Part 4 (2/2)
Cora continued to stare at Merced, who looked like a dark splinter fallen from the flank of the huge Poly- nesian. Merced noticed her stare, appeared more em- barra.s.sed than ever.
”I'm terribly sorry. I suppose I should have intro- duced myself before.” He stepped out into the aisle.
”I was just so fascinated by your daughter's instrument.
They're very rare, you know, and . . .” He stopped, fl.u.s.tered, and extended a hand. ”I'm Professor of Ad- vanced Oceanographic Research at the University of Toleamia on Repler.”
”Toleamia?” She wasn't ready to believe this irrita- ting person was a representative of so prestigious an inst.i.tution.
”That's right.” He sounded apologetic. ”Please ex- cuse me. I really was interested in the neurophon.”
”And in its operator?”
”Mother...” Rachael said wamingly.
”I'd be lying if I said no.” Merced seemed nothing if not truthful.
Mataroreva's smile had faded somewhat as he lis- tened to the exchange.”Am I missing something?”
”No.” Cora turned, forced herself to smile up at him.
”Nothing important. We're very glad to be here, Mr.
Mataroreva. I just hope that we can be of some help.”
She noted that they were the only pa.s.sengers still aboard the shuttle. ”If I seem confused, it's only be- cause I was led to believe that my daughter and I were the only experts called in for consultation, to con- sider your problem.” She looked at Merced. ”I don't suppose your presence here and your being greeted by Mr. Mataroreva could mean you're going to work on something else?”
”We're all here for the same reason, I'm afraid.”
Merced s.h.i.+fted his feet. ”For what it's worth, I was as ignorant of your involvement until you boarded the
24.
CACHALOT.
CACHALOT.
25.
shuttle as you were of mine. The difference was that I knew something of you by reputation and sight, and you did not know me.” He forced a smile. ”I shouldn't think we'd have any trouble working together.”
”a.s.suming that we do indeed end up working to- gether.” Cora was conceding nothing.
Mataroreva was growing distinctly uncomfortable.
She decided he deserved some rea.s.surance.
”I'm not usually this testy. It's been a long, difficult
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