Конец вечности
Prelude to Crime
Youdidfollowit,Isuppose?"
Harlan’sguiltriddledhimtothepointwherehecouldnotevenrisetothebaitofthisopenassaultuponhisprofessionalcompetence.
Hecouldonlysay,"Ifollowedit."
"Andwhathappened?Youincludenothingoftheprivateinterludeswiththewoman."
"Nothingofimportancehappened,"saidHarlan,dry-lipped.
"Thatisridiculous.Atyourtimeoflifeandwithyourexperience,Idon’thavetotellyouthatitisnotforanObservertojudgewhatisimportantandwhatisnot."
Finge’seyeswerekeenlyuponHarlan.Theywereharderandmoreeagerthanquitebefittedhissoftlineofquestioning.
HarlannotedthatwellandwasnotfooledbyFinge’sgentlevoice,yetthehabitofdutytuggedathim.AnObservermustreporteverything.AnObserverwasmerelyasense-perceptivepseudopodthrustoutbyEternityintoTime.Ittesteditssurroundingsandwasdrawnback.InthefulfillmentofhisfunctionanObserverhadnoindividualityofhisown;hewasnotreallyaman.
AlmostautomaticallyHarlanbeganhisnarrationoftheeventshehadleftoutofhisreport.HediditwiththetrainedmemoryoftheObserver,recitingtheconversationswithword-for-wordaccuracy,reconstructingthetoneofvoiceandcastofcountenance.Hediditlovingly,forinthetellingheliveditagain,andalmostforgot,intheprocess,thatacombinationofFinge’sprobingandhisownhealingsenseofdutywasdrivinghimintoanadmissionofguilt.
