Spider looked repentant. “Now that the sector-gate’s open, they’re already running a similar operation. I guess they don’t believe in a free market.”
“Where are you keeping your profits?”
Spider hesitated. Then he said, “I sent it all to the branch of the Commons Bank on Baret Station. They tapped it into the Empire Credit Net. I used my own name so I wouldn’t have trouble getting it out—it’s not like they’d notify the citycops, they don’t care where money comes from.”
For the first time since Spider entered the car, Tal turned and looked him full in the face. “You opened an account at a Commons Bank and gave the Three Cities as your address?”
“I don’t see what’s wrong with that.”
“Spider, they will tax you within an inch of your life—” He stopped himself. “I’m not here to give you financial advice.”
Spider smiled to himself. He’d noticed before that discussions of money could divert Tal’s attention.
Tal checked his timepiece and powered up the car. “I’m going to drop you off at the Residence’s medtech. Can you make it up the steps yourself? I have an appointment.”
“Sure.”
They drove down the slopes to the Street of Dreams that ran through the Flat. Awnings hung with colored lanterns bloomed in the darkness. Tal said, “Has it just been thievery and smuggling, or are you dealing in anything illegal in itself?”
“By whose standards?” asked Spider, wincing as he tried to sit more comfortably.
“Anybody’s.”
“Well, yes. I’ve been buying drugs on-Station—I was hoping to sell some of them down here, they’re very portable.”
“What sort?”
“The usual—heroin, aspirin, opium, bonz.”
“I see. No taxmal?”
“What’s that?”
“Nothing. Well, you’ve been saved a lot of trouble, Spider, you never would have made a profit. Drugs of all kinds are legal in the Empire proper. They’ll even let you have vigilis, which turns humans into raving murderous lunatics—but you have to take that under supervision at a government drug center, and they keep you there till it’s out of your system.”
Spider shifted position again, with the same painful result. “Why would anyone want to be a murderous lunatic?”
“I’m not clear on that. But it seems to be highly addictive, and quite popular as these things go. The only drug illegal in the Empire is the telepathy drug, because it invades the privacy of others.”
“What’s the name of that one?” asked Spider. Wrecked though he was, he seemed ready to pull out a notebook and write it down.
“I don’t recall.” They reached the end of the Residence drive and Tal brought them to a halt. “All right, go.”
Spider got out of the car, took a step, and collapsed to his knees. Tal muttered something briefly and left the car. He pulled Spider up by the collar, took an arm, and helped him up the steps. The medtech was on the second floor. Three steps into that flight of stairs Tal gave up on this method and picked Spider up and carried him bodily. He deposited him by the medical notification bell. He pressed the button, then turned. Spider was still lying on the floor.
“I really have to go now,” said Tal.
“Fine,” said Spider into the floor.
Tal descended the stairs and went out to the car. He drove as quickly as he could get away with to the border of Lankio Quarter.
At the Fortune River Bar he approached the hostess. Tonight her skirt was short and red with yellow fringe. Her breasts were covered up to the neck. “Has anyone been looking for me?”
“Not to my knowledge, cyr. Are you expecting someone?”
“Possibly. Has there been a young woman in here, without any escort, just sitting and waiting?”
The hostess smiled. “No young woman would wait here alone for long. But no, I haven’t seen anyone like that in the last hour.”
“All right, thanks. I’ll take that table there, if you don’t mind. And bring me a glass of tiko and a glass of water.”
He sat at a small table near the bar that gave a complete view of the patrons, particularly around the entrance. A small window on the right showed the passersby outside. He was only five minutes late, and no rational person would give up a chance of profit for five minute’s wait. Especially if they were an Empire subject and a Redemptionist, looking to cushion the fall when the Republic came. Cushioning took money.
An hour later he asked for another tiko. The hostess said, “But you haven’t touched this one, cyr.”
“Please enjoy it with my compliments.” She shrugged and went away, and returned with two new glasses.
And another hour later she brought two more glasses. “I see the water at least meets with your approval.”
“Yes, it’s excellent quality.”
“Artesian wells,” she said, and retrieved the tiko. Her hips swayed as she walked away.
Later, when she set down another glass, she said, “Since you’re not drinking them, we’re watering them down by three-quarters. I mention this in case you decide to take a sip.”
“I appreciate the warning.”
He stayed at the Fortune River Bar all through the night. Eventually the white light of sunrise came in the window on his right, and two girls moved tiredly among the empty tables, cleaning. The hostess came over and pulled out the other chair of his table and sat down, crossing her long legs. She said, “We generally close for a few hours around now, and get some sleep.”
“Yes.” He put his palms on the table, shifting his weight to rise.
“Cyr, I hesitate to intrude on your privacy. But is there anything you need that I can get you?”
He looked at her face, lined and pure in the dawn light. “I wish you could help me, but you can’t.”
He rose. As he walked away she called, “If it’s love, it will pass. Believe me.”
He went out into the morning, the quiet morning of a pleasure district. He walked to the car and drove back to the Visitor’s Residence. The administrative quarter was filling up with government employees and people on the way to their businesses. He
