Simple Genius

“In fact, I think I am better.” She’d smiled at the others in the circle as they nodded approvingly. Some lightly clapped their hands while others whispered words of encouragement. A few others sat there sulking or else looking at her in disbelief.

If it occurred to Michelle that the only reason she thought she was better was because she’d made herself too busy to think about her own problems, the woman showed no sign of such an internal dilemma. She essentially lived for the adrenaline and not for the often calamitous revelations of self-examination. True to that personality trait, all she could think about was Barry and Sandy. After that she just wanted to get the hell out of here before they finally figured out she might belong in the Cuckoo’s Nest after all.

CHAPTER 29

SEAN SAT ACROSS FROM ALICIA in her office in Hut Number One. She’d whisked him through the main area so fast that he’d only been able to see a large open area with lots of small desks and what was doubtless a genius at every one of them. He could almost smell the mental power of the folks working there along with the hum of multiple servers.

He motioned to Alicia’s right leg and said in a joking tone, “You try and club me with that thing I’m going to lay you out.”

She didn’t even crack a smile. “How did Len Rivest die? And don’t tell me it was a suicide.”

He noticed that her eyes were red. “I don’t know how he died.”

“How could you not know?”

“Only the killer knows for sure. And considering that I didn’t kill him, I can only speculate as to the cause of death.”

“All right, go ahead and speculate.”

“I can’t do that. It’s an ongoing police investigation.”

She snapped, “I can’t believe you’re falling back on that pathetic line.”

“I used to be a cop and I know how leaks can screw up an investigation. The police are treating it as a suspicious death.”

“But that could mean he was murdered or died accidentally?”

He smiled. “Or it might be determined that he actually died from natural causes.”

“You said someone killed him.”

“And I could be wrong.”

“Oh thank you for being such a big help,” she said.

Sean leaned forward, his features no longer jocular. “The fact is I just met you and don’t know you from Eve. For all I know you could be the murderer.”

“I didn’t kill anyone.”

“I never met a murderer who said otherwise. That’s why we have defense lawyers.”

“Do you think this is connected to Monk’s death?”

“You must have missed my last point. Would you like me to repeat it?”

Now Alicia sat forward. “Monk Turing’s last will and testament was discovered in his house last night. I was just told that in that will, Monk named me as his daughter’s guardian. I intend to carry that duty out to the fullest. If the girl’s in danger I want to know about it.”

“Monk named you guardian, I didn’t think you two were that close.” “Monk knew that I cared about Viggie. Her well-being is my top priority.” “Well, with Rivest getting killed, Babbage Town doesn’t seem to be all that safe.”

Alicia put a hand over her eyes and moaned, “Poor Len! Oh, God, I can’t believe he’s dead.” Sean sat back. “You seem to be taking Len’s death really hard. Any particular reason why?”

She grabbed a tissue from a box on her desk and blew her nose. “Len and I were friends.”

“Friends. Good friends, or something more?”

“That’s none of your damn business.”

“If you had a relationship with Len Rivest, it will be the business of the police to look into that.”

“Okay, we were seeing each other, so what?”

“Casual dating? Deeper than that? Wedding plans?”

“You are an obnoxious prick!”

“You’re obviously very smart, but apparently you can’t see that I’m preparing you for what the police and FBI will ask. You think Agent Ventris is going to go gentle on you? Dead man plus relationship equals you being a suspect.”

“I didn’t kill him. Dammit I cared for him. He was a nice man. Maybe we had a future together. Now?” She turned away from him as tears trickled down her face.

“Okay, Alicia, okay,” Sean said gently. “I know this is hard for you.” He paused. “Can you just tell me if Len mentioned anything to you about anyone wanting to hurt him? Or whether he knew anything that might endanger him? Something to do with Babbage Town? Camp Peary? Anything like that?”

Alicia took several deep breaths and wiped her eyes with her sleeve before answering. “Camp Peary? What has that got to do with Len’s death?”

“If Monk Turing’s death is connected to what happened to Len, maybe everything.”

“But I thought you said it looked like Monk killed himself.”

“We don’t know that for sure. But please answer my question, did Len mention anything to you?”

“He never said anyone wanted to hurt him.”

Sean leaned forward. “All right. How about spies here? He ever talk about that?”

She shook her head. “No, never. Why?”

“Just something he said to me. Anything else you can think of?”