Great North Road by Peter F. Hamilton

Author:Peter F. Hamilton [Hamilton, Peter F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Science Fiction, Space Opera
ISBN: 9780345526687
Google: HFJYRWxLXUMC
Amazon: 034552666X
Goodreads: 13606259
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2012-09-26T12:00:00+00:00

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2143

Eva froze the theater zone image as Adrian 2North walked into the lobby of his Quayside apartment block. It was snowing outside, with the taxi pulling away from the building, wheels struggling for traction on the compacted ice that covered the cobbles of the private loop road to the front door.

The simulation had followed Adrian from the moment he stepped through the gateway at half past ten that night, catching a taxi, which took a laboriously slow journey across the winter-gripped city with its dangerous roads, delivering him to his home. There was no mistake, no substitution, no switching taxis. This was the genuine digital and visual trail he’d left across the city’s nets and meshes.

“Time, eleven oh nine PM,” Eva said. “That’s probably quite late for the murder.”

“Could be,” Sid agreed. He was standing in the theater control room, looking out into the gloomy January night scene, remembering how cold it had been down by the Tyne when he and Ian answered the two-oh-five. A quick study of Adrian North’s face showed him how thoroughly pissed off the man was; bags under his eyes, tiredness, exasperation. It was all written there. A man who’s just been through a bad experience and simply wants to get home. The last proof that this was the real Adrian 2North—intangible though it was.

“So the first Adrian that came through the gateway is the imposter,” Ian said firmly.

“I think we’d all agree with that,” Sid said. He glanced around at O’Rouke and received the swiftest nod of confirmation.

“So now what?”

Ari and Lorelle, who were operating the theater’s consoles, gave Sid an interested look.

“Thanks,” Sid told them. “You can shut this down now.”

Interest turned to annoyance, and they left the control center. Ian opaqued the window, cutting Eva off.

“It’s a North-against-North war,” Sid said. “Even if Aldred denies it, or doesn’t know about it. Personally, I think the fake Adrian is the one we pulled from the Tyne. Those interviews with the other 2Norths from the St. James singletown were pretty conclusive. None of them are imposters.”

“Christ is bloody crapping this out personally,” O’Rouke grunted. “Augustine owns this town. Fuck it.”

For once Sid actually felt sorry for the chief constable. He wasn’t too certain where this latest development was going to leave him, either. “Ralph Stevens called me this morning, sir,” Sid said. “We should be getting Ernie Reinert back tomorrow.”

“The poor bastard’s still alive, huh?” O’Rouke asked.

“Apparently. Stevens said they had some helpful information for us to follow up.”

“The name of the murderer?”

“No sir, he was clear about that. But at the very least he should have the apartment that Reinert collected the body from. Once we have that, forensics should be able to move us forward. I’m going to get a team from Northern Forensics put on standby. I want their top people on it as soon as we know.”

“Aye, good call,” O’Rouke said. “You know, those HDA accounts bastards have been in touch. They’re ready to process our first batch of invoices.

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