Chapter 17

Lise sat on the sofa in Megan’s living room. Klarissa snuggled under her left arm with the electronic book reader. Geddes cuddled to her right, sucking his thumb.

The news was on the mediascreen. Lise watched a reporter state that Thom, Lord Bromen, was not contesting charges of sedition, and that a Varadan magistrate would sentence him tomorrow. She pressed a remote control to switch it off.

Megan sat in a chair. “Hey,” she said, “I’m beginning to feel a little jealous.”

Klarissa looked up at her mother, then hopped off the sofa and climbed into Megan’s lap.

“I do feel like a member of your family,” Lise said. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

“You are a member of our family,” Megan replied.

“Does that mean we’ve adopted Lise?” Klarissa asked.

“In a way, I suppose it does. Lise, I mean it. You’re always welcome here. You’re so good with the twins. You gave them unconditional love and look how they responded. You’re good for me, too. I never knew unconditional love, so I didn’t know how to bestow it. You’ve taught me.”

“Surely you exaggerate.”

“Surely I do not. You’re a role model for me. Speaking of families -- have you heard from your mom and dad?”

“Yes. They’re still living at the temporary shelters. They’ll be reopening the Zone in a few days, so I imagine we’ll head back there. There’s no telling what we’ll find. Since no one owns the buildings, it’s homesteaders’ rights. I don’t know if we’ll get our old place back again or not.”

“If I had the space, I’d invite all of you to live here.”

“At least, we’ve gone back to the old curfew.”

“Yes,” Megan replied. “Dusk-to-dawn was beginning to wear on one.” She smiled. “I wonder if we’ll have a curfew-fueled baby boom within the next standard.”

The doorchime sounded. “I’ll get it,” Lise said. “Excuse me, Geddes...” She went to the door and swung it open. “Bryce...”

“Lise, may I come in?” She stood aside. “The civil reserve are busy clearing debris in the Zone. In doing so, they ran across a group of novonids who had been holed up in the basement of one of the burned-out buildings They were caught in the firefight, so to speak. Some of them are injured -- one in particular. He happens to be registered to Novonid Rescue, so he’s our concern. We had him transported to a novonid clinic in Quadrant Two. He’s in pretty bad shape and they don’t expect he’ll last the night. He’s asking for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes.”

Lise glanced at Megan. “Go to him,” she said. “We’ll manage ‘til you return.”

Bryce led Lise to a constable’s squad car. “Are these people your private taxi service?” Lise asked.

“They’re helping us get around with the curfew.”

Lise heard the warning chimes sound as the car headed toward Quadrant Two. They drove past Ramina’s breedery and stopped outside a single-story building. Bryce led her inside and spoke to an attendant.

“This way,” the attendant said. “I should warn you, it’s not a pretty sight.”

“What happened to him?” Lise asked.

“He has a punctured spleen.”

“Can’t you help him?”

“This condition is invariably fatal in novonids. The spleen is a vital photosynthetic organ. There’s nothing we can do.”

Lise was led to a cot. She knelt beside him. Tagg’s skin had faded to a pale yellow and he lay, gasping. “Tagg ... Oh, Tagg...” She cradled him in her arms.

“Lise ... You came.”

“I came as soon as I heard. Oh, Tagg ... You should’ve listened to me. All your talent...”

“Don’t scold me, Lise,” he gasped.

“Oh, Tagg -- I’m sorry.”

“I wanted you here, Lise ... to tell you ... I never stopped loving you.”

“I never stopped loving you, either. Oh, Tagg ... Your art. It did make a difference.”

“My art?”

“Yes. One of your sketches is on the cover of the Novonid Rescue newsletter. It means you reached people, Tagg. You got their attention.”

“Lise ... Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“Mott ... Any news of Mott? They said he was captured.”

“Mott turned himself in. The strike is over, Tagg. They’ve called off the demolition of the Zone.”

“We’ll keep fighting...”

“There’s nothing left to fight for.”

“Oh, Lise ... I’m so tired. I’ve been staying awake ‘til you came. I can’t any longer. I’m going to sleep now. Don’t leave me, Lise. I want you to be here when I wake up.”

A tear ran down her face. She squeezed his hand. “I’ll be here, Tagg.”

“I love you ... and that’s forever.”

“Tagg ... No, Tagg...”

He closed his eyes, shuddered and was still. Lise eased him back onto the cot. The attendant covered him with a drape.

Tears blurred Lise’s vision. Bryce approached her. “I’m sure you comforted him.”

“Who’s going to comfort me? I loved him, Bryce. Such a waste. Such a waste of his talent...” She sniffed back tears. “What happens next? Can we claim the body?”

“Claim the body? Surely you know novonid remains are disposed by...”

“Yes. By the city department of sanitation. Bryce -- Thom bought Tagg so he could live like a white. He never had the chance to do so. Can’t he at least die like one?”

“We’ll need to find a ... facility that will agree to this.”

“A body’s a body and ashes are ashes. I don’t understand what is the difficulty.”

“I’ll start making calls.”

“Oh, Bryce ... I’m losing both of the men I love.”

“You’re a young and beautiful woman, Lise. There’ll be other men.”

“Not like these two, there won’t be.”

A delivery courier stopped at number 505. The driver rang the bell and Lise accepted a package, and tipped the man with a mostly-fresh five-unit scrip card. She set the box on the floor.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Klarissa asked.

“Not now. I know what’s in it.”

“What’s in it?”

“An urn.”

“What’s an urn?”

“Do you know what a vase is?”

“Yes...” She pointed to one holding dried flowers.

“It’s like that but with a lid on it.”

“Oh ... Can’t we see it?”

“In due time. Now, it’s almost time for your mommy to come home, so why don’t you pick up your toys in the living room?”

“Okay...”

Megan opened the door and hugged Lise. She noticed the box. “Is that...”

“Yes. We’ll keep it under wraps until I finally move to wherever it is I move.”

“You are more than welcome to stay here, Lise -- for as long as you want.”

“I know, and thanks, but I really should be with my folks.”

“I understand. Are you ready for tomorrow?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I can’t believe they’re actually going to do it -- and I can’t believe you’re actually going to witness it.”

“Thom asked me to be there. He ordered his attorneys not to file any appeals. The outcome would be the same, and he’d rather get it over with.”

“Good luck and good courage, Lise. I wouldn’t have the stomach to do it.”

Bryce placed a placard in the windscreen of his car as they approached the tunnel leading into the Safety Palace. A constable’s deputy examined it and waved him into the building.

He escorted Lise to an upper floor, down a corridor and to a balcony overlooking Vyonna’s Promenade -- the point where all four quadrants of the city came together.

A scaffold had been erected on the spot, with a gibbet and a noose. Bryce showed another deputy some credentials and he motioned them onto the balcony. A row of folding chairs had been set up. Lise took a seat beside Brocton Mees.

“Thom will never see me up here,” Lise said.

“He knows you’re here and it’s a comfort to him.”

She looked down on the crowd assembled in the square. They pressed up against a barricade. A group of novonids pushed against the fence to the right of the square and a raucous crowd of whites assembled on the left.

“It looks like some ... perverted sporting event,” she whispered. “Bloodthirsty animals.”

“It’s the first public execution in over a hundred standards,” Bryce replied. “It’s been the only thing on the screens all day -- both the official news and the alternative.”

“I haven’t watched. How does killing Thom make things better? Letting him live would make things better.”

“Believe me, that argument was made and it fell on deaf ears. Thom’s good work will continue ... Look! They’re bringing him out.”

Lise leaned forward. A door in the safety palace opened. A pair of constables led Thom outside. Jeers and catcalls came from the left side of the square.

Thom’s hands were shackled behind his back. He walked toward the barricade where the novonids were assembled, nodded and spoke to them.

One woman held up a novonid child. Thom leaned and kissed the infant’s cheek.

“I know her,” Bryce said. “She was one of the first ones Thom rescued. In fact it was her case that made him found Novonid Rescue. She was in a terrible situation ... Simply terrible. She had been horribly abused, both physically and emotionally. Thom stepped in and...”

“And he’ll never be able to step in again. Oh, Bryce -- I can’t go through with it.”

“A moment’s courage, Lise, is all it takes.”

Lise bit her lip as the constables escorted Thom up the steps and to the platform. Another official began wrapping bands around his ankles and knees. A third pulled a white hood over his head, slipped the noose around his neck and tightened it. They stepped back.

A magistrate stepped forward and read the death warrant. Then, the trapdoor opened and Thom dropped through and was stopped abruptly by the rope. His body flexed, stiffened and was still. Some constable’s deputies began placing a screen around the scaffold.

The crowd fell silent. Novonids were weeping and embracing each other. A few whites cheered and applauded. Then the crowd began to disperse.

Lise stood and turned to leave the balcony. She paused in the doorway, supported herself against the frame, leaned over and vomited. Bryce came to her and put his arm around her.

“It was so ... barbaric,” she gasped. “Poor Thom.”

“Lise -- if you need a shoulder to cry on...”

“I’ve done my crying already. Take me to Megan’s house.”

“I’m afraid we have another piece of business. I’d like you to accompany me to my office.”

“Fine, Bryce. Whatever you say.”

He led her to the garage, opened the passenger door to his car and Lise slid in. He sat in the driver’s seat and piloted the vehicle to an office complex in a suburb of Quadrant One, not too far from the House on the Hill.

Once inside his office he unlocked a cabinet and withdrew a polysheet scroll. “This is Thom Bromen’s will,” he said, unrolling the scroll. “It is Varadan law that one convicted of a felony must forfeit his estate to the government. However, using a bit of legal legerdemain, Thom and I transferred his entire estate to Novonid Rescue, with the effective date of the transfer order prior to his arrest and arraignment. Consequently, it has all been preserved. Do you understand?”

“Yes...”

“In particular, the estate has been placed into a trust with you as beneficiary. This includes his controlling interests in Bromen Enterprises.”

“Me?”

“Yes, Lise. Thom wanted his work with his company and with Novonid Rescue to go forward. He wanted to keep it in the family, so to speak, and he has no immediate family of his own. He considered you ... all of you ... his family...”

“What does this mean?”

“It means, for all practical purposes, you have inherited Thom, Lord Bromen’s, entire estate. The House on the Hill is yours for your home ... or, to sell if you’d prefer. As in all Novonid Rescue cases, you need a white regent to carry out your wishes. I have been assigned that role. It was Thom’s dying wish that I give you absolute obedience -- which I will without hesitation. It seems you and I will be doing quite a bit of business together.”

“Do I have to accept this?”

“Are you inclined not to?”

“I know nothing about business.”

“Success at business is more a combination of courage and luck than skill.” Bryce removed a folder and slipped a polysheet from it. “This explains his reasoning.”

She took the sheet. “A handwritten note...”

“I’ll read it to you, if you’d like.”

“I can read it just fine.” Her eyes scanned the document.

My Dear Lise ... Throughout my career I’ve found it easier to obtain forgiveness than permission. It’s an approach that has served me well, and I’m applying that doctrine now. I’ve made known my intentions to leave my estate in your control. Knowing you as I do, I’m convinced had I asked your permission to do this, you would’ve demurred.

“Bryce,” Lise said without looking up, “what does demurred mean?”

“Objected ... resisted.”

“That’s what I thought...” She continued reading.

I’ve gone ahead and done it anyway. Forgive me for not consulting you, and please accept. You are capable, Lise. I can’t imagine anyone in a better position to carry on my work. You’ve lived underground and you’ve lived in the Zone. You understand novonid issues as well as anyone. You’re smart and a quick study. If I had the slightest doubt, I wouldn’t have done this, Lise. If you admire the work I started, then you won’t shrink from this burden I’ve placed upon you. -- Thom.

Lise looked up at Bryce. “What makes up his estate? What did he expect me to be responsible for?”

Bryce rolled his eyes in thought. “Well ... There is Thom’s interest in Bromen Enterprises. His share amounts to about seventy percent, and the current market value would be...” Bryce counted on his fingers. “Around one billion. That makes his share worth...”

“Seven hundred million,” Lise replied. “What else?”

“There’s his personal portfolio, which amounts to another two hundred million or so ... depending on the market, of course. Plus, he has fifty-one percent interest in Novonid Rescue. That’s a not-for-profit organization, so we can’t really count it as assets ... And current bank balances amounting to about three and a half million -- petty cash.”

Lise closed her eyes. “To think not many days ago I was concerned about spending thirty units of scrip.”

“The decision-making is the same. The only difference is in scale.”

“Yes ... The size of the consequences should I make a mistake.”

“If you value the good work Thom did -- you won’t shy from this. So, what do you say?”

“I’m speechless ... I don’t know what to say.”

“How about ... yes, I’ll do it?”

“When is this effective?”

“Immediately.”

Lise grabbed a polycard from Bryce’s desk and wrote two numbers on it. “I want you to go out and buy these two novonids and register them with Novonid Rescue. Their names are Grott and Rayla. Bryce -- negotiate your best price, but make sure to buy them. Once you’ve located them, send them to the House on the Hill. Tell them I’ll join them there, later.”

“Lise -- I’m a solicitor, not a trader. I don’t know anything about negotiating prices.”

“Then, you had better learn.”

Megan approached Lise. “I have something to ask you,” she said in a whisper.

“What, Megan?”

“I’m embarrassed ... Lise -- do you think you could take the twins overnight some night?”

“Overnight?”

“You see ... I have a boyfriend and...”

“Oh, Megan!” Lise threw her arms around her and hugged her. “Say no more. I’m so excited for you!”

“I’m not getting my hopes up ... not yet. We’d like an evening together to...”

“I understand completely. I’d be happy to take the twins. They’ll have a great time at the House on the Hill. I never would’ve taken them into the Zone, but there will be fine.”

“Thanks, Lise. Let’s not say anything to them until I have something lined up.”

Lise looked into Megan’s face and couldn’t help breaking into a broad smile. Megan hugged her. “Oh, Lise -- you are my best friend. My very best friend.”

“I’m happy to hear that, Megan. I’m honored.”

“I mean it, Lise. You have enriched my life beyond measure.”

“Megan -- since my situation has changed...”

“I was afraid of this, Lise. I understand if you’ll need to be leaving us.”

“That’s not it. I’m committed to Geddes and Klarissa for as long as I’m needed. What I was about to say is, you don’t need to pay me any more. Use that hundred per pay period elsewhere.”

“But it’s from the city for their care.”

“Then use it for their care ... clothing, enrichment. That’s part of their care, too.” Lise hugged and kissed the twins. “See you tomorrow, gang,”

“Lise,” Geddes said, “can Rinn come over to play?”

“I’ll ask Ms Ramina.”

Lise headed out the door and to the corner where she climbed aboard a red line number four. The bus worked its route between Quadrants Three and One and began to make its loop at the end of the line.

She hopped off the bus at the bottom of the hill and climbed the steps to the house. Once inside she headed for the master bedroom on the third floor. There she kicked off her sandals and stripped out of her shorts and bandeau.

She knew she had a bit of time before Bryce would arrive, so she stepped onto the private balcony to enjoy the last direct rays of sunlight playing on her nude body. She found it a pleasant solar snack. The sound of a car in the drive alerted her that Bryce had arrived.

She stepped back into the bedroom, into the clothes-press and reviewed her choices. From the rod she picked a white synthetic fibre dress and slipped into it. The hem came to her knees and the right shoulder had a little cap sleeve. Like most Varadan business attire the left shoulder was cut to reveal the wearer’s caste tattoo. In her case, it exposed her serial number. She fastened a belt around her waist.

Lise took a page from Thom’s book and tucked one end of a sash into her belt in back, then flipped the other end over her left shoulder. She found a pair of medium-high-heeled shoes and slid her feet into them. Then, she stepped into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. With her finger she dipped into a pot of lavender metallic face color and smeared some onto her right eyelid, extending the line across her temple to her ear. Some brown gloss on her lips completed her toilet. She slipped on a pair of non-corrective eyeglasses and headed downstairs to the library.

Bryce met her there and withdrew his mediascreen. Lise picked up the control for the wall-mounted screen and switched it on. The image of a board room appeared.

“We’ll keep it short today,” Lise said. “First item is our investment portfolio. I’ve reviewed it. I’d like to sell all our Drumm Industries.”

“What do you suggest we buy with the proceeds?” a woman in a blue dress asked through the mediascreen.

“I think we should hold it in cash for the time being,” Lise replied. “At least until we know which way the political winds are blowing. Also, we should lighten up our luxury sector by forty percent and our heavy industry by twenty -- also to be kept in cash.”

“What about agriculture?” a middle-aged man asked.

“It’s fine where it is,” she replied. “Even during hard times folks need to eat. Any objections?”

“No,” replied the woman in the blue dress. “It sounds shrewd to me.”

“What makes you think there will be hard times?” the man asked.

“The strike has unsettled people,” she replied. “Uncertainty breeds caution. We’re seeing it already on the Eastern continent.”

“Shouldn’t we stay the course until we see what direction...”

“It’s easy to gamble with someone else’s money,” Lise shot back. “Lloyd -- would you put your life savings into Drumm Industries right now?” She looked at him through the screen. “I didn’t think so ... Next topic -- Lord Thom’s Packaged Meals.”