Part 22 (2/2)

There were no rifles opposed to him, as he had expected, and the guard at the gate was no heavier. But the warning had somehow been given, and both forces were ready.

Stretching north from the gate were the Munic.i.p.als with members of some of the gangs; the other gangmen were with the Legals to the south. And they stood within inches of the dome, holding axes and knives.

A big Marspeaker ran out from the gate, and the voice of Gannett came over it. ”Go back! If just one of you gets within ten feet of the dome or entrance, we're going to rip the dome! We'll destroy Marsport before we'll give in to a doped-up crowd of riffraff! You've got five minutes to get out of sight, before we come out with rifles and knock you off!

Now beat it!”

Gordon got out of the car the Kid was driving and started toward the entrance, just as the moaning wail of the crowd behind him built up.

”You fools!” he yelled. ”They're bluffing. They wouldn't dare destroy the dome! Come on!”

But already the men were evaporating. He stared at the rout, and suddenly stopped fighting the hands holding him. Beside him, the Kid was crying, making horrible sounds of it. He turned slowly back to the car, and felt it get under way. His final sight was that of the Legals and Munic.i.p.als wildly scrambling for cover from each other.

Mother Corey met him, dragging him back to a small room where he dug up an impossibly precious bottle of brandy. ”Drink it all, cobber. So one of your Security badges had the wrong man attached to it, and word got back. Couldn't be helped. You just ran into the sacred law of Marsport--the one they teach kids. Be bad, and the dome'll collapse. The dome made Marsport, and it's taboo!”

Gordon nodded. Maybe the old man was right. ”If the dome gives them a perfect cover, why let me make a jacka.s.s of myself, Mother?” he asked numbly.

Corey shook his head, setting the heavy folds of flesh to bouncing.

”Gave them something to live for here, cobber. And when you get over this, you're gonna announce new plans to try again. Yes, you are! But right now, you get yourself drunk!”

He left Gordon and the bottle. After a while, the bottle was gone. He felt number, but no better, by the time Izzy came in.

”Trench is outside in a heavy-armored car, Bruce. Says he wants to see you. Something to discuss--a proposition!”

Gordon stood up, wobbling a little, trying to think. Then he swore, and headed for his room. ”Tell him to go to h.e.l.l!”

He saw Izzy and Sheila leave, wondering vaguely where she had been.

Through the opening in the seal, he spotted them moving toward the big car outside. Then he shrugged. He finally made the stairs and reached his bed before he pa.s.sed out.

Sheila was standing over him when he finally woke. She dumped a headache powder into her palm and held it out, handing him a small gla.s.s of water. He swallowed the fast-acting drug, and sat up, trying to remember. Then he wished he couldn't.

”What did Trench want?” he asked thickly.

”He wanted to show you a badge--a Security badge made out for him,” she answered. ”At least he said he wanted to show you something, and it was about that size. He wouldn't talk with us much. But I remember his name in the book--”

Gordon shook his head and sat up. The book, he thought, trying to focus his thoughts. The book with all the names...

”All right, Cuddles,” he said finally. ”You got your meal ticket, and you've outgrown it in this mess. Now I want that d.a.m.ned book! I've been operating in the dark. It's time I found out how to get in touch with some of those people. Where is it?”

She shook her head. ”It isn't. Bruce--I don't have it. That time I gave you the note, you didn't come when I said, and I thought you wouldn't.

Then Jurgens' men broke in, and I thought they'd get it, so--so I burned it. I lied to you about using it to make you keep me.”

”You burned it!” He turned it over, staring at her. ”Okay, Cuddles, you burned it. You were trying to kill me then, so you burned it to keep Jurgens from getting it and putting the finger on me! Where is it, Sheila? On you?”

She backed away, biting her lips. ”No, Bruce. I burned it. I don't know why. I just did! No!”

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