“Yes, Mr. Lefko?”
“Your freedom from bias is well known.”
The corners of his mouth went down as he frowned.
“Will you be willing to be used as proof that there can be no trickery?”
He thought that over, then nodded slowly.
The prosecution objected, and was waved down.
“Will you tell me exactly where you were at any given time?
Any place where you are absolutely certain and can verify that there were no concealed cameras or observers?”
He thought.
Seconds. Minutes. The tension twanged, and I swallowed dust.
He spoke quietly. “1918. November 11th.”
Mike whispered to me.
I said,
“Any particular time?”
Justice Bronson looked at Mike.
“Exactly eleven.
Armistice time.”
He paused, then went on.
“Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls New York.”
I heard the dials tick in the stillness, and Mike whispered again.
I said,
“The lights should be off.”
The bailiff rose.
“Will you please watch the left wall, or in that direction?
I think that if Justice Kassel will turn a little … we are ready.”
Bronson looked at me, and at the left wall. “Ready.”
The lights flicked out overhead and I heard the television crews mutter.
I touched Mike on the shoulder.
“Show them, Mike!”
We’re all showmen at heart, and Mike is no exception.
Suddenly out of nowhere and into the depths poured a frozen torrent.
Niagara Falls.
I’ve mentioned, I think, that I’ve never got over my fear of heights.
Few people ever do.
I heard long, shuddery gasps as we started straight down.
Down, until we stopped at the brink of the silent cataract, weird on its frozen majesty.
Mike had stopped time at exactly eleven, I knew.
He shifted to the American bank.
Slowly he moved along.
There were a few tourists standing in almost comic attitudes.
There was snow on the ground, flakes in the air.
Time stood still, and hearts slowed in sympathy.
Bronson snapped,
“Stop!”
A couple, young.
Long skirts, high-buttoned army collar, dragging army overcoat, facing, arms about each other.
Mike’s sleeve rustled in the darkness and they moved.
She was sobbing and the soldier was smiling.
She turned away her head, and he turned it back.