“We don’t have much time,” said Ray. “Security will close in on this little loophole I created. Once they find the breach, access will be shut down. This may be our last—”

“Ray,” I interrupted, “Abby is missing.”

Concern shadowed his face. “When was she last seen?”

“Ben put her on the train from Boston back to DC yesterday. She wasn’t on it when it arrived.”

He sighed deeply. “Cleary. Or his people.”

“Most likely.”

He sat silently for a moment and then seemed to push aside his fears for Abby and address the issue at hand. “But we don’t know for certain. That’s why we need to give you access to their memory streams. I assume your transplant is done?”

I nodded.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “The loss—or potential loss, in your case—is great. I know that quite well. I appreciate the sacrifice you’re making.”

“What’s done is done. Let’s make it worthwhile. What adjustments need to be made?”

“It will be easier for you to download the instructions than for me to try to verbalize them. I’ll leave you the Grid address where you can find them, along with the password you need to access it. As I indicated before, the alterations will be easy now that you have your silicon brain. Once you’ve made the adjustments, you can also find directions for accessing memory streams.

“Professor, it is imperative that this information remain with you and you only. This technological capability should never be used, but circumstances have made it necessary. I’m trusting that you’ll use it only for the purposes we have discussed.”

“I understand. Is there anything else?”

“Before you go, I have a question.” He hesitated. “It seems you and Abby have developed a relationship that…well, that goes beyond mere friendship.”

There didn’t seem to be any disapproval in his voice.

“Yes, perhaps we have.”

“I’m curious—what is your take on her personal beliefs?”

“In God?”

“Yes. I’m sure she’s discussed them with you.”

“Of course.”

“Did she challenge you to consider those beliefs yourself?”

“I don’t know if challenge is the word. She’s been quite circumspect concerning this topic.”

He smiled. “I sense a but.”

“But I took the time to do some research on my own.”

“And what did you discover?”

“That as a historical source, the Bible carries much more credibility than I expected.”

Ray nodded. “Did you reach any conclusions about its message?”

“Yes, and your message to my father was key. It directed me to numerous passages that referenced God as the life. I found that the Bible’s message isn’t primarily about obeying rules or even forgiveness and heaven. It’s about being joined to Christ by faith and receiving the life of God, being one with him. Very different from the traditional understanding, as far as I can tell.”