Page 45 of The Paradox Club

“Why would I have to flee the club?” Valentine 6 asked.

“It might become necessary,” the president said, “especially if Pilgrim 3 discovers you’re communicating with me.”

“Isn’t it perfectly reasonable for a member to communicate with the club president?”

“Nothing is perfectly reasonable when it comes to Pilgrim 3,” the president said. “So, if you do ever have to flee the club, it might be extremely helpful if you could bring me something.”

“What?”

“It’s a book in Pilgrim 3’s office. We sometimes use it to screen new members. It really ought to be in the club library or in the vault, but Pilgrim 3 enjoys reading it and showing it to members so any time the club isn’t using it she keeps it in her office.”

“What is this book?”

“It’s called Gatsby the Great.”

“You mean The Great Gatsby.”

“I mean precisely what I say.”

“Gatsby the Great?”

“That’s correct. It may not be possible, but if you leave under, shall we say, dangerous circumstances, the book could prove useful to me.”

“Why don’t I just steal it now?”

“There is no need to alarm Pilgrim 3. I won’t need it except in case of emergency.”

“How will I know it’s an emergency?”

“You’ll know,” said the president.

And she did know. Now Valentine 6 shoved Gatsby the Great into her bag, turned the corner, and headed home. She decided to walk, taking the long way around, paranoid that the park wouldn’t be safe. It would give her time to think and possibly to spot anyone following her this time.

“Are you tracking her?” said Pilgrim 3.

“Put a GPS device in her bag,” said Lidenbrock 2.

“Excellent. Let me know if that little bitch steps five feet out of her neighborhood.”

WHO THE FUCK WAS THAT?

“I thought the house was supposed to be empty,” said Montag 5.

“It was. From what I could find online, she lives alone,” said Nemo 7.

“Then who the fuck was that?”

Nemo 7 was pretty sure he knew exactly who the fuck that was, and if he was right, he had to find a way to keep Montag 5 from finding out. “Probably the housecleaner.”

“The housecleaner?” said Montag 5. “Wearing a bathrobe?”

“Maybe she took in a lodger.”

“Only one car in the driveway,” said Montag 5, “and Vivian Harbottle left on foot.”

“Maybe she has a visitor.”

“Pretty inconvenient time to have a visitor.”