The tech shrugged. ?Not really much to say, is there? Cause of death is unarguably obvious. I doubt he felt any discomfort. I’m sure it was instantaneous.?

?No shit.?Aaron surveyed the widely scattered human debris with unconcealed distaste.

?I am trying to concoct a scenario,?the superintendant 79

79

continued. ?For the report, you understand. I find it difficult to believe that he simply stumbled into so blatant a danger, one in whose proximity he had spent some time working. Perhaps he was pulled in??

Clemens pursed his lips. ?Possible. I’m neither physicist nor mechanic-?

?None of us are, Mr. Clemens,?Andrews reminded him. ?I am not asking you to render judgment, but simply to offer your opinion on the matter.?

The medic nodded. ?A sudden rush of air might do it, I would imagine. Power surge resulting in exceptional suction. Only-?

?Right,?Aaron said quickly. ?Almost happened to me once, in the main quadrant. Four years ago. I always tell people, keep an eye out for the fans. They’re so damn big and solid and steady, you don’t think of the unexpected happening in their vicinity.?He shook his head steadily. ?Doesn’t matter how much I talk. Nobody listens.?

?That’s fine,?Clemens agreed, ?except that before I came down I checked the programming, and the fan was blowing. A power surge should’ve sent him spinning up the duct, not flying into the blades.?

Aaron’s gaze narrowed, then he shrugged mentally. Let the superintendent and the medic work it out. It was their responsibility. Meant nothing to him. He’d offered his reasoning, done the best he could. He was sorry for Murphy, but what the hell. Accidents happened.

Clemens strolled up the duct tunnel, studying the walls. The bloodstains diminished gradually.

There was a large recess in the left side of the tunnel and he knelt to peer inside. It was a typical ancillary storage chamber, long since cleaned out. As he started to rise and 80

move on, something caught his eye and caused him to hesitate.

It looked like a spill. Not blood. Some kind of chemical discoloration. The normally smooth metal surface was badly pitted.

Andrews had moved up silently to stand nearby. Now he joined the medic in studying the recess. ?What’s that??

Clemens straightened. ?I really don’t know. I just thought it looked funny. Probably been like that ever since the ductwork was installed.?His indifference was somewhat forced and the superintendent picked up on it immediately, pinning the medic with his gaze. Clemens looked away.

?I want to see you in my quarters in, say, thirty minutes,?he said evenly. ?If you please, Mr. Clemens.?