Necroscope: The Mobius Murders (25 page)

And among the living—finally Harry had spoken to Darcy Clarke at E-Branch HQ. He didn’t have much to tell the Head of Branch; the fact that it was Harry’s voice on the telephone and that he was obviously alive and well, in effect told the story for him. In return, Darcy had only one thing he considered of major importance to tell him.

And so:

That same day, a grey and dreary afternoon with a thin mist that wasn’t quite a drizzle forming droplets of dew on his overcoat, Harry stood with his collar up and head bowed—mainly to keep the moisture out of his eyes—before a grave in the well tended grounds of a Garden of Repose, a cemetery in Kensington, London.

Good of you to come, Harry
, said the one he was visiting.
I wasn’t expecting you so soon, if at all! By which I mean I know how busy you often are; and anyway, I’ve barely had time to…well, to settle in, as it were. So if you had come any earlier, conversation might have been, you know, a bit awkward? I wasn’t making too much sense for a while! I mean, just look at me! I’m gibbering enough as it is!

“What, on my behalf?” said the Necroscope, shaking his head. “Because I came? But there’s no need. If I had known sooner I’d have come sooner, because we’re friends.” And changing the subject, looking at a simple marker yet more simply inscribed with only Geoff Lambert’s name and dates, he continued:

“Can I take it they’ve all made you welcome?”

My goodness, yes!
the other answered.
I used to think I had friends on your side of…of…but I’ve a lot more here!

Harry nodded. “And it’s not just that old ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’ thing either. If the Great Majority think they’re in your debt they’ll pay you back all they can. And they are in your debt, Geoff—me too. Which is why I’m here: to thank you yet again.”

It was my pleasure, Harry. And…maybe it can be again?

“Oh?”

Why yes! You see, a great deal of knowledge—much of which has been lost to the world of the living—remains extant down here. Using your authority I can speak to its owners while
they
are still here…I can perhaps gain access to their knowledge before they move on and take it with them. I can be your encyclopedia, Harry, and maybe give your dear mother a break!

“I don’t see why not,” said Harry, with a shrug. “So if you really want it, the job’s yours—well, subject to my Ma’s approval. But I’ll speak to her, definitely…”

Then for a while the pair communed in silence, by no means as strange an activity as it sounds. Until Harry said: “I suppose I should be going. I’m…I’m getting wet up here!”

Of course
, said Geoff Lambert.
But from now on you’ll know where I am.

Harry nodded. “Contact me any time,” he said.

Oh, don’t worry!
the other replied.
But I won’t be a pest, I promise.

Following which:

There was no one there to see the damp leaves spiralling a little in the empty space where the Necroscope had been standing. And as for Harry Keogh himself, he was no longer there…