You dont seem to be progressing very fast, Doprel, Fiske said. And youre not even working on the skull.
I never work on the skull, Doprel said. Im making a cast and Ill do the work on that.
Does everyone? It seems like a waste of time.
No, but I prefer to do it that way, Doprel said with irritation. Its safer. I dont have to be so careful of the skull.
Timwick wants the work done quickly. This cast is
I work the way I work, Doprel said coldly. I find it goes even faster when I dont have to be cautious.
Timwick doesnt care if the skull is damaged. We dont have time for the cast. He paused. Id think youd want to get this done fast so you can go home.
Its not the way I He hesitated. Screw it. What the hell do I care if the damn thing gets broken? Ill work on the skull. Now leave me alone, Fiske. Youre supposed to bring me meals and get me what I need, not criticize my methods.
Arrogant prick. He was treating Fiske like a lousy servant. Fiske had seen those scientific types before. They thought they were better and smarter than everyone else. Doprel with all his training and brains couldnt do what Fiske did in a million years. He wouldnt have either the cunning or the guts.
But maybe Doprel would learn his mistake be-fore this was over. Timwick said it depended on the results. Fiske smiled. I didnt mean to offend. He started to leave. Let me go make a pot of coffee for you.
BARRETT HOUSE
WEDNESDAY
10:50 P.M.
Done.
Eve stepped back, took off her glasses, and wiped her stinging eyes with the back of her hands. The meticulous work of laying the clay strips was fin-ished, and her eyes were strained badly. She didnt dare do anything else right now; she couldnt risk making a mistake. Shed sit down, rest for an hour or so, and then begin again.
She crossed to the desk, dropped down in the chair, leaned back, and closed her eyes.
Are you okay? Logan asked.
She jumped, and her gaze flew to the far corner of the lab. Jesus, she had forgotten he was in the room. In the past twenty-four hours, he had moved in and out of the lab like a ghost, and she couldnt remember him even speaking to her.
Maybe he had. She had been so absorbed with Jimmy that she didnt remember much of those hours. She vaguely recalled she had called her mother once but had no idea what she had said.
Okay? Logan repeated.
Of course Im okay. I was just resting. I dont have the best vision in the world and my eyes are strained.
With good reason. Ive never seen anyone work with that much intensity. Michelangelo probably was less tense when he was sculpting David.
He had more time.
Hows it coming?
I dont know. I never know until its done. Im through with the donkey work. Now comes the hard part.
A little rest might help. He was sitting with apparent ease, but she was suddenly aware of the ten-sion in him.
I was trying to rest, she said dryly.
Sorry. And I was trying to help. He smiled crookedly. Ive been expecting you to collapse any minute.
But you didnt stop me.
I cant. The clocks ticking. He paused. How long?
Twelve hours. Maybe a little longer. She wearily leaned back in the chair again. I dont know. As long as it takes. Dont nag me, dammit.
Right. He rose jerkily to his feet. Ill leave you alone to rest. Why dont you lie down on the couch? When do you want me to wake you?
I dont want to sleep. I just have to rest my eyes.
Then Ill come back later. He added as he moved toward the door, If you dont mind.
It doesnt matter. She closed her eyes again. Tell me, Logan, doesnt all this subservience and courtesy stick in your throat?
A little. But I can live with it. I learned a long time ago that if youre not the most important chip in a computer, you grease the wheels and dont get in the way.
I believe thats the worst mix of metaphors Ive heard.
How would you know? Your minds probably too blurry for you to think straight.
I dont have to think. From now on its pure in-stinct. I just have to be able to see.
I can feed you, but I cant help you there.
