Чужак в чужой стране

           Uh-ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso,thereisalwayssome

           Somebabetryingtogetahammerlockonhim,Jillinterpretedangrily-andthisOsbertcharacterthinksI’mthecurrentone.Itputoutofhermindthehalf-formedthoughtofaskingKilgallenforhelp;sheswitchedoffasquicklyaspossible.

           Butwherecouldshego?Theobvioussolutionpoppedintohermind.IfBenwasmissing-andtheauthoritieshadahandinit-thelastplacetheywouldbelikelytolookforValentineSmithwouldbeBen’sapartment.Unless,shecorrected,theyconnectedherwithBen,whichshedidnotthinkthattheydid.

           TheycoulddigabitetoeatoutofBen’sbuttery-shewouldn’triskorderinganythingfromthebasement;theymightknowhewasaway.AndshecouldborrowsomeofBen’sclothesforheridiotchild.Thelastpointsettledit;shesetthecombinationforBen’sapartmenthouse.Thecabpickedoutthenewlaneanddroppedintoit.

           OnceoutsidethedoortoBen’sflatJillputherfacetothehushboxbythedoorandsaidemphatically,"Karthagodelendaest!"

           Nothinghappened.Ohdamnhim!shesaidfranticallytoherself;he’schangedthecombo.Shestoodthereforamoment,kneesweak,andkeptherfaceawayfromSmith.Thensheagainspokeintothehushbox.ItwasaRaytheonlock,thesamevoicecircuitactuatedthedoororannouncedcallers.SheannouncedherselfontheforlornchancethatBenmighthavereturned."Ben,thisisJill."

           Thedoorslidopen.

           Theywentinsideandthedoorclosed.