Read Online Eros at Zenith: Book 2 of Tales of the Velvet Comet by Mike Resnick - Free Book Online Page A

you?”
    “Somewhat,” he said. “You say her name is Venus?”
    “That's correct.”
    “Did she sleep with him on any of his other visits?”
    “Not to my knowledge. I can check it out if you'd like.” The Black Pearl put the question to the computer, read the answer, and then turned to face him again. “No. This was her only liaison with Infante.”
    “Can you get me a list of all the other women he slept with?”
    “Yes,” she replied. “But it's a bit awkward to keep splitting the screen. After we're through speaking, I'll simply instruct the computer to allow you to access the information.”
    “Fine.” He paused. “As for this Venus, I want to speak to her.”
    “She's with a patron right now. She should be free in about three hours.”
    “It takes that long?”
    “This isn't some sleazy little planetside whorehouse, Mr. Crane,” she said condescendingly. “You'd be surprised at how long it can take.”
    “Then set up a meeting with her for four hours from now.”
    “You know,” she said thoughtfully, “if you require a companion for tonight, why not request Venus? It would be a way of killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.”
    “I'll choose my own.”
    “Perhaps it's for the best,” said the Black Pearl, staring at him and appraising what she saw. “I have a feeling that she might be just a little too imaginative for you.”
    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he demanded.
    “Nothing at all,” she replied easily. “I'll tell her to report to your suite in four hours—or would you rather speak to her via the computer?”
    “Either way. It makes no difference.”
    “I'll see which is more convenient for her.” She paused. “Are you ready to tell me why you decided to cancel your order about the body?”
    “I think the murder was a warning.”
    “Oh? To whom?”
    “I don't know—some member of the crew, certainly. Since I'm working on minimal information and I'm pretty sure that the killer's operating within a strict time frame, I think the best procedure is to keep a lid on it and see if we can force the killer to act again.”
    “By killing someone else?” she suggested sharply. “I thought you were a damage control expert.”
    He shook his head. “He's not going to kill anyone else.”
    “What makes you so sure?”
    “Because if it didn't matter who he killed, he wouldn't have waited for Infante.” He paused. “I'm hoping that his next move will be to approach the crew member personally.”
    She began walking into her elegantly-appointed bedroom as the camera followed her. “How long do you think it will take?”
    “Two or three days, no more,” replied Crane. “He knows we've found the body. When another 48 hours pass and no announcement has been made, he'll figure out that we're not about to broadcast it, even to the crew.”
    “I hope you're right,” she said.
    “I usually am.”
    “Such modesty,” she said with more than a touch of sarcasm.
    “Well, one of us ought to have some. Your towel is coming apart.”
    She looked down and readjusted it.
    “How thoughtful of you to instruct me on how I must appear in my own apartment, Mr. Crane.”
    “Well, your holograph is in my suite.”
    “ I didn't initiate the connection.”
    “I needed information,” he said. “I can't help it if I'm irritating you.”
    “You're not irritating me, Mr. Crane,” said the Black Pearl.
    “You're sure?”
    “Absolutely,” she replied. “I'm used to dealing with prima donnas and their over-inflated egos.”
    “Well, this prima donna's got to get back to work,” he said angrily, breaking the connection. He got to his feet, walked to the bar, considered making himself a third iced coffee, decided not to, and returned to his chair.
    “Computer, how are you coming with those 22 incomplete files?”
    I AM STILL WAITING TO ACCESS THE GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS.
    “While we've got some free time, show me some of the prostitutes who are still available for