Abel Baker Charley (45 page)
Stanley excused himself after placing Tina on the tufted
pink bedspread, then walked toward what Tanner presumed
was the kitchen. She heard a soft voice murmuring and the
sound of cabinets opening and closing. She hurried to Tina's
side, shaking her without effect, and then to a single large
window, which faced an overgrown garden in the rear. A
rusty but solid grille covered the window from the outside.
Tanner turned from the window and crossed once more to
the bed, almost tripping over a telephone wire. A dated black
receiver crashed to the floor from the shelf
of the other end
table. Tanner grabbed it, praying Stanley had not heard. She
dialed the operator. Nothing happened.
pink bedspread, then walked toward what Tanner presumed
was the kitchen. She heard a soft voice murmuring and the
sound of cabinets opening and closing. She hurried to Tina's
side, shaking her without effect, and then to a single large
window, which faced an overgrown garden in the rear. A
rusty but solid grille covered the window from the outside.
Tanner turned from the window and crossed once more to
the bed, almost tripping over a telephone wire. A dated black
receiver crashed to the floor from the shelf
of the other end
table. Tanner grabbed it, praying Stanley had not heard. She
dialed the operator. Nothing happened.
“It don't work.” Stanley's voice came from the doorway.
He stood watching her with a fabric-covered ice bag in one
hand and tape and scissors in the other. “I'd get it fixed, but
she'd right away start asking how come I never call her. You
want to sit down over there?” Stanley pointed to the chair
farthest from the bed.
hand and tape and scissors in the other. “I'd get it fixed, but
she'd right away start asking how come I never call her. You
want to sit down over there?” Stanley pointed to the chair
farthest from the bed.
”I don't want you to get nervous about this,” he said, stripping several lengths of tape from the roll and guiding
Tanner's arms behind her with a touch. ”I mean, nothing bad
is going to happen, like Tortora's kid tried to do. What about
going to the bathroom? You have to go or anything before I
put this tape on?”
Tanner's arms behind her with a touch. ”I mean, nothing bad
is going to happen, like Tortora's kid tried to do. What about
going to the bathroom? You have to go or anything before I
put this tape on?”
Tanner blinked and shook her head. “What are you going
to do with us?”
to do with us?”
“Nothing bad,” he repeated. “Tortora just wants Baker. He don't want to hurt the little girl. Anyhow, I wouldn't let
him.”
him.”
“But you'll let him hurt her father?”
Stanley shrugged and wrapped the first length of tape
around her wrists. ”I think the question is how come Baker
wants to hurt Tortora and did a number on Tortora's kid. Not
that the kid was that big a loss. It's like when they say it's
the thought that counts. It's very disrespectful, what he did.
Like a dare, you know? Tortora don't like that. He also
wants to know how come. How's that feel, by the way? Not
too tight?”
around her wrists. ”I think the question is how come Baker
wants to hurt Tortora and did a number on Tortora's kid. Not
that the kid was that big a loss. It's like when they say it's
the thought that counts. It's very disrespectful, what he did.
Like a dare, you know? Tortora don't like that. He also
wants to know how come. How's that feel, by the way? Not
too tight?”
Tanner shook her head.
Satisfied that the tape would hold, Stanley picked up the ice bag and walked to the bed, where he placed it carefully
against Tina's ankle. Then he folded back the bedspread and
tucked it around her body. Tina gave a small moan.
against Tina's ankle. Then he folded back the bedspread and
tucked it around her body. Tina gave a small moan.
”A little while, my mother will fix some lunch,” he told
Tanner as he moved toward the door. ”I don't know if the kid
can eat by then. Later, I come back, maybe I'll bring some
Chinese.”
Tanner as he moved toward the door. ”I don't know if the kid
can eat by then. Later, I come back, maybe I'll bring some
Chinese.”
She listened as he walked to the kitchen again and spoke
some muffled words. Tanner thought she heard the front door click shut, she wasn't sure. The sound was lost in the
clatter of utensils and the soft shuffling of slippered feet. He
was gone, she decided at last. His mother would be coming
soon. Perhaps Tanner could talk to her. Get her to cut the
tape or at least go down to the street for help. She'd have to.
How could any old woman, Stanley's mother or not, allow this to happen in her home? Fear, maybe. Maybe she was
just as frightened of her strangely gentle but lunatic son. Or maybe she was just as crazy as he is. Tanner shook her head
sharply, regretting even the thought. The last thing she
wanted to imagine was that the little old woman out there rummaging through drawers filled with carving knives was
as mad as Stanley Levy. Tanner began to shiver.
some muffled words. Tanner thought she heard the front door click shut, she wasn't sure. The sound was lost in the
clatter of utensils and the soft shuffling of slippered feet. He
was gone, she decided at last. His mother would be coming
soon. Perhaps Tanner could talk to her. Get her to cut the
tape or at least go down to the street for help. She'd have to.
How could any old woman, Stanley's mother or not, allow this to happen in her home? Fear, maybe. Maybe she was
just as frightened of her strangely gentle but lunatic son. Or maybe she was just as crazy as he is. Tanner shook her head
sharply, regretting even the thought. The last thing she
wanted to imagine was that the little old woman out there rummaging through drawers filled with carving knives was
as mad as Stanley Levy. Tanner began to shiver.
Tina was dreaming once more. It was the halfway sort of
dream, she knew, when you're partly awake and partly asleep
and it's hard to know what's real and what isn't. Tanner
Burke was here. That part couldn't be real.
Can it, Daddy? I
mean, she's sitting right here in a chair. I should wake up.
But I mostly don 't want to and find out
I’
m dreaming.
dream, she knew, when you're partly awake and partly asleep
and it's hard to know what's real and what isn't. Tanner
Burke was here. That part couldn't be real.
Can it, Daddy? I
mean, she's sitting right here in a chair. I should wake up.
But I mostly don 't want to and find out
I’
m dreaming.
Daddy? Are you getting angry? About what? You think
she's here too? She is. She really is. Right here in my bed
room.
she's here too? She is. She really is. Right here in my bed
room.
Daddy, I can't hear. You're yelling. What do you mean, where's my room. You know where my room is. And she's
here. Her real name is Liz. Did you know that? She wants
me to call her that, and she says only her most special peo
ple call her Liz.
here. Her real name is Liz. Did you know that? She wants
me to call her that, and she says only her most special peo
ple call her Liz.
Baker snarled aloud, startling Harrigan, who was listening
to the sound of moving feet on the floor above. Like a caged
animal, Baker paced the few feet of the small room—back,
forth, back again—then with another angry snarl reached for
the ventilator cover and tore it from its clasps.
to the sound of moving feet on the floor above. Like a caged
animal, Baker paced the few feet of the small room—back,
forth, back again—then with another angry snarl reached for
the ventilator cover and tore it from its clasps.
“Hey,” Harrigan snapped, keeping his voice at a whisper,
“what the hell are you doing?”
“what the hell are you doing?”
“Getting out of here.” Baker ducked his head into the nar
row opening. Harrigan snatched at his coat collar and jerked
him back.
row opening. Harrigan snatched at his coat collar and jerked
him back.
“What's the matter with you? You stick your head out of
that well, you're going to get a hole in it.”
that well, you're going to get a hole in it.”
“They're in New York someplace.” Baker's eyes were flaming. “Get out of my way, Harrigan.”
Baker never saw the punch coming. He saw a burst of
light that flashed from his temple and felt his knees crash to
the floor. Harrigan saw his eyes glaze over. They blinked as
if confused, and tears came from one of them. They were
clearing. Harrigan thought he saw the beginnings of a grin
as he hit Baker again and a third time. He caught Baker as he fell forward.
light that flashed from his temple and felt his knees crash to
the floor. Harrigan saw his eyes glaze over. They blinked as
if confused, and tears came from one of them. They were
clearing. Harrigan thought he saw the beginnings of a grin
as he hit Baker again and a third time. He caught Baker as he fell forward.
“Sorry, lad. We have things to learn here first.” Harrigan
peered anxiously into Baker's face, a Hail Mary on his lips that the three blows had been enough.
peered anxiously into Baker's face, a Hail Mary on his lips that the three blows had been enough.
In Tina's half-dream, she saw her father falling. First he was
angry, really angry, then he sort of melted down. Floated down. Not angry anymore. Just kind of lost and calling out
for people. For her and for Tanner. For Liz. And for some
one else whose name sounded like
Abe.
Like he was trying
to say the name and he couldn't.
angry, really angry, then he sort of melted down. Floated down. Not angry anymore. Just kind of lost and calling out
for people. For her and for Tanner. For Liz. And for some
one else whose name sounded like
Abe.
Like he was trying
to say the name and he couldn't.
He was floating down now but she was floating up. She
could see a woman there, right there in the chair, like in her
dream. Same hair. Same face. Oh gosh, it's really Tanner
Burke. It's Tanner Burke right here in my— Wait a minute.
This isn't my room. And there was that man. With the nee
dle. And there was someone who tried to choke the man
with a cord. No, wait. That was a real dream, that last part. Tanner? I mean, Liz?
could see a woman there, right there in the chair, like in her
dream. Same hair. Same face. Oh gosh, it's really Tanner
Burke. It's Tanner Burke right here in my— Wait a minute.
This isn't my room. And there was that man. With the nee
dle. And there was someone who tried to choke the man
with a cord. No, wait. That was a real dream, that last part. Tanner? I mean, Liz?
“Wake up, honey,” Tanner whispered urgently. “Look. Look at this tape.” She'd pushed her chair closer to the bed
and half-turned so Tina could see her wrists. “Tina, honey, try. See if you can reach this tape.”
and half-turned so Tina could see her wrists. “Tina, honey, try. See if you can reach this tape.”
Tina raised one hand, searching toward Tanner's wrists
with her fingertips. The hand hovered two feet short of its
mark and then fell lazily to the bed.
with her fingertips. The hand hovered two feet short of its
mark and then fell lazily to the bed.
“Try, Tina. Scooch over closer and try again. Tina,
try . . .” She froze at the sound of the door opening.
try . . .” She froze at the sound of the door opening.
Tanner could not see at first. The knob turned and then
the door swung in. First a tray appeared with plates and
glasses on it, all balanced on one hand while another
grasped the edge of the door to close it. Now, by twisting her
neck, Tanner could see the woman out of the corner of her
eye. She wore an old, ragged bathrobe that reached all the
way to slippered feet. Her ill-kept hair was drawn back in a
wiry bun the way Golda Meir wore her hair. Golda Levy?
Tanner saw at once the resemblance between the woman and
her son. But she was young. Too young, Tanner thought, to
be the mother of anyone the age of Stanley Levy. The
woman smiled gently at Tanner Burke and brightened fur
ther when she saw that Tina was rousing.
the door swung in. First a tray appeared with plates and
glasses on it, all balanced on one hand while another
grasped the edge of the door to close it. Now, by twisting her
neck, Tanner could see the woman out of the corner of her
eye. She wore an old, ragged bathrobe that reached all the
way to slippered feet. Her ill-kept hair was drawn back in a
wiry bun the way Golda Meir wore her hair. Golda Levy?
Tanner saw at once the resemblance between the woman and
her son. But she was young. Too young, Tanner thought, to
be the mother of anyone the age of Stanley Levy. The
woman smiled gently at Tanner Burke and brightened fur
ther when she saw that Tina was rousing.
“You like egg salad?” she asked. “There's some nice soup
also.”
also.”
Tina answered with a sleepy smile. It was a dream after
all, she realized, at least the part about the man with the nee
dle. There wasn't any such man at all. Just this old lady. And
I'm with Tanner Burke and we're going to have lunch.
all, she realized, at least the part about the man with the nee
dle. There wasn't any such man at all. Just this old lady. And
I'm with Tanner Burke and we're going to have lunch.
The old woman placed the tray on the bureau and smiled
at one of Stanley's photographs. “While we eat we can
watch the television.
General Hospital
is almost on.” She
shook out a napkin and laid it across Tanner's lap. “Then
after, maybe you'd like if I read to you. You like Sherlock Holmes? I could read
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire
if it ain't too scary for the girl here.”
at one of Stanley's photographs. “While we eat we can
watch the television.
General Hospital
is almost on.” She
shook out a napkin and laid it across Tanner's lap. “Then
after, maybe you'd like if I read to you. You like Sherlock Holmes? I could read
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire
if it ain't too scary for the girl here.”
Tanner swallowed back a sob. Tears of exhaustion and
helplessness appeared in her eyes and a dull, sinking horror
throbbed in her stomach. The gentle old lady holding a
spoonful of soup toward her mouth was not Stanley Levy's mother after all. It was Stanley Levy himself. And the per
son smiling sweetly before her chair seemed to have no idea
in the world that she was Stanley Levy.
helplessness appeared in her eyes and a dull, sinking horror
throbbed in her stomach. The gentle old lady holding a
spoonful of soup toward her mouth was not Stanley Levy's mother after all. It was Stanley Levy himself. And the per
son smiling sweetly before her chair seemed to have no idea
in the world that she was Stanley Levy.
16
Ed Burleson was the first through the door left ajar by Con
nor Harrigan. Two more men followed, snapping the safeties
off their automatic weapons, and fanned out inside, directed
by a wave of Burleson's hand. Burleson, like Harrigan,
knew at a glance that the house was unoccupied. He touched
one man's shoulder and pointed to the sliding patio doors at
the far end of the living room. The man crossed and opened them, allowing Michael Biaggi and the man called Peterson
to enter.
nor Harrigan. Two more men followed, snapping the safeties
off their automatic weapons, and fanned out inside, directed
by a wave of Burleson's hand. Burleson, like Harrigan,
knew at a glance that the house was unoccupied. He touched
one man's shoulder and pointed to the sliding patio doors at
the far end of the living room. The man crossed and opened them, allowing Michael Biaggi and the man called Peterson
to enter.
Behind Burleson, in the driveway, Duncan Peck sensed it
too. He brushed off the restraining hand of an agent sta
tioned near the gate and walked slowly toward the door, dis
appointment keen on his face. Ed Burleson heard his
footsteps on the gravel and turned to intercept him.
too. He brushed off the restraining hand of an agent sta
tioned near the gate and walked slowly toward the door, dis
appointment keen on his face. Ed Burleson heard his
footsteps on the gravel and turned to intercept him.
“It's not safe yet, sir,” Burleson told him quietly.
“Our friend has flown the coop, I take it?”
“It would seem so, sir. The house looks abandoned, but I
suggest you wait until my men secure it. It could easily be
booby trapped.”
suggest you wait until my men secure it. It could easily be
booby trapped.”
Peck allowed himself a sigh. “Your men couldn't secure this house if they had a week and a fleet of minesweepers to
do it. No offense, Edward, but I know this man.” Peck
walked past Burleson and through Sonnenberg's front door.
do it. No offense, Edward, but I know this man.” Peck
walked past Burleson and through Sonnenberg's front door.
Peterson, with Biaggi following, was already on the sec
ond floor. The two moved quickly from room to room, open
ing doors and bursting through in a crouch, or trading hand
signals that argued over who would be the first to turn a
blind corner. Peck heard the stomping sounds above him and
the crack of a lock being kicked open. He winced at the
damage being done to so fine an example of Colonial archi
tecture. And as he winced, he was struck by the clear and
certain feeling that he was not alone in his reaction. Peck
folded his arms and let his eyes wander along the walls and
ceiling of the center hall. He smiled and raised a hand
toward Burleson.
ond floor. The two moved quickly from room to room, open
ing doors and bursting through in a crouch, or trading hand
signals that argued over who would be the first to turn a
blind corner. Peck heard the stomping sounds above him and
the crack of a lock being kicked open. He winced at the
damage being done to so fine an example of Colonial archi
tecture. And as he winced, he was struck by the clear and
certain feeling that he was not alone in his reaction. Peck
folded his arms and let his eyes wander along the walls and
ceiling of the center hall. He smiled and raised a hand
toward Burleson.
“Clear them out, Edward,” he ordered.
“The search isn't completed, sir. Sonnenberg may have left some sign of where he's gone.”
Peck waved aside what he knew to be an idle hope. ”A message doubtless awaits us, Edward. We'll find it without
enriching the local plasterers and painters.”
enriching the local plasterers and painters.”
“Well said, Duncan.” Sonnenberg's voice seemed to float
in front of them.
in front of them.
Burleson's gun barrel snapped up at the words and
trained on the ceiling. Peck patted his shoulder and gestured the weapon away. He pointed toward a smoke detection de
vice that seemed more than a bit overlarge and had a slit two
inches square cut into it.
trained on the ceiling. Peck patted his shoulder and gestured the weapon away. He pointed toward a smoke detection de
vice that seemed more than a bit overlarge and had a slit two
inches square cut into it.
”I take it, Dr. Sonnenberg, that we're to play hide-and-
seek for a while.” He spoke directly to the smoke detector.
seek for a while.” He spoke directly to the smoke detector.
“If that amuses you, Duncan. However, you may correctly
assume that I'm out of harm's way, even if my woodwork isn't. Please do as your master asked, Mr. Burleson. Send
away your various androids so my friend and I can chat.”
assume that I'm out of harm's way, even if my woodwork isn't. Please do as your master asked, Mr. Burleson. Send
away your various androids so my friend and I can chat.”
Burleson looked questioningly at Duncan Peck, who was busy scribbling a few lines on a piece of paper. This he tore off a pad and handed to Burleson. Burleson read it and, still doubtful, placed two fingers against his teeth and whistled.
Peterson appeared at the top of the stairs, followed by Biaggi, then two more from the kitchen and study. Burleson
huddled briefly with the four, brushing aside their questions,
and directed them to positions outside the doors they'd orig
inally entered. Biaggi left more reluctantly than the others. Burleson remained.
Peterson appeared at the top of the stairs, followed by Biaggi, then two more from the kitchen and study. Burleson
huddled briefly with the four, brushing aside their questions,
and directed them to positions outside the doors they'd orig
inally entered. Biaggi left more reluctantly than the others. Burleson remained.
“This one is to stay, I take it?” Sonnenberg asked.
“If it's quite all right.”
“I'm delighted,” said Sonnenberg expansively. “Wel
come, Mr. Burleson. Your invited presence suggests either
that Mr. Peck would trust you with his life or that he fully
intends to take yours when all is said and done. I suspect the
latter. What was on the little note, by the way?”
come, Mr. Burleson. Your invited presence suggests either
that Mr. Peck would trust you with his life or that he fully
intends to take yours when all is said and done. I suspect the
latter. What was on the little note, by the way?”
Burleson folded his arms over his Uzi but offered no
other expression.
other expression.
“Gentlemen don't read each other's mail, as they say,
Doctor,” Peck answered. “Obviously, however, it contained
instructions. What to do next, where else to look for you,
that sort of thing.”
Doctor,” Peck answered. “Obviously, however, it contained
instructions. What to do next, where else to look for you,
that sort of thing.”
“Well, if you'd asked, I'd have been more than happy to
give you a hint. But you've been rude, so I won't. And as for
this Dr. Sonnenberg business, you know perfectly well who
I am. Or was. Back then, at least. One of these telescanners, incidentally, is installed in my study. By all means choose a comfortable place to sit and we'll have a long and frank dis
cussion about old times and new. And I shall be frank, Dun
can. I shall even be Blount.”
give you a hint. But you've been rude, so I won't. And as for
this Dr. Sonnenberg business, you know perfectly well who
I am. Or was. Back then, at least. One of these telescanners, incidentally, is installed in my study. By all means choose a comfortable place to sit and we'll have a long and frank dis
cussion about old times and new. And I shall be frank, Dun
can. I shall even be Blount.”
Peck shook his head wearily and turned to Burleson.
“That was a pun, Edward. Blount. It's the man's name. He
was Ivor Blount when he worked for me.”
“That was a pun, Edward. Blount. It's the man's name. He
was Ivor Blount when he worked for me.”
“I'll bet you're just breathless to hear the story, aren't
you, Edward?”
you, Edward?”
“Ivor—”
“Call me Marcus, Duncan. Less confusing.”
“Marcus, is there a point to this? Not that I mind listen
ing to your demented chitchat while my people search for
you, but what exactly do you expect me to contribute? You
hardly expect me to bare my innermost thoughts for the ben
efit of your recording devices.”
ing to your demented chitchat while my people search for
you, but what exactly do you expect me to contribute? You
hardly expect me to bare my innermost thoughts for the ben
efit of your recording devices.”
“Not a bit of it, Duncan. There are no such devices. My
word on it.” Unless we count Connor Harrigan's own
notepad, he thought, upon which he too is doubtless begin
ning to scribble downstairs. Sonnenberg decided he'd for
give himself the small lie of omission. “In any case, I won't
ask you to admit a thing. I do, however, have a surprise for
you in just a short while. Do you mind if I pass the time
telling Mr. Burleson a story or two?”
word on it.” Unless we count Connor Harrigan's own
notepad, he thought, upon which he too is doubtless begin
ning to scribble downstairs. Sonnenberg decided he'd for
give himself the small lie of omission. “In any case, I won't
ask you to admit a thing. I do, however, have a surprise for
you in just a short while. Do you mind if I pass the time
telling Mr. Burleson a story or two?”
“Would this surprise involve a lethal device, old friend?”
Peck began to envision being blown up or electrocuted if he
sought comfort in the wrong chair.
Peck began to envision being blown up or electrocuted if he
sought comfort in the wrong chair.
“
Absolutely not!” Sonnenberg's voice seemed appalled at
the suggestion. “You're a guest in my home, Duncan. I in
tend merely to annoy you. But there will be compensation, I
promise, in the coin of useful and valuable information.”
Absolutely not!” Sonnenberg's voice seemed appalled at
the suggestion. “You're a guest in my home, Duncan. I in
tend merely to annoy you. But there will be compensation, I
promise, in the coin of useful and valuable information.”
Duncan Peck smiled. “We'll see who annoys whom,
Marcus.” Peck strolled toward the study as he spoke, decid
ing to take Sonnenberg at his word. Burleson followed and,
after Peck was seated, chose a lesser seat for himself.
Marcus.” Peck strolled toward the study as he spoke, decid
ing to take Sonnenberg at his word. Burleson followed and,
after Peck was seated, chose a lesser seat for himself.
“Where to begin?” The speaker in the hall clicked off and
another beneath the study's mantel clicked on. ”I suppose, Edward . . . May I call you Edward? Thank you. I suppose
the tale begins in 1944, Edward. Back when war could be
fun. Bond rallies, patriotic songs, winning—that sort of
thing. Spying, too, had a certain grandeur to it then. The es
pionage game attracted every sort of person. Patriots, hu
manists, swashbucklers, and most reliable of all, those who
did it for the money. This was before we learned to homog
enize our spies and turn earnest young Fordham and Georgetown graduates into sociopaths like yourself, Ed
ward.
another beneath the study's mantel clicked on. ”I suppose, Edward . . . May I call you Edward? Thank you. I suppose
the tale begins in 1944, Edward. Back when war could be
fun. Bond rallies, patriotic songs, winning—that sort of
thing. Spying, too, had a certain grandeur to it then. The es
pionage game attracted every sort of person. Patriots, hu
manists, swashbucklers, and most reliable of all, those who
did it for the money. This was before we learned to homog
enize our spies and turn earnest young Fordham and Georgetown graduates into sociopaths like yourself, Ed
ward.
“But I digress. Duncan here, and yours truly, were once
what a chronicler of the time described as the young lions.
We fought and dared. Dared mostly. My job, under Duncan,
was to train American agents for assignment to occupied
European countries. Others taught them how to spy, to kill
silently, to kidnap, and to otherwise make mischief. I taught them how not to get caught. I taught them how to blend with any populace and how to convincingly live whatever identity
they assumed. I could, immodestly perhaps, turn a shoe
salesman into a pastry chef or a yachtsman into a truck
driver. If I am boasting, Edward, it's not entirely without
cause. No one placed in my charge was ever caught, save
two women who were deliberately betrayed by Duncan here in order to have false information torn out of them through
their fingernails. It was then that I began to suspect that
Duncan's loyalties and personal ethics were less than
rigid
.”
what a chronicler of the time described as the young lions.
We fought and dared. Dared mostly. My job, under Duncan,
was to train American agents for assignment to occupied
European countries. Others taught them how to spy, to kill
silently, to kidnap, and to otherwise make mischief. I taught them how not to get caught. I taught them how to blend with any populace and how to convincingly live whatever identity
they assumed. I could, immodestly perhaps, turn a shoe
salesman into a pastry chef or a yachtsman into a truck
driver. If I am boasting, Edward, it's not entirely without
cause. No one placed in my charge was ever caught, save
two women who were deliberately betrayed by Duncan here in order to have false information torn out of them through
their fingernails. It was then that I began to suspect that
Duncan's loyalties and personal ethics were less than
rigid
.”
Duncan Peck glanced at Burleson and shook his head
sadly. Burleson nodded that he understood the occasional need for reluctant ruthlessness. He understood further, his
e
yes said, what a trial it must have been for Peck to work
with such a pansy. Peck glanced out the window. Peterson was near the front gate now. He held a device with a large
circular antenna in one hand and a transceiver in the other.
A direction finder, Duncan Peck knew. Perhaps he would
not have to endure this very much longer. But long enough to fill in a gap or two.
sadly. Burleson nodded that he understood the occasional need for reluctant ruthlessness. He understood further, his
e
yes said, what a trial it must have been for Peck to work
with such a pansy. Peck glanced out the window. Peterson was near the front gate now. He held a device with a large
circular antenna in one hand and a transceiver in the other.
A direction finder, Duncan Peck knew. Perhaps he would
not have to endure this very much longer. But long enough to fill in a gap or two.
“After the war ended,” Sonnenberg continued, ”I lingered
on, performing a similar service but in reverse. People who
were then in need of new identities included defectors, cer
tain witnesses, agents who'd committed capital crimes more
or less in the line of duty, and the like. Since the manage
ment of such an operation requires a certain indifference to
truth and convention, Duncan Peck was naturally put in
charge. The terribly secret Relocation Service was off and
running.
on, performing a similar service but in reverse. People who
were then in need of new identities included defectors, cer
tain witnesses, agents who'd committed capital crimes more
or less in the line of duty, and the like. Since the manage
ment of such an operation requires a certain indifference to
truth and convention, Duncan Peck was naturally put in
charge. The terribly secret Relocation Service was off and
running.
“As it grew, Duncan found it convenient to use more and
more of these people for his own ends. I mean, what's the
use of having a political assassin on hand if you're going to let him lie fallow? Or a skillful forger. Or an extortionist.
You understand this, don't you, Edward?
You see it as a per
fectly sensible alternative to leaving the power in the hands
of the flighty electorate. I, however, was one of the flighty
ones. I thought he was wrong and said so, even threatened to
make my views more broadly known. So here you see truth
and convention rearing their ugly heads again. Having heard
me voice such alien concepts, Duncan reasonably concluded
that I was deranged. From his point of view I probably was. It was not long afterward that others in government, includ
ing an honest man here and there, began to share his con
viction. In truth, I was a bit of an eccentric. My public
behavior became increasingly bizarre, thanks to certain con
trolled substances that found their way onto my luncheon plate whenever I dined with Duncan. In a matter of weeks, Duncan managed to do such violence to my credibility that
my every pronouncement was seen as the raving of a lunatic.
It remained only to put me where lunatics go. You're famil
iar with St. Elizabeths Hospital, Edward? It's where we en
tombed the poet Ezra Pound during the war. It seems that he
recognized a random good quality in Germans and Italians
before the rest of us were prepared to embrace a similar no
tion. Ezra was allowed to rant on for years, but in my case
that simply wouldn't do.
more of these people for his own ends. I mean, what's the
use of having a political assassin on hand if you're going to let him lie fallow? Or a skillful forger. Or an extortionist.
You understand this, don't you, Edward?
You see it as a per
fectly sensible alternative to leaving the power in the hands
of the flighty electorate. I, however, was one of the flighty
ones. I thought he was wrong and said so, even threatened to
make my views more broadly known. So here you see truth
and convention rearing their ugly heads again. Having heard
me voice such alien concepts, Duncan reasonably concluded
that I was deranged. From his point of view I probably was. It was not long afterward that others in government, includ
ing an honest man here and there, began to share his con
viction. In truth, I was a bit of an eccentric. My public
behavior became increasingly bizarre, thanks to certain con
trolled substances that found their way onto my luncheon plate whenever I dined with Duncan. In a matter of weeks, Duncan managed to do such violence to my credibility that
my every pronouncement was seen as the raving of a lunatic.
It remained only to put me where lunatics go. You're famil
iar with St. Elizabeths Hospital, Edward? It's where we en
tombed the poet Ezra Pound during the war. It seems that he
recognized a random good quality in Germans and Italians
before the rest of us were prepared to embrace a similar no
tion. Ezra was allowed to rant on for years, but in my case
that simply wouldn't do.
“Two attempts were made on my life. The first involved an accidental overdose of drugs, which failed only because
I'd learned by that time to palm half of every dosage as a
matter of course. As it was, the remaining quantity left me
in a coma for ten days. For the second attempt, I was slashed in the dead of night by a deranged inmate. I survived, as you
see, but my assailant was never identified. He was a portly
fellow, like myself, but with a bent nose, and he smelled of cheap cigars.
I'd learned by that time to palm half of every dosage as a
matter of course. As it was, the remaining quantity left me
in a coma for ten days. For the second attempt, I was slashed in the dead of night by a deranged inmate. I survived, as you
see, but my assailant was never identified. He was a portly
fellow, like myself, but with a bent nose, and he smelled of cheap cigars.
“Well, enough was enough. Feeling distinctly unwanted
by this time, I decided to leave. Christmas was fast ap
proaching. You remember Christmas, Edward. Good will
toward men, gaily wrapped gifts, a goose spitting in the
oven? No, I don't suppose you do. In any case, it was the one
time of the year when Duncan's security was somewhat re
laxed. I had several plans in mind. The best of a bad lot in
volved setting a fire in the common room and escaping in the smoke and confusion. They allowed us to work with paints for therapy, you see, and my ward contained no end
of combustible materials. A fire would get me off the floor,
but the gates outside were another matter. My salvation
came indirectly from Duncan here in the person of Santa
Claus himself.”
by this time, I decided to leave. Christmas was fast ap
proaching. You remember Christmas, Edward. Good will
toward men, gaily wrapped gifts, a goose spitting in the
oven? No, I don't suppose you do. In any case, it was the one
time of the year when Duncan's security was somewhat re
laxed. I had several plans in mind. The best of a bad lot in
volved setting a fire in the common room and escaping in the smoke and confusion. They allowed us to work with paints for therapy, you see, and my ward contained no end
of combustible materials. A fire would get me off the floor,
but the gates outside were another matter. My salvation
came indirectly from Duncan here in the person of Santa
Claus himself.”
In the basement room, Connor Harrigan put down his
notepad at the sound of a grunt from Baker. He snatched up
the yellow dart he'd kept in readiness and rushed to the cot
where Baker lay. With the point of the dart against the mus
cle tissue of Baker's neck, Harrigan watched his eyes as he
stirred.
notepad at the sound of a grunt from Baker. He snatched up
the yellow dart he'd kept in readiness and rushed to the cot
where Baker lay. With the point of the dart against the mus
cle tissue of Baker's neck, Harrigan watched his eyes as he
stirred.
“Sorry, lad,” he said softly. “And I'll be sorrier still if you
blink and I see the beastie looking back at me.”
blink and I see the beastie looking back at me.”
Baker filled his lungs and winced, his fingers moving tenderly against his jaw. Frowning, his eyes still closed, he
reached inside his mouth and probed a tooth that had
l
been
l
oosend. Harrigan relaxed and drew away the dart. The soft
green eyes opened. There were no tears.
reached inside his mouth and probed a tooth that had
l
been
l
oosend. Harrigan relaxed and drew away the dart. The soft
green eyes opened. There were no tears.
“’
Twas for your own good, lad. You're no good to your daughter dead or in irons.”
Twas for your own good, lad. You're no good to your daughter dead or in irons.”
Harrigan didn't see the blow coming either. Baker's fist
caught him high on the cheek and smashed him backward
against the Morris chair. Harrigan rolled and kicked, trying
to regain his legs, but they would not hold him. He covered
his face with his arms and waited for Baker's attack. None came. Cautiously, he peeked through his guard.
caught him high on the cheek and smashed him backward
against the Morris chair. Harrigan rolled and kicked, trying
to regain his legs, but they would not hold him. He covered
his face with his arms and waited for Baker's attack. None came. Cautiously, he peeked through his guard.
Baker was ignoring him. Baker for sure. He sat on the
edge of the cot, his head still clearing, focusing now on the
familiar voice coming over the small speaker. Harrigan
climbed onto the Morris chair and sat.
edge of the cot, his head still clearing, focusing now on the
familiar voice coming over the small speaker. Harrigan
climbed onto the Morris chair and sat.
“Harrigan?” Baker asked, not looking at him, “you won't
hit me anymore, will you?”
hit me anymore, will you?”
Harrigan touched his eye. “Not if this is how I'm thanked
for it.”
for it.”
“I'd appreciate it.”
Harrigan leaned forward. “There's an interesting tale
being told up there. How much of Sonnenberg's history do
you know?”
being told up there. How much of Sonnenberg's history do
you know?”
“Not much. Just what he told me. Probably none of it's
true.”
true.”
“Why don't we listen together now that we're friends
again. Do you have any notion of where Sonnenberg might
be lurking, by chance?”
again. Do you have any notion of where Sonnenberg might
be lurking, by chance?”
“Probably on his boat. It's all rigged for this kind of stuff.
He's probably talking from the middle of Long Island
Sound.”
He's probably talking from the middle of Long Island
Sound.”
“If that's the most logical guess, I suspect that it's exactly where he isn't. Hush, lad. We're about to learn of his adven
tures with Santa Claus.”
tures with Santa Claus.”
“Sure enough,” Sonnenberg's voice was saying, “on Christ
mas Eve the jolly old elf appeared, distributing presents
from room to room. My Yuletide gift was a jar of Beluga caviar, Iranian, of course, which I presumed to be teeming
with botulism. That presumption was based largely on the
fact that Santa happened to be a portly fellow like myself
who had a bent nose and smelled of cheap cigars. We chat
ted for a while of the joys of the season, and he sampled
some fudge that I'd made in another of my therapy electives.
The fudge was double chocolate with walnuts and, I'm
afraid, most of my unused sedatives. Poor old Santa went to
sleep in the middle of a swallow. Then, not wishing to de
prive the other inmates of their Christmas goodies, I took up the baton, to say nothing of Santa's costume, and went about
distributing gifts until a fire alarm cut short my rounds. It
seems the portly fellow was smoking a cigar in a bed on
which he'd carelessly spilled a can of paint thinner. A dread
ful accident. Went up like a dried-out Christmas tree, they tell me. In my room. In my bed. The authorities could be
forgiven for assuming that poor old cracked Ivor Blount was
no more.
mas Eve the jolly old elf appeared, distributing presents
from room to room. My Yuletide gift was a jar of Beluga caviar, Iranian, of course, which I presumed to be teeming
with botulism. That presumption was based largely on the
fact that Santa happened to be a portly fellow like myself
who had a bent nose and smelled of cheap cigars. We chat
ted for a while of the joys of the season, and he sampled
some fudge that I'd made in another of my therapy electives.
The fudge was double chocolate with walnuts and, I'm
afraid, most of my unused sedatives. Poor old Santa went to
sleep in the middle of a swallow. Then, not wishing to de
prive the other inmates of their Christmas goodies, I took up the baton, to say nothing of Santa's costume, and went about
distributing gifts until a fire alarm cut short my rounds. It
seems the portly fellow was smoking a cigar in a bed on
which he'd carelessly spilled a can of paint thinner. A dread
ful accident. Went up like a dried-out Christmas tree, they tell me. In my room. In my bed. The authorities could be
forgiven for assuming that poor old cracked Ivor Blount was
no more.
“But you ask, Edward, why no positive identification was
made. Dental work and the like. The answer is that Duncan
here was entirely convinced that his assassin had done his
work. Duncan had even come by St. Elizabeths to make sure
this time. How do I know? Because after a helpful orderly
escorted me to the courtyard and I approached the main
gate, whom to my wondrous eyes should appear but Duncan
Peck, his face fairly glowing with anticipation behind the rolled-down window of a car parked at the curb. He ques
tioned me with a look and I reassured him with a wave. He
then drove off with the peace of the season in his heart.
Sadly, his good humor lasted only a matter of a week or two, when it became clear that his bent-nosed Santa had vanished
like the Spirit of Christmas Past. How long, Duncan? How
long did you endure the nagging thought that something had
gone seriously askew? How many more Christmas Eves
went by without a visit from Santa before you gritted your teeth and exhumed your overdone assassin?”
made. Dental work and the like. The answer is that Duncan
here was entirely convinced that his assassin had done his
work. Duncan had even come by St. Elizabeths to make sure
this time. How do I know? Because after a helpful orderly
escorted me to the courtyard and I approached the main
gate, whom to my wondrous eyes should appear but Duncan
Peck, his face fairly glowing with anticipation behind the rolled-down window of a car parked at the curb. He ques
tioned me with a look and I reassured him with a wave. He
then drove off with the peace of the season in his heart.
Sadly, his good humor lasted only a matter of a week or two, when it became clear that his bent-nosed Santa had vanished
like the Spirit of Christmas Past. How long, Duncan? How
long did you endure the nagging thought that something had
gone seriously askew? How many more Christmas Eves
went by without a visit from Santa before you gritted your teeth and exhumed your overdone assassin?”
Peck looked at his watch and made a show of yawning.
“Oh dear me, I'm boring you. But
it won't
be much
longer. How long can it take your men to triangulate these
radio signals? Indulge me, Duncan. It's been such a long
time.”
it won't
be much
longer. How long can it take your men to triangulate these
radio signals? Indulge me, Duncan. It's been such a long
time.”
“I'm afraid you really are becoming tiresome, Ivor.”
“Marcus.”
“As you wish.” Duncan Peck pushed to his feet and wan
dered to the window facing front. Peterson was still in the
driveway, a radio at his ear. He saw Peck watching him and
signaled that he needed more time. Peck turned and faced
another smoke detector that was mounted above a corner
cabinet. “Your self-righteousness, Marcus, is tedious most
of all. You sit at what I presume to be a safe distance mock
ing me and mocking Mr. Burleson here. You mock men who
have purpose to their lives while you play at yours. You es
cape from a mental institution in which you assuredly be
longed and then for the next two decades you send me
Christmas cards signed ‘Santa’ with a little smiling face. It was a childish and arrogant act, Marcus. It was also the act
of a man who is really quite mad. Whether or not I later
chose to put you out of your misery, the papers committing you to that institution were entirely legitimate.”
dered to the window facing front. Peterson was still in the
driveway, a radio at his ear. He saw Peck watching him and
signaled that he needed more time. Peck turned and faced
another smoke detector that was mounted above a corner
cabinet. “Your self-righteousness, Marcus, is tedious most
of all. You sit at what I presume to be a safe distance mock
ing me and mocking Mr. Burleson here. You mock men who
have purpose to their lives while you play at yours. You es
cape from a mental institution in which you assuredly be
longed and then for the next two decades you send me
Christmas cards signed ‘Santa’ with a little smiling face. It was a childish and arrogant act, Marcus. It was also the act
of a man who is really quite mad. Whether or not I later
chose to put you out of your misery, the papers committing you to that institution were entirely legitimate.”
“Hmmm,” the voice answered. “Duncan, I don't suppose
you see an ethical paradox in that last sentence? Never mind.
Perhaps we are a bit bonkers, both of us. I think I'll hold to
the view that my form of lunacy is more engaging than
yours. And a great deal more fun. You're quite right, Dun
can. I play at it. I've had wonderful times and I've done
some quite wonderful things with the human mind, as I hope
to demonstrate shortly. And it's all quite to the good. So many of my people are now so much more than they were
before. Your people invariably become less. Look at this pa
thetic robot, Burleson. You took a bright-eyed collegian and
did this to him. Show me the joy in his soul, Duncan. Show me the pleasure he finds in this lofty purpose of which you
boast.”
you see an ethical paradox in that last sentence? Never mind.
Perhaps we are a bit bonkers, both of us. I think I'll hold to
the view that my form of lunacy is more engaging than
yours. And a great deal more fun. You're quite right, Dun
can. I play at it. I've had wonderful times and I've done
some quite wonderful things with the human mind, as I hope
to demonstrate shortly. And it's all quite to the good. So many of my people are now so much more than they were
before. Your people invariably become less. Look at this pa
thetic robot, Burleson. You took a bright-eyed collegian and
did this to him. Show me the joy in his soul, Duncan. Show me the pleasure he finds in this lofty purpose of which you
boast.”
“Jared Baker is hardly a barrel of laughs, Marcus.”
“True enough,” Sonnenberg acknowledged. “Jared is
troubled. Jared is in turmoil. But the best evidence of Jared Baker's humanity is that he has the capacity for inner tur
moil. He'll sort it out with my help or without it. You can't have him, by the way.”
troubled. Jared is in turmoil. But the best evidence of Jared Baker's humanity is that he has the capacity for inner tur
moil. He'll sort it out with my help or without it. You can't have him, by the way.”
“We'll see about that, Marcus.”
“We will, Duncan. We will indeed.”
”I don't suppose you'd tell me whether there are more like him. Perhaps even how you plan to use these people
who are so much better than we are.”
who are so much better than we are.”
“Don't mind at all,” Sonnenberg answered agreeably. ”I
gather the triangulation process isn't going very well.”
gather the triangulation process isn't going very well.”
“We can't expect too much from robots, Marcus. What about the other Bakers. Do I assume there are more?”
“Nope. He's one of a kind. I have a near miss or two running around, but Baker is my first real success. As for
my master plan, the truth is that I really didn't have one
until you showed signs of mucking things up. Oh, granted I
had all sorts of schemes in mind from time to time. Real
mad-scientist stuff. A race of supermen and women. Gov
ernment within a government. An army of Jared Bakers. To
morrow the world, that sort of thing. But as you
perceptively suggested, I play at it. I have neither the heart
nor the low boredom threshold necessary for a sustained conspiracy. And in any case, my people have an irritating
way of thinking for themselves at inconvenient times, un
like your doomed innocent here. In my loonier states I sup
pose I've teetered on the brink of a Messiah or Napoleon
complex, but I really think I lack the power drive that would
have made me sally forth from my little Elba here.
Hmmph.” Sonnenberg chuckled. ”A pun leaps to mind.
Elba was I ere I saw Abel. Hmmph. That's really quite apt. Sorry, Duncan. Inside joke.”
my master plan, the truth is that I really didn't have one
until you showed signs of mucking things up. Oh, granted I
had all sorts of schemes in mind from time to time. Real
mad-scientist stuff. A race of supermen and women. Gov
ernment within a government. An army of Jared Bakers. To
morrow the world, that sort of thing. But as you
perceptively suggested, I play at it. I have neither the heart
nor the low boredom threshold necessary for a sustained conspiracy. And in any case, my people have an irritating
way of thinking for themselves at inconvenient times, un
like your doomed innocent here. In my loonier states I sup
pose I've teetered on the brink of a Messiah or Napoleon
complex, but I really think I lack the power drive that would
have made me sally forth from my little Elba here.
Hmmph.” Sonnenberg chuckled. ”A pun leaps to mind.
Elba was I ere I saw Abel. Hmmph. That's really quite apt. Sorry, Duncan. Inside joke.”
Harrigan listened in fascination, his attention punctuated by
short periods of unreasonable fury that subsided before the
anger could express itself. Even Baker was listening intently
now, no less worried about Tanner Burke and Tina, but
calmed past the point where he would have rushed uselessly
and recklessly to find them.
short periods of unreasonable fury that subsided before the
anger could express itself. Even Baker was listening intently
now, no less worried about Tanner Burke and Tina, but
calmed past the point where he would have rushed uselessly
and recklessly to find them.
“It sounds like the girl was right,” Harrigan whispered
appreciatively. “If you can believe Sonnenberg, all this time
he's just been bumbling along enjoying himself.” He mo
tioned toward the pins on Sonnenberg's map. “Is it possible
that all those people out there are sitting around waiting for
a signal that Sonnenberg doesn't ever mean to give? And why, by the way, is he letting me see where they are?”
appreciatively. “If you can believe Sonnenberg, all this time
he's just been bumbling along enjoying himself.” He mo
tioned toward the pins on Sonnenberg's map. “Is it possible
that all those people out there are sitting around waiting for
a signal that Sonnenberg doesn't ever mean to give? And why, by the way, is he letting me see where they are?”
“They're not Sonnenberg's people,” Baker answered.
“The pins are in the wrong places.”
“The pins are in the wrong places.”
Harrigan raised an eyebrow. “He wouldn't have gone to
that trouble just to mislead anyone who saw a map they wouldn't even know about. Why wouldn't he just take the
damned thing down? And what're those two pieces of crepe over Denver and Kansas City?”
that trouble just to mislead anyone who saw a map they wouldn't even know about. Why wouldn't he just take the
damned thing down? And what're those two pieces of crepe over Denver and Kansas City?”
“If you want a guess”—Baker shrugged—“I'd say
they're Peck's people. Sonnenberg wouldn't have much
trouble finding anyone Peck hid.”
they're Peck's people. Sonnenberg wouldn't have much
trouble finding anyone Peck hid.”
”I know. He wrote the book. What about the crepe?”
Baker suspected but he did not know. For reasons he
wasn't sure about, he thought of Howard Twilley. Gifted, frustrated, angry Howard Twilley, who, Baker knew, was convinced that a purpose existed behind the talent Sonnen
berg had developed in him. A purpose he was eager to fulfill
and a talent he was impatient to use in a way more signifi
cant than in the suppression of bar-room troublemakers. It
would have been only a matter of time before Sonnenberg
could no longer contain him. In a way, Baker thought, Peck
might have solved a problem by becoming a nuisance when
he did.
wasn't sure about, he thought of Howard Twilley. Gifted, frustrated, angry Howard Twilley, who, Baker knew, was convinced that a purpose existed behind the talent Sonnen
berg had developed in him. A purpose he was eager to fulfill
and a talent he was impatient to use in a way more signifi
cant than in the suppression of bar-room troublemakers. It
would have been only a matter of time before Sonnenberg
could no longer contain him. In a way, Baker thought, Peck
might have solved a problem by becoming a nuisance when
he did.
”I think it might be the demonstration Sonnenberg men
tioned a few minutes ago. I think he means to teach Peck a
lesson.”
tioned a few minutes ago. I think he means to teach Peck a
lesson.”
“How, lad?” Harrigan's brow darkened.
“Just listen.” Baker pointed to the speaker.
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