Part 16 (1/2)

Gorham considered him for a moment, then walked slowly across the room till he stood before Stern's desk.

”Now, Danny-boy,” he said softly, ”don't you go trying that funny stuff on old Jake. It don't work so good, remember? n.o.body ever tells old Jake he should do things. n.o.body!”

He planted his left hand on the desk before Stern and leaned over a little.

”We got an agreement, you and I, remember? I do the thinking. Me--old Jake Gorham--I'm the brain. You got this talent, see. You tell people they should go do something, they go do it. But not old Jake. No, no.

With him, it don't work so good. Everybody else, maybe, but not old Jake.” He waved his head to and fro, keeping watchful eyes on Stern.

The younger man slammed his hands to his desk, pus.h.i.+ng himself back.

”You listen to me, old man,” he snapped. ”We had an agreement--once.

And you've been using it to ride my back ever since. It's come to an end. Right now.” He got to his feet, his deepset eyes seeming to flame.

”From now on, I'm the top man, do you understand?” His lip curled.

”I'm the regent. I'm the law. I tell these people what to do, and they do it. And I can tell them to take you out and shoot you. Don't forget that.” His hand started toward a b.u.t.ton on his desk.

Jake Gorham's hand blurred into motion and a small weapon was suddenly in it. He pointed it at Stern.

”Sit down, Danny-boy,” he ordered menacingly. ”Sit down. And listen.

Listen real good.” He spread his legs a little.

”Like I said, I'm the brains here. I do the thinking. Remember back in Tonar City? Remember what happened, you tried once to run things for yourself? Remember who came along and pulled you out just in time?” He laughed shortly.

”Yeah, you need old Jake. You gotta have him. You think you just tell these people--they should do anything you want. Oh sure. That lasts for a while, maybe, but they get tired. Just like on Konelree, remember?

And what do you do when a whole mob moves in on you? Eh? What do you do? You ain't got the moxie to handle no mobs, remember?

”But old Jake, he thinks of things, and we both get along real good.

Yeah, Danny-boy, you need old Jake.” He glanced down at his weapon, then waved it from side to side.

”But you know something else? Old Jake, he don't need you so much. Oh, sure, it's nice here. I like it real good. But I got along real nice for a long time before I picked you up, you see what I mean. You didn't do no good at all. Talent, you got. But brains? No, them they didn't give you. And they didn't give you much guts, either, Danny-boy. Them, I got.

”And you know something else, Danny-boy? I got all kinds evidence. You done some pretty bad things here, remember?” He smiled, exposing yellow teeth.

”Real bad things, they wouldn't like them at all. And I can prove all them things. Me, I ain't got no responsibility. I'm just a poor, little old guy you keep around for laughs, remember?” He chuckled.

”You tell them to take me out and shoot me? I should laugh. You reach for that b.u.t.ton. Go ahead. Stick your finger out. Then this thing here, it sings you a little song. And I go get some papers I got somewhere around here. And I go get some recordings. And maybe a few pictures.

And then Old Jake's a public hero. And he takes a lot of money and goes away from here, he should spend his old age some place where he likes it better.” He waved the weapon again.

”Still want to play?”

Stern's face was bloodless. He dropped into his chair, then put his head in his hands.

”I'm sorry, Jake,” he said. ”Sorry. I guess I'm just a little tired right now. Forget it, will you?”

”Sure, Danny-boy. Sure. We forget all about it. Now suppose we quit for the night, eh? Then in the morning, we get this Masterson fellow in here. And you find out from him just who he is and why he comes here.