the galaxy, many deals were made here.
With the growing instability of the planet, there was a certain frenzy in the air.
A security officer stood at the first checkpoint. Qui-Gon had no choice but to walk through. If he couldn't walk through the hallways without a challenge, he wouldn't be able to do anything.
He was relieved when he made it past the security officer, who merely gave him a bland look and moved his gaze to sweep the visitor behind him.
He was lucky that Manex had not instituted higher security procedures that required text docs for admittance.
There were several things he needed to know. Why was he a suspect in Pleni's death? He had never heard of her until that morning. Was her death connected to Oleg's? Had she, too, tried to buy the list? Qui-Gon decided that the only course open to him was to present himself as a possible buyer as well. If the word got out that a prosperous businessman from Rorgam had money to spend, sooner or later someone would come forward with something to sell.
Drawing his robe around him, Qui-Gon plunged into the throng.
He was deep in conversation with an important Legislative aide when he saw Eritha and Alani heading down the hall. Alani was talking with a group of admirers who clustered closely around her. To his relief, they turned off down the hall. Eritha brought up the rear, and she spotted Qui- Gon. A look of surprise, then greeting, came over her face. Qui-Gon ignored her.
Eritha hesitated. Then her face smoothed out and became emotionless when she realized he did not want her to recognize him. All of this took only a beat of a moment. Once again Qui-Gon had cause to admire Eritha's cleverness. The girl had good reflexes.
Eritha signaled him discreetly and moved into a side hall. Qui-Gon wrapped up his conversation with the aide and casually strolled after her.
The hallway was empty, and she made sure he had followed before accessing a door. He followed her inside into a small conference room.
To his surprise, Eritha threw herself in his arms. 'I'm so glad to see you,' she said. 'I was so worried.' He patted her shoulder, and she stepped back. 'You shouldn't be here. Do you know that you're wanted for murder?'
Qui-Gon nodded. 'Do you know why? I've never met Legislator Pleni.
Did Balog set this up?'
'I don't know,' Eritha said. 'Possibly. I know that Alani is still in touch with him. I'm here trying to get information. I think I have a lead.
But I have to be careful. I don't want Alani to suspect, so I'm pretending to completely support her candidacy. And there's a rumor going around the Legislature that you should know about. Manex has the list of secret Absolute informers.'
'Manex?'
Eritha nodded. 'I have a feeling that Roan's brother is more ambitious than he pretends. He wants to hold on to his power.'
'I'll need to be able to get in touch with you,' Qui-Gon told her.
'I'll be moving around frequently.'
Eritha bit her lip. 'Can you wait here for just a few minutes? I'm close to finding out where Balog is hiding. This conference room isn't used much anymore. I can be back within ten minutes.'
'If you're delayed — '
'I won't be,' Eritha said confidently, and hurried out the door.
Qui-Gon sighed. Eritha had all the impatience and optimism of youth.
If she didn't return, he would have no way to get in touch with her. He would have to sneak into the Supreme Governor's residence.
There was nothing to do but wait. He could spare ten or fifteen minutes. Qui-Gon settled himself into a chair, going over what had happened that morning. He had dropped hints about how he was looking to buy power and would pay handsomely for it. He had even hinted at the existence of a list. Now and then he had caught a spark of interest in a Legislator or an aide, but he wasn't sure if it was based on knowledge or simply on pure greed.
Five minutes passed. Qui-Gon got up restlessly and went to the window. He looked down below at the crowded street beyond the Legislature wall. Was Balog moving about freely, or was he hiding during the daylight hours, letting his allies like Alani prepare the way for his return?
The door hissed open. But instead of Eritha, a confused-looking aide stood in the doorway. 'I'm sorry — isn't this where the Rock Mining Development Act subcommittee is meeting?'
'I'm afraid not,' Qui-Gon said.
'Oh. Sorry again.' The young man nodded and withdrew, and the door hissed shut behind him.
An innocent interruption, Qui-Gon thought. But perhaps not. He thought carefully about the young man's appearance. He wore the navy tunic of an aide, but…
His boots. They were the boots that the security officers wore. He was doing a check of the rooms. And he could have recognized Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon withdrew his lightsaber in one quick motion. He would have to contact Eritha later. He cut a neat hole in the glass and stepped through onto the ledge. Using his cable launcher, he lowered himself down to the pavement behind the wall.
