Page 20 of The Paradox Club

“No. But if you’re going crazy, you don’t know you’re going crazy.”

“Maybe she’s not going crazy.”

“Then why does she believe the stories?”

“Do you remember what your father told you about stories? You mentioned it to me a few sessions ago and I wrote it down because it made such an impression on me.”

“I remember.”

“What was it?”

“Every story is true…somewhere.”

THE MOLE

“What do you mean you lost him?!” Pilgrim 3 shouted into her phone.

“We think he got on another plane,” came the voice.

“Which plane?”

“There were at least twenty boarding and that’s assuming he didn’t go to a different concourse.”

“So, he could be anywhere?”

“Yes.”

Pilgrim 3 hit the red icon that ended the call. “God, I miss slamming down phone receivers!” she shouted. This interjection alone was enough to bring Montag 5, the most physically imposing and loyal member of Pilgrim 3’s inner circle, into her office.

“Trouble?” he asked.

“Our esteemed president has flown the coop and slipped through our fingers and is off to God knows where.”

“I’m sure it’s an innocent trip,” said Montag 5. “He’s probably going stir crazy down there.”

“He’s been loving it!”

“But still…”

“If it was an innocent trip, he wouldn’t have gone to all the trouble to elude our surveillance.”

“Maybe he has a girlfriend.”

“I don’t think Calvin 4 has ever had a girlfriend,” said Pilgrim 3.

“A boyfriend then?”

“He’s up to something, I can feel it,” said Pilgrim 3. “Tighten security in the club. Who’s on the big board this afternoon?”

“Valentine 6.”

“Do we trust her?”

“She’s too green not to trust,” said Montag 5.

“Peek in there once in a while,” said Pilgrim 3. “Keep her on her toes.”

In the basement of the Paradox Club, Valentine 6 wished she could check her messages. She had been worried about Calvin 4 ever since she had called the president that morning on her burner phone. She had received an encrypted email just after eight a.m.: Mother is doing better. Thanks for the card. That meant to contact Calvin 4 as soon as possible.