Read Online Dream Thief by Stephen Lawhead - Free Book Online Page B

grunt.
    He paid little attention to what she said, wondering instead how he might gracefully excuse himself and make his getaway. He told himself he had more important things to do than escort aggressive young women around the space station. He wanted to free himself to think about what was happening to him.
    “Well, here we are,” said Ari. They stood before a buff-colored panel. “Would you like to come in? I'll make some tea.”
    “Tea? Well, I don't think…”
    “Please, do. I 'd like it very much if you would.” She had already punched her access code into the digits of the glowing plate and the panel slid open. She kept her hold on his arm and tugged him gently inside.
    He stepped hesitantly through the portal and looked around. The Zandersons' quarters were quite plush; much more luxurious than his own Spartan accommodations.
    “It's shocking, I know. But it can't be helped, I'm afraid.” She followed his gaze around the large, spacious rooms. “The director does live well—too well, perhaps.”
    “Oh, I don't know,” said Spence. “It's a tough job. He needs a place like this to unwind. You can't do that in a cubbyhole.”
    “Still, I feel guilty sometimes. Look at this—carpet on the floors yet! It must have cost a fortune to lug that up here. And leather furniture!”
    “I like it. It's beautiful.”
    “Sure, it's beautiful. Go ahead and take a seat. I won't be a minute.”
    Spence settled himself into the soft leather cushions at one end of a long handsome couch. He rubbed his hand absently over the dark, polished grain of the leather and wondered how long it had been since he had felt anything so fine, so natural.
    Next to him on a low teak table sat a star globe with an Earth the size of a grapefruit surrounded by a transparent shell upon which were painted the major stars of the galaxy. It was an exquisite antique.
    Next to the globe was a picture in a walnut frame. A striking, dark-haired woman smiled out from the picture and Spence realized at once where Ari had come by her good looks. But there was an unsettling quality about the picture. The woman's eyes were not focused on the camera. They held a distant, aloof look— almost a vacant stare. Though the woman smiled warmly, her smile did not light up those cold, empty eyes. It was as if two separate pictures had been somehow overlapped. Two very different moods had been captured in that single photographic moment, and the effect was chilling.
    Ari returned and saw him studying the picture. She placed the tray of tea things on the table, and began to pour.
    “Your mother?” he asked, still looking at the photograph.
    “Yes,” said Ari. She did not look up.
    “I don't think I've ever met her. Is she here?”
    “No, she's not—”
    “Prefers the Earth beneath her feet, is that it?”
    “Mother…” Ari started, and then hesitated. She glanced at Spence and then looked away. “Mother isn't with us anymore.”
    “I'm sorry … I didn't know.” He raised his mug to his lips and sipped. “Ow!”
    “Oh, careful! It's hot. I should have warned you. Did you burn yourself?”
    “I'll live.”
    An uneasy silence settled over the room. Spence shifted nervously in his seat.
    “I wanted to come up here in the worst way,” said Ari after a while. “I thought it would be an adventure.”
    “Disappointed?”
    “A little.”
    “I know what you mean—it's like an enormous office building, only you can never go outside.”
    “You're right. If not for the garden, I don't know what I'd do. Well, I'd go berserk; I know I would.”
    “You could leave any time you wanted, couldn't you? Why do you stay?”
    “Daddy. He needs me. Besides, this being my first jump, I could never let it be said that the director's daughter couldn't even endure one tour of duty.”
    “You'll get used to it. Everyone does.”
    “Not everyone. I've already seen several who haven't. It's a frightening thing.”
    Spence found the conversation had wandered too close