A Spider Sat Beside Her

by K E Lanning

  Nick tapped the tabletop. “While I researched this particular incident from 1998, I discovered that a new power plant is scheduled to be built near their homelands and has the same tribe in an uproar.”

  A pregnant silence filled the room as the agents stared at him, the expressions on their faces ranging from skepticism to hilarity.

  Brown glared at him with his mouth twisted like a pretzel. With his hand next to his mouth, he whispered harshly, “I’ll tell you a secret—a primitive tribe of Colombian Indians is not on our list of suspects.”

  The agents around the table guffawed, and the young agent at the end of the table asked, “Why the hell would an Amazon tribe of Colombians attack the space station?”

  Sneering, the agent sitting on the other side of Nick joined the game. “Maybe their next attempt would be to have their warriors rain darts on Paris.” Grinning, he shook his head. “It would be disastrous. All those flat tires would shut down the entire city.”

  Brown waved his hand sharply to cut the jests. His face looked as hard as cement, and his eyes were locked onto Nick’s as he clenched and unclenched his hand. Suddenly, he slammed his fist onto the table, the report reverberating like a shot around the small chamber.

  “Mr. Walker, you may think this is some kind of game, but it’s not.” He leaned forward, and with his lips pinched, he said, “We are working hard to find the real perpetrators, and this group may try again. We’re on a clock, my friend. If you have anything to add, we need to have it—now.”

  Nick looked around the table as a deathly quiet settled over the room. If they thought he was crazy, why didn’t they just kick him out? Nick blinked at the stalwart face of the lead agent, matching stare for stare.

  “So, do you have an idea of who sent the virus?” he asked.

  “I’m not at liberty to share with you the thoughts of the Federal Government of Amerada as to who we think attacked the ISS.” Brown’s voice became deathly cold. “I will just say to you, turn over the evidence so we can complete our investigation.”

  Nick breathed in, scrutinizing the grim faces of the agents. Something was not right—he felt it in his bones. He hesitated, unconsciously laying his hand on his knapsack that held the dart.

  Brown’s lips curled into a snarl. “If you do not give us the evidence, Mr. Walker, we have the authority to throw you in jail. Is that what you want?”

  The agent to his left grabbed the knapsack away from him. Nick started up, but the other agent on his right shoved him back into his chair. The agent handed the bag to Brown, who unzipped and dumped the contents onto the table. The agent next to Nick kept his hand firmly on Nick’s shoulder, preventing any interference while they rifled through his gear. One of the agents found the pocket where Nick had stowed the dart, ripped it open, pulled out the dart, and handed it to Brown. Then the agent turned the bag inside out, searching for any other evidence.

  Brown held up the dart and turned it around, sniffing disdainfully. “Of course, we don’t even know where this thing came from, do we? After all, the site was tampered with prior to any federal agents investigating the area.”

  Nick furrowed his brow and snapped, “I’m on the volunteer police force here in Antarctica and trained in criminal investigation.”

  He snorted. “And do you have a police costume too? I guess it comes in handy at Halloween.”

  Nick’s lip twitched as they scowled at each other.

  One of the other agents handed Brown a plastic bag, and he dropped the dart into the bag and sealed it. He snapped open his briefcase, put the evidence inside, and locked the case. A smile flitted across his face as he gestured for them to return the knapsack. He turned back to Nick and dismissed him with wave of his hand. “You can go for now, but don’t leave the base station without notifying us.”

  Nick rose, shoving his chair away from the table with a screech, and jerked back his knapsack. Clenching his jaw, he snatched his gear strewn across the table and stuffed everything inside. Without a word, he turned and walked out the door. As he left the building, he thought to himself, At least they don’t know about the photographs. He hurried to his office.

  Nick closed the door to his office, shaking his head as he mulled over the tense interrogation he had just left. No doubt, it was an oddball connection between a Colombian tribe and the attack on the space station, but the agents seemed determined to reject any of the evidence.

  He transferred the image of the dart to a tiny hard drive and then packaged it with a few wisps of the cotton-like seedpod material, which he had plucked out of the Velcro of his knapsack. DNA analysis would reveal the exact plant they originated from. He smiled to himself; it was doubtful that the feds would bother to inspect the antiquated physical mail service. He would send them via snail mail to a colleague of his who was a professor of South American Indian tribes. She would be able to tell him if this was from that particular Colombian tribe who was protesting, and real evidence, or whether all of this was just a bizarre sideshow.

  Nick picked up the envelope and shook it at the sky. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but Lowry, my girl, you’d better watch yourself.

  CHAPTER 12

  “Corner pocket—upper quadrant.”

  “You’ll never make that shot, Lowry,” said Sevy, shaking his head.

  “Just watch me.” Lowry bent over, aimed, and shot the seven-ball straight into the hole with a whoosh. The mellow voice of Cube Pool confirmed the shot. “Seven ball in the pocket.”

  “Bitch,” Zoë grumbled.

  The vacuum pump sucked the ball back to the holding space. Lowry undid the hooks, pulled herself around the cube, positioned herself, and clicked in for the next shot. She aimed carefully and called the next ball. “Side pocket—mid-quadrant.”

  “You don’t have to call every shot, Lowry—you’re just showing off,” Sevy mumbled.

  Zoë sighed, leaning on her stick. “Wake me up when you’ve finished running the cube.”

  Lowry’s shot went in, but it had too much force and bounced out of the hole. “Arghh.”

  “Such a shame.” Zoë pulled herself into a position at the bottom of the cube and clicked herself into the frame. She positioned her stick and aimed with a determined squint.

  Sevy put his hand to his throat, making choking noises to distract her.

  “Shut up.” Zoë’s arm shot forward, but she twisted in her harness—the stick struck the ball on the side, and it careened into the laser net, wildly missing the hole. She flipped Sevy the bird. “A salute to General Asshole.”

  “My shot.” Sevy squinted as he studied the cube, and then he launched himself to the top, clicked in, aimed, and barreled the ball into the lower corner pocket. “Yes!” He moved around, aimed, but missed his next shot. Glaring at the ball floating aimlessly, his shoulders slumped. “I’m starting to hate this game.”

  Lowry narrowed her eyes at the last ball, positioned herself, and then called out, “Eight-ball, center pocket—upper quadrant.” She aimed carefully, and with a light touch on the shot, she put the winning ball away. She twirled her stick, chuckling. “Want to rack up and lose again?”

  “Even with all of my gaming, I’ve never gotten the hang of zero gravity cube pool. I just can’t figure why you’re so good.”

  “Misspent youth.”

  Two other players floated into the pool room. “Hey, guys, I think our time has started.”

  “Thank God,” murmured Sevy.

  Sevy, Zoë, and Lowry unharnessed and pulled themselves into one of the pods leaving for the outer ring. Once inside, they grabbed the loops, and after a low whistle, the pod started down the tube. When they arrived at the outer ring, the artificial gravity had brought them to the floor, and they walked down the corridor to one of the rec-room bars.

  Lowry smirked. “I won, so you guys owe me a drink.”

  Zoë made a face at her. “Gladly—I heard they have a special on cyanide slushies.”

  They ordered a round and then sat
on a couch while the robo-bartender mixed their cocktails.

  Zoë said to Sevy, “You haven’t been coming out to the club lately, Sevy. Did someone make you mad?”

  Sevy shook his head, scrutinizing his phone. “No, I just haven’t felt like partying lately.”

  Zoë shot a look at Lowry with a cock of her head. Turning back to Sevy, she needled him. “You should come out next time,” she said, wagging her finger at him.

  Lowry joined the chase to get Sevy out of his cocoon. “I’ll come with you guys this time.” She grinned. “I’ll just wear earplugs.”

  He shrugged. The robo-bartender brought a tray with their drinks and set them on the table with a bowl of popcorn.

  “This Mai-Tai is good,” Zoë murmured. Then she winked as Lowry glanced at her watch. “Big date tonight?”

  “Um, yes, I’m meeting Edward in a bit,” Lowry mumbled, sipping her rum and Coke.

  Zoë lifted an eyebrow. “I’ve heard rumors that he’s a real ladies’ man.”

  “Just because he’s good-looking doesn’t make him promiscuous.”

  “It makes it easier to be. I’m thinking about cutting in line.”

  “Lowry thinks he’s perfect,” said Sevy with a sarcastic wigwag of his head.

  Lowry made a face. “You’re just pissed because I just beat the snot out of you.”

  Sevy downed his Scotch and lifted his finger as if ordering more drinks. “Let’s have a round of denial for everyone!”

  “Shut up!” yelled Lowry and Zoë, throwing pillows at him until he retaliated, and the three started a pillow fight. One of the pillows flew awry, hitting the robo-bartender’s tray filled with drinks for another table and knocking the tray and drinks all over the floor. They stopped in mid-fight, leaping to pick up the tray and glasses rolling across the floor, but the robot spun around frantically cleaning up the mess, saying over and over, “No worries, no worries, no worries.”

  Lowry mimicked the robot by throwing up her hands and turning in a circle. “No worries, no worries!”

  Laughing and breathless, they picked up the pillows and fell back onto the couch. The robo-bartender gave them a wide berth as he took replacement drinks to his customers.

  “Sorry, buddy!” Zoë called out to him, chuckling as he sped past them.

  Sevy exhaled, checking his watch. With a smile, he stood up and waved goodbye. “It’s been fun, but I’m heading out.”

  “You have a hot date, too?” Zoë laughed.

  “A new girl arrived on the ISS, and she’s all mine.” Sevy grinned.

  Lowry smiled at the happy look on his face. “Excellent, Sevy.” She held up her hand. “Wait, Sevy, maybe you both could come to the beach party at the lake; they’re changing the weather in the Garden from spring to summer this weekend—it’ll be fun!”

  Sevy chuckled. “She’s one of those gals who doesn’t like the water, Lowry.” He saluted and walked toward the exit with a bounce in his step.

  Lowry watched him leave with a quizzical look. “I didn’t hear there were newbies to torture.”

  Zoë turned to Lowry, her brow furrowed. “I’ve been trying to get him out, but he’s always busy.” She exhaled. “I’ve heard he won’t go to counseling, but at least he seems happier.” She sucked up the last of Mai-Tai with a loud slurping sound. “I’m surprised he has a girlfriend with as much time as he spends gaming in Holoville.”

  ***

  Lowry waited in the Garden for Edward. Honey bees bounced from flower to flower in front of her, like the thoughts pinging around in her head.

  She was startled out of her daydream by Adam shuffling toward her. “Oh, hello, Adam.” With a smile, she asked, “How do your gardens grow?”

  His face lit up. “With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row.”

  Edward came around the corner, smoothing his hair into place, but stopped abruptly at the sight of Adam next to Lowry.

  Adam glanced at Edward with no expression on his face. He turned back to Lowry, smiling and bobbing his head. “Miss, may I tell you the fable of the dancing monkeys?”

  Lowry beamed. “Please do.” She ignored the foul look on Edward’s face and waved him over. “Come on; Adam is going to tell us a fable.”

  With a sour smile, Edward sneered, “Lovely.” Then he sauntered past Adam to Lowry’s side.

  Facing them, Adam’s demeanor changed into that of a dramatic actor on the stage as he recited: “A prince had some monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally great mimics of men’s actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers.

  “The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, until on one occasion, a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage. At the sight of the nuts, the monkeys forgot their dancing and became—as indeed they were—monkeys instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience.” With a slight nod of his head, Adam ended his performance.

  Lowry clapped her hands. “Wonderful, Adam!”

  Edward narrowed his eyes and his lips quivered into a snarl. “And pray tell, what is the moral, my good man Adam?”

  Adam looked straight at Edward and replied softly, “Not everything you see is what it appears to be.”

  Lowry watched in amusement as Edward stared daggers into Adam’s face. Edward jerked his head, motioning with his hand. “I noticed some weeds in the next garden over, boy.”

  Adam’s eyes twinkled for an instant, and with a brief bow to Lowry, he headed down the path.

  Edward plopped himself down on the bench with a sideways glance at Lowry.

  Lowry looked at him, surprised at his sharp response to Adam. “What was all that about?”

  “What are you talking about? Oh, Adam? Who knows. That guy is a loony.”

  Lowry shook her head, chuckling in a puzzled way. “He’s odd, but I don’t think he’s crazy.”

  He turned to her sharply. “You should stay away from that guy. I’m not kidding.”

  With pursed lips, Lowry said, “Edward, just to let you know, I don’t take orders well.”

  On a dime, charming Edward returned, his beautiful smile on full display. “Okay, okay, do what you want. God knows I’m in too good of a mood to let Adam ruin my day.” Edward sat back and breathed deeply, with a satisfied smile on his face. “This case is the best thing that ever happened to me, Lowry. I’ll be able to write my own ticket when I get back to the States.”

  Lowry felt dazed at his admission. She and her uncle were being crucified, and all he could think of was his career.

  He turned toward her, with a sheepish grin, then took her hand. “Sorry, Lowry, I know this has been hard on you, but you’ve got to admit, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me!”

  She turned to him and spat out, “I don’t have to admit jack shit.”

  He laughed. “You are such a pistol!” He grabbed her and kissed her, and at first she hesitated, but then she kissed him back.

  He whispered in her ear, “Let’s go somewhere more private—that Adam nut might be a voyeur.”

  He got up and offered his hand to her, drawing her up from the bench. He stroked her hair, and then, with his arm in hers, they walked back down the path. Adam weeded in the bushes as they passed through the Garden doors.

  Edward held her hand as they strolled down the corridor. He swung her toward him, putting his arms around her in the middle of the hall. He drew her into his arms, whispering, “Are you my girl?”

  Lowry smiled shyly, biting her lip, and then she looked into his eyes and nodded.

  Edward laughed and, with a possessive arm, piloted her toward his quarters. They rounded the bend, and Poppy stood facing away from them with her head cocked to the side.

  As they passed, Edward kicked out at the
rog, and Poppy jumped away to avoid his foot.

  “What are you doing, Edward?” Lowry snapped. “It may not be alive, but nevertheless, it’s not nice to bully her.”

  Sevy walked into the hall, snapped his fingers, and said, “Poppy, heel, and stay away from that jerk.” Sevy flashed a hateful look at Edward as he and Poppy passed them.

  Edward glanced back, and Lowry felt his arm jerk up behind her back. “I think that guy’s jealous of me.” He smirked.

  “Did you just give him the bird?”

  “How perceptive of you, my love.” He nuzzled her neck with his lips.

  “Sevy’s actually a nice guy.”

  “He’s a nerd.”

  “Yes, but a nice nerd.”

  They passed one of the cafés, and a wall monitor streamed a newscast of a ship’s crew evacuating people in a newly flooded area of Italy. The emergency levee built at the start of the Melt had been breached by the sea, and water streamed across an eroded gap in the earthen dam, drowning one of the most ancient regions of Europe. The camera panned across dozens of families gathered on the top of their homes, their faces in shock—forced to abandon land that had been in their families for generations. Lowry stopped to watch, shaking her head. “Sea level is still rising—those poor people.”

  Edward shrugged and then encircled her waist, pushing her down the corridor to his quarters. He opened the door, and with one of his hands touching the small of her back and the other gesturing for her to proceed, she stepped into his cabin. Without a word, he followed her in, and the door clicked shut behind them.