Galaxy's Edge Issue 50 by Lezli Robyn

Author:Lezli Robyn [Robyn, Lezli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy magazine, magazine, science fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction And Fantasy, science fiction magazine
ISBN: 9781649730879
Publisher: Arc Manor
Published: 2021-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

Copyright © 2021 by C. Stuart Hardwick.

Jack McDevitt is an American science fiction author. He has won multiple awards including the International UPC Science Fiction award for Ships in the Night, a Nebula for Seeker, a Campbell Award for Omega, and the Robert Heinlein Lifetime Achievement Award. He has over 20 novels available in print, ebook and audio. He resides in Georgia with his lovely wife, Maureen.

TIMELY VISITOR

by Jack McDevitt

She looked as if she’d just stepped out of one of those television series set at the beginning of the 20th century. She was probably in her forties, wearing a rose-colored blouse and a dark skirt that stretched to her ankles. She carried a large purse, and her hair was bundled in a fashion you just didn’t see any more. But the feature that stood out was a smile that suggested she was amused. “Professor Glazer?” she said.

“Yes? How can I help you?”

“May I have a moment?”

It was shortly after one o’clock on a Thursday afternoon. I was due in the auditorium in twenty minutes to speak to members of the Advanced Physics Foundation. My topic would be quantum optics. I was putting my thoughts together and, while there was no immediate rush, I had no interest in becoming distracted. “I really don’t have much time,” I said. “What can I do for you?”

“My name is Mileva Maric.” She sounded as if she thought I should recognize it. “I only need a minute. I just want to leave something with you.” She opened the purse, removed an index card, and laid it on my desk. “I suspect you’ll want to get in touch with me tomorrow.” Her index finger tapped the bottom of the card. “This is my cell number. And my hotel.” Her smile widened. “I’ll be waiting for your call.”

I thought about telling her to just go away, that she looked good but I was happily married. My attention though focused on the card. She’d placed it just out of my reach. Above the cell number were a couple of what looked like basketball scores. “Ms. Maric,” I said, “I’m sorry, but I just haven’t time for nonsense.” I got out of my seat.

“I understand, Professor. I’ll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Good luck with your address this afternoon.”

I shook my head to let her know that any connection she expected with me wasn’t going to happen.

She nodded, wished me a good afternoon, and walked out of the office, closing the door gently behind her.

They were basketball scores.

I put my jacket on, glanced at the windows and saw that a light rain had begun to fall. I started for the door, trying to ignore the card. I was at the height of my career at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. And I just had too much to think about at the moment. But I picked it up anyhow.

Two games were listed. Lausanne Foxes 88 against Goldcoast Wallabies 86. The other was our local team: the Zurich Wildcats 97 against the Morges-Saint-Prex Red Devils 96, in overtime.

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