Конец вечности
Prelude to Crime
ItwasonlyasheapproachedtheendresultofthatfirstlongconversationthathefalteredandtheshellofhisObserver’sobjectivityshowedcracks.
HewassavedfromfurtherdetailsbythehandthatFingesuddenlyraisedandbytheComputer’ssharp,edgyvoice."Thankyou.Itisenough.Youwereabouttosaythatyoumadelovetothewoman."
Harlangrewangry.WhatFingesaidwastheliteraltruth,butFinge’stoneofvoicemadeitsoundlewd,coarse,and,worsethanthat,commonplace.Whateverelseitwas,ormightbe,itwasnotcommonplace.
HarlanhadanexplanationforFinge’sattitude,forhisanxiouscross-examination,forhisbreakingofftheverbalreportatthemomenthedid.Fingewasjealous!ThatmuchHarlanwouldhaveswornwasobvious.HarlanhadsucceededintakingawayagirlthatFingehadmeanttohave.
Harlanfeltthetriumphinthatandfounditsweet.ForthefirsttimeinhislifeheknewanaimthatmeantmoretohimthanthefrigidfulfillmentofEternity.HewasgoingtokeepFingejealous,becauseNoysLambentwastobepermanentlyhis.
Inthismoodofsuddenexaltationheplungedintotherequestthatoriginallyhehadplannedtopresentonlyafterawaitofadiscreetfourorfivedays.
Hesaid,"ItismyintentiontoapplyforpermissiontoformaliaisonwithaTimedindividual."
Fingeseemedtosnapoutofareverie."WithNoysLambent,Ipresume."
"Yes,sir.AsComputerinchargeoftheSection,itwillhavetogothroughyou..."
HarlanwantedittogothroughFinge.Makehimsuffer.
