Zero History

following. “They were worried about that.”
“Who were?”
“The doctors. In the clinic. In Basel.”
“What about the man at the Salon? The one in the pants? The one you thought you’d
seen in Selfridges? Did he follow you?”
“Yes. Sleight was telling him where I was.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why not?”
“I left the Neo with someone else. He followed them.” He needed to clean his teeth.
There was pear galette between his upper rear molars. It still tasted good.
“It’s been a long day,” said Hollis as they reached what he took to be their hotel. “I
spoke with Hubertus. He wants you to call him. Sleight thinks you’ve run away.”
“I feel like I have.” He held the door for her.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Monsieur Milgrim?” A man, behind a vaguely pulpit-like counter.
“Mister Milgrim’s room is on my card,” said Hollis.
“Yes,” said the clerk, “but he must still register.” He produced a printed white card and
a pen. “Your passport, please.”
Milgrim brought out his Faraday pouch, then his passport.
“I’ll call you in the morning, in time for breakfast here, then the train,” said Hollis.
“Good night.” And she was gone, around a corner.
“I will photocopy this,” said the clerk, “and return it to you when you are finished in
the lobby.” He gestured with his head, to Milgrim’s right.
“The lobby?”
“Where the young lady is waiting.”
“Young lady?”
But the clerk had vanished, through a narrow doorway behind the counter.
The lights were out in the small lobby. Folding wooden panels partially screened it
from the reception area. Streetlight reflected on china, set out for breakfast service. And
on the yellow curve of the helmet, from the low oval of a glass coffee table. A small
figure rose smoothly to its feet, in a complex rustle of waterproof membranes and cyclearmor.
“I’m Fiona,” she said sternly, her jawline delicate above the stiff buckled collar.
She stuck out her hand. Milgrim shook it automatically. It was small, warm, strong, and
callused.
“Milgrim.”
“I know that.” She didn’t sound British.
“Are you American?”
“Technically. You too. We both work for Bigend.”
“He told Hollis he wasn’t sending anybody.”