Cretaceous Sea

a sight of breathtaking beauty. The vision faded, and they were once again looking at the silver walls of the holotheater. Con's father grinned like a kid discovering an exotic new toy. Sara glanced at him, then formed her expression into a demure imitation of his. Con's reaction was more complicated. She was enchanted, even dazzled, yet dubious that the holovision was genuine. While part of her hoped it was, she also found that prospect unset- tling.

As the seats floated back to their starting places, the doors parted to reveal Ann Smythe waiting for them. Next to her was a small table with champagne in a silver ice bucket and four glasses. 'You're the first to see it,' she said, popping the cork. 'I thought we'd celebrate. Dom Perignon, vintage 2047.' By the time they were out of their seats, Ann had filled three glasses. She hesitated and looked to John Greighton before filling the fourth. 'I know your daughter's not quite eighteen, but perhaps you'd...'

'I don't drink,' said Con before her father could answer.

Ann gave John and Sara their glasses. They were made from hand-cut crystal. 'A toast!' she said. 'To the ultimate travel experience ... time travel!'

2

ANN SMYTHE WENT TO HER OFFICE AND SHUT THE DOOR

before entering Peter Green's code in her computer. When the link was established, she submitted to a retinal scan and entered her password before Green's face appeared on the viewscreen. His features had been redone by a well-known designer, but his handsome face had a harsh cast. Ann was convinced that his somewhat sinister appearance was inten-tional. The cold, pale eyes, however, were beyond artifice. They bore into her. 'Well?' Green said.

'I sold him,' said Ann. Tell him the good news first, she thought.

'He didn't balk at the price?'

'He didn't blink. Convincing him the offer was genuine was the hard part, even with the holovision. Once he believed he would actually go back in time, the privacy won him over. He's been hounded ever since he got engaged again. I told him that only he and Sara would ever know if they packed their swimsuits.' Green smirked. 'You're good.'

'The best,' agreed Ann. 'Three million Euros in one af-ternoon.'

' Three million?'

'He's taking his daughter, too.'

'I didn't know he had a daughter,' said Green.

'I thoroughly research my prospects. That's why I'm worth my commission,' replied Ann. 'She's from his first marriage. Doesn't live with him. When he brought her to the showing, I knew she was the key to the sale. They're not close, and that's why he wants her on this vacation.'

'What for?' asked Green. 'Having a kid hanging around would be the last thing I'd want.'

'I believe he wants to resurrect his family,' said Ann.

'Only with a younger wife,' said Green cynically.

'Yes,' agreed Ann, 'that's his pattern.' She saw her op-portunity to break the bad news and took it. 'But you're right about him. He doesn't really want the kid hanging around. That's why I told him our staff naturalist would keep her busy.'

'You told him what?' said Green angrily. 'I don't want anyone else in on this! Too many know already. Who the hell do you think you are?'

'I'm a salesperson, the best. I trust my instincts, and I felt it was necessary to close the sale. If you disagree with my judgment, I'll call Greighton up and tell him I was mistaken about the naturalist. But I guarantee he'll cancel.'

'I don't want a scientist snooping around. You know that!'

'He'll be a naturalist, for heaven's sake. I said he'd be young, too. How much trouble could he cause?'

'You didn't listen to me,' said Green coldly.

'Look, I think Greighton's more to you than a customer. If you need a big investor, he's as rich as they come. I de- livered him. I'd think you'd be grateful.'

'You think too much,' replied Green. He glared from the screen while he thought. 'Okay,' he said finally,