The Web

They greeted him with smiles and raspy cries. He went to each of them, whispered in their ears, hugged and patted and tickled.

When he turned to leave, one of them- the larger woman- took hold of his hand and tugged.

He pulled back. She resisted.

Giggles all around. A familiar game.

Finally, Moreland tickled her under the arm and she gave a silent, wide-mouthed laugh and let go, tumbling backward. Moreland caught her, kissed the top of her head, pulled a Barbie doll out of the case and gave it to her.

"Look, Suzy: Movie Star Barbie. Look at this beautiful, fancy dress."

The woman turned the figurine, suddenly engrossed. Her features were saurian but her eyes were warm.

"Be right back, kids," said Moreland.

We left the room and walked down a narrow stone passage.

"How often do you come down here?" I asked.

"Optimally, two to five times a day. Less frequent than that and things get out of hand." His thin shoulders sagged.

"It sounds impossible," said Robin.

"It's… a challenge. But I keep my other obligations to a minimum."

Virtually no sleep.

No wife.

Sending his own daughter away as a toddler.

Allowing the island to decay… his one recreation the insects. A small world he could control.

Studying predators in order to forget about victims.

We came to a third room: six portable chemical toilets and two sinks attached to large water tanks outfitted with sterilization kits. A cloth partition halved the space. Three latrines and one basin on each side. Cutouts of men pasted on the stalls to the left, women to the right.

A strong wave of disinfectant.

Moreland said, "I've toilet trained each of them. It took some time, but they're quite dependable now."

Next were the sleeping quarters- three smaller caves, each with two beds. More books and toys. Piles of dirty clothes on the floor.

"We still have a ways to go on neatness."

"Who does their laundry?" said Robin.

"We handwash, everything's cotton. They enjoy laundry time, I've turned it into a game. The clothes are old but good. Brooks Brothers and similar quality, brought in years ago in several boatloads. I couldn't order too much at a time, didn't want to attract attention… Come, come, there's more."

He led us back into the passageway. It narrowed and we had to turn sideways. At the end was another webbed door. He saw me looking at it.

"Japanese ironwork. Beautiful, isn't it?"

On the other side was an exit ramp, descending steeply, its terminus out of view. The door was fastened with an enormous lock.

The soft people confined forever.

Moreland produced a key, rammed it into the lock, pushed the door open, and the three of us walked to the bottom of the ramp.

"Sometimes, when it's very dark and I can be sure they'll behave themselves, I take them up to the forest for nighttime picnics. Moonlight is kind to them. They love their picnic time. Mentally they're children, but their bodies are aging prematurely. Arthritis, bursitis, scoliosis, osteoporosis, cataracts. One of the boys has developed significant atherosclerosis. I treat him with anticoagulants, but it's a bit tricky because he bruises so easily."

He stopped. Stared at us.

"I've learned more about medicine than I ever believed possible."

"Do you have any idea of their life expectancy?" said Robin.

Moreland shrugged. "It's difficult to say. They're deteriorating, but they've survived so many crises, who knows? With good care, all or most of them will probably outlive me."

He leaned against the wall. "And that is the issue. That's why I must arrange something for them."

"Why haven't you gone public and gotten them care?" she said.

"What would that accomplish, dear? Subjecting them to the scrutiny of scientists and doctors? Scientists condemned them to this life. How long would they last out in the monstrosity we call the real world? No, I couldn't allow that to happen."

"But surely they-"

"They'd wither and die, dear," said Moreland, straining for patience.

He reached for the open door and took hold of one of the bars. "What they need is continuity. A transfer of care."

His eyes moved from Robin to me. Studying. Waiting.

I could hear music from the game room. A scratchy record. Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou.

He said: "I want you to be their guardians once I'm gone."

"I'm not a physician," I said. As if that was the only reason.

"I can teach you what you need to know. It's not that difficult, believe me. I've been composing a manual…"

"You just pointed out how tricky it-"

"You can learn, son. You're a smart man."

Raising his voice. When I didn't answer, he turned to Robin.

"Bill," she said.

"Hear me out," he said. "Don't close your minds. Please."

"But why me?" I said. "Give me the real answer, this time."

"I already have- your dedication to-"

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough. I've studied you! And now that I've met Robin, I'm even more convinced. With two people, sharing the challenge, it would be-"

"How did you really find me, Bill?"

"Coincidence. Or fate. Choose your nomenclature. I was in Hawaii taking care of some legal matters with Al Landau. My hotel delivered the daily paper. Despite my aversion to what passes for news, I skimmed it. The usual corruption and distortions, then I came across an article about a case in California. A little girl in a hospital, poisoned to simulate illness. You helped bring the matter to resolution. References were made to other cases you'd been involved in- abused children, murders, various outrages. You sounded like an interesting fellow. I researched you and learned you were a serious scholar."

"Bill-"

"Please, son, listen: intellectual vigor and humanity don't always go together. One can be an A student but a D person. And you have drive. I need someone with drive. And you, dear. You're his soulmate in every way."

I tried to find words. The look on his face said no language existed that would work.

"Mind you, I'm not proposing a one-way deal. Care for my kids properly, and the entire estate and all my other property holdings on Aruk will be yours, in addition to excellent real estate in Hawaii and California, securities, a bit of cash. What I told you about my family fortune dwindling was true, but it's still substantial. Of course, I'll have to give a generous inheritance to Pam as well as some stipends to trusted individuals, but the rest would be yours. Once the kids are all gone. You can see why I need someone with integrity. Someone who wouldn't kill them to get to the money. I now trust you- both of you. When your duties are through, you'll be wealthy and free to enjoy your wealth in any way that pleases you."

Robin said, "Pam's a doctor. Why don't you want her to take over?"

He shook his head so vigorously his glasses fell off his nose.

Retrieving them, he said, "Pam's a wonderful girl, but not equipped. She has… vulnerabilities. My fault. I don't deserve the title "father.' She needs to get out in the world. To find someone who values her- the kind of relationship you two have. But you will have assistance. From Ben."

"Ben knows?"

"I let him into my confidence five years ago. The kids have come to adore him. He's been a tremendous help, taking shifts as my strength ebbs."

"You don't want him to take over?" said Robin.

"I considered it, but he has his own family. My kids need full-time parents."

Single-minded, isolated parents. As he'd been after Barbara died and Pam was sent away.

What he wanted was philosophical cloning. I felt stu

"Ben will continue to pitch in," he said. "Between the three of you the task is doable."