Note: This is a present-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered time-span: 1,3,5, etc.)"I see I was right then," said the man there in front of the computer."Even if you no longer have your laptop, you would still continue with your hacking."He turned in the chair and looked up. Straight to me.It's not Doc. It's Sergeant McCallister. He looks tired. "I've been watching you all evening. I wonder what the inspector is going to say now? She thought you had a big enough scare. Said I was going to waste my time. But look now."I swallow, my throat is dry. The pack of ream paper in my hands willy-nilly slip out between my fingers."What is all this stuff?" asked Sergeant McCallister.There is no way out. No sweet talk will help. I have to tell him about Doc."There's something..." The words struggled to get over my dry tongue."Speak louder, Erick, I can't hear you!"I just want to start over when Sergeant McCallister reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. It didn't rin

Note: This is a present-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered time-span: 1,3, etc.)"Come along," said Sergeant McCallister."Where to?""The local precinct. The community service centre."I frown."The police station, Erick.""Are you arresting me?""No. You must come and make a statement." Sergeant McCallister was right, it was going to be a long day.A little while later I get into the back of the police car. The classes are changing. Curious eyes stare at me. They can think about what they want.The asphalt road on which we stop in front of the police station is crumbling against the curb. A fence about four meters high spans the building. Every few steps there is a lamppost that would illuminate the fence in the dark. On the pale winter grass in front of the sandstone building with the green are two flagpoles. On the left hangs the national flag, on the right the police flag.The police offices are clean, but the furniture is old. In the office where we sit, there is a single

Note: (odd & even-numbered chapters’ time spans – merge in this chapter)The reflection in the glass door of the gallery. "Gregory!""Didn't think you'd see me again, huh?"I swing around. Walk closer to grab him. Relief. "Is that genuinely you?"But Gregory only lifts one arm, presses against my chest, and pushes me away. a crooked smile drew around his mouth."Your hair...Blonde? And the goatee?" I want to take his hand away, but he pulls it back hard. "Where have you been? The whole world is looking for you!""Mmm... know, I saw my food on Police File. Never thought I'd end up there.""But if you saw it, why—""What's this? Twenty questions? Leave it. I'm in a hurry: just came to finish something.That's what fear feels like Fire flashes through your body, every nerve jolt awake, adrenaline throws your mind into overdrive, your eyes open, your breathing stops and your chest cavity squeezes. And you hear it - your own breathing stops and your sinuses squeeze. And you hear it - your

Note: (odd & even-numbered chapters’ time spans – merge continue)This is the last I see of G-4ce. The panel van races down the street, around the square. Away!I walk slowly back to the guest house. Totally rattled. There are more people on the street now. They just look at me, at my broken face, and torn clothes. Blood. One woman wants to help, "Leave me!" I screamed, yanking my arm out of her hands.My mother is alone in the guest house room. She looked up from a magazine, and turned pale when she saw me, "Erick!""Where's dad?" I ask"What happened?""Dad. Where is he?" Harder."He went to look for cigarettes before he drove.""Row?""To Bergville. Doctor Paterson..."Of course. Suddenly I wonder if my father left all his business interests for my sake or if he came to help Doc."I have to go see him," I said and turned back to close the door."You can't! Not like that. My child, what is the matter with you?" Panic in my mother's eyes. Only now I think about it: how will mother ta