The Hand of the Devil by Dean Vincent Carter

Author:Dean Vincent Carter [Carter, Dean Vincent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-49578-5
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2006-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

VIII: TREPIDATION

Mather seemed quite content to walk on ahead. Perhaps he saw no threat, even though he was giving me an opportunity to attack him. I lacked the courage to take drastic action right then, but what made it even harder was the fact that he seemed so infuriatingly sure of himself. I was convinced that he knew I'd been in the basement. So why was he so unafraid? Why wasn't he on his guard?

As we passed the second beach, I saw him cast a quick glance toward the boathouse. Maybe he did it on purpose, just to taunt me, maybe not—it was hard to tell, but I tried to keep myself calm and focused.

“I do hope you'll have enough material for your story,” Mather remarked as we approached the gate. “I'd hate to think that I'd wasted your time. The Lady is an incredible specimen, but I sometimes wonder if I'm worthy of representing her, if you take my meaning.”

“Oh, don't worry,” I replied. “You've done an excellent job. I can't see how anyone could fail to be impressed.”

“I hope you're right,” he said, reaching round one side of the gate. I heard the sound of metal protesting, then a loud clang as Mather lifted a bolt of some kind and pushed the gate forward. Perhaps it had been the child in me, but when I'd approached the gate on my own, I'd instinctively climbed over it, not even considering the possibility that it might be unlocked. I couldn't help but feel foolish.

I walked past Mather, while he pushed the gate back into position behind me. I turned quickly, making sure I didn't have my back to him. He continued along the path with me in tow. Soon we were turning the corner and facing the research center.

We were almost at the porch when I noticed Mr. Hopkins lying on the roof of the building, licking one paw and blinking at us. Mather had also noticed the animal, but offered him only a brief scowl of disapproval. I was reminded of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, though Mr. Hopkins wasn't grinning. If anything, he looked uncomfortable. I sympathized. We entered the porch, Mather still leading the way, then went straight into the main hall.

“It's a rather unusual design for a research center.” Mather walked into the middle of the room and stood gazing around. His attention lingered on the floor, as though he were looking for something, then, as I approached, he glanced up again. “When I had a look around some years ago, I expected to find a number of rooms, not just one. It's like an exhibition center. Though I can't imagine how they could have expected many visitors.” My thoughts turned, inevitably, to the pile of bodies below us. “Still, it doesn't really matter now, does it?”

“No. I suppose not.” I couldn't stop my eyes from drifting to the basement door. It was wide open. If Mather made a habit of pulling it shut every time he had finished down there, he'd notice the difference.

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