My last throw of the dice was a copy of the register from Shankar's. It was a huge, gold-bound book. Every guest was invited to sign it when leaving the restaurant. Most didn't-it was there primarily for the occasional high-ranking visitor. Y Tse and I had signed it a few weeks back. We'd been drinking a bit more than usual. In our drunken state it had suddenly become vitally important to sign the big book, leaving our mark for future generations. Y Tse went first, taking up three lines with his scrawl. I followed less flamboyantly. We laughed, slapped each other's backs and stumbled out.
The copy in Party Central was updated a couple of times a week. They used a color photocopier so nothing was lost in the transfer. I flicked to the end and sought our names. There I was, Capac Raimi. And right above, three lines high- Samuel Griff.
I cast my mind back. Samuel Griff was one of my customers. I'd sold him a policy after a meeting in Shankar's. We hadn't been there that particular day of course, since I remembered being there with Y Tse then. But I knew Griff would say we had been if I called andasked.
It was hopeless. The Cardinal had covered every track. As far as history was concerned, Y Tse Lapotaire had never existed. Adrian Arne had never existed. Capac Raimi had, but not before coming to the city.
I spotted the first rays of morning through the window blinds. I'd spent the entire night following trails that led nowhere. I rubbed my tired eyes and leaned back, yawning, stretching my arms until my fingers seemed to touch the ceiling. At least I now knew where I stood. No avenue remained, apart from the one I was going to explore that night with Ama. I stood to lose everything but it no longer mattered. I'd been robbed of a past and that was something I couldn't live with. I had to find out who I was. Whatever the cost.
I logged out, switched off the light, called Thomas and told him to meet me at the bottom of the building. I headed back to the Skylight to grab a good day's sleep before the night raid. I'd need all my wits about me at ten.
I was half dozing in the back of the car when Thomas suddenly broke the protocol and addressed me. "Sir, I believe we're being followed."
"I don't think this is the first time," I said sourly, thinking about all those reports I'd read the night before. They couldn't have tracked me so easily if Thomas hadn't been helping them out.
"True, sir," he replied, "but I was not informed of any tail today."
"Where is it?" I asked, glancing into the mirror. The fog had cleared overnight and I had an uninterrupted view of the road.
"The scooter, sir. You see?"
I did, and knew immediately who it was. Ama had obviously decided it would be safer to keep an eye on me. I smiled and made up my mind to play her at her own game. I looked around. "That shopping mall," I said to Thomas. "Pull up and let me out. Head home after that. I can take care of this."
"You're certain, sir?"
"I'll be fine," I assured him. "I know who it is."
The early morning air was refreshing. The streets were quiet, most of the shops yet to open. I called into a twenty-four-hour cafe and ordered a coffee, giving Ama time to park her bike. When I was ready, I strolled to the mall, which was just opening. I passed weary workers heading in for an early shift, a couple of guards watching the sports news on a store TV and several cleaners going about their work cheerfully, enjoying the calm before the crowds.
I saw a stalled escalator and trotted up the steps. At the top, where I couldn't be seen, I broke into a sprint and scurried down a hall, looking for a niche. I wanted to spring out on Ama and give her a shock.
I noticed a small, inoperative fountain. The base was dry and there was a narrow ledge that I could just about squeeze under. The only problem would be identifying Ama, but there was a decorative mirror hanging from wires nearby. I climbed into the fountain and eased myself under the ledge, then slid along until I had a good view of the hall in the mirror.
She was a long time coming. I heard footsteps before I saw anything. They came cautiously, pausing every few seconds. She probably guessed I was on to her, but had come too far to turn back. Her feet came into view and I edged out a little. She moved further forward. Any second now, I'd be able to see her face and…
My entire body went numb.
It wasn't Ama.
I squeezed back under the ledge, as quietly as I could. The steps came closer. I was sure I'd been spotted, that I was a dead man, but then my pursuer sat down on the ledge and whistled aimlessly. I glanced up at the mirror. He had his back to me but whenever he turned sideways I could see the snakes flashing. I remembered Johnny Grace and tried not to breathe.
Finally, as the mall filled, he drummed his fingers on the ledge a few times, tutted and moved on. I stayed hemmed in and let several minutes pass before I slid out. I fumbled my cell from my pocket-my hands were shaking bad-and rang Ama. There was no answer for ten, eleven, twelve tones. My throat tightened and a heavy weight settled in my stomach. As I was about to hang up, somebody answered groggily. "Yes?" It was Cafran.
"Could I speak to Ama, Mr. Reed?" I gasped.
"Who?" My heart nearly stopped. "Who is this?" he snapped. "Do you know what time it is?"
"Is Ama there?" I shouted. "Ama Situwa. Is she-"
In the background I heard a voice asking who was on the phone. Cafran placed his hand over the speaker to answer. Then, seconds later, Ama was on the line. "Capac, is that you?" She sounded sleepy.
"Get out of there," I said levelly. "Don't pack, don't wash, don't say anything to Cafran. Just get dressed and leave."
"What the-"
"Paucar Wami's after me." She said nothing. "You know what that means?"
"I have an idea," she muttered.
"I gave him the slip, but maybe I'm not the only one he wants. Get out. Lose yourself in the city. We'll meet later."
"Where? The docks?"
"No. Call me on my…" I stopped, thinking for the first time that my cell might be tapped. "Hold on, I'll call you back in a minute." Ilooked for a public phone, called Ama from it and read out the number. "Call me at two o'clock. That'll give me time to get to the Skylight, freshen up and make plans."
"Is it safe to go back there?" she asked.
"He won't hit me in front of so many witnesses."
"But-"
"No more talk. Move. And Ama? Take your gun." I hung up and walked out, not looking around to see if he was waiting, doing nothing to appear conspicuous. I hailed a cab and returned to the Skylight.
The air-conditioned room was bliss after the sticky cab. My limbs were heavy and my head was foggy. I'd been awake far too long. I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water over my face and neck, which shocked a bit of life into me. I wanted to hit the sack but decided to go and say hello to Conchita first. I hadn't phoned the night before and didn't want her worrying about me.
She was reclining on a couch, doctors and nurses nowhere in sight. She smiled when I entered, sat up and patted a space next to her own. The room had changed recently. She'd started removing the sheets and covers, exposing the walls and furniture. Her clothes had also changed and now her arms and legs were bare. She was no longer ashamed of her wrinkled old flesh.
"Hey, small fry," I greeted her. "How you doing?"
"Not so bad. Yourself?"
"Can't complain."
"I missed you last night. Business?"
"Yeah. Sorry I didn't call. You weren't worried?"
"No. I knew you were OK. I could sense it."
"Telepathy?" I smiled.
"Maybe the bonds of love," she winked.
"Or maybe because we're both Ayuamarcans?" I probed.
She pinched her lips together. "No," she said. "I won't talk about that. It drove me mad before and I won't make the same mistake twice. My advice is to forget it. Forget Ferdy, your job and this city. Walk away from it all."