The Wind After Time: Book One of the Shadow Warrior Trilogy (8 page)

He got in and slid the door closed.

“I’m at the Acropolis,” he said.

“Mister Wolfe, would you mind if we had a talk?”

“Not at all. What about?”

“My husband. Lumina stones.”

“I
felt
someone else’s presence while we were talking,” Joshua said. “Were you eavesdropping … or are you more sophisticated?”

Without taking her eyes from the road, Lady Penruddock opened her purse and showed him a small com. “Sometimes a woman needs to know what’s being said about her even if she’s away from the house. I had the pickup put in his study just after we were married.”

“Maybe,” Wolfe suggested, “you’d better pick a place for our talk where you’re not known.”

“The Acropolis is fine. Nobody in our circle goes there.”

• • •

The bar was automated, which meant one less witness. It was empty except for two salesmen nursing beers and glowering at their notebook screens as if they were the supervisors who’d given them this awful territory. Ariadne studied the menu set into the tabletop.

“Deneb sherry,” she decided, and touched the correct sensor.

There were no Armagnacs, but there was a local pomace brandy. The delivery slot opened, and Lady Penruddock’s drink and Wolfe’s water and brandy appeared. He fingered the tab sensor, touched the snifter to his lips and drank ice water.

“Let me tell you about my husband and myself,” Ariadne said without preamble. “We married for our own separate reasons, and for me at least, nothing has altered my intent.

“Malcolm and I largely lead our own lives. What he does is his business. If he wishes me to accompany him, I am delighted. If not …” She shrugged. “I have my own friends, my own pursuits. Malcolm cares little what I do so long as I do not embarrass him or force him to take notice.

“If I found you attractive, which I do, and we happened to spend some time together, that would only concern the two of us.

“I am not sure, though, that that would be wise. For me. But I am still thinking about it.” Her fingers touched the fastener of her blouse for an instant, then went away.

“What Malcolm perhaps does not yet realize is that I require the same from him. He must not embarrass me or force me to have to apologize for his sometimes unusual predilections.”

“Such as the Lumina?”

“Exactly. Did you know he was lying when he said he only wished to own the Lumina for itself?”

“I did.”

“My husband is a devotee of power,” Ariadne said carefully. “He chose to become a civil judge for that reason, instead of criminal law. That was well before the war, when our world was thriving.

“Malcolm made his decisions wisely over the years, not so much for justice as for how they might benefit him. He was quite successful.

“Then the war ruined him, as it ruined this world. When it was over and the Federation left, all the wonderful wheelings and dealings with land, and estates, and investments, on- and offworld, were mostly gone.

“Malcolm had planned to use his Loyalty Courts to propel him into politics, possibly to the highest offices. But with peace came the new government, which holds office by the size of the welfare checks it gives out.”

She shrugged. “I care nothing about that or about what the working man does or thinks.

“Malcolm retired from the bench at the advice of several lawyers who said there might otherwise be an investigation of his decisions before and during the war.

“So he looked about for other fields to conquer.

“One of them was me. My family had been very indiscreet in war investments, so our standing with the hoi polloi was shaky. Also, I’d been a bit … indiscreet once when I was very, very young. Mandodari doesn’t care what goes on in its bedrooms so long as the windows are blanked. I wasn’t that cautious. The woman and her husband were able to leave, but I was trapped here, and Malcolm was a most convenient salvation.

“You look surprised, Mister Wolfe. Isn’t a woman permitted to be honest about herself and her chances?”

“I’m just surprised you’re telling all this to a stranger.”

“Why not? Better to a stranger, one that’ll be off-world in a few days, than to the whale-mouthed gossips I normally associate with. As I was saying, marriage benefited us both. Malcolm received certain material advantages, perhaps what was known as a dowry in the old days, and I became a quote honest end quote woman.

“After we were married, Malcolm started hearing about the Lumina stone. He already had his collection of jewels, which I truthfully believe is the only thing he completely loves, and so it didn’t seem that odd for him to want an Al’ar stone.”

“The Lumina is not a jewel.”

“And how many people know that? Let me continue. He felt that possession of a Lumina stone could bring him some feeling for power that might guide him to his next step.

“At least that was what he thought when he began his quest. Then he heard about the
ur
-Lumina.”

“The
what
?”

“Now it’s my turn for surprise. I thought you would have known of that, since I heard Malcolm say you were among the Al’ar, although I’m not sure I completely understand.

“Malcolm heard stories of a great Lumina, although I don’t know if anyone ever said anything about its physical size. I’ve heard him call it a ‘king Lumina’ or a ‘mother Lumina.’ He didn’t tell me what it was used for, what it was meant to do. But if a small Lumina had the purpose you told Malcolm, the great one would surely be worth possessing.

“He was going to use the Lumina he had to track down the big one. I don’t know how. Maybe he thought it would lead him directly; maybe he thought whoever he bought the stone from could help him. He was never that specific. Now he wants to hire you for the search.”

Joshua rolled brandy around his mouth, concentrating on the burn, letting the words find their own meaning. He took a second swallow.

“Very well,” he said. “You were honest with me, and I’ll return the trade. I’ve never heard of this ultimate Lumina, not even when I was a boy and was among them. I don’t see how such a thing could even exist. If it did, it would have been at least hinted at in their ceremonies.”

“You could be right,” Ariadne said indifferently. She touched the menu for another sherry. “It doesn’t really matter to me.”

“All right,” Joshua said. “So what do
you
want me to do about your husband?”

“You can take the commission if you wish,” Lady Penruddock said. “All I ask is you keep Malcolm from making an utter fool of himself — or getting hurt.

“I can guess you have your own agenda with this Lumina stone and don’t know what it is or care.

“All I’m concerned about is Malcolm. Do what I want, and I’ll be a friend. A very good friend. Otherwise … well, my family may be in disgrace, but we still have enough power to make life exceedingly miserable for you even if you are some kind of war hero, even out into the Outlaw Worlds.”

She drank most of her drink. “As for that other thing I spoke of, whatever might happen between you and me … that can wait until another time.”

She dipped a finger into the dregs of the sherry, touched it to Joshua’s lips, got up, and walked out of the bar, not looking back.

Joshua sat very still for a time. He picked up his snifter, was about to drink, then put the glass down, signed the tab with a fingerprint, and went out of the hotel into the dusk.

“Twenny-five credits for straight, thirty-five for a suckoff, fifty for roun’ th’ worl’, an’ for a hunnerd you can have me
an’
Irina,” the woman said, trying to sound as if it mattered which was chosen. Her partner smiled in Wolfe’s general vicinity, then turned as a lifter approached and saluted it with her chest. She looked disappointed when the driver didn’t slow down.

“Suppose I’m interested in something else,” Joshua said.

“Like what? I don’t do pain or shit … but I can send you to somebody who does.” The woman leaned back against the wall of the bar. “Shoulda known you weren’t th’ kind who wants somethin’ normal. Guys who look like you never do.”

“Not that, either,” Wolfe said. “I think you might be needing a new fancy man.”

“Not a chance. Keos takes real good care a me an’ Irina an’ the other girls.”

“I didn’t say I was asking.”

“Get on your scooter, bud. Or you’re gonna get hurt.”

Joshua didn’t move. The woman’s hand dove in her purse and came out with a silent alarm. “You’re lookin’ for trouble, you’re ‘bout to get on kissin’ terms with it.”

The other woman came closer, her eyes wide. She licked her lips in anticipation.

A man came out of the bar, hand inside his vest. He was big and walked with a limp, and the surgeon who’d rebuilt the side of his face hadn’t done a very good job.

“What is it, Maria?”

“Him,” the first woman said. “He wants t’ be our new mack.”

“Shit!” the man spit, and came in on Joshua, hand coming out of the vest with a sap. Joshua stepped into him, and two fingers rapped sharply on the man’s forehead as Wolfe struck the pimp’s forearm with the side of his blocking hand.

The blackjack hit the filthy pavement before the man did.

The two whores looked scared. Joshua kept one eye on them while he knelt and rifled through the man’s pockets. He found a knife, a wad of cash, a vial containing a brownish powder, and a flat blaster in an ankle holster. He threw the vial and knife into the street and tossed the credits to Maria.

“Thanks,” he said, slipping the blaster into his pocket, and started away.

Maria stared after him, completely bewildered. “Hey! I thought you was — ”

But Wolfe was around the corner and gone with what he’d gone into the port district for.

• • •

The message light on his com was blinking when he got back to the hotel.

“Mister Wolfe?” It was Penruddock’s voice. “I’ve been considering what you said earlier. Perhaps it would be convenient for you to come back out here, and we can continue our discussion. We’ll be in all evening.”

Joshua carefully checked the gun he’d acquired before returning the call.

• • •

“This’ll be fine,” he told the lifter driver, and gave him credits. He got out and started for the eight-sided, five-story blue monstrosity the band’s efforts blared from.

The lifter took off, and Joshua turned in his tracks and went down three streets and over two until he was on the street where the Penruddocks lived.

He buzzed the gate panel and was admitted.

Panels sensed his approach and lit, and the driveway was a long, cobbled finger of soft light through the night.

The Penruddocks met him at the door. Malcolm wore a soft red dressing gown over black dress pants and an open-necked shirt. Ariadne Penruddock wore a green silk robe that would have been modest except for the long slit that ran up the left side to her hip. She caught Wolfe’s glance and moved her leg slightly, and Joshua saw tanned smoothness ending in close-cropped darkness. Both Wolfe and Penruddock pretended not to notice what she’d done.

“I’m glad we’re going to have a chance — ” Penruddock broke off at the scream of the engines.

Two gravlighters came in above the tree line. Wolfe saw the gunmen on the open deck and dove into Penruddock.

Ariadne’s mouth gaped with surprise. Wolfe kicked the door closed, grabbed her leg, and pulled her down as the guns opened up.

They were solid projectile weapons, and rounds smashed through the walls, glass and masonry shattering, bullets whining up from the stonework.

Wolfe lay flat, trying to hold Ariadne. “The lights,” he shouted. “Where’s the cutoff switch for the lights?”

Ariadne didn’t answer, struggling in blind panic, kicking, clawing, trying to get away. She kneed him, he gasped in pain, and she scrambled up, trying to run anywhere, nowhere.

The guns crashed once more. There were three fist-sized holes in Ariadne Penruddock’s back, green turning black as the woman skidded to her knees, then collapsed facedown. Joshua was reflexively half-up; the gunmen sent more rounds chattering through the house, and he went down again.

Joshua rolled on his back, pulling the now-futile blaster as the lifters made two more passes, bullets tearing the night apart.

The door above him tore away, and there was a glow from the still-burning path lights.

Now it’s over, he thought. Now they come in with grenades and finish it.

But the lighters put on full power and were gone. Joshua barely heard the sound of their receding engines through the ringing in his ears.

He got shakily to his feet.

Dust hazed the foyer, and he had the iron taste of blood in his mouth. He saw movement, and belatedly, his gun was in his hand. Judge Penruddock staggered toward him. His hand was clasped over one arm, trying to stop the pulsing blood. His lips moved soundlessly.

Joshua heard a cracking, and Penruddock’s trophy, legs splintered from the bullets, crashed down onto the judge. Joshua dove away, rolling, down the hall, as the beast smashed into pieces.

Then there was silence.

He went back to the foyer.

Malcolm Penruddock’s body was crushed under the shattered monster, except for one hand and forearm. It twitched and was still.

Wolfe went to Ariadne Penruddock’s body. He didn’t turn it over. He didn’t want to see her face.

He reached down, touched her hand, then went quickly out of the house and around the side, away from the road, the light, and the building scream of sirens.

“You were there when they slotted them?” Cisco asked.

Wolfe nodded.

“How’d you get out? They have their best cops, such as they are, on it. Penruddock was a big name, and so was his wife.”

Wolfe just looked at Cisco.

The FI man shrugged. “All right. I didn’t think you’d tell me. Did you leave any trail at all?”

“Not much of one,” Wolfe said. “I was moving under my real name, but the only link would be two com calls, one to Penruddock’s house, one back to me.”

“The cops aren’t even looking for a Mister Inside. But I’ll make sure you stay clean.”