CHAPTER 12
We found the other three where we’d left them. I was immensely relieved. “Time to go up to our room, sweep it for bugs, check for potential snipers, bombs and similar, then figure out what the hell’s going on.”
The Governor hailed the waitresses. They came trotting over. I considered again. Yes, only worth it if I had both of them at the same time. “Young ladies, can we please close out our tab?” The Governor gave them both his patented “charming old geezer” smile. They giggled at him. The Governor never failed to impress. It never failed to amaze and astound me.
One of them handed him a bill which he handed to me. “My retainer,” he said to them. They giggled again.
I paid, working not to mutter nasty things about the Governor under my breath, and then we headed off to our rooms. We were on the highest floor and the word “palatial” leapt to mind. We had four bedrooms, two bathrooms large enough to house the Ismaliz Boys Choir, and a sunken living room area. The furnishings were all top of the line and so sleek they gave Slinkie a run for her money.
“How much is this going to cost us? All our internal organs? The Sixty-Nine? All of the above?”
“Same cost as the cheap fleabags you normally stick us in,” the Governor replied. “Things are quite bad for Herion.”
Slinkie, Randolph and Audrey performed a variety of scans. I had to admit that Audrey was useful. She found some bugs no one else had. Once we had everything cleaned out and neutralized, we all sort of collapsed in the living room.
“None of the bugs were specific,” Randolph said finally. “Just standard for Herion.”
“No bombs,” Slinkie added.
“And we have no risks from the occupants of other buildings that I can spot, Captain.” Audrey was sitting next to Randolph, leaning against him. She looked almost human. If you could get past the way the lights reflected off her. Which I couldn’t.
“Good. Then I can call my contact and we can make a deal we probably don’t want to make with the Herion Business Bureau while simultaneously figuring out what Herion Military does and doesn’t know.”
“Nap, I still think I should spend time with Bryant and see what I can get out of him.”
“I know you’re hot for him, Slink. Cut me a break, though, and don’t throw yourself at him. Play a little hard to get. You know, you practice that on me all the time, you’re a pro at it by now.”
She rolled her eyes. “I guess brains and piloting skills are not the same thing.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Security Chief Slinkie is not actually interested in Major Lionside,” Audrey offered. “She is trying to gain information by using her feminine wiles.”
Slinkie didn’t look like she’d wanted Audrey to share this news. But I could tell it was true. Amazingly enough, I felt a lot better. “Oh, well, I knew that.”
“Nap, don’t even try to lie.” Slinkie leaned her head on her hand. “But you haven’t come up with anything better, and I want to be able to get off this planet and arrive somewhere else alive.”
“I don’t want you cozying up to Lionside, okay? I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t trust Nitin. Not sure about Bryant, but that Nitin guy gave me the creeps.”
“Same here. More reason not to let you go off with Lionside. What if they just want you for a group grope?” I had far too active an imagination. I could see this happening far too easily. And if anyone was going to be groping Slinkie against her will, it was going to be me.
“I’m more concerned with the gentlemen who are trying to hire you, Alexander,” the Governor said gravely. “Dealing with organized crime on Herion is tricky at best, particularly since we have Herion Military interested in us.”
“I agree. I need to call Janz.”
The Governor nodded and stood. “I’ll go with you. Sometimes he prefers to deal with me.”
“True. The rest of you, stay here and brainstorm ideas. I don’t want anyone wandering off right now, not alone, not together. You all stay here, got it? Especially you, Slink.”
“Fine,” she grumbled. Randolph and Audrey nodded.
“You sure you want to deal with Janz the Butcher again?” Randolph asked. He sounded no less freaked out than he had before. “That guy’s reputation is pretty terrifying. Even those Business Bureau guys were afraid of him.” Randolph clearly felt I should also be afraid of Janz. If he only knew.
I shrugged. “Been dealing with him for years. He seems to like me. Besides, the Governor uses his connections to smooth things out with the Butcher. We’ll be fine.”
“If the Butcher knows how to get us off this rock, I’m all over your talking to him, Nap.” Slinkie sounded much more morose and uncomfortable than normal. I decided I’d see what I could do about that after I made my contact.
“I’ll ask him for ideas, Slink, I promise.”