"Mr. Benedict, I'm calling for Dr. Wexler."
"Who?"
"Dr. Mikel Wexler. He's with the history department at Marikoba University. He'd like very much to have a few moments of your time. Will you be available later this morning?"
"What does Dr. Wexler want to talk about?"
"I believe it has to do with Vicki Greene."
"I'm available now."
"He's in conference at the moment, sir. Would ten o'clock be satisfactory?"
We did a quick search on Wexler. He was one of the heroes of the Resistance, the underground movement that had fought Cleev's government for years. He'd been captured, tortured, and eventually broken out by his comrades in a celebrated escape. When the Coalition came to power, he took up a teaching career, and was now chairman of the history department at Marikoba. He was the author of Rebel on the Shore , an account of those turbulent years. And served as an occasional advisor to Administrator Kilgore. Alex took an hour to read sections of the book. "I'll say one thing for him," he said. "He gives most of the credit to other people." We took the call in one of the hotel's conference rooms. Alex introduced me as his associate, and Wexler commented gallantly that he wished he had so lovely a partner. Usually that kind of comment puts me on guard, but he seemed sincere. He was a congenial guy, almost leisurely, but there was something in his eyes that suggested you wouldn't want him angry. And his manner implied that he understood his likeness would one day join the statues of the heroes in Marinopolis. He spoke with the assurance of someone accustomed to making decisions. And I could see that he worked out. He had thick gray hair and the kind of chiseled features that suggest an inner strength. He was, I thought, the kind of guy I'd want at my back if I got in trouble. "If you don't mind my saying so," he continued, "I think this young lady has played a major part in your success."
I probably blushed. "You're absolutely correct," said Alex. "Don't know what I'd do without her." There was another minute or so of social fencing. Then Wexler came to the point: "I just found out the other day about Vicki Greene. It's a pity. What on earth would possess her to do such a thing?"
Alex gave the standard reply: "It was what we hoped to find out." "Yes. I wish you luck." His brow furrowed. "Did you expect to find the answer on Salud Afar?" "Don't know."
"If you don't mind my asking-"
"Go right ahead, Dr. Wexler."
"Mikel, if you please. You might consider me something of a fan. I'm curious how this became of interest to you."
Alex told him about the message.
They're all dead. "Who's all dead?"
"We have no idea."
"What a strange, cryptic business. So how do you plan to proceed, if you don't mind my asking?"
"We thought we'd begin by following in her footsteps."
"I suppose that's as good a course as any."
I noticed a cane propped against the side of Wexler's chair. A souvenir, perhaps, of Cleev's dungeons. "Mikel," said Alex, "what's your connection with her?" "I met her at Samuels. When she was leaving."
"You knew her, then?"
"I knew her from her pictures. I've been one of her readers since she started her career. I don't usually admit that, but-Well, anyhow, I knew she was in the area and that she was about to leave." He was seated in a dark blue fabric chair. Behind him, two windows opened out onto what was probably the university campus. "I arranged to be on the station." "Did you get a chance to talk with her?"
"Yes. For a few minutes."
"How did she seem?"
"How do you mean?"
"Did she seem upset? Depressed?"
"Not at all. She wasn't what I expected. I thought someone who wrote horror books would be-Well, you know. But she wasn't like that. Not at all." He smiled. "She was a witty woman. I pretended I just happened to be there, of course, and asked if she was really Vicki Greene. You know how that goes. So we got talking, and she let me buy her a drink."
"May I ask what you talked about, Mikel?" The smile widened. "How much she enjoys writing sequences that'll scare the daylights out of the reader. She actually giggled when she described how she sits there and reads the really inflammatory passages to herself. Out loud." He shook his head. "What a loss." They were both silent for a minute. Then he continued: "I'm glad you're looking into it. I think there are a lot of us who would like to know why she would do such a thing. But I must admit to being curious. You've come so far. Did the family engage you to pursue this?"
"No," said Alex. "She asked for help. I felt an obligation."
"Of course. Well, I certainly hope you can come up with an answer."
Alex leaned forward. "Mikel, are you aware of anything unusual that might have happened to her while she was here?" "No," he said. "Of course we didn't talk long." He picked up his cane. Held it across his knees. "Had anything happened while she was here, the media would certainly have picked it up."
"We checked the archives. There was nothing."
"Then I would say nothing happened. She's a major celebrity, Alex. Even out here. Her books sell on every continent. People love her. I'm reluctant to say this because you've come so far, but I'd be very surprised if, whatever drove her to do what she did, won't eventually be traced to some family or personal problem back home. A love affair gone wrong, possibly. Something along those lines."
"You're probably right, Mikel." Alex looked my way. "Did you have anything, Chase?"
"Yes," I said. "Mikel, may I ask why you contacted us?"
"I heard from several sources that you were inquiring about Ms. Greene. I was interested in why she might have done what she did." He smiled. "Besides, it was an opportunity to meet you and Alex. I enjoy meeting celebrities."
"Before we leave for the Haunted Forest"-Alex could not suppress a grin-"I've something to show you." "And what's that?" "Take a look." He darkened the room, and we were gliding toward a mountain range. It was the middle of the evening, the sun below the horizon, lights just coming on. "Towns," I said. "Is there something special about them?" "It's the Homeworld Security Project," said Alex. "Which is what?" "I told you about the Mute incidents." "Yes." "They're taking it pretty seriously." We pulled in closer to some of the lights. Near the base of a mountain, I saw digging equipment. And temporary dwellings. "What are they doing?" I asked "Digging shelters." "What? You're kidding." "Not at all. It's described as a purely precautionary measure." "Things haven't deteriorated that much, I hope." "I don't know. It's hard to be sure what's really going on." It looked like a major project. Cutters and extractors were out in force. Lots of lights, robots everywhere, even a few humans. And, of course, they were working at night. "This is only one site. Apparently, this is going on around the world." "I wasn't aware of it." "We haven't been paying attention. They're digging into mountains. Or, more precisely, getting ready to." "They really expect an attack from the Mutes?" "Apparently. They're not making a lot of noise about it. The Administrator was on earlier this morning, talking about how they don't ever expect to have to use the shelters, but it's better to be prepared." "If the Mutes were to attack in force, I don't think a few holes in the ground would be much help." "I agree." "So what's really going on?" "It might be politics." "How do you mean, Alex?" "We're into an election cycle. Administrator Kilgore is running for reelection." "He might want to look as if he's protecting everybody." "That's a possibility." He looked worried. "There's something you're not telling me," I said. "The activity started within the last five months. The incursions. The Homeworld Security Project." I knew where he was going. "It all started right after Vicki left."