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Ah, the lazy stars the crazy stars, they whisper in your bones, she sang and let her voice lose itself in the song of the strings. I have to make a move, she thought, she s here. Not on Star Street, up the hill somewhere. In the Izar? Likely, Digby says that s where she came from. Heading for home with weasels on her tail. Home ground. How do I get over the Wall and make it look natural? Rest a while, love a while, till the call s too strong, she sang. Chase the singing stars and leave the ground behind. She played with the last word a while, letting it trail to a whisper, then finished the song and stilled the strings of the harp, bowed to the whistles and snapping fingers. That was the last song of the set. She bowed again, announced she d be back in half an hour, then took herself and the harp off the small stage. Tank was waiting for her in the Green Room. He was a short broad man with a brush of hair around a shiny bald dome and arms like tree trunks. His hands were so small they looked mismated to his body, as if he d stolen them from another man. He brushed at his mouth. Where d you say you saw Teri? She was working Rat s Alley. I thought about going back, but she d hooked a client and I didn t want to mess that up. Why? Can t find her anywhere. Alive nor dead. You re-member what the man looked like? His back was to me and the sun popped out just then, couldn t see much through the dazzle. Cousin. She closed her eyes, tried to bring back that fleeting memory. Was leaning against the wall, but he might ve been maybe a head taller than her. Ummm. Not fat, not skinny. Wearing a one-piece something, gray and shiny. Might have been a shipsuit. Maybe a work overall. I ve seen both along the Street. Maybe she s gone to ground somewhere. The time she was doing the fittings she told me she did that when things went whirly on her. He brushed that aside with an impatient sweep of his arm. I know her places. Anyone out front who might be that client? Splav . Half of them at least. Or half the locals do the muscle work out at the Field. You think it could have been a local? Any reason why not? The locals here don t much play outside their own pens. Hm. Could be one of them had a mind for cheap thrills: You get so used to them, you don t even see Page 66 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html them, less you jump the Wall.... He stared thought-fully past her, his eyes narrowed, the creases deepening in his narrow brow. Tank, you know someone with connections over there? Why? Friend of mine. Well, friend of a friend who did me a favor a while back gave me a message to pass on if I saw the chance. A certain dancing Caan, should any-one want to know the wherefrom. The whereto is a woman of the Caan s profession by name Lylunda Elang. Word was the Elang was hot and going home a while and home is here. I wouldn t want to shout the name around, could be touchy, but I figure you know how to talk soft when you need to. You want me to ask about this Elang? She felt him go cold on her. He recognized the name Not so good, that. Someone else asking questions, maybe the Kliu agent? Or is it local trouble? Ease back, Shadow. Better make it clear you re not on the hunt. No. I don t think that would be a good idea. Don t ask, just put out a whisper about the message and where it s from. She wants to come she can, she doesn t, no harm done. So what s the message? He was still tense, though he was relaxed and his eyes twinkled at her. He does good face, our Tank. She clicked her tongue, shook her head at him. Huh! you know better than that. I ll say this, it was an off chance my friend took when she knew I was heading this way. The sun won t nova if it doesn t get passed on, but it s something the woman ought to hear. By the time she finished, the edge had gone off his alertness. Good thing dit was me you talked to, Shadow. I ll see what I can do, but don t say that name to anyone else. She raised her brows. Putting out that much heat, huh? Right. I keep my mouth shut. Owe you one, Tank. That I do, more than you know. He hesitated a moment, but didn t say what was hanging on his tongue, just shrugged and left. Hm. Wonder what that last was about. Hope it s not something that s going to jump up and bite me. She sighed and went on into the dressing room to splash some water on her face and sit with her feet up until it was time for the, next set. * * * Tank was in the Green Room when she came back. When you get changed, he said, come over to the office. He left before she could ask him why. He nodded at a chair, poured a sop of rikoka brandy into two bell glasses and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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