Chapter 20 Pinch in Purgatory
Lawyer Pitfall slipped near to Pinch’s cubicle. Her computer monitor’s screen saver was on, her back was to him, and she was talking to herself.
“...and the river, the river must go out of the City,” she muttered, “out and down there into the canyons. Has to. Down there. Anything you throw in it, you’d see it come out somewhere—out there. Oh God. But that’s not necessary anyway. I just have to, have to buckle down. I’m not out of here yet. I’ll just get the job done. Or if not, this is just one time, and they don’t care about one time.”
Pitfall cleared his throat.
Pinch slowly swivelled in her chair until Pitfall could see the white back brace that encircled her torso outside her clothing. Her close-set eyes, always a little vague, were like smears of charcoal.
“Yes, Mr. Pitfall?”
“Come down to my office.”
She rose painfully and followed him.
In the office, he closed the door and, sitting down behind his wide desk, motioned her to a chair. He shifted a paper. “I have your progress report. I, of course, have communicated its contents to those higher up.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t find that necessary,” Pinch said. “The situation could easily change for the better in a short time.”
“One informant exposed and another about to be, and the Heavenites have traced Obscurity to us, to this office. What did you expect? That I’d help you to cover it all up?”
“Of course not, sir.”
“Well, what then?”
“I only want to point out, sir, that Mr. Bitterly has not been traced to this office. As for Obscurity, it’s not over yet. She’s being tried this morning.”
Pitfall coughed out a laugh. “And do you think she’ll be found innocent?”
“No.”
“Then what do you mean?”
Pinch’s jaw worked back and forth a few times. “The woman Honesty might be bought. I’ve asked Bits Bitterly to approach her and sound her out tactfully.”
“There’s no time for that. The trial is going on now.”
Pinch waited a moment and then went on as if Pitfall had not spoken.
“So in that scenario Honesty loses her memory, and Obscurity is either acquitted or at least no connection with us is proved. Either way, Bits is still our insider and, and we continue, you know, and just generally get the job done....” She trailed off.
After a long pause, Pitfall said, “Is that all you have?”
“Please, sir, I’d like you to consider my record. I—”
“What are you doing standing up? Sit down.”
“I can’t sit very long without pain.”
“Sit down!”
She did so.
“Now I’m telling you that we’re terminating you. We have everything documented, so don’t even think about challenging it. Just clear out your desk and go.”
“Please, sir, I’d be willing to take a demotion.” She held up her hands with fingers curled. “My typing speed is still good.”
Pitfall shook his head. “Just go.”
Pinch pulled herself up from the chair with a grimace of pain and went to the door. With her hand on the doorknob, she turned a pale face to him. The lawyer had already turned his attention to some papers on his desk.
Very quietly she said, “I’m going to kill myself.”
Without looking up, Pitfall said, “Don’t try to manipulate me, sister. Just get out of here.”
She went.