Конец вечности
The Earlier Crime
IwasafooltobelievetheCouncilwouldbejusttoaTechnician."
"WhotoldyoutheCouncilknewofanyofthis?"
"FingeknewofitandsentinareportconcerningittotheCouncil."
"Andhowdoyouknowthat?"
"IgotitoutofFingeatthepointofaneuronicwhip.Thebusinessendofawhipabolishescomparativestatus."
"Thesamewhipthatdidthis?"Twissellpointedtothegaugewithitsblobofmoltenmetalperchedwrylyabovethefaceofthedial.
"Yes."
"Abusywhip."Then,sharply,"DoyouknowwhyFingetookittotheCouncilinsteadofhandlingthematterhimself?"
"BecausehehatedmeandwantedtomakecertainIlostallstatus.HewantedNoys."
Twissellsaid,"You’renaпve!Ifhehadwantedthegirl,hecouldeasilyhavearrangedliaison.ATechnicianwouldnothavebeeninhisway.Themanhatedme,boy."(Stillnocigarette.Helookedoddwithoutoneandthestainedfingerhelayonhischestashespokethelastpronounlookedalmostindecentlybare.)
"You?"
"There’ssuchathing,boy,asCouncilpolitics.NoteveryComputerisappointedtotheCouncil.Fingewantedanappointment.Fingeisambitiousandwanteditbadly.IblockeditbecauseIthoughthimemotionallyunstable.Time,IneverfullyappreciatedhowrightIwas…Look,boy.Heknewyouwereaprotйgйofmine.
