Free The Devil's Eye by Jack McDevitt Page A

enjoying herself and wished I were there." She smiled. "You know the routine. But that was all." "Do you still have the posting?" "Yes, I'm sure we do." "Might it be possible for us to take a look? "Of course," she said. "Mr. Benedict-" " Alex is good." "Alex, I know who you are. Your reputation has preceded you even out here. Marvelous work with that Margolia business last year." "Thank you." "I'm glad you're looking into this. It's just a terrible loss. Where will we ever find another like her?"
    She gave instructions to her AI, and Vicki Greene appeared in the center of the room. She looked the way Molly Black had looked in those jungle adventures we'd all grown up with: intense eyes, sharp features, a scrambler strapped to her hip, and a devil-be-damned attitude. She wore khaki shorts with enormous cargo pockets and a gray pullover top. She had a billed sun cap, with an "M" mounted prominently on it. A red scarf was slung casually around her neck, and sunglasses shaded her eyes. "Hello, Cirilla," she said. "Greetings from Boldinai Point, Home of the Undead. I got here yesterday and went to see Barryman's Tomb last night. I'm sorry to report that local myth to the contrary, everything was quiet. Here's a look at it." She vanished and was replaced by a stone block. A grave marker. But a big one. Someone had inscribed on its side the legend LIE STILL. The imager moved back to give us a wider view. The block lay in the middle of a cemetery. "This is it. The locals insist this is all that keeps him in his grave. Anyhow, having a great time. See you when I get back."
    She gave us a wide, self-satisfied smile. The world in her lap. "But you never heard from her again?" "No. Of course, there was really no business reason for her to contact me. And I assumed she was otherwise occupied." "What's Barryman's Tomb?" I asked. Kopaleski was delighted to tell us the story: "Forrest Barryman lived four centuries ago. He died in an experiment gone wrong, Chase. A treatment that was supposed to make him a supercop or something. But according to local tradition, he wouldn't stay dead. Eventually they put that rock over his grave to keep him in it." I looked at Alex. Alex smiled. "Okay." She maintained a neutral expression. "Don't be too sure. Boldinai Point is a strange place. Over the years, there've been other odd claims." "Like what?" I asked. "They have a beach that seems to encourage suicide. People with no reason to kill themselves go down there and walk into the water. It happened again just last year. The locals stay away from it. And then
    there's a patch of forest-" "Hold on," said Alex. "Let's stay with Vicki. She said she'd see you when she got back. But she left without getting in touch." "That's correct. Next I heard she was back on Rimway." We sat looking at one another. "You didn't make any effort to contact her after the message from Boldinai Point? Do I have that right?" "Yes, that's correct. Alex, she's an important client. I didn't want to seem intrusive." "Of course. Did you try to get in touch with her after she'd left?" "No. I had no reason to. I knew if she needed me, she'd contact me." Alex got up. "Thanks, Cirilla. We appreciate your time." "I hope I've been some help." "Where's Boldinai Point?" She had the AI show us. "If there's anything else I can do, please don't hesitate to contact me." She gave us her private code. "By the way," she added, "if you find out what this is all about, I'd appreciate it if you let me know."
    I set up our trip to Boldinai Point. That evening, while Alex buried himself in a book, I went back to the ocean. When I was a kid, the big thrill in my life came every summer when we took the train to Seaside. We built sand castles and played in the surf with a beach ball. But I especially loved going out in the evening and seeing the ocean at night. I can still remember standing on a place they called Gorgon's Pier and looking at the stars. So that night, in that very distant place, I did it