by Chris Bunch
and: Perhaps my hero would wish a bit of a reward this afternoon. If so, please have an appetite and be waiting at one in the afternoon.
Candia
Joshua looked at them and grimaced. ‘So the tiger gets his innings first.’ He yawned and went to the workout room.
Falster Samothrake was the bullet-headed man Joshua had taken for a security thug.
‘Mister Wolfe,’ he said in a flat voice, expressionless. ‘Please sit down.’
Joshua obeyed. ‘I suppose I owe you an apology,’ he said.
‘No. I’ve never minded being thought stupid. You should know what an excellent tool that becomes.’
‘I’ve been told that.’
‘You made quite a stir in my casino last night,’ Samothrake said.
‘I didn’t figure that you’d want one of your performers messed up.’
‘We have security for problems like that.’
‘I didn’t see any around. So I did what I thought was necessary.’
‘Wouldn’t you say you might have been a little excessive? There are three men in the hospital this morning. One will need extensive plastic surgery before he’ll be happy looking at his face in the morning, the second has a shattered humerus, and the third will probably lose about thirty percent of the use of his hand.’
‘They brought the guns to the party,’ Joshua said. ‘What do you propose to do about what happened?’
‘I wasn’t sure, which was why I asked you to come here. I decided if you failed to show up, then my course of action would be clear. But you did.
‘Mister Wolfe, I now plan to do exactly nothing. Let me explain, so you may choose to regulate your actions here on Trinité accordingly.
‘First is I watched your baccarat dealings yesterday. Very professional, sir. I like having a freelance such as yourself at my tables. It encourages others to play against you, since all wish to tear down the master, and every time the fools bet, the house takes its percentage.
‘Second is that I’m familiar with Mister Elois. He is, to put it bluntly, an arrogant pain in the ass. He’s been a problem here before. Perhaps, when and if his hand heals, he will moderate his behavior, although I doubt it.
‘Third is I intensely disliked his involvement with Miss Hsui. I would never dream of intervening in one of our performers’ personal lives, but I am most content when they are and I knew that to be unlikely with anyone who chooses to company Mister Elois.
‘The fourth reason is the most significant, however. You have important friends.’
Joshua raised an eyebrow.
‘I refer to the Hofeis. They were happy to tell me just what happened outside the casino last night and wished to make certain I didn’t get any incorrect ideas. Since they are the principal owners of Thule Investments, which owns twelve points in this casino, I was, of course, most interested in what they had to say.’
‘The Hofeis?’ Joshua was incredulous.
‘Indeed. They prefer to travel without fanfare, and their tastes tend toward the commonplace. Perhaps that is why Thule Investments is so successful. I truly believe the Hofeis could almost buy this world if they wished.
‘You still appear astonished at who your friends turned out to be, which is another clue I chose the right course to take, since I loathe a gold digger.’
‘Thanks,’ Joshua said. ‘But what about the Diamant police?’
‘They see and know what certain people in this city, of which I am one, wish them to. No more, no less.
‘One other, minor point. You asked me about someone named Edet Sutro. Might I inquire as to your interest? I must add that if you’re planning anything with him such as occurred last night, you will be in serious jeopardy. Mister Sutro is one of the most honored citizens of Diamant and a valued patron of this establishment.’
‘Not at all,’ Wolfe reassured him. ‘Before I decided to visit Trinité, I discussed matters with some of my colleagues, particularly as to men they knew on this world who might be fond of some exclusive action. He was but one of the names given me.’
‘Exclusive action.’ Samothrake mused. ‘That would mean, to a man in your evident profession, someone who likes a high-stakes game and isn’t that quick at calculating the odds.’
Wolfe inclined his head, said nothing.
‘I’ll give you this, Mister Wolfe. Your friends advised you poorly. Mister Sutro is quite a capable sportsman. I can attest to that by personal experience.’
‘Thank you for the information. While not questioning your word, I’m well aware each shepherd prefers to have his own flock to shear.’
The two men exchanged wintery smiles.
‘Feel free to test the truth of what I said when Mister Sutro returns to Trinité.’ Samothrake rose. ‘Now, I’m afraid I have problems more complicated than yours. Thank you for coming to see me, Mister Wolfe. Please feel free to continue using our facilities, although I will caution you that the next set of unusual events may be seen in a less forgiving light.’
The Dolphin cut its drive, and Thetis tossed a line around a mooring cleat on the Grayle’s loading platform. Her only passenger was Candia, who wore a translucent wrap of swirling colors, sandals, and a beach hat. It was exactly one.
‘Good afternoon, my brave knight,’ she said. ‘You look rested.’
‘Candia. Thetis.’
The girl’s greeting was a bit clipped, and she turned away, busying herself with a rag on the instrument panel’s brasswork.
‘Shall we be on our way?’ Candia asked. ‘I have all that could be desired by the hungriest dragon slayer.’ She indicated a large cooler behind her seat.
‘I didn’t know what you’d planned,’ Joshua said. ‘Am I dressed appropriately?’
Candia eyed his sleeveless cotton vest, shorts, and ankle-strapped sandals.
‘You are perfect. Now get in.’
The Dolphin nosed into the beach and grounded with a slight scrape. Joshua leapt over the side. The water was cool, perfectly clear. Candia struggled with the heavy cooler, and Joshua took it from her, waded to the islet’s beach, and came back to help her out of the boat. Candia had a small mesh bag in her hand.
‘I’ll be back when you told me to, Miss Hsui,’ Thetis said. ‘I hope you two have fun.’
Without waiting for a response, she moved controls, and water frothed as the Dolphin backed off the beach, turned, and headed back toward Morne-des-Esses.
‘That one does not like me,’ Candia said.
‘Why not?’
‘Because she sees me as a rival.’
Joshua blinked. ‘But she’s just a kid.’
‘I know some men who would think that an attraction,’ Candia said. ‘And what if she is? When you were young, didn’t you ever wildly love someone who did not know you even breathed?’
Joshua’s face softened. ‘Yes,’ he remembered. ‘She was nineteen. I was sixteen. She was the daughter of the Federation secretary of state.’
‘What happened?’
‘Nothing. I was trying to get courage enough to ask her to my academy’s formal ball. Of course she would have laughed. She was a very cool one with an eye for the main chance, and my parents were vastly outranked by those of the boys who usually came calling. But I was lucky, and my father was transferred to a new post, off Earth, so my heart was only chipped a little bit around the edges.’
‘So you have been on Earth?’ Candia’s eyes were wide.
‘Born there. Grew up all over the galaxy. My parents were career diplomats.’
‘How interesting. I shall be interested in hearing your stories and seeing if perhaps we have visited the same worlds.
‘Now, come.’ She took a small clock from her bag and put it on the top of the cooler. ‘There is much to be done before the young one returns to make sure I have not stolen your virginity.
‘First a swim. That is good for the appetite.’
Candia stripped off the robe. She wore a black fishnet one-piece suit that had a silver-looking fa
stener strip down the front. She ran to the edge of the water. ‘But I hate the feel of clothes when I am swimming,’ she called back. Her fingers opened the fastener, and she pulled the suit down to her thighs, side kicked it off, caught it with one hand, and tossed it back at Joshua.
‘You have my permission to be equally immodest,’ she shouted. She ran three steps into the water, flat dove, and vanished.
Joshua shook his head, smiling, then took off his clothes and went after her.
The world was calm, blue, at peace. A small fish looked skeptically at Joshua; its tail wriggled, and then it was gone. Joshua kicked toward a brightly striped mass of seaweed growing from the sea bottom. It was shallow off this nameless island, no more than fifteen feet deep.
He’d looked for Candia but hadn’t found her, above or below the surface, and so swam happily about, with Trinité, Al’ar, violence all of another world and time.
Something tickled his toes, and he jackknifed and was face to face with Candia. She stuck her tongue out and swam for the surface.
Joshua broke water a second after she did.
‘You are careless,’ she chided. ‘What if I were a man-eating fish?’
‘Then I would have been doomed, and you would have had to eat the whole lunch yourself.’
‘What a tragedy,’ she said, and swam close to him, floating effortlessly. She put her arms around him.
‘It could be I am a man-eater. Be warned.’ She giggled. ‘I was watching you swim. You are very graceful.’
‘Thank you.’
Her eyes closed, and her lips opened. Joshua kissed her.
‘Perhaps the reason you swim so well,’ she said, ‘is the excellence of your rudder.’
She brought her legs up around his thighs and pulled him close against her. Joshua felt his stiffness against her warmth. He thrust gently, experimentally.
‘Ah ah,’ Candia said. ‘If I let you do that, you will not be able to steer yourself and will never navigate back to our lunch.’ She broke out of the embrace, eeled backward, and swam hard for the beach.
‘I would say we did very well,’ Candia said, surveying the ruins. ‘The artichoke hearts and olives are gone, as is the caviar. The cheeses have been destroyed. There’s a bit of the pâté left if you have not made a sufficient pig of yourself. ’
‘I’m so full, I’ll never move,’ Joshua said.
‘Ah? Not even for some more champagne?’
‘For that I can move.’ Joshua lazily extended his glass.
Candia picked up the bottle and leaned back on the picnic cloth. She wore only the rainbow robe.
‘Perhaps m’sieu would wish a new glass,’ she murmured. She opened her robe and let a bit of champagne trickle into her navel.
‘M’sieu wishes,’ Joshua said, a bit hoarse, and slid over to her. His lips caressed her stomach, moved up, his hands slipping the robe aside, and his teeth teased the nipples of her tiny breasts. Then he moved downward, and Candia opened the robe for him and spread her legs.
His tongue fondled, entered her, and she gasped and lifted her legs around his shoulders.
‘Next,’ she managed, ‘it will be my turn for dessert.’
‘I feel,’ Joshua said, watching the Dolphin approach the beach, ‘like I’m coming home from an evening out and my mother’s about to decide if I was a good boy or not.’
‘Don’t worry about her.’ Candia laughed. ‘Of course she knows.’
‘How could she?’
‘She is a woman, is she not?’
Thetis looked at them both, her lips pursed angrily, and had even less to say on the ride back to the Grayle.
‘It doesn’t feel like a woman has ever lived here,’ Candia announced after Wolfe had shown her around the ship.
‘No. Not for long. But how did you know?’
‘It is comfortable but stiff. A man’s place. But that is good. Are you coming to see me dance tonight?’
‘I hope so. Are you now a solo act?’
‘No. I gave Megaris another chance. I am always doing that, I fear.’
‘Afterward, do you want to come back here?’
‘Of course.’
‘You know, if you wish, you could bring your luggage with you.’
Candia looked surprised. ‘I know I am quite good in bed, but this is quite sudden.’ A cunning look crossed her face. ‘Ah, but perhaps I think too much of myself. Tell me the truth, Joshua Wolfe. I know you are not on vacation here, nor do I believe you are a gambler.
‘The men I have known who were could never absent themselves from the tables for long, nor did they have the ability to relax and enjoy a simple picnic and swim.
‘Could I be right in thinking that my presence here, with you, might help you do whatever you are on Trinité for?’
Joshua hesitated, then remembered what he’d told Lil back on Platte. ‘You’re right, Candia. And yes, you could help.’
‘Will it be dangerous?’ Without waiting for a reply: ‘I hope so. I have been living such a dull life of late. That was another complaint I had about Elois. He kept me well clear of his business. All I was good for was as a bed partner, that for not very long, then someone to get angry with and finally strike.
‘So excite me, Joshua. I shall try to do my share in return.’
Joshua had just finished dressing to go out when the ship told him the Dolphin was pulling up at the platform. He’d eaten on the ship after Candia had left, not wishing to test his digestion against the casino’s efforts again.
Thetis was the only one aboard. She had a large plastic envelope under her arm. Wolfe hesitated, then invited her inside.
‘I’m a butt,’ she said.
‘Nice opening. Why?’
‘Oh . . . I was rude this afternoon. I wasn’t professional. I’m sorry. I thought - anyway, I didn’t have any right.’
Wolfe started to say something, remembered sleepless nights and the Federation official’s daughter, and changed his mind. ‘Forget it. Everybody’s entitled to a mood every now and then.’
Thetis brightened. ‘That’s good. Thanks. I won’t do it again. The main reason I had to come out was I’ve found your Mister Sutro! And I know an awful lot about him!’
She beamed, and Joshua grinned.
‘Sit down,’ she ordered, and touched the fastener on the envelope and took out papers. ‘Now the Sibyl of Cumae will hold forth. Knows all, sees all, and will talk your ear off about it.
‘Sutro. First name, Edet. Naturalized citizen of Trinité for about ten years, since right after the war. No police record. Nobody knows where he came from before that. Grampa got that,’ she explained, ‘from a fishcop he used to be friends with who doesn’t know things are different now.
‘I’ll get a picture of Sutro tomorrow. He’s big, people said, and has a beard.
‘He calls himself an expediter, which Grampa said can mean almost anything. He owns an island he’s named Thrinacia. I had to look that up -’
‘I know what it was. He has a nasty choice of names.’
‘I think he’s probably nasty in other ways,’ Thetis said. ‘Anyway, Thrinacia is one of the Outer Islands, about forty miles off Morne-des-Esses. I’ve been out to the islands three or four times. We could get to Thrinacia with the Dolphin on a calm day, or you could rent a lifter. I looked it up on the chart, and it’s about a mile long by two miles wide. It’s got its own robot instrument-approach spaceport, two or three separate mansions, and a sheltered docking area. The island’s surrounded on three sides with cliffs. They’re not very high, no more than fifty feet, and I think you could climb them if you wanted. The other side, the one with the dock, has some beaches.’
‘Let’s go back to this cliff climbing for a minute,’ Joshua said. ‘What do you think I am?’
Thetis looked at him wisely, then back to her papers. ‘He has twelve men working for him. I found that out. Do you know how? I’m real proud of myself.’
‘Tell me.’
‘There’s only about three g
roceries that cater to the people who live off Morne-des-Esses. Naturally, since I do a lot of the deliveries, I know all of them pretty well.
‘Mister Sutro does his shopping at Sentry Markets, and I found out from the manager there’s an open charge account with thirteen authorized signatures. I double-checked, and there’s twelve different kinds of liquor they keep on hand, so I figured that was a pretty good confirmation.’
She grinned excitedly at Wolfe. ‘Wouldn’t I make a great spy?’
‘No,’ Wolfe said. ‘You’re too pretty and not loony enough.’
‘That’s what Granddad said. About not being crazy enough. Thank you.
‘Mister Sutro has a big fishing boat, a speedster, and two lifters registered. One of them is a heavy gravlighter; the other’s a sporter. All of them are on the island.
‘He’s gone - offworld - about six months out of the year, maybe more. He’s gone right now, by the way.’
Joshua grimaced, said nothing.
‘I thought you might be interested in when he leaves the island,’ Thetis went on, ‘so I talked to the harbormaster and checked the log.
‘He generally comes ashore once a week or so when he’s on Trinité. He always comes to Diamant within a day or two after he’s come back from offplanet. Grandpa checked the logs against Diamant Subcontrol’s history of landings. They clear all approaches for the islands as well as here. He never lands at Wule that I could find out.
‘His men do the shopping and so forth, and they generally use the cargo lighter.
‘When he comes in, he does the same thing. He brings a bunch of his guys with him. I found out they’re pretty mean-looking people, like some of the rich folks here use for bodyguards.’
‘That’s exactly what they’d be,’ Joshua put in.
‘I asked some more questions, but people started giving me strange looks and I had to stop. But I found out that he likes to gamble, like you told me. Generally he gambles up at the Mushroom Tabernacle.’
