Stone Junction

Mickey Mouse Time in America, and pieces of the set still exist.

‘While there may be aesthetic arguments about the value of his sculptures, there’s none about the artistry of his bombs. Expert workmanship. Untraceable connections for the explosives. The highest-quality components. Excellent safety features. And no mistakes that anybody ever heard about. Gideon also had a certain panache in his demolitions, always using a Mickey Mouse clock – sort of his signature, even though he replaced the clock mechanisms with more sophisticated timers.

‘Now this is important: Gideon, unbeknownst to Shamus, lived less than four blocks away from Shamus in Richmond. It is easily conceivable that he saw your mother and Shamus together, or even that Shamus told him about her – though Shamus denies that anyone but you and he knew of your mother’s involvement. It is possible that Gideon deduced your mother would be delivering the bomb. He knew that it was merely for diversion, which meant that it would present a very low risk for whoever delivered it, yet would require someone completely trustworthy – in short, a perfect job for Shamus’s lover.

‘At this point it gets a bit trickier. Shamus swears that Gideon didn’t know that the bomb was diversionary to a plutonium theft. However, Gideon knew something of Shamus’s history, and no doubt sensed his current obsession with fissionable materials – Gideon was not without wit, and obsessions are difficult to conceal. So it’s likely Gideon figured out what Shamus was after. There is evidence Gideon had reservations about his association with the heist, as he indirectly confided to certain friends days before the planned attempt – mentioning that he was involved in something that he regretted, fearing it would bring a great deal of scrutiny to his activities. It also seems Gideon had a particular antipathy to nuclear devices, considering them beyond the scale of intelligent control. Not unlike Shamus’s position, really, but with the crucial difference that Gideon believed they are so poisonous to the soul that you can’t mess with them without contamination, whatever your motives.

‘So. Between jealous revenge and a growing fear about his probable involvement in the theft of nuclear materials, Gideon decided to alter the bomb in some way – perhaps so that it would detonate moments after it was armed, or perhaps by a remote device.’ Daniel started to say something but Volta anticipated him. ‘So why did your mother know something was amiss in time to yell a warning to you? I’m not sure, but maybe it was something she felt when she armed the bomb or – and I wouldn’t discount this as a possibility – she remembered Gideon’s obsession with the Mickey Mouse image, probably knew he made bombs, did know a Mickey Mouse clock had been used in the one she was carrying, and came up with enough doubts and dangers to warn you.’

Daniel was shaking his head.

‘I know,’ Volta said, ‘the latter is fairly thin conjecture.’

‘Yes, it is – but more than that, it was the way she yelled for me to run. It wasn’t like there might be danger; it was immediate, urgent.’

Volta sighed. ‘I know. But by your own description she was extremely nervous, enough so that a vague connection might have become an urgent truth.’

‘What does Gideon say to all this speculation?’

‘Nothing. Nor will he. He was killed in a car wreck less than a year later – hit head-on by a drunk driver, who is now serving an eight-year term for second degree murder.’

Daniel said, ‘Circumstance, conjecture, a convenient death – it sounds awfully loose.’

‘I can’t disagree. But how would you like to check it out yourself? Investigative work is excellent training. Besides, you must be ready to come out of the hills for some bright lights and big city. It’s up to you, of course.’

‘I would like that,’ Daniel said. ‘I want some direct information.’

‘Done. I’ll set up a money drop for you in the city to support your investigation. You take care of the rest – lodging, food, and so forth. You’ll be on your own, but I’ll give you a number to contract me if you’re so inclined. I might be able to coordinate information and leads, and perhaps offer some instructions – suggestions, really.’

‘Why not give them to me now?’

Volta smiled faintly. ‘Because I’m not sure what they are. Things have been moving very fast lately.’

‘I noticed,’ Daniel said. He was just about to ask Volta’s opinion on his sexual problem when he heard Mott railing at Pissgums down in the barn.

‘I must leave within the hour,’ Volta said, getting to his feet, ‘and first I must talk to Mott and Charmaine.’

‘What do you have to talk to her about?’

Volta arched an eyebrow. ‘Business. She needs some supplies and new equipment for her lab.’

‘What does she make in that lab of hers anyway?’

‘She doesn’t always tell me, and I never ask.’

‘You just supply the materials and equipment on faith, right?’

‘Exactly. The same basis on which we provide your training. Please call and check in when you get to the city.’

Daniel left the Rocking On a week later, three jars of chili and a quarter pound of trainwreck weed in his pack, farewell gifts from Mott. Charmaine was gone for the month, so he left her a good-bye note thanking her for her help. He promised Mott he’d call if he ran across any new drugs or happened to hear about a vintage bazooka for sale.

Transcription: Telephone Call Between

Volta and Daniel

DANIEL: Hey, this is Daniel. I just went by the drop and there’s only a hundred dollars.

VOLTA: We’re not a rich organization, Daniel.

DANIEL: A hundred dollars won’t even pay rent. This is San Francisco.

VOLTA: I understand. It’s a dismal situation. But frankly, the finances are in shambles. Our accountant fell in