He glanced at his chrono. Persis was doubtless asleep. Unlike Navy men, who were trained to adapt to nonterrestrial diurnal periods by juggling watches, the Embassy civilians split Merseia’s rotation time into two short, complete “days.” She followed the practice. “I suppose I’m to stand by in reserve,” Flandry said. “Another reason for our separating.”
“Smart boy,” Abrams said. “You deserve a pat and a dog biscuit. I hope your lady fair will provide the same.”
“I still hate to … to use her this way.”
“In your position, I’d enjoy every second. Besides, don’t forget your friends on Starkad. They’re being shot at.”
“Y-yes.” Flandry rose. “What about, uh, emergency procedure?”
“Be on tap, either in her place or yours. Our agent will identify himself by a word I’ll think of. He may look funny, but trust him. I can’t give you specific orders. Among other reasons, I don’t like saying even this much here, however unbuggable we’re alleged to be. Do whatever seems best. Don’t act too damned fast. Even if the gaff’s been blown, you might yet manage to ride out the aftermath. But don’t hesitate too long, either. If you must move, then: no heroics, no rescues, no consideration for any living soul. Plain get that information out!”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
“Sounds more like Tyi-yi, sir!’,” Abrams laughed. He seemed I at ease. “Let’s hope the whole operation proves dull and sordid. Good ones are, you know. Shall we review a few details?”
Later, when twilight stole across the city, Flandry made his way to the principal guest suite. The corridor was deserted. Ideally, Lord Hauksberg should come upon his impudence as a complete surprise. That way, the viscount would be easier to provoke into rage. However, if this didn’t work—if Persis learned he was expected and shooed Flandry out—the scandal must be leaked to the entire compound. He had a scheme for arranging that.
He chimed on the door. After a while, her voice came il drowsy. “Who’s there?” He waved at the scanner. “Oh. What is it, Ensign?”
“May I come in, Donna?”
She stopped to throw on a robe. Her hair was tumbled and she was charmingly flushed. He entered and closed the door. “We needn’t be so careful,” he said. “Nobody watching. My boss is gone for the night and a good part of tomorrow.” He laid hands on her waist. “I couldn’t pass up the chance.”
“Nor I.” She kissed him at great length.
“Why don’t we simply hide in here?” he suggested.
“I’d adore to. But Lord Oliveira—”
“Call the butler. Explain you’re indisposed and want to be alone till tomorrow. Hm?”
“Not very polite. Hell, I’ll do it. We have so little time, darling.”
Flandry stood in back of the vidiphone while she talked. If the butler should mention that Hauksberg was due in, he must commence Plan B. But that didn’t happen, as curt as Persis was. She ordered food and drink ’chuted here and switched off. He deactivated the instrument. “I don’t want any distractions,” he explained.
“What wonderful ideas you have,” she smiled.
“Right now I have still better ones.”
“Me too.” Persis rejoined him.
Her thoughts included refreshments. The Embassy larder was lavishly stocked, and the suite had a small server to prepare meals which she knew well how to program. They began with eggs Benedict, caviar, akvavit, and champagne. Some hours later followed Perigordian duck, with trimmings, and Bordeaux. Flandry’s soul expanded. “My God,” he gusted, “where has this sort of thing been all my life?”
Persis chuckled. “I believe I have launched you on a new career. You have the makings of a gourmet first class.”
“So, two causes why I shall never forget you.”
“Only two?”
“No, I’m being foolish, Aleph-null causes at the minimum. Beauty, brains, charm—Well, why’m I just talking?”
“You have to rest sometime. And I do love to hear you talk.”
“Hm? I’m not much in that line. After the people and places you’ve known—”
“What places?” she said with a quick, astonishing bitterness. “Before this trip, I was never further than Luna. And the people, the articulate, expensive, brittle people, their intrigues and gossip, the shadow shows that are their adventures, the words they live by—words, nothing but words, on and on and on—No, Dominic my dearest, you’ve made me realize what I was missing. You’ve pulled down a wall for me that was shutting off the universe.”
Did I do you any favor?
He dared not let conscience stir, he drowned it in the fullness of this moment.
They were lying side by side, savoring an ancient piece of music, when the door recognized Lord Hauksberg and admitted him.
“Persis? I say, where—Great Emperor!”
He stopped cold in the bedroom archway. Persis smothered a scream and snatched for her robe. Flandry jumped to his feet. But it’s still dark! What’s happened?
The blond man looked altogether different in green hunting clothes and belted blaster. Sun and wind had darkened his face. For an instant that visage was fluid with surprise. Then the lines congealed. The eyes flared like blue stars. He clapped hand to weapon butt. “Well, well,” he said.
“Mark—” Persis reached out.
He ignored her. “So you’re the indisposition she had,” he said to Flandry.
Here we go. Off schedule, but lift gravs anyway.
The boy felt blood course thickly, sweat trickle down ribs; worse than fear, he was aware how ludicrous he must look. He achieved a grin. “No, my lord. You are.”
“What d’you mean?”
“You weren’t being man enough.” Flandry’s belly grew stiff, confronting that gun. Strange to hear Mozart lilting on in the background.
The blaster stayed sheathed. Hauksberg moved only to breathe. “How long’s this been between you?”
“It was my fault, Mark,” Persis cried. “All mine.” Tears whipped over her cheeks.
“No, my sweet, I insist,” Flandry said. “My idea entirely. I must say, my lord, you weren’t nice to arrive unannounced. Now what?”
“Now you’re under nobleman’s arrest, you whelp,” Hauksberg said. “Put on some clothes. Go to your quarters and stay there.”
Flandry scrambled to obey. On the surface, everything had gone smoothly, more so than expected. Too much more so. Hauksberg’s tone was not furious; it was almost absent-minded.
Persis groped toward him. “I tell you, Mark, I’m to blame,” she wept. “Let him alone. Do what you want to me, but not him!”
Hauksberg shoved her away. “Stop blubberin’,” he snapped. “D’ you think I care a pip on a ’scope about your peccadillos, at a time like this?”
“What’s happened?” Flandry asked sharply.
Hauksberg turned and looked at him, up and down, silent for an entire minute. “Wonder if you really don’t know,” he said at the end. “Wonder quite a lot.”
“My lord, I don’t!” Flandry’s mind rocked. Something was wrong.
“When word came to Dhangodhan, natur’lly we flitted straight back,” Hauksberg said. “They’re after Abrams this minute, on my authority. But you—what was your part?”
I’ve got to get out. Abrams’ agent has to be able to reach me.
“I don’t know anything, my lord. I’ll report to my room.”
“Stop!”
Persis sat on the bed, face in hands, and sobbed. She wasn’t loud.
“Stay right here,” Hauksberg said. “Not a step, understand?” His gun came free. He edged from the chamber, keeping Flandry in sight, and went to the phone. “Hm. Turned off, eh?” He flipped the switch. “Lord Oliveira.”