And the Rest Is History(78)

Sitting at his briefing table were Dr Bairstow, Commander Hay and Captain Farenden. Again.

The Commander opened the batting. ‘Dr Maxwell, may I express my regret over Chief Farrell’s death. And that of Major Guthrie and Mr Markham.’

I nodded. ‘Thank you. I’m sorry about Miss Van Owen.’

‘Thank you. I know that it must feel as if your world has ended, and I am reluctant to seem to be adding to your difficulties, but there is an important matter I must discuss with you. I always intended to speak to you and your husband about this and then … well … Chief Farrell died and I wanted to give you some time before approaching you, but now I understand from Dr Bairstow that the question of Matthew’s future is being considered, and I have a … a proposition to put to you. I do beg you will give me a hearing.’

I didn’t like the sound of this.

‘I should say now I don’t expect you to make a decision today. Or in the near future either. Both I and Dr Bairstow feel you should take all the time you need before making what is going to be a very difficult choice.’

What choice? What decision?

She appeared to take a very deep breath.

‘Max, we at the Time Police have given this matter a great deal of thought. I would like you to consider what I am about to say very carefully. I am sure your first instinct will be to reject it out of hand, but I beg that you will take the time to think about it.’

Shit. I didn’t like the sound of this at all.

‘We propose that your son comes to live with us.’

She paused, as if bracing herself for a protest, but to tell the truth, I was too gobsmacked to speak.

‘We have several reasons for proposing what to you must seem an impossible course of action, and in truth, I don’t think we have any choice.’

I found a voice. ‘Of course we have a choice. Ronan is gone – there is no reason why either Matthew or I shouldn’t lead a normal life.’

I threw Dr Bairstow a look. Surely it was no coincidence that the Time Police were here with this ridiculous idea so soon after I had announced I was considering taking Matthew away from St Mary’s.

He said gravely, ‘I know what you are thinking, Max, but Commander Hay and I have been discussing her proposal for a little while now, and I am asking you, as a long-standing colleague and friend, to hear her out.’

I could do that. I could listen politely all the way to the end and then say no. I nodded.

She continued. ‘Our plan is that Matthew comes to live with us. For him, the benefits will be enormous. We will make ourselves responsible for his education and I guarantee it will be excellent. Under our care, he will be safe and secure. I categorically guarantee that. And, probably best of all, Max, he will be among people who understand who and what he is. He will never have to pretend or lie about his background. He can relax and be himself.’

‘And what exactly do you think that is?’

She was silent for a while. ‘I’ll be honest, we’re not sure. Oh please, don’t misunderstand me. There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s a perfectly normal little boy. Yes, he has a few problems at the moment, but they’re the result of his upbringing and can be dealt with.’

‘So your interest in him is because…?’

‘Is because he was born between times. Or out of time, if you like. Between one moment and the next.’

‘Aren’t we all?’

‘Yes, we are, but Matthew, your son, was born in that split second when no time existed at all. Interesting, don’t you think? We believe he might possess certain gifts relating to the reading of Time and it would seem that these talents have already begun to manifest themselves. For instance, I believe that you have given him the Time Map to play with.’

‘Well, not the Time Map…’ I said, not meeting Dr Bairstow’s gaze.

‘Of course not, but I believe he has already learned to manipulate the data.’

‘Just randomly. He’s too young to know what he’s doing.’

‘Of course,’ she said again, ‘but that’s a gift that should not be ignored.’

‘And certainly not by the Time Police,’ I said, brightly.

She didn’t rise to the bait.

‘I understand this must be difficult for you. You lost your baby then he reappears as an eight-year-old boy.’

‘And now you’re proposing to take him away again,’ I said, feeling that this had gone on long enough. ‘Not going to happen.’

‘No, no, Max. Please do not misunderstand me. There is absolutely no question of you never seeing him again. We would allow regular visits. Once a month at the very least. He can come to you at St Mary’s or you can visit him to reassure yourself as to his living conditions. We are very conscious both of the need for him to form a good relationship with his mother, and of his need for safety and security which I think we can all, between us, provide. You would be able to see him at any time.’

‘But as things stand at the moment, I can see him all the time.

‘That is true, but…’

‘And, just so everyone in this room is perfectly clear, because it would be a tragedy if anyone was labouring under any sort of misapprehension – no one has the authority to “allow” me to do anything pertaining to my son.’