Gravity's Chain Read Online Free PDF Page B

the rescue party pulled me roughly toward the door. A cacophony of questions followed me. The reporters, their appetites whetted, wanted more. I knew they would. Once in Chicago eight months ago I’d made a comment on my way into the theatre for a show. Like piranhas sensing meat, the rest were around instantly, hoping to feed on the comment and wanting more. I didn’t give them any more, just like this time; I enjoyed the tease, the moment of chaos when the controls around me slipped for an instant. Taikon’s response after Chicago was to tighten security around my public movements and then leak to the press that there had been threats to my life. Recently, though, as I’d been a good boy and there were no actual threats to my life, the added protection had started to relax. Now I’d taken my chance and Bebe would pay. He really didn’t deserve the shit coming his way, considering all he did for me in clearing up what went on behind closed doors. And there was no doubt he would shoulder the responsibility if something went wrong. Taikon might know about the parties and the drink and the drugs and the girls; they might accept it as the cost to keep me happy. However, Bebe was their insurance and we all knew if anything went public then the blame would go his way,leaving the company squeaky clean and us down the proverbial river without anything remotely resembling a paddle. Oh, what the fuck. There has to be some risk: where’s the fun without risk?
    â€˜Well done, Jack.’
    I easily succumbed to his pushing now, like a suitably chastised child. ‘Well?’
    â€˜Well what? If that’s casting Driesler from your mind I’d hate to be around when you actually think about him. What the hell were you thinking of?’
    â€˜The man’s a fuckwit. You know that and I know that and it’s time someone said so instead of all this pussy-footing around.’
    â€˜Driesler is many things, but he’s not a…what you say. The company will take care of him, but when the time’s right. Jack, you shouldn’t underestimate him. He can damage you, and all you do with these kinds of comments is draw attention to him and show that you’re worried about his claims. Think about the Nobel, Jack. Comments like you’ve just made won’t win you any friends with the committee—you know how they hate disputes.’
    Typical Bebe: he was so good at playing the guilt card and he was even better at knowing my appetites. He knew that, despite my indifference to the world, there was still the burning desire to win the Nobel. I might not care for my colleagues but I did care about the one accolade that meant real and not false recognition. Bebe was right, what I’d said was not good news for the committee. Now I regretted my childish outburst. ‘And I don’t suppose the company guys will be too pleased either.’
    Bebe smiled that smile of his. He had no children: if he did, this smile would have been for them, but he saved this gift for me.‘I’ll handle them. I’ll tell them you’re tired after the UK shows, you know, stressed. You’ll get a telling off, they’ll increase the security, then it will be forgotten.’ He saw the continued worry. ‘It’s all right, they won’t stop the parties.’
    â€˜Is there anything I should do?’
    â€˜No, leave it to me. I’ll write an apology and talk to some of the committee. You still have a lot of friends there, a lot of friends.’
    There were a hundred and fifty guests already gathered in the Orchid Room, which pulsed with music and talk. Before the inevitable crush engulfed me, Bebe placed a full glass of tequila and ice into my hand. ‘Here’s your lemonade, Jack,’ he shouted in a more exaggerated manner than was necessary, but it gained the ear of the nearest five people. Instantly those standing close were sucked closer by my mere presence