Part 34 (2/2)
Rhyssa wasn't naive. Surely she accepted the fact that Barchenka and s.h.i.+maz would try to revenge themselves on him and the general. That Flimflam would not have meekly accepted his sentence; that it was in his nature to do all he could to evade restrictions set on him and seek to get back in any way he could at those who had been at all responsible for the curtailment of his preferred lifestyle.
”What'd you say to Rhyssa?” Johnny asked him when Barney had left them alone.
”Why?”
”She says you've got cynical.”
Peter shrugged. ”I guess you do when you've been the object of a . . . what did you call it, a fatwa?”
Johnny gave him a long look. ”Yeah, I guess.”
Peter noticed his left hand muscles jumping. ”When are we going to be officially back?”
”About the time someone notices the corrals are being mysteriously emptied.”
Ranjit! Ca.s.s said urgently, not wanting to use her wristcom in the midst of the crowd of men and women on their way to and from the level's mess hall. Ca.s.s said urgently, not wanting to use her wristcom in the midst of the crowd of men and women on their way to and from the level's mess hall. Flimflam just went into Kibon's. Flimflam just went into Kibon's.
Hear ya! He goes several times a day.
Not every hour on the hour like he's done today. Besides, I caught a glimpse of someone else in there with him and Kibon. He never allows two in that room.
Right! Gotcha. Can Suzanne spin off to tail the other guy when he comes out?
The LEO Commissioner had insisted that the girls work paired, considering the fear Ca.s.s had reported emanating from Flimflam. If the man was cornered, there was no telling what he could do. Ca.s.s was strong and well trained in self-defense but she was glad of Suzanne's company. She was able to get a good night's sleep, too, with Suzanne there to stand a watch on their quarry.
Can do. Wanted to warn you.
Keep on Flimflam's track, the LEO lieutenant replied. the LEO lieutenant replied.
Like epoxy!
I'm sending Chet down to your level. Just in case. Lemme know if you can suss out who's the third man at Kibon's.
Abruptly Suzanne swore an oath, hauled Ca.s.s to the side of the corridor, and bent to fix her boot, loudly cursing the cheap junk that was given out as shoes. Ca.s.s bent over, pretending to help, able to c.o.c.k her head sideways to keep Kibon's door in sight. She could ”hear” Flimflam's dominant emotions: his mental tone was shrill, like someone close to breaking, and colored with righteous indignation and anger. She could sense Kibon's stillness, as if, by his silence, he would be unnoticed. The third man was in as much control of himself as Kibon, emanating condescension and amus.e.m.e.nt. Suddenly that evaporated and she felt a stab of pain, Flimflam's, then Kibon's flash of fury. The door wrenched open and a swarthy-skinned man of medium height, wearing the sort of anonymous coverall that would permit him to blend into any group onstation, ducked out, and in one stride was part of the corridor traffic.
Got him, Suzanne said. Suzanne said. One real satisfied b.a.s.t.a.r.d. One real satisfied b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
I'll check Flimflam.
Kibon had not even had time to get off his stool to close the door when Ca.s.s barged in. Flimflam was pressed against the far wall, dislodging pencil files as he began to slide to the floor, his eyes bulging out with pained incredulity. Foremost in his mind was the betrayal; after all he'd done for them . . .
Flimflam's down, Ca.s.s told Suzanne and Ranjit and, managing to get the door shut before anyone in the hall was aware of what was happening, repeated the Mayday on her wristcom. Ca.s.s told Suzanne and Ranjit and, managing to get the door shut before anyone in the hall was aware of what was happening, repeated the Mayday on her wristcom.
”Back on your stool, Kibon”' she ordered the bookie as she reached into a hip pocket for a shock-shot. Crouching down by Flimflam, she sprayed the emergency aid into his arm with one hand and with the other, examined the wound. ”You'll live. He missed anything vital. What're you wearing? Deflected the blade. He was aiming to gut you.”
A knife would have shown up on any one of the security arches, to keep offies from smuggling weapons into this level. Padrugoi might have to allow the working public to walk freely on the main levels, but that didn't mean precautions were not taken whenever possible.
Ca.s.s, Ranjit, he's heading up, said Suzanne. I think he's freighter personnel. They got a certain way of walking when they're back in gravity. You know what I mean? think he's freighter personnel. They got a certain way of walking when they're back in gravity. You know what I mean?
A stir in the hallway outside and Kibon's door opened again. Kibon groaned at the security and medical team that had materialized there.
”More won't fit,” he muttered. ”Get him outta here.”
”No sweat, Kibon,” Ca.s.s said so sweetly that Kibon blinked in surprise. Beckoning to the first man to grab Flimflam's shoulders, she hoisted his feet and they hauled him out into a corridor occupied only by the emergency team and the backs of those hurrying from the vicinity.
Flimflam's dimming consciousness was colored by shock, betrayal, fury, blooming pain, and a determination to ”make them pay.”
”He'll live,” said the medic after a cursory examination, and he waved the team to proceed to the nearest elevator.
Where are you, Suzie? Need help?
I got Ranjit and Chet with me.
Then I'll stay with my quarry. He's angry enough to think something useful. Maybe I'll just get him thinking that perhaps confession would be very good for his soul.
He has one? Just get him to talk out loud, Ca.s.s. It doesn't count in court if he just thinks thinks it! it!
Tell me about it.
Commander Ottey, Shandin Ross, and two other security officers Ca.s.s didn't know were already in the infirmary two levels up. All the way there, while Ca.s.s pumped the injured man with thoughts of ”confess,” ”make 'em pay,” ”get 'em good,” and similar provocative mental directions, she managed to stay out of his direct line of vision as much as possible. Flimflam's thoughts continued to revolve about retaliation and how much pain he was in. That was all he voiced.
”Something for the pain. I'm hurt. I'm in pain. Gimme something for the pain!”
”We did. It'll kick in in a minute,” one of the medics snapped to shut him up.
Has he said anything useful, Ca.s.s? Shandin asked. He and the others also stayed out of Flimflam's immediate vision. Shandin asked. He and the others also stayed out of Flimflam's immediate vision.
He's full of revenge. Then she caught the reason. Then she caught the reason. But he's too d.a.m.ned scared of 'them' even to think names or faces. But he's too d.a.m.ned scared of 'them' even to think names or faces.
Maybe he doesn't know any, Shandin Ross suggested. Shandin Ross suggested.
That's always possible. But today he's been in and out of Kibon's like a yo-yo. So I figure he was expecting to meet someone there. And he did. Has Ranjit caught up with his a.s.sailant yet?
Closing. Man doesn't realize he's being followed either. Arrogant b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Shandin raised an eyebrow in distaste, then grinned. Shandin raised an eyebrow in distaste, then grinned. Got him! In possession of a very sharp plastic, b.l.o.o.d.y spike. Got him! In possession of a very sharp plastic, b.l.o.o.d.y spike.
”d.a.m.n!” the medic examining Flimflam exclaimed, reaching for a stimulant.
”He's dying,” Ca.s.s said telepathically as well as out loud. ”Tell them to watch that spike, Shandin. It must have been poisoned. The wound was superficial.”
Medics closed in on Flimflam, trying to resuscitate him. Ca.s.s stepped back, leaning against the wall, trying to catch something useful from the man's receding consciousness. The need for revenge remained dominant until he was totally mindless.
”Ca.s.s? Ca.s.s!” Shandin caught her shock at the death and reached her before her knees gave way.
”I hate it. I hate it when minds wink out like that,” she whispered, grateful for the lieutenant's support.
”I need help,” Shandin began, looking around for a medic.
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