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your partner’s companion.” Malos’ deep voice
drew Grat back to the present. “I will give you a crystal that will
enable you to signal me when you have accomplished these things.
Upon our return, I will condition your partner in the manner I
described.”
    “I haven’t utilized those skills in… I swore
I’d never hunt again.” He seldom terminated the targets himself,
but that didn’t mean his conscience was clear. He knew what would
happen each time he identified the location of whomever he’d been
hired to find. The vast majority of his targets had been violent
criminals who had outmaneuvered or eluded the law. Still, he didn’t
like knowing he was partly responsible for ending someone’s life.
“I will not kill.”
    “I said neutralize. If you’re too squeamish
to do it right, take him out of commission until another member of
my team can arrive. However, this offer is only valid as long as
the information in the device remains a mystery. If you wait too
long and they work the puzzle, I’ll have no option but to find
another hunter.” Malos shrugged. “The decision is yours.” He folded
his hands on the tabletop and then leaned forward, his expression
suddenly cold. “Wait. I don’t need to find another hunter. I’ve
already engaged one. In fact, he’s shadowing your brother right
now. His orders are to observe at the moment, but I can change that
with a thought.”
    “You son of a bitch!” Grat shoved his chair
back so forcefully it slammed against the wall. Frantically
searching in his pocket for his comport, he pulled the slim device
out. “Person to person, Gine Farlay.” Terror eased from his
expression when his brother’s image materialized on screen.
    “I’m not even late yet. What’s with you?”
the boy asked with obvious impatience.
    “Are you headed home?”
    “We were going to tram over to Simworld.
Thought we’d check out your latest offering.”
    Grat glanced at Malos, but his expression
remained calm. “Looks like I have to shuttle off-world for a couple
of days. Can you stay with Bendar?”
    “Done. Are you going to do hands-on research
for your next sim?” A mixture of laughter and enthusiastic whistles
came across the link.
    “Something like that. Behave.” Grat slipped
the comport back into his pocket. “Call off the hunter now.”
    “That would be rather foolish.” Malos stood
and smiled, obviously pleased by the outcome of the meeting. “You
have two hours to prepare for the mission. I’ll meet you at your
lab.”
* * * * *
    “That is the third person who laughed at the
wording on this shirt,” Evan said as they crossed the casino. “Tell
me what it says.”
    Dro Tar grinned and kept right on walking.
“It’s nothing too obscene. Lighten up.” She wheeled her suitcase
behind her like a pet. Lights blinked and musical clanking greeted
them from every direction. Excitement zinged through her
bloodstream. She refused to let her grumpy companion spoil her good
mood.
    “We’re trying to be inconspicuous.” He moved
up beside her, his voice hushed and urgent. They spoke in Ontarian,
so the precaution was unnecessary. Why were Mystics always so
uptight? His new outfit accented his athletic build. They must have
one hell of a gym at the Conservatory. He’d tucked the mystery
T-shirt into faded blue jeans and green contacts now altered the
appearance of his eyes. Dressed as an Ontarian Mystic or an
American tourist, Evan was destined to turn heads. “We will
purchase an appropriate shirt before we go any farther.”
    “Oh, we will, will we?” She faced him, her
brow raised in challenge. “Go buy another shirt, then. What’s
stopping you?”
    He folded his arms across his chest and
glared. His fierce expression only made her want to run her fingers
through his wavy hair and rub against his lean body until they both
purred. The next five days could be interesting.
    “You know I have no currency.”
    “Lack of planning on your part