City of Glass

It was the thirteenth day since the case had begun. Qui

"I'm about ready to pack it in," he said to Virginia Stillman. "From all I've seen, there's no threat to Peter."

"That's just what he wants us to think," the woman answered. "You have no idea how clever he is. And how patient."

"He might be patient, but I'm not. I think you're wasting your money. And I'm wasting my time."

"Are you sure he hasn't seen you? That could make all the difference.

"I wouldn't stake my life on it, but yes, I'm sure."

"What are you saying, then?"

"I'm saying you have nothing to worry about. At least for now. If anything happens later, contact me. I'll come ru

After a pause Virginia Stillman said, "You could be right." Then, after another pause, "But just to reassure me a little, I wonder if we could compromise."

"It depends on what you have in mind."

"Just this. Give it a few more days. To make absolutely certain.

"On one condition," said Qui

"Wouldn't that be risky?"

"You don't have to worry. I'm not going to tip our hand. He won't even guess who I am or what I'm up to."

"How will you manage that?"

"That's my problem. I have all kinds of tricks up my sleeve. You just have to trust me."

"All right, I'll go along. I don't suppose it will hurt."

"Good. I'll give it a few more days, and then we'll see where we stand.

"Mr. Auster?"

"Yes?"

"I'm terribly grateful. Peter has been in such good shape these past two weeks, and I know it's because of you. He talks about you all the time. You're like… I don't know… a hero to him."

"And how does Mrs. Stillman feel?"

"She feels much the same way."

"That's good to hear. Maybe someday she'll allow me to feel grateful to her."

"Anything is possible, Mr. Auster. You should remember that."

"I will. I'd be a fool not to."

Qui

Much of it was hard going, especially in the early parts. And when he did manage to decipher the words, it did not seem to have been worth the trouble. "Picks up pencil in middle of block. Examines, hesitates, puts in bag… Buys sandwich in deli… Sits on bench in park and reads through red notebook." These sentences seemed utterly worthless to him.

It was all a question of method. If the object was to understand Stillman, to get to know him well enough to be able to anticipate what he would do next, Qui

For no particular reason that he was aware of, Qui

Then, looking carefully through his notes, he began to trace with his pen the movements Stillman had made on a single day-the first day he had kept a full record of the old man's wanderings. The result was as follows:

Qui

Qui

This picture made Qui

83rd Street. Qui

Nevertheless, he decided to go on with it. It was not late, not even eleven o'clock yet, and the truth was that it could do no harm. The results of the third map bore no resemblance to the first two.

83rd Street. Qui