Zurich Meet Tomorrow by Alastair Reynolds - Book - Page 6
‘Marcus,’ she says, guardedly. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Same as you, I imagine,’ he replies. ‘Nothing beats going
back to the source, if you care about quality control.’
She nearly laughs: quality control, Marcus Siow? The two
things mix like oil and water.
‘I didn’t know you were using this supplier.’
‘Well, I’m not – yet. Just hedging my bets, in case something
big comes in.’ He regards her searchingly. ‘I heard there was
something in the offing?’
‘Oh?’ she answers, innocently.
‘Yes. All of a sudden everyone I know in interior design
seems to be taking a sudden vacation to the Gulf of Guinea.
You’ve been in Lagos for a while, haven’t you?’
‘I’m Nigerian, Marcus – it’s my hometown.’
‘Yes, but it’s been many years since you were back there
for more than a few days. I find it curious.’
She imagines him pin-pointing her movements, fixated like
a serial-killer.
‘I’ve got to go, Marcus,’ she says queasily. ‘Doubtless I’ll
see you around.’
Amaka terminates the call, glad that the boat is arriving
at the airport. She feels seasick, and it’s not just the journey
responsible for that.
A short-haul electric airliner carries Amaka to Libreville, where
a private air-taxi whisks her out to sea, into the Gulf of Guinea.
Mitsu checks in. Amaka’s android companion has closed
up the apartment and completed all necessary formalities.
6
