Stone Junction

‘I don’t know,’ Daniel said weakly. ‘I don’t know. She screamed and it exploded.’

‘If you want, we’ll look into it. It will take time, no doubt, but perhaps less if you know who built the bomb.’

‘I don’t,’ Daniel said. ‘Shamus should, though – ask him.’

‘I’d like to. However, I’ve been trying to locate him for over a month now to discuss your situation, but he seems to have vanished. Any ideas where he might be?’

‘No. But I want to know anything you find about my mother. I want to know what went wrong.’

‘Naturally. You will be kept completely informed – on that you have my word. Which leads to other matters we have to discuss. For instance, your future, and how we might help you.’

‘Help me do what?’

‘First, to escape the thirteen or so charges that will be filed against you. They only have inklings that the bomb was connected to a plutonium theft, so be very careful about what you say.’

‘They haven’t linked her with Shamus?’

Volta lowered his eyes, then looked back up, straight at Daniel. ‘Your mother didn’t leave any fingerprints, Daniel. Everything they know is from paper. They think she was Mrs Wyatt. We’ve cleaned the Baton Rouge connections, the bank account and land titles, and would be grateful if you forgot Dubuque completely.’ Volta kept talking to distract Daniel’s imagination from what the blast must have done to his mother. ‘However, from the snowshoe rental receipt in your pocket – the homemade driver’s license in your wallet had a phony name but the right address – the McKinley Street house was raided before we could cover it, so you also face some forgery and illegal possession charges. You’d be well advised to have an exceptional attorney, and we’d be glad to provide one free if you so choose.’

‘I’d appreciate that,’ Daniel said.

‘You’re fourteen, so you’ll be tried as a juvenile – actually, if things go well it’ll probably end up as a hearing, not a trial. It would help things go well if your amnesia proves intractable. Follow your lawyer’s instructions. We’ll try to get all charges dismissed and have you placed in your aunt’s custody.’

‘I don’t have an aunt.’

Volta cocked his head. ‘Aunt Matilda and Uncle Owen? The Wyatt Ranch up in Mendocino County?’

‘All right,’ Daniel said.

Volta crossed his arms. ‘Now, your future. Many people have spoken highly of you, people whose judgment I esteem – Smiling Jack, for one; Dolly Varden, Johnny Seven Moons, Elmo, and others. They think you have special qualities which should be developed and refined. AMO has some uniquely talented teachers who might help you transform potential into ability.’

‘Can I accept the legal help and not the teachers?’

‘Negotiation isn’t necessary. These are unconditional offers of assistance. Avail yourself as you please.’

‘I want the lawyer. The rest I need to think about.’

Volta said, ‘I’ll contact an attorney the moment I leave, which must be soon. But first I want you to know that I facilitated your return to consciousness by using simple, but suppressed, techniques that were taught to me by a woman named Ravana Dremier. Basically I joined your mind through the powers of empathy, and then I reminded you of life. I assure you I implanted no ideas or suggestions; I merely summoned your attention. I’m telling you this because you may remember my voice calling you – if you don’t at present, you may in the future, particularly in states of dream or reverie. It was your decision to return. I’m sorry about Annalee, Daniel. Heal quickly.’

Volta was at the door when Daniel called, ‘Thank you.’

Volta turned and said, ‘Yes. You’re welcome,’ and closed the door behind him.

Two: EARTH

The earth, being eager to generate, always produces something; you will imagine you see birds or beasts or reptiles in the glass.

—Philalethes

Transcription: Radio Call Between

Volta and Wild Bill Weber

VOLTA: Bill, it’s Volta. I need a decision about Daniel.

WILD B.: You’re sure he’s never been to any school?

VOLTA: As perfectly sure as the last time we discussed it.

WILD B.: Well, what about organic brain damage. Anything show up?

VOLTA: They’ve run every test they have. No evidence of impairment.

WILD B.: So why was he in a coma for nine weeks?

VOLTA: It’s what the Corpus Hermeticum calls ‘hiding on the threshold.’

WILD B.: Still pounding them dusty tomes, huh?

VOLTA: Still curious.

WILD B.: And curiouser and curiouser, I bet. Personally, I’m partial to Westerns.

VOLTA: If you keep tweaking me, I’ll let it be known that when we first met, you were still a Jesuit priest – and a rather sensational young Latin scholar.

WILD B.: Just more proof them books get you in trouble.