Chapter 17

           `Gotyourbossonhold,’theFlatlinesaid.`He’scomingthroughonthetwinHosakainthatboatupstairs,theonethat’sridinguspiggy-back.CalledtheHaniwa.’

           `Iknow,’Casesaid,absently,`Isawit.’

           Alozengeofwhitelightclickedintoplaceinfrontofhim,hidingtheTessier-Ashpoolice;itshowedhimthecalm,perfectlyfocused,utterlycrazyfaceofArmitage,hiseyesblankasbuttons.Armitageblinked.Stared.

           `GuessWintermutetookcareofyourTuringstoo,huh?Likehetookcareofmine,’Casesaid.

           Armitagestared.Caseresistedthesuddenurgetolookaway,drophisgaze.`Youokay,Armitage?’

           `Case’-andforaninstantsomethingseemedtomove,behindthebluestare-`you’veseenWintermute,haven’tyou?Inthematrix.’

           Casenodded.AcameraonthefaceofhisHosakainMarcusGarveywouldrelaythegesturetotheHaniwamonitor.HeimaginedMaelcumlisteningtohistrancedhalfconversations,unabletohearthevoicesoftheconstructorArmitage.

           `Case’-andtheeyesgrewlarger,Armitageleaningtowardhiscomputer-`whatishe,whenyouseehim?’

           `Ahigh-rezsimstimconstruct.’

           `Butwho?’

           `Finn,lasttime...Beforethat,thispimpI...’

           `NotGeneralGirling?’

           `Generalwho?’

           Thelozengewentblank.