“Mike obviously did.”

“Mike didn’t even know what the first one was,” exclaimed Rickards.  “What it was or what it could do.  This is big, Angela—bigger than either of us.  Jesus, it’s bigger than all of us.”

“I know that, Joe.”

“Really?  Because it seems to me as if maybe you don’t.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What I mean is this thing is beyond…”

“What?”

Rickards struggled for the right word.  “I don’t know—comprehension.  And it’s dangerous.  What happens when everybody else finds out?”

“And uses it for something bad?”

“Exactly.”

“I don’t see how they could do that.”

“Anything can be exploited, Angela.  Anything.  Every object on this planet has been used for something terrible at one time or another.”

“Just because something can be abused doesn’t destroy the good it can do.”

“You’re an anthropologist.  You, more than anyone, should understand what people are capable of.  How many times has a country, or a race, wiped out another, be it oil, land, or just ideology?  Don’t tell me you think this would be any different.”

Angela contemplated before finally answering.  “Yes.  I’ll admit it has and does happen.  A lot.”

“But now—”

“Let me finish,” she said, cutting him off.  “Yes.  You’re right,” she acknowledged. “You’re right.  History is littered with terrible acts against one another.  Without a doubt.  Will it ever change?  I don’t know.  Maybe it will, and maybe it won’t.  But good God, Joe. Look at the world today.  Look at the fighting and the vitriol.  It’s everywhere!  Is this our future?  Is this the way you want the world to be?  Because I don’t.”

She took the envelope and shoved it back into her open purse.  “The world is lost, Joe.  Lost.  No one knows what’s real anymore.  No one tries to listen.  It’s as if the whole world is trapped in some constant, never-ending fight with itself where no one ever wins.  They just incessantly attack each other.”

“You’re making my point for me.”

“No, I’m not,” she said.  “Here we are, you and me, sitting on a park bench knowing something no one else knows.  Something that could fundamentally affect people’s lives, change them deeply, right down to their cores, and we think it may be too dangerous?  Too dangerous for what?  Do you really think it could make things worse than they are now?”

“Angela—”

“No.  Say it, Joe.  Say you think the greatest potential discovery—maybe ever—is actually going to make things worse.”

“What I’m saying,” he replied slowly, “is there is something powerful about that place.  About that thing.  And sooner or later, someone will try to exploit it.  Harness it.  Use it for their own self-interests.”

“So, then no one should benefit?  Because eventually someone will exploit it?”

Rickards sighed.