Read Online Starship: Mercenary (Starship, Book 3) by Mike Resnick - Free Book Online Page B

am by your concern,” said Cole wryly. “Are we about ready to get this show on the road?”
    “Another minute or two,” said Val, studying Morrison intently. “He’s right-handed. If he pulls a knife or some other weapon I can’t see, it’ll be with his right hand.”
    “Does it matter which hand he pulls a weapon with?” asked David.
    “Of course,” answered Val. “The first arm I break will be his right one.”
    “Break his arm?” said David incredulously. “He’s as big as a mountain!”
    “Just stand clear when he falls,” said Val. She studied Morrison for another minute, then nodded. “All right. Let’s go earn our money.”
    Cole handed his burner to Sharon. “Just in case we both need avenging,” he said, then turned to follow Val to the table. “It’d be nice if you’d tell me exactly what I’m supposed to do,” he said softly.
    “Just stand next to Morrison while I’m showing everyone how they’re being cheated,” she said.
    “I hope you don’t think I’m going to fight him?”
    “No. But he’s the one with the money, so we don’t want him getting away. Just stick a burner or a pulse gun in his back until I finish with the dealer. I’ll take over from there—though if you’d like to disarm him, I’d consider that a personal favor.”
    “I’ll disarm him,” said Cole. “What do you know about the dealer that the holo cameras don’t show?”
    “I know he’s cheating. I know it’s not a marked deck, because there’s never been a marked deck I couldn’t read, so I know he’s got to be using a shiner.
    “But the cameras can’t spot it, and I’m sure they search every dealer when they come on the floor and when they quit for the night or even take a break.”
    “I’m sure, too.”
    “Then, to repeat: what do you think you know?”
    “You’re a smart man,” she said. “You’ll figure it out.”
    “I can only think of one thing,” said Cole. “And if you’re wrong, you’re going to maim him.”
    “See?” said Val with another smile. “I told you you’d figure it out.”
    “Oh, shit!” muttered Cole. “You’d damned well better be right.”
    Then they were at the table.
    “Back for more?” asked the dealer pleasantly, as Cole edged around the table and took up a position directly behind where Morrison was seated.
    “No,” said Val. “I don’t like to be cheated more than once a night.”
    “There’s no reason to be a bad loser, ma’am,” said the dealer.
    “There was no reason to be a loser at all,” she replied. “You’ve been cheating all week, you and your partner.”
    “Ma’am, if you become difficult, I’m going to have to call Security.”
    “Call them,” said Val. “It’ll save me the trouble. After all, we’re going to have to lock you up.”
    “That’s enough!” snapped Morrison.
    Cole pressed the end of his pulse gun against Morrison’s back.
    “Just relax,” he said softly. “Don’t turn around, and keep your hands on the table.”
    “Is this a robbery?” asked Morrison, looking straight ahead.
    “No, this is the end of a robbery,” answered Cole, removing the huge man’s burner and screecher.
    “Nobody’s robbing anyone,” said the dealer.
    “You’ve got that right,” agreed Val. “How long did you think you could get away with it?”
    “I’m not getting away with anything!” said the dealer heatedly.
    “Not anymore,” agreed Val. “But I have to admit it’s the best-hidden shiner I’ve ever experienced.”
    The dealer held his hands out, palms up. “Do you see a shiner?” he demanded. He looked around at the crowd that was gathering. “Does anyone see a mirror? Do you want me to roll my sleeves up?”
    “Why bother?” said Val. “It’s not in your sleeves.”
    “Then where do you think it is?” he snapped.
    “I’m looking at it,” said Val.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “This!” she said, grabbing his left wrist with a powerful hand.
    “You’re hurting me!”