Page 96 of The Paradox Club

“Nothing,” said Montag 5, looking over her shoulder into the drawer.

“You never had much patience,” said Marie. “I remember that.”

She reached into the back of the drawer and felt a notch in the bottom. Gently, she pulled and the false bottom of the drawer slid out, revealing a yellowing envelope. Marie took the envelope out and handed it to Montag 5.

“Now will you leave us alone?”

“This says Tess,” said Montag 5, looking at the envelope.

“Tess isn’t here,” said Marie. “Aren’t you lucky.”

“Open it,” said Montag 5, handing it back to Marie while keeping his gun firmly pressed into David’s side.

“Sorry,” said Marie. “I forgot you can only do one thing at a time.” She tore open the envelope and removed a sheet of paper, which she unfolded on the top of the desk.

“A map?” said Montag 5.

“I was telling the truth when I said I didn’t know how to get to the island,” said Marie. “I drove there once—the first time I ever went, when we were in college. Do you remember how to get someplace you drove to one time twenty-five years ago? After that, Harry always drove and I always slept. Tess, too, when she came along. One night on the island, Tess asked Harry how we would get there if something happened to him. And he drew this. And he addressed the envelope to Tess. But he showed us both where it was hidden. Just in case.” Of course, Marie knew perfectly well how to get to the island and so did Vivian, for that matter. But regardless of her feelings toward Vivian, there was no point in sending Montag 5 and his gun after her.

“I suppose you were right about Harry,” said Montag 5, edging David toward the table in order to lean over and study the map.

“What do you mean?” said Marie.

“He was a good husband. By drawing this map, he saved you and Mr. Tyler here from a very unpleasant experience.” He pocketed his gun and folded up the map. “It was nice to see you again, Nova 1,” he said. And then he was gone.

“What the hell was that?” said David. He took two strides across the room and wrapped Marie in his arms. “Are you all right? Should we call the police?”

“I’m fine,” said Marie, surprised to find that she meant it. The vision of David being brutalized by Montag 5 and her reaction to that vision had proven to her that she had made the right choice in marrying. She returned her husband’s embrace and said, “You don’t need to call anyone.”

“You don’t think he might come back?” asked David.

“He got what he wanted,” said Marie.

“Still, I don’t think I should leave you here by yourself.”

“You’re not going to leave me,” said Marie. “I’m going to leave you.”

“Jesus, Marie, you’re not leaving me because of this. Because I couldn’t protect you?”

“No!” said Marie, laughing in spite of herself. “God no! You’re the one for me, David. I know that more than I ever have before. But there’s one more thing I need to do before I can leave Wisconsin forever.” Once again, Marie gripped the pendant through the fabric of her blouse, but David didn’t even notice. He had seen her do that a thousand times.

TESS LEARNS (SOME MORE OF) THE TRUTH

“How did you even find out about the Paradox Club, Aunt Vivian?” asked Tess.

“Your father was a member, just like his father and grandfather before him. And he recruited me and Marie when we were in college.”

“Marie was a member? She’s not even a scientist.”

“She was a valuable member,” said Richard. “Although she’s been inactive since Harry died.”

“How did he recruit you?” asked Tess.

Vivian laughed. “He tricked us into reading a manuscript he had written. Marie and I both thought it was science fiction, but it turned out to be true. He called it An Insider’s History of the Paradox Club.”

“It’s in the club archives now,” said Richard. “It was the only time your father ever used a club alias.”

“Prefect 16,” said Vivian with a smile. “Harry’s little joke, since there hadn’t yet been a club member named for Ford Prefect.”