Infinity Beach - Jack McDevitt [94]
“I was reminiscing about the times you had us over,” she said.
He seemed puzzled at the remark, and she wondered if he’d forgotten that he used to open his home to his students. “Yes,” he said finally. “I don’t do that anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear it,” she said. “It was a good experience.”
“They have rules now that prevent off-campus gatherings.” He shrugged it away. “What can I get you to drink?”
She settled for a dark wine and they retreated to his study. “I’m sorry we don’t have more answers about Yoshi,” she said. “The police say they’re looking into it, but as I told you, I’m not confident.”
She wasn’t certain what he’d mixed for himself. It was lemon colored but it smelled of mint. “I understand, Kim. Did you learn anything about your sister?”
She hesitated, not sure what she’d learned. Something, certainly. “No,” she said. “Still no trace.”
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked. “I read the accounts. You almost lost your life.”
“It was a wild ride,” she admitted.
He sipped his drink. “We always wondered whether Yoshi had been injured in some way, wandered off, who knew?”
There were two framed pictures of her in the room: one as a child of about four standing outside in the patio, holding Sheyel’s hand; and a graduation photo, displaying all her elegance.
“For whatever consolation it may be,” Kim said, “it appears she died quickly.” The preliminary police report had not yet been officially released, and Kim really didn’t know whether Yoshi had suffered. Nevertheless it seemed like the right thing to say.
Sheyel gazed at her through watery eyes. “It’s a terrible thing to be cut down so young.”
Kim said nothing.
He gazed steadily at her. “I take it you didn’t just come to see how I was getting on. What have you to tell me?”
She looked steadily at him. “I have a question first.”
He leaned forward.
“When you originally came to me with this, you told me there was something loose in the Severin woods. That if I doubted you I should just go up and spend a few hours in the area.”
“Yes. I probably said something like that.”
“After dark, I think you said.”
“I don’t recall the conversation in detail.”
“‘I’ve felt it… Go look for yourself. But don’t go alone.’ That’s what you said.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve done that, Sheyel.”
A chill settled into the room. “And—?”
“You were right. There is something there. What do you know about it?”
“Only that the area is oppressive. I saw lights in the woods a couple of times. There was never anything I could lay hands on though.” His eyes dropped to the floor. “There were some accounts that that was the real reason people left.”
“How could anyone have stayed in the village?” asked Kim. “They were taking down the dam.”
“They decided not to repair the dam because people were clearing out. It wasn’t the other way around.” His eyes were hooded. “There’s a lot of history about it. Check any of the sources.” He went to his shelves and took down several volumes. He tapped his finger on one with a gray cover and artwork depicting a moonlit phantom. “I especially recommend this: Kathryn Kline’s The Specters of Severin.” The phantom looked nothing at all like the apparition Kim had seen.
He went through the others, commenting in a similar manner, laying them before her. “People tend to get overwrought. But the evidence is striking.”
She glanced through them while he refilled their glasses. “I was up there several times. This was years after I’d talked with Kane. The dam was long gone and the place was deserted. You’ve been there, you know what I’m talking about.
“It’s disquieting. Maybe because I knew it was connected with Yoshi’s disappearance. I thought I could feel things moving in the dark. The valley scared me. I don’t think I scare easily, but that place did the deed.” He seemed to withdraw into himself. “Why don’t you tell me what it was you saw?”
“Not really anything,” she said. “It’s just very quiet out there. You understand what I mean?”
He nodded. “Have you learned anything about the Hunter? Was there a contact?”
She showed him