Adikor wondered whether to demonstrate that he did know all about Megameg; after all, Ponter talked of her and Jasmel constantly. Had this been just a social call, hed perhaps have let it go. But it was more than that; much more. Megameg, repeated Adikor. Yes, Megameg Bek. A 148, isnt she? A little small for her age, but feisty. She wants to be a surgeon when she grows up, I believe.
Jasmel said nothing.
And you, said Adikor, driving the point home, Jasmel Ket, are studying to be a historian. Your particular interest is pre-generation-one Evsoy, but you also have a fondness for generations thirty through forty here on this continent, and
All right, said Jasmel, cutting him off.
Your father spoke of you oftenand with great pride and love.
Jasmel raised her eyebrow slightly, clearly both surprised and pleased.
I did not kill him, said Adikor again. Believe me, I miss him more than I can say. It He stopped himself; hed been about to point out that there hadnt yet been a Two becoming One since Ponters disappearance; Jasmel hadnt really had to face his absence yet. Indeed, it would have been unusual for her to have seen her father in the past three days, since Two last ceased being One. But Adikor had had to deal with the reality of Ponters absence, with the emptiness of their home, every waking moment since hed disappeared. Still, it was pointless to argue whose grief was the greater; Adikor recognized, after all, for all that he loved Ponter, Ponter and his daughter Jasmel were genetically related.
Perhaps Jasmel had been thinking the same thing, though. I miss him, too. Already. I She looked away. I didnt spend much time with him when Two last became One. Theres this boy, you see, who
Adikor nodded. He wasnt quite sure what it was like for a father of a young woman. He himself had no child from generation 147; oh, hed been paired to Lurt back when that generation was conceived, but somehow she hadnt become pregnantand, yes, they had endured the requisite jokes about a physicist and a chemist failing to understand biology. Adikors offspring from generation 148 was Dab, a small boy still living with his mother, and Dab wanted to spend every possible moment with his father when they got together each month.
But Adikor had heard Ponterswell, not complaints, really. Hed understood it was the natural way of things. But, still, that Jasmel had so little time for him when Two became One had saddened Ponter, Adikor knew. And now, it seemed, Jasmel was coming to grips with the fact that her father wouldnt be there ever again, that shed missed out on time she could have spent with him, and now there was no way to make amends, no way to catch up, no way she would ever be hugged by him again, ever hear his voice praising her or telling her a joke or asking her how things were going.
Adikor looked around the room and helped himself to a seat. The chair was wooden, made by the same carpenter who supplied the ones he and Ponter had had on their deck; the woman had been an acquaintance of Klast.
Jasmel sat on the opposite side of the room. Behind her, the cleaning robot left, heading into another part of the house.
Do you know what will happen if Im found guilty? asked Adikor.
Jasmel closed her eyes, perhaps to forestall them making a quick glance down. Yes, she said softly. But then, as if it were a defense: What difference does it make, though? Youve already reproduced; youve got two children.
No, I dont, said Adikor. I have only one, a 148.
Oh, said Jasmel softly, perhaps embarrassed that she knew less about her fathers partner than Adikor did about his partners daughters.
And, besides, its not just me. My son Dab will be sterilized, too, and my sister Keloneveryone who shares fifty percent of my genetic material.
Of course, these were no longer the barbaric days of yore; this was the era of genetic testing. Normally, if Kelon or Dab could show that they hadnt inherited Adikors aberrant genes, they would have been entitled to be spared an operation. But although some crimes had single genetic causes that were well understood, a murderous trait had no such simple markers. And, besides, murder was a crime so heinous, no possibility, however remote, of its predisposition being further passed on could be allowed.
Im sorry about that, said Jasmel. But
There are no buts, said Adikor. I am innocent.
Then the adjudicator will find you so.
Ah, the artlessness of youth, thought Adikor. It would almost be endearing, if it werent for what he had on the line. This is a most unusual case, Adikor said. Even I admit that. But there is no reason I would have killed the man I love.
Daklar says it was difficult for you to always be downwind of my father.
Adikor felt his back stiffen. I wouldnt say that.
I would, said Jasmel. My fatherlets be honestwas more intelligent than you. You didnt like being an adjunct to his genius.
We contribute as best we can, said Adikor, quoting the Code of Civilization.
Indeed we do, said Jasmel. And you wanted your contribution to be the principal one. But in your collaboration, it was Ponters ideas that were being tested.
Thats no reason to kill him, snapped Adikor.
Isnt it? My father is gone, and you were the only one with him when he disappeared.
Yes, hes gone. Hes gone, and Adikor felt tears welling at the corners of his eyes, tears of sadness and tears of frustration. I miss him so much. I say this with my head tilted back: I did not do this. I couldnt have.
Jasmel looked at Adikor. He could see her nostrils dilating, taking in his scent, his pheromones. Why should I believe you? she said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Adikor frowned. Hed made his grief plain; hed tried arguing emotions. But this girl had more than Ponters eyes; she had his mind, tooa keen, analytical mind, a mind that prized logic and rationality.
All right, said Adikor. Consider this: if I am guilty of murdering your father, I will be sentenced. I will lose not just my ability to reproduce, but my position and my holdings. I will be unable to continue my work; the Gray Council will surely demand a more direct and tangible contribution from a convicted killer if I am to remain part of society.
And well they should, said Jasmel.
Ah, but if Im not guiltyif no one is guilty, if your father is missing, if hes lost, he needs help. He needs my help; Im the only one who might be able to to retrieve him. Without me, your father is gone for sure. He looked at her golden eyes. Dont you see? The sensible position is to believe me: if I am lying, and I did murder Ponterwell, no punishment will bring him back. But if I am telling the truth, and Ponter was not murdered, then the only hope he has is if I can continue to search for him.
The mine has been searched, said Jasmel, flatly.
The mine, yes, but Did he dare tell her? It sounded crazy when the words echoed inside his head; he could only imagine how insane they would seem when given voice. We were working with parallel universes, said Adikor. Its possibleremotely possible, I know, but I refuse to give up on him, on the man who is so very important to both you and methat he has, well, slipped, somehow, into another of those universes. He looked at her, imploring. You must know something of your fathers work. Even if you made little time for himhe saw those words cut deephe must have told you about our work, about his theories.
Jasmel nodded. He told me, yes.
Well, then, there mightjust mightbe a chance. But I need to get this reeking dooslarm basadlarm over with; I need to get back to work.
Jasmel said nothing for a long time. Adikor knew from his own occasional arguments with her father that just letting her consider quietly would be more effective than pressing his point, but he couldnt help himself. Please, Jasmel. Please. Its the only sensible wager to make: assume that Im not guilty, and theres a chance that we might get Ponter back. Assume that I am guilty, and he is surely gone for good.