Queen of Angels (16 page)

Switch/LitVld 21/1 B Net: !AXIS (Band 4)> My mobile explorer Is beginning geological analysis of a weathered rock outcropping near the 70 N 176 W tower site. One at my ocean going explorers has not made a report in six hours. A second mobile explorer and a third balloon explorer in the circular northern sea are now detecting processed nutrition related substances that do not seem to be made by the seas ubiquitous plant tile. They may be traces of animal metabolism; they may also be spoor at an unknown 10mm of motile plant tile.

Where there are sins there is multitude. Otigen, In Ezechialem Homiliae

32

Day of the big flight, LA to Hispaniola in two hours. Dawn. Dytching relentlessly in her living room, waiting for a conference and confirmation call from D Reeve at joint PD. Concentrating isolating her fear. Her grief over Ernest genuine as if he had died. As Mary stretched and held dynamic peaceful tension she consulted the city board through her home pd net seeing LA spread out in Perez analysis colorful mosaic each color a cornmunity's state in social space of six dimensions, colors changing every day. Angry red in the jags six months running; unrest from Selector predation. Mary finished her dytch and stood naked before a full length mirror inside bathroom door, skin shining healthy but still showing the paler crease of buttock. She inspected the blanch, performing a classic Betty Grable and frowned. Least of her worries. Stepped into civvies required whenever pd worked outside the city. Trim dark cranberry and rose longsuit sleeves cut elbow-length, white gloves, static design of flowers in breeze across midline belt, elegant but within duty standards. Had a moment of dizziness not recognizing herself, knowing this the young girl looking out of her eyes, frightened, so many levels within her frightened for so many reasons none of rational. What could happen to her in Hispaniola? Milltom went there each year to try to spin their way to the platinurr life; polite gambling, well paid and socially respectable and women dark and light of financially amenable virtue. But Mary Choy would have the weight of US federal. High visibility in times of change. That worried her. She sat bent over a cup of coffee on the couch in the living room watching the pale dawn across the eastern hills on the comb monitor channel, paging through view after view from the cameras mounted around the comb exterior with a soft laconic bark of aspect numbers. Knowing she was as prepared mentally and physically as she could hope to be this day. Waiting. Feeling sorry for Ernest. Blanking that. Little girl amazed at bow far she had come living in the comb foot pd investigator body matched to long desire, all things different. What would Mother think, sister, brother Lee. Sadness over the years of silence between them all; her transformation the ultimate insult added to earlier injury. No longer a daughter or a sister. Thea. I am who Iam because I have been given a choice. I have chosen and damn you aU. Inward seeing her selfstill short, round-faced. Her eye caught the blinking green light of the silenced private number. She watched it signal a message coming through; not D Reeve, who would be using the pd line; wondered if she should answer if it would be Ernest. She needed time to sort through those difficulties. The message ended and the light switched to amber ready. She cut off the screen and opened the blinds to the real viewa wedge of the second foot and then open city and sky beyond looking north to other combs belted by clouds. Rain falling on the city here and there smudge curtains below the bluepocked ceiling. Looked back to the amber light, shook her head slowlynever could leave a message for long. Playback private line message, she said. The amber light winked to blue playback. Hello, M Choy? This is Sandra Auchoucb. We met in the joint PD Central two days ago. The display indicated accompanying picture. Mary switched on the screen and looked over the bichemicaj orbital transforms image lovely cream skin wide deer eyes patch of fur on right cheek shaved to reveal orbit guild and agency symbols. I thought Id give you a call and let you know when Im free. As I said, its not often I find kindred company during a fall. Ill be working through this week but Ill be free New Years Eve and Day. Shall we party into the binary millennium? Heres my remote code. Dont be shy. Goodbye. Mary felt a twinge and told the phone to turn off. She hadnt had many contacts or friends beyond Ernest and the pd for months. Now she was being pursued and she rather enjoyed the thought of talking and sharing the New Year with somebody new and sympathetic. Send text message to Auchouch remote number, she said. Sandra: Off on travel for a few days. Let you know when Im back. Thanks for calling. Terminate and send. The pd line chimed fairy carillon. Answer. Hello, this is Mary Choy. M Choy, D Reeve. We have everything prepared for your flight. Ive confirmed two of our top interstate and international investigators to assist you. Theyre canny about Hispaniola theyve had to deal with Colonel Sirs less tasty shadows for years now. I believe you know their names: Thomas Cramer from State/City International, Xavier Duschesnes from Interstate. I have them both on conference now, T Cramer, Washington, DC. Cramer appeared, late twenties early thirties dark haired round faced wearing what pds thought of as federal camouflage gray longsuit puffed collar shirt draped cuffs. Cramer was LA extended pd, his job to interface with federal for international problems that affected LA and southern California. Mary knew his work; he tracked hellcrowns and other illegal imports. Cameo beside Cramer appeared another: Mary did not recognize him. X Duschesnes, Interstate, Reeve introduced. Xavier is in New Orleans. Both will be joining you in Hispaniola later in the evening, a few hours after your arrival. I thought youd like to talk before departure, brief each other on last minute details. Mary nodded cordially. Duschesnes and Cramer returned her greetings. They both seemed tired. Were going into Colonel Sirs boudoir, looking for a murderer, Cramer said. I hope LA has exhausted all other possibilities. We found a reservation for a flight to Hispaniola in his name, Mary said. And an invitation from Yardley himself. Our sources havent found him in the city, and Oversight told us he has done nothing outside the city for several days. Cramer whistled. You got more than zip from Oversight? In the silky, he said. Caribbean Suborbital NordAmericAir confirms that his ticket to Hispaniola was used, but cannot confirm he used it. We inquired through federal, and federal passed our concern on to Hispaniola. Federal tells us it has received a formal diplomatic international clearance for investigation from Yardley himself. They deny that Goldsmith has entered, but were cleared to search Hispaniola and use all of their police facilities. I suspect federal put considerable pressure on the Hispaniola government, Duschesnes said. Theres a lot of hot and sandy here between federal and Hispaniola. Weve just closed down two continental clearing houses for hellcrowns. Federal is really cleaning house, and that could make things touchy. How soon until the real chew starts? Reeve asked. Not for two or three weeks. But hey, federal doesnt tell us everything. Why not send some of their agents to check this out? I asked. Theyre too busy for something this low. Reeve shook his head dubiously. Xavier speaks French and Creole. Thomas is well versed in Caribbean affairs. Listen to what they say, Mary. Of course, she said quietly. And all of you, watch your step, Reeve suggested. im sparked by anything having to do with Yardley and federal now. Step carefully. The caring tone in his voice was genuine. Yes, sir, Cramer said wearily. Gentlemen, thank you for your time. See you in Hispaniola, Mary said. Glad to be of help, Cramer said. Duschesnes smiled grimly and nodded. Later, he said. Their cameos faded. Reeve remained on. Youre not allowed any weapons in transit, of course, and you cant bring anything into Hispaniola. But theres a new wrinkle. Ill have a plain man meet you at LAX oceanport. Hell have something that might prove useful; slip it into your suitcase before you check it. Instructions will be clear. Its not exactly legal, but its so new, nobodys bothered to make it illegal yet, either. I hope you dont have to use it. She knew better than to ask questions. Reeve faded without a farewell. Mary took a deep breath and switched off the screen. That done, the job defined, Mary Choy banished her qualms into a quiet corner and ordered a pd car to the foot entrance second priority. She gathered her case, made a quick check around the apartment, set the two arbeiters for maintenance and vigilance, told the home manager, Be good. Shut the door behind her.

The psyche can neither be taught nor led astray by the self -criticism of the conscious mind. Ernest Neumann, The Ongins of Gonscioucnesc

33

Emanuel Goldsmith had spent Christmas Eve and Day in rigorous diagnostic. Martin. Burke ate breakfast in the back of Albigonis limousine and scrolled through Goldsmiths physical and psych evaluations, delivered fresh this morning. He finished his egg sandwich and became absorbed in the reports, losing all sense of time. Paul Lascal sat across from him staring out of the window, fingers loosely knotted in his lap. The car slowed briefly in a tangle of private car traffic, some mathematical peculiarity of crowding that had temporarily baffled the intercity computers. Martin looked up only for a second to see this, blinked as might a blind man and returned to the slate, eyes narrGwing. Here was the deep map of the physical man and a shallow map of the mental, upper layers minus the underpinning geology, which would be Martins terra to explore. Goldsmiths body structure and chemistry type were laid out in thirty pages of complex analysis. Racial characteristics reflected eighty percent negro, twenty percent mixed caucasian-oriental, negro origins probably central west Africa ca. 18th century, genetic structure reflecting normal variations for such origins. Cell specific gene replacement therapy recommended for various autoimmune diseases likely to occur within ten years; low risk of code block and code altered cancers, low risk of drug related diseases; not likely to become chemically dependent or to suffer other obsessive autoconditioning episodes. Basic health sound. Physically strong and vigorous and not likely to be adversely affected by a triplex probe even of long duration. Goldsmiths brain chemistry profile might have been that of an untherapted executive after two or three months of rough corporate weather. All glial and neural functions intact; no lesions or gross discontinuities. He was given a rating of 86-2243 on the Roche scale, that is, normal in all basic functions but under severe internal/external stress. High normal glial cells insured a carefully balanced K + Na environment and resistance to code altered axon degeneration. The architecture and efficiency ratings of his mind function activity loci dictated that he would be a generally sociable individual, with emphasis on individual; extreme development of deep imaging and modeling skills pointed to a very active mental life from infancy, and that would presuppose an inner-directed personality, someone who would find as much or more satisfaction looking inward as outward. This led the analysts to conclude that Goldsmith would perform admirably in careers involving mental as opposed to physical activity; he might show a particular aptitude for mathematics involving spacial problems. No mention was made of linguistic skills; such fine analysis of brain architecture usually required several weeks. Linguistic and mathematical faculties were almost invariably strongly linked genetically. Multiple murderers were often clearly damaged in certain brain loci, trauma caused by severe mental and physical abuse in childhood, resulting in rerouting and reconstruction of social modeling adaptations. Self and other referential modeling capabilities suffered from these changes, leading to radical separation of self regard and empathy; but Goldsmiths evaluation showed no clear signs of extreme physical trauma. The therapists performing the diagnostic could not in their limited time find signs of deep mental trauma. Goldsmith admitted to no negative conditions or physical abuse in childhood. Better and better. Goldsmith was probably one of those four or five percent of all murderers who could not be successfully therapied by physical brain restructuring. That meant that Goldsmith might somehow have chosen in a clear state of mind to murder. The possibility remained, however, that Goldsmith had suffered a major personality break not reflected in his physical condition. If Goldsmith was physically healthy and mentally integral, that would place him in that rarest of all categories, the intellectual psychopath, the truly evil individual. But Martins research through the psych stats cube in his slate told him that fewer than five or six individuals in the past fifty years had met such precise criteria. The chances of his encountering another in Goldsmith were surpassingly slender. If Goldsmith had suffered a hidden pathogenic break, then Martin was sure that signs of such a condition would be found in the Country. He looked up at Lascal. Id still like to see your interviews with Goldsmith. The first talks werent recorded, Lascal said. We didnt want any evidence in case we had to release him. If you hadnt agreed. Martin nodded. And after I agreed? No formal interviews. Nobody spoke with him in detail. When he wasnt being diagnosed, he stayed alone in his room, reading. Can you tell me where hes being kept? I suppose it doesnt matter now. He was staying in a room in Mr. Albigonis house. Private wing. Hes being moved now by another car to the IPR. Martin considered having been so near to Goldsmith and not knowing. He suppressed a shudder. Nobody spoke with him? Besides the diagnosticians. He was diagnosed through medical arbeiter remotes. No doctor met him personally. But I spoke to him, Lascal said. I met with him once or twice yesterday. He seemed quiet and contented. Peaceful. Martin knew that diagnosis through remotes was hardly ideal; this put the evaluations in a new light. Did he say anything significant to you? Lascal thought about that for a moment, putting his hands on his knees and swallowing. He said he was glad we were going to put Humpty Dumpty together again. He referred to Mr. Albigoni as a king, and he said I must be one of the kings men. Martin smirked and shook his head. Shattered egg. Shattered personality. That might not mean anything. He knows hes a miscreant. Whats that? Lascal asked. A transgressor. An evildoer. Ah. An old fashioned word. Ive never heard it pronounced. A transgressor automatically assumes that something besides him or herself is to blame, or at least puts on that front. Physical or mental damage can be blamed... Goldsmith, just to make polite conversation, to put a good face on things, would agree with your presumed judgment that he is insane, and excuse himself by making a metaphor. . . That he is a shattered egg. He didnt deny his guilt in the beginning. He said that he did it and that he bore sole responsibility. But you didnt record those interviews. I cant learn anything from his tone or his mannerisms. Lascal smiled it the implied accusation. We were more than a little confused and indecisive. I dont blame you, Martin said. Nat for that. What do you blame us for, Dr. Burke? Martin declined Lascals steady gaze. The obvious. . . That Albigoni didnt turn Goldsmith over to the pd immediately. Weve been through this before, Lascal said, looking out the window again. They moved rapidly south through light late morning slave traffic, passing the old glass and concrete resorts and ground level neighborhoods of San Clemente. Mr. Albigoni thought that if he turned Goldsmith in, he would never really know why Goldsmith killed those kids. His daughter. And he had to know. Martin leaned forward. He thought the therapists would do a large scale patchup, a general radical therapy, and Goldsmith would no longer be Goldsmith. Might not even be a poet. Lascal did not deny this. I suspect Albigoni believes that what made Mr. Goldsmith a good poet is intimately linked with his being a murderer, Martin said. Its an old misconception supported by science only when psychology was a squalling infant, that genius is close to madness. Perhaps, but if Mr. Albigoni learns theres any link at all, and theres a possibility he brought a scorpion into his home and lost his daughter... Martin leaned back, witnessing yet again Paul Lascals transformation into a paid surrogate of Albigoni, a man whose job it was to anticipate the whims and emotions of his boss. How solidly grounded was Lascals sense of self? Who are you. Mr. Lascal? Beg pardon? What put you on the Albigoni spin? Im not the one youre examining, Dr. Burke. Idle curiosity. Out of place, Lascal said coldly. Im an employee of Mr. Albigoni, and Im also a friendthough not a social equal, perhaps. You think of it as symbiosis. I think of it as helping a great man get through this life with a little more efficiency, a little more time to do what he is truly good at doing. The perfect lackey, you might say, but Im content. I dont doubt you are. Thats a remarkably cogent self analysis, Mr. Lascal. Lascal regarded him coldly. Ten more minutes, unless we hit another knot.