Paolo Bacigalupi - The Doubt Factory

There was another computer in the den, which Jonah was allowed to use, out where Mom and Dad could look over his shoulder and make sure he wasn’t surfing for porn. This computer was Dad’s. She wasn’t supposed to be here. Just touching the keys felt like an invasion.

Alix felt a chill of self-consciousness and glanced toward the windows. The night was so dark outside. The house felt dark, too.

A scuffling came from the kitchen.

Was someone inside the house?

Alix held her breath, suddenly afraid. The scuffling came again.

The light of the computer screen with its password challenge bathed her, and Alix suddenly felt very exposed. There was only one light on in the entire house, and it was right beside her, and she wasn’t wearing anything except an XXL T-shirt. She wished she’d put on sweats at least before she came downstairs.

She glanced at the windows to the backyard and tugged her T-shirt down over her thighs. Williams & Crowe was supposed to be out there. Are they looking in?

She eased out of the chair. It creaked as she came off the seat. She realized she was still holding her breath and tried to make herself breathe silently. Was she being stupid? Was she just imagining the sound?

If 2.0 was in the house, he’d know she was there because of the light from the computer. He’d know right where she was.

Get a grip, Alix. There’s no one here. Security would have caught him. They’re supposed to be watching .

Alix slipped to the edge of the study door, straining to hear over the pounding of her heart. The refrigerator started to hum. The computer monitor went back to sleep, plunging her into darkness. Blinded, Alix froze. She blinked her eyes, trying to force them to adjust, listening for more movement in the kitchen. Still nothing.

Nothing at all.

Feeling stupid and crazy, but unwilling to let her caution go, Alix eased out from behind the study door. She peered into the kitchen. Now that her eyes had adjusted, the light from the stove clock gave a dim view of the room. Tiles and stainless steel surfaces. Smooth bamboo floors. The Sub-Zero fridge against the clean modern lines of the granite countertops.

Nothing.

She listened, but she couldn’t hear anything.

You idiot. You were imagining it .

A shadow moved behind her and Alix spun around. Her breath caught.

He was right there, looking through the glass door.

Hands to the glass as he peered inside. Shadow and eyes, looking in, seeking. Then pausing.

Alix tugged her shirt down again, trying to make herself disappear. To hide. She froze as his gaze swept across her and held.

They stared at each other. She felt pinned by his gaze. His expression was solemn.

Don’t panic don’t panic don’t panic .

Suddenly he smiled. He held his finger to his lips. Shhh . The message was unmistakable. Shhh. Let’s keep a secret . And then, absurdly, another motion: one hand atop the other, forming a T .

Time-out.

Seriously?

He made the motion again, smiling. Time-out.

No. Suddenly Alix knew exactly what he was saying.

Truce.

The thing he’d suggested when he’d caught her in the smoke.

How about we call a little truce?

Unbelievable.

Alix knew she should scream. She should call the cops. She should turn on all the lights. However he’d gotten past Williams & Crowe, all it would take was one loud scream to bring them down on him.

But something about his demeanor held her. The rakish confidence. The lack of shame or fear. She’d busted him, and he didn’t even have the grace to act embarrassed. Instead, he was smiling at her and signaling for a truce, as if they were playing some game of tag or hide-and-seek. Grinning at her like it was all a big game and he’d just happened to be caught.

Alix walked over to the door and stared at him through the glass. He was dressed entirely in black. He barely stood out against the night beyond. He pointed at the door lock.

Alix shook her head, but she couldn’t help smiling at the guy’s chutzpah.

“No,” she mouthed.

He just quirked an eyebrow and made the T again with his hands. His lips said truce .

Suddenly her heart was pounding.

I’m insane .

She flicked the lock and stepped back. He reached over to slide the door open. Alix was suddenly horribly aware of decisions she couldn’t take back. She retreated behind the granite island.

2.0 eased inside.

“Truce,” he said.

Alix nodded. “Truce.”

They regarded each other warily. It was as if they were both mindful of crossing a solemn boundary, a line that turned out to be more important than they’d realized.

Alix cleared her throat. “How did you get past our security guys?”

“Oh, you know. Williams and Crowe…” He peered back outside, seeming to check on something. “They got systems. It makes them predictable.”

“And you’re not.”

“Try not to be.” He was gazing around the kitchen, taking everything in. “You’re kind of a surprise, yourself.”

“Because I let you in?”

“Dumb move for such a smart girl.”

“I could scream. I’ll bet Williams and Crowe have a system for that.”

“Bet they do.” His eyes locked with hers. “You won’t, though.”

“No.”

Alix realized her heart was still pounding. Everything about the moment felt electric. She had an almost overwhelming urge to come around the island. To walk up to him—

“You need to go,” she said abruptly. “I need you to leave.”

Before I do something even more stupid .

“Did you hear me?” she asked.

He didn’t respond. Just ran his hand across the granite countertop. “You talk to your father?” he asked. “You ask him what this is all about?”

“He doesn’t know. He said you’re an animal rights activist.”

He smiled slightly. “Surprised he didn’t just go straight for terrorist. It’s a better PR smear these days.”

“My dad doesn’t smear people.”

“For free.”

“What?”

“‘My dad doesn’t smear people for free.’ That’s what you should have said. He smears plenty of people, but he doesn’t do it unless it’s worth money to him.”

“I don’t know who you think—”

“You don’t have any idea what your dad does, do you?” His tone had sharpened and become accusatory. “You don’t know where this nice house comes from. You don’t know how many bodies you’ve got buried in the basement. You don’t have any idea where all your money comes from.”

“I want you to leave.”

“So scream.”

She glared at him. “Why are you going after my family?”

“You really haven’t figured it out?” He laughed. “I mean, I knew your old man was good at PR, but I didn’t think he’d even lie to his own daughter.”

Alix felt her anger rising. “Cut the mind games. If you’ve got something to say, say it. No more of your Mr. Mysterious bullshit. Just say it.”

He turned serious. “That how you want to play it?”

“Yeah,” she said, glaring. “That’s how I want to play it.”

“Okay.” He blew out his breath. “This is payback, Alix. Everything that’s coming down on your dad is payback for everything he’s ever done to all the people he’s ever done it to.”

“So what do I have to do with that? I haven’t done anything.”

“Yeah. That’s true.” He was nodding in agreement, staring down at the surface of the counter that separated them, looking almost guilty. “You’re just the wrong person in the right place at the right time.” He looked up. “Then again, none of us get to choose the right place, do we? We just get what we get, and sometimes it turns out we’re just collateral damage.”