Citizen of the Galaxy (32 page)

“Why, sure, Leda. If it won't be too much trouble.”

“I'll simply force myself. We'll actually do some sightseeing, in the Department of North America, at least. The only thing that bothers me is how to get away from the guards.”

“Guards?”

“Nobody high up in Rudbek ever travels without bodyguards. Why, you'd be run ragged by reporters and crackpots.”

“I think,” Thorby said slowly, “that you must be mistaken in my case. I went to see my grandparents. There weren't any guards.”

“They specialize in being unobtrusive. I'll bet there were always at least two in your grandmother's house while you were there. See that solitary skier? Long odds he's not skiing for fun. So we have to find a way to get them off your neck while you look up Counselor Garsch. Don't worry, I'll think of something.”

Thorby was immensely interested in the great capital but still more interested in getting on with his purpose. Leda did not let him hurry. “First we sightsee. We naturally would.”

The house, simple compared with Rudbek -- twenty rooms, only two of them large -- was as ready as if he had stepped out the day before. Two of the servants he recognized as having been at Rudbek. A ground car, with driver and footman in Rudbek livery, was waiting. The driver seemed to know where to take them; they rode around in the semi-tropic winter sunshine and Leda pointed out planetary embassies and consulates. When they passed the immense pile, which is headquarters of the Hegemonic Guard, Thorby had the driver slow down while he rubbernecked. Leda said, “That's your alma mater, isn't it?” Then she whispered, “Take a good look. The building opposite its main door is where you are going.”

They got out at the Replica Lincoln Memorial, walked up the steps and felt the same hushed awe that millions have felt when looking at that brooding giant figure. Thorby had a sudden feeling that the statue looked like Pop -- not that it did, but still it did. His eyes filled with tears.

Leda whispered, “This place always gets me -- it's like a haunted church. You know who he was? He founded America. Ancient history is awesome.”

“He did something else.”

“What?”

“He freed slaves.”

“0h.” She looked up with sober eyes. “That means something special to you . . . doesn't it?”

“Very special.” He considered telling Leda his strongest reason for pushing the fight, since they were alone and this was a place that wouldn't be bugged. But he couldn't. He felt that Pop would not mind -- but he had promised Colonel Brisby.

He puzzled over inscriptions on the walls, in letters and spelling used before English became System English. Leda tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Come on. I can never stay here long or I start crying.” They tiptoed away.

Leda decided that she just had to see the show at the Milky Way. So they got out and she told the driver to pick them up in three hours and ten minutes, then Thorby paid outrageous scalpers' prices for a double booth and immediate occupancy.

“There!” she sighed as they started inside. “That's half of it. The footman will drop off as they round the corner, but we're rid of the driver for a while; there isn't a place to park around here. But the footman will be right behind us, if he wants to keep his job. He's buying a ticket this minute. Or maybe he's already inside. Don't look.”

They started up the escalator. “This gives us a few seconds; he won't get on until we curve out of sight. Now listen. The people holding these seats will leave as soon as we show the tickets -- only I'm going to hang onto one, pay him to stay. Let's hope it's a man because our nursemaid is going to spot that booth in minutes . . . seconds, if he was able to get our booth number down below. You keep going. When he finds our booth he'll see me in it with a man. He won't see the man's face in the dark but he'll be certain of me because of this outlandish, night-glow outfit I'm wearing. So he'll be happy. You zip out any exit but the main lobby; the driver will probably wait there. Try to be in the outer lobby a few minutes before the time I told them to have the car. If you don't make it, hire a flea-cab and go home. I'll complain aloud that you didn't like the show and went home.”

Thorby decided that the “X” Corps had missed a bet In Leda. “Won't they report that they lost track of me?”

“They'll be so relieved they'll never breathe it. Here we are -- keep moving. See you!”

Thorby went out a side exit, got lost, got straightened out by a cop, at last found the building across from Guard SHQ. The building directory showed that Garsch had offices on the 34th terrace; a few minutes later he faced a receptionist whose mouth was permanently pursed in “No.”

She informed him frostily that the Counselor never saw anyone except by appointment. Did he care to make an inquiry appointment with one of the Counselor's associates? “Name, please!”

Thorby glanced around, the room was crowded. She slapped a switch. “Speak up!” she snapped. “I've turned on the privacy curtain.”

“Please tell Mr. Garsch that Rudbek of Rudbek would like to see him.”

Thorby thought that she was about to tell him not to tell fibs. Then she got up hastily and left.

She came back and said quietly, “The Counselor can give you five minutes. This way, sir.”

James J. Garsch's private office was in sharp contrast with building and suite; he himself looked like an unmade bed. He wore trousers, not tights, and his belly bulged over his belt. He had not shaved that day; his grizzled beard matched the fringe around his scalp. He did not stand up. “Rudbek?”

“Yes, sir. Mr. James J. Garsch?”

“The same. Identification? Seems to me I saw your face in the news but I don't recollect.”

Thorby handed over his ID folder. Garsch glanced at the public ID, studied the rare and more difficult-to-counterfeit ID of Rudbek & Assocs.

He handed it back. “Siddown. What can I do for you?”

“I need advice . . . and help.”

“That's what I sell. But Bruder has lawyers running out of his ears. What can I do for you?”

“Uh, is this confidential?”

“Privileged, son. The word is 'privileged.' You don't ask a lawyer that; he's either honest or he ain't. Me, I'm middlin' honest. You take your chances.”

“Well . . . it's a long story.”

“Then make it short. You talk. I listen.”

“You'll represent me?”

“You talk, I listen,” Garsch repeated. “Maybe I'll go to sleep. I ain't feeling my best today. I never do.”

“All right.” Thorby launched into it. Garsch listened with eyes closed, fingers laced over his bulge.

“That's all,” concluded Thorby, “except that I'm anxious to get straightened out so that I can go back into the Guard.”

Garsch for the first time showed interest. “Rudbek of Rudbek? In the Guard? Let's not be silly, son.”

“But I'm not really 'Rudbek of Rudbek.' I'm an enlisted Guardsman who got pitched into it by circumstances beyond my control.”

“I knew that part of your story; the throb writers ate it op. But we all got circumstances we can't control. Point is, a man doesn't quit his job. Not when it's his.”

“It's not mine,” Thorby answered stubbornly.

“Let's not fiddle. First, we get your parents declared dead. Second, we demand their wills and proxies. If they make a fuss, we get a court order . . . and even the mighty Rudbek folds up under a simple subpoena-or-be-locked-up-for-contempt.” He bit a fingernail. “Might be some time before the estate is settled and you are qualified. Court might appoint you to act, or the wills may say who, or the court might appoint somebody else. But it won't be those two, if what you say is correct. Even one of Bruder's pocket judges wouldn't dare; it would be too raw and he'd know he'd be reversed.”

“But what can I do if they won't even start the action to have my parents declared dead?”

“Who told you you had to wait on them? You're the interested party; they might not even qualify as amicus curiae. If I recall the gossip, they're hired hands, qualified with one nominal share each. You're the number-one interested party, so you start the action. Other relatives? First cousins, maybe?”

“No first cousins. I don't know what other heirs there may be. There's my grandparents Bradley.”

“Didn't know they were alive. Will they fight you?”

Thorby started to say no, changed his mind. “I don't know.”

“Cross it when we come to it. Other heirs . . . well, we won't know till we get a squint at the wills -- and that probably won't happen until a court forces them. Any objection to hypnotic evidence? Truth drugs? Lie detectors?”

“No. Why?”

“You're the best witness that they are dead, not just long time missing.”

“But if a person is missing long enough?”

“Depends. Any term of years is just a guide to the court, not a rule of law. Time was when seven years would do it -- but that's no longer true. Things are roomier now.”

“How do we start?”

“Got any money? Or have they got you hogtied on that? I come high. I usually charge for each exhale and inhale.”

“Well, I've got a megabuck . . . and a few thousand more. About eight.”

“Hmm . . . Haven't said I'd take this case. Has it occurred to you that your life may be in danger?”

“Huh! No, it hasn't”

“Son, people do odd things for money, but they'll do still more drastic things for power over money. Anybody sittin' close to a billion credits is in danger; it's like keeping a pet rattlesnake. If I were you and started feeling ill, I'd pick my own doctor. I'd be cautious about going through doors and standing close to open windows.” He thought. “Rudbek is not a good place for you now; don't tempt them. Matter of fact, you ought not to be here. Belong to the Diplomatic Club?”

“No, sir.”

“You do now. People 'ud be surprised if you didn't. I'm often there, around six. Got a room there, sort of private. Twenty eleven.”

“ 'Twenty eleven.' “

“I still haven't said I'd take it. Got any idea what I'd have to do if I lose this case?”

“Eh? No, sir.”

“What was the place you mentioned? Jubbulpore? That's where I'd have to move.” Suddenly he grinned. “But I've been spoiling for a fight Rudbek, eh? Bruder. You mentioned a megabuck?”

Thorby got out his book of checking certificates, passed them over. Garsch riffled through it, shoved it into a drawer. “We won't convert this now; they're almost certainly noting your withdrawals. Anyhow, it's going to cost you more. G'bye. Say in a couple of days.”

Thorby left, feeling bucked up. He had never met a more mercenary, predatory old man -- he reminded Thorby of the old, scarred freedmen professionals who swaggered around the New Amphitheater.

As he came outdoors he saw Guard Headquarters. He looked again -- then ducked through murderous traffic and ran up its steps.

Thorby found a circle of receptionist booths around the great foyer. He pushed through crowds pouring out and went into one. A contralto voice said, “Punch your name. State department and office into the microphone. Wait until the light appears, then state your business. You are reminded that working hours are over and only emergencies are now handled.”

Thorby punched, “Thorby Baslim,” into the machine, then said, “Exotic Corps.”

He waited. The tape repeated, “Punch your name. State the department and office into --” It suddenly cut off. A man's voice said, “Repeat that.”

“Exotic Corps.”

“Business?”

“Better check my name in your files.”

At last another female voice chanted, “Follow the light immediately over your head. Do not lose it”

He followed it up escalators, down slideways, and into an unmarked door, where a man not in uniform led him through two more. He faced another man in civilian clothes who stood up and said, “Rudbek of Rudbek. I am Wing Marshal Smith.”

“Thorby Baslim, please, sir. Not 'Rudbek.' “

“Names aren't important but identities are. Mine Isn't 'Smith,' but it will do. I suppose you have identification?”

Thorby produced his ID again. “You probably have my fingerprints.”

“They'll be here in a moment Do you mind supplying them again?”

While Thorby had his prints taken, a print file card popped out onto the Marshal's desk. He put both sets into a comparator, seemed to pay no attention but until it flashed green he spoke only politenesses.

Then he said, “All right, Thorby Baslim . . . Rudbek. What can I do for you?”

“Maybe it's what I can do for you?”

“So?”

“I came here for two reasons,” Thorby stated. “The first Is, I think I can add something to Colonel Baslim's final report. You know who I mean?”

“I knew him and admired him very much. Go on.”

“The second is -- I'd like to go back into the Guard and go 'X' Corps.” Thorby couldn't recall when he had decided this, but he had -- not just Pop's outfit, Pop's own corps. Pop's work.

“Smith” raised his brows. “So? Rudbek of Rudbek?”

“I'm getting that fixed.” Thorby sketched rapidly how he must settle his parents' estate, arrange for handling of their affairs. “Then I'm free. I know it's presumptuous of an acting ordnanceman third class -- no, I was busted from that; I had a fight -- for a boot Guardsman to talk about 'X' Corps, but I think I've got things you could use. I know the People . . . the Free Traders, I mean. I speak several languages. I know how to behave in the Nine Worlds. I've been around a bit, not much and I'm no astrogator . . . but I've traveled a little. Besides that, I've seen how Pop -- Colonel Baslim -- worked. Maybe I could do some of it.”