“I had done some cutting-edge work in the field, first at Stanford and then later at MIT, that resulted in the issuance of numerous patents. And my doctoral thesis was on quantum mechanics and was considered groundbreaking. I think that cinched my appointment.”
“Sean told me that the ownership of Babbage Town is a closely held secret.”
“Very closely held. And they pay well for that confidentiality.”
“Generosity is a great way to build loyalty.”
“They have been more than generous. They even gave me my own plane to fly.”
“Really? I’m not a pilot but I’ve certainly flown a lot. I love it.”
“I could take you up sometime. Wonderful views of the area.”
“That’d be great. So long as you avoid the airspace over Camp Peary, I suppose.”
“Don’t worry. Those parameters are programmed into my flight computer.” He paused. “You seem to be showing me a lot of attention.”
“You’re an interesting person.”
“And a possible suspect.”
“I understand you have an alibi for the time Len Rivest died.”
“I was working, yes.”
“And how is it all coming?”
“With luck we’ll have a rudimentary prototype ready early next year.”
“And then the world ends, at least that’s what Sean said he was told.”
“Hardly. No, that computer will only be able to do very basic calculations. We’re still several years away from really shocking the world.”
“That’s a long time to wait.”
“In the world of physics that’s actually pretty fast.” He finished his wine. “And so how are things coming with Viggie?”
“She’s a good kid. I like her. And I feel for her situation too. It can’t be easy.”
“Monk wasn’t an easy fellow to read. As the Brits say he kept himself very much to himself.”
“Speaking of the Brits, I understand he traveled to England recently.”
“Right. He said he needed to attend to some family matters.”
“Did he say anything to you when he got back? About what other countries he might have visited?”
“Not really. I guess if you have his passport that will tell you where he traveled.” Champ snapped his fingers. “Wait a minute. I can’t believe I didn’t remember it before. He brought me a present. It was smart of him because his leaving at that point wasn’t convenient.”
“Present. From where? England?”
“No, it was a beer stein from Germany.”
“Germany? You’re sure?”
“I have it back at my cottage if you want to see for yourself.”
Champ’s cottage wasn’t as sloppy as his office, but it wasn’t exactly in the class of a Sean King operation either. She found herself giving the physicist high marks for his untidiness.