Reith yelled: "Hey, Pierce!"
The Bostonian accents of Pierce Angioletti, the Comptroller, replied: "What is it, Fergus?"
"Look, this is urgent. Could you find out if Stavrakos deposited a draft or check to my account this morning?"
"Okay," said Angioletti. "Come on around."
The Comptroller seated Reith in his office and went out. Soon he returned, saying: "No, no deposit. Yesterday he drew out all the liquid funds he had with us, and he hasn't put anything in since."
Reith sprang to his feet. 'The son of a bitch bamboozled me! If they haven't lifted off—" He departed at a run.
Reith was entering the Customs and Security Building just as the warning siren sounded. He dashed to the passenger gate but found it closed and locked. No officials were visible.
Another blast of the siren, and the floor shook with the familiar rumble of a ship blasting off. A voice behind Reith said: "Fergus! We have been looking all over for you."
It was Herculeu Castanhoso. When he got his breath, Reith explained Stavrakos's trick.
"I suspected something," said the security officer. "He and that little Indian director and the man White were in my office to straighten out a dispute. They wanted to cheat the Viagens of the spaceport fees for their equipment.
"As they went out, I overheard an argument between Stavrakos and the American. Senhor White was saying: 'But it's wrong! Especially after he saved your life ...' And Stavrakos said: 'Forget it, Jack! He broke the contract when he went off to hunt for his girl friend. If he wants his money, let him come to Earth and sue me.' It struck me that they might be talking about you. So I sent Joao to look for you, but without success."
"I was waiting in line at the bank," growled Reith, clenching his fists in frustration. "Where did White go? I didn't see him board."
"He is one of those left behind, to await the next ship."
Reith grunted. "That guy's a born, loser. The fraco could have tipped me off—but I suppose that's too much to expect. Oh, God damn them all to Hishkak!" Reith's voice rose to a shout as he pounded his palm with his fist. He picked up a light chair as if to throw it across the empty waiting room.
"Do not assault Senhor White if you meet him!" said Castanhoso sharply. "I warn you, Fergus!"
Reith got his rage under control and set down the chair. "Don't worry. While he's no hero, he at least made an effort to keep Stavrakos honest."
"In feet, he is thinking of—"
"Darling!" cried Alicia, running towards them. "Where have you been? I couldn't find Kostis ..."
Reith explained the contretemps. Castanhoso added, "Senhor White, as I was saying, is talking of staying on here and becoming a Krishnander."
"He might make it," said Alicia. "He has adapted himself much better than Sexy Cyril did."
"My friend," said Castanhoso to Reith, "you look as if you needed a drink. I, myself, do not drink on duty; but I have a bottle secreted for emergencies."
Reith shook his head. "I don't want a drink, thanks; but I'd like to sit down somewhere quiet for a bit."
In Castanhoso's office, Reith looked bleakly at Alicia. His anger had given way to a mood of morose discouragement. "Lish, are you sure you want to marry an ineffectual wimp like me? You needn't, if you've changed your mind."
"Don't be silly, Fearless! With the money they did pay you, we're rich by Krishnan standards. Anyway, I'd still want you if you were flat broke. And you're not a wimp."
"Oh, yes I am; a mere bug tossed on a chip on the sea of ltfe. A loser, like Jack White. Not to mention weary, flat, stale, and unprofitable."
She gave him a little shake. "Stop it, you dear idiot! Anybody can have a run of bad luck—even Fearless Fergus!"
"She is right," said Castanhoso. "With a quarter-hour's leeway, I could have put a hold on their equipment until he paid up. But ..."He shrugged. "These things happen. I do not see what you could have done differently, unless you had that extra-sensory perception they talk about. I hardly suppose you would go back to Terra in pursuit of your second payment?"
"Great Balm, no!" said Reith. "They've got more money to hire gonifs in Montecito then I could ever beg, borrow, or steal. If I sued, they'd keep me mucking around with courts and lawyers until I died of old age. I have better things to do with my life, I hope." His eyes narrowed and he doubled a fist. "But if Stavrakos ever comes back here ..."
Castanhoso headed off another outburst by changing the subject. "When will be this wedding of which we have heard?"
"In four days. I wanted to splice the halyard as soon as we reached Mishé—"
"But," said Alicia, "I thought it only fair that Fergus's friends have a chance to wish him well."
"Ah, as mulheres!" said Castanhoso. "The women always hope that the bigger the ceremony, the more secure the knot. Perhaps it works that way. At least, I shall be there!"
Reith had hoped to marry Alicia before Anthony Fallon in his consulate, sign the proper papers, hear the necessary words, and get the formalities out of the way. To make a big event of the occasion, he thought, would be in doubtful taste for someone already thrice married. But as so often in the past, Alicia had her way; although nowadays, Reith observed, she got it by subde suggestion instead of imperious demand.
On the appointed day, Reith and Alicia, in their best, stood in a packed courtroom. The magistrate, a small, slight man with a fringe of white curls around his bare, brown scalp, beamed upon the wedding party. Alister Reith was his father's best man, while Masako Ishimoto was Alicia's attendant. For a flower child, they had drafted the youngest daughter of Li Guoching, the communications officer; but in lieu of Terran flowers, the little girl carried a bunch of multicolored local herbs.
After questions were answered and a final pronouncement made them once more husband and wife, Judge Keshavachandra raised his hands and solemnly intoned: "lsvär bhagvân tumhâre sâdh haim!"
The ceremony over, the spectators rose and filed past the reweds, showering congratulations. Castanhoso cried: "Parabens!"
Masanobu Ishimoto murmured: "Omedetõ gozaimas'!"
Juanita Strachan said: "Felicitacionesr
Percy Mjipa boomed: "A re itumêleng!"
The new comandante, Jules Planquette, bowed over the bride's hand. "Je vous an fats mes complvmentsr Prince Ferrian of Sotaspé called out: "Hao na zanshihoraka!"
And Juana Rincon and Michelle Fodor burst into tears. Hands were wrung, backs slapped, cheeks kissed. Meilung Guan lined up the wedding party for photographs. Nobody was so tactless as to mention the couple's previous intimacies, within and without the bond of matrimony. At last Reith raised a hand for silence and said: "Alicia and I are grateful for your friendship; and now we invite you to a small party at the Nova Iorque!"
As they walked from the Law Building to the cocktail lounge, an ecstatic Alicia was surrounded by a gaggle of women, who chattered about houses, furniture, and clothes. Strachan and Castanhoso carried their instruments, bagpipes and a recorder, to furnish dance music. Reith found himself paired with Ram Keshavachandra. The magistrate asked: "Do you plan a wedding trip?"
"No," said Reith. "We're just going back to the ranch to help dig a swimming pool. Then we'll sit around with our feet up, enjoying the simple life until my next group of tourists arrives.