The Listeners by Pike Christopher

Author:Pike, Christopher [Pike, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Childrens, thriller, Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Horror, sf
ISBN: 9780812550399
Amazon: 0812550390
Goodreads: 138009
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 1994-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“At last we meet.” David Conner said to Professor Stephen Spear. They sat in what must have been the camp director’s office. Given the dimensions of the retreat center, the room was spacious, with the obligatory moose head on the wall and a half-dozen logs burning in the brick fireplace. The warmth and light of the latter was welcome. Behind Spear, outside the screen-covered window, the evening shadows had lengthened the green arms of the trees into dark outlines of would-be trolls. David had waited the better part of the day for the meeting. After the afternoon session, each of his attempts to talk to Spear had been rebuffed with word that the esteemed professor was resting. David thought Spear looked pretty fried for a man who had napped all day.

The only effort Spear had given to personalize his office was a two-foot green iguana, which crouched in a straw-littered glass cage off to the left and stared at David as if he, and not the turkey in Margaret’s oven, was the feast they were all waiting for that evening. David assumed the lizard was a pet of the professor’s since it could not be native to the area. The realization did not make David view the man with more warmth.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting,” Spear said. Once again David was struck by the gentleness in the man’s voice, at odds with his dark eyes, which were as emotionless as a pair of shrunken cue balls. Spear had traded his rumpled brown coat for a neat green sweater, although his gray hair still looked as if he combed it while holding a live wire. Spear added, “It’s been a difficult week, coming up here and all.”

“That’s a pity,” David said. “Since I understand one of the reasons you brought your group here was because of the serenity of the location. I was told you grew up around here?”

“Yes, not far from here.”

Spear reminded David of Pokey Sampson. Knew the area of his birth well. All the hidden caves and crevices. Probably fantasized about that trick in the river since the time he was a teenager. David brought out his miniature cassette recorder, which all good reporters were supposed to carry. He set it on the desk between them.

“Do you mind if I record this conversation?” he asked.

“That depends.”

“On what?” David asked.

“On what you ask me.”

“Does it matter what I ask? Your answers are your own.” David reached over and put the recorder back in his pocket. “But we can save the official record until later, if it makes you more comfortable.”

Spear shrugged. “What brings you to our retreat, Mr. Nichols?”

“Curiosity. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“I believe it will be more than a few, judging from your questions this afternoon.”

“Naturally, before taking on this assignment, I acquainted myself with your past achievements. I know of your interest in the Dogon and their connection to the ancient Egyptians.”

“Africa is long ago and far away, Mr. Nichols.”

“David, please.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.