Time Chain by Steven Decker

Author:Steven Decker [Decker, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Published: 2022-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

Charles spent some time explaining to Orla what they needed to do. Orla was already a Time Link, so it wasn’t difficult to get her to understand they needed another one. Charles told her they needed someone she’d known, or known of, her entire life: someone who was still alive in the early 1800s, as she was. Orla explained to Charles that in 1801, she was the oldest person in Claddaghduff. Charles asked if she knew of someone in a nearby village who had lived a long life like her. Orla thought about it, and nodded her head, then told Charles. Charles made his report to Dani.

“There’s an old man living on Omey Island. She says that in 1801, he was reputed to be 66 years old.”

“I thought you didn’t use men as Time Links, Charles,” said Dani.

“We don’t, but this is a unique situation. We only need this person for this one assignment.”

“True, but what about the knowledge he’ll have about the project and the location of the Time Station?”

“We can get around telling him anything about the project. People this far back don’t really understand what we’re talking about anyway. To them, we’re some kind of spirits, or the devil, or whatever, and while they don’t like that, they do like the money we give them.”

“But he’ll know where the Station is, won’t he?” asked Dani.

“He doesn’t have to. We could blindfold him.”

“So, take him by force?”

“Not necessarily,” said Charles. “If he’s four years older than Orla, that would make him 16 years old right now. And even though we’re a long way back in time, I think we can depend on the fact that the young man’s hormones are quite active, if you know what I mean.”

Dani shook her head, disappointed, appalled actually, that Charles would stoop so low.

“Yes, I know what you mean, Charles,” she said. “So, you want a 12-year-old girl to lure this young man to the Station with a promise of what? Sex?”

“Have you had a good look at young Orla?” asked Charles. “She’s obviously gone through puberty, and she has a pretty face.”

“Not happening. Let’s move on. I refuse to participate in this charade.”

“Very well then,” said Charles. “Money it is. At least that’s Plan A.”

The next afternoon, Charles, Dani, and Orla crossed over the channel at low tide. The weather was brisk, and Dani wrapped her shawl tightly around herself. She was stunned by how many people were living on the island in 1751. She saw dozens and dozens of cottages along the water and on up the rise toward Fahy Lough. She estimated the population of the island to be at least 400 people.

A small area on the island had a few shops and a pub. Charles instructed Orla to begin asking around about the boy, whose name was Liam Murphy. A man outside the pub told her that Liam worked on a fishing boat that normally docked around four in the afternoon, after which the crew went to the pub.

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