkagain.
Sheneededtogetthemilkbeforetheteaoversteeped.
Therewasoneplace,onthecornerofHoustonandSullivanstreetsinGreenwichVillagethat
sheknewintimately.FiveoftheirfavoriterestaurantswereinthatareaandDavyalways
jumpedtotheshadowedbasementstepsofSt.Anthony'sofPaduaCatholicChurch.She
thoughtaboutit,thedampnessoftheoldlimestone,thenearlyconstantsmellofurine
darkdoorwayshadthatdangerinNewYorkwiththeeclecticmixofexhaustfumes,
cooking,treeblossoms,andgarbagethatwasalsoNewYork.
Herearspoppedandshejerkedinsurpriseasshefoundherselfonthesteps,forgetting
momentarilythepurposeofherrecollection.Itwasdarkerthansheexpected,quitedamp,
andnearfreezing.ThetrafficonHoustonwasstillheavy,butremote,distancedbywetfog.
Directlyacrossthestreetwasasmallcornerstore,moreofastand,really,sellingamixof
candy,news,lottery,anddrinks.Shepaidforandreceivedtwoquartcartonsofwholemilk.
Whensheturnedaroundagain,shelookedupthroughtheswirlingfogattheChurchandthe
floodlitstatueofSaintAnthony.
Amemoryofchildhoodcametoher,aCatholicfriend'srhyme.ShethoughtofDavyandsaid
italoud."SaintAntony,SaintAntony,pleasecomearound.Somethingislostandneedstobe
found."
Theclerk,oneofthelocal,oliveskinned,ItalianAmericans,said,"Yagottasayiton
Tuesdays.That'shisday.ItmightworkbutyagottabettahchanceonTuesday."
Sheturnedbacktohimandnoddedsolemnly."I'llrememberthat."
Heshruggedasifembarrassed.
Shewentbackacrossthestreettogodownthestairs,buttheclerkwasstillwatchingherso
sheheadeddownthestreet,instead,pastthemeatmarketbeforeduckingintotheentrance
ofanapartmentbuildingnestledbetweenthesteelgratedfrontsofaballoonshopanda
dropofflaundry.
Shejumpedfromthere,backtotheAerie.
Thewarmteaandthefirewereverygoodafterthecoldair.Shepolishedherglassesonthe
hemofherdressandthoughtabouttheeventsofthenight.
HowdoIgetintouchwithAnders?
Thebug,hersurestway,wasinthehotelroom,maybetakenbywhoeverentered.Hercell
phonewasalsothereandhecouldhardlycallherthatwayifshedidn'thaveit.Ontheother
hand,thebug,withitsGPSlocator,wouldbetrayherpositionand,therefore,hernewfound
ability.AndshewasprettysurethecellphonewouldbeuselessintheAerie.
ButshestillwantedAnderstoknowshewasallright.
Whentheteahadbeenconsumedandtheresultingbladderpressuredealtwith,sheputon
Davy'soldleatherjacketandtriedtodecidehowtocontactAnderswithoutputtingherat
risk.
Tworisks.
First,therewastheissueofwhoeverwantedtokidnapher,probablyasameanstocontrol
Davy.Thiswasabigrisk,butoddlyenough,nottheonethatscaredherthemost.

74

IftheyfindoutIcanjump,I'maslikelytobesoughtbytheNSAaswhoevergrabbedDavy.
Shewouldbeabackup"intelligenceasset."TheymightevenstoplookingforDavyifthey
knewtheycouldpreservethis"capability."
Wheretojump?
Againitwasamatterofintimateacquaintancewithaplace.Shethoughtshecouldprobably
returntothehotelroom,butthatwouldbotherher.
Thedrugstore.Whenshe'dboughttheunderwear,thedeodorant,thetoothpasteatthe
drugstorenexttothehotel,she'dbeenstruckbythesmellsfromthecosmeticdepartment.
She'dblinkedinthebrightfluorescentlighting.There'dbeenalargerubberbackedrugat
thedoorway,forthewipingoffeet.That'swhenthesmellshadhither.
Andshewasthere.Sheheardsomeonegaspandblinkedinthebrightfluorescentlighting.
Itwasthecashierwho'dgasped."Ididn'thearthedoorchime,"shesaid,holdingahandto
herchest."SowhenIlookedupandyouwerestandingthereImean,italmostlooked
like"Shebrokeoff."Surprisedme."
"Sorry,"saidMillie.
Davyhadtalkedaboutthisphenomenon."Whenpeopleknowathingisimpossible,they
knowit.Theycanbelookingdirectlyatyouwhenyouappearoutofthinairandthey'llcome
upwithalogicalexplanationbeforeyoucanevenopenyourmouth."
Sheglancedbehindher.Therewereseveralcarsintheparkinglotofthehotelthathadn't
beentherebeforelargeSUVsandonepolicecarwithabroadgreenstripeonitsside
framingtheletters"AlexandriaPolice"acrossbothdoors.Shemovedfurtherintothestore.
"What'shappeningnextdoor?"
Theclerk'seyeswidenedandshesaid,"AnFBIagentcameinandaskedmeifI'dseen
anythingsuspiciousnextdoor,buthewouldn'tsaywhathadhappened!"
"Mygoodness."Shesmiledandasked,"Where'stheshampoo?"
"Aisleten,dear."
"Thankyou."Millieturned,tryingtobecasualaboutit.Shewentbackandstaredblanklyat
theshampoobottles,thenpickedherusualbrand.
Shepaidforitwiththechangefromhermilkpurchase,thenwalkedoutthedoor,acrossthe
parkinglot,andintothehotellobby.
"Theresheis!"theclerksaid,stabbinghisfingertowardher.ThetwoFBIagentstheywore
thewindbreakerswiththelargelettersacrossthebackswiveledtheirheadsaround.
Sheraisedhereyebrows."Hassomethinghappened?"
Anderswasn'thappywithher.
Hedidn'tbelieveherstoryaboutrunningabath,thendecidingthelittleplasticbottleof
hotelroomshampoowaswoefullyinadequateandthatshe'dgoneoutwiththecashonly,
forgettingherphone,thebug,andeventhehotelroomkey.Sheaccountedforthetimeby
sayingshe'ddecidedtowalkabit,onceout,toclearherhead,beforebuyingtheshampoo.
She,inturn,wasn'tveryhappywithAnders.
"Wholeaked?HowdidtheyknowwhereIwas?"
They'dapparentlyleftassoonasthey'dcome,oncesheturnedouttobeabsent.They'd
lookedatthebug,apparently,andherphone,forbothweresuspiciouslyfreeoffingerprints,
evenMillie's.
Anderssaid,"Theyprobablythoughtitwasatrapwhentheysawthebug,iftheyunderstood
whatitdid."
Onthebrightside,shehadherwalletback,andherphone.Sherefusedthebug."They
lookedatit.Itmaybeencrypted,buttheystillmightbeabletotrackit."Shelookedaround
theroom."Infact,whosaysthat'snothowtheyfoundme?"

75

Theyweretalkingdownthehallinthehotel'stinyLaundromat.Andershadputquartersin
thewasher,andturnediton,empty,forthenoise.NowthattheFBIhadfinishedtheir
forensicsearch,oneofAnders'smenwassweepingtheroomforbugs.
"Notthatyou'llstayhere,ofcourse."
Millie,stillangry,stilldefiant,snapped,"You'vegotthatright."
Andersfrowned."Thequestionis,whattodowithyounow?"
"Youguysaren'tdoinganythingwithme.You'releakinglikeafaucetandIcan'ttrustyou."
Anderswincedandsheadded,"That'sasecondpersonplural.Idon'tdoubtyou,Mr.Anders.
Butsomethingisnotrightwithyourorganization."
"Youstillneedprotection,"hesaid.
Hedidn'tdenyit.Shenarrowedhereyes."IndeedIdo,butwhofrom?"Shelickedherlips.
"I'mgoingtoground."
Helookedather,frowning."Gointohiding?Alone?Nosupport?"
"Isn'tthatwhat'goingtoground'means?"
"Well,that'swhatitmeansinintelligencecircles.Amongdogfanciersitcanreferto
dachshundsorterriersgoingintoaburrow,afterabadgerorratinthedark,teethagainst
teeth."
"Areyoucrazy?Goingafterthem?That'syourjob.IjustwanttofindDavy.Arethereany
results,yet,abouttheambulancewiththeangelonthedoor?"
Heblinked."Yes,actually.There'samedicaltransportfirmoutsideBaltimorethatuses
ambulancesofthatdescription.TheFBIisknockingondoorstonighttoaccountforeach
unit'slocationanduseontherelevantday."Hetuggedonhischin."Wouldyoukeepthe
phoneImeanifyougotoground?It'sanationalaccount.ThatwayI'dbeabletoreach
you."
"Howdidyouknowit'sanationalaccount?NevermindIdon'tthinkIwanttoknow.I'llset
upananonymousemailaccountatYahoo.Youdothesame.Don'tletanybodyelseknow
aboutit."
Hefrowned."Whatnames?Anythingyoucanthinkofhasalmostcertainlybeenused."
"AsI'mgoingtoground,I'llberat8765.Youcanbeterrier8765.Thatshouldbesafeenough.
Don'texpectquickreplies."
"Iwouldn'tsendsensitivematerialacrossthenets."
"Justgeneralprogress,then,phrasedgenerically.Somethingsaremeaninglesswithout
context.Ifyou'vereallygottotalktome,sendatimeandacleantelephonenumber
somethingtotallyunconnectedtoyou.Myphonewillbeoff.I'veheardaboutthosecell
towersimulatorsthatcanpageandlocateaphonewithoutringingit."
Hefrownedather."Howwouldyougotoground?"
Shelookedathimanddidn'tsayanything.
Helaughedgrimly."Okaywhenwouldyou?"
Shebegantogetangry."Youtalkasifit'sstillundecided.ThelasttimeIwasactually
kidnappeditwastheNSAthatdidit!DoIhavetogotoafederaljudgeagain?"Sheexhaleda
deepbreath.Thistimehe'snottheenemy.
Shedidn'twanthimtosuspectthatshecouldjump.Hemightalready,butshedidn'twantto
addanymoreevidence."GivemearidetoDullesanddropme.Justyou.Don'ttellanybody
else.Don'twaitafteryou'vedroppedme."
Hefrowned,openedhismouthtospeak,thenclosedit.Foramomenthestaredattheratty
suspendedceilingbeforesaying,"Okay.Yourway."
Sheblinked,surprised.He'dgiveninmoreeasilythanshe'dthought,andthatscaredher.He
thinkstheirsecurityiscompromised,too.Grudgingly,sheconsideredthepossibilitythathe
hadn'tbeenthatproudofhisinvolvement,tenyearsbefore.

76

ShejumpedtotheAeriefromawoman'stoiletstalloutsidesecurityneartheAandCshuttle
gates.Withsecuritybeingwhatitwasinthenation'sairportsafter911,shecouldn'tswear
therewasn'tahiddenvideocamerainthetoilet,butsheriskeditanyway.
Thefirehadburneddownbuttheembersstillglowedinthestove.Sheaddedanotherlog
andsomepineneedlesforencouragement,closedthetemperedglassdoor,andwentto
bed.
Thesheetswerecoldatfirst,andfaintlymusty.ShesleptwellforthefirsttimesinceDavy
hadbeentaken.
ShebreakfastedinNewYork.Thesameshadowybasementstairsshe'dusedthenight
beforeputheronSullivanStreetandshehadahugepeargingermuffinandcoffeeatOnce
UponaTart.She'dbeeninD.C.longenoughtoshifthercircadianrhythmstotheeastcoast,
buthadsleptlateenoughthattherestaurantwaslessthanbusy.
Aftereating,shetookalongwalkuptoTwentiethonSixthAvenueandduckedintoKinko's
whereshepaidcashforenoughinternettimetosetuptheemailaccountrat8765.While
shewasloggedin,shesentatestmessagetoterrier8765lettingAndersknowtheaccount
wasactive.
Dogbreath,
Accountactive.Willcheckdaily,whenpossible.
Yourstruly,
Ratty
AftersendingitshebrowsedthenewsatCNNandABC,waitingfifteenminutesbeforegoing
backtoYahootoseeifhermessagehadbounced.Ithadn't.
ThetalkswereoffagaininPalestine.MorefightinginIndia.Inthemidstofaterrible
drought,Afghanistanwasnowflooding.SuccessfulexpansionofInternationalSpaceStation.
RiotinginZimbabwe,Argentina,andIslamabad.FivemorecarbombsinBaghdadandtwoin
Falluja.
Whenshewentback,notonlyhadhermessagenotbounced,therewasareplyfrom
terrier8765.
DearRatty,
Newsofmedicaltransportandbadboys.Andother.
Sincerely,
Dogbreath.
ps.7033452818afterseveneastern.
MilliejumpedtoD.C.beforemakingthecall,managing,aftersomethoughtandimagination,
Sojee'salleywayoffofHStreet,whereSojeehadfaintedintherain.Shehuddledthere,
hiddenbehindagarbagecan,andhitthesendbuttononhercellphone.
Thealleywayhadastreetlightoppositeitsmouth,butslightlydownthestreet.Agreatswath
oftheothersideofthealleywasawashwithlight,butMillie'ssidewasdeepinshadow.
Whilethephoneconnected,shepulledabundleofrecycledcardboardoverandsatonit,
leaningbackagainstthebrickbuilding.ThewasaringonthelineandAndersanswered.
"I'mimpressed."
Asmallrat,oralargemouseMilliewasn'tsureranalongthefarsideofthealley.Millie
pulledherfeetincloserandwatcheditdistrustfully."Whathasimpressedyou?"
"AteamofourguyswentintoDullesafteryoubutyoulostthem.Theywerewatchingallthe
groundtransportwithinminutesofyoubeingdroppedbutyouslippedpastthem."
Shestiffened."Wehadadeal!"Theratlookedtowardher,balancedonitshindfeetand
sniffingtheair.
"Ididn'tsendthem!ApparentlyI'mnotcompletely'intheloop'onthisthing.TheyLoJacked

77

myvehicle."Hepaused."TheynearlyfiredmeoffthecasebecauseIletyougotoground."
"Nowthat'stheNSAIknowandlove.Whydidn'ttheyfireyou?"Ifthatratcomesonefoot
closer,IswearI'llthrowthephoneatit.
"BecauseIstoodmyground,Isuspect.Ipointedoutthatwewereclearlystillcompromised
andthatIwouldn'tgiveyouuptoanybodyuntilwe'dcleanedhouseso,iftheywantedto
losecontactwithyou,theycouldgorightaheadandfireme."
Theratturnedbacktothefarwallandcontinuedtoanopentrashcan."Goodforyou.What
makesthemthinkIdidn'tflyout?"
"Youaren'tonanyofthepassengermanifestsandyouaren'tonanyofthesecuritycameras.
Howdidyougetoutofthere?"
Theratpoiseditselfandthenjumpedvertically,allthewayuptothetopofthecan.The
suddenmovementmadeherjerk.Ijumped,justliketherat.Shehadnoidearatscouldjump
sohigh.
ShehadpreparedananswerforAnders'squestion."Parkinggarage.Ipaidawomanthree
hundreddollarstodrivemeout.Isaidmyabusivealcoholicboyfriendwasaftermeandhe
waswatchingthetaxiandbusstands.Ihidonthefloorinthebackseat."Shebitherlip.She
hatedlying.
Theratwasoutofsightbutshecouldhearitrustlingthroughthetrash.
Helaughed."Verynice.Notthesortofthingonewouldreport.Youhavesomeplacesafeto
stay?You'renotusingyourplastic,Ihope?"
"GivemesomecreditImeancreditforsense.Whatwastheothernews?"
"Atbedcheck,Ms.Johnsonwasunconscious,bloodpressureverylowandheartbeatvery
fast.TheytransferredhertoD.C.Generalbutsheneverturnedup.Shortlyafterthe
ambulanceleft,anothercityambulanceshowedup,respondingtothecall."
Sheforgotabouttherat."Thefirstambulancewasafakeandsomebodydruggedher!"
"Looksthatway.We'llknowsoonenough.Beforetheytransferredher,St.Elizabeth'sdrew
blood."
"WhatonearthcouldtheywantSojeefor?"
Anderswasslowinanswering.
"Tellme!"Milliesaid.
"Theycouldwantintelligenceonhowmuchweknow.ConsideringhoweffectiveMs.
Johnsonwasindefeatingtheirattemptedkidnapping,theymaythinkshe'sanoperative,
someoneintheknow.Or,iftheyassumeshe'syourfriend,theymaywantherasalever,to
influenceyou."
PoorSojee."Idon'tsupposethefirstambulancehadanangelonthedoor?"
"Notthatanyonesaw.YoucallforaD.C.ambulanceandanambulancewiththerightcolors
showsuppeopleseewhattheyexpecttosee."
Milliethoughtaboutthedrugstoreclerkthenightbefore."Yes,don'ttheyjust."
"However,AngelofMercyMedicalTransportinEllicotCity,Maryland,ismissinganother
ambulance.They'rethecompanyImentionedlastnight,withtheangelonthedoor."
"Another?Didtheyloseonelastmonth?"
"Asamatteroffact,theydid.Lastmonth'svehicleturnedupinaparkinggarageatLogan
airport.Fourdaysafterthatnight."
"Boston?TheytookDavytoBoston?"
"Iseriouslydoubtit.Thesepeoplearen'tstupid.We'recheckingonit,though,andcross
checkingthemovementsofMr.PadgettandfriendsatBochstettlerandAssociates."
"Yousaidyouhadnewsofthem.Padgett?"
"NotPadgett.TheFBIagentheshotisstableandexpectedtorecover.TheBureauisnot
happy.

78

"ItturnsoutyourfriendfromtheNationalGallery,thewomanthatAgentMartingale
recognized,hasbeenassociatedwithBAinthepast.MissHyacinthPopeflewfromLoganto
BWItwodaysafterthesnatch."
"Whereisshenow?"
"Wedon'tknow."
"Youguysdidn'tfollowherfromtheMuseum?"
"Yes,butweonlyhadonevehicletailingPadgett'svanandhedroppedMs.Popebefore
movinginonyouandMs.Johnson.ThetailfollowedordersandstuckwithPadgett.That's
howwediscoveredtheywereuptosomethingmoreactivethansurveillance."
"DoyouthinkshewastheonewholefttheambulanceatLogan?"
"It'spossible.Oritcould'vebeenthelastlegofalongertripwehaven'tfinishedtracing
possibleflightconnections.HeroriginatingcitymightbewheretheyreallytookDavy."
"WhatareyouandtheFBIdoingaboutSojee?"
"Everythinginourpower."
Millietouchedhertonguetoherupperlip,thensaidimpulsively,"It'sjustthatIhavemy
doubtsthatahomelessmentalpatientwouldcommandtheirfullattention."
Theratappearedagain,attherimofthegarbagecan,andhoppedafoothorizontallytothe
nextcan.
Andersclearedhisthroatbeforesaying,"Perhapsnotusually,butrememberourinterestin
this.WhoevertookMs.Johnsonalsotook,asyousocogentlyputit,anationalintelligence
asset.Inaddition,theBureautakesaverydimviewoftheiragentsbeingshot.Mr.Padgett
definitelygottheFBI'sattention."
Millieshuddered.Shewasstrugglingwiththeunpleasantsensationofbeinggratefulthatan
FBIagenthadbeenshot.Threemoreratsweremovingalongthebaseofthefarwall.Ugh.
Timetogo.
"Anyothernews?"
Anderssaid,"No."
"Findthem!Bothofthem."
"We'reworkingonit."
Theratsswiveledaround,lookingather.Onecreptoutintothemiddleofthealley.
"Gottago."
Shejumped,notbotheringtodisconnectthecall."Rats!Yuck!"Hervoiceechoedoffthe
Aerie'srockwallsandsheshudderedagain.Thephonebeepedanddisplayed"SignalLost"
andthenthe"SearchingforService"message.Shepowereditdown.
Rats.
Goingtogroundwouldneverhavethatmeaningtoher.
TWELVE
Acupoftea,redux.
Davy'sheadfeltseveraltimestoobig.Itthrobbed.Hetookadeepbreathofairandhis
stomachheaved.Hestankalltheoldfamiliarodorsandhewasindangerofvomitingin
reaction.
Hetriedtopushhimselfintoasittingpositionbutsomethingwasawkwardwasn'tworking
right.Hisrighteyedidnotwanttoopen,buthislefteyeshowedhimthathewasinthebox
andthathiswristswerenowjoinedbyhandcuffs.Oneofhisoldchainswaspadlockedtothe
linksbetweenthewristcuffs.Theotherrantotheanklerestraintnowbackonhisleftleg.
Heusedbothhandstorolltoasittingposition.Hisheadthrobbedheavilyinresponse.He
touchedhisclosedeyebriefly.Hischeekandbrowwereswollenandtherewasacrustof

79

bloodwheretheskinhadsplitunderhiseyebrow.
Hisribshurt,too.Heliftedhisshirtandfoundadarkpurpleandbluebruiseonhisleftside.
Shekickedyoumorethanonce.
Hecheckedthetapeborderandfoundhewasn'tinthebox.Henearlyfellthefirsttimehe
stoodbutmanagedtostaggertothebathroomdoorinakindofcontrolledperpetual
forwardstumble.Leanforwardtothepointoffalling,step,repeat,repeat,repeat.
Hefoundthatwithonlyoneanklemanacled,hecouldstandintheshoweraslongashekept
theconfinedfootuponthebathtubedge.
Hedidn'ttrytoundressuntilhewasunderthestreamingwater,thenherippedtheVelcro
sideseamsapartandrinsedtheworstofitaway.Washinginhandcuffswasaproblem
especiallywhenheliftedhisarmstowashhishairandface.Hisribsscreamedandhe
managedtowashhisheadonlybyhunchingitdowntothehandsratherthanraisingthem.
Withthebloodwashedaway,hiseyelidscameunstuckonhisrighteyeandhewasableto
openit,thoughnarrowly.Hewashedcarefully,workingovereveryinchofhisbody.Heleft
theclothesforlater.Eventhoughhisusualsenseofpollutionwasstillmakinghimwantto
scrubandscrubandscrub,hisheadandribswouldnotsupporttheactivity.
Hetoweleddrycarefully,especiallyaroundhishead,butdespitethelighttouch,thetowel
cameawaybloodied.Whenhelookedinthemirrorhisfacewaslopsided,therightbrowand
cheekpuffedout.Thesplitinhisbrowhadreopenedunderwashingbutonlyseepingblood.
Hetookawadoftoiletpaperandhelditthereasheshuffledtothebedandlaydown.
Hethoughtaboutthescrewinthemattressbutknewthatthehandcuffswouldmakeitvery
difficulttoretrieve.Andwhatgoodwoulditdome,anyway?
Well,Icouldcutmythroat.
Itseemedthateverytimehefellasleep,they'dputhiminthebox.Despitethediscomfortof
hisribs,hestartedtopullthebedoverbutthecomputerizedspeakersaid,"No.Holdit.We
haveareasonfordoingthis."
Davypausedandstaredimpassivelyatthemirror.
Thevoicewenton."We'retryingtomakesureyoudon'thaveintracranialbleeding."
"Alittlelatetobetakingsomuchcare,isn'tit?"ForasecondDavyfeltguilty,becausehe'd
startedthecurrentconflict,buthestoppedhimselfquickly.Don'tgothere.Theystartedit
whentheysnatchedme.WhentheykilledBrian.Whentheystuckthisthinginmychest.
"Perhaps,"saidthevoice."Sincevomitingisoftenapostconcussionsymptom,we're
concerned."
"DidIvomitagain,aftershekickedme?"
"Ah.Soyourememberherkickingyou?"
"Oh,yes.AndshekickedmeagainafterIwasunconscious."
Thevoicewassilent.
Davyliftedhisshirtandshowedthebruise.
"Well,yes,shedid,"thevoiceadmitted."Butnotinthehead."
"You'reluckyIcanstillteleport.Youshouldconsiderthatthenexttimeyouturnherloose.
Allthiseffortwouldbewasted,wouldn'tit?"
Thevoicewassilentforamoment.Whenitcameback,thecomputerizedscramblerhad
beenturnedoff."Yes,itwouldbeveryaggravating.Getsomerest.Wewon'tbotheryou
beforemorning."Thevoicewasamaturebaritone."Perhapsit'stimewehadalittlechat."
TheybroughthimfreshVelcroedscrubs,anicepack,ibuprofen,andthekeytothehandcuffs.
Afterhehaddressed,thehooknosed,redhairedmancameinandsupervisedtwowomen
astheymoppedthefloorandchangedthebeddingandtowels.Theytalkedtoeachotherin

80

whatDavythoughtwasPortugueseandastheydepartedwithallthedirtylaundry,including
thesoiledclothingfromthebathtub,hesaidtheonlyphraseheknew,"Muitoobrigado."
Theylookedathimowlishly,duckedtheirheads,andsaid,"Denada,"beforescurryingout.
Theredheadbackedoutthedoorintheirwake,stillwatchingDavyuntilthedoorcompletely
shut.
Aswellyoumight.
Thefloorwasbarelydrywhenabutlerinblacktails,graywaistcoat,andpinstripedtrousers
pushedasilverteaserviceintotheroom.Twomaids,inkneelengthgraydresseswithwhite
eyeletcollarsandcuffs,carriedinatableandastarchedwhitetablecloth.Theyleftandtwo
footmencamein,eachcarryingaheavyformaldiningchair.Thetablewassetupatthelimit
ofthechain,onechairinsidethatcircle,theoppositechairbeyond.
Asthefootmenleft,theyheldthedoorforamanDavyhadneverseenbefore.
"Howdoyoudo?"Theman'svoicewastheunscrambledonefromtheloudspeaker,the
voicethathadsuggesteda"chat."Hewaswearingasuitthatwassoclearlynotofftherack
thatDavycouldn'tbegintoestimateitsprice.HisshirtwassowhitethatithurtDavy'seyes.
Hewasinhislatefortiesorearlyfifties,clearlyveryfit.Hisdarkbrownhairwassimplycut,
histemplesrecedingsomewhat.HecockedhisheadashewaitedforDavy'sanswer,andhis
noseandchinandlarge,slightlylinedforeheadmadeDavythinkofavulture.Forallofthat,
hewasahandsomeman.
Inanswer,Davytouchedtheswollensideofhisface."I'vebeenbetter,"hesaid.
"Iexpectso.Dosit."
ThebutlerheldDavy'schairfromtheleft,soitwouldn'ttanglewiththechain.Davysatand
thankedhimbeforefacingbacktohishost."Andyouare?"
"LawrenceSimons,Mr.Rice.Thisisoneofmyhouses."Simonssatbeforethebutlercould
getaroundtothatsideofthetable,sothebutlerturnedtotheteaserviceinstead,placing
cups,plates,clothnapkins,andsilverwareonthetable.
"AndisMissMinchinalsooneofyours?"
Helookedpuzzledforasecond."Ah,youmeanHyacinth."Hechuckled."Hyacinthwasnot
amusedwhenoneofhercolleaguesexplainedMissMinchin'sroleinALittlePrincess.Ms.
Popedoesworkforme.Forcertainjobsshe'sinvaluable."HegesturedatDavy'sface."Not
allthings,though."
Davynarrowedhiseyes."She'samurderer."
Simonsraisedhiseyebrowsandsaidmildly,"Well,yes.WhydidyouthinkIemployher?"
Thebutlerdidn'tmissabeat."Lemonormilk,Mr.Rice?"
Davysatstill,chilled."Milk,please,"hesaidafterabeat."Twolumps."
"Threeorfourifyoucountyourfaceandribs,"saidSimons,laughingbriefly.
ThebutlerhandedSimonshisteawithoutaskinghispreference,athinsliceoflemonfloating
inthecup.Heputthethreetierdesserttreewithinreachofbothandsaid,"Willtherebe
anythingelse,Sir?"
Simonsshookhishead."Nothankyou,Abney."
Davyheldhiscupbetweenhishands,savoringthewarmth.
ThedoorclosedbehindthebutlerandDavysaid,"Whatdoyouwant,Mr.Simons?"
"Ah.Wheretobegin?"Helookedmeditativeandtouchedhistonguetohislips,aquick
dartingmotion.Hetiltedhisheadagain."Thescones,Ithink."Hetookapastryfromthe
bottomtray."MayIrecommendtheclottedcream?"
Davy'sheadstillhurtabysmallybuthe'dalsoemptiedhisstomachrecently.LittleMr.
Bulimia.Hetriedanunadornedscone,chewingslowlyandcarefully."Iwasn'treferringto
thetea,Mr.Simons."
"Ofcourseyouweren't.Justmylittlejoke.AstowhatIwant,well,Iwantyourservices

81

youruniqueandundividedservices."
Davyobserved,"Normallythesesortsofarrangementsarehandledwithanofferofsalary...
notsurgery."
"You'dbesurprised,Mr.Rice.Quitesurprised.Inmyspherethesethingsareoftenhandled
bywaysotherthansalary.Addiction,forinstance.Fearofexposure.Afavorforafavor.
Sexualgratification."Hehelduponehandandflippeditover,palmup."Gunpoint."
Davyputhiscupdown."Clearlywemoveindifferentcircles."Hewasn'thungryorthirsty
anymore."Surelymoneyiseasier,evencheaperinthelongrun?Whydidn'tyoutrymewith
money?"
"Severalreasons,butthebiggestoneisthatIdidn'tthinkitwouldwork."Simonscrossedhis
legs."Iknowhowmuchyou'realreadypaidbytheNSA,andwiththatverycomfortable
compensationyouhavesetveryspecificlimitsastowhatyou'lldoforthem.Youdon'thave
enough...need.Yes,enoughneedformoneytowork.Yourscruplesaretoofine,yourneeds
toosmall.Afterall,what'stokeepyou,withyourabilities,fromtakinganythingyouwant?"
Hesmiledpleasantly."Weneededsomethingmorecompelling."
Davydidnotreplytothis.HehadbettermannersthanMissMinchinbuthewasmuch
scarier.
"ThisisnottosaythatI'munwillingtocompensateyouforcooperation.Wedon'thaveto
usejustthestick.There'sroomforcarrots,too."Hegesturedaround."Yourquarters,to
startwith.Iseelotsofroomforimprovement.Wehaveaprivatebeach,too.Idon'tseewhy
youcouldn'thaveaccess,providedcertainmeasuresweretaken."
"Whatsortofmeasures?"Davysaid.
"Well,I'vebeenquitebusyandmyinvolvementinthisprojecthasbeenataremove.But
nowthatI'monsite,Idon'tseewhyyouneedmorethantwotenthsofasecondtoreactto
awarning.I'vetimedseveralofyourreactionsyoudon'tneedmuchtimeatall.And,
withoutsomuchtimeonyourhands,you'relesslikelytogetinto...mischief."
"YoumeanmyencounterwithMissMinchinthatis,Hyacinth?"
"Yes,Hyacinth.No,that'snotthemischiefIhadinmind."Simonsshookhishead."I
appreciatethatencounter.Itgivesmeamuchbetterideaofyourcapabilities.Butscaring
theboysinthebooth"heturnedandgesturedattheonewaymirror"that's
mischievous."HefacedDavyagain."Andcompanionship.Wecouldarrangeforsomesortof
conjugalvisitfromyourwife."
Whataboutmywife?DavythoughtaboutdenyingMillie'sexistencebutiftheyknewhow
muchtheNSAwaspayinghim,theyknewaboutMillie,too."Ithinknot.You'dhavetriedto
useherasacontrol,already,ifyouhadher.AndI'mnotdoinganythingthatwouldputher
inyourpower."
Simonseyescrinkled."Delightful.Idealwithsomanystupidpeopleyouwouldn'tbelieve
it.Sorefreshing.Well,thevisitsdon'thavetobefromyourwifesomeoneofthesame
physicaltype,orperhapsnotthesametype,sinceyou'vebeentogether,what,ten,eleven
years?Youmightwantachange."
"I'llpass."
"Well,there'sHyacinth.Shehasabitofacrushonyou."
"Youaretookind.Really.No,thankyou."
Simonschuckled."Allright.Perhapshersexualattentionscanbesavedforthesticksideof
theequation.However,accesstovideo,books,television,anythingwithinreasonI'dbe
willingtoprovidethesethingsforalittlecooperation."
"Andwhatwouldthatinvolve,thiscooperation?"
"Justsometests,initially.Nothinginvasive.We'dliketoknowsomethingofwhatyoucando.
Iknow,forinstance,thatdistanceisnotanissueyou'vebeenknowtojumppeopleallover

82

theworldfortheNSA.Andthatyoucantransportanythingyoucanpickup."
Davydidn'tcorrecthim.Hecouldtakealmostanythinghecouldphysicallymove,hedidn't
necessarilyhavetoliftitfromtheground."Icanhardlytravelwhenthis"hetappedhis
chest"keepsmehere."
"Thatdevicekeepsyouwherewechoose.Butwecanchooseotherplacesevenanentire
rangeofplaces."
We?Curiouschoiceofpronoun.Perhapsheisn'tthetopofthisfoodchain.
Simonsraisedhisvoice."Wouldyoucomein,Dr.Conley?"
Afteramomentagrayhairedmanwearingalabjacket,glasses,andflannelslackscame
throughthedoor.Hewastheoldermanfromtheobservationroom,themanDavyhadseen
onlyforaninstant.
Dr.Conleynoddedtothembothandsaid,"Goodafternoon,sir.Mr.Rice."
Ah.Hehadbeenthemaninscrubswho'dcomeinwithMissMinchHyacinth,whenthey'd
reprogrammedtheimplant.Theglasseswerethesame,thevoicewasthesame.
"Dr.Conleywouldliketodosomeevaluationsofyourability.Somewhatdidyoucallthem,
Dr.Conley?"
"Benchmarks,sir."
"Yes.Benchmarks.Theydon'tinvolveanythingmoreexoticthatlettinghimtakesome
measurementsandwatchingyouexerciseyourtalent.Inreturn,I'llimproveyourliving
conditions."
Davyblinkedsuddenly,hiseyesburning.Gratitude?I'mfeelinggratitude?!Hedeliberately
recalledBrian'sfaceintherain,thehorriblyneatroundholeoverBrian'sunseeingrighteye.
ThismanaimedHyacinththewayHyacinthaimedthegun.
Hepouredmoreteafromthepot,concentratingonkeepinghishandssteadyandhisface
still.Headdedthesugarandpouredthemilkandclampedhisteethtogetherbehindaslight
smile.
Iwon'tkillforyou.Iwon'tputothersinyourgrasp.And,atthefirstopportunityIget,Iwill
destroyyouandyourentireorganization.
Hestirredtheteainthecup."Allright.Isupposewecangiveitatry."
TwohourslaterDavyfeltlikeSaraCreweinALittlePrincesswhen,afterbeingreducedto
monthsofservitudebytheperfidiousMissMinchin,sheawakesonemorningtofindthat
someonehasturnedhercold,bare,draftyloftintoaluxuriouspalace.
Andlookwhattroublethatcaused.
Hesatofftooneside,stillwearingtheanklerestraint,whileaseriesofliveriedservants
removedhishospitalbed(andthehiddenscrew)andreplaceditwithakingsizedfour
poster.InquicksuccessiontheyalsobroughtalargeTurkishrug,astandingwardrobe,a
bureau,aleatherrecliner,andanelegantwritingdeskwithchair.Mostofthefurniturewas
satinfinishedoakwithheavybrasspullsandwasmaneuveredwiththedifficultyofvery
heavyfurniture.
Theheadboardofthefourposterandthedrapesfromthecanopyhidthesheetofplywood
screwedtothewall.AnentertainmentcenterandawallmountedflatscreenTVcovered
mosttracesofthebrokenanddentedSheetrockwhereDavyhadflungtheblondmaninto
thewall.Andtherugandthebedcoveredmostofthetapedlinesonthefloor.Thetable
fromtheteaservicehadbeenclearedandsetwithitspairofchairsagainstthewallbythe
bathroomdoor.
Theresultingtransformationwascompletedbythehangingoffourframedprints:twolarge
landscapes,awatercolorbyWinslowHomer,andaflatprintofWesselmann'sTheGreat
AmericanNude.

83

He'dseentheHomerbefore,inabook.ItwasoneofhisKeyWestpaintings,threeblack
menhaulingtheanchoruponaschooner,sailsreadytohoist.He'dalsoseenthemolded
plasticoriginaloftheNudeattheNationalGallery.Itwasanoddwork,veryfewcolors
depictingaverytanblondewithextremepatchesofwhiteskinaroundherbreastsandhips,
twotonenipplesandaslightclusterofpubichair.Therewasthebaresthintofabelly
buttonandtheheadwasasimpleovaloutlinedinyellow,abrieflinetodefinethechin,and
tworedlipsaroundanareaofundefinedwhiteteeth.
Thenipples,themouth,andthegroinwerethemostdetailedpartsofthework.Eventhetan
linescreamed,"usuallycovered."Yettherewasnopersonality,norealindividuality,no
senseofperson.
GreatAmerican?TypicalAmericanmaleview.HewonderedifWesselmannhadintended
thisareflectiononobjectificationorifthepiecemerelydisplayedtheartist'sownviews.He
hopeditwasintentionalbutthoughtthepiecedatedtothemidsixtieswhensexismwas
morepartandparceloftheworld'sfabric.
Whenthestaffhadfinished,Dr.Conleycamebackin,rollingthecomputerstationthey'd
previouslyusedtoreprogramDavy'simplant.HeleftitoutsidetheradiusofDavy'sankle
constrainedrangeandhandedtheplasticpaddleonitstelephonecordtoDavy.
"Ifyouwouldbesokindastoholdthisoveryourthat'sright.Youremember."Heplugged
theunitinandbeganwhistlingquietlytohimself.
Davywantedverymuchtoseethemonitor'sface,butitwasnotonlyturnedawayfromhim,
ithadprivacyflapsextendingforwardalongitssidesandtop,screeningitscontentsfrom
anyonenotdirectlybeforeit.What'stheparameterrange?CouldIsetthedelaytosohigha
valuethatI'dhavetimetojumpawayandgetthedamnthingsurgicallyremoved?AndI
wonderwheretheykeepthecomputerwhenit'snotrighthere?Andfinally,wheredothey
keepthatportabletransmitterthatHyacinthPope(akaMs.Minchin)usedwhentheywere
welding?Withthatinhispossession,heshouldbeabletogoanywhere.
Dr.Conleycompletedhisadjustments,shutdownthecomputer,andacceptedthewand
backfromDavy.Hesaid,"Excuseme,please.I'llbebackinamoment."Herolledthe
computertothedoorwhereitwastakenbysomebodyunseen.Dr.Conleyreturnedandsat
downatthetable.Davyjoinedhim,kickingthechainacrossthefloorpointedly.
"Sinceyou'veshortenedmy'leash'you'llbeabletounlockthis,won'tyou?"
Conleylookedathiswatch."Anotherfifteenminutesshoulddoit."
Davyfrowned.He'dexpectedayesoranonotthisdelay."Doesthedevicetaketimeto
acceptyourprogramming?"
Conleyexplained,"Mr.Simonswillbeairborneinfifteenminutes.Heisaverycautiousman.
Whenheisonsite,youwillweartherestraint.And"Hepaused,pursinghislips."Wewant
theimplantprogrammeroffsite,too."
Shit!Davysatbackandtriednottolethisdisappointmentshow."What'smynewintervalon
thepukometer?"
Conleytiltedhisheaddownandlookedathimforamoment,silent,overtheframesofhis
glasses.Hepursedhislipsandsaid,"IthinkthiswillworkifI'masdirectasMr.Simons.There
arethingsIcan'ttellyoubutIwon'tlietoyou.IfIcan'tansweraquestion,I'lljustsaysoI
won'tmakesomethingup.I'mascientistandassuch,I'muncomfortablewithlies."
Sciencewithoutvirtue...HethoughtaboutaskingConleyhowhefeltaboutvivisection.
Conleypushedhisglassesbackupandcontinued."Firstofall,youshouldknowthatI've
completelyremovedthedelayinterval.Youleavetherangeofthefieldandthegovernorwill
gofullon,nowarning,immediateconvulsions.You'veshownusthatyoucandomuchwith
little.Infact,that'swhyMr.Simonshasdecidedtoremovehimself.Evenwithnointerval,
he'sdecidedyouaretoodangeroustobeinstrikingrange."

84

Nowthatistoobad.Davysmiled,pointedly."Aren'tyouworried?Foryourself,thatis."
Conleylickedhislips."Frankly,yes.ButIaccepttherisk."
"Becauseofthepay?IforgotMr.Simonsdealsinallsortsofmotivations,doesn'the?What
ishisholdonyou?"
"Youarecorrectthatitisnotmysalary,"Conleysaid."Amongotherthingsmymotivationis
thischanceatnewscience.Becauseofthephenomenonyourabilityhasnoprecedentand
itsimplicationsforphysicsarestaggering."
Nowwhydoesn'tthatreassuremesaidtheguineapig?"Isthatyourreligion,then?Physics?"
Davyfeltareluctanttugofcuriosity.He'dreadeverythinghecouldofspeculationsastohow
teleportationwouldwork.There'dbeenasurprisingamountofworkdoneonitfor
somethingthatmostpeopleweresurewasimpossible.Therecentphysicsofthepast
decadeinvolvingquantumteleportationdidnotseemtoapply.Hewasfairlysurethathis
beingwasn'tdestroyedandrecreatedeverytimehejumped.Ifthatwerethecase,thenwhy
wouldmanaclesrestrainhim?"Andwhatdoyoumakeofthisphenomenon?"
Conleyopenedhismouthforamomentbutnothingcameout.Heshutitandlickedhislips.
"Idon'tknow.That'stheshortanswer.Isuspectagreatdeal,though.Whathaveyou
decided?"
"Bertholdrays,"saidDavy,withaseriousface.
Conleyraisedhiseyebrows."Asimple,'Idon'tknow'wouldsuffice."
Davywenton."PoincarnonEuclideanpocketuniverses.Zeropointvacuumholes.
Quantumtunneling.Enthalpicreversal.Gravitationaldistortionbystrangematterstars.
Violationsofcausality.Imaginaryrestmass.Scarletwomen.Ragtime.Jungleinstinct.Mass
hysteria."
ConleylookedoverhisglassesatDavyagain."Justso.Doyoualwaysbabblelikethis?"
Davysaidimpassively,"Theidlebrainisthedevil'splayground."
"Howdoyouteleport?Notthephysicsofittheactofvolitionwhatdoyoudothatcauses
thedisplacement?"
I'mcertainlynottellingyou.Helied."IstruggleveryhardtostaywhereIam...andfail."
Conleylookedbackoverhisglasses."Isthiscooperation?"
Davyrelentedslightly."Idon'treallyknowhowIdoit."Hepointedacrosstheroom."Ifyou
weretogoacrosstheroomtothelightswitch,youwouldn'tthinkaboutityoudon'tthink
aboutalltheindividualmovementsnecessary.Infact,ifyouactuallytriedtomicromanage
alltheactualmuscles,you'dprobablyfallrightover.Youjustdoit,correct?Youdon'tthink
aboutit.It'ssomethinglikethat."
Conleystoodup."Waitamoment,please."Helefttheroomandcamebackalmost
immediatelywiththekeytothepadlockwhichheputonthetablebeforeDavy.
Davypickeditupslowly."Mr.Simonsmustbeairborne."
"Quite.Youmaywishtogetdressed.We'lltakeawalk."
Davyunlockedtheanklerestraint."Dressed?"
Dr.Conleywalkedtothewardrobeandopenedit.Therewerehangingshirts,pants,two
suits.Hewalkedtothebureauandpulledopenthetopdrawerrevealingbriefs,socks,and
pajamas.
"You'velostalittleweight,Ibelieve,butifanythingdoesn'tfit,tellAbney,thebutler.He'll
takecareofit."
"NotMs.Pope?"
Conleyshookhishead."HyacinthisreservedhowdidMr.Simonsputit?She'sthestick,
buthopefully,she'llremainunused.She'saccompanyingMr.Simonsonotherbusiness."He
heldhishandout."Thekey,please."
Davyputitonhispalmandstartedtogivehimthelockaswell."No.Notthelock.Keepit

85

open,withtherestraint.You'llbeneedingit.Butrarely,Ihope."Hewenttothedoor."Ten
minutes?"
DavynoddedandConleyleft.
HethoughtaboutjumpingagaintoAdamsCowley,butthelastattemptwastoofreshinhis
mind.Hegaggedreflexivelyandclosedhiseyesandbreatheddeeply.Whenthenauseahad
passed,hetoreofftheVelcroedpajamasandthrewthemintothebathroomtrashcan.
ThebureauseemedtobestockedfromaLands'Endcatalogandyieldedapairofjeans,new,
yetwashedseveraltimestosoftness,crewsocks,graybriefs,andawhitepolo.Headdeda
navyoversizedcrewsweaterandwastryingtochoosebetweentheleatherdeckshoesanda
pairofwhitecourttennieswhenConleystuckhisheadbackin,hislabjacketgoneanda
fleecesweateroverhisarm.
"Wherearewewalking?"
"Thebeach.Andonthewaybackwemighttryanexperiment."
Davypickedthetennisshoes.They'dgottenthesizeright,evenaccountingforhistripleE
widthandhighinstep.Well,theyhadtheshoesIwaswearingwhenIwassnatched.
Movingwithoutchainsfeltoddand,again,hehadtroubleatthethresholdofthedoor,but
Dr.Conleywalkedonwithoutpause,andDavycaughtupinafewstrides.
Thistimetheyturnedawayfromtheelevatorandfound,attheendofthehallway,abroad
stairwithcarpetedstepsandanelaborateoakrailingleadingdowntwoflightstothenext
floor.
"FirstIneedtoshowyousomething."Conleyledthewaytoaroomthatmusthavebeen
rightbelowDavy'squarters.HeopenedthedoorandgesturedDavytoprecedehimintothe
room.
Atonepoint,Davysupposed,ithadbeenanelegantbedroom,butthefurniturewasgone
andtheoncepristineoakfloorwasscuffedandgouged.Whatdominatedtheroomwasa
column,fourfeetonaside,ofgray,roughfinishedconcrete,goingfromfloortoceiling.
Conleyspoke."So,thetransmitterandabatterybackupareencasedinthemiddleofthat,
thoughtherearewaveguidesthatprojectabove.It'sonhousepowerandit'sradio
controlledfromoffsite.Youmanagetointerruptthepowersupplyandadayortwolater,
whenthebatteryrunsdown,yourimplantisgoingtoactivate.Youinterferewithradio
transmissionorreceptionbymessingwiththewaveguideandtheimplantwillactivate.The
concreteisreinforcedwithatriplegridofoneinchrebarandyoucouldn'tgetitopen
withoutexplosives.Andthatwouldprobablywreckthetransmitterand"
"Myimplantwouldactivate."Davyfelthisstomachclench.Histentativeplanhadbeento
findthetransmitter,takeit,andescape."I'msurprisedthefloorsupportsthesucker."
Conleypointeddownanddrewanimaginarylineacrossthefloor."There'saloadbearing
wallthatcutsacross,rightbeneathit.That'swhytheychoseyourparticularroom."He
studiedDavy'sface."I'mnottryingtorubyournoseinitoranything.Ijustthinkit's
importantforyoutounderstandthesituation,sothatyoudon'tdoanything..."
"Stupid?"suggestedDavy.
Conley'slipstwitched."Illadvised."Heledthewaybackoutoftheroom.
Theywentdownanotherfloorandthentheywerewalkingdownthehallandturning,again,
pastthekitchen,pastthelaundryroom,tothecourtyard.
Theskywascloudyandtheglarewasworsethannocloudsasthebrightnesscamefromall
partsofthesky.Heblinkedastheysteppedofftheporchbutthecrisp,saltairfeltwonderful
inhisnose.Itcouldn'thavebeenmorethansixtydegreesFahrenheit.
Thechainwasstillthere.Someonehadcoileditneatlyuponthetopoftheconcreteweight,
butthepadlockandrestraintweregone.Davyhadnodoubttheywouldappearagainifhis
captorsthoughtitnecessary.

86

Conleypulledhisfleeceonwithoutstopping,pushedopentheirongateattheendofthe
courtyard,andwalkedout.Davyfollowed.Beyondtheshelterofthewalls,thewindwas
brisk.
"Didtheyjustpushtheoutputup?"heasked.
Conleyglancedathimsideways."Yourefertotheradiosignal?"
"Yes."
"We'vechangedthingsabit.Wewon'tbeusingthatdeviceyousawMs.Popeuse.
Unrestrained,youcouldsnatchitandgo.But,no,wehaven'tjustincreasedthegain."He
lickedhislips."Thatsignalisarelativelysimpledigitalkeytransmittedredundantlyonthree
differentfrequenciestominimizethechanceofaccidentalsignalloss.Topreventyoufrom
beingabletotakeatransmitterandrun,we'vesplitupthekeybetweentwodifferent
synchronizedtransmitters."
Davysawthegaragehe'dglimpsedearlierandagraveldrivethatledaroundthehousetohis
left.Conleyturnedtotherightdownagravelpaththatledawayfromthegarage,driveway,
andhousetoaraisedboardwalksnakingintotallsanddunes.
Conleysaid,"So,tooureast,wehaveatransmitter,andtoourwest."Hestoppedand
steppedofftheboardwalk,crouched,anddrewtwointersectingcircles,likeaVenndiagram,
inthesand.Conleyrestedhisfingerinthecommonlensshapedintersection."We'rehere,
wherethetwosignalsoverlapinsufficientstrengthandthekeyis"hemeshedthefingers
ofbothhandstogether"complete.Ifyouweretogotowardeithertransmitter,you'd
enterazonewithonlyapartialkey."Hedroppedonehand,leavingtheotheroutwithgaps
betweenthefingers."Andtheimplantwouldtrigger."
Well,scratchthatnotion.Davyfeltareluctantadmirationforthearrangement.Thesepeople
arenotstupid."Howdoyouknowwe'renotabouttowalkintoaVzone?"
Conleyfrowned."Vzone?"
Davyopenedhismouthandmimedstickinghisfingerdownhisthroat.
ThecornersofDr.Conley'smouthjerkedupbriefly."Ah.TheVeeeezone.Wehadsomeone
outherewithameter,checking.Ifwestayontheboardwalk,we'refine,andI'llshowyou
thelimitsandbounds,oncewe'reonthebeach."
"WillIstillgetaboundarywarning,whenIapproachtheedge?"
Conleypursedhislips."Wethinkso."
Theboardwalkroseonpilingsnow,liftingovertothetopsofadune,thenstretchedoveran
expanseofsaltmarshandopenestuary.Theirfeetthumpedhollowlyontheplanks.
"Thatis,we'renotsurewhatthedevicewilldosinceyouwillbemovingtowardaregionof
strongerfieldstrengthinonekey,evenastheotherdrops.Wethink,however,thatyou'll
havethesameincrementalincreaseinnauseaandperhapsthetingleinthethroat.Wehope
so."
Davycouldn'thelpsaying,"Howveryreassuring."
Conleyadded,"Perhapsitwouldbesafestifyoudidn'ttestit."
Theyreachedanotherduneontheothersideofthemarsh.Davycouldseethesea,now,and
thewindwasdeadoffshore,intheirteeth.Hishair,longerthanithadbeeninyears,
whippedaboutinthebreeze.Helookedleftandright.Therewereotherhousesinthe
distancebutnonecloserthanhalfamile.
"Howdidyouknow?"DavyaskedConley."Aboutthenauseaandthethroat?"
ConleyscratchedhischestandlookedatDavy."Didyouthinkwe'driskuntestedtechnology
onyou?"
"Ahsothereweretrials.FDAapproved,nodoubt."
ConleyturnedhisheadawaywithoutansweringandDavy,lefttohisimagination,
shuddered.Hefeltsurethetrialshadbeenmoreaimedateffectivenessthanatsafety.And

87

ifSimonsandhispeoplehadbeeninterestedinfiguringtheupperlimitsofpunishment,he
supposedatleastonepersontohavedied.
Theypassedthelastduneanddescendedaflightofshallowstairstothebeachproper.The
tideseemedoutandthesurfwasheavy.Largedarkrocksrosefromthewetsandsand
deflectedpoundingwaveshighintotheair.Thewater'sedgewasatleastanotherhundred
andfiftyfeetbutthewindcarriedspraytoDavy'sface.Thebeachwasdesertedasfaras
Davycouldsee.
"Seethoseflags,there?"Conleypointedatapairofstickswithflutteringfluorescentorange
bitsofplasticfastenedtotheirtops.Theywerestuckinthesand,nearthedune,totheirleft,
perhapssixtyfeetaway."Linethemupandtheydefinetheeasternborder."Hepointedat
anotherpairtotheirright,roughlythesamedistance."Thewest.Youcangorightdownto
thewater'sedgewithoutaproblem.Don'tgoin,though.Thewaterissuretodegradethe
signal."
Davyshivered,thistimefromthewindandspray."Ishouldthinkhypothermiawouldbeof
greaterconcern."
"It'snotalwayssocoldorwindy.Lotsofpeopleswimduringtheheightofthesummer."
Idon'tplantobeherethen."Canwegobacknow?"
"Certainly.Infact,whydon'tweteleport?"
Davylookedathim."Isthattheexperimentyouhadinmind?"
"Yes.Thoughtitmightyieldsomeinsights."
Davynodded."Okay.Watchoutforabrightlylittunnel.Ifyouseeit,stayawayfromthe
light."
"Oh,veryfunny,"saidConley,buthelookedabitunsure.
"Wecanwalkback,youknow."Davygavehimthechoice.
"No,Iwanttoexperiencethis.WhatdoI"
Davyjumpedbehindhim,liftedhimslightly,andjumpedbacktothe"box"intheroom.
"do."DavyreleasedhimandConleystaggered,droppingtoonekneeandcatchinghimself
withanoutstretchedarmonthefootofthebed.
DavysatinthedeskchairandspunitaroundtowatchConleystandbackup,anabstracted
lookuponhisface."Didyouseeanylight?"Davyasked.
Conleylookedup,anirritatedlookonhisface."Iwantedtouseastopwatch."
"Surelyyou'vetimedmyjumpswiththevideo."
"Notoverthatdistance.Besides,awatchbeingteleportedmightshowsomediscrepancies."
"Timedilation?"Davyshookhishead."Iwearawatchnormally.Nomatterhowoftenor
howfarIjump,itkeepsthesametimeastheU.S.NavalObservatory,moreorless."
"Ah,"saidConley.Helookedatthemirroronthewallandraisedhisvoice."We'redonewith
thebeachfornow."HeturnedbacktoDavy."Well,mustgomakesomenotes.Thisroom
andthebathroomarecurrentlysafeforyou,butanywhereelseinthehouseandthe
governorwillkickin.Abneywillbebringingyoursupperup."
Hestartedtoleave,butturnedbackatthedoor."Onelastthingaboutthegovernor."The
lookonhisfacewasanoddonealmostcompassionate."Youshouldknowthatithasanti
tamperfeatures.It'sboobytrapped.Youtrytoremoveittocutitoutit'llkillyou."
THIRTEEN
"Comeawayfromtheedge!"
AtoneendoftheAerie,framed,asmostthingswereinthedwelling,byoverloaded
bookshelves,stoodanentertainmentcenterwithatenyearoldSonyTV,astandardVCR,a
DVDplayer,andaspecialtyplayerfor8mmvideotapes.DavyandMilliewatchedthe

88

occasionalrentedmoviethere,butitsmainpurposewasasarepositoryofDavy'sjumpsites.
Earlyinhisjumpingcareer,he'ddiscoveredthat,unlessheusedasiteonaregularbasis,he
couldn'trecallenoughdetailtoreturntherewithoutsomesortofmemoryaid.Theresult
wasseveralracksofthirtyminute8mmvideotapeswithlabelssuchasNYC:CentralPark
WestbyMuseumofNaturalHistory,WesternAustralia:KalgoorlieBoulderTrainStation,San
Francisco:Metreon,andMoscow:TabulaRasaNightClub,28BereshkovskayaNaereshnaya.
Shewasbusyworkingherwaythroughtheplacesshehadbeen,especiallythoseinNew
EnglandthosethatmighthelpherinthesearchforDavy.Therewasnevermorethanafew
minutesatthestartofeachtapeDavydidn'twanttosearchthroughanentiretapewhen
hewantedtorecallajumpsiteandthirtyminuteswasthesmallestcommonlyavailabletape
size.
TheimageonthetapeshowedaclassicGreekrevivalbuildinginwhitestonewithfourDoric
columns.Largegoldenlettersadornedthefrieze:QUINCYMARKET.Theplazabeforethe
buildingconsistedofalternatingtenfootsectionsofflagstonesandoldbrick.Brightblue
marketumbrellasstretcheddownonesideofthebuildingandpeoplewalkedaroundin
shorts.OntheaudioDavy'svoicesaid,"FaneuilHallMarketplace.Theoverridingimpression
isbakingbreadandotherrestaurantsmellswithawhiffoftrafficexhaust."
Thiswasenoughtorecallherlastvisit,aneveningwalk,idlybrowsingthestores.Davyhad
eatenacookiefromKivertandForbesandshe'dboughtabeeswaxtaperatYankeeCandle.
ItwaslastSeptemberandthey'dbeencomfortablycooltherewhenitwassuffocatingback
inStillwater.
Shestoppedthetapeandjumped,appearingbehindthecolumnintheteethofacoldwind
thatwhippedaroundthecornerofthebuilding.Themarketumbrellasweregoneforthe
season.Sheshiveredandhurriedinsidethecolonnadewheresheboughtacalzonefrom
NorthEndBakery.
Thiswasthepattern.Watchatape.Oncesherecalledaplacewellenough,shetookthe
jump,thensatinthatplacesampledituntilitwasfirmlyfixed.Thisofteninvolvedfood,
perhapsaregionalspecialty:ItalianinBoston,astreetvendorhotdoginNewYork,apretzel
inPhiladelphia,apolishsausageinPittsburgh.
I'mgoingtogetfat.Butintruth,shemerelytastedafewbitesbeforeitwouldcloyinthe
mouth.Therewasnothingwrongwiththefoodbut,eversinceDavywentmissing,shehad
hadnoappetite.
Afteracquiringseveralsites,shejumpedtotheManhattanKinko's,whereshecheckedher
email.Andershadsentamessagerequestingacall."Anddon'tuseyourcell."Helefta
number.ShejumpedtoUnionStationinD.C.andusedapayphone.
"ThesecondambulancewasfoundabandonedinTiverton,RhodeIsland,asmalltownacross
theSakonnetRiverfromPortsmouth.Itsatfortwodaysintheparkinglotofthelocal
hospital.Thosewhorememberseeingit,thoughtitwasthereforatransfer,inorout.Finally
aStateTrooperputtheFBI'sbulletinandtheambulance'sVehicleIdentificationNumber
togetherandphoneditin."
"Northeast,again,"Millieobserved.
"Yes.TheFBIwentoverit.Therewerenounexpectedprintsandseveralsmudgesmadeby
fingerswearingrubbergloves,but,sincelatexglovesareroutinelywornbyemergency
responsepersonnel,thisisn'tconclusive.Noonesawwhohadlefttheambulance.They're
wideninginquiries,toseeiftheambulancewasspottedanywhereelseinthestate,but
nothing,sofar."
Millierepliedthoughtfully."Butitwasnortheast,again,liketheambulancefoundatLogan,
andit'snotunreasonabletoassumethatitindicatedatleastageneraldirection."
Andersagreed."Butthat'snotthemainreasonIcalled."

89

"No?"
"I'mbeingwatchedwithintheagency.Andsomeonewayabovemeisclampingdownon
thesearchforDavy.They'vereassignedresourcesanddiscouragedcontinuedmonitoringof
BochstettlerandAssociates."
"Areyoubeingmonitorednow?Aretheylistening?"
"No.ThisisaprepaidcellphoneIacquiredwithcashandfakestatsmonthsagowhenIwas
workingadifferentcase.Itwasacontingencyphonethatnevergotused.They'vegotyour
phone,though.Youputthenumberonallthoseflyerssothey'llhavetheESNfromyour
serviceprovider.That'swhyItoldyounottouseit."
"Don'tknocktheflyers.TheygotmeMs.Johnson.TheysuckedinPadgettandHyacinth
Pope."
"I'llgrantyouMs.Johnson.Wecan'tbesurethatPadgettandPopeweren'tpulledinby
othermeans.WhoeverknewDavywasmeetingBrianCoxprobablyknewwe'dmovedmy
surveillanceofyoufromOklahomatoD.C."
"MoreleaksfromtheNSA."Shedidnotmakeitaquestion.
Andersdidn'thesitate."Itmightnotevenbeleaks.Thewaythisisgoingdown,itmighteven
beanotherpartoftheagency."
"TheNSAkidnappedDavy?"
Anderswassilentforabit."Ifnotthem,thensomeonewithsomuchpull,theycaninfluence
theagency."
MilliereturnedtoBostonthistimetheunmarkedcircleofcobblestonestotheeastofthe
OldStateHouse.Shedidn'tneedavideotape.Itwasherimaginationthatrecalledthespot
notsomuchitsactualappearanceavividvisualizationoftheeventitmarked:theBoston
Massacre.She'dreadabiographyofCrispusAttucksasachildandvisitingthespotwithDavy
hadfixeditforeverinhermind.
Sheappearedinthemidstofatour.Severaltouristsgaspedandonestumbled.Shesaid,
"Excuseme,"andwalkedon.
Sheheardavoicebehindhersay,"Wheredidshecomefr"beforeitfadedintothetraffic
noise.
ShetookacabtotheBostonSouthStationandcaughtaMBTAcommutertrainto
Providence.Shedidn'tthinkitwasnecessarytotraveltoTiverton.Shethought,likeAnders,
thatitwasjustaplacetodumptheambulance.Butshedidn'thaveajumpsiteinRhode
Island.Davydid,butshe'dneverbeentheresohistapewasuseless.
ThetrainshetookstoppedseventimesbeforepullingintoProvidence,butonlytookanhour
andthreeminutes,total.Shecould'veflownmuchquickerorrentedacar,butthesethings
requiredidentifyingherself,andshedidn'twanttobepluggedintothesystem.Thevery
thoughtofitmadeherfeelasifelectronicfingerswererunningthroughherhairandtugging
atherclothing.
Sheshuddered.
InProvidenceshetookacabtotheharborfrontanddrankcoffeewhilewalkingbriefly
throughtheoldbuildingsoftheeastside.Shefoundanalleywaywithauniqueviewofthe
waterfrontandchoseitasasite.Shetrieditafewtimes,jumpingbackandforthtothe
Aerie,thendispirited,foundabenchoverlookingthewater.
Itwasperhapsfiftydegreesbutthesunwasoutandtherewasverylittlebreeze.Shesettled
inDavy'soldleatherjacketandscowledattheseagullsthatsettledexpectantlybeforeher.
WhatamIdoing?Wouldanyofthisrunningaroundreallyhelp?
Well,itkeepsmefromgoingcrazy.
Shedroppedthecoffeecupinatrashbarrelandwalkedwestalongthewaterfront,toward

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theRadisson.Amanturnedthecornerandrantowardherandsheflinchedbeforerealizing
itwasjustajogger.
Foramomentshe'dthoughtWell,Idon'tknowwhatIthought.Maybethatthey'd
recognizedme,evenifthisisn'twheretheysupposedmetobe.Ifshekeptworkingtheareas
whereDavywaslikelytobefound,someone,theNSAorBAdBoysorFBI,wouldrecognize
her.
Havetodosomethingaboutthat.
ShewentbacktotheAerieandpawedthroughthetapesuntilshefoundajumpsitein
London.ItwasfourP.M.there,butshefoundahairdresserinKensingtonHighStreetwho
wasavailableandwoulddowhatshewantedandforU.S.currency.
Sheleft,twohourslater,hershoulderlength,straightbrownhairgone,replacedbyash
blondhaircutmannishlyshort.Thestylist,ayoungwomanwithbluehairandseveral
piercings,askedforMillie'sphonenumberbutwastold,gently,"Tourist.Goingbacktothe
Statestoday."
ShethenmadeittruebyjumpingtoAlbuquerqueandvisitinganopticianonEubankand
Comanche.Sheknewtheplacebecauseoftimespentwithcousinswho'dlivedinthe
adjoiningsubdivisionnotbecauseitwasoneofDavy'shauntsbutsherecalleditwell
enoughtojump.ShetooktheprecautionofjumpingfirsttotheAerie,toequalizeherears,
beforejumpingtoAlbuquerque,amileabovesealevel.
Itwaswellshe'dcomewesttothemountaintimezone.Shehadtowaitahourforthe
opticiantoseeherwithoutanappointmentand,asthewomaninsistedondilatingMillie's
eyes,shehadtositinthewaitingroomwithhereyescoveredbeforeherpupilsrecovered
enoughtotrythecontacts.
Theyhadobviouslyimprovedthetechnologyinrecentyears.Thelasttimeshe'dtried
contacts,inherteens,she'dbeenunabletoinsertthemwithoutepicstruggles,orendure
them,oncetheywerein.She'dgivenupindisgust.
Now,afewblinks,anditwasasiftheyweren'tthere.Sheagreedtothedoctor'ssuggestion,
continuousweardisposables,designedtobewornfortwoweeks,dayandnight,then
thrownaway.Theyweregreentintedandwhenshelookedinthemirror,shedidn't
recognizeherself.
WhendidIlosesomuchweight?Thepastweekshadtakentheirtoll.She'dnoticedthe
looseningofclothingbut,withherlongbrownhairframingandpartiallyconcealingherface,
theextentofthechangehadgoneunnoticed.Now,withcheekbonesmorepronouncedand
chinsharpenedslightly,aswellasthechangestohairlength,hairandeyecolor,shelooked
likesomeonewhomightberelatedtoMillieHarrisonRice...butnotclosely.
Whichisbothgoodandbad.
Onemorelevelofchange,shedecided,wasneeded.AlaMoanashoppingcenterinHonolulu
washernextstep.Shelookedupatthesun,shiningdownthroughthepalmtrees,stillquite
highabovethehorizon.Iaminaperpetualafternoon.Sheshookherheadandyawned.She
wastired,herinternalclockwasstillsetsixhourstotheeast,andthoughitwasfouro'clock
inHonolulu,itwastenatnightinD.C.
Shehittheboutiques,buyingthingsshedidn'tordinarilywear:dresses,formalskirtand
jacketcombos,andpantssuits.Shetriedtoavoidanythingtoostriking.Hergoalwasnotto
benoticed.ButshewantedtonotdressasshehadinD.C.
AtHino'sHairstyles&Wigsshepurchasedabrownwigandhaditshortenedslightly,until,
wearingit,shelookedprettymuchasshehadbeforetheattentionsofthebluehairedstylist
inKensingtonHighStreet.
Herlastpurchase,fromLensCrafters,wasapairofglassesrightoffthedisplayrack,no
prescription."IknowitsoundsalittlestrangebutIweartheseframeswhenI'mnotwearing

91

mycontacts."Sheshowedthemherprescriptionglassesfromthepurse."Butmyclients
trustmemorewhenIwearglassesandI'minlongwearcontacts,now.IwantapairIcan
useoverthem."
TheclerkassuredMilliethatshe'dheardmuchstrangerreasons."Therearepeoplewho
wanttolookintellectualbutarecursedwithgoodeyesight.Also,actors.Womenwitholder
husbands.Andthenthere'ssafetyglasses."
Thesearesafetyglasses.Shepaidcash,jumpedbacktotheAerie,andslept.
Shehadthecabdropherafterthey'dpassedtheaddress.
TheofficesofBochstettlerandAssociateswerenot,asshehadoriginallysupposed,inD.C.
proper.Instead,theyoccupiedasmall,twostoryofficebuildingoffInterstate395in
Alexandria.
Itwasatwostorybrownbrickbuildingsurroundedbyahighwallofmatchingbrickwitha
mannedgate.Likealienflowers,bouquetsofvideocamerasadornedthecornersoftheroof
orstareddownoverthewallsonthinpylons.Thewindowswerenarrowslitsofmirrored
glassand,combinedwiththewall,madeMilliethinkofarrowloopssetinthesideofacastle
keep.
Shestudiedthebuildingagainfromtheroofofasixstorymedicalprofessionalbuildinga
blockover.
She'dtakentheelevatoruptofive,afloorthedirectoryshowedhadaninternalmedicine
clinic,twooralsurgeons,achiropractor,andanacupuncturist.Thewaitingroomswerenot
combinedandshehadnoproblemfollowingtheexitsignstoastairwelldoor.Thedoorto
theroofhadoneofthoseelectroniclatchesbrightlylabeled"AlarmWillSound,"butalso
containedawirereinforcedglasswindow,soshe'dbeenabletojumppastwithoutopening
thedoor.
NowshecouldtelltherewasaninterioratriumatBochstettlerandAssociatesthatseemed
deeperthanitshouldbeandthatwhatthebuildinglackedinwindowsontheoutside,it
morethanmadeupintheinteriorcourtyard,thosewallsbeingallglass,floortoceiling.
Therewasasinglerowofparkingaroundtwosidesofthebuildingthatheldsixteencarsand
threelimos.
Themedicalprofessionalbuildingshestoodatopwasthetalleststructureinthevicinityso
shefeltconfidentofherprivacy.Eventhesmallbull'seyewindowintheroofaccessdoor
wasontheothersideoftheelevatormachineshack,soifsomeonelookedoutthatwindow,
theywouldn'tseeher.
Shelookedatthesun.ThemedicalbuildingwassouthwestofBochstettlerandAssociates,so
thesunwasbehindherandtotheright.Binocularsarecalledfor.Behindhersheheardthe
whiningofelevatormotorsinthemachineshackandthemassiveventilators,thankfullyon
theotherendofthebuilding,kickingin.Shelookeddownatthegraypeagravelcoveringthe
rooftoptar.Andachair.
AtB&HPhotoinNewYork,sheboughtapairoftwelvehundreddollarbinocularsCanon
18by50AllWeatherIS.TheISstoodforimagestabilization.Thebinocularsmadethedistant
securityguard,sittinginhisglassedgatebooth,looklikehewasjustacrossacitystreet,and
theslightwhirringofthestabilizationprismsheldtheimagerocksteadydespiteher
unsteadyhands.Thebinocularsalesman,aniceHassidicgentlemaninblacksuit,hat,and
longcurlingsideburns,warnedhershe'dneedatripodtoholditsteadyifsheletthe
batteriesrunout,soshehadextradoubleAsinthepocketofDavy'soldleatherjacket.
Shefeltguiltyforspendingsomuchonthebinocularssosheonlyspentsixbucksonagreen
plasticpatiochair.
Threehourslater,herbuttaching,shewishedshe'dspentmoreonthechair.

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Shewascarefultonotethatthesunwasaboveandbehindher,sothelensesofthe
binocularswouldn'tgiveoffanytelltalereflections.Shealsostayedbetweentheroof'sedge
andalargerooftopventilator,keepinghersilhouetteofftheskyline.
TheBAdBuilding,asshewasthinkingofitnow(BAdBuilding,nobiscuit!),hadatleastone
floorunderground.Theatriumwasonefloordeeperthanthesurroundinggrass.Atthis
angle,Milliecouldseeintobothoftheabovegroundfloorsintheatriumandabouthalfway
downtheglassofthesubsurfacelevelaswell.Shecursedtheangles.Shewasgettingtoo
muchreflectionfromthewindowstoseemorethanoccasionalmovementandtoolittle
reflectiontoseethebottomoftheatrium.
There'dbeensomecomingandgoing,asshewatched,andnowtherewereseventeencars
intheparkinglotandthesamenumberoflimosasbefore,butonehadleftandanother
arrived.Thesecuritywastight.Thegatewasn'topeneduntilthesecurityguardhad
inspectedthepassengersofthecarand,once,he'dmadeonedriveropenhistrunkbefore
lettingthementer.
Whenthenewlimoarrived,itstoppedatthefrontdoorandapairofsecurityguardshad
comeouttoflankthecarwhileitsoccupant,atallishmaninanicesuit,walkedquicklyinside
beforethechauffeurcouldgetaroundthecar.Thechauffeurwaslefttoshutthedoor
beforehegotbackinanddrovethelimoaroundtooneoftheparkingplaces.
Shecursedthemanfornotlookingaroundashe'dwalkedin.Theonlydistinctivefeature
she'dnotedwasslightlyrecedingtemplesnothingextremeandtheperceptibleelegance
ofhissuit.
Theguards,stilllookingoutward,backedtowardthedoorwayand,onlywhenthemanwas
inside,didtheyturnandfollow.
Thiswasabigshot.
Shewonderedwhohewasandwhatheknew.
"Whatareyoudoinguphere?"
Shehadn'theardthedooroverthesoundofelevatormotorsandshedidn'tcatchthesound
ofthefootstepsonthegravelroofuntilthevoicewasalreadytalking.
Shestoodquicklyandturned,nearlyjumpingaway,butstoppingherselfintime.I'llhave
timetojumpifImust.Shestoodslowlyandlookedaround.
Therewerethreepeoplestandingthere.Atallblackmaninagraysuit,anolderguyin
maintenanceoveralls,and,inthelead,awelldressedwomanwithshortgraystreakedhair.
Millieblinked.ItwasBeccaMartingale,theFBIcounterintelligenceagent.
Milliewaswearingsunglassesandabaseballcap,jeans,andDavy'sleatherjacket.Sinceher
hairwasnowblondandveryshortshewasn'tsurprisedwhenBeccadidn'trecognizeher.
Thiswasagoodthing.
Timetogo.
Sheturnedherbackontheagents,tookasteptowardthefoothighparapet,andlooked
downattheevergreenshrubberyclusteredthicklyatthebottomofthebuildingseventyfeet
below.Shefroze.Fingerprints.Thegreenplasticchairwouldcertainlyhavehers,whereshe'd
carrieditfromthestore.
Beccamisinterpretedherhesitationandsaid,"That'sright.There'snoplacetogo.Come
awayfromtheedge!"Millieglancedbackatthem.Theywereonlytenfeetawaynow.
Shetookaslidingsteptothechair,hookedherarmthroughthearmrest,andsteppedback
again,awayfromtheagents.
"DON'T!"yelledtheblackagent,hisarmreachingoutreflexively.
Shejumped,meaningtoclearthefoothighparapet,butthechairthrewheroffbalanceand
herheelcaught.Insteadofdropping,likeshe'dplanned,feetfirst,sheflippedoverand
plungedintotheopenspacebackwards.

93

Itwasremarkablylikethefirsttime,attheAerie,whentheanchorboltbrokefreeofitshole
andshe'dplungedtowardtherocks.
Sheflinchedbacktothecondo,tooflusteredtochooseadestination.Thechairbangedinto
thecarpetedfloor,wrenchingherarm,andshesworeoutloud,thenshuthermouthhard.
Therewasstillthepossibilityoflisteningdeviceshere.
IhopeIwasoutofsightwhenIjumped.
ShejumpedtotheAeriebeforeputtingthechairdown.
"Whatweretheydoingthere?"shesaidaloud."Couldtheyhavefollowedme?"
Togetthereshe'dtakenacabfromDullesandshesupposedtheycould'vespottedherat
theairport,butshereallydoubtedit.Shedidn'tlookanythingliketheMillietheyknew.
ButtheydoknowaboutBochstettlerandAssociates.Shenodded.Thatmadesensethey'd
gonetotheroofforexactlythesamereasonMilliehad.TowatchtheBAdbuilding.
Well,thatwasn'tsoscary,then.Theywerejustfollowingthecaseandthey'dchosenthe
samesurveillancespot.She'dbeenhalfafraidtheywerepsychic.
Andthatmeanstheyweren'tcalledoff.ShewonderediftheFBIwaslessvulnerableto
pressurefromabove.Orifit'sinsidetheNSAandthereforenotovertheFBI.Shehada
chillingthought.Ortheyhavebeencalledoff,butI'mnowtheobjectoftheirinvestigation.
Shebitherlipforasecond,thenshookherhead.No,thatwentabittoofartoward
paranoia.
Butnowthey'dbewonderingwhatonearthhappenedtothestrangeblondwomanafter
shewentofftheedgeofthebuilding.Shepicturedthemrushingtotheedge,expectingto
seeand/orhearherimpactthegroundbelow,andthenthesurpriseatseeingandhearing
nothing.Withanyluck,theywouldthinkMillie'sbodyhiddenbytheshrubberyandwould
wastemoretimepokingthroughthebusheslookingforit.
NexttimeIdosomethinglikethat,ImustseewhatIcandotoprovideabodytobefound.
Shewasbackinthemedicalprofessionals'buildingwithinthehour,wearingalongredwig
andakneelengthsweatertunicingreenandblack.Theredwigwentverywellwithher
greencontactsandshefeltconfidentthatshenolongerresembledeithertheoldMillieor
thefigurewho'ddroppedoffthebuilding.
Onthesixthfloortherewasapediatricneurologistwhosesuiteofofficeswasonthesideof
thebuildingfacingBochstettlerandAssociates.Thewaitingroomheldseveralchildrenin
poweredwheelchairsandafewmoreinlegbracesandcrutches.Milliealmostflinchedaway
fromsomuchpain,butstoppedherself.Therewasn'treallyanynoticeablepaininthe
roomthepainwasinherreaction.
Severalofthekidswereplayingaboardgame,albeitwiththeaidofattendingparentsor
homehealthaidestomovemarkers,spinthepointer,andturnovercards.Twoofthekids
withcrutchesweregigglinginthecorner.
Justkids,sheadmonishedherself.Iftheycouldn'twalkorevenmovefromtheneckdown,
theywerestillkids.
Therewasareceptionwindowbutthewomanseatedtherehadherbackturned,talkingon
thephonewhilesheflippedthroughastackofmedicalrecords.Milliewalkedtothecorner
ofthewaitingroomhiddenfromthereceptionist,andpickedupamagazine.
Agirl,strappedintoastandingwheelchairoperatedbyapuff/sipswitchbackedawayfrom
theboardgamewhichshehadbeenwatching,androlledovertoMillie.Shebroughtthe
chairtoahaltwiththefrontwheelsinchesfromMillie'sfoot.
Shehadblackbangscutstraightacrossthemiddleofherforeheadandenormousblueeyes
which,combinedwiththesilverframeworkofherchair,madeMilliethinkofaMargaret
Keanebigeyedwaifpaintinginachromeframe.

94

"Hello,"Milliesaid.
Awoman,seatedontheothersideofthewaitingroomandreadingabook,lookedup.
"Comeaway,Maggie,"shesaidmildly.
Millieheldoutherhandandshookitsidetoside."She'snotbotheringme."Tothelittlegirl
shesaid,"Myname'sMillicent.AndyournameisMaggie?"
"LiketheRodStewartsong.ThoughI'mmoreofapainintheneckthanthatwomanwas.
AndIdon'tpickupyoungermen."Maggiewasabletomoveherheadbutherarmshung
down,strappedtocushionedpadsontheframe."Idon'tpickupanything."
Milliehadthoughtthegirlsevenoreight,butnowconsideredrevisingthatupward."Whydo
youthinkyou'reapainintheneck?"
"Well.Whatdoyouthink?"
Millietiltedherheadtoonesideandnarrowedhereyesbeforefinallysaying,"Maybeyou
thinkyourparentshavetodotoomuchtohelpyou.Maybeyouloseyourtemper
sometimesandwon'tcooperate.Maybeyoufeelungrateful,sometimes,despiteallthestuff
youhavetohavedoneforyou.Maybeyoufeelnoonecanpossiblyunderstandwhatyou're
goingthrough."
Maggie,who'dbeensmiling,frownedatthis."You'reapsych,aren'tyou?"
"Afamilytherapist,"Millielaughed."Andyouareapainintheneck."
Maggienodded,solemnly."Toldyou."
"MayIaskhowoldyouare?"
Sheconsideredthisforamoment,finallysaying,"Youmay."
Milliewaitedforasecond,thensmiled."Okay.Howoldareyou?"
"Ten...intwomonths.Howoldareyou?"
"Thirtythree...inonemonth."Andticking."Whythewheelchair?"
"SoIdon'tlayaroundlikeathrowrug."
Milliesnorted,halfinvoluntarylaugh,halfsob."DidIsaypainintheneck?Imust'vemeant
anotherportionoftheanatomy."
"Allright.Swimmingpool.Deepdive.Shallowend.Iwasseven."
NowMilliewantedtocry,butallshesaidwas,"Ouch."
"Couldbeworse.Icanbreathebymyself.LookatChristopherReeve."
Thedoortothehallwayopened.Amanstuckhisheadinandlookedaroundthewaiting
room.MillietriednottofreezeitwasthelargeblackFBIagentwho'dbeenontheroof
withBeccaMartingale.Hesawhimlooktowardhercorner,thenpasson.Hespentmore
timestudyingAngie'smotherthananybodyelseintheroom,butthenshewassittingby
herselfandshehadbrownhair,likeMillie'srealhaircolor.Hepulledhisheadbackintothe
hallandletthedoorshut.
Millieexhaled.
Angieeyedher."Wasthatmanlookingforyou?"
"Whatmakesyouthinkthat?"
"Well...yousmiledbutyouheldyourbreathallthetimehewashere."
Perceptive."Ah.Well,I'mnotsurewhohewaslookingfor."Whichreallyistrue,if
disingenuous."IwishIhadakidlikeyou."
Maggielookedstartled."What?Broken?"
Millieshookherhead."Smart.Beautiful.Funny."
Maggiewrinkledhernose.
Anursecametothedoorandsaid,"MaggiePeterson."
Maggieblinkedhereyes."Gottago."Sheturnedthewheelchairwiththesip/puffcontroller.
"Nicemeetingyou,Maggie."Shewatchedherrolltohermother,thenbothofthemfollow
thenursebackintotheclinic.Shepulledoutsometissuefromherpurseandblewhernose.

95

Shesigheddeeplyandaskedherselfifshewassureshewantedchildren.Theanswerwasa
resoundingaffirmativeevenifthey'rebroken.
Sheliftedhermagazineandpretendedtoreadagain,checkingtheroom.Anotherwoman
eyedherbeforegoingbacktohelpingwiththeboardgame.Justcurious,Milliejudged.A
man,seatedbythechildrenwithlegbracesandcrutches,eyedhermorecircumspectlywith
mostofhisattentiontoherstockingedlegs,wheretheycrossedattheknee.Adifferentkind
ofcurious.Butnotoneshehadtoworryabout.
Millieignoredbothofthemandinsteadcheckedtheofficehourspostedonasmallplastic
signonthereceptiondesk.Todaytheclinicwouldcloseatfive.Iftheytookappointmentsall
thewayuptoclosing,shecouldhopethelastofthestaffandpatientswouldbeoutthe
doorbysixsixthirtyatthelatest.
ShewastemptedtowaituntilMaggiecamebackout.She'dbeleaving,anyway.Insteadshe
memorizedthecornershesatin,thenwalkedbackoutintothepublichallwayinthe
manner,shehoped,ofsomeoneseekingarestroom.
Shewasbackatseven,appearinginthecornerwhereshe'dtalkedwithMaggie.Shewas
dressedinwhatshethoughtofasninjachic:blacktennies,blackjeans,blackturtleneck,
blackgloves,andmasked,laninja,withablackteeshirt,hereyespeakingoutthroughthe
neckhole,theteeshirt'ssleevestiedbehindherhead.
Shefeltabsolutelyridiculous.
"Andso,Sheila,isJoerespondingtoyourrequestsformoreemotionalconnections?"
"No,andImusttellyouthatI'mhavingtroubletrustingatherapistwhowearsamask.Why
areyouwearingit?"
Whyindeed?Well,theanswerwasvideocameras.Shewasn'texpectinganyhereinthe
neurologist'sofficebutfromwhatshe'dseenofBochstettlerandAssociates,therewere
morecamerasaroundthantiedyedteeshirtsataGratefulDeadconcert.
Shewentlookingforawindowandwassurprisedtoseethatmostoftheexamination
rooms,eventhoughtheywereontheouterwall,didn'thavewindows.Shefinallylocateda
floortoceilingglasswallinastaffbreakroomandfoundherselfwithprettymuchthesame
viewoftheBAdbuildingasshe'dhadontheroofabove.
Sheliftedthebinoculars.
Thescenewasthesamebutthevideocamerasstoodoutnow.Theyweren'treallyanymore
visible.Shewasjustmoresensitivetothem,now.
Thereweretwoateachuppercornerofthebuilding.Therewerefourpylonsseteightfeet
insidethefencecornerswithtwocameraseach.Ontwooftheinnercornersoftheatrium,
attheroofline,twomorecamerastilteddownintothecourtyard.
Buttherereallydidn'tseemtobeanythingsurveyingtherooftop.
ThatIcansee.
Couldn'tbehelped.Ifshewantedtogetintothebuilding,she'dhavetoriskit.Itwasn'tasif
theycouldstopMillie,evenshouldtheyspother.
Don'tgetcocky.Davyhadalotmoreexperiencewiththisthanyouandtheycaughthim.
Itwasthisthoughtthatledhertocheckforotherobserversonadifferentroof.Theone
directlyaboveher.TheFBIhadareasonforbeingonthatroof.
Shewentupthestairsquietly.Shefoundthedoorshutcompletelywithnosignthatthe
alarmhadbeendisabled.ItslittleLEDwasshiningbrightly.Shejumpedpastitandpeeked
aroundtheelevatormachinestack.Nofigurescrouchedorsatatheroldwatchpostbut
therewassomething.Shewalkedcloserandlaughedtoherself.
Aweatherproofvideocameramountedonasandbaganchoredtripodpointeddownat
BochstettlerandAssociates.Acoaxialcablesnakedfromthecamerahousingtoan

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antennaedboxsittingbackfromtheedge.
Theywerewatching.Justnotinperson.Ittookheronlyafewminutesofscanningwiththe
binocularstofindtheVerizonphonevanparkedinanalleyahalfablockawayfromtheBAd
building.
Whattodo?Whattodo?
Ifshejumpedontotheroof,she'dbeinclearviewoftheFBIcamera.Itwasdarkoverthere,
butshe'dbetthecamerawaslowlightcapable.Theywouldn'tbeabletotellwhoitwas,but
they'dbeabletotellthatsomeonehadappearedonthatroofoutofnowhere.
Shestudiedherintendeddestinationagain.Thenbentdownandunscrewedthevideocable
whereitenteredtheantennaedbox.
Alltheycantellisthattheircamerawentdead.
Shejumpedintodeepshadow,crouchedonthegravelagainstadormantairconditioning
unit.Shestayedthere,movingonlyherhead,tryingtoseeifanyofBochstettler'scameras
werepointedacrosstherooftop.
ShefiguredshehadatleasttenminuteseasybeforetheFBIcouldgetbackupontheroof
andseewhathappenedtotheircamera.Longeriftheyhadtohuntupsomeonewithakey.
Sheduckwalkedtotheedgeoftheroofoverlookingtheinnercourtyard.Atnight,withthe
interiorhallwayslitandshiningthroughtheopendoorsintotheofficesliningthetopfloor,
shecouldseethroughthereflectiveglasseasily.Shepickedoneoftheofficesonthe
oppositeside,topfloor,andstudiedcarefully,throughthebinoculars.
Thiswasaharderjump.Itwasonethingtojumpfromonegravelrooftoptoanother.The
temperatureandwindandslightestwhiffsofdistantexhaustwerethesame.Therewas
somethingabouttheworldontheothersideofthetintedglassthatseemedunreal.She
exercisedherimaginationpicturingherownclinicbackinStillwaterasamodelforthe
hushedfeelingofacontrolledclimatebuilding.Herfirstattempt,however,putherthere,in
herownoffice,andsheheardthereceptionist,onthephone,intheotherroom,clearly
workinglate.Shereturnedtotheroof.Hernexttrysucceeded.
Shewasinalargeofficethatactuallywrappedaroundoneoftheinteriorcorners.Clearlya
poweroffice,withalmostalivingroomsuiteoffurnitureatoneendoftheLshapedroom,a
largeconferencetableatthebend,andanisolatedmassiveteakdeskattheotherend.She
tookadeepbreaththroughhernoseandnotedsomeofthedetailsofthecarpetandthe
threeabstractpaintingsonthewall,thenlookedatherwatch.
Onlyfourminuteshadpassedsinceshe'ddisconnectedthecamera.Shejumpedback,tothe
rooftopofthemedicalbuilding,andreconnectedthecableloosely.Anintermittent.If
anyonediagnosedtheunit,theymightthinkitasimplelooseconnectorandnotactive
sabotage.Sheheardtheelevatormotorswhineandjumpedbacktothebigcorneroffice,
herheartpounding.
Outofthefryingpan...
Shesettledagainstthewall,inthedarkestcorner,andlistenedtothesoundsofthebuilding.
There'dbeenfourcarsintheparkinglotandshewouldbetatleasttwo,ifnotmore,
belongedtosecurityguards.Probablymoresomeonehadtobemonitoringallthose
cameras.Therewasalsothepossibilitythatthosecamerasoutsidethebuildingmighthave
somebrethrenwithin.Sheheardthedistantsoundofavacuumcleaner.
Allright.Theyaren'tallsecurity.
Shelookedaroundtheroom,checking,inparticular,thecornersattheceiling,searchingfor
camerasandmotiondetectors.
But,theycan'thavethestaffcleaningandthealarmsactiveatthesametime.
Milliedidnotlikethecontentsofthedesk.Theywerelaidoutwithageometricpuritythat
wasalmoststerile.Oranal.Therewerenofilesinthedesk'sfiledrawers.Theonlypapers

97

wereblankstationery.Therewasanetworkedcomputer,asleekblackthingwithalargeflat
screen,andamatchingkeyboardandmouseunderneathonasilentlyslidingshelf.
Sheturneditonbutfounditpasswordprotectedonthehardwarelevel,noteven
proceedingtoboot.Sheconsideredjusttakingtheentirethingwithher.
Surelysomeonecouldgetatitscontents?
Thedistantvacuumcleanerhadstoppedandstartedseveraltimesbutnowitsounded
louder.Shegaveuponthedeskandtriedthetwodoorsattheendoftheoffice.Oneledtoa
smalleroffice,possiblyanassistant's,andtheotherwasalargecoatcloset,twoumbrellas
anddarkraincoathungfromtherodandontheshelfabovewasanattachcaseingold
anodizedaluminum,aHalliburtoncase,thekindthatscreams"stealme!"Herheartbeat,
slowlysettlingafterthetensionofherinitialarrival,shotupagain.Butthecasewasn't
lockedanditwasemptyexceptforacrumpledstickynotestuckinthecorner.Sheunfolded
itbuttherewasonlyatendigitphonenumberinthe508areacodefollowedbytheletters
"egctt9/22:30."
Shestuffedthenotedeepintoherjeanspocket,carefully,makingsureitdidn'tsticktoher
glovesasshewithdrewherhand.Shepeekedcarefullyoutsidethedoor.Thevacuuming
camefromalitofficethreedoorsdown.Eachofthedoorshadanameplatesetbesidethe
door.Sheglancedatthewallbesideher.Theplatesaid,"N.Kelledge,CEO."
ThevacuumcutoffandasmallHispanicwomaningreencoverallsbackedoutofthelighted
officecarryingatrashcan.Milliejerkedherheadbackintotheofficeandjumpedaway.
ShereturnedtotheAerietiredandfrustratedandinneedofabath.Sinceherunknown
enemieshadkickedinthehotelroomdoorinVirginia,she'dbeenmakingdowithsponge
bathsinthecliffhouseand,ofcourse,thestylistinLondonhadwashedherhairwhenshe'd
cutanddyedit.
Dammit!Aretheyoraren'ttheymonitoringthecondo?
Shefeltlikearrivingthereonfoot,unlockingthedoor,andseeingwhathappened.Who
wouldarrive?TheNSA,thepeoplewhokidnappedDavy,oraretheythesame?Shestill
believedthatAndershadnothingtodowithitbutshewasn'tconfidentthatitwasn'tsome
otherpartoftheagency.
Thethoughtofanotherbathinterrupteddecidedheragainsttheattempt.Shelooked
throughDavy'ssitetapesuntilshefoundonelabeledTenThousandWaves.
ItwasanhourearlierinSantaFeandherearspoppedpainfullyhardthespawasateight
thousandfeet.Shewalkeduptothespafromthelowerparkinglot,followingthefootpath
throughtheJapaneselandscaping.
She'dbroughtaswimmingsuitsinceshe'dexpectedtobeusingthenonreservedcommunal
tub,butthelasthourbathwasstartingintenminutesandoneofthesmallerprivatetubs
wasavailableduetoacancellation.Sheshampooedandwashedinthewoman'sshower
roomandworetheprovidedkimonotoherassignedbath,anacrylichottubsurroundedby
shojiscreens,exceptforitsuphillside,whichfacedonscrubpiontreestrainedbynature
andtwentyyearsofjudiciouscare,intobonsailikeperfection.TheNewMexicoskywas
studdedwithbrilliantpricksoflightandtherewassnow,inspots,underthetrees.
Shewasgladnottousethebathingsuitbutthehotwaterandicycoldairmadeherlongfor
Davy.Thelasttimeshe'dbeenherewithhimthey'dusedtheIchibanroomwhichhad
includedanindoormattress.Sheachedatthethought.Whensheclimbedoutofthetubshe
wasgratefulforthecoldairformorethanonereason.
ShecheckedoutandjumpedbacktotheAerietheminutethereceptionist'sbackwas
turned.
Underwear.ShehadclothingenoughintheAeriebecauseofhershopping,buther
underwearsuppliesweredepleted.TherewerecleanpantiesandbrasinStillwater.

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Shejumpedtothelivingroomofthecondoandlookedaround,nervously.Itwasquiet,as
usual,buttherewasastrangetickleinherthroat.Shesniffeddeeplythroughhernose.
Again,shefeltsomethingoddinherthroat.Shethoughtthattheweeklycleaninglady,
Lonnie,must'vechangedthefurniturepolishshewasusing.Milliedidn'tlikeit.
Theroomwasquitedark,onlylitbythediffusedglowofastreetlightshiningthroughthe
drapes,butshecouldtellsomethingwasdifferentatthefrontdoor.Shetookasteptoward
itandtheroomlurched,tiltedoddly.Shedroppedtoherknees,herrobeopeningwhere
she'dbeenholdingitshut.
Thedoorhadbeentapedshut,longstripsofducttaperunningaroundthesidesandtopand
triplewideatthegapbetweendoorandfloor.Shetwistedaroundandsawplasticsheeting
overthefireplace.
That'sodd,shethought,almostdreamily.Herlungsfeltheavy.Convulsively,shestabbedher
nailsintoherbarethigh,raking,knowingthefeelingofcalmwasanartifact.Itwasthelack
ofsensation,thelackofresponsefromhernervesthatfinallyawokeinherasenseof
urgency.
Inhalationanesthetic.
Sheflinchedaway.
ShefeltthegrittylimestonetextureofthebarerockoftheAerieflooronherknees,thenher
cheek,andthennothing.
FOURTEEN
MuguMan
FortwodaysDavylettheservantswaituponhim,jumpingdowntothebeachtwiceaday,
andlosinghimselfintheDVDcollection.Hetriednottothink.NotofBrianCox,notof
escape,notofhiscaptors,notofMillie.Foraperiodinthemorningandintheafternoon,he
performedforDr.Conley,jumpingtoandfromspecificlocationsinthecourtyardasConley
measured,recorded,andspeculated.
Hewasnotsurprisedtolearnthattherewasnoincreaseinlocalradioactivitywhenhe
jumped.Noranyotherelectromagneticfluctuations.However,anInfraredImagingCamera,
whenhejumpedfromtheshadeofawalltoasunlitportionofthecourtyard,showeda
slightincreaseintemperatureathisdeparturesiteandaslightdropathisdestination.Itwas
thebaresttenthofadegreechange.
"Thedifferenceintemperaturebetweenthetwolocationsisoversixdegrees.Theremustbe
somesortofleakagewhenyoujump."
Davynodded."Perhaps."Hisownexperiencetoldhimhewasn'tdisappearingoneplaceand
appearinganother,butthatagateopenedeversobriefly.He'dcapturedit,once,onvideo
tape,andwonderedifConleyhad.Hedidn'task,though.Hedidn'twanttogiveConleyany
ideas.
Thenextday,whenheappearedinthecourtyardatConley'srequest,hefoundastrange
apparatusconsistingofalarge,transparentfourfootcubemadeofoneinchthicksheetsof
plasticandheldtogetherbyaframeworkofpipeclamps.Davywentcloserandsmelled
aceticacid.Hesawthatthejointshadbeenheavilysealedwithatranslucentsubstanceand
thesmellconfirmedsiliconecaulk.
Thechamber'sonlyotherfeaturewasapairofplasticpipenipplesthreadedthroughthe
top.Onewenttoalargepressuregaugewitharangeof800to1200millibarsandtheother
wenttoarubberhosethatwentofftoasmallaircompressor.
Conleywaswaiting.
Davystaredatthechamberwithdisfavor."Doyouknowanythingaboutdivingphysiology?"

99

Davyasked.
"Alittle."Hepointedatthegauge."Thereadingisabsolute.Idon'texpecttoworkin
differencesofmorethan20millibars,soIdon'tthinkwehavetoworrytoomuchabout
poppingyourlungsoryoureardrums."
Davysteppedcloser.Thegaugeread1002millibarsbutDavyhadnoideahowclosethatwas
tonormalpressureatsealevel."Isitpressurizedrightnow?"
"Notabit."Conleypointedtoavalvemanifoldmountedonthecompressor."It'sopentothe
outside."
Davycroucheddownandjumpedintothebox.Itwaswarmerinside,catchingthesun,but
thepressure,asConleyhadsaid,wasthesame.Hejumpedbackout.
"Allright.What'syourplan?"
"Well,whydon'tIstartbypumpingsomeairintothebox,abouttwentymillibars.Thenyou
jumpintoitandwe'llseewhathappenstothepressure.Ifyourvolumejustappearsoutof
nowhere,weshouldseeaslightincreaseinpressureastheairinthechamberiscompressed
intoasmallerspace."
"Howmuchistwentymillibarsinpoundspersquareinch?"
Atruephysicist,Conleypulledoutacalculator."Uhm,pointtwonineohoh.Alittlemore
thanaquarterofonepsi."
Davysaid,"Icanlivewiththat."
HewatchedthegaugecarefullyasConleyswitchedvalvesandaddedalittleairintothe
chamber.ThegaugeclimbedmuchfasterthanConleyexpectedandhehadtobleedsome
offtogetdowntothedesignated1022millibars.Heshutthevalveandsaid,"There.Barely
halfaninchofmercury.Justanafternoonhighpressurezone."
Davyworkedhisjawlefttorighttoreadyhiseustachiantubes,thencrouchedagain.He
openedhismouthwideandjumpedintothechamberbutdidn'treallynoticeanypressure
differenceinhisears,thoughhefeltairmovethroughhishairforaninstant.Davyglancedat
Conleythroughtheplasticandsawthatthephysicist'sjawhaddropped.
"What?"heaskedConley,reappearingbesidehim.
"Thesecondyouappearedthepressuredroppedbacktoatmospheric.Itdidn'tincrease."
"Umm."Davydidn'tcomment.
Conleyfrownedathim."Yoususpectedthis,didn'tyou?"
"Notreally.MyearspopallthetimewhenIchangealtitudes."ButI'musuallynotchanging
toandfromsealedchambers.
"Let'sreverseit.Getin.ThenI'llincreasethepressureandwe'llseewhathappenswhenyou
jumpout."
"Nomorethantwentymillibars,right?"
Conleyhelduphisrighthand,palmout."Swear."
Davyjumpedbackintothecube.
Davy'searspoppedasthecompressorran.Bycraninghisneckaround,hecouldjustseethe
gaugethroughthetopofthechamber.Conleygotthepressureright,1022,firsttime,
withouthavingtobleeditbackdown.
Conleyshutthemanifoldandbackedaway,hiseyesonthegauge.
Davyjumped.Hisearspoppedagain.Helookedatthegaugeonthechamber.Itread1002.
Ashe'dsuspected.
"Ithinkyourgaugemustbebroken,"hesaidtoConley.
"Tunneling.Sothat'sit.Itmust'vebeenwarmandcoldairthatcarriedthetemperature
difference.Whenyoujump,airflowsthroughthehole."
Davydidn'tsayanything.
"Goputonsomeshorts."

100

"What?"
"Shorts.Nosocks.Noshoes.Please."
DavyreturnedbeforeConleyhadcompletedhisarrangements.Conleycarriedtwoplastic
dishpansoutofthebackdoorofthehouseandbehindhimcameoneofthefootmen,
carryingabucket.
Davystoodonthegrass,whichwascold,butnotascoldasthesidewalk.Conleyputthetwo
dishpansdownanddirectedthemancarryingthebuckettofilloneofthem.Thewater
steamedslightlyinthecoldairandDavywasrelieved.Atleasttheyweren'tusingcoldwater.
ConleydismissedthefootmanandturnedtoDavy."Allright.Let'sseewhatelsepasses
throughthehole."Hestuckarulerintothefulldishpan.Thewaterfilledthreequartersofits
volumeandtherulershowedfiveandahalfinchesatthewaterline."Standinthat,please."
"I'mgoingtocatchmydeath,traipsingaboutinshortswithwetfeet."
Conleysmiledgrimly."Catchingyourdeathmaybearealproblem,butitwon'tbefroma
cold."
Davysteppedintothewarmwater.Itroseslightlyoverhisankle.
"Good,"saidConley."Pleaseteleportintotheotherdishpan."
Davyobliged.Helookeddown.Therewasagoodinchofwaterinthepreviouslyempty
dishpanhewasstandingin.
Conley,backattheotherpan,wasmeasuringthedepthagain."Well,that'sinteresting,isn't
it?Isitflowingthroughtheholeorjustclingingtoyou,asortofsurfaceeffect,whenyou
jump?"HemotionedDavytostepoutofthetubandmeasuredthewaterdepth."Three
quartersofaninch.Backinplease."
"Thefullone?"
"No,thisone,"hepointedatthemostlyemptypan.WhenDavyhaddonethis,hemotioned
Davytojumpbackintothefilledtub."Teleportback,willyou?"
Davydidso.
"Conleystoopedandmeasuredthewaterinthemostlyemptytub."Aninchandahalf.The
waterisnotclingingtoyou.It'sflowingdownhill,fromdeeperwatertoshallow,throughthe
holethegate."HestaredatDavy,notasapersonstaresataperson,butasapersonstares
atanannoyingmystery."You'refoldingspace,"hesaid,accusingly."We'llneedagravity
gradiometer."
TheyputDavyinthebackofacargovan.
"You'rescaringme,youknow,"hesaidtoConley.
"It'sjustlikethebeach.We'vegottwosplitkeys,oneinacaraheadofus,onebehind.You'll
befine."
Davytappedthedoorofthevan."Metal.Faradaycage.Electromagneticinterference?"
"Ah."Conleypointedataloopofwirehanginginthemiddleofthevanceiling."I'verunan
antenna.Itconductsthesignalquitewell.Wehadatestrunthismorningoverthesame
route.Isatinsidewiththemeterandtherewasn'ttheslightestdipinsignalstrength."
"Youcouldhavetrafficproblems,"saidDavy.
"Duringtheoffseason?Don'tworry.You'renotsecured.Youcanjumpbacktoyourroomat
theslightesthintofnausea."Conleyshutthedoor.
Davysatatthefrontofthecompartment,hisbackagainstthebulkheaddividingthecargo
compartmentfromthedriver'scab.Theyhadn'tgivenDavyawatchbuthecountedoffthe
seconds.Therewerefiveminutesofbumpygravelroad,thentheyturnedontopavement.
Therewereafewstops,asifforastopsign,andonceastopstartstopstartthatwasclearly
afewcarswaitingtogothroughastopsign.
He'dcountedoutfifteenhundredsecondsbeforehefeltthevanturntightly,thenreverse.

101

ConleyopenedthereardoorandDavyblinked.Itwasn'tasbrightasheexpected.Thevan
wasinsideanairplanehangar.
Itwasprettyobvious.Anairplane,asingleengineutilitycraftwasparkedrightinfrontof
him.Therewasaweirdboomextendingaftfromthebottomofthetailsectionandthe
lettersonthepilot'sdoorsaid,"BHPFalconSurveySystem."
Conleysmiled."Weonlyhavethisforanhour.It'snottheexpense,butthefactthatthere
areonlyafewofthemandthey'reheavilyscheduled."
"Whatis'this?'"Davyasked.
Conleyledhimaroundtoanopencargodoorinthesideofthecraft."It'sanairbornethree
Dgravitygradiometer.They'reusingtechnologydeclassifiedacoupleofyearsagoa
navigationtoolusedbynuclearsubmarines.Theyuseittolocateorebodiesandmap
hydrocarbonreservoirs."
"Howsensitiveisit?"
"Perhapstoosensitive.Atonemeteritcandetectthegravitygeneratedbyathreeyearold
child."
Insidetheplaneamansatataconsole.Asquatblackroundeddiskwasmountedonthe
floor.Wiresledoutofgoldcoloredconnectorsandsnakeddowntheside.
"I'msurprisedyoudidn'tjustbuyone,"saidDavy.
Conleysighed,butbeforehespokethetechnicianattheconsolesaidinathickAustralian
accent,"So,thatvehiclewillbehereduringthetest?"
"Yes."
"Verywell.They'vesetupyourscreens,"hegesturedtowardthesideofthehangarwhere
Davysawthesortofstandingpanelsusedtomakecubiclefarmsinbigoffices.Theywereset
upinalongrow.
"Right,"Conleysaid."Whencanwestart?"
"I'vegottodoacalibrationrunwithyoulotatleastahundredmetersaway.It'lltaketen
minutes."
"Verywell.We'llbebackinfifteen?"
ThetechnoddedandConleyledDavytowardtheendofthescreensandaroundoneend.
Ontheotherside,astandarddoorwaywassetintothemuchlargerhangardoor.Whenthey
wereatit,butbeforeheopenedthedoorhesaid,"Jumpbacktoyourroom,right?Someone
willtellyouwhentocomebackhere."Hepointedatthefloorrightinfrontoftheexterior
door."Canyoudothat?"
Ratherthananswer,Davyjustdidit,appearingnexttothefourposterbedbackatthe
mansion.
TheclockontheentertainmentcentershowedfifteenminuteselapsedbeforeAbney,the
butler,cameintotellhimhispresencewasrequestedbackatthehangar.Davyjumpedin
frontofhim.Hedidn'tknowhow"trusted"Abneywasbuthehadn'tbeentoldtoavoidhis
talentinfrontoftheservants.Hehadamorbidfeelingthatthey'dallbekilledafterthis.
Conleywaswaitingforhim.Theywalkedbacktotheendofthescreen.Conleypointedouta
seriesofchalkedcirclesontheconcretebehindthescreen."Allwewantyoutodois,first,
simplywalkfromthiscircletothefarcircle.Slowly.Afterthat,teleportbacktothisfirst
circle,counttofive,thenextcircle,counttofive,thenextcircle,counttofive,etc."
HehadDavydoadryrunwhilehewatched."Right.Ihavetoclearoutsomymassdoesn't
interfere,butthetechnicianwillgiveyouthegoahead,allright?"
"Understood."
"Afterthelastjump,counttofiveandgobacktothehouse.Don'tcomebackherecauseI'll
haveturnedoffthekeys."Conleyleftbythedoor.Asitshut,Davyjumpedtoitandlooked
throughtherapidlyclosinggap.Allhesawwasastretchofconcreteandthenlowgreen

102

brushbeyond.Inthedistance,hesawabarnsilo.Itdidn'ttellhimmuch.Hereturnedtothe
firstcircle.Afteramoment,theAustralianaccentcalledout,"Readywhenyouare!"
Davydidtheslowwalktothefarcircle,thentheseriesofjumpswiththefivesecondpauses.
Hewaitedtheadditionaltimebeforejumpingbacktothehouse.
Andwhatdidthatprove?
Therewereheavywindsandthunderthatnight.Therainhadstoppedbydawn,butthe
wavesthunderedstillontothebeachthenextmorningandDavyspentagoodhour
watchingthempoundthesand.Itwastherapeutic.Hedidn'tknowwhichheidentifiedwith
morethesurf,ragingagainsttheimmovablestoneoutcroppings,ortherocks,taking
enormouspunishmentwithoutbeingabletostrikeback.
Withoutthinkingaboutit,herealizedthebeachfacedsouth.Itwasthesun'smovement
acrosstheskyandhismemoryofitspositionothertimeshe'dbeenthere.ThatfitsMartha's
Vineyard.
Conleyhadn'tbotheredhimafterthetestinthehangar.Norhadheshownupthatmorning.
Davywastorncuriousabouttheresults,yethappytobeleftalone.
Theykeptawatchonhim,whenhewasonthebeach.Nottopreventhimfromfleeingor
wanderingoutofboundsobviouslythegovernordidthatbuttokeephimfrom
communicatingwithanyone.
Beforetheygavehimclearancetogotothebeach,theywouldsendsomeoneouttositona
tallrockoutsidethesafezonewithaviewupanddowntheshore.Ifthebeachwasemptyof
people,theyswitchedonthekeytransmittersandtoldhimDavywascleartojump.
Thebeachwasprivate,withoutpublicaccess,buttherewerepeopleinsomeofthe
neighboringhouses,caretakersandstubbornwinterresidentssurfcastinginhipwaders,but
he'donlyseetheminthedistance.Iftheylookedliketheywerecomingdownthebeach
towardDavy,hiswatcherwouldspeakonhisradioandblowawhistletoletDavyknowthey
wereturningoffthekeysinthenexttwoseconds.
Davydislikedthewhistlealmostasmuchashedidtheearlierwavesofwarningnausea.In
fact,atthewhistle'sshrillcall,he'dfeelnauseatedbutwithoutthetelltaletingleinhis
throat.
Onlywhenhewasbackintheboxdidthesensationleaveoff.
Thismorningtheyblewthewhistlebeforelunchwhentherewasn'tanybodyvisibleonthe
beach,nearorfar.
Hestoodinthebox,breathingdeeply.Thedooropened.
ItwasHyacinth"MissMinchin"Pope.
Healmostdidn'trecognizeher.Shewasdressedinablacktailoredsuitthatconformed
tightlytoherfigure.Theskirtwasshort,midthigh,andthestockingswerepatternedlace
endinginhighheeledpumps.
Andherhairwasdown,fallingpasthershouldersinshiningwaves.
Iguessherbrainsdon'tfallout.Hefeltthatfamiliartugofdesiremixedwithfear,buthe
managedtokeephisfaceimpassive.
"MissPope."
"Mr.Rice."Shesaunteredintotheroom,theheelsmakingherhipsrollevenmorethan
usual,andperchedonthearmoftherecliner."You'vecomeupintheworld,Isee."
Davycouldn'thelphimself."It'smyrewardforthrowingyouaround.IwonderifIcouldwork
uptomyownbungalow?"
Shelaughedathimandcrossedherlegs.TheskirtinchedupandDavysawthetabsofa
garterbeltsuspenderhookedtothetopofthestocking.Sheleanedforward,causingthe
skirttoinchevenhigher.

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Davyswallowed."WhatmayIdoforyou,MissPope?"
"I'vecometofetchyouforlunch.Inthediningroom.Doyouwanttochangefirst?"Sheeyed
hisDockers,tennisshoes,andsweater.
"Isthisaformalevent?"
Sheshookherhead."No,justthoughtIcould...help."Shelickedherupperlip,aquick
motionfromonecornerofhermouthtotheother.
"I'llwashup,"Davysaid.Hetookoffthewindbreakerandhungitinthecloset,thenwent
intothebathroom,washedhishandsandface,andcombedhishair.
Forasecondhestaredblanklyathisreflectioninthemirror.Whatdoesshewant?He
wonderedifshewasbackinchargeandDr.Conleywasnolongerinvolved.
Whenhecameoutofthebathroom,shewasinthelounger,sideways,lookinglikealingerie
ad.Herbackwasagainstonechairarm,leftlegovertheother,rightlegstraightupintheair.
ShewassmoothingherstockingandherskirthadriddensohighDavycouldmakeoutblack
lacepanties.
Heswallowedhardandjumpedpasthertothedoor.Holdingitopenpolitely,hesaid,"Shall
we?"Thankfullythebackoftheloungerblockedthemoresalaciousparts.
Sheswiveledandstood,demurelysmoothingherskirtasshepassedhim.
Hedidn'twalkbesideherbutproceededbyjumps,firsttotheheadofthestairs,again
waitingpolitelyuntilshe'dreachedhim,thenjumpingtothelandingbelow,thenthesecond
floorhall,nextlanding,groundfloorhall.Heevenheldthechairforher.
I'mnotwithyou.
Shewaslookingathimwarilybythetimehesathimself.
Theyweretheonlydiners.LunchwasservedbytwofootmensupervisedbyAbneythe
butler.AbneypresentedawinebottletoDavyandheforestalledtheceremonybysaying,
"PerhapsMissPopewouldlendherexpertise."
Abneydidn'tblinkbutchangedtotheothersideofthetable,presentingthelabeltoMiss
Popeinstead.Shenodded,tasted,andeventuallyapprovedawhiteSptlesetogowiththeir
clamchowderandpastawithlobster,tomatoes,andherbesdemaquis.
WhenHyacinthasked,AbneyexplainedthattheMaquiswasathickunderbrushthatcovered
partsofCorsicaandtheherbsthatgrewtheregavetheislanditsnickname,"thescented
isle."
Theroundloafofhardcrustedbreadwashotfromtheovenandwonderfullysuitedto
soakingupthesauce.Davyconcentratedoneating.Finally,heasked,"Whathasbecomeof
Dr.Conley?"
Hyacinthpattedherlipswiththelinennapkin."Thegooddoctorhasgoneofftoconsultwith
colleagues.Apparentlyhislittleexperimentwiththeveryexpensivegravitythingieproduced
results.Lotsof'em.Heisinanalysismodeforthetimebeing."
Sheheldupherwineglassandoneofthefootmensteppedforwardandpoured.Shedidn't
evenlookathim."Whichleavestimeforus."
Davydidn'tlikethesoundofthat.Heraisedhiseyebrows.
Shetookaplasticprescriptionpillcontainerfromhersuitpocketandpusheditacrossthe
table."Takeone."
"Whatisit?"
"Doxycycline.We'regoingtotakealittletrip."
Helookedatthelabel.Itread,"Doxycycline,100mg.TakeOnceDaily,forthepreventionof
Malaria."
"Thetropics.Justthetwoofus?"
Sheshookherhead."Notexactly."
Toobad.Notthathehadanyromanticintentions.Ifheweretravelingwithjustone,they

104

wouldhavetousethecompletesignaltransmitterandhemightbeabletograbit.Instead,
theywereprobablygoingtodothatrovingsplitkeything,halfinfront,halfinback.Ifitwere
justHyacinthandhimself,hecouldconsiderpossibilities.
"Wherearewegoing?"
"Nigeria."
Theymadethejumpinthemiddleofthenextafternoon.
"It'llbedarkthere,now,"saidHyacinth,checkingherwatch.She'dchangedintokhakipants,
hikingboots,andaphotojournalist'svestoveracottonpolo.Shecarriedashoulderbagand
herhairwasbackupinitsusualtightbun.
Davy'dstuckwithjeans,tennies,andawhitecottonbuttondownwiththesleevesrolledto
theelbows.TheybothreekedofDEET.TherewasalwaysmalariatoconsiderinAfricaand
NigeriadefinitelyhadthechloroquineresistantP.falciparum,whichwaswhyshe'dgiven
himthedoxycycline.
"You'resurethekeysareinplace?"Hehadn'tmeanttoaskitwasalmostconvulsivebut
thefearofjumpingintoanareawithoutasafezonewasuncontrollable.
Thebastardshaddonetheirjobwell.
"Itoldyou.Theycalled.They'vebracketedtheterminalbuilding.Yousaidyoucoulddoit."
Sheputanedgeofderisioninhervoice.
Mr.Simons,Hyacinthinformedhim,hadsenttheteamouttwodayspreviously.
"Allright,then,"Davysaid.
ForDavyitwasroutine,buthefeltHyacinthstaggerashesetherdownintheterminal.He
steadiedherautomaticallyasshereactedtotheenvironmentalchanges:lighttodark,winter
centralheatingtoanairconditioningsystemnotkeepingupwiththehumidity,andthetotal
changeinsmells.
Thedarknookoffofbaggageclaim,normallyempty,wasoccupiedbythreeHausawomen
andachild,watchingaviolentthunderstormthroughtheglassdoorsoftheterminal.Davy
hadappearedjustbehindthemandsetHyacinthdownbeforethewomennoticed.
Afterherinitialstart,Hyacinthstoodquietly.Thenabrightflashoflightningstrikingoutside
theterminalfollowedimmediatelybyawindowrattlingthunderclapcausedthemallto
jump,Davyincluded.
Thewomengasped,almostscreamed,whentheynoticedDavyandHyacinthstanding
directlybehindthemandtheyscurriedaway,draggingthesurprisedchild,andcasting
frightenedlooksovertheirshoulders.
Hyacinthgaveahalflaughthenasked,"Whereisgroundtransportation?"
Davythoughtaboutdirectinghertothelonglineofsmallpickups,somewithshellsonthe
back,thatcrowdedfifteenortwentylocalsaboardforfiftyNairaeach.Insteadhepointedat
asetofdoorsacrossthebroadhallandtheystartedaroundtheedgeoftheroom,avoiding
thecrowdswaitingforluggageorpassengers.He'dbeenhereseveraltimesandwas
preparedwhenalarge,heavylocalmandressedinjunglecamouflagebattledressstoppedin
frontofthemanddemandedtheirpapers.
Hyacinthwasreachingintoherbag,probablyforabribe,Davythought."Don't,"hesaid
conversationally."He'snotarealofficial.It'sanextortionscam."
"Areyousure?"
"Hedoesn'thaverankinsignia.I'msure."
Theman,whoheardallthis,raisedhisvoice."Yourpapers!Now!"
Davyshookhishead."Perhapsyoucouldshowusyouridentification,"heraisedhisvoice
almosttoashout,"Mr.Barawo."
Peopleturnedattheword.

105

Themanlookedaroundandswore,thensnatchedatthestrapofHyacinth'sbagbutmissed
whenshetookastepbackoutofreach.Hemadethemistakeoffollowing.
Shekickedhimintheshin,thenbrokehisnosewiththeheelofherhand.Hestaggeredback,
drippingred.
Therewasastirfromtheotherendofbaggageclaimandtherealthingarrived:uniformed
andarmedNationalPolice.
Davygesturedatthemanholdinghisbloodynose."Barawo.Hetriedtostealherbag."
"Ah,"saidthesergeantincharge.Hegestured."Takehim."
Abystander,anotherlocaldressedinacheapsuit,said,"No.Sheattackedhim!"
Confederate.Davyshookhishead,thenlookedatthemanwiththebleedingnosestill
blinkingtearsfromhiseyes.Hemust'veweighedtwicewhatHyacinthdid.Thenpointedly
backatHyacinth.
OneoftheNPFsaid,"Abokinbarawo,barawone."
Themaninthesuitgulped,thenbackedaway."PerhapsIwasmistaken."
Davyaskedthepoliceman,"Whatisthatyousaid,aboutathief?"
Thesergeantinchargetranslated,"Thefriendofathiefisathiefalso."
"Usema."Thanks.DavyturnedtoHyacinth."Agiftherewouldkeepusfromhavingtogoto
thelocalNPFprecincttomakeastatement."
Shenoddedandtookherhandoutofthebag,somethingfoldedwithin.Shehelditoutto
themanincharge,asifsheweregoingtoshakehishand."Wearelateforanappointment,
Captain.Wereallyappreciateyourhelpinthismatter.Woulditbeallrightifwewenton?"
Thesergeantdidn'tcorrectherabouthisrankbutglancedsurreptitiouslyatthewadofNaira
notesshe'dhandedhim.Theywereeachofthefivehundreddenomination,about$3.80
U.S.each,butthewadwashalfaninchthick,folded.Hestuckthemoneyinhispocket,then
steppedbackandsaluted."Quiteallright,Madame.Wewilldealwiththismuguman."
"Nagode,"saidDavy.
Theywentthroughthedoors.TherewasatanGMCSUVsittingatthecurbwithtwoguards
huddledagainstit,theshapesoftheirassaultriflesshowingthroughtheirponchosasthe
rainstreamedofftheplastic.
ThereardooropenedasHyacinthsteppedout,andsheandDavydashedthroughthe
downpour,thenscrambledintotherearmostbenchseat.Agrayhairedoccidentalinkhakis,
seatedinthefrontpassengerseat,watchedthemastheyclimbedin.Thetwoarmedguards
followedthem,takingthecenterbenchseatandrestingtheirgunstocksonthefloor."Go,"
thewhitemansaidandthedrivergunnedtheengineandtheSUVmovedoutwithajerkthat
rockedDavyinhisseatandswungthedoorshut.
Davytwistedandlookedbackthroughtherain.AfewoftheNPFwerecomingoutontothe
sidewalk,perhapstotryaseparateshakedownoftheirownorjusttoseewheretheywere
goingbuttheyflinchedbackfromtherain.
Hyacinthsaid,"Whatdidhecallthatguy?Mugu?"
Davyleanedforwardandaskedoneoftheguards.
"Mugu?"theguardreplied."Bad.Evil."
Davyshivered.TheACwasonandhewaswetfromtherain,butitwasn'tthecold.Yes,the
manintheterminalhadbeenevil,butitwasasmallevil,lowercase.Hestoleandbulliedand
extorted"letmego"moneyfrominsecurepeople.
HelookedatHyacinth:herhairwasbackinthetightbunhe'donlyseenherwithoutonce.
Shewasevil.Herbosswasevenworse.
Theypassedtheairportsign.MurtalaMuhammadhadbeenaprettygoodleader,fora
dictator.He'dcutwaybackoncorruptionandseemedtobesteeringthecountryintosome
formofprosperitywhenabunchofsergeantsandlowrankingofficerskilledhimin1976.

106

Still,theynamedtheairportafterhim.
DavyhatedcomingtoNigeria.
He'dbeenhereseveraltimesbeforethedeathofSaniAbacha,thelastdictator.Onceithad
beenfortheNSAandothertimesforhimself,removingafewAmnestyInternational
personnelthrowninjailbythelateregime.Nigeriawasthesixthlargestproducerofoilin
theworld,yetithadthemostappallingpovertyandviolence.Abacha'sfamilygotoverthree
billionU.S.outbeforehediedofhis"heartattack"and,whilesomeofthemoneyhadbeen
recoveredfromtheSwissbanks,thebulkwasstillmissing.
TheSUVdidn'theadintoLagos.Davywasglad.He'dheardthattheroadblockswere
nowherenearasbadnow,butintheolddaysyouneverknewifyou'dbestoppedbythe
police,thearmy,oralocalgangintentonrobberyandmurder.Instead,thevehiclerounded
theairportontheperimeterroadandturnedintotheguardedgateatthecommercialair
operationsterminal,wherethecharterandoilcompanyairserviceswere.
Hewonderedwherethekeyswere.Hehadn'tseenanycarsprecedingorfollowingthem,so
theycouldn'tbeveryclose.Theymustbebroadcastingafairlystrongsignal.Ortheyhidboth
keysinthiscarandjustaren'ttellingme.
Oneofthehangardoorswasopen,atenfootgap,andtheSUVpulledstraightin,the
headlightsthrowingsweepingshadowsacrossthewallsasthepoundingoftherainonthe
SUV'sroofstoppedwithanabruptnessthatwasalmostshocking.
Hesawthreehelicoptersandasingleengineairplane.Aseriesofsmallofficeshadbeen
partitionedagainsttherearofthehangar.Thedrivercuttheheadlightsanditgoteven
darkerassomeoneshutthehangardoorandtheyallgotout.
Therainwasevenlouderonthehangarroofmorearea,lessinsulationanoppressivewall
ofnoise.Nobodytriedtotalkbutsomeoneswitchedontheoverheadlights.Theywereweak
fluorescentfixturesandtheresult,evenaftertheyflickeredcompletelyon,wasinadequate,
asiftherewasafilmovertheeye.
Atthefrontofthehangarthelocalwho'dpushedthehangardoorshutwaved,pickedupa
spindly,misshapenumbrellawithafewbrokenribs,andduckedoutintothestormthrough
asmalldoorsetinthegreaterhangardoor.
Themanfromthefrontseatlookedattheguardsandsaid,"Gentlemen,"andpointedatthe
doorway.Oneofthemensaid,"Weareheretoguard,nottostandintherain.Wewillstay
inside."
ThemaninkhakisaidsomethinginHausa.
Theguardslookedsurprised,thenlaughed.
"Andyouwillbepaid,"addedtheman.
Thetwoguardspulledupthehoodsontheirponchosandmovedoutintothestorm.
"Whatdidyousay?"Hyacinthasked.
"AHausaproverb:It'sanewthingforathieftoknockatthedoorbeforeentering.Thisway."
Hepointedtooneofthesmalloffices,thecornerone.Heunlockeditwithakey,reachedin
andflippedaswitch.
Thelightsinsidewerebrighterthanthepooronesinthehangaranditwasairconditioned.
Evenbeforehefelttheair,hesawthemoistureladenairofthehangarcondenseasitmixed
withtheairintheoffice,aswirloffog.Itfeltgood,though,whenthethreeofthemwere
inside.
Hyacinthintroducedhim."ThisisDavy.ThisisFrank."
Frank'saccentwasanoddcombinationofBritandAmerican.Hisskinlookedlikeworn
leatherandthewrinklesatthecornersofhiseyesspreadoutliketheNigerRiverdelta.He
shookhandswithDavy.
BackatthemansionHyacinthhadsaid,"He'sjustapilot.Hedoesn'tknowanythingaboutus,

107

oryou.YoutellhimanythingandI'llhavetokillhimandgetanotherpilot."
FrankworkedforInternationalAid.He'dbeenloanedtothemattherequestofMr.Simons,
afavorboughtfromtheboardoftrusteesbyaverylargedonation.
"Ididn'trealizetheweatherwassobad,"Hyacinthsaid.
Franksaid,"Notabigdeal.Thesearejusttheusualafternoonthunderstormslastingabit
late.TheMETforecastisclearaftermidnight."
"Isthatwhenyouwanttogo?"
"Ohonehundred."
Hyacinthlookedatherwatch."What'slocaltime?"
Helookedather,clearlypuzzled."It'sseventeentwentyeight.Didn'tyouchangeyourwatch
ontheflight?"
Hyacinthbegansettingthelocaltimeintoherwristwatch."No."
Frankasked,"Howlongwereyouattheterminal?"
Shenarrowedhereyes."Why?"
Hehelduphishands,placating."Sorry.Noneofmybusiness,but,whatwiththeweather,
everyinternationalflightinthelastfivehourswasdivertedintoAbuja."
"Ah,"saidHyacinth."Wellwedidn'tcomebythat,um,modeoftransport.We'llbebackat
ohohthirty,fortheflight,allright?"
"Youwantthecarandtheguards?Wedidn'tbookthemforatripintotownbutthey'llbe
gladofthework."
"Wheredoyougetthem?"Hyacinthasked."Isthereanagency?"
Helaughed."Youmightsaythat.They'reNationalPolice.Approximatelyhalftheforcein
Lagosisonhireasbodyguardswhiletheotherhalfrunsvehiclecheckpointstoscam'letme
go'moneyoutofpeoplewithimproperpapers."
Hyacinthmadeasilent"Oh"withhermouth."Don'tworryaboutthecarortheguards.We'll
makeourownway."
"Iwouldn'tgointotownwithoutthem,"Franksaid.
Davydidn'tblamehimforbeingworried.ItwasfourteenmilesintoLagosproper,notthat
thecityhadn'tspreadouttotheairportthereweremorepeopleintheareathaninLos
Angeles.
Hyacinthshookherhead."Wewon't."
Shelefttheofficeandwalkedalongtherowofthedoors,towardtheaircraft.Frankwas
staringatthemfromthedoorway,butsheignoredhiscomment,"There'snoexitbackthat
way."
Hyacinthturned,andwhensheturnedtopassbehindthelargerofthethreehelicoptersshe
glancedbackatDavy."Okay?"
"Letmegetmybearings."Davytookadeepbreathoftropicalflowers,aviationfuel,and
distantsmellofrottingtrash."Okay."
Hepickedherupfrombehindandshedeliberatelyrubbedherbuttagainsthiships.He
jumpedbacktothesquaretheroominthemansionandpushedheraway,blinkinginthe
betterlighting.
Shestumbledforwardtoregainherbalancethenturned,lookingdownathiscrotch."Do
youhavesomethinginyourpocket?"
Hejumpedpasther,tothedoor,andopenedit."Weshouldbothgetsomerestifwe're
goingbackinthreehours."
Sheraisedhereyebrowsandsaunteredtowardhim."Wecouldliedownforawhile,sure."
Heconsideredjumpingherdownstairstothediningroomandimmediatelyreturningtothe
roomalone,buttherewasnolockonthedoor.Hesighed."Leavemebe."Afterseveral
beatsheadded,"Please."

108

Sheliftedahandandputitonhischest,justoverthescar,andsmoothedDavy'sshirtwith
herfingertips.
"OrI'lljumpyoubacktoLagosandleaveyoutowaitintheairportterminal."
Thisgottoher."Youcan't.Thekeysaren'ton."
Heshookhishead."You'relying.Youhaven'tcommunicatedwithyourteam.Youdidn'thear
theweatherreportuntilIdid.Youcouldn'thaveplanneditinadvance.Thereweretoomany
dynamicfactors."
"You'reright.Ibetterseetothat."Shetookacellphonefromherbagandpushedabutton.
"Excuseme."
Sheleft.
DavythoughtaboutjumpingbacktoNigeria,beforeshehadachancetocommunicatewith
herteam,butwhatgoodwoulditdo?Assoonasshereachedthem,they'dshutdownthe
keysandhe'dbeforcedbackhere.
Wait.
FIFTEEN
"Don'tbestupid,Mr.Padgett."
Millie'scheek,whereithadrestedonthestone,wasnumb,andtherewasapoolofsaliva
stickingtoherchin.
Gross.Shewipeditwithhersleeveandcheckedherwatch.She'dbeendownforten
minutes,butshedoubtedshewould'vewokenupatall,ifshewerestillinthecondo.The
numbnessinhercheekwaswearingoffandwithitcameastinging.Shecheckedherfacein
themirrorbythebedandfoundshe'dscrapedhercheekwhenshe'dpassedout.
Lifeisentirelytoointeresting.
Shethrewoncleanjeansandadarkteeshirt,runningshoeswithoutsocks,andDavy'sdark
leatherjacket.ThenshegrabbedthebinocularsandjumpedtoStillwaterbutnotthecondo.
Sheappearedinthecityparkablockfromherplace,nexttothemerrygoround.A
streetlightshiningontheplaygroundequipmentcaststark,elongatedshadowsacrossthe
deadgrassanddirt.
Shestoodstillforamoment,listening,panningherheadslowly.Adogwalkedbrisklybyon
thestreet,anointedthebaseofasignallight,thentrottedon.Sheheardcarsonadjoining
streetsandsawtheirdistantheadlightsreflectingoffbuildings.
Shewentintothestandoftreesthatborderedtheparkandmoveddownthechainlinkfence
thatseparatedtheparkfromaconveniencestoreandthebackendofthesubdivisionthat
containedhercondo.Shejumpedtotheothersideofthefenceandthentotheroofofthe
gasstation.Anextralargefaadeonthefrontofthebuildingwaslitbythebrightlightsand
illuminatedsignsoverthepumpsand,asaresult,castadeepshadowacrossthegraveland
tarroof.Millieputthebinocularstohereyesandstudiedthetwosidesofthecondovisible
toher.
Shecouldmakeouttheentrancetotheparkinggarage,butnotthemainwalkinentrance.A
minivanarrivedasshewatchedbutsherecognizeditasoneofthefamiliesfromthefirst
floor.
Shethoughtaboutthegasinthecondo.Whatcouldtheyhaveused?Therewerethe
gaseousanestheticsbutshedidn'tknowmuchaboutthem.Exceptmanyofthemdepress
respiration.Ratherdangerousthingtoadministerwithoutcarefulattention.Hopefullythere
werepeoplecloseathandandsomesortofmotionsensors.
Howdidtheytapetheinsideofthedoorandgetoutoftheapartment?Theapartmentwas
moderatelyairtight.Sheetrockwallsandceilingwithtapedjoints,plywoodfloorcoveredin

109

carpetortile.Davyhadusedexpandedfoamatthewetwallwherethepipesenteredthe
dwellinginanefforttokeeptheneighbors'cockroachproblemfrombecomingtheirs.So,
thatleftthedoortothehall,thewindows,thefireplace,andthebalcony'sslidingdoor.The
windowsweretight,doublepaned,withrubberseals.
Shenoddedtoherself.Thepatiodoor.Theslidingdoorhadagoodsealtheymadesureall
thewindowswereshut,sealedthefrontdoorandfireplace,andleftbythebalcony.
Shejumpedbackintothetreesandwentwidearoundtheblock.Therewasatreetwo
streetsawayfromherpatiothatshe'dalwaysbeencuriousabout.She'dseenagirlanda
smallerboyplayinginitaftertheleavesfell.Whiletheleaveswerestillup,itwasscreened,
butnow,theleaveswerejustbudding.Shefoundtheappropriateyardand,afterseveral
attempts,jumpedintothetree,fromlowerbranchtoupperbranch,andfinallyclimbing
overthelowrailingontothesmallwoodenplatform.
Squattingdown,herbackbracedagainstthetrunk,shethoughtshecouldavoidsilhouetting
herselfagainstthecitylights,atleastasseenfromthecondo.Shefocusedthefieldglasses
ontheapartmentandfrowned.Thecurtainsweredrawnandtheredidn'tseemtobeany
lightsbehindthem.Shesighedandwonderedifthey'devenknowntheirtrapwassprung.
IfIhadleftthattrapIwouldbemonitoringtheplacewithlowlightvideo.
Maybetheydidn'tneedtocomecheckit.
Therewasaflickerofdarknessnotlight,butasifthewhitecurtainshadshiftedslightly.
Milliethoughtshe'dimagineditbutthenshesawitagain,theswirlofthecurtainpushed
aside,thenafiguremovedbetweenthecurtainandtheglassdoor.Thereflectiononthe
doorchangedslightlyasthedoorslidquicklyopenandshut.Therewasn'tmuchlightonthe
balconybutMilliecouldtellthefigureworeafullfacerespirator,liketheonesusedby
firefighters,completewithabackpackslungairtank.
Foronesecondshethoughtthepersonmightbealocalfirefighter,perhapsfromthecity
HazMatteam.Right.Wherearethelights?Thetrucks?Thecrowdofonlookersbeingheld
backbypolice?
Thefigurepushedhismaskupontothetopofhishead,thesupplyhosejuttingforwardand
downlikethetrunkofanelephanttrumpeting.Asthefigurepeeredovertherail,looking
down,andswiveleditsheadleftandright,thelightfromthecornerstreetlampshinedon
hisface.
Millieblinked,surprised.Whatishedoinghere?ItwastheMonk,Padgett,who'dshotanFBI
agentwhileescapingfromthesiteofMillie'sattemptedkidnapping.Well,it'snotD.C.The
FBIareprobablynotcombingthisvicinityasvigorously.
Hermouthfeltoddandsherealizedshehadpulledherlipsbackfromherteethwhichwere
grindingtogether.Shecouldn'thelpthinkingofthedayPadgetthadharriedherthroughthe
NationalGallery.
Sheexpectedhimtoclimbdown,todropontothegrassbelow,butinstead,Padgettreached
up,toclimbtowardthebalconyabovethethirdfloor.Hewasstrugglingabitandshe
thoughtitwastheSCBApack.
Perhapshewillfall,shethoughtwithaslightdegreeofhope.Shepursedherlipsandstudied
thedwellingabove.Therewasn'tanyoneelseonthatbalconyandthedoorwasshut
completely.Perhapshecouldbemadetofall.
IttookPadgettseveraltriestoswinghisleguptotheedgeofthethirdfloorbalcony.He
pulledhimselfupandhadjustachievedastandingposition,feetonthelipofthebalcony,
handsontherailing,whenMillieappearedonthebalconyandyelledinhisface.
Padgettrecoiled,anaturalenoughreactionwhenoneissuddenlyconfrontedwithafigure
andnoiseappearingbeforeyourfaceoutofnothing,butheprobablywouldn'thavefallenif
notfortheweightoftheSCBApack.Hetwistedashelosthisgripontherailing,andMillie,

110

suddenlyconsciousoftheconsequencesofPadgettlandingonhisback,theairtankbeneath
hisspine,feltherstomachlurch.
FortunatelyPadgetttwistedinmidair,managingtofaceoutwardandremainupright,butthe
soundofhisimpactwiththegroundwasbadenough.
Sheturnedandglancedintothecondothroughtheslidingglassdoor.Therewasaglow
againstthewall,likethelightfromaTVorcomputerscreen,buttheredidn'tseemtobe
anyoneelsewithin.Ifhehadapartner,theywould'vehelpedhimup,wouldn'tthey?
Shejumpedtotheground,herway,Davy'swaynotPadgett'sway.Itwasdarkbelow,for
thedistantstreetlightthathadlitthebalconyabovewasblockedatgroundlevelbyatall
evergreenhedge.
ThoughPadgetthadavoidedlandingontheairtank,itsweighthadslammedhimtothe
ground.Hismouthgapedashestrainedtobreathe,buthewasn'tgettinganyair.Shefelt
enormousguiltwashoverherandhopedhe'djusthadthewindknockedoutofhim.She
picturedbrokenribspuncturingalungoracrushedtracheablockinghisairway.
Shehovered,wonderinghowtogethimbreathing,whenhiseyesfocusedonher.Stillgape
mouthed,hisrighthandclawedacrosshisstomachtowhereagunhunginacliponcross
drawholster.ThememoryoftheFBIagenthe'dshotcameasshesteppedforwardand
kickedatthereachinghand.Shemissed,butthetoeofhersneakercaughthiminthe
stomachandthegun,halfoutoftheholster,felltothegroundashedoubledover.
Besidesknockingthegunoutofhishands,thekickinthestomachhadapparentlyjump
startedhisdiaphragm.Padgett'sfishlikegapinghadgonetoalabored,asthmaticwheezing
thatdidseemtobemovingairinandoutofhislungs.Milliedartedforwardandscoopedup
thegun,ablockyautomatic,thensteppedwellbackoutofrange.Shelookedatitand
shuddered.Shedidn'tevenknowwherethesafetywasorwhetheritwascockedor
chambered.
Icanalwayshithimovertheheadwithit.ShelookedbackatPadgett.Hereyeswere
adjustingandshemadeoutapairofhandcuffsinalooponhisbelt.Hopingagainthatthere
weren'tbrokenribs,shewalkedaroundhimandpushedhimflatontohisface,leaningdown
ontotheairtank.Hetriedtostrugglebackoverandshepressedthemuzzleoftheguninto
thebackofhishead.
"Don'tbestupid,Mr.Padgett."Shewasn'tgoingtotellhimthatherfingerwasnowhere
nearthetrigger.
Hefrozeatthegun'stouchandshefishedthehandcuffsfrombelowhiship.These,atleast,
sheknewhowtowork.She'ddoneaninternshipduringcollegeatthecountyjail
psychiatricevaluationsonincomingprisoners.Theyhadn'tbeenresponsibleforhandling
cuffsbuttheguardshadshownthemwhattodoinanemergencyandhadletthemplay
withthecuffs.OnceshehadbothofhiswristssecuredbehindPadgett'sbackshedouble
lockedthemwiththekeyshe'dfoundinhispocket.
Shestilldidn'tfeelincontrol,though.Themanprobablyknewadozenwaystoturnthe
tablesonher,handcuffsandall,soshesnakedhisbeltoutofhispantsandhogtiedhis
ankles.
That'sbetter.
Shewassurprisedthattheyhadn'tbeendisturbedbyaneighborcomingtoseewhatthe
noiseshadbeenabouteitherherscreamorthesoundofPadgetthittingtheground.The
nearestcondo'swindowswerelit,butthroughtheclosedwindowshecouldheara
televisionblaring.Ah.
Still,theycouldbeinterruptedatanyminute.
Shetooktheairtankoffofhim.Shehadtounthreadtheshoulderstrapscompletelybecause
ofthehandcuffsbutwasabletounbucklethewaistbelt.ShejumpedittotheAerieandput

111

thetankandfacemaskonthebed.Afterafewseconds'thought,sheputthegunontopof
thepropanerefrigerator.
WhatdoIwanttodowithhim?ShethoughtaboutdroppingPadgettinD.C.andcallingthe
FBIbutshewasn'tsurethatwouldhelpgetDavyback.TherewerecertainthingsthattheFBI
couldn'tdowheninterrogatingaprisoner.Ofcourse,legally,nobodycoulddothosesortsof
things,butMillie,atthispoint,waswillingtobreakthelawshejustwasn'tsureshecould
hurtanybody.
Well,shewasn'tsureshewantedtostrugglewiththeinjuredMr.Padgett,evenifhewas
boundhandandfoot.Shethoughtabouttheinhalantintheapartment.Right.
Shegaveupontherespiratorprettyquick.Padgett'sfacewaslargerandadifferentshape
thanhersandnomatterhowhardsheclinchedthemaskstraps,itstillleaked.
"Okay,"shesaidaloud."Betternottohavetocarrytheweight,anyway."
ShejumpedbacktoPadgettandfoundhimwigglingacrossthelawn.
Can'tbethatinjured.Shetookholdofthebeltaroundhisanklesandtugged.
Heyelled.
Oops.Perhapsheis.
"Ankle?"
Heswiveledaroundandbaredhisteethather."Bitoftroublewithmyknee."Almostasan
afterthought,headded,"Bitch!"
Shelookedaroundtoseeifanyonewasrespondingtohisyell.Nooneyet."Really,Mr.
Padgett.Language!"Shestoopedandgrabbedhimbyhisupperarms.Hewastoobigforher
topickup,butshethoughtifsheheldonhardenough...Shetookseveraldeepbreaths,then
jumpedintothecondo.
Heyelledagainwhenhefoundhimselfonthefloorofthelivingroomandshewasn'tsureif
itwassurpriseorshe'dwrenchedhiskneeagain.Shewasn'tgoingtoopenhermouthtoask,
either.
Padgettshuthismouthalmostimmediatelyandshecouldtellhewasholdinghisbreath.
Evenwithoutbreathing,theharshreekoftheanestheticreachedhernostrils.Shedoubted
thatPadgettcouldholdhisbreathverylongafteryellingashehad.Shereleasedhimto
slumpontohisside.
Milliefelttheneedtobreatheherself,nothingdesperate,yet,butshe'dknownher
destination.ShereachedacrossPadgettandtappedhisupperstomachwiththeheelofher
handinthesameplaceshe'dpreviouslykickedhim.Theairlefthiminaspasmodicgaspand
hebeganwheezingagain,thencoughing.
ShejumpedbacktotheAerieandtookadeepbreath,buttheanestheticthatswirledaround
herwasstillstrongenoughtomakeherdizzy.Shetookseveralstepsawayfromwhereshe'd
appearedbeforebreathingagain.
So,howmuchoxygenisinthecondo?HadPadgettdisplacedalltheairorwastheanesthetic
mixedin?Shewantedhimunconsciousbutshedidn'twanthimdead.
Shelookedatherwatch.Whenshe'denteredthecondounawareofthegas,ithadtaken
lessthanaminutetorenderherunconscious.I'llgiveitthreeminutes.
Shejumpedtotheswimminghole.That'swhatshecalledit,anyway.Itwasadeeppitafew
milesfromtheAeriewithaspringfedpoolinitsbottom,asmallislandinthecenter.Inthe
beginningofAugust,whenthesunbeatsdownonElSolitariolikeahammeruponaforge,
Davywouldjumphertheretoswim.Thewaterwascoldandcleareveninthehottest
afternoons.
Davyhadmixedfeelingsaboutswimmingthere.Hisfirstuseforthepithadbeentodeposit
aircrafthijackers.Oneofthemhadbeenwearingabombandblewhimselftochunks,which
Davyhadlaboriouslyremoved.Later,DavyhadimprisonedBrianCoxandRashidMatar,the

112

manwho'dkilledhismother,ontheisland.Itwasalsoherethathe'dfinallystooduptohis
father.
But,thenagain,thatwastenyearspast,andsincethattimethere'dalsobeenmanylovely
summerafternoons,swimmingnakedanddoingthingsthathadverylittletodowith
swimmingandeverythingtodowithbeingnaked.
Itwascoldinthepitanddark,thehighrockwallscuttingoutthemoonlight.Youcouldhear
thewindblowingabove,whistlingthoughtherocksamongtherim,butdownheretheair
wasstill.Therewerehard,glintingstarsdirectlyabove,andthewesternlipofthemouthof
thepitcaughtasliverofmoonlight,butdownonthebottomitwaslikethepoembyHenley:
OutofthenightthatcoversmeBlackasthepitfrompoletopole.
Shetookseveraldeeplungfulsofair,thenheldherbreathbeforereturningtoPadgettatthe
condo.Hewaslimp,hismouthslack,drooldrippingdownhischeek.Sheputhimonthe
islandinthepitand,usingaflashlight,emptiedhispockets,andpattedhimdown.Shefound
athinnerautomaticpistolinasecondholsterinsidehiswaistbandatthepitofhisback.She
staredatitlikeitmightbiteher,thensearchedhimalloveragain,beforeunlockingthe
handcuffs.
Inthelightoftheflashlight,lyingslackjawedonthecoldsand,helookedpathetic.
Shecoveredhimwithanoldsleepingbag.Oh,well.IcanalwaysgivehimtotheFBIifthis
doesn'twork.
BackintheAerieshepoppedherlipspercussivelyassheexaminedherbooty."PilferingP
adgett'sPocketsProducesPossiblePathto...to"Well,cluesandshit.
Hispocketscontainedaverysharpserratedsinglebladedknife;asetofkeys,whichincluded
anEnterpriseRentACarkey,aSchlagekeyofthekindcommonlyinstalledintheresidential
doorsathercondominiums,andthehandcuffkeyshehadalreadyused;sixhundredand
seventeendollarsincashheldtogetherbyamoneyclip;assortedloosechangetotalingsixty
threecents;andathinleatherwalletcontainingaGreatBritainphotodriver'slicense
bearingMr.Padgett'sfacebutnothisname,anAmericanExpressCard,abankcard,anda
healthinsurancecard.AllthecardsborethenameofoneRobertMauriceBurke.
Well,Mr.Padgett,IsupposeifI'djustshotanFBIagent,I'davoidusingmyownname,too.
Therewasalsoacellphonethathadthreetelephonenumbersstoredintherecentcall
activityandnothingintheprogrammedmemory.
Twoofthenumberswereinthe405areacodethatincludedStillwater,butshedidn't
recognizetheexchanges.The405alsoincludedOklahomaCity,too,though.Thefirstphone
numberhada508areacode.
WheredidIseethatrecently?
Shescrambledbacktowhereshe'ddroppedherdirtyclothesonreturningfromTen
ThousandWaves.Theyellowstickyshe'dtakenfromthebriefcaseinBochstettlerand
Associateswasinthefrontpocketofthejeans.Theareacodewasalso508.Infact,thearea
codeandtheexchangeofbothnumberswerethesame.
Itwasnowaftermidnightontheeastcoast.SheyawnedandthoughtaboutPadgett,lying
onthecoldsand.Oncetheanestheticworeoff,whichhadprobablyalreadyhappened,he'd
beprettyuncomfortable.Ifhiskneetrulywasinjured,itwouldbedifficultforhimtosleep.
Good.
Sheblinked,surprisedatherself.Ihadnotthoughtmyselfsuchawickedperson.
Butshemustbeforshefellasleepwithinminutesofputtingherheadonthepillowandnot
athoughtwassparedforthediscomfortsofMr.Padgett.
Shebrieflycheckedonherprisonerintheearlymorning,peeringathimthroughbinoculars

113

fromabove,ontheupperrimofthepit.Sometimeinthenighthe'dstirredhimselfenough
toclimbintothesleepingbagandzipitshut.Thesandyislandwaspoorlylitbyreflected
light,butshefinallydeterminedthat,thoughhiseyeswereclosed,thesleepingbagroseand
fellwithhisbreath.
ShesighedwithreliefandputthebinocularsbackintheAerie.
HernextstopwasaninternetcafontheupperwestsideofManhattan,where,bydoingan
areacode/exchangesearch,shefoundoutthatthephonenumbersinquestionwerefor
Edgartown,Massachusetts.AqueryatamappingwebsiteshowedherthatEdgartownwas
oneofthetownshipsontheislandofMartha'sVineyard.Oh,yeah.DavyandIbicycledthere
once.Wehadfriedclamsatthatclamshack,uh,TheBite.ThatwasinMenemsha,onthe
otherendoftheIsland.
ShezoomedwayoutonthemapuntilbothCapeCod,Nantucket,andalargechunkof
mainlandMassachusettsandRhodeIslandwerevisible.Thetwoambulanceswere
abandonedinNewEngland.OneatLoganinBoston.OneinRhodeIsland.Eachwasonlya
fewhoursfromtheVineyard,thoughtherewastheferrytoconsider.Buttheycould'veused
aprivateboatoraprivateaircraft.Orstuffedhiminacartrunk.
Onthechancethateitherofthenumberswasacommerciallisting,shesearchedonthe
entiretendigitnumber.TheonefromPadgett'scellphonecameupnilbutthenumbershe'd
foundontheyellowstickybelongedtotheEdgartownGolfClub.Shelookedatthesticky
again."egctt9/22:30."EGCEdgartownGolfClub.Herfatherhadgolfed.TTTeeTime?
September2,2:30P.M.
Shefeltastabofdisappointment.Agolfdateeightmonthsprevious.Whyshoulditmean
anything.
Whenallyouhaveisstraw,youclutchatstraws.
ShecalledfromD.C.,usinghercell.
Shegotavoicemailsystemtellingherthatthecoursewasclosedfortheseasonandwould
notopenuntilthefirstofJuneand,asthecoursewasamembersonlyfacility,guestsmust
beaccompaniedbyamember.Thenitgavehertheoptiontotalkwiththefacilitiesmanager
bypressingone.
"Tomhere."
"Hello,mynameisNancyBurquist.I'mabookkeeperassistingMr.Kelledge'stax
accountant."
"AndwhomightMr.Kelledgebe?"Tom'svoicewaspureYankeeVineyard.Shehadn'theard
theaccentinyearsbutitcamerightbacktoher.
"Mr.KelledgeistheexecutivedirectorofBochstettlerandAssociatesinWashingtonD.C.I'm
tryingtostraightenoutsomeofhisexpensereports."Shesighedloudly."He'sbeingaudited
bytheIRS."
Thevoicesoundedmystifiedandmildlyirritated."Andwhatwouldthathavetodowiththe
EdgartownGolfClub,Miss?"
"Heplayedgolfthere,apparently.I'vearecordforateetimelastSeptemberthesecondfor
twothirtyintheafternoon.Don'tknowifyoukeeprecordsthatfarback,butIneedtoknow
whohewasplayingwithsomybosscanjustifythegreensfeeandcartrentaltotheauditing
agent."
"Well,Imightbeabletofindthat.Itwon'tbeunderMr.Kelledge'snamesinceI'msurehe's
notamember.Canyougivemeafewminutes?I'llhavetogetlastyear'sbindersoutofthe
cabinet."
"Takeaslongasyouneed.You'rereallydoingmeafavor."
Tomwasbackintwominutes."You'relucky.We'vealreadythrownoutthefirsthalfoflast
year.YousaidSeptembersecond?"

114

"Yes.Twothirty."
Sheheardhimflippingpages."Hereweare.Twothirtyafoursome.Simons,Oh,my.Mr.
Simons.Mr.LawrenceSimons."
"Idon'trecognizethename."
"Uh."Tom'svoicechanged,becamemorebreathy,jovial."Ah,Iwasmistaken.Thatwas
threethirty.ThetwothirtyslotisforJones.Hmm.Don'tknowwhichone,wehaveseveralin
theclub."
Shefrowned."Couldyoufaxmethatpage?"
ThejovialitydrainedfromTom'svoice."I'mafraidnot.Ishould'verememberedthatit's
againstclubpolicytorevealthisinformation.Aviolationofmemberprivacy.You'lljusthave
toaskyourMr.KellogwhichMr.Jones."
"Kelledge."
"Whatever.We'reverybusyhere.Goodbye."Hehungupwithoutwaitingforaresponse.
ShewentbacktotheAerieandsearchedthetapearchiveforajumpsiteinEdgartownbut
theclosestshecouldfindwasthatspotinfrontofTheBiteinthetinyvillageofMenemsha,
ontheotherendoftheisland,almostasfarasyoucouldgetfromEdgartownandstillbeon
theisland.ShewentbacktoManhattanandboughtmorecomputertime.Asimpleinternet
searchrevealedhundredsofLawrenceSimonsbutaddingthesearchtermMartha's
VineyardorEdgartowncameupblank.
Still,it'sanisland.Howfarcoulditbe?
MapQuesttoldher15.21miles.
Sheboughtcoffeeandabaconandeggsandwichatadeliaroundthecornerfromthe
internetcafbeforejumpingbacktoWestTexas.Padgettwasawake.Hewasseatedatthe
water'sedge,wrappedinthesleepingbag,andonebarelegstuckoutfromunderthebag
andlayinthewater,wettoabovetheknee.
Millieshuddered.Itmustbelikeice.ShefetchedthebinocularsfromtheAerie.Theknee
wasdefinitelyswollen,evenwithoutthedistortionofthewater.Shereturnedthebinoculars
andfetchedabottleofibuprofen.
Shejumpeddowntotheisland,agoodtenfeetbehindhim,andputthecoffeeandbag
downsilently.Shejumpedtotherimagainand,judgingthedistance,shetossedtheplastic
bottleofibuprofendown.Ithitthewatertwofeetinfrontofhim,splashingsprayacrosshis
shirtandface.
Padgettjumpedandsworeashislegsplashedwaterintohislap.Helookedup,butMillie
hadjumpedtothefarsideoftherimandwasnowwatchingthroughagapbetweentwo
rocks.
Padgettpickedthebottleoutofthewaterandwaspeeringatthelabel.Hedumpedseveral
ontohispalmandsniffedit.Heputoneofthepillsonarockandusedanotherrocktocrush
itintopowder,thenusedawettedfingertiptotastethepowder.
Millietossedarock,thistime,tothudontothegroundbehindhim,neartheStyrofoamcup
andthefoilwrappedsandwich.
Padgettjerkedhisheadaround,hishandgoingtoafistsizedrockbesidehim.Milliewasn't
sure,foramoment,thathe'dspottedthefood,butthenhebeganscootinggingerlyacross
thegroundonhisgoodlegandhisarms,andshewassatisfied.
OnMartha'sVineyard,TheBitewasclosedfortheseason,andthewindeddieddownBasin
Roadandcutthroughthesweaterandbuttondownshirtsheworeliketheyweren'tthere.
Itreallywasabovefreezing,sheassuredherself,buttheairwasdampandharsh.Shewent
backforDavy'sleatherjacket,gloves,andahat.
BackonMartha'sVineyardshetooktheRouteFourbustoWestTisbury.Shehadtowait

115

almostanhour,there,tocatchtheNumberSixdownislandtoEdgartown.
Here,thewindwasworsethaninMenemsha,freshoffNantucketSoundandbuffetingher
asshewalked.LookingacrossthemouthoftheharbortowardtheChappaquiddickside,she
couldseegoodsizewavespoundingontothebeachthere.Whereshestood,onWater
Street,thewindwhippedbetweenbuildingsandcarriedstingingdropletsthattastedofsalt.
Sheconsultedhermapandheadedinland.Ittookhertwentyminutestoreachthe
clubhouseoftheEdgartownGolfClub.Itwould'vetakenherlesstime,butonce,headbent
toavoidtheviciouswind,she'dmissedherturnandhadtobacktrack.Assheexpected,it
wasclosedandlocked,butamanwasdoingsomethingwithatractorinthedistance.She
knockedloudlyandwhentherewasnoanswer,shelookedinthelargepicturewindow
overlookingtheputtinggreenandjumpedwithin.
Icouldcomebackatnight,shethought,thenshookherhead.Atnightshe'dhavetousea
flashlightorturnonthelightsandshe'dbeevenmorenoticeable.
Shefoundthememberrecordsinthebackofficeinagrayfilingcabinet.Simons,Lawrence
wasamemberingoodstandinghavingboughthistwohundredandfiftythousanddollar
membershipovertwelveyearsbefore.Theaddresshismonthlystatementswenttowasin
NewYorkCity,buthisqualifyingaddressmembershadtohavearesidenceonthe
VineyardwaslistedasbeingDriftwoodHall,GreatPondLane.Thelistingwasfor
EdgartownbutthatstreetwasnotonthesmallmapMilliecarried.Therewasnolocalphone
numberlistedbutshewrotedowntheaddressandphonenumberofhisplaceinNewYork,
a212areacodeManhattanandputeverythingbackasshe'dfoundit.
Shetookacarefullookoutthewindow.Themanonthetractorwasheadedthisway.She
thoughtaboutthenastywindswirlingdownWaterStreetamongtherestaurantsandthe
grayandwhitewhalingmansions,andshejumped.
"That'sdownbySouthBeach,"saidtheexpatriateBritishwomanwhowaitedonherat
DavidRyan'sRestaurant.Thefancydiningroomupstairswasstillclosed,butthepubonthe
firstfloorwaswarmandoutofthewindandthiswomangaveherEarlGreyinapotproperly
warmed."It'swestofthatbigresorthotel,theWinnetu.There'squiteafewexpensive
homesdownthere.Imean,evenexpensivebyVineyardprices."
"Howcomeit'snotonmymap?"
Thewaitressbentoverthepaperandtappedalineleadingtowardtheshoreline."That'sit.
Theonemarked'privatedrive,'thoughthereareseveraldifferenthomesoffofit.Butthe
firedepartmentinsistedtheyslapanameonitsotheycanknowwheretogo."
Milliewrappedherhandsaroundtheteapot."Howfarisit?"
"Fromhere?Three,fourmiles.Youdon'twanttogodowntherewithoutaninviteit's
gatedandtheyrunprivatesecurity.Themwhatlivestherelikestheirprivacy.Morehot
water?"
InManhattan,thewindsandtemperatureswerelesssevere,andMillie,warmedbythetea
andcomfortablyfullofabruschettasteaksandwich,finallystoppedshivering.Shebriefly
stoppedinaninternetcafandsentanemailtorat8765:
WhoisLawrenceSimons?
ShewalkedacrossCentralParktogettotheEastSide.
Mr.Simon'sbillingaddresswasonEast83rdbetweenMadisonandthehulkingmassofthe
MetropolitanMuseumofArt.Thehousewasafourstorytownhousefacedwithgraystone,
wroughtironwindowbars,andsecuritycameras.Sheswallowedhardandkeptwalking.The
housewasthreetimesaswideastheadjoiningbrownstonesandincludedtwostreetlevel
garagedoors.

116

Shehalfexpectedthedoorstoriseupandsquadsofwhitearmoredstormtrooperstocome
pouringout.
SheturnedsouthonMadisonwithoutlookingback.Shewasn'tworriedaboutthecameras.
Withthemuseumjustdownthestreettheymustgetthousandsofpeoplewalkingby.And
shehoped,withhershortblondhaircut,thatshelookednothingliketheMillieHarrisonRice
they'dhoundedthroughthatothermuseum.
Shereached81standlookedwest,backtowardthemuseum.She'dneverlookatanyart
museumagaininthesamewayafterthattimeintheNationalGallery.And,surprisingly,the
associationsweren'tallbad.Herimagination(andthemasters'work)hadprovidedherwith
ahostofallies.She'dlearnedsomethingaboutherinnerreserves.
AndwhatwouldmyalliesdoaboutoneLawrenceSimons?
ShecheckedonMr.Padgett,midday.
Hewastryingtomakeafirebythebowdrillmethodintheoldfirepitstillmarkedby
blackenedstones.Itdoesgivehimsomethingtodo.Stillshewasworriedabouthim.Itwas
probablyherveryrecentexperiencewiththenasty,coldwindsontheVineyardthatputher
insympathywithhim.
ShejumpedtotheAerieandtookfourpionlogsfromthewoodpileand,usingstring,
bundledthemtogetherwithsomeoldnewspaperandalongtippedbutanefireplacelighter.
Backatthepit,shepickedaspotwelltoPadgett'srear,jumpeddown,heldthebundleout
atarm'slength,andreleaseditasshejumpedaway.
Watchingfromtherim,shesawPadgettjerkaroundasthelogsclatteredtotheground,a
startledlookonhisface.
Thenexttimeshechecked,hewascrouchedclosetotheburningfire.
Hernextdeliverywasaportabletoiletandarolloftoiletpaper.Afterthat,asetofcrutches
purchasedfromathriftshop.Last,abucketoffriedchickenandasixpackofbottledwater.
Ineachcase,shewaiteduntilhewassettledandputtheitemsquietlydownsomedistance
behindhimandleftbeforehenoticed.
Examininghisfacethroughthebinoculars,shethought,Haunted.Helookshaunted.
Good.
SIXTEEN
"Goodeating."
ItwasthemostterrifyingplanerideDavyhadevertaken.
He'dwonderedhowtheyweregoingtodoit.Hedidn'tthinkthey'dputaplaneaheadand
behindhimwiththekeys.Instead,HyacinthgesturedhimintotheCessnaGrandCaravan
and,whenhewasinhisseat,shecuffedhimbytheanklestothebaseoftheseatbeforehim
andcoveredthechainswithasweaterfromhershoulderbag.
Hebrokeintoacoldsweat.He'dflownintoallsortsofremoteareasinallkindsofsmall
aircraftbuttheknowledgethat,intheeventofacrash,hecouldteleportaway,madethe
flightsmorelikeamusementparkridestheillusionofdanger,notitsactualmanifestation.
Shespokeintoaradioafterpocketingthekeytothecuffs."Romeoisfixedinspace.Bring
'emin."
AfewminuteslatertwomoreSUVspulledupontheconcreteapron.Twoguys,eachwith
shoulderbags,gotoutandwalkedacrosstotheplane.Frank,thepilot,doinghiswalk
around,askedthemtoputtheirbagsinthecargocompartmentandthentakethetwoseats
mostforward."Behindthepilots'seats."
Theplanewasconfiguredformixedduty,therearcargosectionwasseparatedfromthe

117

frontbyabarrierofnylonwebbingandthefronthadthetwopilots'seatsandsixpassenger
seats.
Frankshutthecargodoorandwalkedaroundtothepassengerdoor.Hecrouchedand
pulledupthelowerhalfofthedoor,withthesteps.Beforeheshutthetop,hesaid,"You
maytakethecopilot'sseat,ifyoulike,MissPope."
Sheaccepted,threadingforwardbetweentheseats.Frankwalkedaroundtheplaneand
enteredfromthepilot'sdoor.
TheywereairbornefifteenminuteslaterandoutoverthedarkstretchofLagosLagoon,
outlinedinlights.LagosIslandblazed,andthentheywerepasttheshorelineandoutover
theBightofBenin.Theyclimbedsoutheast,boundfortheNigerDelta.Thehalfmoon,low
onthewesternhorizon,castalongbrightfingerontheseabelow.
DavyhadneverbeentotheDelta.HisprevioustripstoNigeriahadbeentoLagosandthe
Federalcapital,Abuja.Belowfivethousandfeettheturbulencewassevere,buttheyreached
alevelofrelativecalmabove.TheACfinallycaughtupwiththehumidityandDavy's
breathingslowedashebecameconvinceddeathwasnotimmediatelyimpending.
Fiftyfiveminuteslatertheycrossedbackoverlandandbeganthedescent.Theturbulence
beganagainshortlythereafterandDavystartedsweating.
Ahead,theDeltawasonfire.Heknewwhatitwas,butitstilllookedhellish.Theylanded
alongastretchofasphaltroadlitentirelybyoneofthegasflares.Ittoweredintothesky,
severalhundredyardsaway,amassivepillarofflamereachingfullytwohundredandfifty
feetintotheair.Davycouldfeeltheradiatedheatthroughthewindow.Frankturnedonhis
landinglightsthoughhedidn'treallyneedthem.Assoonasallthreewheelswerebumping
acrosstheroad,hereversedthepitchonthepropandtheshoulderstrapbitintoDavy's
chest.
Theywereexpected.AtrioofToyotaLandCruiserswereparkedinthegrass,shortofthe
mangroves.Franktaxiedpastthem,thenreversedpitchagainandbackedtheplaneoffthe
road.
Davylookedcuriouslybehindhim.Hecouldseewateratthebaseofthemangrovesand
wonderedifFrankwouldbackitrightintotheswamp.Hetriedtorememberthepositionof
thelandingwheels.Heknewitwasatricycleconfigurationbuthecouldn'trememberhow
farbackthereartwowheelslay.
Itwasn'tasifthey'ddrown.Thewatercouldn'tbethatdeepandthemangroveswouldkeep
theplanefromsinkingin.And,providedhecouldgetthesecuffsoff,hedidn'tneedthe
planetogetbackhome.
TheturbinediedandFrankranthroughtheshutdownquickly,beforedroppingoutofthe
pilot'sdoorandwalkingovertotheLandCruisers.
Hyacinthpivotedinherseatandsaid,"You'llhavetwoarmedguardswitheachofyou.
Settingsasdiscussed."Shehadtoraisehervoicealmosttoashouttobeheardovertheroar
oftheflare.
ThetwokeyholdersthreadedbackpastDavy,fishedtheirbagspastthecargonetting,and
openedtheairstair.Asthefirstonewentdownthestair,Davyheardasquelchingnoiseand
amuffledcurse.
"Watchit.We'rerightontheedgeofthemarsh."
Bysteppingoffthebottomofthestairtowardthefrontoftheaircraft,thesecondman
avoidedthemud.ThetwomenwentaroundthefrontoftheaircraftandjoinedFrankatthe
LandCruisers.Frankdirectedthemeachtooneofthevehiclesandtheyclimbedin.Both
LandCruisersstartedupandmovedinoppositedirectionsdowntheroad.Theirpassage
raiseddustattheedgeoftheroad.
Ithasn'tbeenraining,here.

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Davy,alreadysweatingfromtheheatofthegasflare,feltasurgeofadrenaline.Whatifone
ofthemdroveoutofrange?Hewasstillcuffedtotheplane.
Slowly,Hyacinthmoveddowntheaisle.Shesatacrosshislapandleanedherchesttoward
hisface."Hotinhere,isn'tit?"
"You'repushingit,MissPope,"hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.
"Anditpushesback,"shesaidwithatwistofherhips.Butsherelentedandstood,rubbing
againsthim,thenknelttounlockthecuffs.Davyjumpedtotheshadowcastbytheflareat
therearoftheremainingLandCruiser,outofsightoftheclusterofmennearthepassenger
door.HesawHyacinthswivelherheadaroundsharply,lookingforhim.Hemovedoutofthe
shadowandleanedagainstthevehicle.
ShesawhimthenandclimbeddowntheAirstair.Hewashopingshewouldstepintothe
marsh,butshe'dbeenwatching,apparently,andjumpedlightlyforwardfromthestairand
avoidedthemud.Davysawnowthattherearwheelsoftheplanewereagoodsixfeetaway
fromthemarsh'sedge.Infact,theywereforwardoftheairplane'smidpointandhefigured
theengineandfueltanksmustmovethecenterofmasstowardthefrontofthecraft.
HyacinthgesturedtoDavyandtheyarrivedatthefrontoftheLandCruisertogether.
FrankwastalkingtoanAfricanincreasedkhakisinoneofthelocallanguages.Davydidn't
recognizeanyofthewordssohethoughtitmightbeYoruba,Ijaw,orIbo.
"Right,"saidFrank."ThisisReverendUorioftheECWAmissionontheDadoRiver.Heisthe
contact."
ReverendIloriwasamiddleagedman.Hiscloselycutcroppedhairwasshotwithgray.He
noddedpolitelyandsaid,"MaytheblessingsofourSaviorbewithyou."
Davysmiledandwithjustatwingeofhypocrisysaid,"AndmayJesusChristforeverwatch
overandguideusall."He'dmetmembersoftheEcumenicalChurchesofWestAfricabefore,
nearAbuja.Theyweremostlygoodpeople,tryingtohelp,butmoreconcernedwith
salvationinheaventhanimprovementshereonearth.
Frankwatchedthisinteraction,alookofmildamusementonhisface."Theexchangeisfor
dawn,atthemissionitself,butifwewanttobeinplace,wehadbettergo."
ReverendIlorisatinthefrontseatwiththeunarmeddriverandDavysatinthebackwith
FrankandHyacinth.Hyacinthkeptthebagonherlap.
"Wecanputthatintheback,MissPope,"Frankoffered.
Shetightenedherholdonit."Idon'tthinkso."
"Ah.Theransom.Don'tblameyou."
Davy,whoknewotherwise,remainedquiet.
Theroadcurvedaroundtheflare,thenheadedeast,towardthecoast.Theyentereda
sectionofgrassybrushandalarge,rabbitsizedanimalscuttledofftheroad,eyesshiningin
theheadlights.ReverendIlorisaidsomethingoverhisshoulderandsmackedhislips
together.
Franktranslated."Canerat.Goodeating.Surprisingtoseethey'vebeenhuntedhard
aroundhere."
Hyacinth,seatedbetweenthem,shuddered."Yuck."
Davyoffered,"It'snotatruerat.It'staxonomicallyclosertotheporcupine."
ReverendIloriturnedagain."Porcupine!Alsogoodeating."Hesmackedhislipsagain.
TheasphaltroadturnedtodirtandtheridebecamemuchrougherastheLandCruiser
bouncedoverrutsanddroppedintopotholes.Fortunatelythistrackendedatawharf,
stickingoutintoanarrowchannelthreadingbetweenthemangroves.
Asolitaryboyrosefromthedock,slight,dressedonlyinshorts,handhelduptoshieldhis
eyes.Helookedsleepy.ReverendIlori,steppingoutofthecar,calledtohim.Whentheboy
approached,theReverendhandedhimsomething.

119

Hyacinthsaid,"What'sthatabout?"
Franktookapairofbinocularsfromthedriver."Hewasguardingtheboat.Wouldn'thave
doneusmuchgoodifsomeonehadstolenitwhilethegoodReverendwasaway."
Thedriverturnedofftheheadlightsbutmadenomovetogetoutofthevehicle.Thenight
seemedtocloseinbutafteramoment,Davybegantodetectthedistantglowofgasflares
allaroundthehorizon.Themoonhadsetwhiletheyweredrivingbutafterabithecould
makeoutthebrighterstars,too,throughalowhazethatowedmoretothegasflaresthan
localweather.
ReverendIloriwaswalkingoutontothedock."Wemustgo.Itwilltakemostofanhourto
reachthemission."Heclimbeddownintotheunseenboatandturnedonaflashlight.
Itwasasquarebowedaluminumjohnboat,perhapsfourteenfeetlong.Itwasseriously
underpoweredwithatwohorsepoweroutboard.Therewasasinglepole,aslongasthe
boat,tiedtoonegunwale,ifthemotorfailed.TheReverenddirectedFranktotakethe
flashlightandsitinthebow.DavyandHyacinthtookthecenterthwartwiththebag
betweenthem.Iloricastoffhissinglelineandstartedtheengine.
Thingssplashedintothewaterastheyapproached,andonceIloripointedouttwobrightred
spotsreflectingtheflashlightfrombackunderthemangroves."Crocodile."Hesmackedhis
lips."Goodeating."
Theirroutetwistedbackandforth,followingthechannelwhichvariedinwidthasmuchasit
didindirection.Attimesitseemedtheywereinabroadlakeandothertimesitnarrowed
untiltheycouldreachoutandtouchthemangrovesonbothsidesoftheboat.Asthey
crossedonewidesectionhefelttheboattremble,pulledslightlysidewaysbyacurrent.
"River?"heasked.
"TheDodo,"saidReverendIlori.
FullyfiftyminuteshadpassedbyDavy'swatchwhentheypulleduptoanareaofhigher
ground,cleared,withthreewhitebuildingsconstructedonpiles,acrawlspacevisiblebelow.
Therewasnodock.Iloripointedthebowatthemudbankandgunneditbrieflybefore
hittingthekillbuttonandtippingthemotorup.FrankshiftedbacktowardDavy,allowingthe
bowtorisehigher,andthentheboatshudderedtoastop.Frank,firstout,squelched
throughmud,butheseizedthebowandpulledtheboatfartherupthebank,allowingthe
restofthemtostepoutondryground.
"Good,weareearly,"saidIlori."Thoughwewereprobablywatchedaswecame.Theywould
notcomeifthereweremoreofus.Orguns."
"Whatdowedonow?"askedHyacinth.
"Wait."
ThedawnbrokewiththesuddennesstypicalofequatorialregionsandDavycouldseethat
therewaswateronthreesidesoftheMission'sbitofland.Severaldifferentchannelswove
offthroughthemangroves.Therewasagroveofpalmtreesclumpedtogetherontheland
behindthemission,ending,abruptly,intheeverpresentmangroves.Thebuildingswere
silent.
"Whereiseveryone?"Davyasked."Imean,thosewholivehere?"
Reverendgesturedtothesouth."LastnightItookthemtothevillage.Thesemugumen,
theyarewithoutGod.Theykilledseveralpalmoilfarmersjustlastweekwhowouldnotpay
theleavemealone.Idonotwantthemtokillanyofmyflock."
Therewasthedistantsoundofamotor,muchmorepowerfulthantheclergyman'ssmall
outboard,andthenanother.TwoJetSkiscameoutofacanalandpeeledtotheleftandthe
right.Eachonehadtwomenonit.Theyslowedtheirenginesandsettledintothewater,
idlingsomefiftyfeetawayfromthemudbank.TheywerearmedwithSIG540assaultrifles,
probablystolenorboughtfromthearmy,andtheyweredressedinraggedshorts,athletic

120

shoeswithoutsocks,andbrownteeshirtsthatmayhavebeenadifferentcoloronce.They
scannedthesmallgroupstandingonthemudbank,thenpushedintotheshore.
Hyacintheasedherhandintoherbag,whichstillhungoveroneshoulder.
ThetwopassengerssplashedofftheJetSkisandupthemudbank.Theybypassedthesmall
groupandrantothechapel,flatteningthemselvesbythedoors,thenduckingin,assault
style.Afteramoment,theycamebackout,thenrepeatedtheinspectionwiththeothertwo
buildings.Whentheyweredone,oneofthemshouted,"Clear!"
OneoftheJetSkipilotsliftedaplasticwrappedradiotohislips.Thetwomenwho'd
checkedthebuildingwalkedtowardthesmallgroup.Theystoppedtenfeetaway,their
assaultriflespointedatthegroundbetweenthem.
"Giveusthebag,"saidthelargerofthem,jerkinghishead.
ReverendIloristeppedawayfromHyacinth,hiseyeswidening.
Hyacinthshookherhead."Thatisnottheagreement.BringMr.Roule."
Theyliftedtheirgunsnow,pointingthemuzzlesdirectlyatHyacinth."Giveusthebag,now!"
Hyacinthheldupherfreehand,theonethatwasn'tinthebag.Betweenherthumband
forefingersheheldadullblackringconnectedtoanequallydarkpin."Doyouseethis?"
Thebigmannarrowedhiseyes."Idonotcare.Givemethebag!"
Hyacinthsaid,"Youshouldcare.Itbelongstothis."Shebroughtherhandoutofthebag,
slowly.Shewasholdingablackgrenadewithyellowmarkings,theleverheldtothebody
withherfingertips.Thepinwasnotinit.
Davynearlyjumpedaway,butcontrolledhimself.Evenifsheletgo,therewouldbeatleast
twosecondsbeforeitdetonatedplentyoftime.
ReverendIloribackedbrisklyawayfromthegroup,prayingaudibly.
Thetwomenloweredthemuzzlesoftheassaultriflesagain.Oneofthemsaidsomething,
almostspatit,andDavysawFrank'seyesnarrow.
"Aninsult?"Davyaskedquietly.
Franknodded."Pottytalk.Theydon'tlikehavingtolistentoawoman."
Hyacinthwavedthegrenadegentlybackandforth."BringMr.Roule."
The"mugu"menretreatedtothewaterline.
Franksaid,"Youfrightenme,MissPope."
Wiseman,thoughtDavy.
Hyacinthlaughed,ahighnotedtrillthatcarriedtothearmedmen.Inawhispersheadded,
"It'satraininggrenade.ItwasrepaintedtolooklikethestandardHE.Wouldtheyhave
stolentheransom?Afteragreeingtotheexchange?"
Frankshrugged."StealingransomsbeforethedropisbigbusinesshereinNigeria.Butthe
wayweflewin,thesecrecy,weavoidedit.TheymighthavereleasedMr.Rouleifyou'dgiven
ittothem,ortheymighthaveclaimedthepeoplewhotookthemoneywerenotthesame
peoplewhohadthehostage.Thentherewouldbeanotherdemandformoney."
Anothermotorsoundedinthedistance,deeperandstrongerthantheJetSkisbuthardto
locate,diffuse.Davyscannedthemangrovesandthensawit,asmallboatradarandVHF
antennajuststickingabovethemangroves,movingrighttoleftbeforeturningthecornerin
thechannelandcomingintoviewonthewestmostcanal.
Itwasaninemeterrigidinflatable,fiberglasshullwithasurroundingflexiblepressure
chamber.Thereweremassivetwinoutboardsatthestern,apilotstationamidshipswitha
rigidhardbiminishadingthehelmsmanandmountingtheantennasalreadyseen.
Therewerefivemenaboard:thehelmsman,twomenarmedwithSIG540satthestern,a
manwithaholsteredsidearminthebow,and,seatedbeforehimonthedeck,amanwith
hisarmstiedbehindandasackoverhishead.
Thehelmsmanreversedthrustandcametoastopatthemouthofthechannelwhereit

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openedontothewateraroundthemission.
DavyusedFrank'sbinoculars.
Themaninthebowwasdressedsomewhatbetterthanhiscompatriotsinintactcamouflage
fatiguesandaNewYorkYankeesbaseballcap.Heunholsteredhissidearm,ablackand
blockyautomatic,andpointeditatthecoveredheadofhiscaptive."Showusthemoney!"
heshoutedacrossthewater.
HyacinthlookedatDavyandmovedhereyessidewaystowardtheboat.
Quietly,Davysaid,"Itmaynotbehim.Andweneedtomakesurehe'snotchainedtothe
boat."Hestudiedthebowcarefully,asajumppoint.
Franksteppedforwardandyelled,"Howdoweknowthat'sMr.Roule?Showushisface."
"Showusthemoney!"
Frankspreadhishandsapart,palmup.Heshoutedslowly,"I.Do.Not.Believe.You.Have.
Him.Thisissometouristyou'vestolen.Wearenotpayingforatourist."
"Iwillkillhim!"saidtheYankeesfan.
"Showushisface.Showusthatheisalive,"Franksaidreasonably."YoutoldReverendIlori
hewasunharmed.Wasthatlies?"
Foraverytensemoment,Davythoughtthemanwouldpullthetrigger,buthefinally
reachedoverandpulledthehoodoffoftheprisoner.
Thecaptivewasdirty,hisgrayhairmatted,twoweeksofbeardonhischeeks.Heblinked
againstthesuddenlight,lookingfrailandscared.FranktookthebinocularsfromDavy.
"It'shim."
Hyacinthsaid,"You'resure?"
"Yes.Iwashispersonalpilotfortwoyears.Iknowthesonofabitch.That'swhyyouguys
wantedme,remember?"
Davywinced.Sosheliedwhenshesaidshe'dkillthepilotifItalkedtohim.Butwhilethat
mayhavebeenaliebeforeFrankidentifiedRoule,sheprobablywouldn'thesitatetokillhim
nowthathe'dcompletedhisjob.
"Okay."ShehandedthegrenadetoDavy,whocarefullyclampedhishandoverthelever.
Thenshezippedthebagallthewayopenandtiltedittowardtheboat.Itseemedtobefilled
withbundledAmericancurrency,butDavyknewbetter.Thetwoouterbillsofeachbundle
werecolorxeroxesandthestuffbetweenwasplainnewsprint.
Sheshoutedtotheboat."Canhewalk?"Davywatchedclosely.Hedidn'tneedRouletowalk
buttheywantedtomakesurethemanwasn'tchainedtotheboat.
TheYankeesfanmust'vebeenfeelinggenerousatthesightoftheransom.Hereacheddown
andpulledthecaptiveup.Roulesaggedbutwhenhiscaptorletgoofhisarm,hemanaged
tostayonhisfeet.Davycouldn'tseeanychainsorropesconnectinghimtotheboat.
Theplanwastodotheswapattheshoreline.Davysaidconversationally,"You'resurethe
keysoverlaptheCessna."
"Definitely.WewerecoveringalargerareawhenwedidtheLagosairportthing."
Davyinhaledandexhaled."Right.I'dbetterremoveReverendIlorifirst."
Hyacinthsnarled."Don'tdeviatefromtheplan."
Davylookedatherimpassively."Notappreciably."
Shezippedthemoneybagclosed,thenwalkeddowntotheshorelineandsetitdownwhere
themudwasdriedandcrusted.Shebackedawayandthetwomenonshoreranlightly
towardit.Bythetimetheyreachedit,Hyacinthwasbackwiththegroup.
ReverendIlorihadreturnedtothegroupafterHyacinth'slittlehandgrenadeincidentwas
over.DavyedgedslightlybehindhimasHyacinthreachedintoherjournalist'svestforher
gun.
Themenreachedthemoneybagandbothkneltbesideit.Onetuggedonthezipper,butit

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seemedstuck.Hepulledharder.
Theflashbangwentoffwiththesmokegrenade,throwingthembothback,stunned,singed.
Davy,expectingit,stillflinched.HegrabbedIlori,jumpedtotheCessna,whereitwasparked
nearthetowering,roaringgasjet,andpushedtheReverendstaggeringaway.Thenhewas
inthebowofthebigboat,bodyslammingMr.Yankeesfansideways,awayfromRoule.He
droppedthegrenade,theleverflyingbeforetheroundblackandyellowmetalballbounced
onthedeck.DavyheardtheYankeesfanyell"Grenade!"rightbeforeDavygrabbedRoule.
AsDavyjumped,hesawtheYankeesfandiveoutoftheboat.
WhenDavyletgoofRoulebesidetheplane,themanfainted,droppingwithslackkneesto
theground.ReverendIloriwasdancingfromonefoottotheother,staringatthemand
muttering"Jesusprotectme!"againandagain.
"Untiehim!"Davysaid,gesturingatRoule,andreturnedtothemission.Ahugecloudoftorn
paperandyellowsmokewasspreadthroughtheair,settlingslowlyacrossthewaterand
clearing.Barelyseenthroughit,ontheothersideofthewaterway,theshatteredhulkofthe
boatwasburning.
Shealsoliedaboutthegrenade.
Therewassplashinginthewaterneartheboat,sohehopedthecrewhadgottenoverboard
beforethegrenadehadexploded.SomeonewasfiringanassaultrifleandDavysawbullet
holestraceacrossthewallofthechurchandsmashaglasswindow.Hedroppedtothe
ground.HeheardFrankcalltohimandlookedaround.HyacinthandFrankwereunderthe
chapel,shelteringbehindthecinderblockstepsunderthefrontdoor.
Hejumpedtothem,lyingonthedustydriedmudattheirside.
Hyacinthwastalkingonasmallhandheldradio."Yes.Wewillbecompletelyclearofthearea
bythetimeyougethere."Sheheldherbig,blockyautomaticintheotherhandandshe'd
replacedtheclipwithonethatstuckagoodfiveinchesoutofthebottomofthegrip.She
stuckthegunaroundthecornerofthecinderblocksandpulledthetrigger.
"Jesus!"saidDavy,coveringhisears.Thegunfiredcontinuouslyassheheldthetriggerdown
forhalfasecond."Whatthehellisthat?"
Hyacinthlookedlikeshewasenjoyingherself.Sheturnedtowardhimandsaid,"It'smy
GlockEighteen.Cool,huh?Thirteenhundredroundsaminute.ToobadIcouldonlyget
thirtyoneroundclips."Sheturnedbacktowardthewater.
"Whowasshetalkingto?"DavyaskedFrank.
Frankwasstaringathim,breathingheavily.Hemanagedtostammer,"Army.Seventh
AmphibiousBattalion.They'reclosinginandthey'reprobablygoingtoshootanythingthat
moves."Hegesturedinthegeneraldirectionoftheshooter."Looksliketheireyeswent
comedownsad."AtDavy'slookofincomprehensionhesaid,"They'verealizedthey'vebeen
conned."
"Ah."DavygrabbedFrank'sbeltwithbothhandsandjumpedhimbacktotheairplane.
ReverendIloriwashelpingRouletositup,fortunatelyfacingawayfromwhereDavyand
Frankhadappeared.
FrankstruggledtohisfeetandDavyrolledawayfromhimbeforealsostanding.Frankwas
lookingathisairplane,thenatIloriandRoule."Sonofabitch."
"Takespeoplelikethat.Ordidyoumeanhim?"DavylookedatRoule.Heloweredhisvoice.
"Youcalledhimthatbefore.Whydon'tyoulikehim?"
Frankshuthismouthabruptly.
"Don'twanttosay,eh?Okay.HopeIdidn'trescueamonster."
Franklickedhislips,thendecidedtospeak,hisfacecontorted."Well,youdid.Whole
villages.Fisheries.Farms.Gone.Onlyhewasn'ttheonewhogothishandsdirtyortookthe
blame.He'sonlytheonewhopointedhisfingerandsaid'doit.'Inthenameofoil.For

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obsceneprofit."
Oh,shit.ForonebriefmomentDavyconsideredputtingRoulebackatthemission,inthe
hopesthatthearmyassaultteamwouldkillhim.
Davy'sexpressionlookedsobleakthatFrankrecoiledfromhim,blurting,"Iwon'ttell."
Davyshookhishead."Youhavenothingtofearfromme.Iwishyouwouldtell.Tellthe
wholeworld!"Hesighed."Youcanleavewhenyourotherpassengerscomeback.MissPope
andIwillnotberidingbackwithyou."
"You'retheguy,aren'tyou,whostoppedthosehijackingstenyearsago?Thoseairplanes
andthatshipinEgypt."
Davyshrugged.Theconclusionwasobvious.He'dbeencapturedonvideoappearingonthe
wingofa727duringtheCyprusrescue.Overtwohundredpassengersandcrewsawhim
jumpduringtheArgosshiprescue.
"WhatdoItellthem?"HegesturedtowardRouleandReverendIlori.
"Shock.Angels.Hallucinations.Whateveryouwant.IbettergogetMissPopebeforeshe
popsabloodvessel."
"Orthearmydoesthatforher."
"Iwish."Davyjumped.
Hereappearedunderthecenterofthechurch,wellbehindHyacinth.Oneoftheshooterson
theJetSkihadfiguredoutwhereshewashidingandhadroundedtheisland,flankingher.
DriedmudwasflyingasbulletstorepastthestairsandHyacinthwaspressedtightagainst
thebackofthecinderblocks,barelyincover.Apparentlyshe'drunoutofammoforshe
wasn'treturningfireandshenolongerlookedasifshewereenjoyingherself.Betweenthe
shotsDavyheardthedistantnoiseofhelicopters.
Hewouldbeindangerofbeinghitifhejumpeddirectlybehindher.Sheprettymuchfilled
theonlyshelteredspaceinhervicinityandthewaysheflinchedasthebulletssetshowersof
driedmudflyingsheprobablywasn'tconsideringitmuchlikeshelter.
HelookedattheJetSki.Itwasdrifting,idling,andthepilotwastwistedonthesaddle,
shootingthreeroundbursts.
DavyjumpedandappearedwithbothfeetontherearstarboardedgeoftheJetSki.TheJet
Skipromptlyrolledover,dumpingtheshooter,butDavyjumpedawaybeforehe'dsunk
morethankneedeepintheestuary.HeappeareddirectlybehindHyacinth,alargeamount
ofwaterpuddledaroundhim,turningthedried,crackeddirttomud.
Oneofthecrewmenfromthelargeboathadclimbedintothemangrovesandwasnow
shootingatthesteps,buthispositiondidn'tallowhimtoshootdirectlyattheirposition.
Davyignoredhim.
HewantedtojustgrabHyacinthandjump,butthewaysheflinchedeverytimeabullet
slammedintothemudstepsorplowedintothemudgavehimanidea.
"BacktotheVineyard?"heasked.
Shetwistedaroundandsaid"Yes,dammit!"Almostimmediately,herfacechanged,anger
replacingfear."Howdidyouohjustgetusoutofhere!"Achipofflyingdebrishadcuther
foreheadandbloodrandownintohereyebrow,butsheseemedunawareofit.
Heallowedhimselfasmallsmileashejumpedherbacktothemansion.Amansion,he
mused,whichisonthesouthshoreofMartha'sVineyard.
Theyappearedinhisroom,inthebox.MudsplatteredontheTurkishrug.Theywere
entwined,stilllyingprone,andDavytriedtorollawaybutHyacinthpulledhimback,twisted
ontopandstraddledhim.ShedroppedtheradioandherGlockonthefloor.
I'lljumpaway,hethought,buthedidn't.Insteadhefeltherpelvisgrindingagainsthimand
thenhermouthonhisandhisbodyresponding.Helethishandscometorestonthesmallof
herback,justwheretheswellofherbuttocksmetherwaist.

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Oh,god.It'sbeensolong...
Hertongueranacrosshislipsandshepulledhisshirtapart,literally,buttonsflyingandcloth
rippingasshetugged.Sheliftedupagainastridehimasshetoreoffherphotojournalist's
vest.Hefoundhimselfliftingthetailofherpoloandrunninghisfingersovertheskinofher
backasshepressedherchestdownonhimagain.Heencounteredherbrastrapbutthere
wasnoclaspatthebacksohemovedhishandsaround,undertheshirt,encounteringher
breastsbeneathstretchlace,hardnipples,andthenthefrontclosure.Hyacinthliftedtogive
himaccessandthebraseparated,droppingherfullbreastsintohishands.Shegroanedand
suckedonhislowerlip.
Davyachedforher,eventhoughatinyvoiceinthebackofhisheadwasscreamingthatthis
womanshot,killed,murderedBrianCoxinfrontofhim,wasoneofthosewhomadehima
prisoner,torturedhim,kepthimawayfromMillie.Hisbodydidn'tcare.Shutup!It'snot
aboutlove.
Hepushedherupandtuggedathershirt,pullingandpushingitup.Hyacinthsatupand
pulleditoverherheadinonequickmotion,shruggedofftheunfastenedbra,thenshifted
backalonghislegs.Shestraddledhiskneesandputonehandonhiscrotchasshefumbled
withherotherhandatthebuckleofhisbelt.
Hewatchedher,frozeninagonizedanticipation,drinkinginthemotionofherbreasts,the
playofhollowandswellaroundhercollarbonesandthebaseoftheneckthenhejerked
hisheadupandraisedhimselftohiselbows,staring.
Asemicircularscar,oldandfadedtothemerestwhiteline,gracedHyacinth'schestaninch
belowhercollarbone.Hesearchedwithhiseyesandsawanother,thethinstraightlineon
thesideofherneck.
Hishandreachedout,probedherskin,andfeltthelump,theflathardnessbelowthat
matchedhisownimplant.Hejerkedhishandawayasifburned.Hefeltnauseatedbutit
wasn'taccompaniedbythetinglinginhisthroat.Itwaspure,visceralrevulsion.
Shereactedtohisjerkingawayasshehadn'ttohisprobingtouch,lookingupfromwhere
shewasunsnappinghisjeans,herbrowsraised.Herecoiled,ajumpthatlefthimstandingon
theothersideoftheroomfromher.
Shejabbedafingerinhermouthandsworearoundit."Dammit,youmightwarnagirl!You
nearlytoremyfingeroff."
Shestoodup,herbreastsswaying.Objectsofdesireonlysecondsbefore,Davyhardlysaw
them.Hiseyesweredrawntothescars,barelyvisiblefromacrosstheroomyetburning,to
Davy'seyes,likelinesoffire.
"What'swrong?"
Davytappedhisownchest,wherethey'dputthedevice.Heranhisfingeroverthescar
tissuethereandonhisneck.
Sheraisedherhandtotouchherownskinabovethebreast."Yes?Whataboutit?"She
cuppedherownbreastsandliftedthem."Whatdoesthathavetodowiththis?Withwhat
weweredoing?"
Helookedaway,ashamedofhimself."Itbroughtmebacktomysenses.Idon'tknowwhatI
wasthinking."Helookedback."Whendidtheydoittoyou?Andwhy?"
Shecrossedherarmsoverherbreasts."Whatdoesitmatter?"
Davyfeltlikehe'dbeendrenchedinicewater.Hisstomachwasroilingandthoughhis
arousalhadvanishedhecouldstillfeelheronhisskin."Becauseyouwentthroughthis
yourself,youfeltwhatitwaslike,andyouletthemdoittome!"
"Askyourselfthismyboy:WhatchoicedidIhave?"Sheletherhandsdropagain.Hermouth,
sosoftandyieldingbefore,wasatightline."Ispentmyshareoftimelyinginmyownshit
andvomit.Notthatmineworkslikeyours.Theydidn'tuseittokeepmefromrunninga

125

lockeddoordoesthatjustfineinmycase.Buttheydiduseittocompelmy...loyalty."
Davyshuddered.We'reallvictimshere."Whatdidyoudotopissthemoff?"
Sheturnedaway."Youdon'tunderstand.Youprobablycan'tunderstand."
"IunderstandmorethanIdid.Theyturnedyouintoakiller,didn'tthey?"
Shestaredathim,frowning,likehe'djustsaidthestupidestthingshe'deverheard.She
pickedupherclothesandhergunandwalkedtothedoor.
Hewasupsetandhefoundhedidn'twanthertoleave."WhatdidIsay?"
Shelaughedathim,buttherewasverylittlehumorinit.Hereyesglitteredasshejerkedher
shirton."Youdon'tgetit.Theydidn'tmakemeintoakillerthatwaswhytheyhiredmein
thefirstplace."Sheopenedthedoorandtouchedherupperbreast."Thiswasn'tinflictedon
meitwasarequirementforpromotion,anecessaryconditiontoworkatthislevel.Itwas
somethingIchose!"ShelookedatDavywithnarrowedeyes,thenshookherhead."I
should'veknownbetter."SheslammedthedoorhardenoughthattheWinslowHomerprint
bouncedoffofitspicturehookandfelltothedressertop.
Davystaredatthedoor,hismouthopen.Hishandsshookandhismouthwasdry.He
thoughtaboutherskin,herbreasts,andthewayhisbodyhadrespondedtohertouch.
Thenhewentintothebathroomandthrewup.
SEVENTEEN
"Whereismyhusband?"
AfteranafternoonspentwatchingLawrenceSimons'sNewYorkaddressfromarooftopin
thenextblock,Milliehadabadeveningandaworsenight.
InNewYorkthere'dbeenonedeliveryofgroceriesandthemailmanhadstuffedseveral
envelopesintheslotbutthatwasall.Shewasusingthecheapplasticchairshe'dusedinD.C.
anditstillhurtherbutt.
Latershe'dboughttakeoutforherselfandPadgett,droppedhisoffwithoutbeingseen,and
eatenhermealcrouchedbeforethewoodstoveintheAerie.
Herdreamshadbeenawful.TheyvariedfrombeingcaughtbyPadgett'semployersto
findingDavy'slifelessbody,hisfacefrozenandfrostcrystallizinghiseyes.
Inthemorning,shefinallygaveupthestruggleandcrawledoutofbed,blearyeyed,atfive.
Shemadeteaanddressedwarmly.
TimetotalktoPadgett,shedecided.
Shebroughthimamugofteaandplaceditneartheheadofthesleepingbag.Hewas
snoring,apparentlyhavingsleptbothsoundlyandwell.MilliereturnedtotheAerieforan
old,weatherbeatendirector'schairandsetitdownsomefifteenfeetfromthesleeping
man.ShewaswearingherMilliewigandherregularglasseswithoutthecontacts.Shedidn't
knowifshewasgoingtogivePadgetttotheFBIornot,butifshedid,shedidn'twanthim
tellinganybodyaboutherchangedappearance.
Shetookadeepbreathandsettledherselfintowhatshecalledhercounselorself,the
personasheusedtodotherapy.
"Goodmorning,Mr.Padgett."
Thesnoringcutoffwithaglottalcatchandhislipssmackedtogether.Hewasstillasleep
apparently,butshecouldtellhewassurfacing.
"Timetowakeup,Mr.Padgett."
Hepulledtherimofthesleepingbagdownandpeeredatthegraysky,thenather."Sod
off,"hesaidandpulledthesleepingbagbackoverhisface.
Sheblinked.Itwasbadenoughthatshehadn'tslept.Whyshouldhe?Shegotabucketfrom
theAerieand,afterthinkingforamoment,jumpedtothewaterfrontinEdgartown.The

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windhaddiedbuttheairhoveredatfreezing.Thesaltwatershedippedfromtheharbor
wasfreshfromNantucketSoundandverycoldaroundfortyfivedegreesFahrenheit.
Shestoodfivefeetbackfromtheheadofthesleepingbagandswungthebucketwithawill.
Theicywatersplashedintotheopening,spreadingthebagopenandsoakingPadgett'shead,
arms,anduppertorso.Hestruggledwiththewetbag,tryingtofighthiswayclearofthe
cold,soddencloth.
MilliereturnedtoEdgartownandtookanotherbucketfromNantucketSound.Shejumped
backtoTexas,totherimofthepitwellabovePadgett.Themanhadstrippedoffhisshirt
andwashuddledoverthecoalsofthefiretryingtostirthemtolife.Hehadmorefirewood
thansheremembered,thenshesawthatthechairshe'dcarrieddowntotheislandhad
beenbrokenup.
Ilikedthatchair.
Sheputthebucketdownonthegroundandjumpedtotheislandbelow,again,aboutfifteen
feetaway."Areweawake,now?"
Padgettsnarled.Thecanvasseatandbackofthedirector'schairhadcaughtafireandhewas
arrangingthechairlegscarefullyatoptheflames.Hewasshiveringandhereachedoutto
takeoneofthecrutchesintohishandsbuthedidn'tuseittostand.Hehelditlikeaclub.
"Keepawayfromme,bitch!"
Millieflinchedfromtheintensityofhisvoice,thensteadied.Whatcanhedotome?
"Doyouwantmetoleaveyoualone?Allyouhavetodoisanswertwosimplequestions."
Shejumpedtohisrear,stilltwentyfeetawayfromhim."One:Whereismyhusband,Mr.
Padgett?Two:WhereisMs.Johnson."
Padgettnearlyfellintothefireashejerkedhisheadaround,trackinghervoice.
Shejumpedbacktoheroriginalplaceacrossthefirepit."Well?"
Padgettjerkedback.Heloweredhiseyestothefireandheignoredher.
Shejumpedbacktotherimandretrievedthebucketofwater.Sheappearedacrossthefire
fromhimandhejerkedaway,rollingsidewaysassheswungthebucket,butMillieignored
him,andallthewatersplashedintothefirepit.Thefirewentoutinabillowingcloudof
steamandashes.Shejumpedtothefireplacelighterandpickeditup.BelatedlyPadgett
grabbedforitbutshe'djumpedbackagain,twentyfeetaway.Swingingthebucketbackand
forth,shesaid,"Backsoon.Needmorewater."
Shedidn'tgobacktoEdgartown.Instead,sheboughtalargecupofcoffeeinManhattan.She
retrievedthecheapplasticlawnchairfromtheroofon82ndStreetandreturnedtothe
island.
Padgetthadunzippedthesleepingbagandhadwrappedthethirdofitthatwasstilldry
aroundhisupperbody.Hewasvisiblyshaking.
Millieplacedthechaironastretchofsandandgravelandcrossedherlegs,makingashowof
removingthecoffeecup'slid,sniffingdeeplyatthehotsteam,andcuppingthesidesto
warmherhands.Shesippedandsaid,"Ouch.Stilltoohot."Sheputthecupdownonthe
groundinfrontofherfeet.
"Idon'tsupposeyou'rewillingtotalktome,yet?"
Hewasglaringather.Histeethwerechattering.Therewasadistinctlybluelookaroundhis
lips,buthedidn'tspeak.
"Isee.Perhapslater,then."
Shejumpeduptotherim,behindtheboulders,whereshecouldlookdownuponhimfrom
concealment.Padgettsatthereforafewminuteslookingaround,thenheusedthecrutches
andpulledhimselftohisfeet.Hewasstillshiveringandphysicallyawkward.Hislegwas
clearlystillaproblem.Hestartedacrossthesandtowardthecoffeeshe'dleftonthefloor.
Shehadtosteelherselfforthenextstep.Rememberwhathehasdone.TheFBIagent.Davy.

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Hisattempttocaptureme.
Shejumpedbacktotheislandwhenhewasstilltenfeetawayfromthecoffee.Heflinched
andstaggered,shiftingthecrutchestokeepfromfalling.
Shebentoverandpickedupthecup."Forgotmycoffee,"shesaid.Shetookasip."Ahhhhhh.
Justright."Shesmiledbrightlyandwiggledherfingers."Toodles!"Shejumpedaway.
Theshadowofthepit'srimcreptacrossthewaterasthesunrosehigher.Usingthe
binoculars,MilliecouldtellthatPadgetthadstoppedshiveringsometimeearlierbuthe
mustbequitecold,still.Hewaitedonthetipoftheislandclosesttotheshadow'sedge
seatedinthecheapplasticchair,waitingforthewarmthofdirectsunlight.
"Wherearethey,Mr.Padgett?"
Hewasseatedwithhisbacktothewater'sedgewheretheislandnarrowed,soshecouldn't
appearbehindhim.Shestoodthere,comfortableinabulkysweater,twentyfeetaway.
Padgett'smouthtightenedbuthedidnotspeak.
"ShallIgogetthebucket?"sheaskedinalightconversationaltone.
Heshookhishead,thenbrokeoff,asifhehadn'tmeanttodothatmuch."Fuckoff.I've
takenmuchworse."
"Well,Ibelieveyou'vecertainlydoneworsetoothers.I'mnotgoingto'fuckoff,'though,
untilIlearnwhatIneedtoknow."
"Ihopetheykilledthekaffirbitch.Youhavenoideawhoorwhatyou'refuckingwith,little
girl."
Millie'seyebrowsraisedandshesaidmildly,"Andyoudo?"
Shejumped,appearingthreefeetaway,notdirectlyinfrontofhim,butatanangleoffto
oneside.HerswingingrightfootcaughtthechairarmandPadgetttoppledback,teetering
foramomentatthepointofbalance,thenover,splashingbackintothewater.Bythetime
he'dthrashedhiswaybacktotheshore,dragginghisbumknee,hewascompletelysoaked.
Milliewasbackatheroriginalpost,twentyfeetaway."Thatlooksrefreshing!"
Padgettswore,snatchedupafistsizedstone,andthrewitather.
Sheflinchedaway,backtotheAerie.
Leavehim,shethought,tremblingalittle.He'slikeateabag.Lethimsteepawhile.
Shedabbedathersweaterwiththedishtowel.WhenPadgetthadhitthepool'ssurface
someofthesprayhadsplashedherarm.Itseemedeverybitascoldasthewaterfrom
NantucketSound.
WhatI'mdoingisillegal.
Shewasalreadyguiltyofkidnapping.Whatshe'dbeendoingtodayinthepitwasthesortof
thingAmnestyInternationalaskedpeopletowritelettersabout.
Millieshuddered.
WheredoIdrawtheline?
Shewatchedhimfromtherim.Padgettwasshiveringviolently.Wetagain,hisonlyrecourse
wasexercise,forbothhisclothingandthesleepingbagweresoaked.Milliewatchedhim
stripnaked,thenwringasmuchwateroutoftheclothesandsleepingbagashecould,
beforehespreadthemacrossthelowmesquitebushesinthecenteroftheisland.Thenhe
circledtheperimeteroftheislandbriskly,swingingthecrutchessavagelyforward.
Hecan'tkeepthatupforlong.Hedoesn'thavethecalories.
Shetooknopleasureinwatchingthenakedman.Hewasattractiveenoughifyou
discountedanincipientpotbellyandlikedbaldingmen,whichMilliegenerallydid,butshe
couldn'tforgetwhohewasandwhatherepresentedlongenoughtoenjoyeventhetiniest
bitoftitillation.Rightnow,shejustwantedhimtobeasmiserableasshewasandtheonly

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waysheknewtodothatwasthroughphysicaldiscomfort.
I'mturningintooneofthem,shethought.IfIevergetDavyback,hewon'twantme.
SheconsideredtakingPadgett'scrutchesaway.
Youareinapissymood,aren'tyou?
Theplasticchairwasstillinthewater,halfsubmergedtwofeetfromthewater'sedge.While
Padgettwasatthefarendoftheisland,shefisheditoutandshookit.Sheswipedmostof
theremainingmoistureoffwiththeedgeofherhand,thensatfacinghim.Helookedcold,
still,butthemajorinvoluntaryshuddershadstoppedandhedidn'tlookasbluearoundthe
mouth.
Heslowedasheroundedthefarendoftheisland,whenhecaughtsightofher,buthestill
continuedhiscircuit.Ashenearedher,hecutacrosstheislandtoavoidher.
"Hotcoffee,warmblanket,dryclothes,food.Yoursintheblinkofaneye."
Heignoredher.
Shewaiteduntilhehadpassedandwasturningawayfromherbeforesheadded,"Icewater
isalsoanoption."
Hefaltered,onecrutchtipslippingslightlythroughthesand,buthecontinuedonhisway.
Shepicturedherselfwithabullwhip,layingthelashacrossPadgett'sbarebuttocks.Mightas
wellputontheleathercorsetandthethighhighbootswhileI'matit.Shejumpedaway,
disgustedwithherself,angrywithPadgett,andontheedgeoftears.
ShewentbacktothecybercafinManhattanandstartedanemailtoAgentAnders.She
wasgoingtoaskaboutLawrenceSimonsbutthenrememberedAnders'scommentabout
thesecurityofunencryptedemail,soshechangedittoasimplerequestforaphone
appointment.Ahalfhourlater,justreturnedfromthrowingabucketofNantucketSound
saltwaterontoanunexpectingPadgett,shereadhisreply.
CALLLASTNUMBERAT1300PRECISE.
SheusedapayphoneintheDupontCircleD.C.Metrostation,watchingthesecondhand
sweeptothetopbeforepressingthelastdigit.
Andersansweredonthefirstring."Hello,"hesaidneutrally,butwhenherecognizedher
voice,hesaid,"They'vepushedmecompletelyaside.I'morderedbacktoOklahomaCityand
whenIprotested,theysaiditwasthatorsuspension.Mybossdidn'tlikeiteitherbuthesaid
itcamefromsofarupthatitgavehimvertigojustthinkingaboutit."
Shethoughtaboutthat."Eventhoughyou'retheonlycontactwithmetheyhave?Itsounds
moreandmoreliketheyknowwhereDavyisorwhohashimandthatthey'rehappywith
it!"
"Idon'tknow.Perhaps.I'dliketothinkwhoeverdidthisactuallyhasagoodreasonforwhat
they'redoing."
He'snotcontradictingme."Isthisphonestillclean?"
"Ithinkso.AsItoldyou,it'sananonymousprepaidcell.I'minthelockerroomofa
neighborhoodgym.I'veneverbeenherebeforesotheysuredidn'tbugitontherandom
chanceImightdropby."
"Good.WhoisLawrenceSimons?"
Therewasaperceptiblepausebeforehesaid,"Prettycommonname,isn'tit?"
"I'dbegladtonarrowitdown.Doyouwantsomeaddresses?Somephonenumbers?"
"No!"
"Soyouknowwhoheis?"
"Iknowwhohecouldbe.Givemeaminute,okay?"
Sheputacoupleofmorequartersinthephonewhileshewaited,toavoidanylater

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interruption.
Whenhespokeagainhisvoicewastentative."Firstofall,don'tsaythatnameagain,okay?It
isacommonnamebutoneofthecomputersatFortMeademighttwigtoitandflagthis
conversationforhumanreview.Understand?"
Shelickedherlips."Yes."
"Howdoyouknowthatname?"
"Divergentpathsledmetohim.OnefromthemanIcalltheMonkrememberhim?
AnotherfromthatfirmofconsultantstheMonkseemstoworkfor."
Anderssaid,"HaveyouseentheMonkrecentlyordidyouremembersomethingyouhaven't
toldme?"
"Yourturn,Ibelieve.FirsttellmeaboutVoldemort."
"Who?Ah,gotyou.Hewhomustnotbenamed.Sinisterbutpossiblyapropos.We'llcall
himthat."
"Isheinyourorganizationsay,sohighupyou'dgetvertigothinkingaboutit?"
Sheheardhimtakeasuddenbreath."Well,he'snotintheAgency.He'snotinthe
governmentatall,butheis,hmmm,well,iftherumorsaretrue,he'samanwhowhispersin
ears.Butonlystratosphericears,ifyougetmymeaning."
Wayupwheretheairisthin.Vertigoland."Ah.Whydotheseearslisten?"
"WhatIknowisbasedonrumorsovertheyears,right?Ididseesomethingonpaperonce
butitwaspulledandshreddedalmostassoonasithitthefiledrawer.I'mnotgoingintoit
overthephonebutthereasonsheislistenedtorangefrommoneytofear.Butthere'sno
doubthehasinfluenceandit'sbeenexerted,inthepast,indirectionsnotunlikethose
favoredbytheBAdboys."
"Ah.Theprofitnomatterwhatschool."
"Whatmakesyouthinkheisconcernedinthis?"
"Well,yourreaction,forone.ButI'velinkedhimtothetothatfirm.Andother...reasons."
Shedidn'twanttotellhimabouttheVineyard.ShehadhighhopesfortheVineyard,butshe
didn'twanttheslightestbreathofhersuspiciontoreachthepeoplewhohadDavy,lestthey
moveorkillhim.
Shefeltastabofcoldpanic.Ishouldn'thavementionedhisnameatall.Shedidn'tknowto
whatdegreetheNSAmainframesmonitoredrandomphonecalls(whichthishopefullywas)
andshedidn'twanttoaskAndersforitwasexactlythesortofphrasethecomputersmight
bescanningforatriggertorecordtheentiremessageandflagitforahumantolistentoit.
Andersasked,"HowdidyougetyourcluefromtheMonk?"
"IsBeccastilllookingforhimorwasherorganizationalsodiscouraged?"
"Idon'tthinkthey'vebeencalleddown.It'shardtoputpressureonthatbranchwhenoneof
theirownhasbeen,well,inoculated."
Shefurrowedherbrowforamoment.Shot."Iunderstand.Pushthatgrouptoohardand
we'llallbereadingaboutanattemptedcoverupinthepapers?"
Andersagreed."It'shappened."
"Well,IhavealineontheMonk.Canyougivemehercellnumber?"
Hegaveittoher."Youbettercallherrightawaybeforeyoulosehim."
Milliethoughtabouttheshivering,nakedPadgettstumpingaroundtheislandatthebottom
ofthepit."He'snotgoinganywhere."
Andhewasn't.
Padgettwascurledinaball,wrappedinthedamp,mattedsleepingbag.Sandclungtothe
sideofhisfacewherehe'dlainonthegroundandhiseyeswereclenchedshut.Hewasstill
shiveringsosheknewhewasalive.
Shedidn'ttalktohimbutinsteadbuiltafire,bringingincharcoalstarterandtwoarmfulsof

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drypionlogs.ThecracklingwhooshoftherisingflamesgotPadgett'sattention.Bythetime
he'ddraggedhimselfovertothefire,she'dreturnedwithatwentyounceStyrofoamcupof
hotchocolateandabrandnewsleepingbag,stillsealedinplastic.
Shesetthemdownnearhimandjumpedaway.Shedidn'tthinkhehadthestrengthto
swingorthrowacrutch,butshedidn'twanttofindout.Twentyminuteslater,shebroughta
largecontainerofThaisoup,shrimpwithlemongrass,plusaboxofpadthai.
Shedidn'twatchhimeat.Itwashardenoughevenlookingathim.Hardenoughtobeboth
goodandbadcop.
SheusedacomputerintheOklahomaCityPublicLibrarytolocatethestreetwhere
LawrenceSimons'shomeonMartha'sVineyardwas.Asthewaitresshadtoldher,itwason
theSouthBeach,theoceanside,amileawayfromtheWinnetuInnandResort,down
towardthewildareaaroundGreatEdgartownPond.
ShewaspleasantlysurprisedtofindtheweathermuchwarmerinEdgartownthanonher
lastvisit.Thechillnorthwindhadbecomeagentlesoutherlybreezeand,thoughitwasstill
belowsixtydegrees,thesunbeatdownwarmly.Thejacketshe'dwornoverhersweaterwas
superfluoussosheputitinthesmallsuitcaseshe'dbrought.Shemixedwiththesmallcrowd
ofpeoplewhocameofftheferryfromFalmouthand,whentheWinnetushuttleshowedup,
sheaskedthedriveriftherewasroomattheinn.
"Some,"themansaid."Offseasonandallthat,butthere'saradiologysymposiumstarting
tomorrowthey'vegothalfthehotel.Youdon'thaveareservation?"
"No,"shesaid."Gottimeoffatthelastminute.Spurofthemomentthing.Hoppedtheferry
onimpulse."
"Well,I'msuretheycanfindyousomeroom."
Heputherbaginthebackwiththeothersandshegotintothehalffullvanbehindassorted
radiologistsandayoungcoupleontheirhoneymoon.
Atthehotelshewanderedthelobbywaitingfortheguestswithreservationstocheckin
first.Twicemenaskedherifshewasattendingtheconferencebutshedidn'tthinkitwas
radiologytheyhadontheirminds.Whenthelastdoctorwanderedoffbehindtheirbellman
sheapproachedthedeskandmadeherinquiry.
"Sevennights?Soyou'renotherefortheconference?I'mafraidallthesmallerroomsare
takenbutIcanputyouinoneofthetwobedroomsuites."Heloweredhisvoiceandadded,
"Icangiveittoyouforthesamerate."Helookedaroundtomakesurenoneoftheother
guestswereinearshot."Pleasedon'tmentionittothesedoctors,though."
Milliesaid,"Waiter,there'saflyinmysoup!Keepyourvoicedown,sir.Iftheother
customershearyou"
"they'llallwantone,too,"finishedtheclerk."Yes,exactly.Whichcreditcarddoyouwant
toputthison?"
"I'mweaningmyselfoffofplastic.I'dprefertopaycash."
"That'soverathousanddollars,Ma'am!"
"Goodthingyou'regivingmethecheaprate.Howmuchoverathousanddollars?"
Hepunchedsomenumbersintothebookingcomputer."Onethousand,fifteendollars,
Ma'am."
Millielaidtenhundreddollarbillsandatwentyonthecounter."Thereyougo."
"Yes,ma'am.Ifyou'dfillouttheregistrationcard,please."
SheregisteredasMillicentJonesandusedtheaddressofahomeinWaltham,Mass.The
housewasrealsotheaddresswasvalid,butitwasempty,forsale.She'dfounditona
realtor'swebsite.Thephonewasintherightexchange,too,butwasthelistingforthe
realtor.
She'dtakensomepainstomemorizeboth,soshecouldfillthecardoutnaturally.Paying

131

cashwasunusualenough.Shedidn'twanttoarousemoresuspicionbyseemingunsureof
herownaddressandphonenumber.
"Verygood,MissJones."
Thebellmanledheruptohersuite,onthethirdfloor,withapatiothatlookedoutoverthe
dunestotheoceanitself.Inthelargerbedroomshecarefullyunpackedherclothes,no
laundrymarks,nounusuallabels.Sheleftthreepaperbacksinthesmalllivingroom,some
toiletriesinthebathroom,andmussedthekingsizedbed,pullingbackthecoversonone
sideandactuallylyingthereforamomentwithherheadcreasingthepillow,thenpullingthe
coversroughlybackintoplace.
There.Someoneisstayinghere.
Shehadcollectedseveralscallop,afewmussel,andtwoturbanshellswhenthesecurity
guardapproachedheronthebeach.Asfarasshecouldtell,shewasstillahalfmileaway
fromthehousesattheendofGreatPondlane.
"Areyoustayinginthisneighborhood,ma'am?"
Shejerkedherheadupasifshe'dbeentakenunawares.She'dactuallynoticedhimsome
timebackbuthadkeptherheaddown,studyingthesandandtheshellswithapparently
unswervingattention.
Shetookastepbackandputherhandtoherchest."Oh,mygoodness!Where'dyoucome
from?What'sthatyousaid?"
Hewasinabrownuniformthatlookedvaguelypolicelikeandhisbeltsupportedallthe
usuallawenforcementequipment,rangingfromninemillimeterautomatictonightstickto
radio."Areyoustayinginthisneighborhood?Thisisaprivatebeachandunlessyou'rea
residentoraguest..."Heletthattrailoff.
"I'mattheWinnetu,"sheexplained.
"CouldIseesomeID,please?"
Shespreadherarmswide.Shewaswearingaonepieceswimmingsuit,asweatshirttied
aroundherwaist,andcapripants.Shewasbarefootandtheonlybagshehadwastheplastic
Ziplocholdinghershells.
"Youcan't.Ileftmypurseinmyroomit'snotthesortofthingItakebeachcombing."She
fishedinthewaistbandofherpants."Ihavemyroomkey,see?"Sheshowedhimthe
Winnetutagwithoutdisplayingtheroomnumberstampedintothekey."AndIcantellyou
mynameJones,MillicentR.TheRisforRegina."Shelookedathisuniformshirtwiththe
nameofthecompany,IslandSecurity,plainlylabeledononeoftheshirtflaps."Andasa
securityguard,Ididn'tthinkyoucouldaskforsomeone'sID."Shepointedathisnameonthe
othershirtflap."Isn'tthatright,Bob?"
"Onecanalwaysask.YoupassedthePrivateBeachsignbackthere,ma'am."Bobpointed.
Milliemadeashowoflookingbutshe'dalreadyseenthesign.She'djustignoredit.She
lookedbackattheguardandheldupherbagofshells."Sorry.Waslookingdown.Didn'tsee
it."
"Yes,ma'am.You'llhavetogoback."
"Isee.DoIhavetoleavetheshellsIpickedupbeyondthesign?IthinkIgotoneofthe
turbanshellsinthislaststretch."
Bobshookhishead."Idon'tthinkthat'llbenecessary."
"ImustconfessI'msurprisedtheykeepasecurityguardjusttowatchthebeach."
Hesmiledslightly."No,ma'am.I'mmakingmyrounds.Wewatchthisneighborhood."He
gesturedvaguelybehindhim,inthedirectionMilliehadbeenwalking."Someofthese
housessitemptythroughthewintersowekeepaneyeonthem."
Andsomedon't?"Mustgetprettycoldhereinthewinter.Isurewouldn'twanttostayhere

132

then."
"Windyandcold."
"Domanypeopleinthisneighborhoodstaythroughthewinter?"
Heignoredherquestion."Youcan'tmissthehotel,ma'am,ifyoujustwalkbackthewayyou
came."
Sheblinked.Putmeinmyplace,didn'tyou?"Allright."Shesmiledpolitelybutnotwarmly
andheadedbackdownthebeachthewayshe'dcome,atthewaterline,stilllookingfor
shells.Attheborderbetweentheprivateandpublicbeachshelookedback.
Hewasstillwatchingherfromthesameplace.Shewavedandheraisedhishandbriefly,
thenturnedaway,walkingbackthroughthedunes.Shewentbacktothehotelandrinsed
hershellsoffinthekitchenettesink,thenarrangedthemonthecoffeetableintheliving
room.
SomeonemightcomeseeifIkeptthemornot.
EIGHTEEN
"AreyousayingyoufoundanotherTeleport?"
Davycamedowntobreakfastreluctantly,timidly.Ithadbeenthreeinthemorningonthe
EastCoastwhenthey'dreturnedfromNigeria,andafterHyacinthhadlefthisroom,he'dfelt
limpwithexhaustion.ThoughnotinthewayI'dthoughtIwouldbe.
Whensleephadfinallycome,itbroughtnightmaresofsmallplanecrashesandburning
villages,toweringnaturalgasflaresbendingfromonhighandtorchinghouseafterhouse.At
onepointinthehorridstewofimages,he'dseenReverendIloribentoverthecoalsofhis
burningchurch,cookingalargelizardonastick.HeturnedtoDavyandsaid,"Goodeating!"
WhenhestuckhisheadintothebreakfastroomtherewasnosignofHyacinth,buttheroom
wasn'tempty.
Conleywassittingatthetable,alone.
"Well,themathisbizarreandnobodybelievesmydataandIcan'ttellthemthe
circumstances."
Davyblinked,relieved.
BadenoughthatI'veturnedamonsterloose,hethought,thinkingofRoule.I'mgladIdon't
havetoeatbreakfastwithone.He'dgonealongwiththerecoverybecausethekidnappers
reallywerebandits.He'dseenthenewspaperreportsabouttheattacksevenguardsanda
secretarykilledduringtheabductionandhe'dthoughthewasactuallydoingagooddeed.
DavylookedsuspiciouslyatConley.HisrecentencounterwithHyacinthmadehimreexamine
theman'swords."Whatdoyoumean,'can'ttellthem?'"
Conleylookedupblinking,clearlyengrossedinhisphysicspuzzles."Amnotallowedto."
Davyjumpedtotheothersideofthetable,standingrightbehindConley.Withhisrighthand
hegrabbedtheneckofConley'sshirtfrombehindandshoveddownasConleytriedto
scrambletohisfeet.WithhislefthandherippedConley'sshirtopen,exposingtheman'sleft
shoulder,collarbone,andupperchest.
Thescarswerethere,bothofthem.Heproddedwithhisfingerandfeltthehardlumpunder
theskin.
Conley,realizingwhathewasdoing,stoppedstruggling.
Davyreleasedhimandwalkedslowlybackaroundthetable.
Conleyglaredathim."Ireallylikedthisshirt!"Pointedly,hepoppedadanglingbuttonoffits
laststrandofthreadanddroppeditinhisshirtpocket.
Davypursedhislips."Yourscarsareolderthanmine,butnotasoldasHyacinth's.Howlong
agodidtheyputitin?"

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Conleypouredhimselfsomemorecoffeefromthethermoscarafe."YousawHyacinth's
scars?Wow."
Davyfelthimselfblushscarlet."Isiteverybodyhere?Everybodywhocomesincontactwith
Simons?"
Conleyshudderedslightlylikeahorsetwitchingoffabitingfly.Hestaredattheoppositewall
andsaid,"NotonlydidItrackyourmassmovingfromstationtostation,buteverytimeyou
jumped,thegravitationalsignatureactuallyoverlappedforonehundredandthirtytotwo
hundredmilliseconds.Itwasasifyouwereintwoplacesatonce,whichisimpossible,of
course."
Davysatdownandshookhisnapkinoutbeforeplacingitinhislap."Mustbeanybodywho
knowsSimons.Innercirclestuff."
Conleyshookapacketofartificialsweetenerintohiscup."Soitconfirmsmyprevious
hypothesis.Youaren'treallydisappearingandreappearing.You'reopeningagateway,ahole
betweenthetwospacetimelocations.Becausetheholepersists,I'mgettingmydoubled
massreadingthroughthedoor."
Davypouredhimselfcoffee."IthinkIknowwhatyoumean."
Conleylookedupfromstirringhiscoffee,thespoondanglinginhishand."Really?"
"Yeah.Forinstanceitseemslikewe'reinthesameroomrightnowbutfromthe
conversation,we'reactuallyamillionmilesapart."
"Thinkaboutit!Don'tyouknowwhatthismeans?Ifyoucouldopensuchaholeandleaveit
open?Attheleast,itmeansunlimitedenergy.Youcouldenddroughtsbydivertingflood
watersfromonepartoftheplanettoparchedriverbedselsewhere.Addahydroelectric
generatorandyou'dgetenergyaswell.Hell,openagatebetweenalowaltitudereservoir
andanupperoneandyouhaveperpetualenergy."
"Perpetualmotion?"saidDavy,askepticallookonhisface."Wheredoestheenergycome
from?"
ItwasConley'sturntoblush."Well,wheredoestheenergycomefromforyourjumps?"
Davyshrugged,"Ah,that.Well,eachtimeIjumpeveryhotbeverageonearthlosesa
millicalorieofheat."
Conleystaredathiscoffeeforasecondbeforesmiling."Well,that'sathought.Weshould
measurethenetenergyinyourdepartureanddestinationenvironments."
"Yeahimaginewhatglobalwarmingwouldbelikewithoutmyefforts!"
Conleysighed."Itakeityoudon'treallyknowwheretheenergycomesfrom?"
"Itakeityoudon'tknowwhichofthestaffherehaveimplantsintheirchest?"
Conleystoppedtalkingandatehisbreakfast.Davyglaredathimforamomentbefore
fetchinghisownfromthesideboard.Whenhewasdone,Davysaid,"I'mgoingtothebeach
ifit'sokaywithyou."
"Conleylookedvaguelyupattheceilingandsaid,"Turnonthebeachkeys,please."
Awallmountedintercomsaid,"Allclear."
Davyshivered.Hethoughthewaswatchedalways,butitwasnastytohaveitconfirmed.
ConleynoddedatDavy."Listenforthewhistlehewantstotalktoyoulater."
"He?Yourmaster?Simons?"
Conleylookedaway."He'sflyingin.They'llwantyoulockeddownwhenhelands."
"Yes,Renfield."
Conleylookedpuzzledandraisedhiseyebrows.
"Youguysneedtoreadmore.GoGoogleit.R,E,N,F,I,E,L,D.Tonarrowitdownaddthe
searchterm'Stoker.'"Hejumpeddirectlytothebeach.
It'sanoddduckthatdoesn'tknowwhoRenfieldis.
Thewindwasstrongoutoftheeast,paralleltothebeach,tearingthelongoceanswellsto

134

ragsastheybroke.Davysatinsunwarmedsandintheleeofarock,shelteredfromthe
stingingwindbornesand.
Thetidewasout.Hestaredatthesmoothexpanseofwetsandandthoughtabouttramping
outamessageforpassingspysatellites,DAVYHERE,inletterstwentyfeetonaside.Itwould
bevisiblebut,evenifhisjailerslethimdoit,whatweretheoddsoftherightSatIntelanalyst
reportingittosomeonewhowassufficientlyintheknow?
HethoughtaboutwhatConleyhadtoldhim,aboutkeepingthegateopen.Hepictured
puttinghishandinafullbathtubinStillwaterandsimultaneouslyputtingthesamehandin
thecisterninthecliffhouseholdingthegateopenhavingthewaterflowthroughfrom
bathtotank.Wouldbeathaulingbuckets.
Thewhistleblewand,reflexively,hejumpedbacktohisroom,inthesquare.Conleywas
alreadythere,thepadlockinhishand."Timetoputonthemanacle,I'mafraid.They'reon
finalapproach."
Davyputthemanacleonaroundhisankle.HeletConleyexamineitforsnugness,snapthe
padlockshut,andcheckthatthelockwasdefinitelyengaged.
Conleydidn'tstoptherehefollowedthechaintoitsflooranchorandverifiedeverylink.
"Secure,"hesaidtothemirror.
ItwasanotherhalfhourbeforeHyacinthcameinthedooranddoublecheckedthechain
andlock.OnlythendidsheholdthedoorforLawrenceSimonstoenter,afilefolderinhis
hand.AfterSimonswasseated,justoutsidetheradiusofDavy'schain,shetookupastation
againstthewall.Shedidn'tspeakandshedidn'tlookatDavy.
"Goodmorning,Mr.Rice.Goodmorning,Dr.Conley."
DavywatchedSimons'sface.ThemansmiledashespokebutitstruckDavythatthe
politenesswasashell,spokenlikesomebarelyunderstoodforeignlanguage.Heknows
whentousethephrasesbuthedoesn'treallyunderstandwhy.
Simonscontinued."Idon'tthinkwe'llbeneedingyouatthistime,Dr.Conley."
Conleyblinked,thensaid,"Ofcourse.I'llbeinmyoffice."Heleftquicklyand,Davythought,
gratefully.
AfterhewasgoneSimonsturnedtoHyacinthandsaid,"Ifyou'dseeaboutthatothermatter,
mydear."
Hyacinthnoddedandleft.
Simonsputonthepolitesmileagainandsaid,"NiceworkthereinNigeria."
Davynoddedslightly."HaveyouknownMr.Roulelong?"
Simonstiltedhisheadasifconsidering."I'veknownofhimforseveralyears.ButIdon'tthink
I'veeverbeeninthesameroomwithhim.He'snotadirectreport."
"Ah,soheisoneofyours?"
"Heisunawareoftheconnection."
"Whathappenedtothekidnappers?"
Simonsshookhishead."Bitofabotch,really.Thearmyleveledtheislandandpumped
thousandsofroundsintothesurroundingmangrovesbuttheydidn'tcomeupwithasingle
body.Closercoordinationwascalledfor."
"Tokeepthemfromlevelingthemission?"
SimonslookedatDavylikehewasfromanotherplanet."Toinsurethedestructionofthe
kidnappers."
HyacinthcamebackinandnoddedtoSimons."Alloff,sir."
"You'resure?"
"IunpluggedtheAVboard.AllvideoandaudiofeedsaredeaduntilIplugitbackinandI
lockedthatroom.Ihavetheonlykeyonsite."
DavyrememberedthedaythewelderhadblownthecircuitbreakerhowHyacinthhad

135

talkedtothemirrorwithoutresponse.Hefileditaway.
"Verygood,Hyacinth."Simonsshiftedinhisseat,turninghisattentionfullyuponDavy.
"AsIunderstandit,youcanteleporttoanyplaceyou'vebeenpreviously."
Davyshrugged."Withinreason.Ihavetohavesufficientrecalloftheplace.IfIhaven'tbeen
thereinawhile,Ineedmymemoryjogged."
"Jogged?Howjogged?"
"Bygoingthereagain,bysomemoretraditionalmeans."Hepausedforasecondthen
added,"Orimagesphotosorvideo."
Simonstookafoldedpagefromhisfilefolder."Isee.HowfreshisyourmemoryofCaracas?"
HehandedthesheettoDavy.
Davyunfoldedthesheetandstudieditinsilence.Itwasacolorprintoutofthecentralareas
ofCaracas,majoravenuesonly,withseveralpointsofinteresthighlightedandanoverlayof
thesubwaysystem.
Simonsshookhishead."YouweretherelastJulyfortheNSA.Youdeliveredseveral
cardboardboxes."
Indeed?Davylookedupsurprised.Simonsknewthatmuch."Allright.Ihaveasiteatthe
MetrostationatPlazaVenezuela.AlsoattheParqueCentral."
"NotBolivarPlaza?"
"Iwouldn'tgothereinanarmoredcar."
"Surelyindaylight?"
"Well,perhapsinalargegroup,indaylight."
"Theairport?"
Davyshookhishead."It'sbeensevenyears.Ihadnobusinessthereandsincethecoup
attemptsandthestrikes,it'snotbeenoneofmy,shallwesay,pleasuredestinations."
Simonswavedhishandandsaid,"Surelyyoudidn'ttaketheboxestoapublicmetro
station?"
"Close.Theagentinplaceparkedamovingvaninanearbyalley.Ijumpedtheboxesintothe
backofthetruck.ThenIclosedthepadlockonthedoorandleft.Theypickedthetruckup
twentyminuteslater.Theyneversawme.Theydon'tknowhowtheboxesweredelivered.
Theyweren'tsupposedto."HelookedatSimons."Neitherwereyou."
Simonsignoredthelast."Didyouknowwhatwasintheboxes?"
"Youdon't?"Davyhadknown.Healsoknewroughlywhatitspurposewas,elsehewouldn't
havemovedit.Buthedidn'twanttosharethatwithSimons.
"Iknow.Paper."
Hyacinthfrowned."Documents?TheyusedhimforFedEx?"
Simonsshookhishead."Brightlycoloredpaper.VenezuelanBolivars.Thepricewasfalling
eventhen.Theysentseveralmillion."
"Whynotdollars?"
"Traceability.Theyweresettingupanetworkofinformantsonbothsides."
Well,that'swhattheytoldme.Hopeitwasn'tanotherattempttodestabilizethe
government.Hedidn'tthinkitwas."DoyouworkfortheNSA?"Davysaid.
Simonslaughed."Ofcoursenot,sillyboy.LikeRoule,theyhavenoideaoftherelationship."
"Youdon'tworkforthem,"Davysaidslowly."Butsometimes"
"Exactly.Sometimestheyworkforme."
Davyshuddered.Hecouldn'thelpit.Visceralthat'swhatitwas,andSimonswatchedwith
afaintsmileonhisface.
"So,yourNSAfileandletmetellyou,itwasverydifficultgettingacopysaysyou'rethe
onlyknownteleport.Whatotherliesareinthefile?"
Davyraisedhiseyebrows."Ohstopit.AmIstillbeatingmywife?Don'tyouhavebetter

136

thingstodowithyourtime?WhocameupwiththisapproachConley?"
"Thefactsdictatedit."Simonscrossedhislegsandtiltedhisheadtooneside,continuingto
watchDavysteadily.
Davystaredback.Henarrowedhiseyes."Areyousayingyou'vefoundanotherteleport?"
"Iam."
"Idon'tbelieveit.I'vebeenactivelylookingfortenyears.Whoisit?Wherearetheyfrom?"
Simonsshookhishead."You'reverygood.Youhaven'tshownyourselfcapableofthislevel
ofdeceptionbefore.Youhadusallfooled."
"YouthinkI'mlying?"Heshrugged."Okay,feelthatway.Therearereallytwentysevenother
teleports.Mygang,andwhentheycatchupwithyouyou'llwishyou'dneverbeenborn."
Simonsfrowned."Nowsee?You'resoclearlylyingwhenyousaythat,thatyourabilityto
dissembleabouttheotherteleportsurprisesme.Howisitdone?"
"Thelying?Ortheteleporting?"
"Whowasthefirsttoteleport?Wasityouorwasityourwife?Weknowfromthefilethat
shewasheldbytheNSAduringyourfirst'interactions'withthem,yetshedidn'tescape.
Eithershecouldn'tdoitthen,oritwasverydeepcover."
"Mywife?"Davylaughed,butitdiedalmostimmediatelyastheimplicationssettledin.
"Whatonearthmakesyouthinkshecanjump?"Davycouldn'thelpithefoundhisvoice
rising.IftheythoughtMilliecouldjumpshe'dbeanevenhigherprioritytargetforSimons.
NotjustasawaytocontrolDavybutasaspare.
"ShewastrappedinahotelroominVirginia.Mypeoplewereinthehall,outsidethe
window,andinbothadjoiningrooms.Theyweremonitoringhermovementsacoustically
throughthewall.Whenthepointmanwentthroughthefrontdoor,themonitorhearda
splashfromthetub.Herclotheswerethereshewasgone."
Davy'seyeswidened."Noway.Yourpeoplearehosingyou."Oryouarehosingme.
Simonshadtiltedhisheadtotheotherside."Hmmm.Wemustconsiderthethirdpossibility,
Isuppose."
Davywastherebeforehimbuthekepthismouthshut.
"Thatshecouldn'tjumpbefore,butnowshecan."
Whatdotheyhopetogainwiththeselies?"WhatwasshedoinginVirginia."
"Lookingforyou."Simonstookanothersheetofpaperoutofhisfolderandpusheditacross
toDavy.ItwasaposterwithDavy'spicture,ashotherecognizedfromtheirstayinTahiti.It
gavetheroughtimeandplaceofhisdisappearanceandaskedforanyonewhohad
informationtocallthenumberbelow.However,thenumberhadbeencutoutofthepaper
witharazorbladeorXActoknife.
Hisintakeofbreathwassudden,surprising.Thepicturewasfromthecliffhousebedside
table.Hefelttearswelltohiseyesandheblinkedthemaway.Hetriedtomakehisvoice
light,uncaring."Ah.Well,it'snotamilkcarton."Shemadeitoutofthecliffhouse.Therelief
waspainful,overwhelming,andheknewitshowedinhisface.SowhatMilliewasallright
andshewasn'tintheirhands.
Whyaretheytryingtoconvincemeshecanjump?MaybeMilliehadfakedsomething.He'd
seenmagiciansdosomeprettyconvincingfakesinthepast."Tothebestofmyknowledge,
I'mtheonlyjumperthereis.YousuretheNSAisn'tspoofingyou?Maybeyourpeoplewere
listeningtoataperecorder?"
Simons'seyesnarrowedforthebarestsecondbeforehisexpressionreturnedtoits
customaryurbanity.
Heisn'tsure,Davyrealized.
SimonsturnedtoHyacinth."PleasefetchMissJohnson."
Davydidn'trecognizethename.

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"Yes,sir."Sheleft.
"Youtroubleme,Mr.Rice.YourfieldtestinNigeriawasquitepromising.Itismyhopethat
you'llcontinuetomakeyourselfuseful,but,intheeventyouchoosenotto,Iwanttomake
absolutelyclearthattheconsequenceswillbesevere."
Davytensed.WasheabouttobepunishedforsupposedlyconcealingMillie'sabilityto
teleport?Well,iftheyactivateit,I'llaimforhisveryexpensivesuit.
WhenHyacinthcamebacksheheldthedoor.HisoldfriendsThugOneandThugTwocame
throughthedoor,eachholdingthearmofafiguredressedinashortsleeve,illfitting,dark
greenjumpsuit.Thehandswerecuffedinbackandtheyhadablackclothsackoverher
head.Oncethedoorwasshut,ThugOnepulledoffthehoodrevealingthewoman'sface.
Shewasablackwomanwhoblinkedrapidlyinthesuddenlightandherlowerlipwas
bleeding.ShelookedfamiliartoDavy.Thenhereyessqueezedshutinaprolongedblink
beforereopening,andhertonguethrustwildlyoutofhermouth.
"Sojee?"It'dbeenoverthreemonthsbutthefacialtwitcheswereunmistakable."Whatdid
theydotoyou?"
Sojeelookedathimblankly,thensmiled."Myangel!"Herfacewastransformed,bloodylip
andall.Shetriedtostepforwardbutherescortspulledherback.Bitterly,shesaid,"They
tookmycoat."
ThugTwo,theredhead,washoldingabloodyhandkerchieftohisbeaklikenose.
Simonsfrowned."Whathappened?"Hisvoicewasmildbutbothguardslookednervous.
ThugTwosaidnasally,"Sheheadbuttedme,sir.Inthenose.Iknockedherback,offofme."
Simons'svoicewasscathing."YouknowwhatshedidinD.C.!Didyouunderestimateher
becauseshe'sawomanorblack?"SimonslookedatDavy."Iswiminaseaofincompetence.
It'snowonderwehaven'tcaughtupwithyourwife."
DavywaswatchingSojee.Besidesthesplitlipshelookedokay.Well,shelookedlikeSojee.
Herfacialspasmswereassevereaseverandthewayshestoodthere,herheadtiltedtoone
side,hesuspectedshewaslisteningtovoices."WhathappenedinD.C.?"
Sojeesmiledagain."TheBlueLadyandIwhupped'emwhentheycameforus.Iwould've
finished'em'cepttheFBIpulledmeoff."
DavylookedbackatSimons.
Simonsclosedhiseyesandpinchedthebridgeofhisnose.
Davysaid,"WhoistheBlueLady,Sojee?"
Sojeefrowned."What?TheBlueLady!Theonewhocomesfromtheseatoprotectus."She
pointeddownattheposteronthetable."Theladywhowashandingoutthose.Shesaidshe
wasyourwife."
"Millie?"
Sojeenodded.
"Sheismywife.Butwhy'BlueLady?'Wasshesadorisitsomethingelse?"
"Yesandyes."
Davyshookhishead,hismindracing."Howlonghavetheyhadyou?Aretheymistreating
you?"
"Theylockmeinaheatedroomwithashowerandatoilet.Theystickmealsunderthedoor
ontrays,threetimesaday.It'shorrible."
"Enough!"saidSimons."Takeherback."
SojeelookeddownatDavy'sshackle,thenatSimons.Hermouthmadeasilentoh."Isee."
ShejerkedherheadovertowardSimons."Satan'sminion,thedemonking."
SimonswavedhishandandThugsOneandTwoputthehoodbackoverherheadandpulled
herbackoutthroughthedoor.Whenithadclosedagain,Simonssaid,"Shemaythinkher
conditionsarebadnow,butIinviteyoutoconsiderhowmuchworsetheycouldbe."

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DavyhadahardtimenotlaughinginSimons'sface.Sojeehadn'tbeencomplainingshe'd
beenboasting.Comparedtothestreets,thecellwaslikeheaven...fornow.
Simonscontinued,"They'reidiots.Brutalidiots."HelookedintoDavy'seyes."Butforallthat,
they'lldoexactlywhatIsay.And,aftertheheadbuttingincident,they'llprobablyenjoyit."
Davyfelthisstomachroiling."You'llhavetospellitout."
"You'reright,"saidSimons."Thereshouldbenochanceofmisunderstanding.Itgoeslike
this:whenIsaidtheconsequencesofnoncooperationwouldbesevere,Iwastalkingabout
morethanjustforyoupersonally.Ms.Johnsonwillalsofacethoseconsequencesand
Hyacinthwilldelivertheresultstoyouonefingerjointatatime.DoImakemyselfclear?"
Davymadehisfacegoblank."Youdo."
SimonsstaredatDavyforamoment,silent,considering.Finallyhesaid,"Verywell.Let'stalk
aboutCaracas."
Theyservedhimlunchinhisroom,butConleydidn'tcomebackinwiththekeyuntilthe
afternoonwasalmostgone.Asheremovedthepadlock,Conleysaid,"I'vethoughtupsome
experimentstotry,butwe'llhavetowaituntilthey'vefinishedwithyou.Dayafter
tomorrow,perhaps?"
"Isuppose."Davyrubbedhisankle."So,theyhaven'ttoldyou?"
Conleyhelduphishands."Apparentlyit'snotmyconcern,soI'mhappiernotknowing."
Davygesturedattheshackle."ItakeitSimonshungaroundforawhile?"
"Golf,Ibelieve.Heflewintoplaygolf.Nowhe'sgone,though."
Davyshuddered.BusydayforSimons.FlytoMartha'sVineyard.Tauntprisoner.Threaten
torturetoinnocentvictim.Eighteenholesofgolf.Flybacktowherever.Aminion'sworkis
neverdone.HegavehisattentiontoConley."Umm.Well,whatkindofexperiments?"
"Thoughtwemighttryjumpingbackandforthbetweentwodifferentplaces,quickasyou
can,oscillatingsotospeak."
"Morelikevacillating.LikeIcan'tmakeupmymindwhereIwanttobe."
"Yes.Weknowthere'ssomepersistenceofthephenomenon,perhapswecanactuallyget
thegatetostayopen."
Davythoughtaboutthis."Howwillyoutell?Howcanyoumeasureit?"
Conleyfrowned."Bywhatflowsthrough,Isuppose.Imightputaweakradiotransmitterby
onelocationandafieldstrengthmeterattheother.Ifwecangetthesignalstrengthto
stabilize"
Davynodded."Gotit."Hisfelthisheartpoundingandarushofadrenalinecoursedthrough
him.Gotit!HewonderedifConleyhadthoughtitthrough.Theimpulsetoglanceatthe
mirrorwasalmostoverwhelmingbuthemasteredit.
Conleynoddedback."Well,we'lltryitwhenyou'reback,unlessyouwanttotrysomething
rightnow."
Davyshookhishead.Simonstoldhimtheywerewaitingfortheelectronickeystobeflown
fromNigeriatoCaracas.ApparentlythesoonesttheKLMflightcouldgettoVenezuelawas
sixo'clockbuttherewasseriousdoubtastowhetherthey'dmadetheconnectionin
Amsterdam.Therewasverylittlechancethey'dneedDavybeforetomorrowbuthewasn't
goingtotellConleythat."Theytoldmetoholdmyselfready."
Hefeltsafeinthislie.They'dturnedoffthecamerasandthemicrophonesafterall.Orthey
saidtheydid.Hedidn'treallydoubtit,thoughitwasn'tasifthey'dbeentryingtogetDavy
tosayanythingrevealingorincriminating.Simonshadbeentheonedoingallthetalking.
What,then,wasthepoint?Whattopicofthebriefingdidtheynotwantontape?Well,they
didthreatentochopSojee'sfingersoffjointbyjoint.Herememberedotherthingssaidand
doneinthisroom,ostensiblywhenthecamerasandmicrophoneswereoperating.No,it's

139

somethingaboutCaracas.
Conleywasstilllookingathim,heftingtheweightofthepadlockinhishand."Youallright?"
Davyblinked."Oh.Yeah.Justthinkingaboutthatstuffyousaidyoudidn'twanttoknow
about."
"Idon'task.Don'ttell."
Davyexhaled."YoubenicetomeorI'llstarttellingyoueverythingIknow.And,ofcourse,I'll
tellthemItoldyou."
He'dmeantitasajest,somethingtogettheconversationoffofthenotionofagate,but
Conleyblanchedanddroppedthepadlocktothefloor."Shit."Hestoopedtopickitupand
whenhestoodagainhiseyeswerewary.
Davyfeltcompelledtosay,"Justkidding,man.Really."
Conleyputthepadlockonthedresserandsaid,"I'llgoworkonmynotes.Later."Heopened
thedoorpartwayandsidledthrough.
Thatwasweird.
HeturnedhisthoughtsbacktoSojee.Hehadn'tgottenanysenseofanotherprisonerinthe
mansion.They'dtoldhimhehadtherunofthepublicroomswhenhewasallowedoutofhis
roombuthe'dbeenwarnedawayfromanylockeddoor.He'dalsobeentoldspecifically
nevertoentertheroombehindthemirroragainonpainofconfinementtothesquare.
Hecouldn'tgetintotheatticthedoorwassteelandlocked.Hewaslookingdownthesteps
intothebasementwhenHyacinthshowedup,anamusedlookonherface."MissCrazyFace
isn'tinthebuilding,Lover.Shewaswellawayfromhereevenbeforelunch."Shespreadher
hands."We'renotstupid."
No.Unfortunately.
"ThekeysmadeittoCaracasbutwe'regivingtheboysthenightoff.Jetlag.We'llgooh
eighthundredthat'snineinCaracas.Setyouralarmor,ifyouwant,youcanleavea
wakeupcallwithme.I'dbeglad"
Davyjumpedaway,backtohisroom,withoutlettingherfinish.Hewashopingshe'dfindit
asannoyingasanyotherpersonwho'dbeencutoffinmidsentence.ButIdoubtit.Hyacinth
wouldseehisreactionashervictory.
Lether.IfHyacinththoughtshewasinthedriver'sseat,she'dbelessvigilant.
MaybeIshouldsleepwithher.Letherhaveherwaytoputheroffguard.Hefelthisbody
respondingtothethought.Youjustwanttogetlaid.Stoprationalizing.Hecalledupthe
memoryofBrianCox'sbloodsplashingacrosshisfaceintherainandthescarsaboveand
belowHyacinth'scollarbone.Theachesubsided.
Ashoweriscalledfor.
Hestartedthewaterrunningbeforeundressing.Theboilerinthebasementwashuge,butit
tooksometimefortheheatedwatertorunthroughthepipestothethirdfloor.Onceit
reachedhisbath,though,thesupplywasunlimited.Longshowershadsavedhissanity.After
themessyandshamefulepisodeswhenthey'dtriggerthedevice,ittookalongtimeunder
thewatertofeelcleanagain.
Butanotherthinghe'dnoticed:whenthebathroomdoorwasopenandtheshowerwas
runningatlength,itfilledthebathwithcloudsofsteamandcoatedthemirrorinthe
bathroomwithmoisture.
Itblockedthecamera.
Before,he'dusedthatprivacytocry,torage,andtomasturbate.Now,itwastimetouseit
forsomethingelse.
Slowly,tostart.Hebeganwithasimplejumpofamerethreefeet,fromoneendofthetub
totheother.Hestoodrelaxed,hisfeetspread.Therewasashowermatbutitdidn'textend
theentirelengthofthetubandhedidn'twanttofallonhisass.Hetookatowelfromthe

140

rackandspreaditovertheuncoveredpartofthetub.Wet,itclungtotheenamelandhefelt
moreconfident.
Hechangedhisorientationwitheachjump,alwaysfacingtowardtheoppositeendofthe
tub.Hesteppedupthepace,jumpingtwiceasecondeasily,threetimesasecond.Hisvision
spun.Thetwoshowerwalls,onewiththeshowerheadandcontrolsandonewithatowel
rack,blurredtogetherandthenthefigureappeared,likeaghostinthemist,facinghim,
thereandnotthere.
"Shit!"Heshovedhisrighthandoutandrecoiledaway.Theshowerheadbangedintothe
backofhishead,thewatervalvesstabbedintohisbutt.Thefigureinfrontofhimalsothrew
anarmforward,flinchingbackward,andvanished.
Oh.Despitethescrapeonhisposterior,hestartedlaughing.
It'slikeaFiresignTheatrerecord:"Howcanyoubeintwoplacesatoncewhenyou'rereally
nowhereatall?"Herememberedatimerightafterthey'dbegunconditioninghimwhenhe
couldn'tfacehimselfinthemirror.Nomirror.Canyoufaceyourselfnow?
Ittookhimamomenttogetitagain.Hewasstrugglingandhiskneesweregettingweak.
Jumpinghadnevertiredhimbefore,butthiswasdraining.Hewasabouttogiveitupagain
buttherehewas,blurred,twosetsoffeaturesoverlapping,liketheshowerheadandthe
towelrackblurringtogether.Hereachedoutcautiouslywithhisrighthandbothofthem
andhisfingertipstouched,solid,yetwithanunderlyingvibration,ashaking.Hedroppedhis
handandstaredattheface.
Notamirror.Itwasn'twhathewasusedto.Hehadregularenoughfeaturesbutapparently
therewasenoughasymmetrytorenderthefeaturesfamiliaryetstrange.
Pushit.Hechangedhisdestination,tryingtoholdontohisoriginalpostattheshowerhead
endofthetub,whileswitchingtheotherterminustotheAerie.
Hisearspoppedhardandtheshowercurtainswirledaroundhimatasuddengustofwind.
Thedifferencebetweentheswelteringhotshowerandtheicyunheatedairbrokehis
concentrationandhefoundhimselfstandingcompletelyintheAerie.Thegovernorkickedin
andhewasbackinthebathtub,onhisknees,vomitinguppartofhislunch.
Ithadonlybeenaninstantthedevicehadkickedoninwarningmode.Thebathtubhad
alreadybeenhisintendeddestinationandhecounteditagreatvictorythathehadn't
flinchedbacktothesquaretovomitinfrontoftheireyes.
Hecleanedupwiththeshowerstillrunning,thesteamstillswirling,washingthevomitdown
thetubdrain.Hehopedtheyhadn'theardtheretchingoverthenoiseofthewater.Thetub
clean,hestoodwithhisheadtiltedup,hismouthopen,lettingthewaterrunintoandoutof
hismouth,rinsingthetaste,soothinghisthroat.
Whenhebentovertoturnoffthewater,theroomswam,andhehadtosteadyhimself
againstthewalltokeepfromfalling.Hethoughtitwastheheatatfirst,butrealizedquickly
thathefeltdrainedexhausted.Hedidasketchyjobofdryinghimselfandstaggered,more
thanwalked,intothebedroom.Hestaredatthedresseracrosstheroombutitseemed
unimaginablyfar.Hedraggedthecoversbackonthebedandlethimselffall.
Hestruggledtothink.Didtheydrugme?Itwasnearlydinnertimeandhe'dlasteatenfive
hoursbefore.Hefeltlikehe'dbeenawakefordaysand,despiteanovertefforttokeephis
eyesopen,heplungedintosleep.
NINETEEN
"Nervegas?"
Padgettwassleeping,fullyencasedinthenewsleepingbag,stretchedoutbythedying
embersofthefire.Sheleftanothersixpackofwaterandaresealablebagofbeefjerkynear

141

hishead.
ShefoundthenightvisiongogglesatB&HPhoto,thesameplaceshe'dboughther
binoculars.
"That'soverthreethousandaftertax."
"You'repayingforsensitivityandresolution,"theclerktoldher."Thisisthirdgeneration
technologymuchmoresensitivetoinfrared.Wildlifewillshowupagainstthecold
backgroundlikeatorch."
Thewildlifeshewasconcernedaboutwalkedontwolegs,butwhatshoweduplookedlike
nothinghuman.
Beyondtheprivatebeachsign,shesawaseriesofblotchesinthescope,spreadamongthe
dunes.Whensheapproachedoneofthesefromthelandside,havingjumpedpastit,she
founditwasamostlyburiedvideocamerahousinghiddeninthedunegrass,itslittleseven
inchantennaevirtuallyinvisibleamongthebrowngrassstrands.Sheputonefingertipontop
andfounditslightlywarmerthanthesurroundingair.Enoughtoshowup.Shewas
profoundlygratefulshe'dsplurgedforthebestgogglesinthestore.
Hmph.NowonderBobthesecurityguardshoweduptocheckmeout.
Shekeptlowandstudiedthesurroundingdunes.Shedidn'tseeanymoredotsoverlooking
hercurrentlocationbutthatdidn'tmeanthereweren'tanymorecameras.Andtheywere
probablyalllowlightdevices,designedtopickupmovingpersons,dayornight.Shepursed
herlips.
Treadsoftly.Takeitslowly.Don'tscarethemoff.
Shejumpedaway,firsttotheAerietochangeclothesandleavethenightvisiongogglesin
theircase,thenbacktotherestaurantintheWinnetu,theOpus,wheresheordereda
ridiculouslylargedinner.Shelingeredoverthemeal,givinganybodywhomightbe
interestedachancetostudyher.Whenshewasdoneshetooktheleftoversinalarge
takeoutboxbacktoherroom.
ShedeliveredthemtoPadgettfollowedbyafreshloadoffirewood.Fiveminuteslater,when
Padgettwashunkereddownbeforetherebuiltfireandeating,thenewsleepingbag
wrappedaroundhimlikeashawl,shecameback."Iparticularlylikedthebreadwithroasted
garlicspread,"shecommented.Shekneltdownandextendedherhandstothewarmth,
directlyoppositehimacrosstheflames.
Heglancedatherbutdidn'tsayanything.HewentontotheSearedLangoustineandFoie
Gras.AtthefirstwhiffofaromafromtheStyrofoamboxhefroze,thenlookedupather.
"Nice.Whatrestaurant?"
Oh,arewetalkingnow?Shestudiedhim.Hisattitudehadchangedslightly.Itwasmore
casualandrelaxedthanjustamomentbefore.Itcouldbethefood.No,themanhadjust
started.Tooearlyforachangeinbloodsugar.Helookedlikesomeofherclientswhenthe
topiconhandhadstrayedtooclosetosomethingtheydidn'twanttodealwith.Hewas
deliberatelycasual,artificiallyrelaxed.
"Thatrestaurant,"sheventured."Onthesouthshoreofthatisland.Justamiledownthe
beachfromthathouse."
"Idon'thavetheslightestideawhatyou'retalkingabout,"Padgettsaid,butitcametoo
quickandheknewit.
ShesmiledbroadlyandPadgettthrewup.
Itwassuddenandconvulsiveandtitanic,seeminglyeverythinginhisdigestivetract
geyseringintothefire.
Milliefellbackwardrecoilingfromtheroilingcloudofsteamandthesmell.Shescrambled
backastheconvulsionscontinued.
Shestood,andcameforward,hesitantly.Epilepsy?

142

Padgettwaslyingonhissidenowandhisheadwasgettingdangerouslyclosetothefire.
Ratherthanwalkaroundhim,shejumpedtothefarsideandpulledhisshouldersback.The
spasmswerecontinuingand,sherealized,notlimitedtoemesis.He'dvoidedhiscolonas
well.
I'vegottogethimhelp.He'sgoingtochoketodeathatthisrate.
UnlikeDavy,shedidn'thaveamajortraumacenterjumpsitememorized.She'dneverbeen
anywhereneartheoneDavyused,theAdamsCowleyShockTraumaCenterinBaltimore.
ButImust'vewalkedpasttheentrancetotheERatGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospitala
dozentimeswhileIwasputtingupthosestupidposters.
Ittookherasecondtoconcentrate,nomeanfeatasPadgettthrashedatherfeet,butshe
trieditandfoundherselfonthesidewalkofNewHampshireAvenue,fiftyyardsawayfrom
theambulancedrivewaywhereitcutthroughthebuildingitself.Shesprintedforward,up
thedrive,andwenttowardthedoorattheambulanceloadingramp.Ahospitalsecurity
guardsteppedforwardsaying,"Whoa,Ma'am.You'vegottogointheother"Butshe
dodgedaroundhimandtwistedthroughthejustopeningautomaticdoorintotheantiseptic
smellofthetraumacenter.Sheheardfootstepsastheguardhurriedafterherandafigurein
bluescrubspositionedhimselfinherpath,hishandsraised.
Shestopped,lookingaround,takinginthesmellandfeelofthesite.
"Ladyyoucan'tcomeinthisdoor!It'sforthetraumapatients!"
Sheturnedtofacethesecurityguardandgavehimalevellookthatcausedhimtopause,
onehandoutstretched,apparentlyintheactofreachingforherarm.
Sheheldupherfingerandsaid,"Holdthatthought,willyou?"Thenjumped.
Padgetthadstoppedvomitingbuthisbreathswerecominginwheezespunctuatedbyshort,
barkingcoughs.Shegrabbedhimunderhisarmpitsandjumped.
"Whoashit!"
Inthefewsecondsshe'dbeengone,thesecurityguardandthemaninscrubshadwalked
forwardtowhereshe'dvanished.ThesecurityguardtrippedoverPadgett'slegsand
stumbledforward.Thenurseordoctordressedinscrubsfellbackwards.
Otherfiguresinscrubscameforward.Milliedidn'tknowifthey'dseenherdisappearand
reappearoranyportionthereofbutshedidn'tcare.Shejuststartedtalking.
"Fiveminutesagohebeganvomitingandvoidedhisbowels,accompaniedbyuncontrolled
spasms.Hejustatesomeseafoodbutheknewwhathewaseatinganddidn'tmentionany
allergies.He'shadarecentnearhypothermiaexperiencebuthasbeeninasleepingbagin
frontofawarmfireforthelasteighthours.Hewaslucidandapparentlyfinerightuptothe
firstconvulsion."Shelookedaroundatthestaringfaces."Isanybodygettingthis?"She
lookeddownatPadgett."Oh,Godhe'sstoppedbreathing!"
Thatdidit.Outcamethemasksandgloves.Oneshouted,"Possiblecodeyellow!"
Milliesteppedbackandthewhirlwinddescended.
Thesecurityguardstayedwithher,hovering,buthehadputononeoftheearloop
proceduremasksjustlikethemedicalstaff,andwaspullingonlatexgloves.
Whensheglancedathim,heflinched,soshesaid,"Letmeguess,you'dratherIhungoutin
thewaitingroom?"Shewasfeelingodddisconnected.
ThestaffhadliftedPadgettontoagurneyandoneofthemstraddledPadgett'sbodyonthe
tableashesnakedanendotrachealtubedownhisthroat,evenastheothersrolledthe
wholeshebangintoaroomlabeled"Resuscitation."
"Theadmissionsclerkneedstogetsomepatientinfo,"thesecurityguardsaid.Itwashardto
readhisexpressionthroughthemaskbuthewasstilllookingatherasifshehadtwoheads
andoneofthemwouldbitehim.Hegesturedtoamaskedwomanwithaclipboard
approachingfromthedoorthatledintothewaitingroom.

143

Milliemadeasoundless,"Ah,"andturnedtotheclerk."Doyouwanttodothisinyour
office?
"We'vegotaroomoverhere."
SheledMillieofftotheside,aroomwithachairmoreofaboothactuallyseparatedfrom
anadjoiningboothbyaglasswindow.Thewomantookthechairontheothersideofthe
windowaftershuttingMillie'sdoor.Shetookoffhermaskandsmiledthroughtheglass
beforeshestartedaskingherquestionsthroughatwowayspeaker.
Milliewaspatient."HisnameisLewisPadgett.Idon'tknowhisaddress.Idon'tknowhis
social.Idon'tknowhisinsuranceprovider.Idon'tknowifhehasanydrugallergiesor
allergiesofanyotherkindheisnotandwasnotwearingamedalertbracelet.No,Icannot
giveyoupermissiontotreatbarelyknowtheman,butsinceheisunconscious,Idon'tthink
youguyshavetoworryaboutthat."
Thewomanworeapainedexpressiononherface."Wereallyneedmoreinformation."
"IknowanumberyoucancallIbelievethatthey'llbeabletogiveyouallsortsof
informationabouthim.Theywillprobablyassumeresponsibilityforhim,too."
"Financialresponsibility?"
"Idon'tknowaboutthatbutattheveryleastthey'llhavehissocialsecuritynumber."With
tremblinglipsshegavethewomanSpecialAgentBeccaMartingale'scellnumberandher
name,butnothertitleandemployer.
"Andyourname,ma'am?"
Millielookedup.Therewereatleastfourvideocamerasinthetraumareceptionarea.Shit,
they'verecordedmejumping!Forabriefmomentsheconsideredfindingthemachinesthat
recordedthevideofeedbutsheknewnothingaboutthetechnology.Thesecurityoffice
couldbeanywhereintheentiremassiveclusterofbuildingsor,worse,offpremises.There
wasnopointinlying.Shewishedshe'datleasthadtimetoputonthewigandglassesbefore
bringingPadgettin,butshewastheshorthairedblondincontacts.Somuchforthat
disguise.
"MillicentHarrisonRice.MentionmynameifMs.Martingalehasanydoubtsaboutthe
identityofyourpatient."
"Andyouraddress?"
"I'mnotthepatientandI'mnotassumingfinancialresponsibility,"shesaid.
"Ma'am,Ineedthisinformation.Mr.Padgettmaybecontagious.Youcouldbeexposed,not
onlyindangerofcontractinghisdiseaseyourself,butalsoofspreadingit.Youarerequired
bylawtogiveusthisinformation!"
Well,whodoesn'tknowourStillwateraddress?Afterall,itwaswhereshe'dfoundPadgett
andcertainlytheNSAhadbeenthere.SurelytheFBIcouldfigureitoutitwasamatterof
publicrecord.
ShegavetheclerktheStillwateraddressandphoneandherworkphoneattheclinicthough
shedoubtedshe'deverbeabletoworkthereagainafterthisnight'swork.
"Butyou'restayinghereinDC,Itakeit,someplace?Ahotel?Afriend."
"Oh,no."Icommute."Justgothere.Nolocaladdress."
"I'llgiveMs.Martingaleacall,whydon'tI,"saidtheclerkwhenshe'dtakendowntheinfo.
Millieexpectedhertogobacktotheadmissionsofficeadjacenttothewaitingroombutshe
simplyreachedbelowMillie'slineofsight,pickedupaphonehandset,anddialed.
Ishouldgo.ButMilliestayed.ShewantedtoknowhowPadgettwas.Nomatterthathewas
herenemy,thathewasoneofthosewho'dtakenDavy.ShefeltresponsibleforPadgett's
currentcondition.Shealsowantedtoknowwhatwaswrongwiththeman.Shefounditodd
thathe'dgoneintoconvulsionsthemomenthe'dactuallyrevealedsomethingtoher.And
thentherewasthepossibilityPadgettwascarryingsomekindofcontagiousdisease.She

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wantedthatclearedup.TyphoidMarywouldhavenothingonmeasadiseasevector.Millie
picturedherselfjumpingfromcitytocity,coughingandsneezingandleavinglociofinfection
strungbehindher.
Bettertoknow.
Shecouldaffordtowaittheydidn'thavemuchchanceofstoppingherwhenshediddecide
toleave,butthisthought,initiallycomforting,suddenlysentacoldchillthroughthevery
coreofherbeing.That'salmostcertainlywhatDavythoughtrightbeforetheytookhim.
Theadmissionsclerk'ssideofthephoneconversationcameclearlythroughthegrill."Ms.
BeccaMartingale?MynameisSarahLewinski.I'mwithpatientintakeatGeorgeWashington
UniversityHospital.WejustadmittedaLewisPadgettandweweretoldyoucouldhelpus
completeourintakeinformation.YoudoknowMr.Padgett?"
"Well,aMs.MillicentHarrisonRicetoldusyoumightknowmoreabouthimthanshedid."
"Yes,Ms.HarrisonRiceisrighthere.ShebroughtMr.Padgettin."
"Sorry,theyjustarrived.Idon'tknowwhatMr.Padgett'sconditionis.Canyouhelpmewith
anyofMr.Padgett'sinformationhissocialoremployerorinsuranceprovider?"
SpecialAgentMartingalehadapparentlyfinishedaskingquestionsandwasnowtalkingat
length,fortheadmissionsclerkhadhermouthshutandhereyesopen.Thenshesaid,"Yes,
ma'am.I'lltellsecurityimmediately."Shehungupthephoneandsaidinamildlyaccusatory
tonetoMillie,"Youdidn'tsayMs.MartingalewasanFBIagent."
Withoutwaitingforaresponseshesteppedoutoftheboothandcalledthesecurityguard
over.Milliecouldn'thearwhatshesaidtohimbutwhenshewasdonetalking,theguard
unhookedhisbeltradioandbeganspeakingintoitasheheadedbackforthetreatment
roomwherethey'dtakenPadgett.
MilliestartedtostepbackoutofhersideoftheinterviewboothtogetanupdateonPadgett
whenasiren,previouslydistantlyaudible,suddenlyswelledtoanearlyearsplittinglevelas
thevehicleenteredtheambulancedriveway.Fortunatelythedriverturnedoffthesiren
almostimmediatelybutMilliecouldseebluelightsbouncingoffthewalls.Herfirstthought
wasthatanambulancewasdeliveringatraumapatientbutthatscenariowasdispelled
whenfoursoldiersinhoodedgasmasksandfullchemicalwarfareprotectivegearcame
throughthedoor.
Adoctorcamerunningfromthetreatmentroomstomeetthem.Talkingrapidly,hegestured
firstbacktowardthetreatmentroomsandthenpointeddirectlyatMillie.
Whatthehell?
Twoofthesoldiersfollowedthedoctorbacktotreatmentandtheothertwoturnedto
Millie.Shesteppedbackinvoluntarilyastheyapproached.
Theoneintheleadwavedaninstrumentthesizeofalargehardbackwithanoffcenter
projectingnozzleandanLCDreadout.Hesteppedintotheothersideoftheisolationbooth,
theroomtheadmissionsclerkhadused,andwaveditaround,watchingthescreen.After
studyingitforamomentheliftedthegasmaskandshoulderdrapinghoodup,revealing
mildlookingeyesandbifocalglasses.Heusedthespeaker."Goodevening,ma'am.Howare
you?"
"Well,untilyouguysshowedupinyourgasmasks,Iwasfine.ThenIalmosthadaheart
attack.Whoareyouandwhyareyouhere?"
"Ah.Well,mynameisSergeantFergusonoftheC/BRRTtheChemical/BiologicalRapid
ResponseTeam.We'reherebecausethetraumacenterreportedapossibleoccurrenceof
nerveagent."
"Nervegas?Likesarin?"
"OrtabunorsomanorVX.Orthemostcommonisorganophosphatepesticide,soitdoesn't
havetobesomethingsinister.I'mgoingtoputmymaskbackonandusethis,"heheldup

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theinstrument,"tocheckyouandyourclothingforanytracesofnerveagent."
"Haveyoudetectedanyoutthereyet?"Shegesturedattheroombeyondtheglass.
Hesmiled."Notatrace,thankGod."
Shegestured."Byallmeans,checkaway."
Heredonnedhismask,didaquickcheckontheseal,andcameovertohersideofthebooth,
pushingtheinstrumentthroughthedoorfirst.Whenitwasapparentlynegative,hecameon
in.Shestoodasdirectedandhecheckedherfromheadtofoot.Hehadherholdupher
shoesonebyonesohecouldcheckthesolesandthenexhaleasheheldtheinstrument
beforehermouth.Thisclose,shecouldhearasmallfansuckingairinthroughthenozzle.
FromapockethepulledacharcoalgrayfoampacketwithpressedseamsandaVelcro
closure,andsetitonthecounter.Hisvoice,muffledbythemask,said,"Youseemallclear,
ma'am,butI'msurethey'llwantyoutostayinhereuntilthey'vetotallyruleditoutorany
biologicalagent."
Heexited,consultedbrieflywithhisassociate,andwentbackintotheothersideofthe
booth.Hismaskbackoff,hesmiledandsaid,"Ontheverylongchanceyou'vebeenexposed,
I'veleftanantidotekitonthecounterthere.Ifyoustartsalivatingandyournosestarts
running,ifyoufeelapressureinyourchest,ifyouhavetroublefocusingoncloseobjects,or
ifyoufeelnauseated,singout.Ifwe'renotimmediatelyavailable,therearetwo
autoinjectorsinthereonehas2mgofatropine,andtheotherhassixhundredmilligrams
of2PAM,pralidoximechloride.Removetheprotectivecapandpressthemintoyourthigh
aboutfourinchesaboveyourknee.Don'tworryaboutyourclothestheautoinjectorwill
pushtheneedlerightthrough,allright?Atropinefirst,2PAMsecond."
"You'rescaringme,here."
"Tobeperfectlyhonest,Idon'tthinkyouhaveathingtoworryabout."
"Thenwhyareyouhere?"
Hegrinned."Tomakesureyoudon'thaveanythingtoworryabout."Hegesturedback
towardthetraumacenter."Iseewhytheycalleditinyourfriendhadseveralofthe
symptomsofacutenerveagentexposure.Hewascrashingrespiratoryandcardiac
failurebutherespondedprettywelltoatropine,butsinceatropineisgoodforahostof
differentproblemsit'snotadefiniteindicatorfornervegas.It'sjustthatwe'relessthanhalf
amilefromtheWhiteHousehere.That'swhymylittleunitisondetacheddutyhereinD.C.
insteadofbackwiththerestoftheteamupinMaryland.Betterweshouldoverreacta
littlewe'veallseentheconsequencesofunderreacting.
"I'mgoingtocheckwithmyboss,CaptainTrihnhe'sinwiththetraumateamandwe'll
knowmore.SpecialistMarcothere,"hepointedtotheothersoldieroutside,"willstayhere.
LethimknowifyoustartexperiencinganyofthereactionsIlisted."
Shenoddedandheputhismaskbackon,thenwalkedbackupthehalltowardthetrauma
theaters.Thefactthathewalkedcalmly,ratherthantrotted,reassuredhermorethan
anythinghe'dsaid.
AfewminuteslaterSpecialAgentBeccaMartingaleenteredtheemergencyroomwitha
teamofsixagentsallneatlylabeledFBI,inwhitelettersacrossdarknavywindbreakers.
Themedicalstaffapparentlyexpectedthem,thoughherchemicalwarfareattendant,
SpecialistMarco,didaseriousdoubletakewhenhesawtheshotgunsthreeofthemwere
carrying.
Thisisgettingcrazy.Ishouldjumpoutofhere.Butshehesitatedtherewerethingsshe
wantedtoknow,bothfromthemedicalstaffandfromtheFBI.
BeccagaveMillieanodasshepassed,butclearlyherfirstprioritywassecuringPadgett.
Milliealmostwishedshecouldbetherewhenthedifferentagendasofthemedicalstaff,the
FBI,andtheC/BRRTallcollided.

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ShestaredatthepacketSergeantFergusonhadleftwithher.MARKINERVEAGENT
ANTIDOTEKIT.Sheshuddered.Itdidn'tseempossiblenotonlyhadshebeenexposedto
everythingthatPadgetthadthey'deveneatenthesamefoodhe'dbeentotallyisolated.
Hedidhavehisclothes.Theoldsuicidecapsuleinahollowbutton?She'dbeenwatchinghim
thewholetime.Theonlythinghe'dputinhismouthwasthefoodshe'dbroughthimfood
she'dalsoeaten.
Thewallsoftheisolationboothwereclosinginonherandshefeltherheartbeatingfaster.
Oh,mygod,I'vegotit,orit'sgotme.Herhandclosedconvulsivelyonthekitthenshe
forcedherselftoreleaseit.Herhandwasshaking.
Idiot.
Sheofallpeopleshouldrecognizethepsychosomaticexpressionofphysicalsymptoms.She
wasn'tsalivating.Hermouth,ifanything,wasdryasabone.ThoughifIobsessaboutitlong
enough,I'msureIcouldexpressmostofthesymptomsthesergeantlistedforme.
Hertensionwasrelievedwhenthesergeant,himself,camebackfromthetraumatheater.
He'dstowedhisgasmaskinitsbeltcaseandhischemicaloversuitwaszippedopentothe
waist.
Heopenedhersideoftheisolationboothandpickeduptheantidotekit."Allclear,atleast
asfaraswe'reconcerned."
"Notnervegas?"
"Notracesonourequipment.Theyfoundanimplantsomekindofvagusnerve
stimulatorit'sgoinghaywire,apparently.Therewasascarandtheypalpatedahardlump,"
hetappedhisupperchest,justbelowhiscollarbone,"sotheytookachestxray.Thedevice
andawiregoinguphisneckshoweduponthefilm.They'reprettysurethat'stheproblem."
Millieblinked.She'dseenthescaronPadgett,butconsideringtheman'shistory,she'd
thoughtitawarwound,fromhisdayswithExecutiveOutcomes."Whywouldhehave
somethinglikethat?"
"Thetraumasurgeonsaidit'satreatmentforsomekindsofepilepsyandthere'salsosome
experimentswithitintreatingdepression.Buthesaysthere'snothingintheliteratureabout
onedoingthis.Ifit'stheFDAapprovedimplant,fromCyberonics,itshould'vefailed
completelyratherthangivetheovervoltagesthatcausedthesesymptoms."
"Whatdoyouthink?"
Heshrugged."Don'tknow.Mybosslikesit.CaptainTrinhisanMDatoxicologist.Hesays
vagalstimulationwouldaccountforthesymptomsthepatientdidexpressandthe
symptomshedidn't."Hetuckedtheantidotekitbackinoneofhispouches."So,we're
standingdowntheSecretServicewasveryrelieved."Herolledhisneckaround."Wewere
ninetypercentsurewhenwegothere,actually,butwewentthroughthewholenineyards,
though,becauseofthehallucinations."
"Hallucinations?Padgettwasseeingthings?"
"No.Thepatienthasneverbeenconscious.Someofthestaffseemedtobeseeingthings,
though,sowethoughttherewassomekindofnerveagentinvolvedandenoughonhimto
contaminatethefirstresponders.Theysaidyoudisappeared,thenreappearedwiththe
patient."Hesmiled."Mightbeworkingtoohard.Eitherthatoradminneedstoinventorythe
drugcabinets."
Milliesmiledweakly."SoIcanleavethisbooth?"
"AsfarasI'mconcerned.Thecaptainandtheattendingseemprettysureit'snotbiological,
either.ButtheFBImightwanttotalkwithyou.Wonderwhythey'rehere?"
"Didn'ttheytellyou?"
"Maybetheytoldthecaptain.I'mjustaworkingman."
"Padgettthepatientwasinvolvedintheattemptedkidnappingoftwowomenherein

147

D.C.,lastweek.TheFBIwerewatchingandwhentheymovedin,heshotanagentto
escape."
"Getouttahere!"
"No,really."
"Ididn'treadanythingaboutthat.Howdidyouhearaboutit?"
"Iwasoneofthosewomen,"shesaid."WhataretheygoingtodoforPadgett?"
"Pulltheimplant,Ibelieve.Theywerepreppinghimandwaitingforaneurosurgeontocome
overfromthenextbuilding."
"Andifhe'sepileptic?"
"Doesn'tmatter.Thethingwillkillhimifitkeepsfiringlikeitis.Betterseizuresthandead.He
survives,hecangetanewimplantthatworksright."
Maybeitisworkingright.Millieshuddered."Well,thanksforprovingitwasn'tnervegas."
SergeantFergusonnoddedand,asheturnedaway,hesaid,"Iwouldn'thaveitanyother
way.Igetnightmaresasitis."
SpecialAgentBeccaMartingalejoinedMillieshortlyaftertheRapidResponseTeampulled
out.
ShelookedMillieupanddownandfrowned."So,changingtheimage?"
"Thehair,youmean?"
Beccanodded."Yeah,andyougotridoftheglassescontacts?"
Millienodded."They'restillafterme.That'showIgotPadgett.Theysetatrapformeandit
didn'tquitework."
NowthattheFBIhadarrived,thesecurityguardwasbackbythedoorandwatchingher
warily.Milliewonderedifhe'dtoldBeccaaboutMillie'soddarrival.BeccasawMillieglance
attheguardandsaid,"Youwantcoffee?Iwantcoffee."
MilliewaiteduntiltheywerewalkingdownthehalloutsideERbeforeaskingherfirst
question."WhataboutSojeeJohnson?"
Beccasighed."Sojee?Ah,Igetit.StillnosignofMs.SojournerTruthJohnson.Itwouldbe
veryniceifwegotsomethingoutofPadgett."
"Hewouldn'ttalkforme.Willyoubeabletotalktohim?LasttimeIsawhim,hewasn'teven
breathingonhisown."
"Hewasconsciousaminuteagoconfused.Theythinkhe'llbeokay.Youknowaboutthe
implant?"
Shenodded."TheChemWarfareguytoldme."
"Well,theyweregettingreadytocutwhentheykickedmeout.Theydecidednottowaitfor
theneurosurgeon.Instead,theattendingisgonnamakeasmallincisionandsimplycutthe
leadsbetweentheimplantcapsuleandwheretheelectrodeswraparoundthevagusnerve.
WheredidPadgettsetthistrapyouspeakof?"
Millieswallowed."Rememberthatwedidn'ttellyouwhatDavymyhusbanddidforthe
NSA?"
"Indeed.Anderssaiditwasburnbeforereadingsecret,thoughfromsomeofthecontext,I
gotthathewassomesortofcovertopsinsertionspecialist."
Millieshrugged."That'lldototell."
"What'sthathavetodowithmyquestion?"
MillieinhaledandheldherbreathwhileshestudiedBecca'sface,motionless.Shefeltlikea
deer,frozeninacar'sheadlights.Finally,inoneexplosiveexhalation,shesaid,"Doyou
rememberthelasttimeyousawme?"
Beccatiltedherhead."Sure,itwasonFourteenthStreetaftertheytriedtosnatchyou.Iran
upthealleywhenPadgettshotBobbyuh,agentMarino."
Millieshookherhead."No.YoulastsawmeontheroofofthatMedicalBuildingoverin

148

Alexandria.TheonenearBochstettlerandAssociates."Shefeltinherjacketpocketand
foundthesunglassesshe'dbeenwearingthatday."Idon'thavethebaseballcapwithme,"
shesaid,puttingtheshadeson,"orthegreenplasticchair,butsurelyyouremember."
Becca'seyeswidened."Thatwassometrick.Inearlyhadaheartattackwhenyouwentover
theedge.Wanttotellmehowyoudidthat?"
Iwouldloveto.Milliefeltlikecrying,suddenly."Can't."
BeccastoppeddeadandlookedatMilliewithasourexpressiononherface."Didyouever
hearthestoryabouttheblindmenandtheelephant?"
Millienodded,nottrustingherselftospeak.
"Howdoyoupeopleexpectmetodomyfuckingjob!Youwon'ttellmeanythingandthen
youstoptryingandthenIgetpressuretoshelvetheentireinvestigation.Don'tyouwantto
findyourhusbandandMs.Johnson?"
"AreyoutalkingabouttheNSAwhenyousay'youpeople?'"Milliefeltherfacegotight.
"Yeah."
"Well,Idon'tworkforthem,allright?Pleasedon'tlumpmeinwiththem.Iknowthey've
droppedtheinvestigationoratleasttheytookAndersoffofit.Iwon'tgoanywherenear
them.IwenttogroundbecausewhoeverisbehindthishassomebodyinsidetheNSAthey
nearlygotmeagainthatsamenight,afterIholedupinamoteloutinAlexandria.TheNSA
deliveredmetothathoteltheyweretheonlypossibleleak."
Becca'snormallycalmdemeanorwasbackinplaceandshebeganwalkingagain."You
could'vebeenfollowed."
"Cowscouldfly."
"So,whoareyouworkingfor."
"Me,myself,andI.I'mlookingformyhusband,dammit!"
Beccalookedskeptical."Someonetrainedyou,dear.Thatrooftopstuntwasnottheworkof
anamateur.Wesearchedthosestupidshrubsforanhourlookingforyourbody."
Millieblinked,thenherjawdropped."YouthinkI'manoperative!"
"Howelsedoyouexplainit?"
"Nervegas?"
Beccawasnotamused.
"I'veamaster'sdegreeinPsychologicalCounselingandI'maLicensedMarriageandFamily
TherapistinthestateofOklahoma,whichrequireslotsofongoingprofessionaldevelopment
coursework.Ialsodidatwoyearstintofsupervisedcounselingbeforebecominglicensed.I
tookaCommunityEdclassinAfricandancelastsummerandI'vereadextensivelyinthe
novelsofJohnLeCarr.Thatistheextentofmytraining."
Theyturnedthecornertothecafeteria.Ametalgrillblockedtheentrance.Accordingtothe
postedhours,ithadjustclosed.
"Shit!"Beccasaid."Explaintherooftopthing,then."
Millielickedherlipsandtoldthetruth."Ijumped."Shesawthesourexpressionreturnto
Becca'sfaceandsaid,"Wait."Shelookedupanddownthecorridor.Itwasempty."Okay.I'm
goingtoshowyouhowIdidtherooftopthing."Shejumpedtotheothersideofthehallway,
abouteightfeetbehindBecca.Shewatchedtheagentfranticallyswivelherheadleftand
right,thenupanddown.MillieclearedherthroatandBeccaspunaround,onehanddiving
intoherwindbreaker,thenfreezingagainasshesawMillie.
Becca'smouthworkedforamomentbeforeshemanagedtosay,"Hypnosis?"
Nowthat'sanidea.Shesighed."No.Nothypnosis."Iamsotiredoflying."Youstillwant
coffee?"
Itwasaftersunset,butonlyjust,inSanFrancisco.MilliejumpedBeccatotheYerbaBuena

149

GardenoutsideoftheMetreon,thencaughtherasthewoman'skneesgaveway,guiding
hertothegrass.BythetimeMilliereturnedfromtheStarbucksonthefirstfloorofthe
Metreon,Beccahadmostlyrecovered,thoughshewasn'tstandingyet.
Sheacceptedthecoffeewithoutcomment.
"Doyourecognizewhereyouare?"
BeccapointedatthemassivefiftyfoothighwaterfallfountainoftheMartinLutherKing
memorialatoneendofthegrassyplot,thennorthatSaintPatrick'sChurch."I'vebeenhere
before.EventhisStarbucks."Shestood,movinggingerly."Howdoyoudothis?"
Millieshrugged."Idon'treallyknow.ItsufficesthatIcan."
Becca'seyesnarrowedsuddenly."IsthiswhatDavydoesfortheNSA?"
"Right."
"Butnotyou?"
Millieshookherhead."No."
Beccaslappedherhandtoherforehead."Oh,myGod.Thefoiledhijackingstenyearsago!
Thoseairlinersandthecruiseship.ThatwasDavy?Orwasityou?"
Millie'sfirstinstinctwastodenyeverythingbutshesighedinstead."Davy.Notme.This...is
newtome."
"Whatelsecanyoudo?"
"I'vegivenyoumyotherqualifications.Areyouinarelationshipwithproblems?Doyouhave
anychildhoodissuesyouwanttoworkon?ThenI'myourguy."
"Nothingelseinaparanormalability?"
"Icanhangaspoonofftheendofmynose."
Beccastoodandtookapullonhercoffee.Herbrowwasfurrowedandshekepthereyeson
Milliebutdidn'tsayanythingforseveralseconds.
Milliesaid,"IwantedyoutoknowsothatwhenIstartedansweringyourquestions,you
wouldn'tthinktheanswersascrazyastheysounded."
Beccanodded."Sogoahead."
"IcaughtPadgettatmycondoinStillwater,Oklahoma.IthinktheysuspectIcandothis
teleportbecausehefilledmyroomswithsomesortofanestheticvapor.Ibarelygotout
butIreturnedintimetoseehimcheckthetrap."Sheneglectedtomentionhowlongago
thatwas."IwasaskinghimaboutDavyandhewentintoconvulsions.Itwasweirdhe'djust
letsomethingslipandBAM,likeaspytakingcyanideorsomething,only,Iswear,theonly
thinghe'dputinhismouthwasfoodIbroughthim."
"Broughthim?Washeyourprisoner?"
"Hewasmyguest,briefly.Waitasecond."ShejumpedtotheAerie.
Asshewanderedbacktothelowtablewhereshe'dexaminedPadgett'sbelongings,she
unexpectedlyslippedanddroppedtooneknee,tokeepfromfalling.Therewasapuddleon
thefloor,itsedgesclearlydrying,butagoodhalfinchofwatercaughtinoneofthenatural
depressionsinthefloor.Herkneewassoakedwhereshe'dtoucheddown.
Shelookedaround,surprised.Thecisternwasthirtyfeetawayanditwascertainlytoomuch
watertohavecomefromaspilledglass.Shelookedup,attheceiling,lookingforsomesign
thatthewaterhadoozedinfromtheridgeabove,fromararedesertthunderstorm,
perhaps,orasubterraneanaquifer,butthestoneabovewasdryandunbroken.
Thefrontdoorwaslatchedandeverythingseemedtobeasshe'dleftit,includingthe
collectionofPadgett'sbelongings.ShegatheredthemupandreturnedtoSanFrancisco.
Beccajerkedasshereappeared.
Milliehandedhertheplasticbag."Youokay?Youlookalittlepale."
"IwasjusttryingtothinkhowthehellIwasgoingtoexplainthistomybosswithoutgetting
sentinforpsychreview.ThenIstartedworryingaboutwhatwouldhappenifyouleftme

150

herethreethousandmilesfromD.C.What'sthis?"
"It'sthestuffPadgetthadonhim.Wallet,somefakeID,hisguns.Ihandledthem."She'dleft
Padgett'scellphonebackintheAerie.Shewasgoingtoholdthosephonenumbersto
herselffornow.
"WhatdidPadgettletslip?Youknow,rightbeforehestartedbarfing?"
"Aclue.Somethingthatconfirmedanotherleadlikesaying'hot'or'cold.'Sortof'getting
warm.'I'mnotgoingtotellyou,though.IwantDavyoutofthere,first.Besidesnowthat
youhavetheguywhoshotyouragent,areyougoingtogoanyfurther?Don'ttellmeyou
haven'tgottenanypressure.TheNSA'sdoingtheirbesttopretendDavyneverexisted.Are
theytellingyouanything?"
"IhadabrutallybrieftalkwithAnderswhentheyreassignedhim.TheonlythingI'vegotten
outofhisreplacementisquestions."
"Questions?"
"Well,onequestion,askedseveraltimes."
Milliewaited.Youknowyouwanttotellme.
"TheywantedtoknowifI'dseenyou."
ItwaswarmerinSanFranciscothanithadbeeninD.C.,butMillieshivered.
Becca'scellphonewentoff,surprisingbothofthem.
"Nationalcallplan?"
Beccanodded.Shepunchedthebuttonandsaid,"Martingale."Shelistenedforamoment
andhereyeswidened."Jesus!Onesecond."Shecoveredthemouthpiece."Canyougetme
backtotheER?"
"Sure."
Martingaletalkedbackintophone."I'llberightthere."Shedisconnectedandlookedat
Millie."Padgett'sdead."
"Dead?Theysaidhewasstable!Didn'tcuttingtheleadsonhisimplantstopthe
convulsions?"
"They'llneverknow.Whentheycuttheleads,theimplantexploded."
ShejumpedBeccatothesidewalkoutsidetheER.
"I'vebeenaroundheretoolong,"Milliesaid."TheNSAwillbeheresoon.MaybePadgett's
people.Hell,I'mnotconvincedthatPadgett'speoplearen'ttheNSA."
Beccapaused,lookingback,obviouslytorn."You'vegotmynumber,right?You'retheone
whogaveittothehospital?"
"Yeah.IgotitfromAnders,thoughitwouldprobablygethimintroubleiftheyknewIwas
stilltalkingtohim."
"Youare?"
"Sortof.Email.Onthesly."
"Iunderstand.Hislasttalkwithmewaslikethat:alittlemorefrankthanhisemployers
wouldprobablylike.Callmeinanhour?"
Millienoddedandjumped.ShewentbacktothehotelroomintheWinnetuandlayinher
bed,kickingarounduntilthesheetswerewelldisturbed.Forgoodmeasureshetooka
showerandchangedclothes.Shethoughtitwasalongshot,butafterherencounterwith
thesecurityguardonthebeach,theymightcheckherout.Theymightslipafivetothe
chambermaidtoaskiftherewasanythingoddabouther.
So,messthebedandthebathroom,givethemevidenceofoccupation.Andiftheycallthe
roomwhenyou'renotthere,say,inthemiddleofthenight?Letthemthinkshewasshacking
upwithoneoftheradiologists.Hell,letthemthinkshewasworkingherwaythroughthe
entirerosterofsymposiumdoctors.Well,they'dhavedirtyminds,then.

151

Shefeltastirringofdesire.It'sbeentoolong.Whoreallyhasthedirtymind?Sheunplugged
thephoneandconspicuouslycoileditontopofthebedsidetable.LetthemthinkIdon'tlike
havingmysleepdisturbed.
ThepuddleofwaterintheAeriewassmallerwhenshecheckedonit.Again,exceptforthe
water,everythingseemeduntouched.Shecheckedthedoorandscannedthecanyonfloor
below.Nothing.
CouldithavebeenDavy?
IfhecouldjumpasfarastheAerie,whywouldn'thehavestayed?
SheusedapayphoneatD.C.'sUnionStation.Becca,barelyaudibleamongabackground
torrentofothervoices,askedMillietoholdamoment.Whenshespokeagain,the
backgroundsoundeddifferent,muchquieter.
"Sorry.Couldn'thearanythinginthere.GottheD.C.Metrobombsquadinandyou
predictedittwoguysfromtheNSA.I'vetoldthemIdon'tknowwhereyougotto.It'sthe
truth,afterall."
"Thanks.Howbiganexplosionwasit?"
"Well,itonlykilledhim,thoughtheattendingdoctor'sarmlookslikeitwashitbyaballpeen
hammer.TheyfoundtheremainsoftwoU.S.MilitaryM6blastingcapsamongthefragments
oftherestoftheimplant."
"Youautopsiedalready?"
"Nothetraumateamtriedtosavehim,theywerepullingthedebrisoutofhischestas
theytriedtoclampalltheleaks.Theyweregonnatryandputhimonaheartlungmachine.
Itwastoomuch,though,evenwiththemrightthere.Hehemorrhagedlikeasieve."She
sighed."Guyfromthebombsquadrecognizedtheblastingcapfragmentsyoucanstillsee
theleads.Someimplant,huh?"
"Why?"
"Well,he'llnevertestifyabouthisorganizationnow.Myself,I'dpreferasimple
nondisclosureagreement."
Milliefeltlikethrowingup."Putsadifferentmeaningon'crossmyheartandhopetodie.'I
killedhim,didn'tI?"
"Whoa,girlfriend.Youputthatthinginhim?"
"IfI'djustlefthimalone"
"Likeheleftyoualone?"
Milliedidn'tsayanythingforamoment."Iwonderifallofhispeoplehavethem.Idon't
supposeanyofthoseotherguysyouarrestedonFourteenthStreethavescarsundertheir
collarbones?"
Beccawassilentforamoment."Nowthat'sascarythought.Idoubtit,though.Whenwe
processedthemintheywentthroughtheusualmetaldetectorsandwandscans.Still,I'llcall
overandseewhatgotputin'scarsandmarks'ontheirbookingsheets."
Milliesaid,"Theymightnotknowenoughtowarranttheimplant.Maybeonlytheupper
echelongetit."
"Peoplewhoknowsomethingworthtelling?"
"Thosewhoknowwhotheirbossis."
Anameshethoughtshecouldsupply.
TWENTY
"Oh,yes.She'snaked."
ItwassixthirtywhenDavyawoke.Heputonhisrobeandstuckhisheadoutintothehall.
Thewindowattheeastendofthehallshoweddimlightwithout.Morning,then.Not

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evening.He'dsleptthirteenhoursstraightthrough.Hisstomachrumbledandhe
rememberedhe'dmissedsupper.
WhenhewalkedintothebreakfastroomHyacinthwaswearingmuchthesameoutfitshe'd
worninNigeriabushpants,sportsshirt,andaphotojournalist'svest.
ShelookedatDavyandraisedhereyebrows."Don'twelooknice.Whatdoyouthinkthisis,
adance?"
Hewaswearingkhaki's,astarchedwhiteshirt,ablueblazer,andapairofsunglasses
perchedinhishair.Heignoredherandwenttothesideboard.Thesmellofbaconwas
tantalizingfarmoreinterestingthanHyacinth'scomments.
"Howareyougoingtokeepyourgirlishfigure?"Hyacinthaskedashepiledtheplatehigh.
"Skippedsupper."
TherewasasinglepoachedeggandapieceofdrytoastonHyacinth'splate."SoIheard.
Whatwasthatabout?"
"Tired.Nigeria."Heshrugged.Letthemdrawtheirownconclusions.
"So,explaintheoutfit.Don'tyouthinkyou'llstickoutdressedlikethat?"
Davypausedwithhisforkhalfwaytohismouth."You'veneverbeentoCaracas,Itakeit."
Hyacinthnarrowedhereyes."Whydoyousaythat?"
"Strikesandkillingsnotwithstanding,it'samoderncitysubways,skyscrapers,thewhole
twentiethcenturything.Andtheydressup.Womentendtoweardresses.Iunderstand
youhaveyourownuniquestyle.Youlikestandingoutinacrowd,havingpeoplelooktwice
atyou,havingthemrememberyourface."Heresumedeating.
Beforetheyleft,Hyacinthwentbackupstairsandchangedintoagreendressanda
matching,slightlyoversizedjacket.Whenhepickedherupforthejump,hefeltthegunin
theshoulderholster.
Caracaswasgorgeous.Theweatherwasdryandwarmandabriskbreezewhippingaround
theAvilashadsweptthesmogaway.AfterchillyNewEnglandandswelteringNigeria,itwas
likeheaven.Evenwhenyou'reaccompaniedbythedevil.DavyrememberedSojee'swords.
Correction:aminionofdemons.
Theyarrivedstandingonanestofcardboardandtornblanket.Davy'sjumpsitewasanook
betweenthesubwayentranceandsomebushesattheedgeoftheplaza.Apparently
someonewassleepingtherebut,luckily,notatthismoment.
Thesidewalkswerefullandstreettrafficjerkedalongtothestaccatobeatofhorns.Aman
onhiswayoutofthesubwaywatchedDavyandHyacinthcomeoutofthenookandraised
hiseyebrowsatDavy,thengrinned.Davyshruggedandsmiledback.Well,weknowwhat
he'sthinking.
Hyacinthwasblinkinginthesunlightandlookingacrosstheroadatthehugecircular
fountaininthemiddleoftheplazaandthegoldtintedskyscrapersbehind.Sheshiftedher
gazeuptothegiantPepsiglobeatopanearbytwentytwostorybuilding.
Davytookherarmandpointed."There.That'sthebusstopwherethey'llpickusup."
"Yes.Iknow."
Thestoplightchangedandastreamofmorningcommutersflowedacrossthestreet,passing
themleftandrightontheirwayintothesubway.DavyfeltHyacinthtense.
Hethreadedhiswaythroughthecrowdandstoodbehindagroupqueuingupatthebus
stop.Hyacinthtookamomenttojoinhim.Shewasvisiblynervous."Ididn'tknowthe
environmentwouldbesocrowded."
"It'stheendofrushhour.Fivemillionpeople.Busy,busy,busy."
Hyacinthtooktheradiofromherpurseandinsertedanearphone.Shetalked,thenlistened,
briefly."They'recirclingthepark.Theywereherebutthepolicechasedthemoutofthebus
stop."

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Twotrafficpoliceinwhitepithhelmetsweretryingtountangleasnarlofhonkingtaxisatthe
entrancetoPaseoColn.Atthefarcornerstoodtwosoldiersincamobattledresswithslung
rifles.
Helethiseyeswanderpasttheskyscrapers.Theairwasclearandhecouldplainlyseethe
brownandredbrickbarriosonthelowerslopesoftheAvilas.Deathtraps,justwaitingfor
anotherfloodof'99.Deathtrapsinotherways,too.Criminalattacks,disease,malnutrition,
police,army,bothproandantiChavezelements.
Thehighcrimeratewasn'ttheonlyreasonDavyavoidedCaracasand,asusual,hefeltguilty
forit.
Ittooktenminutesforthecartomakethecircle.Davyhopedlikehellthattheyhadn't
screweduptheplacementofthecarscarryingthekeys.AtHyacinth'sdirectionheclimbed
intothebackseatoftheshinygreenLandRoverwithdarktintedwindows.
Thedriverwasalocalhiredforhisknowledgeofcitytrafficnot,theyfound,forhisEnglish.
Hyacinthbecamedangerouslystillwhenthedrivershruggedhelplesslyatherdirections.
BeforeshereactedbadlyDavysaid,"AlaEmbajadadeEstadosUnidos,porfavor."
"Claroquesi!"
Withnotraffic,thetriptotheU.S.Embassywould'vetakenlessthanfifteenminutes.Ittook
fortyfive.Davywonderedwhatitwould'vebeenliketwohoursearlier,attheheightofrush
hour.
Normally,hewould'veenjoyedthedrive,buttheywerebehindadieselbusbelchinglarge
cloudsofnoxiousfumesand,combinedwiththejerkingstopandslowtraffic,itwasmaking
himcarsick.Ihopeit'scarsickness.Hewasn'tfeelingthebuzzingfeelinginhisthroatthat
normallyaccompaniedthedeviceinducednausea,buthewasfarmoresusceptibleto
motionsicknessthanhe'dbeenbeforethey'ddonethisthingtohim.
Hefelttheangerrisingagain,therage.Itwashardnottolashout.Heknewhecouldkill
Hyacinthatanytime,jumpingbehindherandstrikingherdownwithabluntobjector,ifhe
chose,jumpingherfifteenhundredfeetintheairaboveGroundZero,theplacethatusedto
bejustoutsidetheobservationdeckoftheWorldTradeCenter.Hecouldleaveherhanging
intheairandjumpawayagain,withouthavingtoseeherimpact.Anicelysterileapproach,
likelaunchingmissilesagainstdistanttargets.
Verybrave.
Thethoughtmadehimshudderastheangermixedwithshame.Heleanedbackandclosed
hiseyesfortherestofthejourney.
Theembassywasrelativelynew,builtbackoffthestreets,designedtokeepcarandtruck
bombsatasafedistance.HyacinthtookoffherjacketastheyapproachedandDavyrealized
shewasshruggingoutofhershoulderholsteratthesametime.Belowthelevelofthe
window,sheremovedthegunandharnessfromthefoldsofthejacket,wrappedthestraps
aroundtheholsteredgun,andsliditundertheseatbeforeher.Aftershe'dredonnedher
jacket,shereachedintoherpurseandtookoutapassport."Here."
Itwashisanditwasn't.Eventhenumberwascorrect,butitwasshinynew.Hispassport,
backintheAerieandreplacedtwoyearsbefore,wasalreadywornandsoft.Whileherarely
wentthroughcustomsanymore,healwayscarrieditwhenhewasoutoftheU.S.UnlessI'm
travelingonanNSApassport.
"Youputinforareplacement?"
"No.Theychangethenumberifyourpassportgetslost.Wehadhisone...madeup."
"Itlooksgood."Hewasflexingthehologramandlookingatthesecuritythreadsand
watermark."I'msurprisedyougavemeonewithmyownname."
"Theydon'tjustlookatapassportanymore.NotataU.S.embassy.Theyscanthebarcode
andpulltherecord.Thenumberhastoberightandthefacehastoberight.Earlierthisyear

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therewerebombingsatboththeColombianandSpanishembassies.Wehavetogothrough
thisatleastonce,togetinside."
Hejerkedhischintowardthegunundertheseat."AndIguesstheymusthavemetal
detectors."AtHyacinth'sraisedeyebrowshesaid,"Iavoidembassiesingeneral.Toomany
videocameras."
TheLandRoverpulleduptothecurbandHyacinthsaid,"Comeon."
TherewasacrowdofVenezuelansatthegate,buttheywerebeingturnedaway,forthe
mostpart.Davyheardoneofthemarinesentriesrepeatingthesamelinesoverandover
againinSpanish:"U.S.VisaservicesforVenezuelancitizensbyappointmentonly.Payyour
applicationfeeattheBancoProvincial,thencalltheautomatedsystemattheembassyto
obtainanappointment."
TheirU.S.passportsgotthemthroughthegatetoasmallerlineatthebuildingentrance.
Whenitwastheirturn,Hyacinthproducedtwocards,saying,"We'vegotpacemakers."
Themarineraisedhiseyebrows."Bothofyou?"
"It'showwemet,"shesaid,smiling."Inpostop."
Insteadofmakingthemwalkthroughthemainmetaldetector,theyusedahandwandand
Davyhadtoremovehisbeltandsufferhisshoestobexrayed.Hyacinth'spursewas
completelyemptied.Whenasked,Hyacinthsaid,"We'reheretoregisterfortheWarden
program."
"Ah,soyou'llbeinthecountryforawhile?"
"Sixweeks,hopefully."
"CitizenServices,secondfloor."
There,Hyacinthfilledoutthecontactinformationandaphotocopywasmadeofthemain
pagesofeachoftheirpassports"toexpeditereplacementifyou'rerobbedorifyoulose
it."
LookingoverHyacinth'sshoulderasshefilledintheform,helearnedthattheirpurposein
visitingVenezuelawas"educational."Forwhom?AndthatHyacinthwasnotgoingunderher
ownname.
Theirostensiblebusinesscomplete,Hyacinthsaid,"Istherearestroomonthisfloor?"
"Outthedoorandtoyourleft.Ontheothersideofthecafeteria."
"Thanks!"
Therewerevideocamerasinthehall,inCitizenServices,inthestairwell,andinthecafeteria
butnot,apparently,inthebathroom.Pursuanttoinstructions,Davyacquiredan
unmonitoredjumpsitewithin,choosingthelargehandicappedaccesstoiletstall.
TheLandRoverpulledupastheyexitedthegate.Hyacinthsaid,"Gototheothersidebut
don'tgetin."Sheclimbedinandshutthedoor;bythetimeDavyopenedthefardoor,she'd
retrievedhergunandholsterfromunderthedriver'sseatandslidacross.Shesteppedout
ontothepavementandshutthedoorbehindher.Thedarktintedwindowsandthebulkof
theLandRovershieldedthemfromtheembassy.
"BacktotheVineyard,"Hyacinthsaid.
Davyliftedherandjumped.
Conleyjoinedthemforlunch."Alldone?"heaskedHyacinth.
Hyacinthinclinedherhead."Fornow."
Conley'smouthtwitchedup."Allright."HelookedatDavy."Thisafternoon,then."
ConleyputamilliwattradiotransmitterinDavy'sroom.Hemeasureditsoutputwithalittle
handheldRFmeter."Right.I'vegotasignalanywhereinthisroom.Let'swalkdowntothe
beach."
Thesignaldroppedtoundetectablelevelsbythetimetheyreachedthecourtyard.They

155

wentallthewaydowntheboardwalktothebeach.Itwascloudyagainandthechillwind
fromtheeastmadeDavysinkhisheaddownintothecollarofhisjacket.Hethought
wistfullyabouttheweatherinCaracas.
Onthebeach,Conleyexaminedthemeteragain."Zilch.Okay,tostart,Iwantyoutojump
backtotheroom,counttofive,andjumpback.Ready?"
"Allright."Hedidit,usingthefivesecondstotakeahatfromthewardrobe.Backonthe
beachConleywasstilllookingatthemeter."Right.PrettymuchwhatIexpected.Therewas
atransitoryspikewhenyouleftandonewhenyoucameback.So,youwanttotrywhatwe
talkedaboutthejumpingwithoutjumping?"
Davydidnotwantto.NotinfrontofConleyoranyofthem."Sure,"hesaid.Hejumpedback
totheroom,waitedasilent"oneonethousand"andjumpedback."Hmm.Jumpingwithout
jumping.Letmetryagain."
Hejuststoodthereandlethisstaregovacant.Afterabouttensecondshejumpedbackto
theroomagain,countedslowlytotwo,andjumpedback.Heshookhisheadinfeigned
frustration."Sorry.Notworking.Anysuggestions?"
Conleypursedhislips."Howaboutyoujusttrydoingitasfastasyoucan?Imean,backand
forthwithoutanysortofpause?"
Heputadoubtfulexpressiononhisface."Icantry,Isuppose."
Hejumpedandafterabeathejumpedbacktothebeach.Hekeptdoingitwithout
increasingthefrequencyajumpandajumpandajumpandajump.Afterdoingthisfor
twentyorsoseconds,hebeganintroducingmoredelay,waitingafractionofasecondmore
eachtime.Hekeptthisupforanotherhalfminuteandthenstopped,onthebeach,and
staggeredforeffect.
"Dizzy.Gottositdown."Hedroppedtothesand,crossleggedandputhishandstohishead.
"It'snotworking."
Conleylookedworried."Okaysitforafewminutes,we'lltryagainafteryourest."
Thiswashowtheyspentthenexthour.Finallythecombinationofnoresultsandincreasing
coldcausedConleytocallahalt.
Davyjumpedthembothbacktotheroom,thenstaggeredacrosstothebed."It'stoobiga
drain."
ConleyeyedhimspeculativelyandDavywonderedifhesawrightthroughhispseudo
cooperation.Conleyfacedthemirrorandsaid,"Turnthebeachoff,please."Heturnedback
toDavyandsaid,"I'llhavetorethinkthis.Youlookedwipedperhapsyoushouldtakea
nap."
"Goodidea.Iwill."
Andhepretendedto,buthismindraced.Ontopofhislistofconcernswas,whydothey
wantajumpsiteinsidetheU.S.EmbassyinCaracas?Iftheyjustwantedtotransportpeople
backandforthtoCaracas,hisoriginalsitewoulddojustfine.
It'saboutpower.Somehow,itallcomesdowntothat.They'dhadhimrescueRoulein
Nigeria.NowtheywantedhimtodosomethinginanAmericanembassy.Wastherea
connection?
HehadtodosomethingaboutSojee.Theycouldalreadyapplyasurfeitofpressurewiththe
implantbut,badasthatwas,itwasonhimalone.ItparticularlyworriedhimthatSimons
hadn'thesitatedtorevealhisfacetoSojee.
Theydon'tmeantoreleaseher.
Andfinally,therewasMillie.Milliewhohadatleastgottenoutofthecliffhouse.
Hethoughtabouttheirclaimsthatshewasjumpinganddismissedthem.They'reconfused
abouther,that'sall,orthey'renotconfusedandjustmessingwithme.Buthowcouldheget
amessagetoher?Sheneededtostayhidden,tokeepoutoftheirreach.Davyneededherto

156

besafe.Itwouldbethelaststrawiftheyhadher.Thebreakingpoint,sotospeak.
Andtherewereseveralthingsthatcouldbreak.
Hyacinthcametodinnerwithherhairdown,wearingabacklesssilksheathdresssosheer
thatDavywouldhavebeenabletoseethemostminuteseamandtextureofher
undergarments...hadshebeenwearingany.Asitwas,hewasabletoseetheoutlinesof...
otherfeatures.
Hetriedtokeephiseyesaverted,buthefoundhisgazestrayingtoherchesteverytimehis
attentionwandered.Itdidn'thelpthathishandshadbeenthereonce.
Sheheldhershouldersback,tighteningthefabricacrossherchest.
Sittingerect.Davysquirmedinhisseat.Howironic.
"Aren'tyoucoldinthatoutfit?"
Shelookedathimandthecornersofhermouthtwitchedup."Partsofme."
Heavoidedfurtherclarification.
Shefollowedhimwhendinnerwasoverandgesturedtowardoneofthesmallerformal
roomsnearthefootofthestairs."Whynotcomeintothedrawingroomandsitawhile."
"Why?"Davysaidbaldly.
Sheblinked."Ijustthoughtyoumightliketotalk.Youknow"shegesturedvaguelyather
upperbody"onecyborgtoanother."Thedresscoveredhercollarbonescarbutthefaint
lineonherlowerneckwasvisible.
Hefollowedherin,watchingthemusclesinherbackandtheoutlineofherbuttocksshifting
underthesilk.
Runfar,faraway.
Therewasasmalllogfireonthehearthofthemarblefacedfireplace.Hyacinthstoodonthe
brickswithherbacktotheflames.
"Parts,"saidDavy.
Sheraisedtherearhemofherdressandlettheheatwarmthebacksofherlegs."Ah.That
feelsgood."
TherewerefootstepsinthehallandAbneycameintoofferthemdrinks.Davyaskedfor
tonicwater.Hyacinthrequestedadoublemartiniandturnedaroundtofacetheflames.The
firelightshonethroughthesilkandoutlinedeverything.
Davyswallowedandlookedaway.Heperchedtentativelyonthearmofthesofa.Aftera
momentHyacinthwenttotheoppositeendofthesofa,kickedoffhershoesandsat,herlegs
curledunderneathher.ItwasalongcouchandDavyfeltsafesettlingontothecushionsat
hisend,acleargapoffourfeetbetweenthem.Hekepthiseyesontheflames.
"Whereareyou,David?"
"Nowthat'sagoodquestion,"hesaid."We'reonthesouthshoreofMartha'sVineyard.
Beforeyounarroweditdown,IthoughtmaybetheCapeorNantucket.NowI'mjusttryingto
decidewhetherwe'reclosertoMenemshaorEdgartown."
Sheblinkedandforaninstantsatnaturally."Isthatpartofyourtalent?Doyoualwaysknow
whereyouare?"
Davyshookhishead."Youtoldmenottotalktothemenwhoweldedtheplateinmyroom.
Youshould'vetoldthemnottotalktome."
"Theydidn'ttalktoyou."
"No,justtoeachother.It'saregionalaccentverydistinctive."
"Andknowingit'sthesouthshore?"
"EvenSimonscan'tordertheheavens.Thesunstillrisesintheeastitsetsinthewest."
Hyacinthsmiledslightlyandlookedbackatthefire.
Abneycamebackinwiththedrinks.Afterhe'dsetthemontherespectiveendtables,

157

completewithlacecoasters,hesaid,"Anythingelse,MissPope?"
Hyacinthsaid,"Closethedoor,please,onthewayout."
"Yes,ma'am."
Thedoubledoorswereheavyoakandwhentheyclosedtheyblockedthehalllights,leaving
onlythelightfromthefire.Hyacinthtookalargegulpofhermartini.Davysqueezedhislime
intothetonicwaterandswirledtheicearoundtomixit.
"So,asonecyborgtoanother,"Davystarted,"Whatbehavioralchangedidtheywantto
bringaboutwithyourimplant?Theydidn'tneedtokeepyouconfinedtoonelocation,like
me.Sowhatisitthattheykeepyoufromdoing?"
Hyacinth'sslightsmilevanishedandherfacetwistedforamomentintoanexpressionso
differentfromhercustomarymaskthatDavyhadtroubleidentifyingtheemotion.Thenthe
maskdroppedbackintoplaceandDavydoubtedhisownmemoryoftheexpression.Maybe
itwasthefirelight.Shadows,notflesh.
Hyacinthfinallysaid,"Loosetongues."
"Howthehelldoyoumeasurethat?Issomeonealwayslisteningtowhatyousay,witha
fingeronthebutton?"
Sheshrugged."Someone."Shetappedherlefttemple."It'samatterofconditioning.Idon't
knowexactlyhowit'ssetoffthereseemstobesomesortofstressmonitorbutordinary
stressdoesn'tdoit.Afterwerecoveredfromthesurgerytheprogramtooksixweeksand
halfthattimewewereunderdruginducedhypnosis.Seemsliketherestofthetimewe
wereundergoingmockinterrogationswhilevomitingorshittingourselves.Makethat
vomitingandshittingourselves."
Davy'simaginationtriggeredawaveofnauseaandherealizedwhattheunknownexpression
onHyacinth'sfacehadbeen."Yuckcity."
Hyacinthlookedawayagain."Well,wesignedupforit."Shedrainedtherestofhermartini
andstoodagainbeforethefire,herhandsoutstretchedtotheflames.
Whyisshebeingsoforthcoming?Besidestheobvious.Shewasdressedforseductionbut
wasitherownideaorwassheunderorders?Howmanyhandlesdidtheyneedonhim?He
tookanothergulpoftonicandhislegsandarmsstartedtotingle.Againstallexpectationshe
feltthecornersofhismouthtugup.Hestareddownatthetonicwater.
"Whatdidyouuse?"Heasked.
Hyacinthwaswatchinghisfacecarefully."Halfatabofecstasy.HalfatabofViagra.You've
beendepressed.Itshows,youknow."
"Youthink?"
Hejumpedtothebeach.Ashethought,thebeachkeysweren'tenabledandhefeltthe
warningspasminhisthroatbuthesteeledhimselftostaystillinthechillandwindydark
untiltheimplantkickedinfullforce.Hissuppersprayedacrossthesandandthen,ashe
flinchedbacktohisroomwithoutvolition,alsoacrosstherug.Hewasprofoundlygrateful
thathe'dremainedcontinentbutthesmellwascausingreflexivegagging.Hestumbledinto
thebathroom,droppedtohisknees,andvomitedoncemoreintothetoilet.
Hislimbswerestilltinglingandhismoodfeltgrosslyatoddswiththesituation.Heflushed
thetoiletandrinsedhismouthoutbeforedrinkingatumbleroftapwater.
Backintheroomhesoppeduptheworstofthevomitontherugwithatowel,thenrolled
theruganddraggeditoutintothehall.
Letthemdealwithit.AsheturnedtoreentertheroomhesawHyacinthturnintothehall
fromtheheadofthestairs.
Hepausedandleanedagainstthedoorframe.Asshewalkedupthehallthewallsseemedto
vibratearoundher,anundulationasifherpersonalgravitywassogreatthatitwarpedspace
aroundher.It'sthedrug.Don'tinvestherwithanymorepower.

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Hyacinthlookedattherug,thenhernosewrinkledastheodorreachedher."Upset
tummy?"
Hesnorted.
"Comebacktothefire.It'sniceandwarm."
"Andnodoubtyouhaveanotherdrinkforme."
Sheshookherhead."Itwasn'tthedrink.MDMAtastestoostrongtoputinadrink.Itwasin
yourdinner."
"Oh,thatmakesmefeelsomuchbetter."
Evenwiththesmellofthevomitinthehall,theViagrawasstartingtotakeeffect.Heshifted
hisstance.Hetoldhimselfitwasjustthedrugbutpartofhimdidn'tbelieve.
"Believeitornot,Ididittohelpyou."
"Oh,yeah?I'mnotseeingmuchbenefit."
Shesteppedcloserandreachedtowardhim."Youhaven'tgivenittime."
Beforeherfingerscouldtouchhischest,hejumpedawaytothedrawingroom.Hewas
chilledbothfromemesisandhismomentonthebeach.Hestoodbythefireandwarmed
himselfuntilheheardherhighheelsonthestair.Sheclosedthedooragainassheentered
andwalkedoutofhershoes.Shereachedbehindherneckandundidtheclasp.Thesilk
slitheredoffofherlikesomelivingthingandshestoodthere,fourfeetaway,naked.
Hewantedtorunhishandsoverherskin,throughherhairallofherhair.Hehatedhimself.
Youcanrun,butyoucannothide.
Andtheyhadtheabilitytokeephimfromrunning,too.
HethoughtofMillie,tryingtodirectthethoughtsofarousaltowardherandherbody.
I'vegottodrawtheline.
Hestoodstillandwaited.Whenshewalkeduptohimhedidn'tresistwhenshekissedhim.
Herhandswandereddowntohisthighs,strokingup,thenaround.Hestoopedandliftedher,
onearmunderherknees,likeRhettcarryingoffScarlet.
Shegaveaslightlaughandsquirmedagainsthim,playingwiththenapeofhisneck.
Hejumpedtotheboardwalkthatledtothebeachthemidwaypointwhereitstretched
overthesaltmarshandestuary.Heshovedoutanddroppedher,staggeringforasecondas
oneofherhandsclawedathisshoulder,butthewarningtinglinginhisthroatcameandhe
letthereflexwork,flinchingbacktohisoldfriend,thegreenbox,visibleagainonthefloor
sincehe'dremovedtherug.Hegaggedonce,butkeptfromvomiting.
Hedidn'tknowhowcoldtheestuarywasbutithadtobebelow50Fahrenheit.Theair
temperaturewaswithinspittingdistanceoffreezing.Hecountedtofive,thenjumpedagain
tothesamespotontheboardwalk,intimetohearfeetpoundingbackuptheboardwalk
towardthehouse.Heflinchedbacktothesquareagain,thenjumpeddownstairstothe
kitchenandpeeredoutatthecourtyardthroughthelittlesquarepanesofglassinthedoor.
Atleastshe'snotdrowning.
Abneystuckhisheadoutofthesidepantry,hiseyebrowsraised."MayIbeofassistance,
sir?"
Davylookedathim."MissPopeisrunningupfromthebeachrightnowandwillbeherein
lessthanaminute.Sheissoakingwetandvery,verycold.She'llneedahotbathorshower."
HelookedoutthewindowagainandsawHyacinththrowthegateopenatthefarendofthe
courtyard.Herarmswerewrappedacrossherchestandshecameforwardatastumbling
run."Oh,yes.She'snaked."
Davyjumpedawaytohisbathroomandreturnedwiththeplushterryclothrobe.Hethrustit
intoAbney'sarms."Goodluck."
Afterawhile,theeffectsofthedrugsseemedtofade,andhesuspectedhe'dsuccessfully

159

vomitedupasubstantialportionofthedosewithhissupper.
Hyacinthdidn'tenterhisroomfortwohoursafterhe'ddroppedherintheestuary.He
suspectedshe'dspentmostofthetimeinahotbath.Shewasbackinhertraditionalclothes,
hairboundtightlyintoabun,makeupgone.Hervoicewasstrident."Didyouthinkthat
was"
Hejumpedaway,backtothedrawingroom,wherethefirehadburnttoembers.Thistime,
insteadoffollowinghim,sheputhim"inthebox."Hefeltthebuzzinhisthroatandflinched
back.
Shewasstandingthere,hermouthopeningtospeak,butheforestalledher.
"Don'tyougetit?Idon'twantyou.Idon'twantyouaroundme.Idon'twantyouyankingmy
chain."
"Whydidn'tyousay'no'?Everheardofthat!JustSayNo.Soundfamiliar?IfIweren'tunder
ordersI'dshootyourdickoff!"
"IthoughtIdidwhenwegotbackfromNigeria.Underwhatorders?Todowhat?Toavoid
shootingmeortoseduceme?Wereyouunderorderstomakememoremanageable?"
Sheswungherfistathisface,buthejumpedtwofeettohisleft,stillinthebox.Themissed
blowturnedherandheshovedhardonhershoulder,sendingherstaggeringthreesteps
back."I'lldropyoubackinthemarsh,"hesaidassherecoveredherbalanceandstartedback
towardhim.
Hyacinthstoppedwhereshewasandheldupherhand."ItoldyoubeforeIdon'thaveto
touchyoutospank.Icandoitfromanotherroom."
Goahead,doit!Davythought.Counteracttheconditioning.Hisvoicedrippedwithderision.
"Talk,talk,talk."
Shetookastepforward,thentookadeepbreathandexhaled.Thefurrowsaroundhereyes
smoothedoutandshesmiledslightly.
Hefoundthatfarscarierthanherpreviousrage.
Sheturnedawayfromhimandwalkedtothedoor.Beforesheclosedit,shesaid,"Havea
goodnight."
Theyputhim"inthebox"severaltimesanhourfortherestofthenight.Finally,atthreein
themorning,afteratenminuteperiodinthebox,hesimplyremovedtheblanketandpillow
fromthebedandlayonthefloor,withinthetapedborders.
Hedidn'tknowiftheykeptturningitontherestofthenight,ornot,buttheydidn'tbother
him.
Goodthing.Iwouldnotsubmittamely.
Hisbackachedfromsleepingonthefloor.Hedressedandjumpeddowntothebreakfast
room,onlytofindhimselfbackintheroom,gagging.Hetestedtheborder.Hewasn't"inthe
box."Hehadn'tfeltanythingwhenhe'dgoneintothebathroomsohe'dassumedhehadhis
usualrunofthehouse.Heexploredtheedgesoftheroomagainnothingbutwhenhe
walkedafewfeetoutintothehallhefeltthebordereffect,thetingleinhisthroat,the
coughing,andsomenausea.Backingintotheroomputhimintheclearagain.
So,confinedtoquarters,isit?
Abneystuckhisheadintenminuteslaterandrecitedtheofferingsforbreakfast.
Davychosethecerealwithfruitandnuts,coffee,and"noneofMs.Pope'ssupplements."
Abneysaid,"Yes,sir."Whenhecamebackwiththetray,hesaid,"Exactlyasordered,sir."
WhenDavysearchedAbney'sface,Abneyadded,"Ms.Popewascalledoutoftownvery
earlythismorning."
"Ah.AmIconfinedtomyroomuntilshereturns?"
"Iwastoldtoprovidemealsinyourroomuntilfurthernotice."
Davyfeltasurgeofangerandhewassurprised.You'vebeenintheirhandsfartoolong.

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"Thankyou,Abney."
"You'rewelcome,sir."
Hehadnoappetitebuthemadehimselfchewmethodically.Whenhe'dfinished,heslidthe
trayoutintothehallandwithdrewtothebathroom.Timeforashower.
HestillhadtheendpagesfromTheCountofMonteCristohiddenbetweenthetoilettank
andthewall.Shieldedbytheshowercurtain,hepointedtheshowerheadstraightdownat
thedrain,beforehetookthepencilandstaredattheblankpage.
Aslongasthey'dbeenmarried,they'dneverwrittenletterstoeachother.Nomatterhow
farafieldDavyroamed,hecouldbebacktoMillieinthewinkofaneye.Theclosestthey'd
cometoletterswerenoteslike"gonetothestore"and"don'tforgettobuymilk."
Whatdidhewrite?Hedidn'twanttotellherwherehewas.She'dcometohimandthey'd
gether.Hedidn'twanthertotelltheNSA.TheyseemedtobeSimons'spuppets.
Finallyhewrote:
IMPORTANTYOUREMAINFREE.AVOIDNSA.GOINTOHIDING.THEY'VEIMPLANTEDA
DEVICETHATPUNISHEDMEIFITRAVELAWAYFROMSPECIFICLOCATIONSBUTITHINKICAN
DELIVERTHISNOTE.
Hevisualizedthecondospecificallythecounterbytherefrigeratorandextendedhisarm,
holdingthenotebetweenthumbandforefinger.Hejumped,releasingthenote,andflinched
backtothebathroom,butthenotewasstillwithhim,flutteringtowardthebottomofthe
tub.Hesnatcheditoutoftheairbeforeitlandedinthewater.
Hetriedthreemoretimes,finallyachievingsuccessbyperchingthenoteonhisfingertips
andpushingitawayfromhimashejumped.Whenhestood,gagging,backinthebathtub
withnonote,herelaxedandstoodforamoment,underthehotwater,rubbinghisears.
StillwaterwasathousandfeetaboveMartha'sVineyard.Hisearsachedfromrepeated
equalizing,thecyclingbetweendecompressionandrecompression.
Sopicksomeplacealsoatsealevel.
Hethoughtaboutabeachhe'dvisitedontheQueenslandcoast,onehundredkilometers
fromthenearesttown,desertedevenduringthedayand,asitwasontheothersideofthe
planet,indarknessnow.
Itcameeasierthistime.Hedidthemirroringthingagainatbothendsofthebathtub.When
heswitchedtoQueenslandhekepthiseyesclosedtoavoidthesensoryoverload,
concentratingmoreonmaintainingthetwodifferentplaces,buthestillfeltthesandunder
hisfeet,alternatingwiththewetenameledtub.Heextendedhisawarenesstothecooler,
butnotunpleasantlycold,air.Thewindwasfromthelandandtherewasnosurf,justaslight
sloshingatthewater'sedge.Finallyheopenedhiseyesandtookinaswathofmoonlitwater
stretchingacrosstoagibbousmoon.
Waterwassplatteringthedrysandbeforehimbuttheskywasclear.Theshower.Thesame
showerhefeltonhisbackandshoulderswasfallingonthisbeachhalftheplanetaway.The
breezeswirledaroundhislegsandstirredtheshowercurtain.
Hewiggledhisfeetandfeltthemsinkankledeepintowetsand.Wetfromthewaterinthe
tub.Aslurryofwetsandoozedbetweenhistoesandslurpedasheshiftedhisfeet.
Hestooped,carefully,andputhishandsdown.Foramoment,hisfingertipstouchedthe
enameltubbutthenhishandclosedonahandfuloffinecoralsand.Hestoodagainandhis
headswam.Hedroppedbacktothebottomofthetub,grabbingforthespouttosteady
himself,nolongerintwoplaces.
Amoundofsandatleastankledeepformedanislandinthemiddleofthetub,eroding
slowlyfromtheflowoftheshower.Lovely,finecoralsand,totallyunlikethecoarsequartz
sandatthebeachinMartha'sVineyard.Whilethesteamstillfoggedtheroom,he
transferredthemajorityofthesandtothetoiletand,undertheguiseofnormalbodily

161

functions,flusheditaway.Theremainderheriskedinthetub'sdrain,prayingitwouldn't
clog.
Whenheleftthebathroomhewasn'tasexhaustedasthefirsttime,thoughhedidsitdown
inthereclinerandclosehiseyesforawhile.
Buthewasfarfromasleep.
TWENTYONE
"LiketheonethatkilledPadgett."
MillierentedabicycleinEdgartownandrodeitpastthehotelandwest,towardEdgartown
GreatPond.Temperatureswereinthefiftiesandtheskywasdottedwithfleecycumulus
clouds.ShehadtofightthewindonthebikepathsouthfromEdgartownharborbut,bythe
timeshepassedthehotel,shewasscreenedfromtheoffshorewindbythedunesandbrush.
TheturnoffforGreatPondLanewasonlyafewminutesfartheralongtheroadbutaclosed
steelgateblockedtheentranceanditsguardhousewasoccupied.Shenotedtwopedestal
mountedcamerasandkeptpedaling.
Itwasonlyanothertenminutestowheretheroadendedontheshoreoftheestuary.She
skirtedthereedsforafewminutesonfootandconsidered.
Fromwhatshe'dbeenabletosee,thegatedcommunityconsistedofhalfadozenhomesof
varyingsizes.She'donlybeenabletoseethenearesthousesclearlybutathreestorybrick
mansionatthefarthestendofthelanehadbeenvisibleinthedistance.Thatwasherchief
candidateforDriftwoodHall,butitcouldreallybeanyofthem.
Attheedgeofthewatershewasnolongershieldedfromthewind,andthesweatonher
skinquicklychilled.Shereturnedtothebike.Onherwaybackshepassedacarheaded
towardEdgartownGreatPond.Ithadapolicestylelightbarontopbuttheletteringonthe
sidesaidIslandSecurity.Shewavedandthedriverliftedhishandbrieflyfromthewheel
beforepassingon.
Checkingonme?
Again,shedidn'tpauseasshepassedthegate.Oncearoundthecorner,andoutoflineof
sight,sherolledoffbetweentwotreesandselectedajumpsiteinthebrush.Shethought
aboutjustjumpingbacktothehotelbuttheweatherwasbeautifulandshelikedthestrain
shewasfeelinginherthighsfromtheunaccustomedexercise.
Besides,thepatrolcarmightreturn,tocheckonheragain.Shegotbackonthebikeandkept
going.
Sheregrettedtheexerciselater,afterdark.Shedressedinninjachic,tookhernightgoggles
andherbinoculars,andappearedinthespotshe'dselectedonthebikeride.Herthighs
burnedandshewashardputnottogroanasshemovedquietlythroughthebrush.She
workedherwaywest,paralleltotheroadandscreenedfromitbythescrub.Whenshewas
acrossfromthegatetoGreatPondLaneshelaydownandwormedherwaybetweenbushes
untilshecouldseetheguardhouse.
Liketheothernightonthebeach,thecamerasglowedslightly,theirtemperaturejusthigh
enoughthatthenightvisiongogglespickeduptheirIRsignatureagainstthecoolnight.
Thoughthelightingwaslowintheguardhouse,itblazedinthegoggles.Sheavoidedlooking
atitaftercountingthetwoguardswithin.
Sheretracedherpathtotheeastand,whenshecouldnolongerseeanycameras,crossed
theroad.Therewasn'tafencearoundthecommunity.Thebrushwasthickanditwasajob
toworkherwaythroughit.Whenitthinnedagainattheedgeofwinterbrownlawns,she
pickedoutthecameraspointedouttowardthebrushline.

162

Throughthegogglesmostofthehouseswerecoldanddark,shutdownforthewinter,but
threewereoccupied.TwoofthehousesglowedwithIRwarmspotsandthebighouseon
theend,whichwaswellbeyondthebrush,blazed,withorwithoutthegoggles,since
spotlightslititsgrounds.
Sheswitchedtothebinocularsandstudiedthecoldhouses.Mostofthemwerethoroughly
winterized,temporaryorpermanentshutterscompletelycoveringthewindows,butthere
wasonewithoutshutters.Itwasmidwaydowntheblockonthenearsideofthestreet.
Shestudiedasecondfloorbalconyonthebackside,thenswitchedtothecameras.Noneof
thempointedtowardthehouses.Sheunderstoodthat.Thesepeoplehadallthissecurityto
protecttheirprivacy.Itwasn'tprivateifthesecurityalsowatchedthem.
Shejumpedtoherchosenbalconyandcrouchedagainsttheslidingglassdoors.After
listeningforaslowcountofthirty,sheswitchedbacktothenightgogglesandlooked
throughtheglassintothehouse.Thecurtainsweredrawnoverthefirstdoorbutonly
halfwayacrossthesecondand,withthegoggles,shecouldseeastretchofemptycarpet,a
chairleg,alowcouch.Sheconcentratedand,aninstantlater,shestoodinside.
Alarmtime.Shelookedaroundtheroom,especiallytheuppercorners,butthereweren't
anylittleboxeswithblinkingLEDs.Maybethereweremotiondetectorsinthedownstairs
roomsbutaquicksurveyrevealednoneonthisfloor.Thereweredustcoversovermostof
thefurnitureandwhenshetriedthetapinanupstairsbathroom,nothinghappened.Theair
wasanoddcombinationofdustandstaledamp.
Excellent.DoubtlessthehousewouldcomealivesometimebeforeMemorialDaybut,for
now,nobodyhome.Nobodyexpectedhome.
Shemovedfromwindowtowindow,studyingtheneighborhood.Therewasasinglefloor
houseneartheguardshackthatwasoccupied.Whensheswitchedtoherbinocularsshesaw
thatthecarparkedinitsdrivewaywastheIslandSecuritypatrolcarshe'dpassedearlier,or
itstwin.
Atwostoryhousediagonallyacrossthestreetfromhervantagepointwasalsooccupied,
fivecarsparkedonthewideaproninfrontofthetriplegarageandthreemoreonthestreet.
Whileshewatched,threemenandtwowomenwalkedupthestreetfromthespotlighted
mansion.Threeofthemwentinthefrontdoorofthetwostoryhouseandtwomore,aman
andawoman,gotintoseparatecarsanddroveoff,thesteelgateattheendofthestreet
openingastheyapproached.
Staff?Thecarswereolder,notparticularlyfancy,butontheVineyardthatdidn'tmean
anything.Therichdroverustyheapsanditwasgauchetodressup.Still,shethoughtthey
would'veparkedcloseriftheyweren'tthehelp.
Sheturnedherattentiontothemansionattheendoftheculdesac.Areyouinthere,Davy?
Shecountedsixexteriorcamerasonthissidealone.Somethingisinthere.
Themansion'smanygabledroofofferedpossibilities.Noneofthecamerasshecouldsee
coveredtheroof,butthefloodlightsonthegroundscastitintodeepshadow.Sheusedthe
nightvisiongogglesbuttheyautoadjustedtothefloodlights'glareandshecouldn'tgetany
detailintheshadowsoftheroof.Theplacesshecouldstudyinsufficientdetailwerecovered
bycameras.
Ineedtoseeitindaylight.
ShewentbacktotheAerietoputawaythebinoculars,thenightvisiongoggles,andherdark
clothes.Shewasstilllowonunderwear.Shethoughtaboutthecondoandjumpedthere,
holdingherbreath.
Thoughthedoorswerestilltapedandtherewasthefaintestscentoftheanesthetic,itwas
clearithadn'tbeenreplenished.Shegrabbedherentireunderweardraweranddumpedit

163

intoaclothesbasketinthelivingroom.Shewaslookingaround,wonderingifsheshould
takeanythingelse,whenshesawthenote.
Davyhadterriblehandwritingitwastotallydistinctiveandinstantlyrecognizable.She
snatcheditandjumpedbacktotheAerie.
Shestaredatthepaper,tryingtoreadthewords,herheadcockedtooneside.Therewasa
ringinginherearsandherlipsweredryandshewetthemwithhertongue.Shetooka
plasticcupandhelditunderthecisternspigotbutshedidn'trealizeithadfilleduntilwater
ranacrossherfingersandsplashedonthefloor.Sheclosedthevalve.
He'salive.
TheglassdroppedfromMillie'sfingers,sprayingwateracrossthefloorandbouncingwithan
echoingclatter.Shedroppedtoherkneesandburstintotears.
He'salive.
She'dneverreallythoughtaboutthealternativebutitwasobviousthatapartofherhad
seriouslyconsideredit.Thesobsweretitanic,afloodingofgriefreleasedbecauseitno
longerhadtobeheldback.
He'salive.
Itwasseveralminutesbeforeshecouldstopandactuallyconsidertheinformation
containedinthenote.
IMPORTANTTHATYOUREMAINFREE.
Well,yes.
AVOIDNSA.GOINTOHIDING.
DavyhadnevertrustedtheNSA,butdidheknowsomethingmorenow,asshedid?Anddid
hereallyexpecthertojustsitonherassanddonothing?
THEY'VEIMPLANTEDADEVICETHATPUNISHESMEIFITRAVELAWAYFROMSPECIFIC
LOCATIONSBUTITHINKICANDELIVERTHISNOTE.
JustlikePadgett.Well,maybenotjustlikePadgett.Thatdeviceseemedmoreaboutkeeping
Padgettfromtalking.Butshebetitwasstillavagalnervestimulator.Andapparentlyhe
coulddeliverthenote.Atwhatcost?
SherememberedPadgettvomitingintothefireandshuddered.Theywereconditioning
Davy,shethought.Sotheycouldusehim.
Todowhat?
ForthefirsttimesinceDavy'sdisappearanceshefellasleepwithouteffortand,whenshe
awoke,shelaythereforamomentandactuallysmiled.Whensheleft,sheputalarge
cardboardsignonthecounterinthecondo,rightbeforethespotDavyhadlefthisnote.
I'MSAFE.ICANJUMP.AREYOUINHIDINGINTHEBIGHOUSEONMARTHA'SVINEYARD?I'LL
BERIGHTHEREAT6PMCENTRALEVERYDAY.ILOVEYOU.
TherewasaguardonthegateoftheStillwaterNationalGuardArmorybutthebuildingitself
waslockeduptightandunoccupied.
IttookMillieawhiletofindthechemicalandbiologicalprotectiongear:thegasmasks,
protectivesuits,andwhatshereallycaredabout:theMarkINerveAgentAntidotekits.She
scavengedfouratropineautoinjectorsoutoffourkitsandputtheemptyfoamcasesandthe
leftover2PAMinjectorsintheAerie.Shedidn'twantincompletekitsleftinthearmory
where,Godforbid,someoneshouldneeditsomeday.Nordidshewantsomeonetorun
acrossthe2Pam;itwasjustwaitingforthewrongcombinationoftouchestosendthe
springdrivenneedleintosomeone'sunsuspectingfleshlikesomestrikingsnake.The
atropinesheputinafannypackandbuckleditaroundherwaist.
HernextstopwastheinteriorofthewinterizedhouseonGreatPondLane.Shestayedwell

164

backfromthewindowsandusedherbinocularsonDriftwoodHall.
Thereweremoresecuritycamerasthanshe'dseenthenightbefore.Whydidn'tIseethem?
Shestudiedtheirpositions,mountednearwindows.Ah.Theywerelostagainsthot
backgrounds.
Oneshadowedcornerlookedgood,whereadormerwindowprojectedfromtheslanting
shinglesofthemainroof.Shestaredatthedarkgraysquares.Fiberglassshingles,likethe
onesDadputonhisroof.They'dbegrittytothetouchand,dependingontheirage,might
smelllikeasphalt,especiallywhenwarm.Despitetheslope,she'dhavenotroublestayingin
place.She'dwanttocreepveryslowly,lestsomeoneintheroombelowshouldhearher
movements.
Shetookfastfoodbacktothecondoandatethere,nexttohersign,nexttothespotDavy
hadlefthisnote.
Hemightcomebackatanymoment.
Hersignlookedforlornandpitifulonthecounter.Asshechewedherfoodeveryrustleof
sandwichwrapper,everysmackofherlipsechoedoffthewallsandfloortiles,andmadeher
feelcompletelyandutterlyalone.
"Hemight,"shesaidaloud.Itsoundedevenmoreunlikelyspokenaloud.
ShewantedtotouchbasewithBeccaMartingale.Shewantedtobuysomepepperspray.
ShewantedtotakeashoweratthebathhouseinSantaFe.Butshefoundherselfunwilling
tomove,unwillingtoleavethatspot.
"Thisisridiculous!"
ShejumpedtothetwentyfourhourdrugstoreintheVirginiasuburbsofD.C.theonenext
totheComfortInnwherethey'dkickedthedoorinwhileshewasbathing.Shesnatcheda
containeroftalcumpowderofftheshelfandrushedittothecounter.Thecashierscannedit
andsaid,"Twofiftythree."Milliethrewatwentydownandrushedforthedoor."Your
change!"theclerkcalledafterMillie.Millieyelled,"Keepit!"overhershoulder.Shejumped
backtothecondoassoonasshewasthroughthedoor.
Heprobablyhadn'tbeenthereintheseventysecondsshe'dbeenaway.
"Probably."Neverhadaspokenwordcarriedsomuchdoubt.
Holdingthetalcumatarm'slength,shesprinkleditliberally,lettingitdriftdowntoevenly
coatthetilesbeforethesign.Thenshetookseveralstepsbackandrepeatedtheprocesson
asmallerpatch.Shewalkedacrossitandturnedtostudytheresult.
Herfootprintswereclearlyevidentinthetalc,liketracksindust.
Whatifhejumpsintosomeotherpartofthecondo?
Onlyagreateffortofwillkeptherfromsprinklingtalconeveryfloorinthedwelling,but
whenshegotbacktotheAerie,shespreadsomethere,too.
BeccaMartingale'snumberswitcheddirectlytovoicemailandMilliehungupbeforethe
messagetone.Shecouldbeonthephone.Shecouldbeinameeting.Shecouldbeoutof
rangeofthenearestcell.Twentyminuteslateritwasthesame.Onthenexttry,afterfive
moreminutes,Beccaanswered.
"It'sMillie.Anydevelopments?"
TherewasthebaresthesitationandBeccasaid,"Sorry,Judy,IknowIsaidI'dsetupan
appointment,butI'llhavetodoitlater.Thingsaretoohecticforahaircutrightnow."
Millieblinked."Youcan'ttalkrightnow.Howaboutinanhour?"
Beccarespondeddoubtfully."I'llwanttotakemoreoffthesides."
"Ahalfhour?"
"Probably."
Millielookedatherwatch."I'vegotsevenafter.Callyouattwentythreetill,uh,ten.Eastern

165

daylight."
"Right.Bye."
Shedisconnected.
Milliewentbacktothecondo.Thereweren'tanytracksinthetalc.Shejumpedacrosstown
totheUniversityarea,andfoundashopthatspecializedinalarms,locks,andpersonal
securitydevices.
"Thebestthingispepperfoam,"theclerktoldher."Itletsyouknowifyou'rehittingyour
target,itclings,andthere'slesschanceofgettingblowbackorhittinginnocentbystanders."
Heshowedherasmalloneouncekeychainmodelinthecase,butsittingnexttoitwasa
largerfourouncemodel."Iwantthatone."
"Oh...kay.That'sthepromodel,forcopsandmailmen.It'sabitbigforthepocket."
"Ihavelargepockets."
"You'rethecustomer."
Sheboughttwo.
Beccaansweredonthesecondring.
"Iwasinameetingwithmybossandhisboss.Itseemsthat,nowthatwe'vegotPadgett,the
manwhoshotoneofourown,wegettodroptheinvestigation."
Millie'supperlipwrinkled."Indeed.Withtwokidnappingsongoing?"
"Whatkidnappings?Mereinnuendo.Ms.Johnsonprobablywentbacktothestreetsasisher
wontandastoDavy,theNSAissayingtheyweremistaken.Heisabroad,onassignment."
"Justlikethat?Youdropit?"
"No.Wedon't.Notifyoustillmaintainthatyourhusbandwaskidnapped.Westillhavethe
witnessesfromtherestaurantandadeadNSAagent."
"Andthetwokidswhosawthekilling."
"What!Whatkids?"
"Theoneswhoidentifiedtheangelontheambulance.TheysawDavyputintheambulance."
Beccawassilentforabeat."TheNSAdidn'ttellustherewerewitnessestotheactual
murder.Theyjustgaveustheangel."
"Ah."MillietoldherquicklyaboutherinterviewwiththeRuizfamilyandthesubsequent
analysisoftheconversationbyDr.HenriGautreau.
"So,thewaitress,huh?It'ssonicewhenwe'rekeptintheloop."
"Theytoldmethey'dtellyouwhatyouneededtoknow."
"Oh,yeah.I'veheardthatbefore.Shit.So,yeah,wehavelotsofreasonstokeepthe
investigationopen.Mybosssentamessagebackupthechainhe'sabouttoretireandhe
hasfamilymoneyeveniftheyyankhispensionhe'sthreatenedtogostraighttothepress
iftheypulltheplug."
Milliefelthereyeswater."Goodforhim."
"Yeahnotbadforamale.Astodevelopments,youtellme."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Everythingwehaveisnegative.BochstettlerandAssociatesclaimsPadgettwasfired
monthsagoandhasproducedpaperworktothatend.Wefollowedthemoneyonthecredit
cardyougaveusanditcomesfromanaccountinthefakenamestartedthreemonthsago
withcash.TheIDsareforgeries,butgoodonesmadewithstolenofficialstockinthecaseof
thelicense.HisapartmentinD.C.wasfurnished,butitwasaboutaslivedinasahotelroom.
Theambulanceshaven'tledtoanythingspecific.ThethugsunderPadgettdon'tknow
anythingthoughtheyfingeredPadgettastheircontrolandpaymaster.They'rewillingtotalk
aboutstuffthey'vedoneforhimbutit'soldand,exceptforthatdayoffollowingyouaround,
irrelevant."Shetookadeepbreath."Butyou,mydear,saidyouhadsomething,butyou
didn'twantanybodyflushingtheprey."

166

"Flushingtheprey?Didyouactuallysaythat?Ican'tbelieveyouactuallysaidthat.Inever
saidthat."
"Sosueme.It'swhatyoumeant."
"Idon'tcareiftheyrun.Ijustdon'twantthemtotakeDavywiththem...orworse."
"It'snottheusualkidnapsituation.Theycan'tusehimifhe'sdead."
"Theycan'tdoanythingtohimifIgethimbackbeforetheyknowI'montothem."
"Areyouthatclose?"
Milliebitherlip."Nocomment."
"Whatiftheykillyou?Orcaptureyou?Iknowwhatyoucando,butthesamewastrueof
David,right?Andtheycaughthim.Shouldn'tyouhavesomeformofbackup?"
"Thisisyourcellphone,right?"
"Yes."
"Jesus!I'msuchanidiot.Youwanttotalktome,meetmewhereIlastdroppedyouoff."
"Atthe"
"Don'tsayit.Howlong?"
"Fortyfiveminutes."
"You'llbefollowed,butitwon'tmatter."Milliehungthepayphoneupandjumpedaway.
Stillnofootprintsinthetalc.
ShefoundawaitingroomonthesecondfloorofGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospitalthat
overlookedthesidewalkonNewHampshireAvenue,whereshe'dleftBeccathenight
Padgettdied.Thesunwasbrightandunobscuredandthewindowsweremirroredsoshe
waseffectivelyinvisibleinside.
Beccawasdroppedbyacarwithgovernmentplatesthatthendroveon.Milliegrabbedher
withoutwarning,jumpingdirectlybehind,lifting,andjumping.ItwassofastthatBecca's
gaspcameonlyafterMilliereleasedherintheAerie.
"Youmightwarnagirl!"Beccalookedaround,adjustingtothedimmerlight.Shereachedup
totouchtheroughstoneceilingthenlookedatthecrudestonemasonrywallandthe
windows."Wherearewe?"
"Thisisourplace,Davy'sandmine.Ourprivateplace.It'sabitofamessrightnow."
"Butwhereisit?"
"Well,it'sinthenorthernhemispherebutI'mafraidthat'sasfarasI'mwillingtogo."Sheput
apieceofpiononthecoalsinthestove,leavingthedooropen."Youwantsometea?"
Beccablinked."Whynot.Whyistheretalconthefloorthere?"
Millielooked.Thetalcwastrackless."Itoldyou,theplaceisamess."Shewalkedaroundthe
talctoputthekettleonthepropaneburnerandhandedBeccaDavy'snote.
Beccadroppedintothebigchairinthereadingnookandtookoutapairofreadingglasses.
Sheheldthemup,stillfolded,tolookatthenotethroughthem,thenjerkedherheadup,
eyeslarge."He'sbeenhere?"
"Toourcondo,inStillwater,buthere,too,Ithink.Therewasawaterpuddleherewhere
noneshouldbe."
"Adeviceimplanted?LikePadgett!"
"Yes.LiketheonethatkilledPadgett."
Beccaputtheglassesonproperlyandrereadthenote.Shelookedupblankly,hermind
clearlyracing.ShegesturedatMillie'ssignonthecounter."WhatbighouseonMartha's
Vineyard?"
Millietiltedherheadtooneside."WhatwillyoudoifItellyou?"
"Isitwhereheis?"
"Don'tknow.ButIfollowedaleadfromBochstettlerandIcheckeditout.It'sguardedlikea
fortressandit'stheNortheasttheambulances,right?Andyousaidsomethingabout

167

HyacinthPopetravelingtoLogan.Shemight'veconnectedtotheVineyard."
"Whosehouseisit?"
"Again,whatareyougoingtodo?"
"Whatdoyouwantmetodo?"
"Not'flushtheprey.'"
"Ican'tbelieveyousaidthat."
"Sueme.I'mwillingtotellyou,intheinterestsofbackup,butIdon'twantyoutogoinuntil
I'vegotDavy."
"Andhowareyougoingtodealwiththeimplant?"
Milliebitherlipanddecidednottomentionstealingtheatropine.Behindherthekettle
startedwhistling.Shesaid,"I'vegottofindhimfirst.ButI'mworkingonit."
"SoyouhavenoevidencethatDavy'sinthishouse,right?"
"It'sverytenuous.Youcouldn'tgetawarrant,evenifitwasjustsomeordinaryguyandfrom
whatIunderstand,he'snotatallordinary."
"Okay.I'llleaveitaloneunlessyoudon'tcomeback."
"Itcouldmeanhislife,Becca."
"Oddlyenough,Iknowthat.WhatI'mconcernedaboutisyou.Youdon'texactlyhavethe
trainingforthis.Don'tyouthinkyoucouldbeendangeringhimoryourself?"
Milliejumpedtheinterveningtenfeet,toappearinchesawayfromBecca'sface,likeshedid
thenightshe'dscaredPadgettoffthebalcony,onlyshedidn'tyell.Still,itwasagoodthing
Beccawasn'tonabalcony.Thechairwould'vefallenoverifithadn'tbeennexttothewall.
Milliejumpedbacktothekettle.
"You'vegottoadmitIhavecertainadvantages."
"Inearlypeedmyself!"
Millietookthecupsdown."Youpromise?"
"SwearonaBible.Iwon'tmoveunlessyougomissing.ButIwon'tknowifyou'remissing
unlessyoucheckinwithmebeforeyougoin."
"Deal."Millietookadeepbreath,letitout,thensaidinarush,"Thehouseiscalled
DriftwoodManorandit'sonGreatPondLaneonthesouthshorenearEdgartown."Shefelta
weightcomeoffofhershoulders.Burdenshared,burdeneased.
Beccapulledoutanotebookandwaswritingtheaddressdown."Anditbelongsto?"
"LawrenceSimons."
Becca'spenfroze."Oh,fuck."
Milliefinallytookthewhistlingkettleofftheburner."Well,atleastyou'veheardofhim."
ThetalcwasundisturbedinbothplaceswhenshereturnedfromdroppingBeccanear
Interrobang.Heroverwhelmingdesirewastostaybythepatchandwait.Sittingonmyass.
InsteadshelocatedaLaundromatseveralblocksfromthecondoinStillwaterandtookall
herdirtyclothesthere.
IfshekeptjumpingbacktotheAerieandthecondotocheckthetalc,atleastshewasn't
frozenthere,immobile.Shewasproudofherself,ofherresolveandfortitude,butwhenall
theclothesweredry,shejumpedthembacktothecondobeforefoldingthem.
Youaren'tfoolinganybody.
Shejumpedontotheroofattwilightwhileshecouldstilljustbarelyseeitthroughthe
binoculars.Shewaswearingherninjaoutfitandsheflattenedherselfagainstthetilesto
blendin.Almostimmediatelythefloodlightscameon,below,asifinreactiontoher
presence,butshediscountedthat.Itmustbedarkenoughatgroundleveltotripthe
photocellthatcontrolledthelights.Intheresultingshadowshefeltinvisible.

168

Thenwhyismyheartpoundingso?
Theairwascoolbuttheroofwaswarmtothetouch,residualheatfromthesun,or,more
likely,thehouse'sfurnace.Shelaythere,ashadowwithinashadow,astheskydarkenedin
shadesofgrayblue.Sheturnedherheadandpressedanearagainsttheshingles,closingher
eyes.Therewasahumming,probablyfromthecentralheaterblowerintheattic.Shedidn't
hearanyvoicesbutatonepointsheheardsomethingthatmightbeadistantdoorshutting.
Shedidn'tknowwhetheritwasonherfloororlower.
ShejumpedbacktotheAerieandstrippedtheteeshirtmaskoffofherhead.Bythetime
she'dleft,theairwaspositivelycold,butherneckwaswetwithsweat.
Shewantedtogostraightback,toenterthehouse,butitwastooearly.Theresidentswould
beactive,dealingwithdinneranditsaftermath.Whenshe'dseentheservantsleavingthe
nightbefore,ithadbeenafternine.Shewouldwaitagoodhourafterthatbeforeshewent
further.
Shestrippedoffthedarkclothesandhungthem,toair,thendrankdeeplyfromthecistern.
Shesteppedoutside,ontotheledge.Here,twotimezonestothewest,thesunwasstillup,
thoughblockedfromMilliebytheridgeaboveher.Theskywasstillcrystallineblue,witha
contraildrawnacrosstheexpansefarabovelikeaknifeslash.Herskincooledimmediately
andabreezewentthroughherhairlikeacaress.Oblivious,themomentbefore,shebecame
acutelyawarethatshewasstandingoutsideinjustpantiesandabra.
So?There'snoonetosee.
Andthatwasthetrouble.
Sheshiveredandwentbackin,wrappingherselfinarobe.Sheleftthedooropenandlita
fireinthestove,enjoyingthecombinationofcoolairandwarmradiance.Shekepthereye
onthecounter.Itwasnearingsixinhistimezonebut,likeawatchedpot,Davyneither
appearedorboiled.
Atninethirtysheputthedarkoutfitonagain,wrappedtheteeshirtaroundherheadinthe
ninjamask,andputonthefannypackwiththeatropineautoinjectorsandpepperfoam.
Thebelt'spressuremadeherawareofherbladder.Sheusedthecompostingtoiletinits
closetattheendofthedwelling.Asshecameoutagaintherewasaflickeringnearthe
counter,andforamomentshethoughtshe'dseensomeonebuttherewasnoonethere.
Wishfulthinking.
Whenshewenttogetthenightvisiongogglesofftheshelf,therewerefootprintsinthetalc.
Twoprints,leftandright,bare.Facingawayfromhersign,dammit!
Shehadseenhim.Hadheseenher,comingoutofthebathroom?Hadherunfromher?
Shewaitedanotherfortyminutes,staringatthespotbeforethecounter,then,swearing,
snatchedupthenightvisiongoggles.
ShecalledBecca'scellfromapayphoneinCrystalCity,thenightvisiongogglestuckedunder
onearm,themaskpulleddownaroundhernecklikearumpledscarf.
"Martingale."
"I'mgoingin."
"Callmeafter?"
"Yes."
Theroofcreakedwhensheappearedbackonit,intheshadowofthegable.Sheheldher
breathandfroze,staringup,earslisteningforanapproachingguard.Thecoldstarsglittered
downlikedistant,uncaringeyes.
Whenshedidmove,shethought,Likeglacierscreeping.Imperceptibleintheshortterm,
coveringdistanceovertime.Farbettertoerronthesideofcaution.Therewouldbeno
secondchances.
Ittookherhalfanhourtomovethefourfeettotheedgeofthedormerwindows.Shenever

169

movedmorethananinchatatimeandsherestedandlistenedbetweeneachmovement.It
wascoldandasharpbreezehadsprungupasthesunwentdownbutshewassweating.
Thefloodlightsonthegroundsbelowcasttheshadowofthegutteracrossthewindow,
lightingthepeakofthedormeraboveandtheverytopofthewindowframebutnotthe
glasspanesthemselves.Theroomwithinwasdark.Sheloweredthenightvisiongoggles
overhereyesand,shieldingthelensesfromtheglarewithherhands,peeredthroughthe
glass.
Blinds.Closed.
Sheexaminedthewindowitself,anoldfashionedsash.Whenshetuggedatit,itdidn't
budge.
Therewereperhapsthreefeetofslantingshinglesbetweenthewindowandtheedgeofthe
roof.Sheeyedthelipanddecidedtogoaround,instead,movinguptheslantoftheroof,
overthetopofthedormer,andthendownagain,tothenextwindow.Sheeventurnedto
doitbutstoppedherself.
Idiot!Youcanteleport,remember?
Shestudiedthenextwindowandjumpedacrossthetwelvefootgap.Thiswindowwasalso
tightlyclosedbuttheblindshadbeenraised.Theroomwasunlitbutathinlineoflight
comingunderthedoorwaslikethenoondaysunforthenightvisiongoggles,lettinghersee
intoasmallgarretbedroom.Therewasatwinbedbeneaththewindow,adeskononewall,
afreestandingwardrobeopposite,andadresserwithatelevisionnexttothedooropposite.
Thebed,thoughmade,hadacreaseonit,asifsomeonehadbeenlyingatopthecovers.
Theycouldcomebackatanyminute.
Shejumpedwithinandpressedhereartothedoor.Sheheardnothing,nofootsteps,no
voices,justaslighthumfromthecentralheat.Shecheckedthewardrobe.Women'sclothes,
mostlysemicasual,withseveralmaid'suniformsgraydresseswithwhiteaprons.Thetop
drawerofthedresserheldbras,panties,hose,nightgowns,andtwoclipsfora9mm
automaticpistol.
Turndownthebedsandshootoutthelights.
Shetookoutherdentalmirror,flippedupthenightvisiongoggles,andeasedthedoortothe
hallwayopen.
TWENTYTWO
"Youshould'veleftmechained."
Davywasonhisbedinateeshirtandpajamabottoms,ignoringaDVD,whenhisthroat
tingledandhefoundhimselfstanding"inthebox."
ItwaslateatnightandHyacinthenteredwithoutknocking.SheheldthedoorforThugOne
andThugTwoastheyeachcarriedinalargealuminumcase.Bothofthecasesweredented
andbatteredandtheolivedrabanodizedcoatingwasscratched.Theywereclearlyheavy,
forbothmenleanedtocounteracttheweight.Clearofthedoor,theyloweredthemtothe
floorasiftheyweremadeofglass.
HyacinthturnedofftheTVwithoutspeaking.ShejerkedherheadtowardthedoorandThug
OneandThugTwoleft.Davythoughttheylookedrelievedatthedismissal.
"Ihopethat'snotyourtrousseau,"Davysaid.
Shelookedathiminsilenceforamomentbeforesaying,"It'sjustaquickdelivery.Twoquick
tripstotheembassyinCaracas."Shetookahandkerchieffromherpantspocketandwiped
thehandlescarefully,thenpolishedthetopofthecase.
Davylookeddownatthetipsofhisownfingers."What'sinthem?"
Hyacinthshookherhead."Noneedforyoutoknow.Justleavetheminthebathroomand

170

ourcontactwillcollectthem."
Davyfeltachill.Youknewthistimewouldcome.Heleanedoutoftheboxtopeeratthe
cases.Theywerepadlockedshut.AlargepinkPostitnotewasstucktoeachwiththeword
FIRSTononeandLASTontheother.Therewasalineofletteringonametallizedlabeland
whenhesquintedhesawlinesofArabic.
"ShouldIdress?DoItakeyoutotheembassyfirst?"heasked,testing.
Sheshookherhead."Notnecessary.Justleavetheminthebathroomand...comeright
back."Hereyecontactbroke.
"Openthem,"hesaid.
"Areyoudeaf?"
"You'renotgoingtoopenthem?"
"Hell,no!"
"Right."He'dgoneasfarashecould.Morespecifically,asfarashewould.Hedroppeddown
ontothefloor,crosslegged."Deliverthemyourself."
Hyacinth'shandsclenchedintofists."Mr.Simonstoldyouwhatwouldhappenifyoudidn't
cooperate.IsittimetobringMs.Johnsonoverfrom"Sheshuthermouthwithaclick."Let
merephrase.IsittimetobringMs.Johnsonuphere...onepieceatatime?"
Itwouldbesoeasytobreakyourneck.Davyvisualizedtheact,jumpingbehindher,grasping
herchin,andjumpingsidewayswithoutlettinggo.Hefeltastirofarousal.Hewantedhis
handsonher,allright.Forwhat?Hisstomachheavedbutitwasn'ttheimplant.
"Aretheyonatimerorareyougoingtoradiodetonatethem?"
Herpostureshiftedsubtly,lessforward,slightlysmaller,andsheunclenchedherhands.
"Whatonearthdoyoumean?"
Helickedhislips.Mightaswellbeasclearaspossible."Well,it'snotdrugs,notwith
Colombianextdoor.ThatwouldbeliketakingsandtotheSahara.Itcouldbemoney,likeI
carriedfortheNSA,butifso,whynotshowme?Unlessyouknowit'ssomethingIwon't
touch."
Hyacinthwavedherhand."WhywouldwewanttotakeabombintoCaracas?That'slike
yoursandandSaharathing.Plentyofbombs.Fifteenexplosionsinthelasttwoyears."
Davycrossedhislegs."OnthestreetsofCaracas,yes.Butinsidethesecuritycordonofthe
U.S.Embassy?"
Hyacinthdidn'tmoveforamoment.Then,"Whyonearthwouldwedosomethinglikethat?"
"Canyousay'regimechange?'Idon'tknowifyouguyswanttheoil,orwanttokeepthis
administrationinofficewithatimelylittleforeignadventure,orifyouwanttogivethema
reasontogodirectlyafterdrugsinColombiaor,hell,perhapsit'sanexcusetogosomeplace
else.Ican'treadArabic.Doesanythingelseinthatcasepointtoaparticularcountry?Say,
Syria?Iran?ForallIknow,youguysareheavilyinvestedinthedefenseindustriesandjust
wantanotherwar."Hesteepledhisfingers."SyrianbombblowsupU.S.Embassyin
Venezuela.U.S.sendstroops?Crashesstockmarket?Streetpriceofcocaineskyrockets?
Maybeyou'vestockpiledagainstashortage."
"That'sridiculous."Heraffectwasflat,eyeswatchful.
"Indeed."Davy'slipswenttight."Whichscenario?"
"Allofthem!"Shehalfturnedtothedoor."I'lljustgogetMs.Johnson,then?Isthatwhat
youwant?"
Hefeltcoldinside."Icandothemath.Ms.Johnsondies.PerhapsIdie,too.Buthowmany
peopledieintheexplosion?Howmanydieinthesubsequentmilitaryactions?"
"It'snotabomb,sononeofthatwillhappen.ExceptMs.Johnsonwilldieandyou'llwish
you'dneverbeenborn."
Hewatchedher,histongueonhislips.Thelasttimethey'dtalkedaboutCaracas,the

171

camerasandmicrophoneshadbeendisconnected.Andshe'djustsentthetwoThugsout,as
well,asiftheyweren'ttohearthisconversation.Sothecamerasareprobablyoffnow.
Hesaid,"Whenyou'relyinginthedark,tryingtogettosleep,dotheyvisityou?Thepeople
you'vekilledandhurt?"
Shewrinkledhernoseandsaid,"Isleeplikeababy."
Heexhaledsharplythroughhisnose."Withcolic?"
Sheturnedtowardthedoor."I'llbebackwithsomepartofMs.Johnson."
Davytiltedhisheadforwardandnarrowedhiseyes."Idon'tthinkso."
Hiskneestruckherinthestomachbeforeshe'dhadtimetoreacttohisdisappearancefrom
thesquare.Asshedoubledoverhekneedheroncemoreinthesameplaceandthenwas
backintheboxintimetowatchherdroptothefloor,unabletobreathe,hernervoussystem
temporarilyoverloaded.
Hewasbentoverhimself,tryingtoavoidtossingdinner.Hegaspedout,"Youturnedoffthe
cameras,didn'tyou,dear?Lestyouleaveanyevidenceofthisplot."Hejumpedagain,took
herbythecollar,andjumpedbackintothesquare.Eachexcursionoutofthesquarehithim
withajolt.
Hyacinththrashed,strikingoutwithherelbow,butheavoidediteasily.Shewasmakinglittle
halfchoking,halfgaspingnoises,stillunabletodrawabreath.Davyswitchedhisgraspto
herarms,liftedthemoverherhead,thenloweredthem.Thefirstgaspingintakeofair
rushedthroughhervocalchordsinaprotractedmoan.ToDavyitsoundedlikeacaricature
ofsexualpleasure.
You'resick,kiddo.
"Youshould'veleftmechained,"hesaid.
Hegrabbedhershirtcollaragain,andjumpedhertothemidnightdarknessofthepit,fifty
feetabovethewater,andreleasedher.Unliketimespast,hewasunabletostay,toseeor,
inthiscase,hearherimpactthesurface.He'dtakentoolong.
Hedoubledover,backinthesquare,firstvomiting,thencoughing,thenvomitingagain.A
partofhimwatched,detached.Beenhere,donethis.HewonderedifHyacinthwastooweak
tomakeittotheshoreoftheisland.
Thesmellandsightofhisearliernight'sdinnerkepthimgagging.Heturnedawayfromthe
lumpypuddleanddrewdeepbreathsthoughhismouth.Histhroatburned.Iamsotiredof
this.Heeyedthetwocases,halfwaytothedoor,andwonderedwhatwouldhappenifhe
threwthemagainstthewall.
HowlongbeforetheycheckonHyacinth?Andwhatcouldhedowiththeperiodof
unobservedtime?
Hethoughtaboutmovingthecasestotheislandinthepit.Makethemherproblembut,for
allheknew,they'dalreadyputthemonatimer.HelookedatthePostitnotesagain.Why
wasitimportanttotakeonebeforetheother?
Hepresumedbothcontainedexplosives.Perhapsthesecondonecontainedthedetonation
device.
Butwhywoulditmatter?
Hethoughtaboutknockingthelocksoffandopeningthem.Whatifthey'veboobytrapped
them?Whatifopeningthemsetthemoff?
Fromthesizeofthethings,andtheirapparentweight,hefeltsuretheydidn'texpecthimto
carrybothcasesatonce.So,theywantedtomakesureonewasinplacebeforetheother
gotthere.Again,why?
Theanswerchilledhim.
Becauseit'sdesignedtogooffonceit'sbeenmoved?
Heshookhishead.Iftheydidthat,howcouldtheyreusehim?

172

Maybethey'vedecidedtheydon'twanttoreusehim.Maybetheirconcernis,howcanthey
letmelive,ifIknowwhoarrangedforthebombtobeputthereinthefirstplace?
Thathadtobeit.Howcouldtheypossiblyriskhisrevealingtheguilty?Itwouldundo
anythingtheyhopedtoaccomplish.
So,moveonecase,then,whenthesecondonewasmoved,itwouldgooff,blowingthefirst
caseinsympatheticdetonation.And,incidentally,silencingDavy.Atgroundzero,there
probablywouldn'tbemuchleftofhim.
Andwhatwouldsetitoff?
Obviouslymovementwasn'tthething.ThugOnehadbroughtitin,afterall.Whatabout
somesortofGPSreceiver?Perhapsitwasprogrammedtogooffwhenitfounditselfinthe
rightlocation?
Hethoughtaboutthatandrejectedit.He'dusedGPSreceiversanditusuallytookthem
sometimetoreacquireenoughsatellitestodeterminepositionafterhejumped.Ifthey
werecountingonGPS,he'dbelonggonebeforethedetonationandtheirdeliveryorder
wouldn'tmatter.
Hethoughtabouttheembassy.There'dbeenalotofconcreteinitsconstructionand,
thoughtheradiokeysfortheimplanthadreachedwithin,Davydoubtedtheycouldcounton
gettinganysatellitesignalintothemiddleofthebuilding.
Somaybeitdetonatesfromtheabsenceofasignal?
Afterall,thiswashowtheycontrolledDavy.Butitcouldn'tbethesamesignal,otherwise
theycouldn'tcountonhimgettingittoitsdestination.They'dneedtobetransmittingthe
keysinCaracasforhimtojumpthere.Iftheyusedthesamesignal,thesecondcasewouldn't
detonateuntiltheyturneditoff.Callsfortoomuchcoordination.Farsimplerthisotherway.
Theywere,hedecided,transmittingasimplesignalhere,atthehouse,andtheminutethe
detonatorinthesecondcasestoppedreceivingit,boom.
You'regoingtofeelreallystupidwhenitturnsouttobefreshshirtsfortheAmbassador.
Hedidn'tthinkhecouldstandanotherkickfromtheimplantsohedidn'tleavethesquareto
getthecases.Instead,hetwinnedhimself,likeinthebathtub,bothjumpingtothecases,yet
stayingbehind.
It'sagate,really,betweentwoplaces.I'mjustaDavyshapedholeintheuniverse.Anda
Davyshapedholethatleakedevenweakradiosignals,keepinghisimplanthappy.Hepicked
upthecases,oneatatime,untwinned,andsetthemdowninthesquare.
Helookedatthedoor,atthetwowaymirror,andbackatthecases.Betternotwaittoo
long.
HepickedupthefirstcaseandtwinnedtothebeachinAustralia,thedesertedstretchonthe
Queenslandcoast,wherethedrysandmetthewet.
Hisvisionwasdistorted,thebedroomoverlaidonthesundrenchedbeach,butthebeach
wassobrightthefluorescentlightscouldn'tcompete.Theroomwasadimghostoverlaidon
theseaandsky.Thelighthurthiseyes,but,asheturnedslowlyinplace,hecouldn'tsee
anybody.Hewasn'tsurprisedthenearestroadwasmilesaway.He'dgottenthere
originallybyteleportinginjumpsdownthecoastline.Hescannedthehorizon.Therewasa
distanttriangleofsailbutitwasfarenoughawaythatthehullitselfwasbelowthehorizon.
Heloweredthecasebutitseemedtofloatjustabovethesand.Hetriedtwicemorebeforeit
settled,notontheoakflooroftheroom,butonthebeach.Heletgoanduntwinned.
Therewasonlyonecaseintheroomwithhimnowandadustingofsandontheparquet.
Hetwinnedagain,backtothebeach.Thecasewasstillthere,listingslightlytoonesidein
thesand.Heuntwinned,backtotheroom.
Helookedatthesecondcase.ThewordonthePostitseemedhorriblysignificant:last.
ThelastthingIdo?Lastthoughts?

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HewantedtoseeMillieatleastoncemore.HetwinnedtotheAerieandlookedaround,
hopingshewastherebutalmostimmediatelyheheardthefaintsoundofadistantfootstep
andthoughtitwasthem,comingtocheckonHyacinth.
Heflinchedbacktotheroom,tookholdofthelastcaseandtwinnedagain,toQueensland,
hisheartthumping.
Heblinkedinthebrightsunlight,holdinghisbreath.
Well,ithadn'tblownupyet,ashestoodthereinbothplaces.Hesetitdownbesidethefirst
case,gettingitontothesandathisfirsttryandremovedhishandfromthehandle.Itleaned
slightlytoonceside,contactingtheothercaseandhefrozeattheslightclickofcontact.
Hischesthurtandheexhaled,relievingthediscomfort.Withaneffort,hetookhiseyesoff
ofthecase,tolookaroundoncemore,tomakesurethebeachwasstilldeserted.
Itwas.Eventhedistantsailwasshrinking,droppinglowerbehindthehorizon.Henotedwith
amusementthatthesunshonethroughhimtolighttheoakfloorabouthisfeet.
"Allright."
Hekneltandputhishandontheoakfloor,concentratingonthefurnitureandthewallsand
theceilingoftheroom.Whenheuntwinned,hedidnotwanttobeonthebeach.Ifhewas
right,theconsequenceswouldbe...significant.
Hefoundhimselfwhollybackintheroom,kneelingonthehardoakparquet.
Itwasquiet.Thedistantfootstephe'dheardwasn'tthefirstofmore.Heswallowedandthen
countedslowlytothirty.Whenhetwinnedbacktothebeach,itwasnotwherehe'dleftthe
cases,butbythetreeline,wellbackfromthewater.
Theairwashotandfullofchemicalsmellingsmoke,dust,andfallingbitsofsand.Wherethe
caseshadbeennowstoodasmokingcraterthirtyfeetacrossandseveralfeetdeep.Itwas
slowlyfillingfromtheocean.Thetreesaroundhimwereshredded,theleavesstrippedfrom
theirlimbsand,insomecases,entiretrunksfelled,brokeninsplinteredfracturesafootoff
theground.
Nottheambassador'sshirts.
Aknocksoundedonthedoorandheflinched,untwinningbackintotheroom.Hewrinkled
hisnose,annoyedwithhimself.Theywouldn'thaveknockedifthecameraswerestillon.
Theywould'vedonesomethingmoredrastic,likesendinghimintoconvulsions.Hewished
hecouldlockorblockthedoor.Hehadafeelingthathis"mostfavoredguest"statuswas
abouttocometoanend.Nevermind.Astheladysaid,iftheywantto,theycanspankme
fromoffsite...withabutton.
"Comein."
ThugTwo,thehooknosedredhead,steppedintotheroom."Excuseme,Hyacinth,but"He
staredaround,lookingatDavy,wherethecaseshadbeen,thepuddleofvomit,andthen
Davyagain.
"WhereisMissPope?"
Davysmiledgrimly."Shehadtoleave."Hewonderedifhecouldgrabthemanwhile
twinning.Regretfully,hedecideditwouldtakemorepracticethanhehadtimefor.
HebrokeThugTwo'smagnificentnosewithaheelstrikeandwasbackinthesquare,with
onlytheslightestdryheave.
ThugTwostaggeredback,hishandstohisface,blooddrippingoverhischin.Hekeptone
handtohisnoseandgropedforthedoorwiththeother,hiseyesstreamingtears.
Davytookadeepbreaththroughhismouth,thengrabbedThugTwoanddroppedhiminthe
pit.
Thistooktoolong.Thoughheflinchedbacktothesquarehelostmotorcontrolanddropped
tothefloor,coughing,vomiting,anddefecating,and,thoughhewasbackinthesquare,it
didn'tstop.

174

Must'veturnedthecamerasbackon,hethought,andpassedout.
Thefirstthinghenoticedwasthesmell,anawfulpenetratingmixofodorsthatwas
becomingfartoofamiliar.Hegaggedandtheresultingmovementtuggedathisleg.The
manaclewasbackonhisankle,thepadlockfirmlylatchedtothechain.
Hewantedtocleanoffmorethananything,togetthistasteoutofhismouthandthesmell
offhisbody,butthey'dputthepadlockwellupthechain,withonlyafewfeetofslack
betweenhislegandtheanchorring.Hecouldn'treachanyofthefurniture,muchlessthe
bathroom.
Thiscan'tbegood.
LawrenceSimonscameintotheroomandshutthedoorbehindhim.
Definitelynotgood.
Davypushedhimselfuptohishandsandknees.Hisheadfeltheavyanddrooped.Hesettled
backonhisshinsandbracedhishandsonhisthighs.Withadecidedeffort,hebalancedhis
headupright,eyeslevel."Havetocomefar?"
Simons'snosewrinkledandhetookachairattheedgeoftheroom,asfarawayaspossible.
"Farenough."
Davysaid,"Youshouldsmellitfromoverhere."
Simons'surbanity,hissmoothpolish,wascompletelygone."Wherearethecases?"
"Isthatyourpriority?Iwould'vethoughtyou'dbemoreconcernedaboutThugTwoand
MissPope."Heworkedsalivaintohismouth."Idon'tsupposeIcouldhavesomethingto
drink,torinsemymouthout?"
"AnswermyquestionandI'llconsiderit."
Davyshrugged.Thetruthwouldn'tparticularlyhelpSimonsandhewastootiredtomakeup
lies."Thecases,orwhat'sleftofthem,areinandaboutacrateronthenortheastcoastof
Australia.Itwasrightatthewater'sedgeandfillingrapidlywithseawaterwhenlastIsawit."
Almostsadly,Simonssaid,"Youdidn'ttakethemtotheEmbassy?"
"Surelyyou'vecheckedtoseeifthebuildingisstillstanding?But,no,ofcourseIdidn't.
Someonemighthavebeenhurt.MayIhavethatglassofwater?"
Simonstookaradiofromhisjacketpocketandraisedittohismouth."BringMs.Johnson
over."
Over?Likefromanotherbuilding?"Nowater?"He'sgotthecamerasandmikesturnedoff,
too,orhewouldn'tneedtousetheradio.
Simonsheldtheradioantennaagainsthischin."I'mconsideringit.Whyaren'tyoudead?"
"Ah."Davynoddedslowly."Didyouwantmedead?Iwaswonderingaboutthat.You've
gonetoanawfullotoftrouble,afterall,and,whileI'msurethepayoffforyourlittle
embassyexplosionwasprobablyconsiderable,itseemedawasteofavaluableresourceto
justflushmeintheprocess.Nottomention,ithurtmyfeelings."
Simonsstaredathim,unmoving,unmoved."Wetried,Mr.Rice.Wetried.Butwecameto
theconclusionthatyouaren'treallybiddable.Notdependablyso.WegaveHyacinthone
morechancetosecureyourcooperationbutthenyoudroppedherinthesaltmarsh.That
wasamistake.Youshould'vejustfuckedherandcooperated."
Davyblinked.Sothat'swhatshewasdoing.
"Butouranalysisisthatyou'rejusttoorigid.Yourselfinterestisinsufficientlyparamount
overyourvaluesystem.Anuptightlittleprig,really."
Davydidn'tknowwhethertobepleasedoroffended.
Simonscontinued."So,whyaren'tyoudead?"
"Intheexplosion?YoushouldlistentoConley,"Davysaid."You'repayinghimtodoallthat
research,right?Didn'tyouknowaboutthepersistenceoftheportal?"

175

Simons'seyesnarrowed."Vaguely.Hesaidsomethingaboutit."
Davylied."Ijumpedthesecondcaseanddroppeditandjumpedback.Therewasenough
portallatencyforyourdetonatortoreceiveitssignaluntilIwassafebackhere."
Simons'slipspulledbackfromhisteeth."Whywouldyoudothat?Imean,whatmadeyou
thinktodothat?"
"Youknowmymotherdiedfromaterrorist'sbomb?"
Simons'seyesnarrowed.Henoddedwarily."Well,yes,it'sinyourfile.Soyouknewthey
werebombs?"
"Adeduction."Davytiltedhisheadtooneside."Why?DidyouthinkHyacinthtoldme?"
Simonsshookhishead."Notreally.NorMr.Planck.Theyarebiddable,afterall.Theyare
wellawareoftheconsequences.Theyhaveselfinterest.Butsomethingtoldyou?"
"Shewouldn'tletmeseeinthecases.Theywerelabeled'first'and'last.'Shetoldmetotake
thecasestoCaracas,butnother,andthenshehesitatedbeforeadding,'andcomeright
back.'"Hespreadhishands."Shedidn'texpectmeback."
Simonsscowled."Isee.Itwasbadlyhandled.WhereareMs.PopeandMr.Planck?"
Davylaughed."They'reatthebottomofasinkhole.There'splentyoffreshwater,butthey'll
starveinacoupleofweeksunlessoneofthemturnsontheother.MymoneyisonHyacinth.
She'sasurvivor.Herselfinterestisparamount."Heclickedhisteethtogether."Iwonderif
she'llsleepwithhimfirst?"
Simons'seyesnarrowed."You'lltelluswhere,ofcourse?"
Davyshrugged."Perhapswecanreachanaccommodation."
"Involving?"
"Ms.Johnson."
Simonssmilednastily."Oh,I'msurewecan."
"LethergoandI'llfetchHyacinthandThug,uh,Mr.Planck,backforyou.You'llbewell
aheadofthegame.Nochanceofthemspillinganyofyoursecrets.Ms.Johnsondoesn't
knowanyofyoursecretsorwheresheisandshe'llbedroppedfarfromherewithnowayto
tracewhereshe'sbeen."
"Oh.You'ddrophersomewhere,yousay?"
"Ofcourse.I'mafraidIdon'ttrustyoutodoit."
"I'mhurt."Simonsdidn'tlookhurt.Helooked...well,coldasice.Likesteel.Angercontrolled.
Angerharnessed.
Davyspreadhishands."Nooffense,butit'snotmylifeI'dbegambling,afterall."
Simonsleanedforward."Butitis,myboy,itis."
Davyshookhishead."Nogamblethere.I'mnotexpectingtogetoutofthisalive.You
assholeshavetoomuchtolosewithmeoutofyourcontrol.FarasI'mconcerned,I'm
alreadydead."HepausedtolockeyeswithSimons."Ijustdon'twantSojeetodie,too."
"Beforewe'redonewithher,that'sexactlywhatyou'llwant.Thereareworsethingsthan
death."
Davysighed.Well,atleasthe'dditchedthebomb.
Therewasaknockonthedoor,andsomeonesaidsomething,butDavydidn'tcatchit.
Simonssaid,"Enter."
Thedooropened,andamanDavyhadn'tseenbeforeheldthedoorforoneofthemaids,
whocarriedasilvertraywithacoffeeservice.Therewasonlyonecup.Themaidturned
abruptlyandsetthetraydownonthetable,thenaskedSimonshowhewantedhiscoffee.
Davystaredatherback.Thevoicedidn'tsoundright.Andshedoesn'tknowhowhetakeshis
coffee?Maybeshe'snew.
SimonskeptstaringatDavyashesaid,"Cream,onesugar."
ThedooropenedagainandThugOnepushedSojeeintotheroom,thenjerkedhertothe

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right,awayfromSimons.Thoughherwristswerecuffedbehindher,shelookedallrightno
overtsignsofmistreatmentbuthertardivedyskinesiawasinfullbloom,achorusoffacial
twitches,tonguethrusts,andlipsmacking.
Davytriedtosmilereassuringlyatherbutitfeltweakonhisface.
ThugOnegrippedSojee'sshortAfroandwrenchedherheadbacksharply,causinghertocry
out,butDavythoughtitwasmorefromsurprisethanpain.Davyreadiedhimself.Therewas
achanceSojeewouldsurvivethis.Again,hewishedherhandswerefree.
"Yourcoffee,sir,"saidthemaid,handinghimthecup.
SimonsfinallytookhisgazeoffofDavyandlookedupatthemaid."Youmayg"Hiseyes
widenedandDavytiltedhishead.Simonsissurprised.
Themaidpickedupthesilvercoffeepotanddisappeared.
ThenshewassplashingtheentirepotofcoffeeontoThugOneandtheblondewasslapping
athisclothesandfallingtooneside.Sojeescreamedagain,butthistimeitwascutoff
abruptlyasSojee,andthefigureinthemaid'suniform,vanished.Theemptysilvercoffeepot
felltothefloorwithaclank.
Davystaggered,felloffhisshinstotheside.Theroomseemedtowhirl.Iguessshecanjump.
Heshookhisheadhard.Orit'sapsychoticbreak.
Hefeltpackedincotton,distant,asifhewerewatchingthingsthroughthickglass.
Buttheotherswerereactingasifithadhappened,too.Infact,Simonsreactionwarmed
Davy'sheart.
Simonswasonhisfeet,thechairfallingbacktothumpagainstthewallandfall,sideways,to
thefloor."Oh,shit!Shit,shit,shit!"Hepulledagunfrominsidehisjacketandbackedinto
thecornerbythetwowaymirror.Heheldthegunout,onehandbracingtheotherand
swiveledhisheadbackandforth,scanningtheroom.
ThugOneclimbedtohisfeet,holdingthehotclothofhisshirtandpantsawayfromhisskin.
Simonsyelledathim."Getintheothercornerandgetyourgunout!No,notthatcorner
youwanttoshootme?She'llbebackforherhusband.ForGod'ssake,shoottokill!"
Millie?ItwasMillie.They'llshoother!
Heclenchedhisfistsandstaggeredtohisfeet.Theroomreeled.Thisendsnow.
Hetwinnedtothebeach,bythetreeswherethewaterfilledcraterinthesandwasstill
visible.HesawtheghostSimonsreacttothesuddenfloodofsunlightacrosstheoakfloor.
SimonsjerkedhisgunupandpointedthegunrightatDavy.
Fireblossomedfromthemuzzleandthesoundwaspalpable.Davygasped,expectingtodie,
butheheardthebullethitabranchbehindhimandtumble,rippingthroughtheunderbrush
withaharshbuzzingsound.
Howcouldhemiss?
Davyshiftedseveralyardsoutintotheoceanandsplashedneckdeepinwater.
Buthewasalsostillintheroom.
Thewaveofsaltwaterrushedoutofhisbodyineverydirection,atorrentflowingthrough
theDavyshapedhole.Thecircuitbreakersblewasthesaltwaterfilledtheelectricaloutlets
andthehighmountedemergencylightcastagarishglareovertherisingwater.Itfilledthe
roomneckdeepintwosecondsdespitepouringoutthroughtheopendoor.Theheavyoak
wardrobetoppledandbobbed,thenwedgedagainstthedoor.Itfloodedandsank,damming
thedoorandraisingthewaterhigher.Davymovedtodeeperwater,kickingoffthebottom,
andthewaterlevelintheroomrosetoo.
HesawSimonsopenhismouthinascreambutitwasinaudibleovertherushingwater.
SimonspointedhisgunandfiredandthistimethebulletburnedacrossDavy'sshoulder.
ThentherisingwatersweptSimonsoffhisfeet.
Davywastuggedandpulled,butalmostmildlysincethewaterflowedthroughhisbody,not

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againstit,completelyunlikethecascadeofwaterthatsweptSimonsandtheblondeofftheir
feetandsquirtedthemthroughthedoorwayintothehall.
Davyduckedhisheadunderandheardthehousegroaning,shifting,astonsofwaterfilled
thethirdfloorhallwayandcascadeddownthestairway.Heputhisheadbackoutofthe
waterandshuffledtodeeperwater,floatinghigherintheroomuntilonlyafootofairspace
remainedbelowtheceiling.Theemergencylightshowedfrombelowthewaterforafew
secondsthenflickeredout,shortedbythesaltwater.Heheardsomethingcrackandthe
waterdroppedabruptly.
TheAustraliansunlightstillpouredthroughhim,makingthewateraroundhimglowandthis
light,refractedbythedancingsurface,flickeredacrosstheceiling.Betweenthebathroom
andthesquare,thefloorhadopenedupandwaterwasdrainingthroughitinawhirlpool,
likeatoiletflushing.
Intotheroomwheremyelectronicleashlives.Hetookadeepbreath.AtleastSojeeisfree.
Theimplanttriggered.Hedoubledover,flinchingwhollybackintotheroom,intotheunlit
dark.Hisbody,nowsubjecttotheroaringwaters,spunandjerkedasthewaterdrained
throughthefloor,butthemanacleandchaintetheredhim,wrenchinghiskneeandhipbut
keepinghimfromthehole.
Hisconvulsingbodysettledtothefloorasthelastofthewaterreceded,buthewasn't
consciousandhewasn'tbreathing.
TWENTYTHREE
"Iguesstheyshotme."
Therewerevideocamerasinthehall,oneateachend.Shesawtheminthedentalmirror
shestuckoutintothehall.
Shefrowned.Sowho'swatching?Andwhere?Shepulledthemirrorbackandhopedit
hadn'tshownonthecamera.
Shefeltintenselyfrustratedalltheworkshe'ddonetogetthisfaranditwasadeadend.
Shethoughtaboutgoingbackontotheroofbuteverywindowshecouldreachonthislevel
wouldstillopenoutontothehallanditscameras.
Sheheardstepsonthestairandtheninthehall.Herfirstimpulsewastojumpawaybefore
thepersongottothisroomiftheywerecomingtothisroombutthenshe'dhaveto
comeback.She'dneedtoknowiftheroomwasemptyornot.
Andmaybeyoucanfindoutsomething.
Shepositionedherselfagainstthewall,behindthedoor.Thepersonwascomingtothis
room.Theyweren't.Theywere.Hopeandfearcollided,grappled,surgedbackandforthlike
sumowrestlers.Thedoorknobrattledandturnedandthedoorswungin.
Awomaninoneofthegrayuniformsflippedonthelightand,whenshethenturnedtopush
thedoorshutbehindher,sawMillie.Shejumped,startled,andtookasharpintakeofbreath
toscreamorcryout.
Milliefiredpepperfoamdirectlyintothewoman'sfaceandopenmouth.Theincipient
screamneveremerged,insteadsheproducedadesperatechokingsound.Still,thewoman
kickedouttowardMillieandMilliejumpedaway,totheAerie,justintimetoavoidthefoot.
Teethset,Milliejumpedbacktotheroom.
Themaidwasonherkneesnow,gropingforthedoorknob.Tearswerestreamingdownher
face,cuttingthewhitefoam,butsheclearlycouldn'tseeand,fromthewheezingnoise,
couldbarelybreathe.Milliefeltsorryforherbutshecouldn'tletheralertthehousehold.
Shegrabbedherbythecollarandjumpedtotheinkydarknessoftheislandatthebottomof
thepit,thenpushedhertosplashankledeepintotheshallows.

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"Washitoff,"shesaid.
FrombehindMillieawoman'svoicecriedout,"Who'sthere?"
MillieflinchedawaytotheAerie.
Whatthehell?
Shejumpedtotherimofthepit,abovetheisland,andflippedthenightvisiongogglesdown.
Therewerethreefiguresdownthere.Themaidonherkneesintheshallows,splashing
wateroverherface,andtwoothershuddledontheothersideoftheisland.Shejumped
backdowntotheisland,tothecenter,crouchinginasmallgapinthebrush,screenedbya
mesquitebush.
Shestoodenoughtoseeoverthebrushbutcouldn'treallyseetheman'sface.Hesat,both
handscoveringhismouthandnose,butnowshecouldmakeouttheotherwoman's
featuresclearlyitwasthewomanfromtheNationalGallery,theoneBeccaMartingalehad
identified.Shehadaguninherhandandkeptitpointedacrossatthesplashingsounds,
thoughthearmsshookvisibly.
Davyputthemhere.
Shefeltsobstryingtosurfaceandsheruthlesslychokedthemback.Cryafterhe'shome!
Themaidstoppedsplashingandthewomanwiththeguntriedagain."Who'sththere?"The
womanwasshiveringsobadlyitdistortedhervoice.
Themaid'svoicewasaweakrasp."Isthatyou,MissPope?"
"Whoareyou?"
"It'sAgnes,MissPope.Theupstairsmaid."
"Whwhat'swrongwithyourvavoice?"
"Theyusedpeppersprayonme."
"Whodidid?David?"
Millieheldherbreath.
"Noma'am.Itwassomeoneelse.TheywereinmyroomwhenIgotthere.Theyworeadark
maskandtheyhadnightvisiongogglesflippedupontheirforehead.NotMr.Rice."
Heisinthathouse!
"Andtheypuputyouhere."
"Yes,ma'am.Itwasawoman'svoice."
"Oh.Right.Iheardher.Ddoyouhavealighter,Agnes?We'resoaked.It'sbeenhoursand
wenneedafire."
"Uh.No,ma'am.ButIhavemyBeretta,"Agneswheezed."Onecouldstartafirewiththe
muzzleblast,ifthekindlingwereprepared."
"Iddidn'tthinkofthat."
Pope...that'srightHyacinthPope.Shedoesn'tsoundlikeshe'sthinkingtooclearly.
Chilledontheedgeofhypothermia.Davydroppedthemintothewaterjustlikeoldtimes.
MilliestudiedAgnes.Themaidhadclimbedlaboriouslytoherfeetandshepulledupher
skirt.Shehadaholsterstrappedtoherthightheskirtswerefullenoughtoconcealitand
shedrewhergun.Herhairwascutlongalongherjawlineandgotshorterinbackandshe
wasaboutMillie'sheightandweight.
MilliestudiedAgnes'shairagain,thenjumpedawaybeforetheystartedfiringtheirguns
about,tryingtomakefire.
IntheAerie,shetookherbrownwig,theoneshe'dboughttomakeherselflookliketheold
Millie,andtrimmed,cuttingquickly,doingaroughapproximationofAgnes'shair.Thenshe
jumpedbacktothemaid'sroomand,doorlocked,changedintooneofthecleanuniforms,
arrangedthewhiteapron,positionedthewig,andstowedtheatropineautoinjectorsinthe
apronpocket.Clenchingthepepperfoaminonehandshesteppedoutintothehall.
Shewalkedplacidlyalong,tryingtomatchthetempoofthefootstepsshe'dheardwhen

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Agneshadcomedownthehallway.Ittookanenormouseffortnottolookupatthecamera
asshepassedintothestairwell.They'llseewhattheyexpecttosee.
Ihope.
Shetookthestairwayallthewaydowntothebasement,thinkingaboutdungeonsand
manaclesanddank,darkcells.Witheverystepherheartpoundedharderandherbreath
cameinshallowerandshallowerlittlegasps.Insteadofcellsshefoundstoreroomsand
pantries,awalkinfreezer,andasmallapartment.
Occupied.
Amaninchef'swhitesloungedinareclinerreadingthepaper.Heglancedupasthedoor
opened."Yes,Agnes?Whydidn'tyouknock?"Hiseyeswidened."You'renotAgnes!"
Millienearlyflinchedaway,takingastepback.
Themanreachedforanintercomphonebesidehischair.
Milliejumpedacrosstheroomandkickedthesidetableaside,crashingthephonetothe
floor.Themaninwhitestruggledtorisebutthereclinerwaslockedback.Millieliftedthe
footrestandthechairtiltedeasilyandinevitablyback,spillingthemanoveronhisneckina
crash.Ashestruggledupright,shecoatedhisfacewithpepperfoam.
Tensecondslaterhewassplashingintheshallowsoftheislandinthepit.
Milliedidn'ttarry.ThepreviousprisonershadmanagedtheirfireandMilliejumpedaway
fromitsflickeringlightlikeavampirefleeingthesun.Butshereturnedimmediately,tothe
rimabove,towatchtheminvestigatethenewarrivalhopingtheywouldn'tshoothimby
accident.
Thevoicesdriftedup,thinanddistant.
"It'sHarvey,"saidAgnes."Thecook."
Aman'svoice,nasal,asifhehadabadheadcold,said,"Don'ttouchhisface,you'llgetiton
you!"
HyacinthhadfoundPadgett'ssleepingbagandclutcheditaroundher,Indianstyle.She
crouchedbeforethefireandsaidlistlessly,"Goon,Harvey.Rinseitoff."Shebarelylooked
up.
MillietriedtoreturntoHarvey'sapartmentbutcouldn'tpictureitwellenough.Aftertaking
severaldeepbreathsandfeelingherheartslow,shefinallymanagedthebasementhallway
atthefootofthemansion'sstairs.
So,ifDavy'snotinthebasement,he'sprobablynotonthegroundflooreither.
Shetookonesteppastthefirstfloorandturnedback.Betterbesure.
Thisfloormatchedtheexterior,everythingsheimaginedwhenshethoughtofmansions
highceilings,chandeliers,antiquefurniture,broadexpansesofspace.Shedidn'trunacross
anyoneuntilsheenteredthesmallerhallwayoffthemainwing.
Themanworeacutawaycoat,apictureoutofadepressionerafilmoranMGMmusical,
andhecarriedhimselflikethekingoftheworldashewalkedoutofthekitchen.
Hetookonelookatherandsaid,"You'veputtheaprononwrong.Theloweredgeshouldbe
twoinchesabovethedresshem.Andwedon'tcarryobjectsinthatpocket.It'sdecorative."
Millieblinkedandstoppedwhilehewasstilleightfeetaway.Herpalmssweatedandshe
shiftedhergriponthepepperfoam,concealedbehindafoldintheskirts.Shewonderedif
hehadagunandwherehekeptit.
Hebowedslightly."HowmayIassistyou,Madam?"
"I'mlookingfor"myhusband"Mr.Rice.Whatfloorisheon?"
Hisfacedidn'tchangeaniota."I'msorry,Madam,there'snooneofthatnamehere.MayI
showyouthedoor?"
Sheshookherhead."I'vealreadytalkedwithHarveyandAgnesandHyacinth.Iknow
otherwise."

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"Well,"hesaid,andmovedlikeastrikingsnake.
Apparentlythismandidn'tneedagun.ForMillieitfeltasifsomethingexplodedinthe
regionofherstomachandshefoundherselfflyingthroughtheair.Shesuspectedshewas
stillrisingwhenshejumpedaway.
ShefelltothefloorintheAerie,hermouthgaping.Somethingwasterriblywrongwithher
lungs.He'llraisethealarm.Shejabbedherfistintoherowndiaphragm,thenraisedbothher
arms.Thepepperfoamclatteredonthefloorandshesnatchedatit.
Thefirstbreathwheezedbackintoherlungsandshejumped.
Hewasn'tinthehallandshethoughthe'druntosomeotherpartofthehouse,butthenshe
heardfootstepsfromthekitchen.Shejumpeddownthehallandsawhimthroughthe
kitchendoor,goingacrosstowardanintercom.
Shewasalreadysprayingthefoamwhensheappearedfivefeetinfrontofhimandhestill
almostgother.Thistime,though,shewasready.Hisfootpassedthroughemptyairandshe
appearedthreefeettohisotherside,stillspraying.Hisheadbegantolooklikeawhitepuff
ball.Helashedoutagainandshejumpedtothefarsideoftheroom,willingtowaitforthe
foamtodoitswork.
ThebutlerwasmadeofsternerstuffthanAgnesandHarvey.Insteadofcollapsingtoall
fours,astheyhad,themaninthecutawayextendedhishandsandmovedcalmlytowardthe
sink.
He'sholdinghisbreath.Milliedidn'twanttogetintorangeofhimagainbutshedidn'twant
himwashingoffthefoam.Shethrewthekitchentrashcanintohispathandhewentdown.
Shejumpedtotheotherside,kickedhiminthestomach,anditwasover.
Fiveminuteslater,whenshejumpedhimtotheisland,shelefthimtotheotherstoguideto
thewater.
Sherestedforamoment,bentover,intheAerie.Shewashavingtroublestandingupright.
Hermidsectionwasscreamingandherskinburnedasherfingerstracedthefootshaped
bruiseonherstomach.
Thepepperfoamcontainerfeltlight.She'dusedalotofitonthebutler.Shediscardeditand
gotthesecondcan.Ishould'veboughtacase.
Backinthemansion'skitchen,sheputthetrashcanbackinitscornerandhurriedlypicked
upthespilledgarbage.Whileshewasdoingthis,sheheardadooropenandfootsteps.Lots
offootsteps.Whensheusedthedentalmirrortopeerdownthehall,fourmen,grouped
aroundafifth,enteredthroughthemaindoortothehouse.
Shethoughtsherecognizedoneofthem,fromtheNationalGalleryinD.C.,ablondewho
walkedclosertothemaninthemiddle.
"Jimmygobacktocontrolandstandby.I'llprobablywantthatwoman,Johnson.IfIdo,
bringheranddon'tletherheadbuttyoulikeshedidPlanck."
Sojee?Forabriefsecondsheconsideredfollowinghimbutshewasmoreworriedabout
Davy.Shefeltguiltyaboutit,butSojeeprobablydidn'thaveadevicesurgicallyimplantedin
herchest.Ihope.
"Yes,Mr.Simons."Theblondeturnedbacktothedoorandleft.
Themanhimself.
Simonspointedatoneoftheremainingmen."Desmond,findAbneyandaskhimtosendme
upsomecoffee,thenwaitdownherewithTrotsky.Grahamyou'rewithme."
"Yessir."SimonsandGrahammoveddownthehall.Millieheardanelevatordoor.
Trotskytookoutapackofcigarettesandsaid,"I'llbeontheporch."
Desmond,themandetailedtofindAbney,said,"Don'tlethimcatchyouoffstation."
Trotskysaid,"Worryaboutyourownbutt.Goon,fetchthecoffee."Hespunonhisheeland
wentbackoutthefrontdoor.

181

Desmondcameupthehallwaytowardthekitchen.
MilliesuspectedthatAbneywasthebutlerwhowassohandywithhisfeet.Shepursedher
lips.Desmondwouldn'tfindAbney.
Notwithoutassistance.
ShehelpedDesmondfindAbneybutdoubtedverymuchthatAbneywouldbeabletobring
thecoffee.
Afterwards,asshewasstraighteningherapron(andputtingittwoinchesabovethehemof
herdress),shefroze.
ButIcould.
TheindustrialsizedcoffeemakerwasaBunnwithaconstantreserveofpreheatedwater.A
gleamingsilverservicesatonthecounterbeneaththechinacabinet.Ittookonlyminutesto
fillthesilvercoffeeurnandarrangethecreamer,sugarbowl,spoons,andcupsontheheavy
silvertray.
Abneyprobablyknowswhathetakesinhiscoffee.Tough.
Theindicatoraboveitsdoorshowedthattheelevatorwasparkedonthethirdfloor.So
that'swheretheywent.That'swhereheis.
TherewasasmallframedmirrorintheelevatorandMillienotedherwigwascrooked.She
wedgedthetrayagainstthewoodpanelingand,onehanded,straightenedthewigand
removedasmudgefromherjaw.Thedooropenedonthethirdfloorandshecaughtthe
cornerofthetrayontheframeassheexited,nearlyspillingthecoffeepot.Itrocked
precariouslyonitsheavysilverfeet,thensettledback.
Calmly,calmly.
Theelevatorwhinedtolife,headingbackdown.Graham,themandetailedtofollowSimons
upstairs,wasleaningagainstawalldownthehallwaytotheright.Ashesawher,hestood
andknockedonthedoornexttohim.Hisvoice,asurprisingtenorinsuchalargeman,said,
"Thecoffee,sir."
Millieexpectedhimtolookather,toknowshewasn'tonthestaff,buthe'dstudiedherface
withoutreaction.Maybeheisn'tfamiliarwiththestaffhere?MaybeSimonsbroughthim
fromNewYork?
AtsomecommandfrominsideGrahamopenedthedoorandhelditforMillie.Shekepther
eyesdownandwalkedintotheroom.Hecloseditbehindher.
Thesmellshither,fecesandvomit,atthesametimeshesawDavy,seatedonhisknees,and
thechainrunningfromafloormountedsteelringtohisankle.Helookedhorriblythintoher
eyes.
Can'tsnatchhimandgo.
Sheturned.Simonswassittingbyhimself,totheleftofthedoor.Sheputthetraydownon
thesmalltablenearhimandfacedthewall,awayfromDavy.Shepouredcoffeeintoacup.
"Creamorsugar,sir?"Itwasahorriblestraintomakehervoiceemotionallyneutral.
Simonsdidn'tevenlookather."Cream,onesugar."
ThedooropenedagainandSojeewaspushedintotheroom,wearingadarkgreenjumpsuit
andhandcuffs.Theblondefollowedherandpushedher,nonetoogently,totheright,away
fromSimons.TherewasnomistakingSojeeherlipsweresmackingandhercheekskept
twitching.
Millie'sfirstimpulsewastospillthecoffeecupontoSimons'slap,butjustthentheblonde
grabbedSojee'shairfrombehindandwrenchedherheadback.Sojeecriedout.
"Yourcoffee,sir."ShehandedSimonsthecupandsaucer.
Hetookitandfinallylookedather."Youmayg."Hefroze.
Tookyoulongenough.

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Shetookthehandleoftheheavysilvercoffeepotinonehand,flippedopenitshingedlid,
andjumpedtenfeettotheside,herarmswinging.
Theblondescreamedasthescaldingcoffeepouredontohissideandback.Hefellaway,
clawingathisclothes.SojeeyelpedwhenMillieputherarmsaroundher,butthentheywere
intheAerieandshestumbledawaywhenMilliereleasedher.
"It'sokay,Sojee.It'sokay!"
Sojee'seyeswerewideopenandshewastrembling.
"It'smeMillie!"
MilliestillhadPadgett'shandcuffsandtheirkeyintheAerie.Shefoundthekeyandheldit
up."Here,letmegetyououtofthosecuffs."
Sojeelookedconfusedanddisoriented.Shewasmutteringtoherself,disjointedsnatchesof
meaning."...couldbeademon.CouldbetheBlueLady.No,Idon'twanttodothat.Leave
off..."ShestartedwhenMillietookholdofherwrist.
"Easy.It'sokay."Sheunlockedoneofthecuffs,thenpressedthekeyintoSojee'shand."It's
okay.I'vegottogogetDavy,allright?I'llbebacksoon.Justrest,right?Noonecangetyou
here."
Sojeerubbedthefreedwrist."Millie?"
MillietookSojee'shandandpresseditagainstherface."Yes.Millie.I'vegottogogetDavy,
allright?"
SomeofthetensionwentoutofSojee'sposture."Itisyou!"
"Yes.Look,don'tgooutside.There'sacliffandyoucouldfall,okay?I'llcomebackforyou."
"Uh,Iguess."
Millietookadeepbreath.ShewantedtogostraighttoDavybutthosemenprobablyhad
theirgunsoutbynow.I'llriskthehallway.
Thewaterstruckherentirelowerbodyfromthechestdownbutshefeltitmostwherethe
butlerhadkickedher.Itroaredinherearsandshelostherfootingandfell,droppingunder
thesurface.Itstunghereyesandstunghernostrils.Seawater?Warmseawater?Onthe
thirdfloor?Whenshestruggledupright,thewighadshiftedaround,hangingsoddenacross
herface.Shespathairoutofhermouth,thensweptthewigfromherheadwithherhand,
lettingitgointhecurrent.Herhandswereemptyshe'dlostthepepperfoam.
Shegrabbedadoorframeasshesweptpastitandhershoulderscreamed,butsheheldon
andstruggledtoherfeet.Thenoisehadincreased.Stillholdingoncarefully,shelooked
behindher.Oneemergencylightsethighinthestairwayshedaharshglareonthewaterand
shesawthewaterdropabruptlyawayinacascade.
Thestairwayhadbecomeawaterfall.Abovethelanding,severalfeetbelowher,shesaw
LawrenceSimonsclingingtothebanisterwithbotharms.Hestillgrippedhisguntightlyin
onehand.Hiseyeswerewideandhisbeautifulsuitwasruined.
Shecouldn'tblamehimforholdingonsodesperately.Justbelowhimthelandingwindow
hadtornout,frameandall,andthebulkofthewatershotoutontothegrounds,twoanda
halfstoriesbelow.AsMilliewatched,theholewaswidening,asbrickswerepluckedout
singlyandingroupsbytheragingtorrent.
Shewonderedwhathadbecomeoftheblondeandtheguardoutsidethedoor.
Simonsgunflaredandsuddenlyshewasonherbackinthewater,blinking,stunned.The
currenttookher.
Itwaslikeawaterparkride.Shekeptherfeetbeforeherandherfaceabovethewater.As
shesweptdownthestairshesawSimonsswinghisguntowardher,andshelashedoutwith
bothfeet.HerleftheelcrashedintoSimons'sshoulder;hisgripbrokeandhewasinthe
currentflailinghisarmsandthentheywerebothshootingoutthroughthewallandintothe
brightspotlights,which,perversely,stillshoneontheexteriorofthemansion.

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Simonsscreamedandthesuddendropgottoherinawaythecurrenthadn't.Sheflinched
awaytotheAerie.
Gallonsofwatercascadedtothestoneflooraroundher.
Sojee,stillstandingwhereshe'dlefther,jumpedbackfromthesplashingwater."Whothe
hellareyou?"sheasked.
Millie,herheartpounding,wipedwaterfromherface."Huh?It'sme,Millie."
"Didtheyscalpyou?"
"Oh.Itwasawig."
"Andtheblood?"SojeegesturedtowardtheleftsideofMillie'shead.
Millieputherhandtoherfaceandstaredblanklywhenherfingersandpalmcameaway
coveredinred."Oh.Iguesstheyshotme."
Shefeltforitandfoundafurrowabovehertemple,threeincheslong.Whenshetouchedit
thenervesscreamedtolifeandshenearlyfainted.
Sojeesnatchedupthedishtowelhangingfromtherefrigeratorhandleandfoldeditintoa
pad.ShehelditagainstthesideofMillie'sheadandpressed.
"Ow!"
"Holdstill!"
Millieliftedherownhand."I'llholdit.Getmesomethingtotieiton.IstillhavetogetDavy."
"Won'ttheyshootyou?"
"No.Notanymore."Milliepointedtothepinkbuttondownshirtlyingdrapedoverachair.
"Ripthat."
Sojeetoreitlengthwiseintothreepieces,thenhelpedherusethelongestpiece,tailto
collar,tosecurethedishtoweloverthewound.
Milliecaughtaglimpseofherselfreflectedinthewindow.Likethefifeplayerinthat
painting,"Spiritof'76.""Thanks!"Shejumped.
Shejumpedbacktothehallway,bracedforthewater,butithaddroppedsubstantiallyand
shestaggeredforward,inakneehighcurrent.Bythetimeshe'dsplasheddownthehallto
Davy'sdoor,itwasswirlingaboutherankles.Theroomitselfwasadarkcavernandsome
furniturehadcometorestacrossthelowerhalfofthedoorway.Onlytheemergencylightat
theendofthehallprovidedanylightanditdidn'treachwithin.
ShejumpedbacktotheAerieandpickedupthenightvisiongoggles,startedtoliftthemto
herhead,thenrealizedtheheadsetwouldrestonherheadwound.Shelookedaround
wildly.
Sojeewasstaringather,backedupagainstthewall,herlipssmacking,hereyesblinking.
Millietriedtosmile."Needalight."
SojeepointedattheoldelectriclanternDavykeptforbackuporwhentheywantedtoturn
offthegenerator.
Millie'ssmilebecamegenuine.Shejumpedacrosstheroom."Great!"Shetookit,andleft.
WhensheclimbedoverthewardrobelyingacrossthedoorshefoundDavyonhisside
stretchedlengthwisebetweenthechainandafivefootgapinthefloor.Hisfacelayina
puddleofwaterandhewasn'tbreathing,thoughMilliesworeshesawhishandtwitch.
Shegropedfortheatropine.Twooftheautoinjectorsweregone,washedoutoftheapron
pocketintheflood,buttworemained.Sheyankedoneoutofitsholder,armingit,then
jammedtheoppositeendintotheoutsideofDavy'sthigh.Thepopasitactivatedwasquite
loud,startlingher.Theinternalcoilspringplungedtheneedlethroughpajamas,skin,and
muscle.Shewaited,astheinstructionssaid,counting,"Oneelephant,twoelephant,three
elephant,"givingthespringtimetodrivethedoseintohisbody.Shepulleditstraightout,
thenthrewitaside.
Davystillwasn'tbreathing.Shetriedforapulseandwasn'tsureifshecouldfeeloneornot.

184

Shewantedtotakehimtothetraumacenterbutthemanaclestillcircledhisanklethe
chainstillstretchedtothefloorbolt.Thelastofthewaterdrainedthroughthegapinthe
floorandsheheardamotioninthecorneroftheroom.Shejerkedthelanternaround.
Afootlongflyingfishwiggledandfloppedacrossthewetfloor.Shewonderedifshewas
hallucinating.
Gottagethimbreathing,shethought,andcheckedDavy'smouthforobstructionsandtosee
ifhe'dswallowedhistongue.Asherfingersswepthismouth,hebeganbreathingagain,
ragged,irregularbreaths.Hewasstillunconscious.Shepresumedhisheartwasbeating.
Tearsstartedandsheblinkedthemaway.
Notime.
ShejumpedtowestTexas,totherimofthepit.Thedesertair,bonedry,turnedhersoaking
wetmaid'suniformintoanevaporativecooler,suckingheatfromherbody.Sheshook
herself,likeacat,heardwaterdropshittherockaroundher,and,afterafewseconds,
splashthewaterbelow.
Shewasregrettingthatshe'dgivenPadgett'sgunstoBeccabuttherewerelotsofweapons
downthere.
Herprisonershadfoundtheoldfirepitandthepionlogsshe'dbroughtforPadgett.Their
firewasnowastaunchblazebeforewhichAgnes,thebutler,thechef,andthemanwiththe
injurednosecouchedandwarmedtheirhands.Hyacinthsatwithherbacktothefire,her
guninherhand,swivelingherheadfromsidetoside,staringoutatherownshadowcast
acrossthewaterandontothelimestonewallacrossthewater.
Millie,moredesperatethancalculating,justsnatchedtheweaponfromHyacinth'shand,
grabbingitfromthesideassheappearedandjumpingawayimmediately,backtotherim.
Shenearlydroppeditthen,butmanagedtoshiftitarounduntilshehelditbythegrip.
Andallwithoutshootingmyself.
Milliehatedguns.
Downinthepitastringofcursesfloatedup,butshedidn'twaittomakesenseofthem.In
Davy'sroomshecrouchedlow,heldthegunwithbothhands,andaimeditatthechainjust
shortofthefloormountedanchorloop.Shesqueezedthetrigger.
Sheendeduponherback,herearsringing.Alineofbulletholescrossedthefloorand
climbedhalfwayupthewall.Itwas,sherealizedbelatedly,setonfullauto.Shedidn'tknow
gunsthissizecouldbefullauto.
Achainlinkhadparted,bentanddistorted.Sheputtheweapondownonthefloorandslidit
away.Itcametorestunderthetoppleddresser,inthewetshadows.
Davy'sbreathingwasworse,ragged,stoppingforseconds,thenresumingwithacatch.
Sheputherhandsunderhisshoulders,picturedtheGeorgeWashingtonUniversityMedical
Center'sTraumaCenter,andjumped.
TWENTYFOUR
"Datingtip."
Therewasamaskoverhismouthandnose,andhislungswererisingwithouteffort,inflated
likeapartyballoon.Thepressurestoppedandhecouldfeeltheairrushingbackout.Then
thepositiveairflowbeganagain.Whateverhewaslyingonfeltlikeitwasspinningslowly
andhisscalptingled.Hismouthfeltlikeadesert,desiccatedandgranular,asifallthewater
hadbeenbakedoutofit.
Severalpeopleweretalkingatonceandsomeoneshoutedoverthebabble,"Whereare
thoseflackvests?"
"Coming!"adistantvoicecalled.

185

Hefeltsomeoneholdinghishandand,withgreateffort,openedhiseyes.Heimmediately
closedthemagain.Thelightwasblindingandhiseyesweren'tworkingright.Everythingthat
wasn'taglaringlightsourcewasanoverbright,blurredmassofwhite,blue,andskintones.
Somethingstabbedintotheskinofhisupperchest,burning,andheflinchedawayfromthe
painandthelightintosoothingdarkness.
Hewas"inthebox"sprawledacrossthefloorbuthedidn'tfeelright.Theroomwasdarkand
thefloorwaswetandcold.Hesmelledsaltwaterlowtideandrememberedsomething
abouttheoceanandSimonsandbombs.Theoxygenmaskwasgoneandittookforeverto
takeabreath.Therewasalightshiningonthefloorbesidehimbutitwasnowhereaspainful
asthelightsinthatpreviousroom.Hehadastabbingpainontheinsideofhisrightelbow.
Thensomeonewascrouchingoverhim.Hewantedtopushthemawaybuthisbodywasn't
workingright.Allhemanagedwasaweakflopwithonearm.
"Davy.Oh,Christ!Youcan'tdothat.We'llnevergetthedamnthingoutifyoujumpawayin
themiddleoftheoperation."
Heknewthatvoice.Hetriedtospeakbutittookseveraltries."MMillie?"
"Yes,heart.I'mjumpingyoubacktothetraumacenter."Shekneltandputherhandsunder
hisshoulders."Theyweregettingreadytopullthevagusstimulatorwhenyoujumped
away."
"Stop!"Hisvoicewasarasp,halfgroan,halfgasp.
Milliestoppedlifting."DidIhurtyou?"
"It'swired...it'sboobytrapped.Theimplant."
"Yes.Weknow.We'vegotthepiecesfromtheotheroneandmultiplexrays.Thereseemsto
bealightsensorandwelearnedthehardwaythatifyoucuttheleadsitwillblowup."
Theotherone?
Heopenedhismouthagainandshesaid,"IloveyouandIwanttoheareverythingyouhave
totellme,butforthemoment,justshutupandtrustme!Jumping."
Theywerebackinthatbrightroomonthefloorandhiseyessqueezedshutagainstthe
brightness.
Therewasacollectivegaspandasharpvoicesaid,"Willhestayput?"
MillietookDavy'shand."Ifyoukeephimconsciousandrational.Talktohim.Tellhimwhat
you'redoingsoitdoesn'tsurprisehim.Hewokeupjustasyoustuckhimwiththatneedle.
Whatdoyouexpect?"
Theman'svoicesoundedbothexasperatedandamusedalmoststunned."Wedon'tget
thatmanypeoplewhocandothat.Igotit,though.Let'sgethimuponthetable,people!"
Throughhiseyelidsthelightdimmedslightlyasseveralpeoplebentoverhim.
"And...lift!"
Thetablefelthardandcold.Themaskwentbackoverhisfaceandthedoctorsaid,"I'm
DoctorSullivan,Davy.We'rebaggingyoutohelpyoubreathe.We'vebeencontinuingthe
atropineyourwifeadministeredtocounteracttheeffectsofthevagalstimulator.Doyou
understandwhatIjustsaid?"
Davyliftedahandweakly,thumbextendedup.
"Good.We'regoingtomakeanincisiontopulltheimplantitself.It'sgoingtobepretty
longwehavetogetenoughplayintheelectrodeleads.IfI'mtalkingtoofastholdupyour
hand,flat,likeyou'resaying'halt.'"
Davyextendedhisthumbagain.
"Great.Fortunately,thethingisonlysubcutaneouswewon'thavetocutthroughany
muscle.You'llendupwithanicescarbuthopefullynothingworse.Where'sthatpipe?"
Awoman'svoicesaid,"Ihaveit,withthesandbags."
"Allright.IwasnumbingtheskinovertheimplantbutyoujumpedawaybeforeIinjected

186

morethanafractionofthelidocaine.I'mgoingtodoitagainbutifIgotanyinthefirsttime,
youprobablywon'tfeelthis.Don'tbugoutonmeagain,allright?"
DavysqueezedMillie'shandandshesqueezedback,saying,"I'vegotyourback,Davy.I'm
notlosingyouagain."
Davyhelduphisforefingerandthumbinacircle.
"Right,"saidDoctorSullivan."Firstshot."
Davydidfeelitbuthestayed,squeezingMillie'shanduntilthelidocainestoppedburning.
"There.Okay.We'llwaitaminuteforittonumb.Youallright?"
Davytriedtospeak.Themaskwaslifted."Mouth.Dry."
"Ah.That'stheatropine.Betthelighthurtsyoureyes,too.Theycallthatsideeffect
'photophobia.'"
Davynoddedastheoxygenmaskloweredagain.
"Wecan'tgiveyousomethingtodrinkjustyet.Youcouldchoke.Givemefifteenminutes
andit'llallbeover."
Someoneelsemutteredquietly,"Onewayortheother."
Sullivanclearedhisthroat,thenspokeagain."We'llputyourIVdripbackin.It'sjustsaline
fordrugtransport.Yourippeditoutwhenyoujumpedawaybutitlooksliketheneedle
cameoutthewayitwentin,luckily."Asidehesaid,"Thebackofthehand.Thatlovelyvein."
Therewasastabinthebackofhishandandhealmostjerkeditaway,butMilliewasholding
thewristdown."Easy,Davy.Let'sgetthisoverwith,"shesaid.
Davy'snauseaseemedtobeincreasingandhecoughed,thenafemalevoicesaid,"Heart
ratedroppingagain."
"Onemilligramatropine,IV.No,halfthat.Wedon'twanthimsodisorientedheteleports
again."
Someonemuttered,"Iwonderwhatwe'llgetinherenext.Littlegreenmen?"
Thenauseadroppedbackagainandthefemalevoicesaid,"Pulseisbackup."
"Okay.Doyoufeelthis?"
Feelwhat?Davyshookhishead.Thetablefeltlikeitwasbuckingnow,aswellasspinning.
"Good.We'recutting.Spongethat.Good.Thereitis.Clampthatlittlebleeder.Good.Okay
let'savoidnickingtheleads.Who'sgotthelightproofbag?"
"Here,"saidapleasantalto.
"Okay.I'mgoingtoextendtheincisiontwocentimetersoneithersidethenwe'regoingto
turnoffthelights.Didwefixtheemergencylightssotheywon'tcomeon?"
Anasaltenorsaid,"Yeah.Idisconnectedthebatterybothterminals."
"So,Erin,showmewhereyou'regoingtoholdthebagopen."
Thealtosaid,"Ithoughthere.I'llrestmywristonhiscollarboneforreferenceyou'llbeable
tofeelmyfingertipsontherimofthemouth.I'llcinchitupatyourcommand."
"Okay.Ready?"
"Ready,Sully."
"Howaboutyou,Davy?It'sreallyimportantyoustaywithusonthis.Youteleportaway
whilewe'reholdingontothisdeviceanditcouldripoutyourvagusnerve.Trustme,you
don'twantthat."
Davygavehimathumbsup.
"Right.Lights."
Theblesseddarknesswasarelief,holdingDavylikethewomb.Heheardasoundlike
someonepullingtheirshoeoutofthemud.
"There.Inthebag.Cinchit.Doublecheck.We'resureit'sinside?"
"Iconfirm,"saidthealto.
"Lightson."

187

Eventhroughhiseyelids,thelightwaslikeablow.
"Okay.Jerry,putinadrainandcloseit.Staples."
"Rightspeed."
Therewaspressureandtuggingandthesoundofthesurgicalstaplerwasanoddlittle
"chunka,chunka,chunka."Hetriedtolookbutthelightstillhurttoomuchandeverything
wasblurred.Hesqueezedhiseyelidstogether.
"Okay.Throwatemporarydressingoverthatandlet'shavetheflackvests."
Forwho?Hemadeanagitatedsockpuppettalkingmotionwithhisfreehand.
Milliesaid,"Talktohim,Doctor.Tellhimwhat'sgoingon!"
"Oh.Right.Sorry.Feelthat,Davy?"TheyplacedsomethingheavyacrossDavy'slowerchest.
"We'redrapingbodyarmoroveryou.Thisone'soveryourstomachandgroin.Thisone's
goingoveryourupperchestandface."
SomethingcastashadowoverDavy'sfacelesseningthepalpablebeatoflightagainsthis
eyelids.Hehadasenseofsomethingtentedoverhisface,aheavinessacrosshisshoulders.
"TheelectrodeleadsfromtheimplantarestickingupbetweenthetwoKevlarvestsand
we'vegotthedeviceinalightproofbag."Thevoicelessenedinvolume."Pipe,please."The
volumeincreasedagainasthedoctorturnedbacktowardDavy."I'vegotanicepieceofhalf
inchsteelpipehere,sixinchesindiameter,twofeetlong.We'reputtingtheimplantinsideit
then..."Davyheardthesoundofducttapebeingrippedoffaroll."We'retapingaplywood
boardoverthebottomofthepipetheleadsarepinchedbetweenthepipeandtheboard.
Sand,please.Okay,Davy,whileI'mholdingtheimplantthroughtheopenendofthepipe,
we'refillingthepipeupwithsand."
TheweightoverDavy'schestincreasedandhecouldhearthesandwhisperingagainstthe
pipe.Hecoughed.
"Supportthat!It'sputtingtoomuchweightonhischest."
Theweightlessened.
"Good.There,theimplant'sburiedinthesand.Nowwe'reputtinganotherboardoverthe
topofthepipe."Theducttapesoundrepeated."Andwe'rewrappingthepipeinmorebody
armorjustaprecaution."Moreducttape."Thelastdevicehadtwoblastingcapsinit.Ifso,
thesandalonewillsuffice.Thedeviceismostlybattery,soitcan'thavemuchofan
explosive."
Davythoughttherewasanunderlyingquaverinthedoc'svoice.Whatlastdevice?
"Riganinstrumentstandtosupportthepipe."
Therewasaclatterandthesoundofrollingwheelsacrossthefloor.
"Ohkay.Who'sgotthewirecutters?Thankyou.Right,then.Everybodyout."
Therewasthesoundoffootsteps.MilliesqueezedDavy'shandbutdidn'tletgo.
"You,too,Mrs.Rice."
"Youalreadytriedthat,remember?Ifsecuritycouldn'tkeepmeout,whatmakesyouthink
youcan?"
Davyletgoofherhandandpusheditaway.ThenhepushedtheKevlarvestasideandthe
oxygenmaskoffhismouth.Theanesthesiologistlifteditup."Backupatleast,Millie.You
can'twatchmybackifyouget...hurt."Theanesthesiologiststartedtoputthemaskback
overhisfaceandDavypusheditawayagain,"You,too.Icanbreatheonmyownforthis."
Millieleanedoverandkissedhisforehead.Itfeltoddandherealizedshewaswearinga
surgicalmask."Okay,"shesaid."I'llbackuptothewall."
"Whatever!"saidthedoctor."Butdoit!"
Thealtovoicesaid,"Pulsedroppingagain.Youwanttohithimwithsomemoreatropine?"
"No.Getbehindme!"Feetshuffledacrossthefloor."Staywithme,Davy.I'mcuttingthe
wiresnow!"

188

Therewasamuffled"THUD"andsandstungthebackofDavy'shand,thendriftedacrosshis
face.Hefeltitthen,likebeingbackinthebox,thecessationofthenausea,abackground
feelingsofainthenoticeditonlyinitsabsence.Hetriedtoopenhiseyesbutthelightstill
hurt.
"Jesus,"saidavoice."Maintenanceisgonnafreakaboutallthesand."
Footstepsapproachedinarush."Pulserising.Respirationstrengthening.Wowit'slikeyou
threwaswitch.Seehiscolorimprove?"
Millietookuphishandagain.Whenshespokehecouldtellshewascrying.
"Shhhhhh.It'sokay,"hesaid.
"Itisnow."
Theyputthewirebackunderhisskin,sterilizingitasbesttheycould."Igroundedeachlead
totheother.Evenifyougotatransientbecauseyouwalkedthroughanelectromagnetic
field,itshouldn'tshockthenerve.ButIdon'twanttogonearthevaguswithouta
neurosurgeonandIwouldn'tbesurprisedifaneurowouldsayjustleaveit.Lessrisk."
Theyhookedthedraintubeuptosomethingthatlookedlikeaclearplasticcylinderwith
accordionfoldedsides.Theyopenedacapintheendandcompresseditverticallyto
squeezetheairout,thensealeditagain.Astheaccordionfoldstriedtoexpand,theypulled
avacuumonthedrain,suckingDavy'sstapledskindownoverthevoidleftbytheimplant.
Clearreddishliquidstartedupthetube.Itfeltoddnow,underthenumbskin,buthe
suspecteditwouldhurtlater.
"We'vegotvacuumbottlesandpumps,butthisoneyoucantaketothebathroom."
Davyapproved.He'dhaditwithbeingattachedtothings.
Theyrolledhimdowntoarecoveryroomandturnedthelightsoff.Theygavehimwater
lotsoflovelyicewaterwithastrawandthedesertinhismouthwasslowlygreening.
Inthedimlighthetriedhiseyesagainandfaredbetter.Thingswerefuzzy,butnot
impossible.ThenewMillie,theonewiththeshorthairbleachedblondandthegauze
dressingonthesideofherhead,asked,"Isthereanantidotefortheatropine?Somethingto
clearitout?"
DoctorSullivansaid,"Forextremeatropineintoxicationyes.Butthatwouldmeanhewas
inacomaorextremedelirium,perhapswithtachycardicarrhythmia.Butphysostigmineisa
nastydrug.Theatropinemetabolizesquicklyonitsown.He'llbesymptomfreebythetime
we'vemovedhimtoaregularbedtwoorthreehours,tops."
DavylockedeyeswithMillie.Shenoddedandsaid,"Yes,Iknow."
Thedoctorblinked."Knowwhat?"
Thatthere'snowaywe'restayinghereaminutelongerthannecessary.Tothedoctor,Davy
justsmiledandshookhishead.
"Youguysdon'treadmindsaswell,doyou?Imean,thenyou'dknowwhyIcamebackjust
now?"
Millielaughedattheman'sexpression."No,Doctor.Justmarriedtenyears,youknow?The
onetalentismorethanenoughtodealwith."
Sullivan'slookofmildalarmfaded."Icameinheretotellyouthatsomemenfromthe
NationalSecurityAgencywanttotalktoyou.I'veputthemoff.Ithoughtforamomentthat
theyweregoingtoforcetheirwaybackhereanyway,buttheFBIshowedupandthetwo
groupsstartedarguing."
DavysawMillie'seyesnarrowandthecornersofhermouthturndown.Thenshesmiled.
"Thanks,DoctorSullivan.Foreverything.TellaccountingI'lldroppaymentbysoon."
Realizationdawnedonthedoctorimmediately."Ah.Well,you'rewelcome.It'sbeen...
surreal.Watchthedrainitcouldgetinfectedeasily.Youneedtohaveitpulledin,oh,two

189

days,afterthereservoirstopscollectingfluid.Wecandoit,butsocouldanyclinic."
DavyheldouthishandandshookDoctorSullivan's."Don'tlettheFedspushyouaround."
"Doyouwantmetostallthem?"
Davyshookhishead."Doesn'tmatter.We'regoingnow."
Hedidn'tbothergettingup.Onemomenthewasonthehospitalbed,thenexthewasinhis
ownbedintheAerie.Itwascoolanddarkandcomfortable.Butthoughhelaybackagainst
thepillow,hisbodytensedandanxietyclawedathim.
ThenMillieappeared,overbythecounter,andthetensiondroppedawayfromhimlike
waterflowingoffahillside.Likeseawaterdrainingfromaroom.
WhenDavyawoke,lightwasfilteringinthroughthewindows.Hischesthurtandhiseyes
didn't.Therewasacreakingsoundthatherealizedhe'dbeenawareofforsometime,a
constantthroughtheslowjourneytoconsciousness.Milliewassittingbesidethebed,inthe
rocker.Helookedaround.
"Where'sSojee?"
"IputherinahotelinBaltimoreunderafictionalnameandleftherfivethousanddollars.
She'sgoingtobuysomeclothesandrestandwhenshe'sready,she'llgoseehersisterinthe
'burbs.Itwasherchoice."
Davylickedhisparchedlips."Youthinkthey'llgoafterher?"
Shehandedhimaglassofwater."Idon'tknow.IsaidI'dcheckonherdaily.Iofferedtolet
herstayhere,butshe'shadenoughwithbeingunderthecontrolofothers."
Davywinced."Iknowthatone.Tellmeaboutthat."Hepointedatthegauzepadontheside
ofMillie'shead.
Sheblushed."ItwasSimons."
Davyraisedhiseyebrows.
"He,er,shotatme."
Davytookadeepbreathandheldit.
SomethingabouthisexpressionalarmedMillie.Shesaidquickly,"It'sjustagraze.Ikicked
himrightafterthatandheletgoofthebanisterandfelltwostories,washedthroughthe
sideofthehouseinthatweirdfloodofseawater.Whatwasthat,bytheway?"
Davyexhaled."Heshotyou.Duringtheflood.Perhapsyoushouldbeginatthebeginning."
Millietiltedherheadtooneside."Perhapswebothshould."
Catchingup,eveninsummary,tookthemthroughbreakfastandmostofthewayuntillunch.
HetoldhereverythinguptoandincludingNigeria.Hehesitatedthenandhismouthtwisted.
Then,inarush,hetoldheraboutHyacinth,aboutthemomentafterNigeria,whenhe'd
almostsuccumbedandwhyhehadn't.
Milliestaredoverhisheadforamoment,gazefocusedamillionmilesaway.
"I'msorry!"heblurted."Itwasjust."
Sheputherhandoverhismouth."Shhh.I'mnotangryatyou.Underthosecircumstances
well,Iwon'tsayitwouldn'thurt,butIwouldn'thaveblamedyou."
Helookedaway,blinkingwaterfromhiseyes.
Shehuggedhim,pullinghisheadintohershoulder.Then,shetoldhimaboutherdealingsin
D.C.andinStillwaterwiththeNSAandPadgett.
Davysaid,"Thebastards!"
Andlater."So,we'vegotprisoners?"
"Yes,"saidMillie."Theywereallasleep,thismorning,whenIdroppedoffabunchofhappy
meals.Mostofthemstillhaveweapons,butItookHyacinth'stoshootthechainoffyour
shackle.It'sawonderIdidn'tshootmyself.Itwassettofullauto."
"Thatgun.Yeah."Davyblinked."Doyoustillhaveit?"

190

"Ileftitinthemansion.It'sunderthedresser."
Hepursedhislips."Shit.It'sprobablytheweaponthatkilledBrianCox."
Millievanished.
Davysworeandgatheredthetubingandsuctionreservoirtohim,butsheappearedagain,
holdingthegun,beforehejumped."Don'tdothat!"
Sheputtheguncarefullyonthetopoftherefrigerator."It'sokay.Theyclearedoutlast
night.WhenIwentbackafterSimons,afterwegothome,theywereallgone."
"Youdidn'ttellmeyou'dgonebackafterSimons!"
"Wehadn'tgotthatfar.We'djustgottentotheprisoners,remember?"Shelookedatthe
coiledtubingandthereservoirinhishand."Wereyougoingtocomeaftermenaked?"
Helayback,hisheartpounding."I'mnotsureIcantakebeingmarriedtoateleport."
Sheloweredherheadandlookedathimoverherglasses."Sonowyouknowwhatit'slike."
"Oh,shutupandgetoverhere."
Then,"Gladtoseeyou'renotblondeverywhere."
"You'velosttoomuchweight."
"You,too.Isittrue?Doblondeshavemorefun?"
"Shutup,"sheexplained.
Whentheydressed,twohourslater,theybothfeltbetterthantheyhadinaverylongtime.
Davysquirmedontheledge.Hehadwoundthetubingbehindhimandtuckedthesuction
reservoirintotheinnerpocketofhisblackleatherjacketbutmovementstilltuggedatthe
spotwhereitexitedhisskin.Belowthem,inthepit,thefirehaddiedtocoalsandmostof
theprisonersweresleeping.ThugTwoPlanck,wasit?wastryingtogetmesquite
branchesoffthebrushwithoutimpalinghimselfonthethorns.
Davywhispered,"I'vegothisrightside."
"Justlikewepracticed,"saidMillie.
"Three,two,one"
TheyeachtookoneofThugTwo'sarmsandjumpedagain,intoblindingfloodlights.Millie
andDavysimplysteppedawayasthemanrecoiledawayfromthelightandtheirgrasp.
TheFBIagentswaitingwerenotsoeasytoavoid.Theythrewhimagainstthewallandcuffed
hishandsbehindhisback.Theywerewearinglatexglovesandhadevidencebagsstanding
byfortheguntheyremovedfromhisbeltholster.
"Onedown,fourtogo,"Beccasaid.
Davyrubbedhiseyes."Don'tforgetSimons."
Beccasaid,"Wewon't.He'sbackinhisNewYorktownhouse.Heflewbyprivatejetfromthe
Vineyard.WelosthimforawhilebutitwasbecausehepoppedintoMt.Sinai.Seemshe's
gotabrokenarm."
MillieandDavylookedateachother,thenbothsmiled.
Davysaid,"Youdaman."
"Whydon'tyoupickhimup?"askedMillie.
"Idon'tdaremoveonhimuntilwe'vegotevidence."Milliestartedtospeak,butBeccasaid,
"Iknow,Davywilltestify,butSimonsispoliticaldynamite.Hemakesonephonecallandthe
WhiteHouseChiefofStaffcallstheAttorneyGeneralandtheDirectoroftheFBIandthey
comedownonmelikeatonofbricks.Theevidencehastobehard,irrefutable,andtheright
peoplehavetobebriefedbeforewetakehimintocustody."
Beccajerkedherthumbtowardtheprisoner,nowonhisfeetandstillbeingfrisked.
Peripheralbleedingfromhisbrokennosehadblackedbotheyesandnow,inthesecondday,
thediscoloringlookedlikesunsetoverNewark."Oneofyourbirdiesmightsing."
Davysaid,"Butyoubetterpulltheirimplantsfirst."

191

"There'salegalissue.Iftheywon'tconsenttothesurgery..."
Milliesaid,"Butyoucouldpullittosavetheirlives,right?Ifthedamnthingsweretriggered
andyourprisonerswereunabletorefuseconsent?"
Beccanodded.
"Inthatcase,Iwouldn'taskthemasinglequestionuntilyouhaveapreppedmedicalstaff
standingby,"Milliesaid."Otherwise,they'reallgoingtobedead."
TheysavedHyacinthforlast.Whenthey'dtakenthechef,he'dyelled,wakingHyacinthto
findallfourofhercompanionsgone.Nowshepacedbackandforthacrosstheisland,
nervousasacat.Davyremainedstillandwatchedfromtheshadows,wellawayfromthe
dyingflamesofthefire.
Alightappearedontheothersideoftheisland,abatteredelectriclanternperchedona
rock.Milliesatthereonthegreenplasticchair,handshelddownintheglowofthelight,
polishingthesurfacesofHyacinth'sGlockeighteenwithasoftcottoncloth.
Hyacinthslowlystood,straighteningfromacrouch,buthershouldersremainedrounded
andshewasstillhunchedover.Sheshuffledtowardthelanternlikesomeonewhoispulled
intwodirections.HyacinthwastenfeetshortofthelightwhenMilliespoke.
"I'mafraidIdroppeditinsaltwater."Millieheldupthegunandpeeredatit."It'srustinga
bit."Sherubbedataspotonthetriggerguardwiththeragagain.
Hyacinthspokeslowly,reluctantly."Whatdidyoudo...withtheothers?"
Millielookedupfromthegun.Shehadthecoldestexpressioninhereyes,onethatdidn'tgo
atallwiththelittlesmileonherlips."Theyhavebeen...dealtwith."
Davyblinked.Hehadnoideahiswifecouldbesuchahardass.Heknewshewasfaking,that
is,hethoughtshewasfaking.Well,hehopedshewasfaking.
HyacinthlookedlesssureofherselfthananytimeDavyhadseenher."Dealtwithhow?"
Milliejustsmiledandkeptpolishingatthegun.
Hyacinthturnedaway."Iwon'ttalk,youknow.Ican't."
Millieblinked."Whowantsyouto?ThoughIsupposeIcoulddoaspotofinterrogationjust
recreational.Eventuallyyourimplantwillkickin,I'msure,justlikepoorPadgett.Poetic
justice,really."
Hyacinthturnedbackagain."So,it'srevenge,isit?"
Millie,holdingthegripoftheGlockwiththecloth,sighteddownthebarreltowardthelamp.
Sheworkedtheslideandonecartridgeflewthroughtheair."Oh.Therewasaroundinthe
chamberalready."Shepickeditupandthrewitoutintothedarkness.Awetkerplunk
reverberatedfromstonewalltostonewall.
Davyknewthathadbeentheonlyroundinthegun.He'dworkedwithMillieoverandover
untilshecouldworktheslidenaturally,withauthority.DavyhatedgunsasmuchasMillie
buthe'dhandledmoreofthedamnthingsovertheyears.
Hyacinthbackedupapace.
Davydidn'tblameher.Hewould'vejumpedawayhimself,especiallysinceMilliewas
untrainedintheiruse.
"IhadPadgettonthisislandforseventytwohours.HediedintheERwhenhisimplant
detonated."MillieextendedtheguntowardthegroundbetweenHyacinthandherself,and
sighteddownthebarrel."BadenoughthatyoukidnapDavy,thatyouputthatdeviceinhis
chest,thatyoutorturedandbeathim."
Hyacinthclenchedherteethtogether.Then,withaneffort,shesaid,"NowIgetit.You're
jealous!"
Millielaughed."OfMissDamagedGoods?Hesawrightthroughyoufromthebeginning.
Datingtip:Whentryingtoestablisharapportwithsomeone,don'tkilltheirfriendsinfront

192

ofthem."Shesneered."Youmight'vewornhimdown,eventuallyDavy'sonlyhumanbut
itwould'vebeenjustbecausehewastired.Itwould'vebeenlikethrowingabonetoa
yappingdogtogetittoshutup."
Hyacinth'seyesnarrowedandwhenshespokeDavycouldtellthefearwasgone,washed
awaybyanger."Oh,really?Didn'tseemlikethatwhenhishandswerealloverme!"
Milliesmiled."Yes.Rightbeforehefoundyourscars,yes?Areyougoingtotellmehefound
thataturnon?"
Hyacinthlookedaway.
"Exactly,"Milliesaid.Sheteleportedthefifteenfeetbetweenthemandstuckthegunrightin
Hyacinth'sface.
HyacinthreactedasDavyhadsaidshewould,aninitialflinch,thengoingforthedisarm.She
sweptthebarrelofflineandgrabbedMillie'swrist,goingforthearmbarbutMilliejumped
awaybeforeherelbowlocked,leavingtheguninHyacinth'shands.
Hyacinthswiveledabout,bothhandsholdingthegunextended,alwayspointingitinthe
directionshefaced.
Butunabletoseeanything.
Thedimlightfromthelanternonlyservedtomaketherestoftheislanddarker,analmost
palpableblacknesssurroundingthefaintpuddleoflightbythedyingcoalsofthefire.
DavyjumpedbacktotheAeriewhereMilliewaswaiting,pullingandtwistingatthepolishing
cloth."Whatapieceofwork!"
"She'sallofthat,"Davysaid."Youokay?"
Millieshuddered."Couldn'tweinterrogateherjustalittle?"
Davyfeltawaveofnauseaatthethought."I'dsoonerkillher."
Millie'seyeswidened."Butyoudon't"
"Ofcoursenot,"hesaid."Icould'vekilledherahundredtimesover.IfIdidn'tdoitthen,I
won'tnow.Didyouleaveanyprintsonthegun?"
"No.Iwasholdingitwiththecloth.Shedidn'treallynotice.Theonlyprintsonitnoware
hers."
"Right,then."Hepulledonapairoflatexglovesandthreadedhisfingerstogethertopush
theplasticallthewaydownoverhisfingers."Shallwe?"
Millietookadeepbreathandthrewtheclothdownonthecounter."Soonerdone,sooner
over."
Backinthepit,DavytookthegunfromHyacinth,atwistingmotionthattookthebarrelback
intowardherstomachandbentthewrist,forcingherfingersopen.WhenHyacinthlashed
outwithherfoot,hewasgone,butMilliewasn't.ShereachedoutfrombehindHyacinthand
jerkeddownonthewoman'sshoulders.Hyacinthhitthegroundhard.
Davytookthechair.Milliestoodslightlybehindhim,herhandrestingonhisrightshoulder.
Hyacinthrolledtoherfeet,herteethbared.
DavyworkedtheslideontheGlock.Abrassgleamflickeredagainstthedarkness.
Milliejerked,squeezingDavy'sshoulder."Ithoughtwe"
"Wedid.Apparentlyshehadasparemagazine."Heejectedtheclip,thenworkedtheslide
oncemore.Anotherbrassandleadcylindertumbledthroughtheair,tothudtotheground.
Davytookalargeplasticbagfromhisbackpocketandputthegun,theclip,andthetwo
cartridgesfromthegroundintoit.
WithouttakinghiseyesoffofHyacinthhehandedthebaggedguntoMillie.Hesensed,
ratherthansawherdeparture,anabsencemademanifest,anareaofwarmthreplacedby
thechilldesertair.
Hyacinthtwitched.
Davypeeledtheglovesfromhishandsanddroppedthemtotheground.Hyacinthinhaled

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sharplyandDavysmiled.
"Rightyourprintsonly,whichtheFBIwillpulloff.They'llgetaballisticsampleand
compareittothebulletsthatkilledBrianCox.Youmightwanttoconsiderapleabargain.No
deathpenalty,perhaps,ifyouturninSimons."
Shewrinkledherlips."Youknowthat'simpossible!AndevenifIdid,you'llneverbeableto
touchhim."
Davybeganunbuttoninghisshirt.
Hyacinth'sbrowscametogether."You'recomingontomenow?"
Hedidn'tsayanything.Instead,hepulledtheshirtovertoshowthedressingandthesuction
tube.
Hyacinth'seyesopenedwide.ShehardlyflinchedwhenMilliereappeared.
MillielookedfromDavy'sopenshirttoHyacinth."Ah,toldher,didyou?"
"Whyaren'tyoudead?"Hyacinthsaid.
"Iamgettingreallytiredofthatquestion,"Davysaid,lookingupatMillie."Never
underestimatethepowerofadeterminedwoman."
Hyacinthraisedherhandtoherleftcollarbone."Howdidyougetitout?"
Millie,deadpan,said,"Lovewillfindaway."ShelookeddownatDavy."Ready?"
"Ready."
ThewaitingFBIagentshandcuffedandfriskedasubdued,ashenfacedHyacinth.Becca
beganthelitany,"YouareunderarrestforthemurderofBrianCoxandthekidnappingsof
DavidRiceandSojournerJohnson.Youhavetherighttoremainsilentwatchit!"Becca
tookaquickstepback.
Hyacinthdoubledoverandbeganvomiting.
Davyflinchedaway,unabletowatch.Hewaited,hisforeheadagainstthecoolstoneofthe
Aerie,andtookdeepmeasuredbreaths.Milliefinallycameandhelookedather,
expectantly.
"TheystartedheronatropineandcalledSullivan.He'llhavehisteamreadybythetimethe
ambulancearrives."Shesatdownsuddenly,likeapuppetwhosestringshadbeencut."You
wereright.Kindertokillher."Afteramoment,sheadded,"Beccasaid,'Ididn'tmeanitthis
waywhenIwantedoneofthemtospilltheirguts.'"
TWENTYFIVE
"It'stime."
"Noneofthemwilltalk?"
Becca'svoiceonthephonesoundedtired."Noneofthemwhoarestillalive."
Milliewinced.
ShewasatapayphoneinaD.C.Metrostation.Shekepthereyesontheplatformandthe
approaches.Cellphoneswerekillingthepayphonebusiness.Itwasgettingharderand
hardertofindaworkingpayphone,butthesubwaysweregoodbetsanyplacewhereit
washardtouseacellphonebecauseoftransmissioninterference.
"Ithoughtallthesurgeriesweresuccessful!"
"Yes.Sullivanhaditdowntoasciencebythetimehepulledthelastimplant.Buttheonly
onewhowaswillingtopleabargainwasthechef."
"And?"
"Somebodypoisonedhim."
"Incustody?"
"Yeah,inmaximumsecurity.Aguard'smissing."
"Theonewhotookhimhismeal?"

194

"Yes."
Milliewassilentforamoment,watchingtwosuitscomedowntheescalator.Theyturned
awayfromher,though,andonebeganreadingamagazinehe'dbeencarryingunderhisarm.
"Hewouldn'tbedeadifIdidn'ttakehimfromthathouse."
"AndDavymightbedeadnow.Youdidn'tpoisonhim."
"Dotheothersknow?Hyacinth,therest?"
"Well,wedidn'ttellthem,butwecouldn'tkeepthelawyersaway.I'mprettysurethey
spilledthebeanstheprisonerswerequieterthanusualafterwards."
Severalhighschoolagedkidscamedowntheescalatorandaccretedintotwoseparate
clusters,boysandgirls,eachtalkingonlytothemembersoftheirownsexbutohsoaware
oftheothergroup.
"Andwhoispayingforthelawyers?"
"That'sprivileged,apparently,butthefirm'sdonebusinessforBochstettlerandAssociatesin
thepast."
"So,barringDavy'stestimony,Itakeityoudon'thaveenoughtomoveagainstSimons?"
Beccasoundedangry."No.Eventhelinktothehouseisiffy.Iknowhesaidthiswasoneof
hishousesbuthedoesn'townit,notdirectly.Itsownerofrecordisarealestateholdingfirm
inBostonanditwasleased,onpaper,toAbney,thebutler,who'ssayingevenlessthan
Hyacinth.Isayonpaperbecausethere'snorecordofanyrentalpayments.Therecordyou
toldmeaboutattheEdgartownGolfClubisgone,too.There'snosignofthephysicist,
Conley,ortheotherhouseholdstaffwholeftbeforeyougotthere.Eventhesecurity
companyhasbeenstrippedofanyonewhoworkedoutatGreatPondLaneandthe
computerharddrivesfromthesecurityvideostationaregone."
"AndSimons?"
"StillinNewYork.We'vegotawiretaponthetownhouseandhe'sstilltakingcallsbutifhe's
discussinganythingofnote,it'swellcoded.We'resniffinghisDSLconnection,too,buthise
mailisencryptedandwe'renotsurewewanttogotothatotherorganizationforhelp."
AndtheNSAcouldbelisteningtothis,too."Iunderstandyourreluctance."
"We'llkeepdigging.We'llkeepwatching."
"Atleastuntilthetonofbrickslands."
Beccasighed."Well,Momalwayswantedmetobeanaccountant,anyway."
Twodayslater,MilliewentwithDavyashegotarandomlychosenFamilyPractitionerin
Portland,Oregon,topullthesuctiontube."Itstillaches,"hesaid."ButIfeelless...infected."
Heswiveledbackandforth,twistingatthewaist,thenrubbedhiswrist."Lesstethered."
Thetonofbricksarrivedlaterthatsameday.
"Suspended,pendinginvestigationintodepartmentalmalfeasance.Mybossistarredwith
thesamebrushseveralthousanddollarsinseizedRICOcashhasgonemissing."
Millieclosedhereyestightandleanedagainstthewallnexttothephonebooth."Areyouin
anydanger?"
"Idoubtit.Adisgracedagentisonething.Adeadagentissomethingcompletelydifferent.
Besidesit'sabalancingact.Iftheypushtoohard,we'llgotothepress.It'sanelectionyear
andtherearetoomanyphotosshowing...thatmanwithsenioradministrationmembers.
Theywanttoquietthisdown,notblowitup."
"IneedtotalktoDavyaboutthis.Watchyourback,okay?"
"Twentyfour/seven."
"Allthewindowsareshuttered.Youcan'tseeanythingoftheinterior.Evenbefore,whenI
waswatchingpeoplegoinandout,Ineversawinsidethedoor.It'sgotthatawning."

195

TheywereontheroofacrossthestreetanddowntheblockfromSimons'sManhattan
townhouse.Davywaseatingachickenkabobonabun,boughtfromastreetvendoratthe
edgeofthepark.
Millieglaredathim."Areyoulisteningtome?"
Helickedoneofhisfingers."Sure.Nojumpsiteinside.Butwedon'twanttogoinsidethat
building."Hegnawedatthebambooskewer,gettingthelastbitofchickenofftheshaft."It's
adeathtrap."Hewipedhisfingersonthenapkinbeforereachingover,andtookthe
binocularsfromher."Nice.YoubuythesewhileIwas,uh,gone?"Hepeeredthroughthem.
"Yes."
"Niceflatroof.Theparapetisthreefeethighorsowithdrainstodownspouts.Maybe
interiorplumbeddrainsaswell."HegavethebinocularsbacktoMillie.
"We'llneedaboutacubicyardoffastsettingcement."
MilliewatchedfromthedistantbuildingasDavydealtwiththevideosurveillancesystem,
smashingeachoftheroofcameraswithathirtythreeinchLouisvilleSluggerbaseballbatin
maple,boughtespecial.Hetookoutallfourcamerasinlessthanthreeseconds.
Shejumpedtojoinhim.Hewasspinningthebatandgrinninglikeafoolandshesaid,"Very
nice,dear.Don'ttearyourstitches."
Hestuckouthistongue."Takeapeekatthefrontdoor."
Shestuckherheadovertheparapetandlookeddown.Therewasnoactivitybelow.She
wonderedwhattheywerethinkinginsideorifthey'devennoticed.
"Noactivity,"shereported.
Heputdownthebatandsaid,"Backinasecond."
Whenhereturnedheheldtwogalvanizedbuckets,eachhalffullofwetcement.Heworked
hiswayaroundtheedgeoftheparapet,fillingeachthroughthewallraindrainwiththe
thickglop.Hemadeseveraltripsbacktothecementyard.Bythetimehe'dblockedall
sixteenspouts,thefirstonewashardeningtothetouch.Therewerefourmore,throughthe
roofdrainsoutinthemiddleoftheexpanse.Heusedabucketovereach,lettingitsqueeze
inamongthegratings.
Hewhistledcheerfullyasheworked.
Shecouldn'thelpsmiling.
"Well,"hesaid,tossingthebucketstooneside."It'snottoolatetostop.Wedothisand
they'llchaseustherestofourlives."
Milliestoppedsmiling."Andthischangesthingshow?Asifthey'renotgoingtokeepchasing
usifwedon't?Letthemunderstandtheconsequences."
Davynoddedbriefly."Yeah,butnowwe'vecrossedthelineaswell.Youwantthefrontor
theback?"
Shesaid,"I'llgoacrossthestreetandwatchthefront."Shejerkedherthumbdirectlyacross
thestreettoabuildingonestoryhigher.
Davynodded."Gotyourhorn?"
Sheheldupthecompressedaircanwiththeboatinghornattached.
"Beoffwithya,then."Hepickedupthebatandwanderedbacktowardtherearofthe
building.
Milliejumpedacrossthestreettothefireescapeshecouldseeandclimbedtotheroof.She
watchedDavyleanovertherearparapetandglancebelow,atthereargarden.Heturned
backtoherandwaved.Shewavedback.
He'ddescribedit,ofcourse,whenhetoldherwhathe'ddonebackontheVineyard,butshe
wasunpreparedforthesheervolumeofwater.Theroofwasapproximatelysixtyfeetby
sixtyanditwaskneedeepinunderhalfaminute.
Aboutonehundredandsixtytwotonsofwater.

196

Shewaswonderingifitwouldholdthefullthreehundredandtwentyfourtonsthatwater
allthewaytotheparapetwouldentailwhenthequestionanswereditself.Theroofcavedin
nearthefrontofthebuilding,andthewaterfloweddownintothegap.
Almostimmediatelywatersmashedthroughtheglassandgeyseredbetweenthebarsofthe
windowsonthefourthfloor.
UpontheroofDavykeptthewatercoming.Hewasholdingontotherearfaadeandthe
roofunderhimwasapparentlystillsolid.
Nowwaterwascomingoutofthewindowsonthethirdfloor.Thefrontdoorbangedopen
belowandMilliefocusedthebinoculars.Theymostlyseemedtobeservantsatleastthey
worelivery,wet,insomecases,tothewaist.
Threemoremenwashedoutthedooranddownthesteps,asthewaterbegantoflowin
earnestonthefirstfloor,turningthestoopintoacascadeofrapids.Anendtable,alamp,a
coatrack,anattachcase,andapaddedbenchfollowedintheflood.Oneofthetwogarage
doorsstartedtocreepup,thenstopped,withagapofthreefeet.Severalbottlesandgallon
jugswashedoutontothedriveway,thenamechanicscreeper,andabundleofrags.
Theelectricityisout.That'swhythegaragedoorhadstoppedrising.It'salsowhyDavyhad
usedwasstillusingseawater.
Amancrawledoutunderthegaragedoor,thenreachedbacktodrag,well,floatanother
manoutonhisback.Amanwearingacastandsling.
Bingo.Shesqueezedthehornbuttonandwincedatthenoise,athousandballoonsbeing
rubbedtogether,thenthrewitaside.Beforeherearsstoppedringing,Davywasatthefront
edgeofSimons'sbuildingperchedontheparapetlikeagargoyle.Helookeddownatthe
streetandvanished.
ShejerkedherheadbackdowntothesidewalkbutSimonswasalreadygone.
ShewenttotheAeriefirst,andpickedupthehandheldmetaldetectorshe'dpurchasedthat
morning.Itwasablackandyellow"wand"unitlikethoseusedatairports.
Davy,asarranged,hadjumpedSimonstoanemptystretchofdesertsomefiftymileseastof
theAerie,northwestofthetownofTerlingua.Hewasworriedabouttrackingdevices.They
weresmallerandsmaller,withsatellitetransceiversusingtheglobalpositioningsystemto
fixlocation.AndknowingDavyandMilliewerealiveandactive,Simonsmighthavetaken
precautions.
SimonswasfacedowninthesandandDavywaskneelingonhim,onekneeinhisback,while
Davypattedhimdownwithonehand.Tossedtoonesidewereacellphone,awallet,aset
ofkeys,andtwoclipsforanautomaticpistol.Thegunthatwentwiththeammowasin
Davy'shand,themuzzlepressedquitehardagainstthebackofSimons'shead.
TheexpressiononDavy'sfacefrightenedher.Shewashalfafraidhe'dkillSimons.
Andhalfafraidhewon't.
SheswitchedonthewandandsweptitoverSimons'slegs.Theshoesbeepedandshepulled
themoffbeforethrowingthemintothegrowingpile.Hisbackwasnegativebuthiswatch
setitoff.Shestrippeditoff.
Simons'srightforearmwasinafiberglasswristcaststretchingfromthebaseofhisfingersto
justshortofhiselbow.Whenshepassedthewandoverit,thespeakershrilled.
"There'ssomethinginhiscast,"shesaid."Strongsignal."
DavygroundthegunmuzzleintoSimons'shead."Whatdidtheyputinyourcast?"
Simonssaidslowly,"Theyputtwopinsinmywrist."
Millieshookherhead."Theycan'tputahardcastonaftersurgeryuntiltheswellinggoes
down.He'slying."
Withhisfreehand,Davypickedupalargerockthesizeofasmallcabbageandhelditclose

197

totheground,beforeSimons'sface."Let'sjustbreakitopen,andsee."
Milliesaid,"Won'texactlyhelphisbrokenbones."
Davylaughed."Andyourpointwouldbe?"
"Isupposeonecouldconsiderthatabenefit,"shesaid,hopingshewasplayingalongwithan
act.
Simonspulledhiscastintohisside,tryingtohideitwithhistorso.
Davydroppedtherock,tookhiskneeoffofSimons'sback,androlledhimfaceup."Don't
move,"hesaid,pressingtheguntoSimons'sforehead."Seewhatothertoyshehas."Davy
smiled,buttheexpressionwasneitherkindnorreassuring.
MilliesweptthewandoverthefrontofSimons'slimbs,thenupoverhistorso.Itscreeched
athisbeltbuckleandatsomechangeinhispockets,whichsheaddedtothepile.Sheswept
higher.Athisleftshoulderitscreechedagain.
Davy'sfacestilled.Herippedtheshirtopen,poppingbuttons.Thenastysmiledroppedfrom
hisface.
"Oh,"saidMillie.
Simonswastanunderhisshirtbutitonlyhighlightedthetwoscars,thelargeronebelowthe
collarbone,theotherabove,ontheneck.Oldscars,yearsold.
DavytookthegunawayfromSimons'sheadandyelledatthesky."Wheredoesthisstop?"
Simonsflinched.
DavylookeddownatSimons."Ithoughtyourreachwas...enormous,butitwasn'tyour
reach,wasit?"
"Anotherimplantzombie,"saidMillie."Thenwhoheadsyourorganization?"
Simonsrolledawayfromthemandtheylethim.Hesatupandscootedaway,comingtoa
stopagainstalargeboulderintheshadeofamesquitebushfouryardsaway.Hesneeredat
them.
Millieeyedhimwarily."Whatdoyouthinkisinhiscast?Coulditbeaweapon?"
Davyshookhishead."Atracerperhaps,orsomesortofbug.Almostcertainlyelectronic."
"Howlongdoyouthinkwehaveuntiltheycomeforhim?"
DavylookedatSimons.Simonspointedlycoveredhismouthandyawned.
"Wehaveforever."Davypickeduptherockagain."Wecanjumpawayfromherebefore
theycomeandwhentheydo,we'llhaveremovedwhateverisinhiscast."Heturnedtoward
Millieandwinkedather.HeturnedbacktofaceSimons.
"Thismightstingalittle."
"Youcan'ttouchme,"Simonssmiled.Heraisedthecast,likehewascradlingit,upand
acrosshischest,buttherewasanawkwardnessashepusheditevenhigher.
Gettingituptothe"Davy!Don'tlet"
ItwasasifSimonsbeenshotfrombehind,thewayhisupperchestexploded.Thecast
divertedmuchofthebloodbutthesprayreachedseveralfeetandMilliefeltwarmdroplets
strikethebackofherhand.
Theheartbeaton,bloodfountaininginpulses,once,twice,threetimes,andthenmere
seepageunaidedbythecontractionsoftheheart.Simons'seyeswentfromwideopened
andsurprisedtohalfclosedanddistantand,finally,absent.
Milliethoughtforamomentthatithadbeenthecastthathadexploded,butwhilethe
fiberglasswascoveredinblood,itwasintact,stillcoveringhiswrist,lyingacrossthesand,
theprojectingfingersslightlycurled.
Sheswallowedconvulsively.
"So,that'swhattheyputinthecast,"Davysaid.Heswayedslightlyonhisfeetandhiseyes
wereglazed.
Millietookaquicksteptohissideandgrabbedhisarm."Steady."

198

Hebentoverandtookseveraldeepbreaths.Whenhestoodagain,hiscolorwasbetter.
"Whatwasit?"sheasked.
"Somethingtomakehisimplantdetonate.Amagnet,maybe,orsomethingmore
sophisticated.Iguesshebelievedme,abouttherock.Hedidn'twantmetoremovethe
cast."
MilliespokemoretoherselfthanDavy."Hedidittohimself.Tokeepusfrominterrogating
himabouthismasters."
Davylickedhislips."Masters?Morethanone?God,Ihopenot.Ihadthispictureofhim
sittingatthecenteroftheweb,pullingonthestrings.Whatifhe'sontheperiphery?"
Millieshookherhead."Layeruponlayer.Circleswithincircles.Wemayneverknow.From
thewayyoudescribedhimfromwhatIsawofhimhewasn'tthesorttorelinquish
control.Maybethat'swhyhedidit.Hischoicetothelast."
"Ididn'ttrytosavehim.IfI'djumpedhimtoatraumacenter"
MilliestrokedDavy'sback."Padgettwasontheoperatingtablewhenhiswentoffandthey
couldn'tsavehim.And"ShelookedawayfromSimons."Iwouldn'thavekilledhim.Iknow
youwouldn't,either.Buthecan'thurtanybodyelsenowandprosecutinghimhasjust
becomemoot."
Davyfinallynodded.
"Whatarewegoingtodowithhisbody?"
Davylookedathiswatch."It'sonlybeenfifteenminutessincehe'left'histownhouse.Let's
puthimback."
Shefrownedathim."You'resendingamessage."
"Ihopeso."
"Andthetextis?"
"Leaveusalone.Pursuingusisnotworththeprice."HegesturedatSimons."Hewasvery
highlyplaced.Theylostfarmorethantwohousesandseveralagents.Hopefully,theylost
influence."
Milliewasdoubtful."Maybe.Orperhapsthey'vealreadygotsomeoneprimedtostepin."
Davynoddedslowly."Maybe."
TheytookacabfromBWI.ItwastoahighschooljustoutsidetheDistrictontheBaltimore
side.Itwasn'ttheirhighschool,butbothkidswereparticipatingintheswimmeet.They
foundthekids'motherinashadowy,emptysectionoftheupperbleachers.
Davyofferedhishand."Hello,Mrs.Cox.MynameisDavyRice.Thisismywife,Millie."
CindyCoxstaredathim,wideeyed."IneverthoughtI'dmeetyou.Iknowaboutyou,butI'm
notsupposedto.Brianwasprettygoodaboutnotbringinghisworkhome,but"Sheshook
hishandbelatedly.
"DidyouknowIwastherewhenBriandied?"
Sheblinkedandthecolordrainedoutofherface."Youcouldn'thavebeen!Youwouldn't
havelethimdie!Notwithwhatyoucando."
Davy'smouthwentflatandtightandMilliesawhiseyestear."IIwishthatwereso."
Milliesaid,"Davywasdrugged,Mrs.Cox.Briandiedtryingtokeephimfrombeing
kidnapped.Hefailed.Untillastweek,Davy'sbeenaprisonerasubjectofexperiments."
Cindylookedathim."I'msorry.It'sjustthatyouwereoneofmy'ifonly's.'Ifonlyhe'dbeen
sickthatday.Ifonlyhe'dstayedhomethatnight.IfonlyI'dinsistedwhenearlyretirement
wasanoption.IfonlyDavyhadbeenwithhim,totakehimtosafety."
"TheNSAdidn'ttellyou?"
"Theyonlysaidhe'dbeenkilledinthelineofduty.Greaterlovehathnomanandallthat."
Downinthepoolthestarterwaspreparingaheatoffiftyyardfreestyle.Cindysaid,"Excuse

199

me.That'sBilly,oureldest,inlanefive."
Thestartertoneechoedintheclosedquartersoftheindoorpoolandthebodiesarched
throughtheairtosliceintothewater.Billywasn'tthefastestswimmerinhisheatbuthis
diveandturnwerebothsocleanthathewonanyway.
Hismothercheeredandwavedandcried.
WhensheturnedbacktoDavy,hesaid,"DidtheNSAtellyouthatyourhusband'smurderer
isinthecustodyoftheFBI?"
Shetookadeepbreathandexhaled."NottheNSA.Butafriendintheagencydid."
"Anders,"saidMillie.
"Yes,whenheaskedwhereyoucouldmeetme.Idon'tknowifithelpsornot.Evenifthey
convicther,Brianwillstillbedead."Cindyrubbedhernosewiththebackofherhand.
Davytookadeepbreathandsaid,"Brian'slastwordswere,'TellCindyshe'sthebestthing
thateverhappenedtome.Herandtheboys.'"
CindyCoxstaredathimandthecornersofhermouthhookedsharplydown.Millieslidover
andheldheruprightasthewomandissolvedintotearsandsobs.
Whenshestoppedsheseemeddrained.Fourheatshadbeenrunbutthecheersechoing
throughthebuildinghadeasilycoveredthesobs.ShepushedherselfawayfromMillie."I'm
allright.Zacharyisinthenextevent.Ineedtowatch."Sheheldoutherhand."Thankyoufor
givingmehismessage.I'msorryIsaidwhatIsaid.Iknowyouwould'vesavedhimifyou
could.Itmust'vebeenawful,watchinghimdie."
"Itwas.ButIowehim,soIoweyou."Hehandedheracard."Youneedanything,placethat
intheWednesdayWashingtonPostClassifiedsandI'llcomerunning."Hepaused."Isthere
somethingIcandoforyounow?BeforeIgo?"
Cindylookedaround,thensaid."Justonething.Whenyougo,couldyougoyourway?I've
alwayswondered"
"Myway?Oh.Okay."
Theyjumped.
"Christ,it'sfreezing!"
ThecabinwasasprawlingtwostoryloghouseatfivethousandfeetintheYukonCanadian
Rockies,onehundredmilesfromthenearesttown.Ithadbeenbuiltbyamillionaireasafly
inhuntinglodge,butthelackofsafeflyingweatherinthearea,eveninthedeadofsummer,
madehimgiveitup.Davypurchaseditandthesurroundingfourhundredacresforthirty
thousandCanadiandollars.
Evennow,inMay,snowlayheapedaround.
Davysaid,"Butthere'sahotspringunderthebathhouse."
"Butthecabinisfreezing!I'mturningblue!"
"Wait."Heclosedhiseyes.
Thegustofwindmadeherstagger.Thefrontdoorblewshutwithabangandherears
popped.Davyglowedandhotairstreamedoutofhim.
"Whatareyoudoing?"shesaid.Shewalkeduptohimandheldherhandsout,asiftoafire.
"Twinning.ToTerlingua.It'sacoupleofthousandfeetlowerandalotwarmersotheair
pressuredifferentialgivesusforcedairheating.Feelingbetter?I'msweating."Hestopped
glowingandwalkedovertothewindow."There,"hesaid,pointing.Waterwasdrippingoff
theeavesassnowmelted."Besides,theradiatorsareplumbedtothehotspring.Thepipes
weredrainedwhenthebuildingwasmothballed."
"Andnoonewillbotherushere?"
"Whoknows?IboughtitunderoneofmyoldNSAfakepassportsasaCanadiannational.
Thedeed'sregisteredinaclosetdownintheprovincialcourthouseinWhitehorse.Imean,

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theweather'ssobadthatyoucan'tevengetheremostofthetimeunlessyougoourway.
We'reclosertotheArcticOceanthanwearetothelowerfortyeight.Andweownit,unlike
theAerie.Ifsomeonestumblesonit,wecantellthemnotrespassing,privateproperty,
arrivederci."
Shelookedoutthefrontwindow.Shecouldseefifteenmilesdownthevalleyandcaribou
grazedthebottoms,wherethesnowwasbeginningtomelt.Shetwitchedherlipsintoa
smile."Well,useourwaytogogetsomefood.I'mhungry."
ShebuiltafirewhilehefetchedIndiantakeout.
"Where?"sheasked.
"Oneofthosewe'veneverbeenin,chosenrandomlyonSt.Mark'sPlaceintheEastVillage.
Nomore'favorite'restaurants,"hesighed."Nomorepredictability."
Millielookeddownatthefloor."Nomoreclients.Nomorecondo.Nomoreclasses,nomore
books.Nomoreteacher'sdirtylooks."
Davyturnedtoher,hismouthatightline,apieceofchickentandooriforgottenonhisfork.
"No.Iguessthatfollows.Youaren'tjustapotentialhandleonme,now,areyou?You'rea
targetinyourownrightanotherjumper."
"Yeah.Another.Whyisthat?"
"Maybeit'scatching,"hesaid.
"Andmaybeit'slearned.Forthepasttwelveyearsyou'vetakenmeallovertheworld,
teleportingmethousandsoftimes.Nobodyelsebarringyou,ofcoursehasexperienced
thephenomenonthatmuch."
Henodded."Yeahthat'sprettymuchwhatIthought.Iknowit'sscrewingupyourlife,but
I'msogladnottobetheonlyone."
"Yougoingtostartaschoolforjumpers?Youknow,jumpthemahundredtimeshereand
there,thenpushthemoffacliff?"
Heshuddered."Idon'twanttothinkwhatthegraduationpercentagewouldbe."
Sheshrugged."Theydon'thavetoactuallydietheyjusthavetothinkthey'regoingto.
That'smyguess."
"Andifitworks,thentheybecomethetargets,right?"
Milliestirredherchai."You'reright.FornowIguesswe'llkeepitinthefamily."Shesmiled
suddenlyandDavylookedather,eyesnarrowed.
"Family."
Shenodded.
"Youandme."
Shesmiledagain."Etcetera."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Andsoforth.Andsoon."Shetookanothergulpofchai,thenputitdownandbracedher
handsonherknees."Istoppedtakingbirthcontrolthedayyoudisappeared."
Hiseyeswidened."I'mnotsure"
"No,"shesaid."Iknowyou'renot,butit'stime.Iknowyou'reafraidyou'llturnintoyour
father,thatyou'lltreatyourownchildrenlikehetreatedyou.Butlook,dearone,ifyou
resistedkillingandpunishingthepeoplewhoimprisonedandtorturedyou,I'mprettysure
youwon'traiseyourhandtoyourownchildrenevenwhentheystartthrowingfoodor
tearingpagesoutofyourpreciousbooks."
Shewavedherhandatthecabin."AndthisisamuchbetterplaceforkidsthantheAerie.
Moreroomnocliff.Youmust'vebeenthinkingaboutthatalittle."
Heblushed."Well"
Shetookhishand."It'stime"Shetookapapernapkinandwipedthecornerofhismouth,
thenledhimoutintothecold,throughthesnow,tothebathhouse.

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"Inmorewaysthanone."
Copyright2004byStevenGould
ISBN:0312864213
Ver1.5Winterborn

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