Никогде
Four
Doornodded.Shetouchedanivoryleverattheside:theimageghosted,fragmented,re-formed.
NowPorticoworealongcoat.Hisskullcapwasgone.Therewasascarletgashdownonesideofhishead.Hewasnolongersittingathisdesk.Hewastalkingurgently,quietly."Idonotknowwhowillseethis,whowillfindthis.Butwhoeveryouare,pleasetakethistomydaughter,theLadyDoor,ifshelives..."Astaticburstwipedacrossthepictureandthesound.Then,"Door?Girl,thisisbad.Idon’tknowhowlongI’vegotbeforetheyfindthisroom.IthinkmypoorPortiaandyourbrotherandsisteraredead."Thesoundandpicturequalitybegantodegrade.
ThemarquisglancedatDoor.Herfacewaswet:tearswerebrimmingfromhereyes,glisteningdownhercheeks.Sheseemedunawarethatshewascrying,madenoattempttowipeawaythetears.Shejuststaredatherfather’simage,listenedtohiswords.Crackle.Wipe.Crackle."Listentome,girl,"saidherdeadfather."GotoIslington...youcantrustIslington...YoumustbelieveinIslington..."Heghosted.Blooddrippedfromhisforeheadintohiseyes.Hehewipeditoff."Door?Avengeus.Avengeyourfamily."
Aloudbangcamefromthegramophonehorn.Porticoturnedhisheadtolookoffscreen,puzzledandnervous."What?"hesaid,andhesteppedoutofframe.Foramoment,thepictureremainedunchanged:thedesk,theblankwhitewallbehindit.Thenanarcofvividbloodsplashedacrossthewall.Doorflickedaleverontheside,blankingthescreen,andturnedaway.
"Here."Themarquispassedherahandkerchief.
"Thanks."Shewipedherface,blewhernosevigorously.Thenshestaredintospace.Eventually,shesaid,"Islington."