‘I’m sorry,’ Manny says. ‘Am I disturbing you?’

‘Computer, lights.’ The overhead lights come up gradually. She sits up from the couch, then ejects the VR program. ‘How’re you feeling? We were all worried about you.’

‘I’m okay.’

‘I’m sorry Jake’s driving you crazy. I should have never let him talk me into bringing you here. All I ever wanted for you was to live a normal life.’

‘Ma, it’s okay.’ He sits next to her. ‘It’s you I’m worried about.’

She flashes a false smile. ‘Since when?’

He swallows the lump in his throat. ‘I realize now how hard it’s been for you … you know, being without Mick, seeing your family separated. Pushing you to let me go only made things worse.’

‘Your instincts were right. What I did … what I allowed Jacob to do was wrong.’

‘Jake manipulated you, just like he’s always manipulated me.’

‘It wasn’t just Jake, I believed it, too. I mean, how could I not, with everything that had happened. When your father first left me, I honestly believed he was still alive. I can’t describe the feeling, but somehow I just knew he was around, I could feel this terrible tugging in my heart. But as the years passed the feeling subsided. Your father’s dead, Manny. I’ve come to accept that now.’

‘And all Jake’s training, all this nonsense about taking a journey?’

‘All my fault. I was confused … I should have never allowed him to read your grandfather Julius’s journal. It’s become the basis of his psychosis. By the time I realized what I’d done, it was too late.’

‘I’m sure GOLDEN FLEECE made things worse. These scientists are using Jake’s delusions to get what they want. Why did you go along with it?’

‘Why? Because I had no choice. The two of you have always had enemies. Weeks before we set up your phony deaths, the FBI caught a terrorist cell that was planning to launch a crude biological weapon at our home. Living in the compound—we were sitting ducks. Dr. Mohr supported Jacob’s training in exchange for your brother’s cooperation, allowing them access to the starship. Jacob feels safe here. He said he never felt safe on Longboat Key. How could I deny him that?’

‘Jake claims he can operate the Balam.’

‘He can access the vessel and manipulate a few of its astrotopography programs. Other than that, your brother has no more control or knowledge of that ship than you or I.’

‘That white-haired fubitshitter … he did it to me again.’

‘It’s the reason Dr. Mohr didn’t want you to see the starship. He knew Jacob would use it to manipulate you.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me any of this before we arrived? Never mind, if you had, I never would have come.’