Reversion - A Novel Part 23

aHe a" heas my fiance!a I sighed. aAre we talking about Jerome Kelliam?a aMr. Haines told me to a to call his home and ask why he hadnat showed up. His mother said the sheriffas men raided his Christmas still last night and took him away.a aHis Christmas still?a aYou know,a she answered straightforwardly despite the tears, aapplejack for Christmas gifts.a Iad heard several of my workers extol the quality and flavor of Smokey Mountain applejack, an untaxed form of apple brandy. aIllegal manufacture?a I inquired sympathetically.

She lowered the ball of tissue. Her lip was curled in derision. aThat raid waanat because it was illegal. It was because Jeromeas sister jilted Moss Flayer for a flatlander.a aWho?a aHeas a deputy sheriff.a aI see.a I took out my handkerchief and wiped her tear-streaked cheeks. aWhere are they holding him, do you know?a aIn the Asheville jail, where else? Th-thank you, Mr. Maple.a I took down my overcoat from the rack beside her entry door. She watched me, eyes widening. aAre a Are you going to help him, Mr. Maple?a aCanat let our shop foreman rot in jail, can we?a She sprang to her feet, rushed to me and threw arms about my neck, pinning me into the half-donned coat. aOh, Mr. Maple! Iall do anything if you can get him out. Flayer will have the feds on him in no time.a I answered with a chuckle, aCanat do much until you let me go.a She stepped back, panting. aExcuse me, sir! But I mean it.a I patted her cheek. aThey wonat hold him long. Get back on your telephone. When Birmingham calls, tell Horner I agree to his terms and will call him back this afternoon.a aYes, sir. Birmingham. Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you.a * * *

Because of its 2000-foot alt.i.tude, Ashevilleas winters had more of a northern flavor than southern, but so did its snow removal facilities. I made the 20 miles from Baylor to the courthouse in about 45 minutes and even found a parking place only two blocks away at 11:00 a.m., will wonders never cease! Iave yet to see a courthouse with parking for more than half the people who have business within it.

A middle-aged man in a brown s.h.i.+rt with a star pinned to his chest sat behind the counter in the sheriffas suite of offices. The placard said he was Deputy Paul Rollid.

He looked up, studied my overcoat, necktie and age-forty blond mustache. aCan I help you, sir?a aI understand youare holding Jerome Kelliam.a He didnat need to consult a ledger. aWhat if we are?a aI need him.a aWh.o.a.re you?a aJohn Maple. Iam with Fernworksa Baylor installation.a He had heard of Fernworks. aExcuse me a moment,a he intoned, getting up and vanis.h.i.+ng into an adjacent office whose frosted gla.s.s was inscribed simply, Sheriff. The first time I came there the absence of the sheriffas name had struck me as odd, even if it was an elective office.

A moment later Rollid reappeared and held open the gate in the counter. aSheriff Pate would like to see you, Mr. Maple, if youall just step this way.a So I stepped that way. He held the sheriffas door. As I pa.s.sed he said, aSheriff Pate, this is John Maple from Fernworks.a aWeave met,a said the sheriff. He stood up behind his desk, a short, heavy man in a brown uniform under a large gold star with a Patton-style pearl-handled .38 Special holstered on his hip. He leaned across the desk and extended his hand. aHowas it going, John? Good to see you!a I shook his hand and expressed my similar pleasure in seeing him again.

aPull up a chair,a he commanded. As I did so, I heard Rollidas exit and the door close behind me.

Pateas lips stretched in a grin that never made it to his eyes. aHowas everything on that hill you fellows bought?a aOn schedule. These people make good workers.a aGlad to hear it.a His grin widened. aIave got a story for you.a aA story?a aOne I think youall appreciate. I called Guthrie the other day about you.a He paused, watching me.

Guthrie. My hand went into my pocket. Ah, yes! Despite my sinking feeling I responded, aRepresentative Harold Guthrie, I presume: good, solid Democrat. He always supports our appropriation.a aThat figures.a Oh? I asked, aWhat did he have to say?a aIt figures because heas always in favor of spending somebody elseas money. What he had to say was he never heard of Fernworks. I told him of course he hadnat but when he did, he ought to put in a good word for his district, since thatas where it was doing business.a Pate laughed. aHe called me back and said to leave you guys alone, you were more secret than Oak Ridge.a I nodded sagely. aThatas true.a aFernworks,a he said as if tasting the word. aPretty good code word, I guess. Sh.o.r.e donat believe youare growing flowers!a aAs a matter of fact,a I responded, amy secretary has a couple fern pots beside her desk. She waters them every day or so.a aFernworks!a he barked with a laugh, then lost his smile. aKelliam didnat say he worked for you.a aHeas our shop foreman. Whatas he charged with?a aShop foreman? We talking about the same Jerome Kelliam?a aBrown-haired guy, medium build, about five-nine, missing his left pinkie. Heas very good at removing kinks in a process.a aThat finger sounds like him. So heas come up in the world!a aHeas a solid producer. We need him today. Iad like to bail him out.a He picked up the phone, jiggled the b.u.t.ton and said, aPut Harvey on.a A moment later he added, aTell Moss he made a mistake. I want Jerome Kelliam up here in ten minutes and his charges wiped.a He listened a moment longer then hung up the telephone with a smile. aThere you go.a aI appreciate that, Sheriff Pate.a aThank you, John. You might let the other directors know how friendly Buncombe is to federal projects.a aIall certainly pa.s.s that along,a I said gravely. aIt works both ways, you know. How can Fernworks return this favor?a He chuckled and shook his head. aThis has been a stingy county ever since the Vanderbilt girl married that Cecil fellow. How about letting me deputize your security guards?a aWhat? Can you deputize federal employees?a His lip curled. aGuess not. Guthrie wouldnat like it, would he?a aI think Biltmore will turn around, sheriff. Is Guthrie from Asheville?a I already knew he was. Pate launched into a spirited exposition of the manas antecedents and early history that lasted nicely until Rollid knocked on the door and announced Kelliamas release.

My man had a torn coat sleeve and sported a black eye. On the sidewalk outside the courthouse I asked, aWas resisting arrest one of your charges?a He grinned. aI reckon. Flayer looks worsean me, the son of a b.i.t.c.h. How much was my bail?a aNo bail. Pate released you to me and expunged the charges.a aNo s.h.i.+t!a Jerome peered at me through his swollen eyelids. aPate did that?a I grinned. aYour sister didnat jilt him too, did she?a He blinked. aWho told you about Sis? But no, Pate and I never got along after I whupped his little brotheras a.s.s in grade school.a aLong memories here in the mountains! Well, youare free of him for the moment. Letas get to work.a aUh, excuse me, Mr. Maple. Some of my brothers are eating dinner in Arleighas Cafe. Would you let them run me home long enough to clean up? Iall get in to work by two.a Dinner being Southern for lunch. aI hope they werenat planning a jail break! All right. And youad do well to change coats.a aI will. Thank you very much, Mr. Maple.a He stuck out his hand. I shook it briefly. He spun around and hurried down the sidewalk nearly at a run. I watched him with a chuckle. So Pate had good cause to release Jerome if he could find a defensible reason. Come to think of it, a Christmas still would hardly be operating in February.

People were streaming past me: lunch seekers from the courthouse offices. My wrist.w.a.tch agreed with my belly. I ambled along the walk, looking for a decent lunchroom. The cleaner ones were full or filling up. With a shrug I lengthened my stride, favorably recalling the Fernworks snack bar, run by a blind woman who seemed to enjoy my aflirtatious remarks,a as she called them. I looked forward to one of her thick sandwiches.

Perhaps I made the stride too long. Rounding the building on the last corner before my car, I b.u.mped squarely into perfumed softness a" a womanas body.

aWhoos.h.!.+a she cried in a breathy soprano. We both recoiled, staggering. Her handbag and a paper shopping bag fell to the sidewalk.

aMy G.o.d, madam, Iam sorry!a I declared, recovering purse and shopping bag and extending them to her.

aMe too!a she responded, taking possession of her property. aGuess I cut the corner too close.a This was no southern voice. I peered at her, realizing I knew her from somewhere. She seemed in her early forties, plump, broad-bottomed, wearing a heavy wool coat and a matching hat in the mannish style still popular. But that face was familiar.

She was studying me as sharply. Womanlike, she made the connection first. aI know you. Or your son.a She laughed. aHarrison said you grew up suddenly, but this is ridiculous.a The mention of Cleaver did it. aTilly!a I cried. aMy G.o.d, is it you?a aWhich means you have to be Timmy. But what in h.e.l.l happened to you? Three years ago you were fifteen. Now you look forty. Howad that happen? You gonna be eighty next year?a aI doubt it. What in the h.e.l.l, as you say, are you doing in Asheville?a aVisiting my sister, of course. She landed a soldier from here and went home with him.a Her eyes lit. aHey, this is great! Let me take you to lunch.a I decided Iad better agree. If I failed to interfere she was sure to tell Cleaver of this encounter, if she was still attending his parties. And I did want lunch.

I smiled at her. aYou were heading that way, were you?a aIn fact I was. Been shopping at the white sale and worked up an appet.i.te. Come on, Timmy.a She giggled. aI mean Timothy. Thatas your name, isnat it?a She leered at me askance. aMy, my, how little Timmy has grown up!a Her eyes sparkled. aIn all directions?a aYes, Iave changed, but you look the same, what I can see.a She giggled again. Though her voice was a mellow contralto appropriate to her age, she was one of those super-feminine women whose giggle stays a high soprano all her life. I love that sound. It raises the hair on my neck. And elsewhere.

She lowered her voice. aThe last time you saw me I was naked as a baby.a aI recall it well!a I said with enthusiasm.

She winked. aYouall have to tell me whatas different. Will you come?a aTo lunch?a I gestured. aLead on, my dear.a I fell in beside her as we retraced my recent path. aWhat do you see of Harrison Cleaver these days?a She answered me in the womanly way, beginning with the history of her world. aLu a" thatas my sister a" Luas hubby never got over his war wound. He left her a little business here. Iave been keeping her company in the winter, since Asheville is so much milder than Chicago. I go home in the spring. Thatas when I see Harrison. Iam a regular of his these days. Life at Gerrymand is so exciting I have to come here to rest up.a aAs I recall, youare married. Does your husband visit Gerrymand too?a She turned her face away and muttered, aHe found out.a a.s.suming the usual consequence of that, I opened my mouth to say something sympathetic but managed to stammer a subst.i.tution instead. aAh, did you have any luck with conception?a aWith what?a aI understood you attended Cleaveras parties in order to get pregnant.a She laughed. aYeah. That was the reason. Here we are. Come on in.a We stood at the door of Slimas Grill / Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Chops and Pies with a red neon sign in the window advertising Beer. I had pa.s.sed by it earlier. It was full of people and their voices plus the noise of crockery and meaty odors floating on warm, moist air. A single aisle separated bar and booths. She wove us along it to a booth in the back containing a Reserved sign on the tabletop.

She handed me her coat, swept the sign to the opposite seat, gestured to someone elsewhere in the room and slipped into the booth, leaving plenty of room for me. aSit,a she invited with a smile. aLu will get here in a minute.a I hung our coats on the hook between booths and sat beside her. She skidded toward me until our thighs made firm contact. aYou were always shy,a she explained with a grin.

aWas I?a Reaching far under the table, I found the hem of her skirt and pulled it up above her lap. My hand darted under it. Thankful that panty hose were not yet invented, I found the edge of her panties, pulled it aside and worked two fingers into wet warmth between her l.a.b.i.a.

She grunted. aGot over that too, I see. Are you right handed?a aYes.a aUh-oh. Lu likes to shake hands with a man.a She took a shuddery breath. aOh, Timmy, that feels good. Youare the first man whoas touched me in ages.a aAges?a aI mean since October.a aYou have no, ah, close acquaintances here?a aAre you kidding?a She chuckled wryly. aCasual s.e.x here is for family members only. If you let a stranger have it, he wants to marry you.a aAnd keep it in the family, eh?a aIam not kidding. Luas a hot number like her sister. When the hubby died, she fancied one of the regulars in here. He offered to leave his wife and marry Lu. She laughed at him, of course. The next day the guyas wife showed up and pulled out half Luas hair.a Her hand fell into my crotch, whose occupant was already stirring. aMaybe you can help her out. Sheas dying for a little of this.a Oh, no! My half-formed plan depended on getting Tilly alone in private. Hmm. Two women shouldnat be such a problem, unless a aI believe in helping ladies in need,a I intoned piously. aHow many dying ones do you know?a aHuh?a She laughed at me. aGreedy, are you? Just Lu and me.a She thrust her hip against mine. aDonat you think we can handle it, big boy?a aItas developed a bit since that party.a aYeah, Iam starting to find out. Suck in your gut.a I felt her hand slip under my coattail, dive between my belt and the side of my belly, part the front of my s.h.i.+rt, pa.s.s under the waistband of my shorts and come to rest in my groin, grasping its objective unerringly.

aGood G.o.d!a she said in awe. aIs it at full stand?a aNot quite. I must congratulate you. I donat recall anyone ever getting in there so directly.a She said smugly, aComes from practice on Harrisonas college boys. This is such a nice one, Tim! It must be twice as big as at the party.a aJust about.a I had to chuckle. aHow is it, Tilly, that you remember me so well from what was hardly more than a few minutes, ah, contact a" and not so intimate, at that?a aHow could I forget you? If Pauline hadnat beat me to it, Iadave proved young stuff is the best.a She stared at me speculatively. aIt canat be more than four years older!a aStill trying to get pregnant?a aYeah. Still trya" Better pull out. Here comes Lu.a The sister was younger and slimmer but otherwise very like her sibling. She wore a waitressas full frontal ap.r.o.n in red checks and long brown hair caught up in a net. When she reached our booth, her eyebrows rose. aWho is this, Tilly?a aTimothy Kimball, this is my pretty sister, Lula Taft. Timas from Chicago.a aI didnat think he was a hillbilly!a She grinned at me and extended her hand.

aExcuse me for not standing,a I said, taking her hand, leaning forward and kissing the back of it.

Her eyes widened. She pulled the hand back and covered it with the palm of the other.

aIam pleased to meet you.a But as I muttered the formula, my brain whirled in realization that Tilly knew my full name, which was more than I knew of her because wead never exchanged names in Chicago. Obviously shead heard Cleaver discuss me a" which meant I had to keep her away from telephones until Nepenthe had done its stuff.

aWe just b.u.mped into each other on the street,a Tilly declared, adding, aTim and I first met at a party.a aI get you,a said the sister. aClose friends!a Her eyes twinkled.

aWhatas good for lunch?a asked Tilly.

We settled on sandwiches and beer. Lu went away, shouting orders, to disappear beyond the bar.

aWhat do you think?a my companion asked. aWould you like to try us both?a aAs a matter of fact I would: the sooner the better.a She leered. aWhatas the matter, Timmy? Donat the southern girls like you? I canat believe that.a aThey all seem to have prior commitments.a She blinked. aI just realized I didnat ask what youare doing here!a What the h.e.l.l, she was due to forget this whole meeting anyway. I said, aBuilding s.p.a.ce s.h.i.+ps.a She laughed aloud. aI know what you mean. Going to the moon?a aSure.a She shrugged. aIf you donat want to tell me itas all right. Itas just so strange, b.u.mping into you on the street.a She smiled. aOf course you have to b.u.mp into somebody, donat you? If Harrison hadnat dwelt on you growing up in a couple months, I wouldnat believe it was you.a Her eyes narrowed. aIf it really is.a She c.o.c.ked her head in inquisition. aWhat were Pauline and I looking at when you met us at the party?a aAn a.n.a.l three-way.a Her eyes widened. She breathed, aIt really is you!a When Lu delivered our food, she set a third place, removed her waitressas ap.r.o.n and slid into the booth across the table from us. aInez can handle the stragglers,a she explained and grinned brightly at me. aWell, Tilly, tell us all about your boyfriend.a aHeas being mysterious,a my companion said. aWonat tell me why heas in Asheville.a aDoes that matter? He wouldnat be running from the law in a suit that fits that good.a aI like you too,a I told her.

aSee?a said Tilly. aWeave already settled the important point. But Timas kind of impatient. I thought wead show him right after lunch.a Lu grinned widely. aSounds like the boss should take the afternoon off.a aThatas you, is it?a I asked.

aEver since Slimas aneurysm five years ago.a aYouave kept it going? Thatas commendable.a aThank you. Itas in a good location. I even manage to save a little money. Not that it does me much good.a aMaybe you need to take a vacation.a aIave been thinking of a cruise to France, but thatas a lot of trouble just to get laid.a Tilly grinned. aMaybe Tim will take you to the moon.a aHuh! I want him to send me to the moon!a By this time we were all three eating. I complimented her on the quality of the food. She thanked me. We spoke of life in Asheville. I kept my comments uninformative.

Lu studied me thoughtfully. aDid Tilly ever tell you how crazy she is about babies?a aI told him,a Tilly muttered.

aBut did she tell you all of it? She only wants little babies!a aLu aa Tilly said louder.

aSheas had six, you know, and all of them are living with me.a ad.a.m.n it, Lu!a The sister tossed her head, brown waves rippling under the hair net, and grinned derisively. aNot that Iam complaining, you understand. I love them.a aYou love the money too.a aOh, yes. But let me ask you, Tim: did you ever hear of a mother who only wants her kids until theyare weaned?a Tilly slapped the tabletop. aG.o.d d.a.m.n it, Lu, are you drunk?a I held up a hand. aEasy, ladies. I swear thereall be enough to go around.a aYou sure?a asked Lu, studying my face.

aYouall see,a I responded confidently. aHow soon can we get started?a * * *

Lu had s.p.a.ce in the adjacent building as well, despite its adornment with lawyeras s.h.i.+ngles. Tilly led me far down a long hall and up a flight of stairs. She produced a key that admitted us past the heavy door at the top into a living room decorated with furniture and prints blended in surprisingly good taste. We paused at the coat closet.

The jingle of coat hangers accentuated the silence otherwise. I asked, aWhere are the kids?a aThe little ones are above the grill with their nanny. At this hour the rest are in school. Now tell me why you care about that.a aYouare right,a I agreed, following her into a hall that led past a bathroom, probably to a kitchen. aItas none of my business.a aIn here.a We entered a large bedroom whose dresser was loaded with bottles and sprays.

aLuas?a I asked, gesturing around me.

aMine. Itas her guest room. You like kids?a aYouave really had six? Thatas three more than I recall from the party.a She was already removing her clothing. I followed her example.

Her eyes narrowed. aWhat did you think of me then, Tim?a aYou were a striking woman, well-fleshed, Rubenesque.a She grinned. aI remember you standing behind me, your hard little c.o.c.k poking my b.u.t.t, squeezing my b.o.o.bs and rubbing my belly like a doctor.a aGood muscle tone.a aHaving babies doesnat hurt a woman, Tim, if sheas healthy. Even the pain of it can feel good, though I wouldnat expect a man to understand or believe that. Iave always had very good health. Youall see in a minute. And so will I.a I wondered if she were concerned about venereal disease. aIam in good health too.a aI meant Iall get to see that same c.o.c.k. I think itas twice as big, Tim.a aJust about.a aThat was four years ago. I can believe youave grown up in that much time.a She laughed. aSomehow you made Harrison think you did it in a couple months! But Iam curious about one thing: how is it that a 19-year-old looks forty?a aWhen youare running a business, Tilly, it helps to look older.a aYou mean youare faking it?a aWrinkles are easy to do.a aHa! Easier than undoing them, I bet!a She took less care with her clothes, throwing them into the corner, while I hung mine on the back of a chair. Thus she stood nude first.

I paused to admire her. aYou havenat changed a bit, Tilly!a aThank you, but yes, I have. More stretch marks in belly and b.o.o.bs.a aBadges of honor.a She chuckled while I pa.s.sed my T-s.h.i.+rt over my head. When I straightened up from the chair, my arm brushed the big t.i.ts. Her hand enclosed my half-hard d.i.c.k. She dropped to a squat and sucked it into her mouth. Her tongue worked the glans.

I mused jocularly, aChanged your mind about the best way, have you?a aHuh-uh,a she averred nasally, head bobbing.

aPauline beat you to it before. Iave often wondered if she got hurt when that bed collapsed.a Tilly sniffed sarcastically and released me. aShe was on top.a She leaned back to stare at her accomplishment. aG.o.d, Tim, this is a treasure! Iall bet you have lots of fun with it.a She rose and sidled against me. Her hand stroked my chest and washboard belly. aThis surely isnat boyish either! Itas hard to believe you would become such a big, strong man in four years. G.o.d, youare hard!a a" a consequence of the diamondoid s.h.i.+eld. She grinned. aDid they put you on the rockpile?a She spun around and in one powerful heave threw the cover off the bed onto the floor. Holding my arm, she tugged me into the bed behind her. Her legs clasped my hips.

aNow, Tim! I want that young stuff.a This woman was a powerful lubricator. Despite the size of my organ I slid into her with ease. Her sphincters gripped me as I pistonned her. With one hand appropriately on her hip, I keyed the Nepenthe program to readiness, having already set it up. We had yet to kiss, so I diverted the nan.o.biots to seminal fluid instead of saliva. According to the instructions, they were effective in any body fluid. Fine print described the results according to method of delivery, but all methods guaranteed temporary amnesia, which was my only objective. Oral insertion would produce immediate results, but any orifice would do. In fact it would better serve my purpose if her loss of memory occurred after my departure.

She gripped me tighter, pulling my torso down upon hers. Grunts soon became groans. I was peripherally aware of Luas entrance and removal of clothing. I felt her weight behind us on the bed, then her hands at our coupling, caressing my b.a.l.l.s and apparently her sisteras c.l.i.t. Tillyas cries grew louder and more shrill. Her arms released me so that her hands could raise the large t.i.ts, sagging sideways as the big ones do, and scour the erect nipples against my chest.

aIam coming, Iam coming!a Tilly announced, her body growing rigid. Well, why not? I joined her, releasing squirt after squirt. Nothing matches that thrill, even when you have control of it. I found myself chuckling as I sagged to one side and rolled on my back.

Lu scampered around to kneel, grinning, beside me. aDid you feel her fart?a aWhat?a aThen whatas so funny?a Her hand enclosed my d.i.c.k. aG.o.d, you mustave swabbed her decks!a I didnat tell her my mirth arose from realizing that this was my first s.e.x outside the afamilya in years. Instead I asked, aWas your husband in the navy?a aYeah, even though he never saw the ocean in his life until he joined up. I used to like the taste of his too.a aToo?a She answered the implied question by bending suddenly and slurping me in. Her hair was still restrained in the net. I could clearly see her throat accommodate itself. Her lips sank steadily deeper.

aYou also like your sisteras taste,a I hazarded.

She shrugged without removing me from her face. But I understood she was holding her breath. The glans must have been past her epiglottis, the flap that closes off the airway for swallowing. Not even Rosalind had taken more. I was impressed and wondered how she or anyone else could tolerate it there without gagging.

Slowly she withdrew an inch or two and her nostrils flared with a deep breath. She began a deep stroking, breathing only on withdrawals. After a bit she hitched herself around far enough that she could see my face. Her eyes twinkled.

aTurn your tail the other say,a I suggested, aand Iall return the favor.a She spun around with alacrity. I guided one knee over my head and pulled her split down to my face. She was rank, but of course none of us had bathed since morning. Fortunately after a few tongue strokes the character of that flavor changes radically for the better, or so I have always observed. I was tempted to redirect Nepenthe to saliva but finally left it alone. Lu was destined for a mouthful as it was.

Denizens of the 24th Century have complete control of their bodily functions a" and so did I. When her hips began to buck and nasal moans grew in volume at the other end, I released my second e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.e, making sure it was copious as the first.

Finally she gagged. Her body convulsed and she leapt violently away from me, rolling off the end of the bed onto the floor. I suppressed further spurts and sat up, noting that Tilly was no longer in the bed nor apparently in the room.

A curious mixture of choking, gagging and vomiting sounds arose from the naked figure, too slim for Tilly, who crouched on the carpet. Uh-oh! Nepenthe only works if it stays in your body. I slipped out of bed, avoiding the unrecognizable remains of her lunch, and helped Lu sit up. aShall I get you a wet cloth?a aWha-what happened?a She stared at me blankly, dripping s.e.m.e.n. My last spurt had laced her lower face.

aIam afraid you strangled. Here. Let me help you get back on the bed.a Her mouth made tasting motions. aWas I sucking you off?a My eyebrows rose. aWe were both sucking.a aBut, but a Who are you?a Aha! Potent stuff, this Nepenthe! I gestured to the door. aGo get yourself a drink and weall discuss that.a Eyes huge in her wet face, she got shakily to her feet and went out into the hall.

I jerked on my outer clothes, threw shoes on feet and stuffed socks and underclothes into my pockets. Neither woman appeared as I tiptoed up the hall to the living room. Sounds of running water emanated from the closed bathroom door. In a jiffy I took my coat and eased my way through the main door into the common hall, where I made it to the street without seeing another person. My feet were cold when I reached the car, but the engine retained enough warmth to fix that problem with the aid of my socks.

The time was 1:25. I wondered if Jerome would get back to Fernworks before I did.

Chapter 18: Exposure.

May 30, Memorial Day, occurred on Sunday that year and provided an excuse to shutdown Fernworks for another long weekend. The five princ.i.p.als met in Cleveland to enjoy three days of each otheras company. The women welcomed Karl, now very much a member of the family, most incestuously. He, Rosalind and I, the usually absent members, reaffirmed our mutual commitments with the stay-at-homes, especially to our furry lovers.

We gathered late on Friday night. By Sunday morning, needing a breather, I took a stroll around our s.p.a.cious property that extended to a rise overlooking Lake Erie. A few of the more stubborn trees had not yet leafed out fully, despite the nearness of June, but it was a beautiful, green and gold morning, dotted with the sparks of flower blossoms. Birdsong, the low trilling of cicadas and the faint splash of waves created a bucolic symphony that belied the promixity of downtown Cleveland. I looked admiringly around at these results from a billion years of lifeas random evolution and thought of the absolute barrenness awaiting us in s.p.a.ce. In 400 yearsa worth of missions to every planet, Claraas people had not discovered the first sign either of protoplasmic or viral life elsewhere in the Solar System. What an excellent purpose for humanity a" to reproduce Earthas loveliness in a ridiculous fraction of the time nature had required!

Ferns on the moon would be merely our beginning, I thought half-whimsically. By 2398 terra-forming processes were well begun on Earthas moon, Mars, a couple Jovian moons and also on Venus, though that one would take thousands of years for fruition. My crew would get an earlier and faster start, thanks to our nan.o.biots, and a"

aMister, do you still keep monkeys in your bas.e.m.e.nt?a I whirled around. A teenage girl stood between two cedars a few yards behind me. She was familiar, though p.u.b.erty had changed her unbelievably. To the residual old manas surprise, I even recalled her name.

aPetty, is that you?a aThey call me aAlliea now,a she answered gravely. Long brunette tresses graced the shoulders of her ruffled blouse. She even wore what I consider a dress, though the women call such a garment, designed as a skirt with a bib, something else. Dirty bare feet and a band-aid on one knee saved her from womanhood. Nevertheless she was startlingly pretty. Incipient b.r.e.a.s.t.s rounded her chest. I thought that the story of the ugly duckling should be one of her favorites.

aAllie?a aFrom Alrose, my middle name. Are you Timas father?a For the first time I was sorry to look 40. I dodged the question. aDonat you like my moustache?a aI donat know.a She quirked her lips. aIall bet it would tickle.a An innocent conjecture or an invitation? I grinned. aNot many guys have them, do they. What was that about monkeys?a aI saw them in your bas.e.m.e.nt.a aDid you! Youare getting old enough to respect property boundaries.a She sniffed. aI saw them a couple years ago when I was Petty. Allie doesnat trespa.s.s.a aArenat you trespa.s.sing now?a aI am not! Mamma said these cedars are at the end of our property.a She could be right. I had never troubled to locate the markers. I produced a smile meant to be disarming. aThen Iam glad you came along, else I might have become the trespa.s.ser! How is it that you saw monkeys in our bas.e.m.e.nt?a aIt was at night and one of the window shades was up.a aI see. And what were the monkeys doing?a She studied me. aMaybe they were building radios.a Close enough. I forced a mildly incredulous chuckle. aRadios, Allie?a She paused as if considering her answer. At last she said, aYour monkeys were all in a line, working at machines. I tried to see them again the next night, but somebody had pulled all the shades. I wondered for a long time what they mightave been doing. Then my uncle took me downtown one morning to his radio factory. All the women were sitting in a line, bending over the radios they were building, just like your little monkeys.a aI see. Did you tell your uncle he had compet.i.tion?a aCompet.i.tion? Oh. Donat play with me, mister. I know what I saw.a aWho did you tell of this vision?a aMy mother.a I nodded. aA good choice. How did she react?a Allie took a deep breath. aI know she thought I was making it up.a I paused, thinking of several responses, most of which involved casting doubt on this curious girlas sanity. I shook my head. Induced memory loss was even less applicable. Clara might know of something more selective than Nepenthe, but I doubted it. So I fell back on misdirection.

aAllie, it seems I need to let you inspect my bas.e.m.e.nt.a aOh, would you?a Her eyes brightened. aCan I play with them?a aYou and your mother together. But you wonat find anything to play with.a aOh.a Her face fell. aThey arenat there any more?a aA bas.e.m.e.nt full of monkeys in Cleveland?a I laughed softly. aYouare getting old enough to have an idea what it would take to keep such a troop out of trouble, not to speak of clean and fed.a Hardly a problem at all if the monkeys possess near-human-grade intelligence, but I couldnat tell her that.

Her eyes narrowed. aYou mean they were only here a short time?a I barked another laugh and shook my head. aAllie, I wonat tell you the obvious answer, that your eyes were playing tricks on you.a aWhatas in the bas.e.m.e.nt now?a aA lot of stuff, I imagine, but when you see it, you wonat find any monkeys. Shall I ask your mother and you to come and have a look?a She stared at me. Finally she declared, aNo.a That would definitely be simpler. This girl knew our house so well that I could probably hide the bas.e.m.e.nt capuchins only by hibernation in a trunk. But it wouldnat keep the secret.

aWhy not?a She sniffed. aI donat want to look in an empty bas.e.m.e.nt.a aNot even for ghosts?a She smiled slowly. aThat was funny, what you said about the ghosts coming first.a c.o.c.king an eyebrow, I asked, aAre these monkeys more of the same?a She hesitated then sighed. aI guess they must be.a Casting about for another topic, I said, aWhat brings you out on such a pretty Sunday morning? Iadave expected you to be in church.a aThis is a church,a she declared. aActually I was going to ask Clara something.a aClara, eh? Well, then, letas both talk to her.a With a gesture I invited her forward, turning toward the house. To my surprise she took hold of my hand as we started across the thick gra.s.s. I smiled at the girl, who was a head shorter than I. She smiled back easily. Was she entirely innocent? I wondered, then concluded that she was merely responding to my avuncular appearance.

aA church, you say?a aSure! Whatas a church, anyway?a She waved at the lush greenery surrounding us. aIsnat it a place that makes you feel religious?a aThatas one definition,a I admitted, reflecting that my earlier appreciation of natureas mindless achievement might possibly be called a religious experience. At least it was fervent.

We reached my back door still hand in hand and proceeded through the storeroom into the kitchen. She pushed past me to the refrigerator, pulled open the freezer door and went unerringly to the package of Popsicles. I had wondered for whom they were stored.

aClara lets me visit,a she explained, tearing off the wrapper and glancing back at me, abut she wonat tell me about the monkeys.a aI thought we were finished with that topic,a I responded.

She b.u.mped the door shut with her head and stood looking at me a moment as she licked the icy confection. aI told you my new name. Whatas yours?a aMy new name?a I grinned. aTim.a aYou canat be Tim!a aBut I am.a Her eyes narrowed. aHave you been really sick?a I chuckled. aNo,a I said and added what Iad told Tilly. aSometimes itas better to be 40 than 20.a aOh.a Unlike Tilly, she accepted my statement without question and took a breath as if she had reached a decision. aI donat care what your monkeys are for, Tim. I just want to a to see them do it.a aDo it?a aYou know. Like what I once saw at the zoo before Mom pulled me away.a She was obviously curious and a" I started to write aprecocious,a but the mounds on her chest made such curiosity understandable. Her manner was forthright, not seductive in the least.

aThey do it differently, from behind,a she added casually.

aYou watched closely at the zoo, did you, Allie?a I could not resist adding, aHow old are you?a aAlmost fourteen.a She sniffed. aAnd they donat play around beforehand, although thatas the fun part.a So foreplay was the afun part!a I was tempted to inquire further but resisted the urge because such a conversation could lead to many complications. Although a tempting morsel, she was still just a kid whom I scarcely knew. I started to change the subject. aWhat grade are you in?a aThere you are!a her motheras voice interrupted from the doorway.

Sarah Wertheimer, pudgier than I remembered, stood in the back door. As I turned, I saw Clara, who cast me a quizzical look, arrive by the door to the hall.

The mother chided, aYou have to get cleaned up, Allie, before this afternoon.a She fully entering the kitchen and took the girl by an arm. aI hope she wasnat bothering you, Tim.a She blinked. aIs that you, Tim?a Without waiting for my answer she pulled her daughter toward the back door.

aWe were talking about animals,a I said, aand she was no bother at all.a aI wanted to ask a"a the girl began but apparently changed her mind.

aAsk what?a said her mother.

aNothing.a They were quickly gone, popsicle and all, with a slam of the screen. Clara stepped forward to place her hands on my waist.

aAnimals?a she queried. aPerhaps monkeys?a aYes,a I replied. aApparently she saw Aliceas capuchins in the bas.e.m.e.nt some time ago.a aI know. How did you handle it?a aI invited her and her mother to visit and inspect the bas.e.m.e.nt.a aDid you!a Clara straightened. aIad better start rounding up a"a aBut Allie declined. She thinks my invitation means theyare long gone.a The woman relaxed. aI see. You are clever, Tim.a aThank you. But Allie had other monkey comments. She regrets they donat engage in foreplay. I suspect sheas not as innocent as she appears.a aSheas not, although itas something that shouldnat interest you. You have enough females and theyare all legal.a aBut Iam perversely curious,a I protested, pulling her to me. aWhat do you know about the girl?a Clara gave me a brief kiss. aFor reasons I cannot fathom both Allie and Sarah have chosen me as their confidants a" separately, to be sure! I have heard a great deal of Sarahas frustrations and Allieas contempt for the local louts.a Clara grinned wryly. aJust last week Sarah told me she found her two older children playing naked on a bed. She didnat interrupt them but stood peering through the door. She proudly announced that her son is very well hung for a twelve year old.a aShe just stood there watching?a aYes. Evidently sheas as perverse as you. The lad mounted Allie and ripped her hymen before Sarah realized they were beyond childas play. Allie screamed in pain and shoved her brother off, but the deed was done.a aDid she confront them then?a aNo. She told me she was afraid to embarra.s.s them. But later she had a long talk with the girl about s.e.x.

aSo,a I mused. aSheas not a virgin.a aNo, sheas not. But that changes nothing. Sheas still a thirteen year old girl.a aAlmost fourteen,a I corrected her.

aTimmy, letas go upstairs. I need to calm you down.a aClara! Youare mistaken if you think that slip of a girl has aroused me, but I accept your generous invitation.a aIave come to know Allie rather well, Tim. Sheas bold and persistent. Iam worried you might be seduced into teaching such a willing pupil.a aIall be on my guard,a I said, nudging her toward the doorway and the promised frolic. aBesides, she couldnat be interested in a guy my age.a aSheas not looking for a lover, Professor, just a competent teacher who wonat blab.a aLetas continue this conversation upstairs,a I insisted, nudging her again.

She took my hand and we left the kitchen.

aI know itas hard to believe, but I actually b.u.mped into him on the street.a As usual Clara had preset the viewer to an interesting point in the scene. Tilly was speaking to Cleaver in a sumptuously decorated bedroom. He lay propped up in the bed, holding the d.i.c.k of a young man beside him on the right a" one prettier even than I was at fifteen a" with his arm around an elfin young woman on the left. All three were naked. Tilly stood at the foot of the bed, wearing a robe and holding a gla.s.s of amber liquid. The viewpoint was to her right. I wondered briefly where the ladybug perched.

Very briefly, because her words seemed to electrify Cleaver. He released the d.i.c.k and with that arm now behind its owner, propelled both youths to a sitting position. Sitting up himself, he made shooing motions. aYou two go screw somewhere else. Iall look you up later.a With alacrity they scampered off the bed and out of the scene. Cleaveras eyes bored into Tilly.

ab.u.mped into Tim Kimball? Not in Asheville!a aBut it was. I was rounding a corner across from the courthouse and ran slam into him a" or him into me.a aHow did you know it was Tim? How did he look?a aOh, it was Tim, all right! He remembered details about your party where we met. What you said about him growing up a" thatas a fact. Heas a good six feet tall and hung to match. And solid, heas all muscle.a aMy G.o.d! When was this?a aOh, I guess about the middle of February.a aFebruary? d.a.m.n it, Tilly,a he roared, athis is May!a She shrugged slightly. aIam sorry, Harrison. You told us about him three years ago. To tell the truth, I forgot about it until you mentioned him just now.a He studied her. aaHung to match,a you said. You got him into bed, did you?a aA little.a Her tone expressed frustration.

aaA little?aa He laughed derisively. aThatas like being a little pregnant. Did you f.u.c.k him or not?a aOnce.a aBut you had a long talk?a aI took him to my sisteras place for lunch.a aGood. What was he doing in Asheville?a She laughed. aBuilding s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps. At least thatas what he said.a The manas eyes widened. aHe admitted that?a She blinked. aaAdmitted?a You mean a You canat mean it was the truth!a Cleaver smiled slyly. aWhat else did he say?a aNot much. He asked me a lot of questions.a aAbout me?a aWell, he did ask if I still went to your parties.a aWhat did you tell him?a She shrugged. aThat I pretty much live with you half the year.a aI see.a His stare became distant. After a moment his grin returned. aSo you enticed him into bed, you and your sister. How was it?a aHeas a become quite a man, Harrison. His body is big and hard.a ac.o.c.k likewise, I imagine.a aOh, yes. Double, at least. One funny thing: he had a thick moustache and crows-feet in the corners of his eyes. I remember you said he grew to full size in a couple months. Now he looks to be 40 a" all in just four years!a Cleaver nodded slowly. aIam sure he can seem any age he wishes.a She chuckled wryly. aThatas a nice trick!a He grinned. aOh, you women do it all the time!a She shook her head. aI doubt this was cosmetics. I felt of those wrinkles.a aHow about the rest of his body?a Her eyes widened slightly. aYou know, youare right: it was smooth as a 20-year-oldas.a aWhich I suspect,a he said dryly, ais a lot closer to his actual age. What else did you notice?a She thought a moment. aWhat do you call the muscles across a manas stomach? They were like a washboard. I doubt you can understand how good that feels to a woman.a aProbably not,a Cleaver agreed dryly. aWhat did he say about his plans?a She sniffed. aThat he was going to the moon.a aThatas what one does with s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps, isnat it? What else? Whereas his plant?a aHis plant?a aHis factory. You donat build s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps on the street.a She stared. aHarrison, you canat be serious!a The man sighed. aWhat else did he tell you, Tilly?a She shrugged. aNothing, really. Nothing that I remember. But a strange thing happened. Lu forgot him.a aShe doesnat care for big, strong 20-year-olds?a aNot that. Even before he left she couldnat remember sucking him off or who he was.a Cleaver, who had leaned forward with elbows on knees, suddenly straightened. aShe did what?a aLu came in while we were going at it. He shot me full. I went for my diaphragm to keep the stuff in, leaving him to Lu. I didnat see what he did to her, but when I came back, she was gargling in the bathroom. She said, aWho was that?a I couldnat believe her at first, but I guess it was true. All she could remember was the taste of it in her mouth and a strange man watching her.a Cleaver mused, aShe swallowed his j.i.s.m, did she? But you remembered everything?a Tilly grinned. aHow do you know if you donat remember? Yeah, I think so. I havenat noticed a gap. That is, not in memory.a aWhat did he say when you rejoined them?a aNothing. He was gone.a aWhere?a aI donat know. I never saw him again.a Cleaver stared at her for long seconds. aWell, at least we have a starting point. What did you mean by stressing no gap in your memory?a aI had a gap, all right. I missed my next period. I thought Timas young stuff had caught me for sure.a His gaze dropped meaningfully to her flat belly. aWhat happened?a aNothing. In April my period was right on time.a He laughed slightly. aThink hard: did you kiss him in Asheville?a aMmm, no, I donat think I did.a Cleaver laughed harder. aHis juice misfired, Iall bet!a I removed the earpiece, stopped and lowered the viewer. Quickly my fingers called up the article on Nepenthe. At long last I read the fine print. Applied v.a.g.i.n.ally, it causes the ovaries to forget, that is, to skip their next firing. And thatas all.

Clara watched me sigh. aI see you didnat do it on purpose.a I took a deep breath and shook my head. aOn stupidity.a aI prefer to believe impatience. On both our parts.a aWhat do you mean? You couldnat have warned me.a aNot about Tilly. Who might have antic.i.p.ated that? But I couldave studied the record of your meeting with her to make sure you kissed her. Why didnat you?a aShe didnat offer. Tilly wants everything in her cunnya I gather this meeting between her and Cleaver took place in May, but this is July. What happened?a aYou mean, why didnat I report it sooner?a I hesitated, detecting a strain in her voice. aIf you want to tell me.a She sighed. aTim, my operation isnat perfect. I didnat receive this scene until today.a She sighed again. aIt seems the bird gave the ladybug to Platina correctly, but before she could transfer its record to spiral memory her tail began to itch. She raised it for each of the males in turn. As a female I give her credit. She protected the bug during that frenzy and duly copied its contents afterwards a" only into the wrong spiral.a aThe wrong a"a I suddenly realized that I knew nearly nothing at all about the details of Claraas operation, as she called it. aI take it Platina is a capuchin in your Crenshaw apartment, and the awrong spirala is a storage system for matters of low importance.a aRight on both counts. Then yesterday another meeting occurred in Gerrymand that caused me to search all my spirals for Cleaveras name and find the scene you just saw.a aHeas taken action, hasnat he?a aIam afraid so. Thatas why I called you back here.a She handed me another viewer.

I recognized Cleaveras barroom from the orgy, presuming he hadnat altered the dcor since 1950: the same dark tables, mahogany bar with bra.s.s rails and full-size painting of a naked woman, reclining and gazing coyly back over her shoulder, above the stacked bottles. It still looked like Hollywoodas idea of a Western saloon. Even the man in the white jacket behind the bar, polis.h.i.+ng a gla.s.s, seemed familiar.

Cleaver was dressed as I had last seen him in the flesh, s.h.i.+rtless under a satin smoking jacket above white slacks. He sat at one of the tables, a shot gla.s.s of whisky before him, faced by three other men, big ones in gray suits. The sound pickup was adequate to catch their breathing and the creak of a chair as a big one s.h.i.+fted his body. I almost chuckled at my mechanical fancy after all this time. For asound pickupa read aladybugas ears.a Cleaver said, aIall study your written report later, Jenkins. Maybe, that is, if the precise details interest me. But I understand youave located his operation.a aYes, sir,a agreed the smallest of the three, still estimated at five-ten and 200 pounds. That oneas hair was gray at the temples.

aIn Asheville?a aNo, sir.a The man, presumably Jenkins, grunted. aIn fact I found n.o.body in Asheville or even the whole county, for that matter, whoad ever heard of Timothy Kimball.a aBut a But then a"a aBut I found someone in a bar who recognized that drawing you furnished me.a aAh! I see. So Tim changed his name.a aExactly. He calls himself John Maple these days and hereas the way he looks now.a Jenkins pa.s.sed a couple of large glossies across the table. Cleaver studied them with great interest, nodding. aYes, I knew about the moustache. And he does look fortyis.h.!.+ Howad you get these? The backgroundas totally blurred out, so I a.s.sume long telephoto.a aRight. Heas got himself a h.e.l.l of a factory setup about 20 miles west-northwest of Asheville, near a wide spot in the road called Baylor.a The man chuckled admiringly. aBut you canat tell itas much from the outside.a Cleaver leaned forward. The fascination in his face was apparent even from the side. aJenkins, Iam impressed! Youave done better than your man indicated. Letas take this systematically. Who recognized Tim in the bars, a barmaid?a aItas all in the reports,a Jenkins pointed out reasonably.

aI want you to hear it from you personally. If you have another appointment, you can break it.a aVery well, sir. Not a barmaid, an ex-employee.a aOf Timas factory?a aOf Fernworks.a aWhatas that?a aActually thatas a good question.a Jenkins spelled the word, then added, aItas what the locals call your manas operation in Baylor. I checked but could find no registered corporation or company by that name, which of course is inconceivable. You canat run something like that without registering it and paying all the license fees and whatnot.a aYouave already said in effect that it didnat look big. What did you mean by that?a aIam getting to it. We pumped that disgruntled employee a good long time. He swore that the man in the picture was a big shot in Baylor, with a plant that hired people from all over the hills, a big place with huge machines. He gave us the name and showed us a pay receipt. Head been working there seven months. According to him, they fired him for being late one time too often. In my own opinion heas an unreliable lush, but thatas neither here nor there. They pay in cash with an hourly accounting, which is what he gave us. It claims to be a aFernworks Pay Voucher.a I have it in my brief case if youad like to see it.a Cleaver waved his hand. aSo then you went up to Baylor?a Jenkins laughed softly. aYes, sir. We found a pretty little valley with quite a respectable new dam in one end, and a hill on one side with a neat flower shop built up against the foot of the hill.a When the man paused, Cleaver said impatiently, aGo on.a aThatas it. The sign on the flower shop was Fernworks. They had several ferns in the windows.a Cleaveras face clouded up.

aWe did notice a few anomalies,a Jenkins continued with a slight smile. aThe parking lot in front of the flower shop is large enough for about a thousand customers and made with concrete thick enough to hold up a platoon of tanks. It held 315 cars the morning I was there. Two railroad spurs cross through the parking lot in front of the flower shop. A hopper full of rusty iron filings stood on one, an empty flat on the other. Hereas a photo of the scene. Notice the right-hand corner of the flower shop.a Another glossy crossed the table. Cleaver squinted at it for a several seconds before looking up. aDid you get a closer look at those bulges on the corner?a aMy man did. He thinks theyare hinges.a aHinges!a aRight. He thinks the whole front of that flower shop swings open: doorway, flowers in the windows, and all.a aG.o.d d.a.m.n! Then aa aSo I went to the courthouse and checked the records, hoping for a plan of what Fernworks was all about. Nothing. As far as the county government lets on, thereas nothing of significance anywhere near Baylor. I decided against asking in the sheriffas office directly. Instead I hired a local private eye to do that. Itas on the bill.a aGood, if he learned anything.a aHe did a" just before he was warned off. Fernworks, catch this, is a top secret enterprise of the federal government!a Jenkins straightened as he p.r.o.nounced those words, eyes fixed on Cleaver. But if he expected some strong reaction he must have been disappointed. aGo on,a said Cleaver calmly.

aAt least that explains the lack of county records.a aYes, I suppose it does. And this is all very interesting. But you havenat told me how you photographed our man.a Jenkins shrugged. aI put a man in the woods with a Ha.s.selblad, a thousand millimeter lens and orders to snap every face that went in or out. I took the prints to our disgruntled employee. He named most of them.a Jenkins dug another picture from his briefcase. aThis one might interest you. The name is Haines. Heas supposed to be the plant director.a Cleaver glanced at it briefly before laying it aside. aDonat know him. Did you get Kimballas t.i.tle?a aMaple. If he has a t.i.tle he doesnat advertise it. His office is up front with Haines, though Hainesa office is larger, according to my man. Maple doesnat seem to give orders, not like Haines.a aMaybe he only orders Haines.a aCould be.a aAll right.a Cleaver shoved one of the prints back to Jenkins. aWhat do you think this means?a The man in the gray suit hardly glanced down. aI think, as the disgruntled employee said, thereas a h.e.l.l of a big factory behind that little flower shop. The s.h.i.+ft changes at six oaclock. The sun was behind the hill, so my man didnat get any pictures, but he counted over 400 people going in and out of those front doors in both directions.a Cleaver nodded. a400 people, even 200, couldnat get into that little shop. I agree. Itas a concealed factory. All right, hereas the 64-dollar question. What does it build?a aMy man was fired a couple months ago. He said scaffolding and the framework for two a things were already in place.a aThings?a aHe tried to describe them: several large triangles, maybe 100 feet long by half as wide, taller than a man. He even tried to sketch them for us. I couldnat make it out.a aWell, what did the builders call them?a aa.s.ses.a aHuh?a aFrom the signs that hung next to each: a.s.sembly 1 and a.s.sembly 2.a Cleaver stared. aCome on, Jenkins. What did your man think they were?a an.o.body was told, he said, and n.o.body could guess anything that seemed to make sense. His job was producing wiring harnesses. Apparently the things will contain mile after mile of electrical wire with terminals every three or four inches in all directions inside the skin.a Cleaver blinked. aWhat the h.e.l.l!a aAbout what I said. The more he described these aa.s.sesa the muddier they became.a aI take it you never got anyone inside?a aNot yet. Two of my people have put in job applications, but Fernworks isnat hiring just now.a Cleaver leaned back, hands behind his head, and thought for several seconds before asking, aWere any of your detectives challenged?a aAt Fernworks? No, but then, we didnat try to get into it.a aBut you got close enough to photograph people coming and going, didnat you? Did you note any prominent visitor, I mean, besides my pal, Tim?a Jenkins shook his head. aNo. In fact we checked around the county and got names for everybody we snapped. Hmm. All except one.a He dug up another glossy and c.o.c.ked an eyebrow at it before pa.s.sing it over. aNice chest.a Cleaver had only to glance at it. aRosalind!a he roared, cascading laughter. aOh, you sweet little s.l.u.t!a To the detective he presented a visage wreathed in smiles. aThis ties it up, you know. Now there can be no question that indeed we have located Tim Kimball and his works, whatever he calls it or himself and whoever is paying his bill.a The man in the smoking jacket got to his feet. The three in gray, recognizing the end of the meeting, rose also.

aYouave done very well indeed, Jenkins. Thank you. Sh.e.l.ley will give you a check.a aThank you, sir! Any further orders?a aNo, I need to do some deep thinking for a day or two, plus a little checking of my own. But keep your operatives in Asheville for the time being. My pal Tim will soon find out how much he has underestimated me. What he does then will be interesting to see.a I lowered the viewer slowly. aWhen did this scene occur?a aYesterday.a Clara sat across her bedroom from me and regarded me searchingly. aOur secret is out.a aPartly. Have you seen anything else about this?a aNot yet. It strikes me as interesting that Cleaver didnat confirm Tillyas report of your s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p claim, nor let on to his detectives what Fernworks is building.a She smiled. aI guess he doubts anyone would believe it.a aOr wants to keep it secret for his own purposes.a aWhat are his purposes, Tim?a aHe wants to buy in to Fernworks first, hoping to obtain our medical services later.a aHe told you that?a aLook up my meeting with him in the salon of his yacht. d.a.m.n! I do keep making mistakes with peopleas memories.a She sighed. aYou could hardly have known of his wire recorders.a I growled. aIave often thought I compounded the mistake when Rosalind told me about them. I shouldave gone back to that yacht and killed Cleaver and anyone else who prevented me from retrieving those spools.a She got up and came to me. Her hand stroked my shoulder. aIam very glad you didnat, Tim. You have the power to kill but not the temperament. If youad gone back that day, youad be a different man now, darling, and not a better one.a aPerhaps so. But I doubt anything less than deadly force will stop that guy, especially now.a aPerhaps something less than deadly. If you could deliver him to me aa aI thought of that with Allie. Does the Twenty-Fourth Century have a method to remove selected memories?a aYes, it does, but itas not pleasant. Iad certainly hate to subject a bright young girl to it.a I smiled. aYouave been enjoying her, have you?a aIn many ways she reminds me of me at that age.a * * *