18 - The Mobius Murders by Brian Lumley

Author:Brian Lumley
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: dark fiction, Horror, Necroscope, Brian Lumley, Lovecraft
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Published: 2013-12-19T00:00:00+00:00

Since it was almost noon, time had also passed quickly for the Necroscope. And as if on cue, as he was returning Darcy’s list to its envelope, the telephone rang.

Deep in disquieting thought, Harry reached fumblingly, automatically for the ’phone and said, “Yes, what is it?”

“It’s me, Harry,” Darcy replied. And a moment later, sounding puzzled: “Are you just up, not quite awake maybe? Am I disturbing you or something?”

Giving himself a shake, Harry answered, “No, no, and no. I wasn’t all here, that’s all. Lost in thought and, while I hate to admit it, more than a little worried, too. Things are still coming along but way too slowly, while other things are happening much too quickly. But I’m glad you called, because there’s something else I may want you to do for me.”

“Whoah!” said the other. “First there are things I need to tell you.”

“Information?” said Harry. “Something I’ve asked for? Well go ahead. I hope it’s good news.”

“I believe it could be, but that’s for you to decide. We’ll have to wait and see. Until when:

“You told me this character you’re looking for has to be an academic of sorts—maybe a first class scientist or intellectual—but definitely a mathematician. That’s how I remember it, anyway.”

“Yes,” Harry answered. “Except there’s two words there that you shouldn’t confuse—academic and intellectual. Just because some individual becomes expert in a certain subject or subjects doesn’t make him an intellectual. This creature I’m looking for is way beyond the merely academic stage!”

“Maybe, but he probably came up that way, right? Before he got really good at it?”

Harry frowned again, and asked, “Who are we talking about, Darcy”

“Let me explain,” said the other. And he quickly continued: “Taking your advice, I passed your latest wants to last night’s Duty Officer, one Geoff Lambert, which turned out to be a fortunate coincidence. Geoff’s a recent E-Branch recruit, specializing in predictions, probabilities, and forecasts in general. In other words he’s—”

“A precog,” Harry cut in. “Okay, but what’s the connection? What does he have in store for me?”

“Ah, no! He doesn’t do personal stuff, never tries to read his own or anyone else’s future, concentrates mainly on trends, international fiscal fluctuations, old enemy countries rattling their sabres and making ready for war again, other large-scale, world-wide events…etcetera. A good man to have watching the money markets, close to the foreign embassies, and that sort of thing. He needs fairly close contact with his subjects.”

Harry sighed. “How does that fit in with what I’m doing?”

“It doesn’t. I’m just explaining that this is a very clued-up sort of fellow. But being a newcomer he starts at the bottom and gets his share of administrative and other duties, which is how it happens he was the D.O. last night and got to be working on your problem.”

“Okay, got it,” said Harry. “He’s bright and very clued-up. So what has he come up with?”

“Hold fire, Harry!” said Darcy. “Look, I can tell how frustrated you are and eager to get on, but there’s more for you to know.

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