Journey Through the Mirrors (51 page)

“You’re saying that she was there on the island?” Madu asked, disbelief on his face. “I cannot believe that my Nadine started this cascade of events. Why would . . . how could she do such a thing?”

“We’re sorry,” Valerie said. “We were as shocked as you when she turned on us.”

“I take it Nadine never gave you any cause for concern that she would sell your designs,” Logan said carefully. “We hoped that you would be able to provide some insight into her actions.”

“Our relationship was strong,” Madu said, struggling to gather his composure. “We had our disagreements, of course. Over the years, she did become more strident in telling me to figure out a way to make some money from my energy work. But I had no idea she would go to such lengths. Where is she now?”

“We’re not exactly sure,” Valerie replied. “We’re assuming that she and Catherine have accompanied Simon back to the Federation. Where she will go from there is anyone’s guess.”

“Did Nadine ever mention Dario to you?” Logan asked. “It appears that she was dealing with him and Catherine before Simon got involved.”

“The name does sound familiar,” Madu said, his brow furrowing.

Just then, a call came in on the HoloPad that was sitting at the center of the table. Valerie pressed a button to answer it. The images of President Salize and Director Sully were projected. “Mr. Ford,” the president said, “I am told that we have you and Agent Perrot to thank for preventing yet another catastrophe. I’m not sure this is a good habit you are developing.” The president smiled.

“You’ll have to thank more than us,” Logan said. “A lot of other people helped.”

“Good answer,” the president said. “You have a future in politics.”
He smiled again. Logan did not respond. “We’re sending a team of scientists to the island. As you know, we are still dealing with an energy crisis, and I’m hoping they can get the NovaCon device working.”

“You can certainly try,” Logan said, giving Valerie a look. “The device broke apart during the earthquakes and all the electrical activity. The lava from the nearby volcano consumed everything. You can send a team to the island, but I’m not sure there is much there to salvage.”

“During the recent summit meeting, Catherine Bribergeld credited two exceptional scientists with the design of the device,” Director Sully said. “Do we have them in custody?”

“No,” Logan said. “They were lost along with the device.”

“Disappointing,” President Salize said. One of his handlers came into the projection and whispered something in his ear. Salize rose abruptly and walked away, leaving Director Sully by herself.

“Has my request for the apprehension of Catherine Bribergeld been approved?” Valerie asked. “I need to get word to our field offices as soon as possible.”

“We’re still reviewing that request,” Director Sully said. “As you can imagine, placing the blame for the current energy crisis on an individual within the president’s inner circle presents some challenges. Report to me the moment you get back. I want to hear the complete story of what happened.” The HoloPad call ended.

“You didn’t tell them everything,” Mr. Perrot said, gesturing to Madu. “We still have the real designer of the NovaCon device.”

“Only bad things can come from owning a device like that,” Madu said. “I see that now.”

Mr. Perrot nodded in understanding. “And what about the two doctors you spoke about, Josef and Rosa?”

“They’re right where they belong,” Valerie said cryptically. “Though it might take them some time to get their sea legs.”

“And will you be . . .” Madu hesitated. “. . . pursuing Nadine?”

“We have no choice,” Valerie said. “She was an accessory to a serious crime. She has to be held accountable.”

Madu did not respond.

Just then, Logan heard the odd noise his PCD had recently been making whenever he received a message. He looked at it and saw a number he didn’t recognize. He took a deep breath. “This could be it,” he said, his heart skipping a beat, his hand shaking as he pressed the buttons to play a prerecorded video.

The image of Simon was projected. “Hello, Logan,” Simon’s image said. “I hope that all is well. Give my regards to Robert, who I am certain is sitting next to you. I hope he wasn’t too shaken and stirred by all that has occurred. Also, please tell Madu that I know how he feels. After everything, your own wife plunges the dagger into your heart. Actually, I’ve never been married, so I really don’t understand what he’s feeling. But I’ve been told.”

“Get to the point,” Logan whispered. He was interested in only one thing: his children.

“Good news,” Simon said. “I checked on the kids, and they are doing splendidly. Kashta hasn’t hurt them . . . yet. And that crotchety old woman, she’s terrific. She reminds me of the old attendant at the ashram who took care of me. The world could use a few more domestics like her. But I digress . . . You’re probably wondering where and when you’re going to be reunited with your children. I don’t blame you.” The image of Simon looked away from the camera. “Kashta, how much more time? Excellent. Kashta has informed me that your plane is going to be landing in Washington at six forty-nine
P.M.
”

Valerie looked at the time on her PCD. “How does he know that?”

“You know,” Simon continued, “after I landed in Washington, I realized that I haven’t been here since I was a boy. A lot has changed. So how about we celebrate old times by meeting at the Council’s favorite ice cream parlor? I’ve persuaded the owner to rent the place out to me for the night.” The video panned, showing an older man, dressed all in white and wearing an old-fashioned straw boater hat. The video continued to pan before returning to Simon. “Let’s meet here at nine thirty. I’m not sure where WCF planes land these days, but that should give
you enough time to gather the books and allow Ms. Perrot to freshen up. Yes, Agent Perrot, please come along. I look forward to seeing you again. But come alone. If Kashta spots anyone else . . . well . . .” Simon paused, the expression on his face menacing. “Now, Logan, don’t be late. That never ends well.”

The video message ended.

“Do you know the place he’s talking about?” Valerie asked.

“M Street Creamery,” Mr. Perrot answered, glancing at Logan. “That was the store’s owner, Mr. Newman. Your parents loved that place. The store was abandoned after the Great Disruption. Mr. Newman and his wife took ownership, restored it to working condition, and provided us with a wonderful rendezvous point.”

“Looks like the Creamery is between Wisconsin and Thirty-first,” Valerie said, as she projected an image of it from her PCD.

“I wonder if Nadine will be there,” Madu said forlornly. “I must talk to her.”

“We will deal with her after we get the children and Ms. Sally back,” Valerie said. “You and my dad can go to my apartment and wait there. I need to get a WCF team ready to apprehend Simon.”

“He said to come alone,” Logan reminded her. “The books are not worth the lives of the children and Ms. Sally—no way we take that risk.”

“I’ll have a ghost team ready,” Valerie said. “Simon won’t even see Luke’s squad coming. Once we make the exchange and Simon leaves the building, we’ll apprehend him. I’m not letting him get away again.”

“Speaking of which,” Mr. Perrot said, “where are the books? What did you do with them after the commemoration?”

Logan didn’t answer immediately. He grabbed his backpack, put it on his lap, and unzipped it.

“You have to be joking,” Valerie said, as Logan pulled out the
Chronicles
and set them down on the table. “You had them the whole time.”

Logan nodded, while Mr. Perrot smiled and shook his head.

62

If you do not have a clear focus, all the great intention in the world will not help you.

—THE CHRONICLES OF SATRAYA

WASHINGTON, D.C., 7:15 P.M. LOCAL TIME, MARCH 26, 2070

After the WCF transport plane landed, Logan received a call from Adisa Kayin, who told him that he and Mr. Perrot were urgently needed at the Council of Satraya offices. He had two hours until the exchange with Simon, just enough time to go with Mr. Perrot and Madu.

Logan entered the main conference room of the Council building, which was still under heavy guard and surveillance after the attack two days earlier. He was taken aback when he saw who was sitting at the Egalitarian Round Table with Adisa Kayin. It was Randolph Fenquist and the man who claimed to be Giovanni Rast, his silver-handled cane leaning against the table. Adisa and Giovanni rose to greet them, while Randolph remained seated, with his legs crossed and a smug smile on his face.

“Gentlemen,” Adisa said, “thank you for coming on such short notice. I would like to introduce to you Giovanni Rast, and I’m certain that you are already familiar with Randolph Fenquist.”

“I’m sorry, Adisa,” Logan said impatiently, “but I don’t have time to
discuss Mr. Rast’s claims right now. I apologize, Mr. Rast, but I have some pressing issues to deal with.”

“You may call me Giovanni,” came the answer in a calm voice.

“Too late, anyway,” Randolph said, pulling out a cigarette.

“There’s no smoking in here, Randolph,” Logan said. “And what do you mean, it’s too late?”

“During your absence,” Adisa said, “Giovanni shared with us the remarkable story of his discovery of the Train Set of the
Chronicles
and recounted the treachery and shocking acts of Fendral Hitchlords. The Council has decided that further investigation is warranted. And if we are able to confirm the legitimacy of Giovanni’s story—”

“He gets a seat on the Council,” Randolph interrupted Adisa.

Logan looked at Giovanni. He wondered just how much of his account aligned with the information Camden had uncovered.

“I know you must have a great many questions for me,” Giovanni said. “I look forward to answering them all in good and proper time. I have no illusions that my claims will be accepted on my words alone.”

“Why now?” Mr. Perrot asked. “Why come forward after so long?”

“I suppose he could ask the two of you the same question,” Randolph said, looking pointedly at Mr. Perrot and then at Madu. “I don’t know what it is about all you old Satrayians, everyone deciding to crawl out at the same time.”

Adisa turned to Madu. “The Council would also like to consider your candidacy. If all is confirmed, I am sure that Logan and Mr. Perrot will agree that having two additional finders of the
Chronicles
on the Council would bode well for the organization’s future.”

Madu took a seat at the Egalitarian Round Table without answering, still presumably consumed by thoughts of Nadine’s deceit.

“What’s wrong with him?” Randolph asked, gesturing at Madu. “What popped his balloon?”

“What are you doing here, Randolph?” Logan asked with disdain. “Shouldn’t you and your Coterie hooligans be causing havoc somewhere?”

Randolph stood, his tall, angular frame towering over Logan. “I’ve changed my ways, boy,” he said. “Mr. Kayin and I have come to an understanding. We brokered a peace accord between the Coterie and the Council.”

“And we’re supposed to believe that after thirty years of hounding the Council, you’ve suddenly seen some kind of spiritual light?” Mr. Perrot asked.

“Listen, Robert, or whatever name you go by these days, I got me a new lease on life. After that satellite disaster killed my friend Jimmy, I knew my own sins were going to keep me from the pearly gates. So I figured something had to change. And that’s when I met my Swiss friend over there. He told me that we had to let go of the past. He told me his story and convinced me that life is too short to waste on meaningless things. We have to focus on the bigger picture. Ain’t that right, G?”

Giovanni nodded with a smile.

“Your Coterie members were outside my studio just last week, demonstrating and causing a ruckus,” Logan said. “It didn’t sound as if anything had changed.”

“Change takes time, boy,” Randolph said. “You can’t unscrew the past when the only thing you’ve ever had was a hammer.”

“Randolph has assured me that we won’t be experiencing any more distress from the Coterie,” Adisa said.

“We must move forward together,” Giovanni said. “If the Council of Satraya is perpetually fighting with the Coterie, what example does that set for the world at large? If we cannot ourselves live by the precepts of the
Chronicles
, then how can we expect others to do so?
It is hard to change when the people around you keep reminding you of who you are and what you are supposed to be doing.
”

“
You must change in spite of all of it
,” Mr. Perrot said, finishing the quote from the
Chronicles
.

Giovanni nodded. “That is correct.”

While Logan could tick off a long list of reasons the Council should not believe Randolph Fenquist, now was not the time.

Mr. Perrot leaned close to Logan and whispered, “I think we need to explain the gravity of the current situation to them. If this man is truly the Giovanni Rast your father wrote about, he might be able to provide us with some valuable insight.”

Logan agreed, but not with Fenquist there. “Mr. Perrot and I need to meet with Adisa and Giovanni, alone. Council business, you understand.”

“I need a drink and a puff,” Randolph said, sauntering toward the door. “Hey, how come you didn’t you bring that dolphin mosaic of your mother’s? That’s the best one she did.” Logan and Mr. Perrot glanced at each other, realizing that it was Randolph who had called the studio offering to buy the mosaic. “You should have brought that one; those others don’t make sense to me.” No one answered, and Randolph turned and continued out the door.

Madu also rose to his feet. “Please stay, Madu,” Logan requested. “You know what we are going to share.”

“No,” Madu replied. “I am going to my hotel. I am very tired.”

“Please consider our offer of a seat on the Council of Satraya.” Adisa stopped him.

Madu paused for a moment. “I will,” he said, and then he continued out of the meeting room.

“He seems despondent,” Adisa said.