Sci Fiction Classics Volume 4 Read Online Free PDF Page A

gesture said. And for the first time, I
     noticed how harassed he seemed.
    "In a detective novel," I said as lightly as I could, "the hero usually
     says, 'You have me at a disadvantage.' I'm sorry, Mr. Harrington, but I
     haven't the faintest idea what in God's name you're talking about."
    Harrington grinned. His teeth were stained. "Touché. And I
     apologize, okay? I didn't mean to be so damned mysterious, but sometimes I
     like to play the role. I read those books too." He settled himself more
     deeply into the only armchair in the room and reached into a coat pocket
     for a handkerchief, which he used to wipe his hands. "You see, there's
     been a murder in the hotel."
    I looked at him patiently, but he didn't say anything else, apparently
     waiting for my reaction. I almost said, So what? but I didn't. "Am I
     supposed to guess who was murdered, or who did it? My God, it wasn't one
     of the Carrutherses, was it?"
    Harrington shook his head.
    Ernie swallowed hard.
    "Well, surely you don't suspect one of them?"
    "Wish I knew," Harrington said. "An old man was found outside his door on
     the third floor about three o'clock this morning. His throat was, well,
     not exactly torn … more like yanked out. Like somebody just grabbed
     hold and pulled."
    That I understood, and the unbidden image that flashed into my mind was
     enough to swear me off breakfast, and probably lunch. I shuddered.
    "Some people," the detective continued, "said they heard this old guy call
     the boy 'robie.' Did you hear it?"
    "Yes," I answered without thinking. "And I heard someone else, I don't
     know who, call him a 'humie.' There were other remarks, I guess, but I
     didn't hear them all. That kind of talk isn't usual, you know. The
     Carrutherses may have been offended, but I hardly think they'd have
     murdered for it. I smiled as nicely as I could because I felt sorry for
     them, and the boy."
    Harrington kept wiping his hands; then, with a flourish, deposited the
     cloth back into his pocket and stood. "Okay," he said brusquely. "Thanks
     for the information."
    As he turned to leave, I couldn't help asking if he really believed the
     boy or his parents had done it. "After all," I said, "the boy is an
     android. He can't kill anyone."
    Harrington stopped with his hand on the door knob. He actually looked
     sorry for me. "Sir, either you read too much, or you watch too much TV.
     Andy or not, if ordered, that kid could kill as easily as I could blink."
    And then he left, with silent Ernie trailing apologetically behind. Slowly
     I walked to the window and gazed out toward the bay. The sun was nearing
     noon, and the glare off the water partially blinded me to the arms of the
     coast that came within a hundred meters of turning Nova into a lake. Below
     was the single block of businesses that squatted between me and the beach.
     Leaning forward, I spotted a milling group of people and a squad car. I
     watched, trying to identify some of them, until Harrington strolled from
     the building and drove away. The crowd, small as it was, disturbed me.
     Starburst wasn't supposed to deal in murder.
    "Christ," I said. "And I wanted to punch that old guy in the face."
    I shook myself and dressed quickly. At least Harrington didn't tell me not
     to leave town. Not that I would have. I still had four days of vacation
     left, and though I was sorry for the old nameless man, and sorrier for the
     shroud the crime must have placed on the Carrutherses, I still intended to
     soak up as much sun as possible.
    And so I did until a shadow blocked the heat, and I looked up from my
     blanket into the face of the boy: the face turned black by the sun behind
     him. Specter. Swaying. I imagine I appeared startled, because he said,
     "Hey, I'm sorry, mister. Uh, can I talk with you a minute?"
    "Why, sure, why not?" I shifted to one side and sat up. Today the boy was
     fully dressed in sweatshirt, jeans, and sockless sneakers. His dark hair
     was uncombed. He squatted next to