"Mike Resnick - Pearly Gates" - читать интересную книгу автора (Resnick Mike)

"That is no longer true," I said, "for do I not perceive a
certain lack of content upon your own features?"
"That is correct, Mr. Holmes," he agreed. "We have a problem
here -- a problem of my own making -- and I have elected to
solicit your aid in solving it. It seems the very least I can do
to make your stay here more tolerable to you." He paused
awkwardly. "Also, it may well be that you are the one soul in my
domain who is capable of solving it."
"Cannot God instantly solve any problem that arises?" I
asked.
"He can, and eventually He will. But since I have created
this problem, I requested that I be allowed to solve it -- or
attempt to solve it -- first."
"How much time has He given you?"
"Time has no meaning here, Mr. Holmes. If He determines that
I will fail, He will correct the problem Himself." He paused
again. "I hope you will be able to assist me to redeem myself in
His eyes."
"I shall certainly do my best," I assured him. "Please state
the nature of the problem."
"It is most humiliating, Mr. Holmes," he began. "For time
beyond memory I have been the Keeper of the Pearly Gates. No one
can enter Heaven without my approval, and until recently I had
never made a mistake."
"And now you have?"
He nodded his head wearily. "Now I have. A _huge_ mistake."
"Can't you simply seek out the soul, as you have sought me
out, and cast it out?"
"I wish it were that simple, Mr. Holmes," he replied. "A
Caligula, a Tamerlaine, an Attila I could find with no difficulty.
But this soul, though it is blackened beyond belief, has thus far
managed to elude me."
"I see," I said. "I am surprised that five such hideous
murders do not make it instantly discernable."
"Then you know?" he exclaimed.
"That you seek Jack the Ripper?" I replied. "Elementary. All
of the others you mentioned were identified with their crimes, but
the Ripper's identity was never discovered. Further, since the man
was mentally unbalanced, it seems possible to me, based on my
admittedly limited knowledge of Heaven, that if he feels no guilt,
his soul displays no guilt."
"You are everything I had hoped you would be, Mr. Holmes,"
said Saint Peter.
"Not quite everything," I said. "For I do not understand your
concern. If the Ripper's soul displays no taint, why bother
seeking him out? After all, the man was obviously insane and not
responsible for his actions. On Earth, yes, I would not hesitate
to lock him away where he could do no further damage -- but here
in Heaven, what possible harm can he do?"
"Things are not as simple as you believe them to be, Mr.