Chapter 20

           OrtegadroppedmeonMissionStreetaseveningwasfallingoverthecity.She’dbeenwithdrawnandmonosyllabicontheflightbackfromthefightdrome,andIguessedthestrainofremindingherselfIwasnotRykerwasbeginningtotakeatoll.ButwhenImadeaproductionofbrushingoffmyshouldersasIgotoutofthecruiser,shelaughedimpulsively.

           "StickaroundtheHendrixtomorrow,"shesaid."There’ssomeoneIwantyoutotalkto,butit’lltakeawhiletosetup."

           "Fairenough."Iturnedtogo.

           "Kovacs."

           Iturnedback.Shewasleaningacrosstolookupandoutoftheopendooratme.Iputanarmontheuplifteddoorwingofthecruiserandlookeddown.TherewasalongishpauseduringwhichIcouldfeelmybloodbeginningtoadrenalisegently.

           "Yes?"

           Shehesitatedamomentlonger,thensaid,"Carnagewashidingsomethingbackthere,right?"

           "Fromtheamounthetalked,I’dsayyes."

           "That’swhatIthought."Sheproddedhurriedlyatthecontrolconsoleandthedoorbegantoslidebackdown."Seeyoutomorrow."

           Iwatchedthecruiserintotheskyandsighed.IwasreasonablysurethatgoingtoOrtegaopenlyhadbeenagoodmove,butIhadn’texpectedittobesomessy.HoweverlongsheandRykerhadbeentogether,thechemistrymusthavebeendevastating.