Free The Disestablishment of Paradise by Phillip Mann Page B

that sad?
I’ve had people be rude before, but they didn’t seem to want to know me. Why?’ She was silent for a moment. ‘And there were photographers waiting too. I felt like a
criminal. None of us understand what is happening. One day we are told we are going to be disestablished. Then we are told we are going to be audited, and the next thing we know all these strange
men arrive and start bossing us about as though they owned the place. I’ve never seen guns on Paradise before, except in the museum. Why guns . . .?’
    ‘How did your people take it?’
    ‘Not well. But it got to me.’
    Stephenson nodded. ‘Well, the audit people were on a fishing expedition. As far as I can make out, a group of SAA members made a formal complaint direct to Tim Isherwood saying that funds
were being misappropriated by ORBE and that they were not getting the level of support they were entitled to.’
    ‘What? Who were they?’
    ‘William and Proctor Newton and young Elizabeth Pears.’
    ‘I might have known! And Isherwood took them seriously. The Newtons are as mad as March hares. Proctor Newton hears voices, and no one can understand what William is talking about most of
the time. As for Lizzie Pears . . . well, she’s just a mixed-up girl. Why didn’t Isherwood check with us first?’
    ‘Because he didn’t want to. He handed the matter over to the Economic Subcommittee and Lady Hilder handed it straight over to the Audit Unit, saying – and I quote – since
there was “such controversy about the future of Paradise at present, please investigate the ORBE project thoroughly and report back as soon as possible”.’
    ‘How do you know this?’
    ‘Leaked memo. The powers of darkness are not the only ones with their angels, Hera.’
    ‘And
have
they found anything?’
    ‘No idea. They will have found the normal amount of dirt that lies in the crannies of any decent, well run, honest organization. We used to call it oil of discretion. But is your
conscience clear?’
    ‘Completely. There was nothing to find. Tania Kowalski reckons it was a jack-up. She thinks they might have tried to plant something. She’s full of conspiracy theories.’
    ‘She might be right.’
    ‘But the Newton twins and Lizzie Pears. I mean to say . . . I know they’re odd, but not wicked. The aggies can be a pain – suspicious, always wanting more, never satisfied
– but now they are hurt as much as the rest of us. I suppose they want someone to blame, and have chosen me. Misplaced anger. They can’t blame God, so they blame us.’
    ‘Well tell them that. Stick to your guns.’
    ‘What guns? I’m tired, Jack. I’m achy. I’m confused. I don’t think it has really sunk in yet, what’s happened. I don’t have much fight left in me right
now. I just want to get it over and get out.’
    At that moment the monitor on the table squawked. ‘They are telling us time’s up,’ said Stephenson and pushed his chair back.
    Hera stood up. ‘Are you going to be in there?’
    He shook his head. ‘I can’t. I’m booked to get down to Suva as soon as I leave here. Hope to find Elvira is still with us. But I’ll come back as soon as I can.’
    Hera nodded. ‘Good. I’m glad. Give her my love.’
    Stephenson held out his hand. ‘Good luck, Hera. Watch out for Diamond, he’s a dealer in dirt. Used to work on divorce cases. Now they use him as their hatchet man. And don’t go
waving your arms about when you’re talking. It makes you look . . . comic.’
    ‘Point taken.’
    The door opened, revealing Kris. ‘Dr Melhuish. This way, if you please.’
    Tania was there too. She had a funny expression on her face and shrugged when she saw Hera.
    ‘Can’t see what the fuss is about. A few candid memos. Nothing like the ones I used to send you and which you obviously destroyed. And they want to query our science, whatever that
means. We should be out in half an hour – and then we are going for a drink. Dr Kowalski’s