Infinity Beach - Jack McDevitt [28]
“Solomon,” the AI said. “What is our destination?”
“Up,” Solly said. “Up.”
5
Those who rise to the top of organizations, who live to direct others, to wield power, are inevitably afflicted by weak egos, by a need to prove themselves. This explains why they are so easily frightened and so easily manipulated. And why they are so dangerous.
—SHEYEL TOLLIVER, Notebooks, 482
“You really weren’t rattled?”
Solly’s eyes closed and he shook his head sadly, as in the presence of unlimited ignorance. “No, I really wasn’t rattled. I was cold.”
They were seated over coffee, salad, and fresh fruit in the hotel restaurant, Dean’s Top of the World. The mountains were crisp and clear in the morning sun, and the skyways were already crowded with vacationers. A train had just rounded Mount White and was gliding in over the treetops.
“Okay,” she said. “Me too.”
In the daylight, it was hard to believe she’d been so fearful. She’d learned something about herself that she didn’t know, didn’t want to know: She was a coward.
“It was odd about the tracks, though,” he said.
“Yes, it was.”
He frowned and waved it away. “Where are you going to hang the Kane print?”
“I don’t know. It’s a little somber for my tastes.”
“Then why didn’t you get something else?”
“I should have,” she agreed.
They took almost an hour to finish eating. Kim’s thoughts wandered while they admired the mountains and gorges visible through the window. She felt relieved to be rid of her obligation to Sheyel. We went out and inspected the woods, she would tell him with a clear conscience, and nothing untoward happened. Absolutely nothing. He’d be disappointed, of course. But maybe a dose of reality was what he needed.
Solly was saying how he’d never learned to ski and was asking whether she knew her way around a pair of poles. She didn’t, and was surprised when he suggested they should come back when their schedules permitted and learn. “There’s a school out on the slopes where they give lessons,” he added.
She thought she was too old to pick up skiing. But—“I’d be willing to try if you are.”
He rewarded her with a smile.
Back at the hotel room, Solly packed while Kim decided to get the call over with. She punched in Sheyel’s code and sat down on the sofa. The AI answered, asked who she was, and put her through immediately.
“Kim.” He sounded pleased to hear her voice. “It’s good to hear from you so quickly.” He left it on audio only.
“I’m at Eagle Point,” she said.
“You’re going into the valley?” he asked.
“I was there last night.”
“Wonderful. Oh, by the way, please forgive me. No picture; I’m not dressed.”
“It’s okay, Sheyel.”
“Did you see anything?”
“Like what?”
“Anything. Anything unusual.”
Suddenly she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him. “I’m not sure,” she said, throwing her planned response overboard. She described the missing footprints. And she almost told him about the moving shadows she’d seen behind Solly, but that sounded downright paranoid so she let it go.
“Yes,” he said. “That is precisely the sort of thing that seems to happen regularly out there. Or used to, when there were people in the area.” He recommended a couple of books on the subject and finished by asking if she was still convinced there was nothing strange going on.
“I think the wind did it, Sheyel.”
“You really think that’s possible? Well, never mind. What are you going to do next?”
“What’s to do?” She listened for his answer, but only heard the silence draw out. “Maybe you can do something for me”
“If I can.”
“Do you think you could find out Yoshi’s shoe size?”
She listened to him thinking about it. “Not easily,” he said at last. “She’s been gone a long time. I doubt any of her shoes were kept.”
“Was she a clone?”
“Yes. Oh yes, I see what you mean. Of course.”
“When you find out, leave the information with Shep.”
“Very good. I’ll do it today.” Solly came back into the room, ready to go. “May I ask why?”
“I’ll