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to know I can rely on you?”
    That surprised me.
    “That’s a good question. I don’t have an answer, but we’ll work on that.”
    Yeah, sure I was over being an introspective narcissist. I’d completely missed this being a two-way matter.
    “You’ve driven home that this is going to be truly succulent,” she said, sounding very much like a sergeant.
    “It always sucks to be us. Learn that now. Tonight you start sleeping with me.”
    It was her turn for that completely shocked look again. “Excuse me?”
    “If we’re going to be a couple for cover purposes, you start looking like my lover. I didn’t say ‘Sex’ I said ‘Sleep.’ But we stay close.”
    “That makes sense.”
    “I snore.”
    “I guess I’ll manage.”
    Chel came home from school about then, through the back door. She took in a quick glance, nodded almost imperceptibly as she came to a reasonable but wrong conclusion about either business or pleasure in progress, and started to head past with just a “Hey, Dad,” and a nod.
    “Wait, Chel,” I said. She stopped and turned. “Silver’s here on business. Military business.”
    With a cautious twitch of an eyebrow that’s going to rip some guy’s heart out soon, she extended her hands to shake and threw in a couple of centimeters of bow. “I’m Chelsea Lockhart. Pleased to meet you,” she said.
    “Silver McLaren.” Silver gave her just as much grip and bow. Not many people do that for adolescents.
    As Chel queried us with a glance, I said, “I’ve got something to take care of in a few days. Silver will be assisting me.”
    “Off planet?” Chel asked. Dammit, why did I have a smart daughter? Then she, the only one who knew me well enough to read my cold face, said, “Outsystem.” It sounded like a dirge the way she said it.
    “‘Fraid so,” I said. “But Silver’s going to be here. Undercover. As far as anyone is concerned, she’s a fling with me, okay?”
    Her eyes widened slightly and she said, “Okay, Dad. Am I supposed to like her or hate her guts?” She smiled slightly. Silver chuckled.
    “Might be best if you hated her. It’ll account for any stress around here.”
    “Okay,” she agreed. “I suppose you’ll tell me what I need to know, and I shouldn’t ask questions or spy on you?”
    “Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?” I replied. It wasn’t much of a joke. Chel has been a snoop her entire life. A pretty good one, too. She improves as I whack her when I catch her.
    She grinned. I hugged her, and the warmth calmed me down. She really is the only thing that keeps me sane, and alive. She has a good grip, too.
    “You can eat at Andre’s or the Access tonight. I need to go out with Silver.”
    “Okay, Dad,” she agreed. “Thanks. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
    “Yeah, that’s funny when I tell it,” I said.
    Thanks, kid. Not that I was planning on anything, but that would have been a dousing with ice water.
    She tripped out, through the stair door and up to our residence. When I started, I was afraid living in an industrial area would be tough on her, but there are other kids in the area, a park, and while her school handles a lot of transients, there are a few locals. She did okay.
    Idly, I realized I could now cash in the two unlimited tickets I’d kept on hand in case I needed to escape in a hurry. Nor did I need to live next to the port anymore. It was relaxing and uplifting in a way.
    After, of course, I killed one of my friends.
    I never wanted a normal life, but there must be a moderate middle somewhere.
    I turned to Silver/Cynthia, and said, “Let’s go shopping. Got a list?”
    “I’ve been working on one,” she agreed. “Cash cards for Earth, mixed currency and cards for Novaja Rossia, Caledonia. Cash and bullion for Mtali. Two hundred k each. ATF Outfitters should be delivering Stash Luggage brand bags this afternoon, if your daughter will sign for them.”
    “She will,” I agreed. Yeah, she’s a