The suggestion that he would take his own life at all is so improbable began Adikor.
Yes, we agree on that, said Bolbay, calmly, but, hypothetically, if he were to do so, he would surely not choose to do it in a way that would leave a suspicion of nefarious action, dont you agree?
Yes, I do, said Adikor.
Thank you, said Bolbay. Now, to this matter you raised about your own contribution perhaps being inadequate
Adikor shifted on the stool. Yes?
Well, I, of course, had no intention of raising this, Bolbay said. Adikor thought he caught a whiff of dishonesty from her. But since you have brought it up, we should perhaps explore this matterjust to dispel it, you understand.
Adikor said nothing, and, after a time, Bolbay continued. How, she asked gently, did it feel, living downwind of him?
II beg your pardon?
Well, you just said his contribution wasnt likely to be questioned, but your own might be.
At the particular Council thats coming up, said Adikor, yes. But in general
In general, said Bolbay, a slickness to her deep voice, you must admit that your own contribution was a fraction of his, anyway. Isnt that true?
Is this germane? interjected Sard.
Actually, Adjudicator, I do believe that it is, said Bolbay.
Sard looked dubious, but nodded for Bolbay to continue. She did so. Surely, Scholar Huld, you must know that when generations yet to be born study physics and computing, Ponters name will be mentioned often, while yours will be uttered rarely, if at all?
Adikor could feel his pulse increasing. I have never considered such issues, he said.
Oh, come now, said Bolbay, as if they both knew better. The disparity in your contributions was obvious.
I caution you again, Daklar Bolbay, said the adjudicator. I see no reason to humiliate the accused.
Im merely trying to explore his mental state, replied Bolbay, bowing yet again. Without waiting for Sard to respond, Bolbay turned back to Adikor. So, Scholar Huld, do tell us: how did it feel to be making the lesser contribution?
Adikor took a deep breath. It is not my place to weigh our relative worth.
Of course not, but the difference between yours and his is not in question, said Bolbay, as if Adikor were obsessing on some minor detail, instead of seeing the big picture. Its well-known that Ponter was the brilliant one. Bolbay smiled solicitously. So, again, please do tell us how knowing that felt.
It feels, Adikor said, trying to keep his tone even, exactly the same today as it did before Ponter went missing. The only thing that has changed is that I am now sad beyond words for the loss of my very best friend.
Bolbay had circled behind him now. The stool had a swivel seat; Adikor could have followed her as she walked, but he chose not to. Your best friend? said Bolbay, as if this were a startling admission. Your best friend, is it? And how did you commemorate this friendship once he was gone? By announcing that it was your software and equipment, not his theorems, that your experiments were all about.
Adikors jaw dropped. II didnt say that. I told an Exhibitionist I would comment only on the role of software and hardware, because they had been my responsibility.
Exactly! From the moment he was gone, you were downplaying Ponters contributions.
Daklar Bolbay! snapped Sard. You will treat Scholar Huld with suitable respect.
Respect? sneered Bolbay. Like that which he showed Ponter once he was gone?
Adikors head was spinning. We can access my alibi archive, or the Exhibitionists, he said. He indicated Sard, as if they were long-time allies. The adjudicator can hear the exact words I used.
Bolbay waved her arm, dismissing this suggestion as if it were the utmost craziness. It doesnt matter precisely what words you said; what matters is what they tell us about what you were feeling. And what you were feeling was relief that your rival was gone
No, said Adikor sharply.
Im warning you, Daklar Bolbay, said Sard, sharply.
Relief that you would no longer be eclipsed by another, continued Bolbay.
No! said Adikor, fury growing within him.
Relief, continued Bolbay, her voice rising, that you could now begin claiming as your sole contribution everything you had jointly done.
Desist, Bolbay! barked Sard, slapping the arm of her chair with the flat of her hand.
Relief, shouted Bolbay, that your rival was dead!
Adikor rose to his feet and turned to face Bolbay. He contracted his fingers into a fist and pulled back his arm.
Scholar Huld! Adjudicator Sards voice thundered in the chamber.
Adikor froze. His heart was pounding. Bolbay, hed noted, had wisely moved downwind of him, so that the fans were no longer blowing her pheromones his way. He looked at his own clenched fista fist that could have shattered Bolbays skull with a single punch, a fist that could have crushed her chest, splintered her ribs, ruptured her heart with one good impact. It was as if it were something foreign to him, no longer a part of his body. Adikor lowered his arm, but there was still so much anger in him, so much indignation, that for several beats he was unable to unclench his fingers. He turned to face Sard, his tone imploring. IAdjudicator, surely you understand II couldnt have He shook his head. You heard what she said to me. Ino one could
Adjudicator Sards violet eyes were wide in shock as she looked at Adikor. Ive never seen such a display, inside or outside a legal proceeding, she said. Scholar Huld, what is wrong with you?
Adikor was still seething. Bolbay must know the history; of course she must. She was Klasts woman-mate, and Ponter had been with Klast even back in those days. But but was that why Bolbay was pursuing him with such vengeance? Was that her motive? Surely she must know that Ponter would never have wanted this.
Adikor had undergone much therapy for his problem with controlling anger. Dear Ponter had recognized it was a sickness, a chemical imbalance, andto his credit, that wonderful manhad stood by Adikor through his treatment.
But now now Bolbay had goaded him, had provoked him, had pushed him over the edge, for all to see.
Worthy Adjudicator, said Adikor, tryingtrying, trying!to sound calm. Should he explain? Could he? Adikor lowered his head. I apologize for my outburst.
Sard still had an astonished quaver in her voice. Do you have any more evidence supporting your accusation, Daklar Bolbay?
Bolbay, clearly having achieved precisely the effect shed wanted, had reverted to the very picture of reasonableness. If I may be allowed, Adjudicator, there is one more small thing
Chapter 23
At the end of the meeting in the Inco conference room, Reuben Montego invited everyone back to his place for another barbecue. Ponter smiled broadly; hed obviously quite enjoyed the previous nights meal. Louise accepted the invitation as well, reiterating that, with SNO in ruins, there wasnt much for her to be doing these days anyway. Mary also acceptedit sounded like fun, and beat another evening alone, staring at the ceiling in her hotel room. But Professor Mah begged off. She needed to get back to Ottawa: she had a 10:00 P.M. appointment at 24 Sussex Drive, where she would brief the Prime Minister.
The problem now was shaking the media, who, according to the Inco security guards, were waiting just outside the gates of the Creighton mine site. But Reuben and Louise quickly came up with a plan, which they immediately put into action.