Read Online Ghost Ship by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee - Free Book Online Page A

be.
    Vine’d been sleek and welcoming, with just the one ’hand at his back, and the thrill-seekers held a little ways off by a strip of orange perimeter tape. He’d made a neighborly little speech about how the Port Road was good for everybody’s business and how he, with Boss Conrad, and Boss Korval and every Boss between, was eager to see business grow.
    Nice as it was, it hadn’t done much to ease the itch between Miri’s shoulders, and she’d heaved an undiplomatic sigh of relief when they’d gotten themselves all three safe back in the car and it started moving toward the next territory in line. Surebleak taught you caution and carefulness, else you didn’t live long enough to pull damnfool stunts like coming back and setting up as a target.
    “Boss Conrad looks as if he has had a difficult day,” Val Con observed.
    Penn glanced over his shoulder, then back to Val Con with a nod.
    “The freeholder up next to your turf’s more skittish than most, so I’ve heard from Boss Sherton. Your house coming down to settle like it did might’ve taken him wrong.”
    “And thus the Boss would have had to exert his charm and his patience.”
    Miri laughed. “There’s enough to tire him out right there.”
    Penn grinned. “He prolly had to climb a tree on top of it all.” He shook his head. “I’m leaving you here,” he said. “When you get settled, the two of you come to the house for dinner. Thera—that’s her, next to Boss Conrad—she’s been wanting to meet Boss Korval since we had word you’d be coming.”
    “We will be happy to visit,” Val Con said. “Indeed, we’re planning a small entertainment of our own, and hope that you and your lady will be able to attend.”
    Oh, were they ? Miri threw him a look.
    “Once we’re settled,” she said, firmly.
    He smiled. “Of course.”
    Penn cleared his throat and tried to look like he wasn’t grinning. The driver set the brake, and Penn popped the door, getting out first and letting himself be seen, just like he had four times before.
    “Only five more,” Miri said, sliding out after Penn. The place between her shoulders was starting to itch, again. Worse, her back was starting to hurt.
    “Five more,” Val Con agreed behind her. “And then we will be home.”
    Right.
    Miri came out of the car, remembering to smile, and to wave at the crowd when she got to Penn’s side. A second later, she felt Val Con’s fingers slip through hers.
    The black-haired woman in the warm coat came forward to take Penn’s hand, and the crowd applauded, amid some whistles and catcalling.
    “Listen up!” Penn called over the uproar. He waved at them to stand forward, which they did.
    “These here’re the Bosses Korval, Val Con yos’Phelium and Miri Robertson. They signed the Road Protection Agreement you read about in the newspaper, and they’ll be settling into the new house just in behind Boss Sherton’s turf. Take a good look at ’em, ’cause they tell me they don’t mean to be strangers here on Hamilton Street.
    “There’s an extra reason for that, too. I don’t know how many of you remember, but Miri Robertson, she grew up on this turf, back when Boss Latimer held it. She worked pickup in my dad’s machine shop, before she went off-world for merc. I’m proud to welcome her back, with her partner. These folks’re gonna be good for business, people!”
    There was more racket after that, while the four of them smiled and waved.
    After the noise died down some, Penn brought his wife around, and introduced her with a smile in which pride was plain.
    “I am so happy to meet both of you,” she said, reaching out to touch their sleeves. “Penn remembered to invite you to dinner, didn’t he?”
    “He did, indeed, and we are warmed by your hospitality,” Val Con said.
    Thera blushed. “It’s just what neighbors should do. We forgot that, and we need to relearn it.” She looked to Miri. “We need to learn to be civilized again.”
    Miri nodded,