“Just out of curiosity,” said Amanda, leaning forward and peering around the room, “can I see your treatment?”
“Treatment?” said Darktower. “What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t have to be an entire treatment,” said Amanda. “Just a paragraph or two to see the approach you’re taking.”
“Why do you need that?” he said.
“Uh, to find the best actor for the material,” she said, making a facial gesture to Holmes.
“I don’t intend for you to cast my video,” said Darktower. “I want Plover.”
Polite, wasn’t he? She felt like saying, “Then take it up with him—if you can find him,” but instead she said, “Fair enough. How can I help then?” Holmes kicked her. She kicked him back.
“You know him,” said Darktower. “Tell him to return my calls.”
So Darius hadn’t answered Darktower either. What was going on with him? She hoped he hadn’t injured himself again. What if he was in some hospital somewhere, unconscious? She wondered if she should call Salty and see if he knew anything. Then again, that probably wasn’t the best idea.
“I’m happy to leave a message for him,” she said. “I can’t guarantee he’ll return your call though.”
“Why not?” said Darktower.
“Here,” she said, attempting a feint. “I’m texting him right now.”
“Can’t figure out what’s the matter with the fellow,” said Darktower. “Surely he knows how important this is.”
It suddenly occurred to Amanda that Darius had no idea what Legatum really was. If that was the case, how could he think Darktower was important? If he was reading his mail or listening to his messages, that is. And if he wasn’t, what would Darktower do? Surely he wouldn’t sit around waiting for long. He’d have to find an actor on his own, or ask them to do it.
“Mr. Holmes,” said the teacher, “I’d like to give you this script. This is what I intend for the actor to say. Please keep a backup for me.” He shoved a scribbled piece of paper at Holmes. Holmes reached for the paper, gave Amanda a look that said, “Don’t ask me,” and stuck it in his pocket. “Well, what are you waiting for? Off you go.”
Darktower rose from his chair and made a shooing motion. Holmes and Amanda scurried out of his office as fast as they could and closed the door behind them.
“Come on,” said Holmes. “Let’s read it together.”
“You’re on,” said Amanda.
They started toward the common room. Then they ran smack into Amphora.
“Going somewhere?” she said acidly.
“Library,” said Holmes, changing course. She probably wouldn’t follow them there.
“To do what?” said Amphora suspiciously.
“Darktower,” said Amanda.
“What about him?” said Amphora eyeing the two of them.
“Special project,” said Holmes.
“Both of you?” said Amphora. “Why are you out of breath like that?”
“Yes,” he said. “Film-related. Deadline. He gave us only a few minutes.”
“I thought we were going to work on her mother’s assignment,” said Amphora, head-pointing to Amanda.
“We are,” said Holmes. “I’ll meet you in the common room in twenty minutes.”
Amphora snuffled. “Don’t be late.”
When Holmes and Amanda had sat down at a table in the library and opened Darktower’s paper, they almost couldn’t control themselves.
“Do you believe this?” she said, reading the dialog for the third time.
“Unfortunately yes,” he said.
She read, “‘To argue in favor of logic, you must put forth: 1. Absurdity of magical claims 2. Physical/scientific explanations for claims of magic.’ What is he talking about?”
“He wants to refute what the guy is saying by showing that his claims are nuts.”
“What’s this physical/scientific explanations thing then?” she said, pointing to the section in question.
“He’s saying that there are other explanations than magic for the tricks Kingsolver does.”
“What tricks? He isn’t really levitating anything.”
“No, of course not,” said Holmes, conceding her point.
“Well, then,” she said with a flourish. “What is there to debunk?”
He seemed at a complete loss. “I’m not sure.”
“I don’t think this guy has a clue what he talks about.”
“He does have a rather different way of expressing himself,” said Holmes.
“Yes. It’s called crazy.”
“Can’t argue with you there.”
“Look at this.” She pointed to more of Darktower’s document. “He says that logic makes us good, but false beliefs are more likely to motivate us to behave in inappropriate ways.”
“Hm,” said Holmes, craning his neck to look. “Sounds like he’s saying that people who don’t believe in magic are more ethical than people who do.”
“He might be right. Look at Editta.”
“Look at Blixus.”
Amanda started. No one had mentioned Blixus in a long time. He was an awkward topic of conversation. Where there were thoughts of Blixus, there were thoughts of Nick. But Holmes couldn’t keep his mouth shut.
“I’m glad he’s gone, Amanda. I’m not going to make excuses.”
“We’re not talking about Blixus anymore, are we?” she said.
“You know we’re not,” said Holmes.
Nick wasn’t gone, but Amanda wasn’t about to tell Holmes that. “He was never my boyfriend, you know.”
“I don’t know why you keep saying that. He was.”
“No,” she said. “He never kissed me. And anyway, we never, I mean he never, I mean it just wasn’t like that.”
“Look,” said Holmes. “I’m going to break up with Amphora. I just have to find the right time.”
“Maybe that isn’t such a good idea,” said Amanda. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
Holmes stood up and glared at her. “Stop making excuses, Amanda. Why do you keep letting things come between us? Are you afraid? Or don’t you really love me?”
“Scapulus,” she said. She didn’t know how to respond. She was sure loved him more than anything. Did that mean she was afraid? Of what? That he’d leave her? That she’d leave him? That she was somehow putting him in danger?
“Just as I thought,” he said. “You really are something. I’m not going to be your toy anymore. This is over.”
He pushed back his chair and stomped out of the library, leaving Ancillary Darktower’s notes on the table. Amanda picked them up and put them in her pocket. Then she laid her head on her arms and sobbed.
A couple of days later Clive ran into the common room with his tablet and said, “You’re not going to believe this.”
“What?” said Amanda, who was talking with Ivy.
“Darktower. He made that video himself.”
Clive shoved the tablet in front of Amanda’s face and waved a finger over it to start it. There, on YouTube, was a video of Ancillary Darktower in a lame disguise but completely recognizable, delivering a full on sermon about the virtues of logic and the illegitimacy of magic. Underneath were three comments saying what a jerk he was. All of seven people had viewed it since it had been posted the day before.
18
Only Seven People Saw the Video
When Simon saw the video he said, “Forget it. It isn’t important.”
“What do you mean, it isn’t important?” said Ivy. The two of them had made up and had settled back into their old repartee. “Only seven people saw the video, and three of them took the time to tell Professor Darktower that he’s a jerk.”
“Ssh,” said Amanda. “It’s not supposed to be Darktower. It’s his alter ego.”
“He isn’t fooling anyone with that ridiculous disguise,” said Simon. “Look at that wig.” He was right. The gray wig was pathetic. You could see wisps of dark hair peeking out from
underneath. “But it doesn’t matter. I have a much better solution. Look at this.”
From his backpack he produced a machine that looked a bit like Clive’s acoustic levitator. It had a central chamber for who knew what, and a plethora of dials, switches, and digital displays.
“What is it?” said Ivy. “I can’t tell.”
“It’s my history machine,” said Simon.
“History machine?” said Ivy. “What’s that?”
“Funny you should ask,” said Simon. Ivy lifted up her glasses and gave him what would have been a dirty look if she could see. “Shivers,” he said. “The famous Ivy freeze.”
“Shut up,” said Ivy playfully. Amanda was glad to see them getting along again. She had no idea what Simon had said to reverse the damage he’d done, although Ivy’s withering remark about his Asperger’s was probably more hurtful, or would have been if Simon were anyone but Simon Binkle. Whatever they’d said had seemed to be magic, though, because she couldn’t detect a single trace of animosity or hurt feelings in either of them.
“Well, what is it already?” said Amanda.
“It’s a machine that can read the echoes of people’s actions,” said Simon. “I’m going to use it to prove that Liam didn’t plant anything in that hidden room. It will show us everything that happened there, just as if we were watching in real time.”
“No,” said Amanda. “That isn’t possible.”
“Of course it is,” said Ivy. “That’s kind of what I do, but more so.”
“What are you talking about?” said Amanda.
Simon went into his lecture mode. “In the atmosphere, there are all sorts of things that become perturbed when something moves or makes a noise. Waves, vibrations, magnetism, and so on.”
“Okay,” said Amanda, hoping he’d keep it brief.
“Well, my device measures those traces. In essence, it can see the past.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” said Amanda. “Even if that were possible, which I don’t see how it is because aren’t they really faint and don’t they eventually disappear . . .”
“Yes, but I’ve figured out a way around that,” said Simon.
“How do you separate the effects of one action from all the others that happened around it?” she continued. “If you were to try to measure every move I’ve made in this room, for example, wouldn’t it be just one hodgepodge?”
“Yes, if I weren’t the one who’d created the machine,” said Simon.
“Silly me,” said Amanda. “How could I have failed to note that?”
“Do you know how they have these devices that can track a person’s gait?” said Simon. “They can tell you if the way you walk has changed so you can follow up with your doctor if you suspect something is wrong.”
“Sure,” said Amanda. “I’ve seen those. Pedometers on steroids.”
“This is a lot like that,” said Simon.
“But you wear those,” said Amanda. “They feel your motion and only your motion.”
“Indeed,” said Simon. “And so does my machine. Oh, did I forget to mention that it works with a separate motion sensor?”
“I don’t understand,” said Amanda.
“Think of Clive’s acoustic levitator,” said Simon. “It doesn’t work without the reflector that sends the sound waves it emits back the way they came. You have to place that properly for the device to work”
“Right,” said Amanda.
“My history machine needs a motion sensor to be placed in the area in order to work,” said Simon. “You have to install it before the motions occur in order for the machine to pick them up.”
“So you couldn’t tell what I’ve done in this room then,” said Amanda.
“Not unless I’d put one in here beforehand, no,” said Simon. “But if I put one here now, I could track what you do afterwards.”
“Then I don’t see how this is going to help,” said Amanda. “There aren’t any motion sensors in the chamber or the cave.”
“Oh, thou of little faith,” said Simon. “When I was at the dig, my motion sensor fell out of my pocket. It’s probably still in the hidden chamber. I also managed to slip one into Liam’s rucksack before he left for Wales. Wherever he went, it went.”
“You mean his backpack?” said Amanda.
“Yes,” said Simon.
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” said Amanda.
“Yup. You may kiss my feet now.”
Amanda ignored that. “Let’s assume this thing does work, which I doubt it does,” she said. “What do you do with these readings?”
“I’m surprised you of all people would ask such a thing,” said Simon.
“Hang on,” said Amanda. An image was beginning to form in her mind. “You don’t mean—”
“I do indeed,” said Simon. “You, oh filmmaker, will create 3D animations from them. We will be able to see exactly what Liam did, just as if we were there, assuming you make a good model of him.”
“And you think this will prove Liam’s innocence?” said Amanda.
“No, I don’t,” said Simon. “I know it will.”
Darktower was devastated. He had expected a massive response to his video and a concomitant uprising that would bring people to their senses. He simply could not understand what had gone wrong.
“Mr. Holmes, can you debug YouTube from here?” said Darktower after calling Holmes and Amanda to his office. Amanda was still furious with Holmes and didn’t want to have anything to do with him. He didn’t seem any happier to see her than she was to see him either.
“I’m not sure what you mean, sir,” said Holmes.
“Obviously something is wrong with their counter,” said Darktower. “Most of the comments have been suppressed. Can you fix that so it’s accurate?”
Holmes gulped. “I’m sorry, Professor, but I can’t get through their security,” he said.
“Nonsense,” said Darktower. “You were able to get through Moriarty’s security and delete that virus formula.”
Amanda was surprised the teacher knew about that. During the spring, Holmes had struggled to disable the Moriartys’ operations by removing all copies of the formula they’d used to taint their competitors’ sugar. Despite their formidable security, however, he’d succeeded. But of course that wasn’t the issue here.
“I’m afraid that’s different,” said Holmes tactfully.
“Mr. Holmes,” said the teacher, “are you telling me that Legatum’s most expert hacker can’t do a little thing like this?”
“I appreciate the compliment, sir, but yes,” said Holmes. “That’s what I’m telling you.”
“Stuff and nonsense,” said Darktower. “I wonder if I were to upload the video again, perhaps the result would differ.”
“I don’t think so, sir,” said Holmes. “The system would detect that it was a duplicate and wouldn’t let you.”
Amanda had no idea if that was true, but it sounded good. Anything to dissuade Darktower from his ridiculous plans.
“Well, then,” said the scary man, “I will just have to make another.”
“Another . . . video?” said Holmes.
“Of course a video,” said Darktower. “You’re not suggesting I make a feature film by Friday, are you?”
Holmes almost forgot himself and looked at Amanda, but he stopped himself. She didn’t miss the attempt though. She knew he was hurting. Well so was she, and she was tired of it. Let him fix their relationship this time. She’d had enough to-ing and fro-ing.
“No, sir. Of course not, sir.”
“I think this time I really shall need an actor. How do I get one quickly? Are there directories?”
Amanda figured there was no use fighting him anymore. “Yes, sir,” she said. “I’ll get one for you.”
“Well, why didn’t you speak up before?” said Darktower. “If it’s that simple.”
“I just thought . . .” she began. Then she forgot herself and looked at Holmes. “I mean we thought . . .”
“Never mind,” said Darktower. “Let’s move on this now.”
Finding an actor who was available and could get to Legatum pretty much instantly was less tricky than it sounded. What was difficult was deciding on the “right” actor, for Ancillary Darktower was extremely picky.
“Who’s this Scrumley Bordeaux?” said Darktower, pointing to a listing on Amanda’s tablet. “It says here he’s worked with the Carlisle Dinner Theater. Is that good?”
Amanda didn’t know what to say. The guy was probably terrible, but what did it matter?
“Let’s look a bit further, shall we?” she said.
“How about Samuel Patella?” he said, pointing to another listing. “He has directing as well as acting experience. Hm, I’m not sure, though. It looks like he’s mostly made films for toddlers.”
“Let’s see what else there is,” said Amanda.
“Oh, this one looks good,” said Darktower. “Ardent Nosegood. He does business films.”
Amanda had to admit that the guy looked suitable. “Yes, he seems to fit.”
“Excellent,” said Darktower. “I’ll phone him.”
He picked up the phone that was sitting on his desk and punched in Mr. Nosegood’s phone number.
“Hello?” said Darktower. “Is that Ardent Nosegood?” Pause. “Excellent. My name is Ancillary Darktower. I am looking for an actor.” Pause. “A video.” Pause. “A short one.” Pause. “Oh, maybe fifteen minutes.” Pause. “It’s a speech.” Pause. “Yes, I do have a script, but you don’t need to see that now. I need you right away.” Pause. “The Lake District.” Pause. “Yes, of course I’ll pay scale.” He turned to Amanda and mouthed, “What is scale?” She made a thumbs up. “What’s that? Yes, I’ll have my assistant give you directions. Four o’clock? Yes, that’s fine.” Pause. “I don’t have to give you a deposit, do I?” Pause. “Very well, then. Four o’clock. Here is my assistant.”
He handed the phone to Amanda. She was so mad at being referred to as an assistant that she just about got up and stomped out of the room. However she figured that would just backfire, so she took the phone and almost gave Ardent Nosegood Legatum’s address. Then she remembered her oath of secrecy and gave the address of a local hotel at which her parents had stayed instead.
Amanda Lester, Detective Box Set Page 124
