Camden's Knife

by John Patrick Kavanagh

  “I could call her right now if you want.”

  “We don’t want to seem too eager. Why don’t you just tell her tomorrow morning. Tell her you got Robin and he got me and I’m ready to talk.”

  “When?”

  “We can do it then. You call Robin, he’ll call me. Get it over with.”

  “But do you trust Lane to make an honest deal?” McReynolds asked.”She screwed you once before.”

  “She’ll keep her word,” Stonetree put in.

  “That does raise an interesting logistical point.” The doctor sighed, smoothing his beard a few times.”I’m a bit reluctant just to walk into the lab and point to the CY6A4 and say Here it is, where’s my notebooks? Any thoughts David?”

  “There must be a way to keep it all aboveboard.”

  “One possibility,” he continued, “would be for me to tell them that I was going to do an unknown number of dry runs through the lab, then walk down to street level and out the door. They’d never know if or when I had it or if or when I didn’t. Then we could work the trade on more neutral ground.”

  “That’s a good idea,” McReynolds said.”Keep those bastards honest.”

  “I’d actually take it out on my third run.”

  “Why three?” Stonetree asked.

  “Because people always think you’re going to do things the third time around, and they’d figure I knew that so I’d probably do it on the second run. That way, we fake out everyone including ourselves.”

  They all laughed.

  “Maybe the three guards, too,” McReynolds added, and they all laughed again.

  “That does it then,” the doctor said, standing up.”We’ll do it tomorrow. Robin, you said you had an engagement later on?”

  “I do. Are we done here?”

  “I think so. David? Could you give me a ride to wherever you’re going? I’d like to take a little spin in that Mustang.”

  “I’ll pass on a ride,” McReynolds said.”My appointment is just a few minutes from here.”

  “Come on, Robin. Come down and see it.”

  “I’d still like a test drive,” the doctor stated.”I used to have one of those ponies myself.”

  “Let’s go.”

  In the parking garage, the men oohed and aahed over the car for a minute before parting, McReynolds again declining a lift. Camden hopped into the passenger seat and Stonetree piloted it to the entrance.”Which way?”

  “I don’t care. Wherever you’d like to go.”

  He swung the car to the left and gunned the engine just enough to attract attention.

  “How long have you known Robin?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” he replied as he switched on the radio.”Five, six years. He was married to a friend of mine in college.”

  “And you trust him?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  “Just wanted to make sure. I asked him the same question earlier in the evening about you. He said you could be trusted to a fault. He really likes you, respects you.”

  “We’ve seen each other through some ups and downs. I guess that can build up trust between two people. He went through a very rough period after Sasha left him. We had some crazy times back then.”

  “I think he’s a good man too. A little ambitious I’d say, but he’ll outgrow that. On the other hand, even though you don’t want to hear this, I still have a few, reservations about you.”

  Stonetree pulled the car over to the curb, shut off the engine then frowned at his passenger.

  “I can understand some hesitation on your part because you have much more to lose than I do. I do want to help you because it might help me and besides that, it’s the right thing to do.” He paused.”But I don’t know what to change to eliminate your fears. What do you want from me?”

  “Do you remember our first conversation, back at the Hyatt?”

  “Yes.”

  “Robin was in the bathroom or something and you asked what I thought of Selfscan.”

  “You told me you thought it was interesting but would need some tuning.”

  “But that the inventors had done a reasonably good job with it.”

  “Right.”

  The doctor looked out the window, Stonetree sensing he was about to receive quite an insult.

  “I’d like to get you on the disc and see how you respond to a couple of items.”

  “Oh, come on!” Stonetree blurted, rubbing his eyes.”You have to be kidding. What’s that going to prove?”

  “Maybe it’ll prove that I’m not being set up.”

  He looked at the man he’d grown to admire from their first meeting but one he’d almost despised just a few weeks before. Camden was calling him a liar, simple as that. He might be a lot of things, have his own set of neuroses and weaknesses, but he wasn’t a liar. At least not to Camden. At least not on important issues.

  “Shit, great,” he replied, resignation in his voice.”Sure, why not? Maybe we can find someone with a rubber hose, too. They could beat it out of me.”

  “Dave,” the doctor protested softly, “you have to understand. I don’t think you’re lying to me. I believe you.”

  “Then why the disc?”

  “I’ve made some bad judgments about trusting people in the past.” He paused.”And I knew them a lot better than I know you.”

  He told Camden to wait a minute and got out of the car, using his trans to call Kravatz, recalling the therapist kept hours until 9:00 on Thursdays. After being put on hold for two minutes by the receptionist, Kravatz finally took the call, saying he was fully booked. Could it wait until the next day? Stonetree told him it was critical to get in that night, and he finally relented, agreeing to see him at 9:30.

  Halfway back to the car a wave of realization washed over him just as a wave following the crackle of a Bradean-4 would. He didn’t understand truth. He only understood shades of it, and couldn’t remember the last time he’d ever leveled with anyone, ever really laid it out for all to see. It wasn’t maliciousness that guided him, though. It was misunderstanding. It was pain.

  He didn’t want to disappoint. He didn’t want to harm. So his version of reality was filtered through buffers, synthesized into a product with which no one could take offense.

  Instead of looking in a mirror and asking questions, he paid Kravatz rent money, so to speak, $250 a crack to borrow his mirror. But even in the six-foot reflector, he only saw what he thought was the truth, which wasn’t necessarily the truth at all.

  What was the point? Who was he kidding? Worst of all, when would he get caught?

  They drove to the therapist’s office and waited in the car until 9:25. Stonetree gave Camden a detailed account of his deal with Hendricks and the doctor related some stories about his former sports car, a 1966 white convertible, how he used to love driving through the Georgia countryside at breakneck speeds.

  When they entered the office, it was empty. They waited a few minutes and then Stonetree called Kravatz’s name. He called back, saying he’d be there in a moment. As he entered the office from behind the receptionist’s desk he came to a startled halt when he looked at the two visitors.

  “You didn’t say you were bringing someone with you,” he offered, staring at Camden.”And a famous someone at that.’’ He extended his hand.”Dr. Camden?”

  The doctor shook it enthusiastically.”Yes, that’s correct. And it’s nice to meet you, Dr. Kravatz.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, believe me.”

  “Dr. Kravatz?” Stonetree asked.”Isn’t there a doctor-patient privilege, you know, like with a priest?”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’d appreciate it if you forgot you met Dr. Camden, or at least forgot that you met him with me. Is that okay?”

  “Why? I don’t…”

  “It’s a long story and I won’t bore you with it. I realize you’re doing us a favor by sticking around.”

  “No problem at all. I…”

  “So if you could just plug me into the scan
ner and let me show the doctor how it works, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I’d be more than happy to participate in any demon…”

  “I know you love to show it off and I know that you’d like to pitch Dr. Camden but, uh, I have a little issue I have to resolve with him. It’s of a confidential nature so we’re just going to go into the room, turn down the lights and be out of your hair before you know it. Maybe some other night, huh?”

  “That’s fine, David,” he replied, turning to Camden.”I trust you don’t think I was trying to sell anything, sir.”

  “No, not at all, Doctor.” Camden laughed.”I’ve been known to get pretty enthusiastic about new technology too. Perhaps I could come back another time.” He placed his hand on Kravatz’s shoulder.”I’d like to try it out myself. With your guidance, of course.”

  “Of course! That would be fine. So let’s get David set up and I’ll leave you to the project you’re engaged in.”

  They walked into Room Two and Kravatz began to adjust the machine to fit Stonetree’s profile. The alcohol he could account for, and a cigarette earlier in the day, and even the obviously excited state his patient was in, but the readings were still not to his liking because the test responses were giving unusual results. He thought for a moment.

  “I’m not sure why,” he finally said, “but we’re getting an awful lot of high end out of you tonight. Have you taken any amphetamines today, anything that would boost your brain activity?”

  “No.”

  “There’s enough punch coming out of you…well, look at the screen.”

  They all did. Random spokes, in no particular order or pattern, were appearing. Even after the screen was cleared and no one said anything, the spokes returned.

  “It sure beats me.” The therapist groaned.”It’s usually much easier, Dr. Camden. Any Febrifuge or anything like that today, David?”

  “No.” Stonetree thought for a minute, slumping into the chair.”I did have some last night, though.”

  “How much?”

  “I’m not sure. I don’t remember. I was distracted.”

  “What series?”

  Stonetree looked at Camden and felt a rush of embarrassment.

  “I don’t know. I can’t remember. It was a lot, though.” A massive purple spoke appeared on the screen, but only Stonetree noticed it.”Yeah, uh,” he said, speaking louder and faster.”And I’m worried about a lot of things, about the Mustang, about Sharon’s health.” He hit the clear button.

  “Well, let me keep trying,” the therapist said. After a few moments the screen had calmed down and the test responses were flat enough to satisfy him. He went through a quick explanation of what he should do, then walked to the door.

  “Don’t I get the usual sendoff, Doctor?” Stonetree asked.

  “Oh, of course.” Kravatz cleared his throat.”And remember, David,” he said in a solemn tone although there was a smile on his face, “always seek the pain, no matter how truthful it might be.”

  Stonetree roared. Camden held back his laughter.

  “Or something like that,” Kravatz added quickly before he left the room and closed the door behind him.

  “All right, Doc,” he said, clearing the screen.”Here we are. What do you want to know? I’m not afraid to talk.”

  Camden looked at the screen and then at his patient.

  “Bear with me, David. I don’t like doing this. I can imagine how you must feel. Just a few things, okay?”

  “Shoot.”

  “Make a statement that you’re not setting me up.”

  Stonetree hit the clear button and turned to the shimmering disc.”I’m not setting Dr. Camden up.”

  Three blue spokes and one purple spoke, followed by a green one, appeared on the screen.

  “Clear it,” Camden ordered.”Next…that Robin isn’t setting me up.”

  “I don’t know if that’s true,” he protested.”Only what I believe.”

  “Do it, please.”

  “Robin is not setting up the doctor.”

  Again, three blue spokes, one purple, one green.

  “Good. That’s comforting. That makes me feel a whole lot better. Could you just try a few more for me?”

  “Shoot.”

  “Tell it you’re not happy you rented the Mustang.”

  “Why? What’s that got to do with anything? I am happy I’m test driving it,” he said, clearing the screen.

  “Humor me. I just want to see a comparison. I want to see a negative now that I’ve seen a few positives.”

  He hit the clear button again, staring into the small black circle.”I’m not happy I rented the Mustang.”

  An orange spoke, followed by two yellows, another orange, and a green appeared on the screen and began to swirl.

  “That’s funny,” Stonetree said as two pairs of spokes, one yellow and one green, entered the field.”I know I want it more than that.” Another two pairs of yellow and green spokes appeared.

  “I guess the mind really can play tricks on us, Dave.” Camden patted him on the shoulder.”The things we think we want, I guess, aren’t always what we really want.”

  “Reminds me of a song,” he replied, hoping the ordeal was over.”There’s this woman talking to this guy and she says something like your debutante only knows what you need but I know what you want. Wish I could remember who recorded that.”

  “Sounds wise to me,” Camden said, gazing at the screen.”And so it seems is this machine Dr. Kravatz has here. I’ve just got one more thing I’d like to ask you.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “But again, I really don’t need to. I’m satisfied. Let’s get going.”

  Stonetree charged the visit to a credit card and after an extended good-bye, Camden declining twice to set up an appointment, the three of them left the building together, Kravatz stopping to see the car and then went on his way.

  As the two of them returned to the hotel, Stonetree couldn’t contain his curiosity about Camden’s final but unasked question.

  “So what was the last question you wanted to ask me? I could have handled it. Shit, I was involved in corporate espionage last week and now I’m about to help retrieve the Rosetta Stone of medical science. I’m pretty tough.”

  “It’s really pretty personal. I was just playing a hunch. It’s nothing.”

  “Come on. Tell me.”

  “I was going to ask you if you wanted to get involved with her.”

  “Who?” he asked, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

  “Trisha. I was going to ask if you wanted to bang her, that’s all.”

  “But why ask a question like that?”

  “Just a thought, my young friend.” He laughed.”Nothing more.”

  “Would you have an affair with her if you had the chance?”

  Camden smiled.”I’d be telling you a lie if I said the thought had never crossed my mind. A thought I suppose a lot of people at SUE have had. But although I’m a country boy, I do have a few smarts. And one of those smarts is that you don’t stick something into quicksand if you don’t want to lose it.”

  CHAPTER 14

  The next morning Stonetree arrived at the Plaza just past 9:00. He skipped a trip to the executive lounge area and went immediately to Lane’s office. He found her immersed in a phone call and had to knock on the doorjamb twice to get her attention. She motioned him to the couches.

  As he waited, he turned to study the text on the painting behind him. One side read

  I never met Pharaoh Khufu but want to just look into those image issues while the opposite read I never met Susanna Hoffs but want to just look into those eyes.

  Turning back, he saw Lane motion him to approach.

  “Good morning,” he began, walking up to her desk.

  “Hello, David,” she said flatly.

  “I wanted to thank you again for having me over last, uh, the other night.”

  She looked around him toward the door, then gazed at him curiously.

&n
bsp; “What goes on outside this office should not be discussed in it,” she stated, then leaned back in her chair and frowned ever so slightly.”That is the way it has to be. Period.”

  He looked toward the windows then back to her, wondering where she put her other self when it wasn’t in use.

  “I got hold of McReynolds, and he contacted Camden.”

  Her eyes brightened and she leaned forward, smiling.”Go on.”

  “Camden’s in town. He’ll talk to you. He said this morning.”

  “Excellent,” she murmured, standing.”I knew I could count on you, David.” She extended her hand and he shook it without enthusiasm.”So how do we arrange it? How do we set it up? Where do we do it?”

  “I’m supposed to call McReynolds and he’ll call Camden. After that I don’t…”

  “Well call him, call him,” she directed, pointing to her desk.”I’ll be right back. Just get him on the phone.”

  As she walked out of the office, Stonetree pulled the trans out of his pocket and scrolled to the number of the Hyatt. She walked back into the office just as the operator told him he’d be connected to Camden’s room.

  “Let me talk to him,” Lane said, requesting the phone with her outstretched hand. Stonetree turned it off.

  “Now do you want to talk to him or do you want me to talk to him?”

  “Oh,” she said, biting her lower lip.”You do it. I just got carried away.”

  He scrolled to McReynolds number and got an answer in three rings.

  “Hello, Dave.”

  “How are you this morning?”

  “Fine. What’s up? Where are you?”

  “I’m in Trisha Lane’s office over here at the Plaza.”

  “Is she there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh. What now?”

  “Ms. Lane would be happy to meet with Dr. Camden this morning. . .” He looked to her as she nodded.”At about. . .” He looked at her again and she whispered, “Anytime. But only the doctor.”

  “Anytime. But only the doctor,”

  “What about me?”

  “Only the doctor. Could you call us back here at the Plaza when you contact Dr. Camden and let us know when we should expect him?”