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

understanding her point. “The Road ain’t the only thing that needs to open up.”
    “Exactly!” Thera smiled, then stepped back, giving way to Pat Rin. “We won’t keep you any longer. You must be looking forward to finishing up and having some time alone, and Boss Conrad looks like he could use a nap!”
    “It has been a long day, but we are on the short side of it now,” Pat Rin said in his mannerly voice.
    He shook Penn’s hand.
    “Thank you for beginning,” he said softly. “I will see it finished.”
    “No thanks needed,” Penn protested. “You warned me you were gonna put me to work, if I was fool enough to take up Second Boss in the Association.”
    “So I did,” said Pat Rin, smiling slightly. “I am pleased to note that my word is good.”
    * * *
    Cheever McFarland took over the driver’s slot, as the three of them settled into the back, Pat Rin in the seat Penn had occupied.
    “I fear we dismayed one of the dealers at the Emerald,” Val Con said, raising his hand to show off Korval’s Ring. “Villy did not realize that there were two in play.”
    “Security stepped up right sprightly,” Miri added, in case that might be a point of worry.
    Pat Rin sighed. “The child has quick eyes. I never thought to say that my kinsman would wear a like ring.” He sent Val Con a tired glance. “Indeed, I have said to . . . some . . . few . . . that we are kin, but to most, it appeared a—” He waggled his fingers, like he’d forgotten the word.
    “Complication,” Miri offered.
    “A needless complication.” Pat Rin shook his head. “ Two rings, Cousin . . .”
    “Will you give yours up, when all the world knows Boss Conrad’s ring?”
    “No, of course not. Nor might Korval leave off their Ring, when all the galaxy beyond knows it. Yes, we had talked. Yet, still it seems madness. The whole affair seems madness.”
    “Never stopped you before,” Cheever McFarland commented from the front of the car.
    “Thank you, Mr. McFarland.”
    “Wasn’t me decided to reform Surebleak, but now I’m in it, I don’t see any profit in quitting before we’re done.”
    “No one,” Pat Rin pointed out testily, “said that we were quitting.”
    “My mistake, sir. So you’ll just let out in the interview the news-rag’s bound to want from the Bosses Korval that them rings are family heirlooms or some such, that get worn by the boss. And since your family’s got two lines of business—on-world and outworld—there’s two rings.”
    “That seems the best path through confusion,” Val Con said with a nod. “Thank you, Mr. McFarland.”
    “No trouble. He’d’ve thought of it himself, but there was Mr. Shaper at the end of a short night, and beginning a long day.”
    “Who’s Mr. Shaper?” Miri asked.
    “Your nearest neighbor,” Pat Rin answered. “He freeholds the land directly adjacent to Jelaza Kazone’s new location. He is . . .” He paused. “It is possible that he would benefit from some time with a Healer, but I am not persuaded that he would allow it.”
    “Penn said he was skittish.”
    “Skittish. Perhaps that is the word.” Pat Rin closed his eyes, took a breath, and opened his eyes.
    “The next turf we approach is under the administration of Boss Whitman. This should be a very brief stop, as the Boss is one of few words and less patience. We then come to my own turf, where there is a picnic basket awaiting us, courtesy of Ms. Audrey. Given Ms. Audrey, we will likely have a large crowd, and a speech will be expected.” He smiled, faintly. “I will do my best to be succinct.”
    - - - - -
    Boss Whitman met them at the tollbooth, alone but for two ’hands. A curt nod, a sharp glance, and a rough, “I see ’em,” was the sum of it and they were back in the car before they’d gotten properly chilled.
    Val Con settled into his seat, Miri’s hand on his knee. She had been on alert all day, for which he certainly did not blame her; his own inclination was to have her stay