Science fiction; Space stations -- Fiction; Suicide -- Fiction
There was a mechanical squawk from the instrument and then it cleared
and Miss Froon began. She seemed happiest now. When she finished, Dr.
Munro blew a long stream of smoke toward Firelie Gluck and tapped his
cigarette case. Miss Gluck lit up, settling back with a smug air of
being on the inside for the first time. It was not the least reason why
she had been willing to cooperate.
"Oh?" Dr. Munro's voice was tainted with sincere remorse. "I am sorry
to hear of it. Mr. Condemeign, of course. Was the end painful?"
Firelie turned her ears toward the blind receiver with some interest.
"I don't think so, Doctor," Miss Froon said. "Mr. Condemeign perished
of ordinary asphyxiation. He had apparently smashed the faceplate of
his helmet."
"Yes, yes, we can't have them dying like that." Dr. Munro looked at
Firelie Gluck and he winked.
There was a pause and then the mechanical voice went on:
"Isn't--isn't that rather expected, Dr. Munro, in any case? On
Nepenthe, I mean?"
The Doctor closed his eyes and then opened them wearily.
"We won't go into it, Miss Froon, but I would advise you to make a note
of the entire reports on this case and study them, say in three years
time when you graduate to the psychological department. But I will give
you a hint now on which you may ruminate. Mr. Condemeign was not only
unworthy of our services but he almost caused the total annihilation of
Nepenthe."
He heard a restrained clucking and he knew that the chicken skin had
gone white. Within a reasonable time, something else would be green.
"That's right, Miss Froon. You will immediately see the value of
attention of minute detail. You have undoubtedly very often wondered
whether or not you couldn't handle my job as well. In my opinion, Miss
Froon, you will be ready when you notice _all_ the details."
He clicked his teeth against a very long cigarette holder, waiting,
while Miss Froon crowded herself down. There was a hesitant clearing of
the metal throat and then:
"Have you any instructions for the disposal of the body, Dr. Munro?"
The Doctor made a small notation on a pad.
"I think it would be appropriate," he said finally, "if Mr. Condemeign
were found drowned and heavily bruised about the body at some beach or
other in his own city. Make the usual arrangements and.... Yes, Miss
Froon--refund the $25,000 to Mr. Condemeign's personal account. No
doubt we shall see it again when his heirs have gotten somewhat beyond
their capacities."
The click of the switch on the other end of the wire was deafening.
Firelie Gluck closed one eye.
"I don't suppose you'd care to tell me just what it's all about?"
"I'd be glad to, Miss Gluck, if...." And Dr. Munro paused
significantly, poring over her as he would a colored relief map.
Miss Gluck didn't hesitate. She crossed one leg over the other and
smiled.
"Any time you say, Doctor. I'm about ready to graduate anyway."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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