Power Play - Anne McCaffrey [69]
“And who let the two kids loose?”
“That has already been dealt with,” the commander said in a hard voice. The “unseen eye” supposed to follow the young folk had missed their departure from the Algemeine apartments. His license had been revoked, and he was currently looking for any work he could get.
“That Klausewitch fellow,” Charas said, returning to one aspect of this whole affair that nagged her like a damaged nerve. “What else have you discovered about him?”
“I got a repeat of the original clearance. He certainly wouldn’t have been hired by Rothschild’s if there was anything suspicious about him. But I’ve asked again for a comprehensive.”
“He was sure green-e-o at Algemeine’s first thing that morning. And I heard he doesn’t usually rise until midday.”
“That is true.”
“Or is he just queer for pregnant women?” Charas asked with feminine cynicism.
“There was that case”—an Hon paused, rubbing his chin speculatively—“where a salesman with an impeccable record was convicted of grand larceny following an investigation of his accounts. He admitted falling under the spell of this Louchard personage. It is a possibility,” an Hon admitted. “As the Great Sleuth remarked, when you discount the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, will be the answer.”
“You’ve got surveillance on him?”
“You may be sure of that, and on anyone else even remotely involved in this affair, up to and including our society hostess, Pleasaunce Ferrari-Emool.”
“Yeah, her!”
“She’s been known to associate with some unlikely characters.”
“Hmmm.”
“Get some sleep, Charas. You’re not good to anyone in your present state, though you cleaned up better than I thought you would.”
Charas managed a grin. “Any place here I can catch a few winks?” she asked, rising. “Don’t want to be far away if you need me. And I’m not all that sure I could make it to my digs.”
When Madame Algemeine had imported Charas as her Gal Three “unseen eye” she had naturally introduced the woman to Commander an Hon. Charas had assisted him from time to time when her principal client was absent from the station, so he had a high degree of respect for her capabilities, the present situation notwithstanding. He himself showed her to one of the cabins reserved for unexpected visitors. She lay on her side, positioned her legs comfortably, and immediately her breathing went into a deep-sleep pattern. He activated the comm link and left.
He should be getting some gen back on Klausewitch, and he couldn’t imagine why it was taking so long. Because of the prestige of its special residents, Gal Three had priority clearance up to top-secret levels. Surely Klausewitch was not above that category.
17
On board the pirate ship
“There!” Diego cried. “I can feel the vibrations now. Can’t you?” His tone was slightly accusatory.
“Yes, actually, I can,” Yana said, her fingers splayed on the bulkhead.
“And the air has definitely changed,” Marmion said, sniffing. “I’ve never noticed before how different air can smell.”
“You would if you lived where it’s pure,” Bunny said somewhat condescendingly, “and then had to breathe the muck. Oh, your launch had good air, but some places on Gal Three it was . . . well, it was downright stinky. Like the stuff that hovers over SpaceBase back home.” The last few words came out in a tone that everyone recognized as homesick. But Bunny made an effort, inhaled the bad air, and turned resolute.
“We’ll get back to Petaybee, gatita, I know we will,” Diego said soothingly.
“Hell’s bells,” Yana said. “For all we know we may be heading there right now.” She looked queryingly at Namid.
He shrugged his helplessness. “Louchard is known to be devious but rarely direct. He likes to hunt, stalk his prey, and then snatch.”
“He makes a practice of kidnap?” Marmion asked, startled, and for the first time fear colored her expression.
“Not that I know of,” Namid said as reassuringly as Diego had spoken to Bunny. “Now, don’t you worry yourself, Madame . . .”
“I thought we’d reached the first-name basis, Namid,” Marmion said, emphasizing