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solution that eventually cracks the code in the future, and retrieve it here now, in the past. Clear?’
    ‘As mud. But all I really need to know is that you may be on to something. What’s the likelihood that the mole could also use this technique?’
    ‘Hmmn, doubtful. This is really new stuff, stuff Gooper came up with while he was looking at his girlie holozines. You know how they spark ideas in his neocortex and sometimes -’
    Anneke held up a hand. ‘Too much information. I get the picture. So the mole may not be going down this path. In any case, he’d have a lot of balls in the air at the same time. That juggling act might be to our advantage. Okay, keep at it, Josh. And thanks.’
    ‘Any time, Anneke. You take care now.’
    She nodded and cut the connection.
    Weighing up what Josh had said, she went to the kitchen, made herself a Ruvian coffee, and took it back to her room. She instructed the house computer to calljake.
    A holofax from Jake Ferren appeared in the centre of the room, doll-sized, sitting at his plasteel desk. Rows of ancient books on military law, a cavalry sword and flags back-dropped him.
    ‘This message is keyed to your neural signature, Anneke, so no one else can hear me. I’m away at the moment. Sorry I can’t take your call. Something urgent has come up. I’ll be in touch soon. Bye for now.’
    The image dispersed.
    Anneke stared hard at the after-image, her breathing speeding up. Why wasn’t he there? She desperately needed to talk to him.
    She got up and paced, aware she was having a mild panic attack. Elinor said she would experience these for some time. The body memory of immense pain and near death could not be eradicated quickly and often small incidents could set off the ancient ‘fight or flight’ reaction.
    Anneke stopped pacing, closed her eyes, and recited a mantra Elinor had taught her. She felt her body’s stress subside, her heart beat drop back to normal, and her breathing steady.
    A sudden knock on the door sent another dose of adrenaline surging through her. ‘Who is it?’ she stammered, an atypical tremor in her voice.
    ‘Why don’t you open the door and see for yourself?’ She frowned, yanking open the door. Jake Ferren stared back at her and, beside him, looking anxious, was Deema.
    Anneke burst into tears.
    They had the stone refectory to themselves. While Deema scooped up spoonfuls of Stormhagen ice cream, Jake and Anneke talked.
    ‘You’re looking well.’
    ‘Yeah. I always burst into tears like that.’
    ‘Give it time,’ said Jake, patting her hand. ‘What you went through - well, it must have been hell.’
    After chatting about old times, Anneke broached what had been pressing her for some time. ‘So what’s my position back at RIM?’
    Jake, about to sip his coffee, froze briefly, and then avoided her eyes. ‘Well, it’s good. It’s good.’
    Anneke laughed. ‘In other words, it’s not good. Right?’
    Shamefaced, Jake nodded. ‘Let’s say it’s good and bad.’
    ‘Give me the good first.’
    ‘Well, you’re a hero.’
    ‘And the bad?’
    ‘You’re a dead hero.’ Anneke stared.
    ‘Look, before you go off, let me explain. I had a tough choice to make and you weren’t there and I didn’t know if -’
    ‘That’s wonderful,Jake!’ Her eyes sparkled.
    Jake frowned, like he’d missed something. ‘It is?’
    ‘It’s the best thing possible. This way, Nathaniel thinks I’m dead. That means he’s not looking for me. More importantly, he’s not looking for- Deema.’ She mouthed the last word silently so the child would not hear.
    Deema said, ‘I can lip-read, you know.’
    Anneke snorted and ruffied the girl’s hair. ‘Well, stop eavesdropping on my lips.’
    Jake eyed Anneke oddly. ‘I thought you’d be mad.’
    ‘I think you made the right decision, Jake. For everyone concerned. Please bring me up to date.’
    Jake sighed. ‘Where to begin?’ He pursed his lips and took a deep breath. ‘The whole mole hunt has