[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

into her.
Despite the encapsulated nature of Balance City s levels, the apartment
building was much the same as any other in any city Jack had known. Of course,
they were different from anything back in the Locality, but these were fixed
buildings, not programmed. Dog s place was on the third floor, and they took
stairs, rather than an elevator, and then went down a dimly lit hallway to a
plain unmarked door. There was a number on the door thirty-six but nothing
else. Dog palmed the outside lock and stepped back to allow Jack to pass.
The apartment was small but functional, and Dog led him through the rooms.
There was a lounge, a kitchen/ dining area combined, bedroom, bathroom, and a
spare room. Dog indicated that Jack should drop his bags in there, and then
led him back to the living room.
 Take a seat, he said, indicating the plain, square sofa. It was beige, just
like most of the other fittings and fixtures in the apartment. There was
nothing about the place that spoke of Dog, no personalization, none of the
little things that people accumulated. It was anonymous. If Jack didn t know
better, he would have thought the place was completely unlived in. Still, if
you were a pilot, hopping from place to place, maybe an apartment would have
that feel just a simple practical utility, somewhere to sleep when you were in
town. He d seen Dog with that woman, though, on their first meeting. This
Page 173
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
didn t look like the sort of place Dog would be bringing someone like that
back to either.
 Can I get you a drink? Dog asked.
 Yeah, bourbon if you ve got it.
Dog opened a cupboard off to one side and clattered around in it, finally
turning back waving a bottle in one hand.  Scotch okay? It ll have to be. I
haven t got anything else right now.
Jack nodded and Dog poured the drinks. He spoke to Jack without turning
around as he busied himself with the glasses.
 There s someone I want you to meet, Jack. He should be here soon.
 Here? Jack took the proffered glass and settled back on the couch, swirling
the warm golden liquid.  How s that?
Dog settled in a chair opposite and cupped his own glass between both hands,
staring down into the contents before peering up at Jack through his hair.  I
put a call in from the ship.
 Okaaay, said Jack.  Why would you do that? What s this all about,
McCreedy?
Dog settled back in his own chair, brushing his hair out of his face.  You ve
been very useful, Jack, and hopefully you ll continue to be useful. Now with
the navigational material and the location, we ll be able to expand the
contact with the aliens. The temporal disperser was an unexpected bonus, and
once we work out how it operates, we should be in a position to exploit the
technology properly. Who knows what else they ve got.
Jack narrowed his eyes.  We? he said.
Dog waved his hand.  Not important for now. Of course, we re still going to
need your services until we work out some other way of communicating with the
coatracks. I can t see why they won t look after you properly in the
meantime.
 Okay, McCreedy, what are you telling me? I m not doing anything with anyone.
I m getting the hell off this planet, and if I can convince Billie to come
with me, then that s that.
Dog leaned forward again.  Wait and see, Jack. You don t have much of a
choice.
 Oh, I get it& . You re hooked up with the damned Sons of Utrecht. Is that it?
I don t know why I didn t see it sooner. Antille suggested something, but I
dismissed it. I told him I could trust you. Jack slowly placed his glass
down.  I can t believe it, after what we ve been through. What, was it a setup
all along? He got to his feet.
 Sit down, Jack. Drink your drink. It s nothing to do with those idiots.
Jack narrowed his eyes, but did as instructed. He was interested now despite
his growing anger.
 So what s your angle, Dog?
Page 174
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
McCreedy lifted his hand, rubbed his thumb and finger together in the
universal gesture, and grinned.  What do you think? You know me, Jack. A job s
a job. Follow the cash. You should understand that.
Jack made a sound low in his throat.  I m not interested, McCreedy. As soon
as I can I m out of here.
Dog shook his head.  It s not that easy, Jack. I wish I could tell you it
was, but it s not. His voice was deadly serious, and there was the vaguest
note of resignation in it.
The door announced an arrival, forestalling any further discussion, and Dog
placed his glass down and went to answer it. Jack contemplated trying to
leave, but right now there was too much remaining unanswered. He wanted to see
where this led for the moment, and whom the mysterious visitor would turn out
to be.
He didn t have long to wait; Dog returned a few moments later, followed by
two men. The one in the rear was clearly hired muscle, making Jack s mind up
for him immediately about what he was going to do. The other one looked
strangely familiar.
 Ah, Jack Stein. Hello, said the newcomer. His companion moved to take up
position on one side of the door, his hands clasped behind his back. The man
who had spoken was graying, a plain, unremarkable face, a dark suit, the
latter marking him out as an offworlder. Jack knew the face, but he couldn t
remember from where.
The man paused, frowned, and then moved to take up a seat. He gave Dog a
curious look as well. He leaned forward, crossing his hands in front of him.
 You don t remember me, Mr. Stein, do you?
The way he spoke was familiar too. Jack looked from him, to Dog, to the two
standing by the doorway, and then back again.
 No. Should I?
 Probably not. The name s Thorpe, Mr. Stein. Andrew Thorpe. The last time we
spoke was a couple of years ago. It was only very brief, but I remember it
quite well. You seem to have changed somewhat since then.
Jack suppressed a wry grin. Yeah, he d changed all right.  No, said Jack.
 Refresh my memory.
Thorpe nodded. Meanwhile, Dog had taken one of the other vacant seats. The
other man remained by the door, watching impassively.
 Around the time you had located the artifact, when you became involved with
Christian Landerman and the others, we expressed interest in retrieving the
item, and I spoke to you then.
Again thewe.
 Enough of the mystery, said Jack.  I ve had enough games for the moment.
Who are you and what do you want?
Thorpe sat back.  I represent the interests of Outreach Industries. Mr.
McCreedy here is one of our freelance agents.
Page 175
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Suddenly it all clicked into place. The ship, some of McCreedy s comments.
Jack turned and looked at Dog accusingly. Dog merely shrugged. And Jack did
remember this guy Thorpe. He d called back at the Yorkstone apartment, but
Jack had told him what he and Outreach could do. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]