Page 94 of The Paradox Club

“Are you all right?” said Vivian.

“Can I go in?” said Tess. “Would Harry want me to?”

“Yes,” said Vivian softly, “Harry would want you to.”

Tess glanced up at Harry’s star and stepped into the circle.

AT THE HOUSE IN EKEN PARK

Richard’s phone had rung as he was walking the aisles of the outfitters.

“Where are you?” Richard said to Nemo 7 when he answered.

“In Madison,” said Nemo 7. He and Valentine 6 had managed to keep Montag 5 in their sights for the past few hours. “The map says we’re in a neighborhood called Eken Park. Montag 5 just pulled up to the curb in front of a white house.”

“He’s looking for Tess at Marie’s house,” said Richard. “Listen, I’m going to have Vivian text you both directions to the island.”

“I don’t have a phone,” said Nemo 7. “Montag 5 took it. I’m calling on Valentine 6’s.”

“Apparently, I’m far enough away to avoid Lidenbrock 2’s jamming device,” said Valentine 6. “Nemo 7 can take my burner. You have the number.”

“Nemo 7,” said Richard, “you stick to Montag 5. He still has the radio, probably in his trunk, so if you have a chance, grab it and head straight here. Otherwise stick to Montag 5 like glue. And text me with any updates. I’ll probably lose my cell signal when we get close to the island, but it would be nice to know what Montag 5 is up to.”

“What about me?” said Valentine 6.

“Get to the island with Gatsby the Great as quickly as you can. But before you leave Madison, there’s something I need you to do.”

Montag 5 did not notice the car pulling up to the curb down the block. He was focused on the door swinging open in front of him and the annoyed looking woman who stood there.

“Nova 1,” said Montag 5. “It’s been a long time.”

Marie had been running herself ragged since five a.m. The movers would be here first thing in the morning, and she’d be on a plane to Florida as soon as they finished loading things up. She had done most of her packing already, but she still had to deal with the last of the things she had decided to leave behind. Boxes of donations sat on the front porch, bags of trash filled up half the kitchen, and she still had drawers to empty. David was picking up some snacks at the twenty-four-hour grocery. He planned to leave at bedtime, driving all night to get a jump on the journey to Marco Island. She was glad she didn’t have to make that drive, but she dreaded those final hours, alone in the house with more work than she could possibly accomplish. The last thing she needed now was a stranger on her doorstep calling her by a name she had done her best to forget over the past decade.

“I think you have me confused with someone else,” said Marie. “My name is Marie Tyler.”

“If that’s the case, then I suppose congratulations are in order,” said Montag 5. “I knew you as Marie Maxwell, wife of Harry Maxwell. Though in the halls of the Paradox Club we called you Nova 1.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Marie.

“I always thought it fascinating that you chose that name—a primitive woman who is mated to a brilliant man.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have time for—”

“At least I saw the character of Ulysse as brilliant. Maybe not as brilliant as Harry Maxwell, but not many people are.”

“We’re done here,” snapped Marie, pushing the door closed.

But Montag 5 blocked the door with his foot and shoved it back open, stepping into the house and shutting the door behind him.

“Let’s stop playing games, shall we?” said Montag 5, his previous friendliness disappearing. “You and I both know who you are. Just because you haven’t set foot in the club since Harry’s death doesn’t keep you from being Nova 1.”

“What do you want from me?” said Marie, backing away and almost tripping over a pile of suitcases.

“I’m sure you remember Pilgrim 3,” said Montag 5, “and you know that October fourteenth is tomorrow, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to guess what I want.”

Marie’s hand instinctively went to her chest where she felt the pendant under her blouse, but Montag 5 didn’t seem to notice.

“If you’re looking for Tess,” she said, “I don’t know where she is. I haven’t seen her since she left for college.”