“Oh, that’s Brad, please.”
“Okay, Brad.” She smiled at him over the rim of her drink.
“One thing I was curious about when I researched the university, it has just about the smallest astronomy department anywhere. Was it your husband who started it?”
“Oh, no, that was Dr. Marance, he was one of the founders of the university; his actual discipline was astrophysics. The astronomy department was set up under his wing, apparently he was quite a dynamic character, hard to say no to. He believed astronomy was an essential component to classifying the universe, so there wasn’t much opposition to setting up the observatory. Then he left for rejuvenation, and Dudley got the appointment to carry on running the department. It’s been a bit of a struggle, to be honest; astronomy was still part of the physics department. It hasn’t really been independent until today.” She took a sip of the rose. “Big day.”
“I see. But it still managed to attract funding after Dr. Marance left, enough funding to keep it going independently.”
“Well, there are all sorts of sources you can apply to: government and educational foundations. It was a constant struggle for Dudley to secure the budget every year, but he’s most tenacious, and a very capable administrator. Thankfully. He managed to keep going against quite a few odds. And, well, look at the result.”
“Quite. So it really is a case of the small noble man against the universe.”
“I wouldn’t put it exactly like that. Nobody was opposing him, it’s just that astronomy isn’t the most highly valued discipline these days. That’s all changing, now, of course. We’ve had over eight thousand applicants to study with Dudley in the next academic year.”
“I take it you won’t be able to accommodate them all?”
“Unfortunately not. It’s going to take some time to build the department up to Commonwealth-class standards. And, of course, Dudley may well be involved in the Second Chance mission.”
“Really?”
“He ought to be,” she said emphatically. “He was the discoverer, after all. He’s devoted years of his life to the Dyson Pair; that dedication has made him the Commonwealth’s premier expert on the subject. It would be very strange if they didn’t take him along as part of the science team, now wouldn’t it?”
“I suppose so. Has Captain Kime asked him to join the crew?”
“Not yet.”
“Like you say, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. But I’m more interested in his history, and that of the astronomy department here at the university. I’m sure you’re being modest, but it really does sound like an epic battle; the fight for recognition, the fight for money, year after year. That provides quite an insight into your husband’s personality.”
“I’m very proud of him.”
“Can you tell me who some of the supporters were in the past? For example, which educational trusts provided money or resources?”
“Ah, well, there was the Frankton First Advancement, the St. James Outlook Fund, the Kingsford Pure Research Enablement Foundation, BG Enterprise, they all made most generous contributions; but the largest single donation came from the Cox Educational charity, that’s based on Earth.”
“An Earth charity supporting work out here, that’s quite remarkable.”
“They support a lot of basic scientific groundwork in universities across the Commonwealth, I believe.”
“So how long have the Cox commissioners been supporters of your husband’s department?”
“Eleven years now, ever since we arrived here.”
“What are they like?”
“Who?”
“The charity commissioners.”
“I don’t know. The contact was made over the unisphere. They’ve never actually visited. We are one of thousands of projects they support.”
“They didn’t even come today?”
“No, I’m afraid not. As you say, it’s a long way for a glass of wine and a canape.”
“Okay, so what made Professor Bose choose the Dyson Pair as his observation target?”
“Distance. Gralmond was in the right place to observe the envelopment. Not that we expected one as dramatic as this.”
“Did he choose Gralmond because of that? Was he interested in the Dyson Pair before?”
“Not especially, no. After all, Dudley is a pure astronomer, and the envelopment for all it’s an astounding event isn’t natural.”
“He only started the observation after you arrived, then?”
“Yes.”
“What did the university say about that proposal?”
“They didn’t say anything; it’s up to Dudley to decide the astronomy department’s objectives.”
“And the foundations, they didn’t object? They are mostly pure science institutions, aren’t they?”
“Brad, are you trying to find a scandal?”
“Oh, good heavens, no. I haven’t worked for a good old muckraking tabloid show like Baron’s in decades. I just want the history, that’s all. To tell a story properly, you need background; it doesn’t necessarily all get included, but those details have to be there to add authority. I’m sorry, I’m lecturing, I’ve been doing my job for a long time.”
“That wasn’t a lecture. If you’d lived with Dudley for any length of time, you’d know what a lecture is.” Damn. Did that sound bitter?
“I’m sure. So, the foundations and their funding?”
“They were supportive, especially the Cox. In fact, I think the Dyson Pair observation was written into the endowment contract, they wanted to make sure it was seen through to its conclusion.”
“Did they now?”
Just for a second, Wendy saw a flash of triumph on his slender face. It was rather unnerving, she’d thought him more controlled than that, a long-lived sophisticate. “Is that important?” she asked.
“Not at all,” he said with an urbane smile, much more in character. He leaned forward slightly, taking her into his mischievous confidence. “Now tell me, just how is the dean handling all this? One of his professors becoming the most famous academic in the Commonwealth must be a bit of a shock.”
Wendy gave her glass a demure glance. “I couldn’t possibly say.”
“Ah well, you can’t say I didn’t try. I must thank you for sparing so much of your time on this day.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.” He inclined his head politely, then raised a finger. “One thing, when you see Paula, please tell her from me to stop concentrating on the details, it’s the big picture that counts.”
“I don’t understand, I don’t know anyone called Paula.”
He grinned. “You will.” And with that he slipped away through the crowd, leaving her staring after him, bemused, if not somewhat irritated, by his ridiculously cryptic message.
Two hours into the reception, Dudley’s e-butler told him the police were calling him. “You’re not serious,” he told it.
“I’m afraid so. There are two patrol cars at the house. A neighbor reported someone leaving.”
“Well what does the house array say?”
“The house array seems to be off-line.”
“Goddamnit.”
“Will you be coming? The police did emphasize it is important.”
“Yes, yes!”
So he had to break away from the chairman of Orpheus Island, who had been suggesting a serious sponsorship arrangement for some of the observatory equipment—possibly extending to the Second Chance —give up his wineglass to a rather pretty waitress, who knew his name and smiled, then walk around the hall trying to find Wendy. It didn’t help that she was also moving around trying to find him. They both decided not to say their good-byes to the dean.
The Carlton drove them back home. Slumped down in his seat, Dudley realized how drunk he was. But the wine had been good, and the catering staff kept filling his glass. Wendy gave him a disapproving look as he climbed out of the car using extreme caution.
Constable Brampton was waiting for them beside the front door of their two-story home. Like all the others on the housing estate, it was local wood pinned to a carbonsteel frame and painted a deep green. The windows were white, with the glass turned up to full opacity. The policeman saluted casually as they approached. “Doesn’t seem to be any damage,” he said. “But we’ll need you to take a look around and see if anything’s missing.”
Wendy gave the open door a curious glance. “You’re sure they’ve gone?”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ve checked it out thoroughly. Nobody inside apart from us.” He gestured with an open hand.
Dudley couldn’t see any obvious signs of a burglary. No broken objects, furniture exactly where it always was. The only thing wrong was the lack of response from the house array. “What happened?” he asked.
“Your neighbor reported someone leaving by the front door. They got into a car parked just down the street and drove off. He knew you were at a function at the university, so he called us.”
“My husband was getting his professorship,” Wendy said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Constable Brampton said. “I know that. Congratulations, sir, you deserve it. What you did put old Gralmond right on the map.”
Wendy frowned. That was the second time she’d heard that phrase today.
Dudley gave the front door an annoyed look. It was properly wired, the insurance company had insisted on that, and the house array had excellent security routines. “How did they get in?”
“We’re not sure. Somebody who knew what they were doing. Bypassed all your electronics, takes a smart person to do that. Or someone with a smart program.”
They went into Dudley’s study. He felt as if he should apologize for the mess. There were books and glossy printouts everywhere, pieces of old equipment, a window almost invisible behind the rampant potted plants. Two forensics officers were examining the desk and its open drawer. The house array was inside, a simple
