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won’t ask why not.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œYou’ve been awfully quiet.”
    I told her, “I’ve been trying to compose dozens of clever compliments.”
    She smiled. “Any luck?”
    â€œNo. You’re marvelously beautiful, but I’ve told you that before and there’s nothing clever about it. Every man who sees you must think the same thing. You’re as brave as a lioness, but women don’t like being told how brave they are.”
    â€œThen why did you tell me?”
    â€œBecause I value honesty above diplomacy.” Putting a finger to my lips, I tiptoed over to her shaping bag, took out the book, and carried it off. When I returned to the lounge, Colette raised her eyebrows. I put my finger to my lips again.
    She nodded, went to the screen, and ordered food. While we ate, she murmured, “Eventually you’re going to have to explain.”
    I figured she was probably right, but I whispered, “No.”
    â€œSuppose it’s cameras?”
    I shrugged.
    After dinner we watched April and Its Spotted Lilies and Twice Terror. As I told her, I had heard of roundvid but I had never seen those dramas or any others. Twice Terror was working up to its big scene when they came. My watch struck eleven just as her screen flashed VISITOR A - 1 , and she muttered, “Oh, stars!” I asked what was the matter.
    â€œThe building just let someone in.” She had gotten up and was striding toward the door. “Two someones. It’s supposed to show them on my screen, and turn them away if I don’t approve them.” She tripped the night bolt.
    I asked, “Why didn’t it do that?”
    â€œIt said they were A-1. That means they’re guests I’ve designated who get in automatically, whether I’m here or not.”
    â€œThen we may assume they are. It may be a pleasant visit.” I was trying to soothe her; she looked frightened and angry.
    â€œCob was the only one I ever designated—and he’s dead.”
    I had been expecting a knock, but we did not get one. Colette’s door swung open without a sound, and two men sauntered in. The second shut it behind him. The first, a stocky man in dark clothes, said, “We’re not going to tell you who we are or who we represent. The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”
    I nodded and put my arm around Colette, the first time I had taken the chance.
    She had the controller, and she held it up. “One stroke gets the police.”
    The second man took two quick strides toward her and snatched the controller. “I’m sorry, officer,” he told the uniformed sim whose electronically faked image had joined us in the lounge. “My little boy got hold of it. We’ve told him a thousand times that he’s not supposed to play with it.” He pressed a key and the SGPD sim disappeared, uniform, badge, and all.
    â€œI don’t have a lot of money.” Colette’s voice sounded steady, but I could feel her trembling. “You can have it all if you’ll only go.”
    â€œYou’ve got the book.” That was the second man. He looked younger than the stocky guy, wore a hat, and was a good head taller. “You’ve got it and we want it. Hand it over.”
    â€œI have several books,” Colette told him. “I’m a teacher. Perhaps you know.”
    The stocky one farted with his mouth.
    â€œYou know the book we mean,” the tall one said. “Give it to me. As soon as you do we’ll go, and you’ll never see us again.”
    I said, “Will someone please tell me what you’re talking about?”
    â€œMs. Coldbrook had a brother,” the tall one said; his voice reminded me of a library ’bot about to use its prod. “He stole a book that belongs to us. We want it. Now!” As he spoke, he dropped Colette’s controller into a pocket of his jacket.
    I stood up. “This