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With a grunt, he checked his wrist chrono. “As long as you know what you’re doing. I got something to tell you and you can tell this boyfriend of yours or not, as you choose. It’s juicy and information he’ll want to know but I leave it up to you if you want to give him the gift.”
Micki was afraid of what the secret might be and she was sure this was the point of the lunch date. Any secret of Denzin’s was bound to be a heavy and frightening load to carry but she couldn’t draw back now. “All right.”
“Limp dick Kumisarc was in the camp yesterday too, negotiating a pact with the local boss. I was called in as a consultant, you might say.” Now he did smile and it was terrifying. “The upper bosses wanted my opinion on the deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“A scheme to traffic certain resources?—”
He means the people, she realized.
“To Kumisarc mining operations on the fringe and in the hinterland. Off the books spots where the work is killing and no one goes home to tell any tales. The guy on the Combine’s end will make sure people in the camp are excited to sign up and go. They’ll recruit the best men and women for a bounty on each head. Once the displaced person signs on the dotted line, there’s no backing out. The contracts will be legal and binding but the destinations—” He lifted his shoulders and then sipped his wine. “Might not live up to their descriptions, shall we say. Kumisarc gets a source of cheap labor and he can make a profit on his mines, which right now are failing because the mining guild refuses to send anyone there. He’s under a lot of pressure from the family to bring up his profits any way he can.”
“The whole dancing cruise was a ruse to get him here, to surreptitiously meet with the local boss?” she asked, horrified.
“I see you retain a good understanding of how things work in my world.” Denzin pointed at her plate. “Eat up, you need your strength for all the fancy dancing.”
“I’m not hungry. Why are you telling me this? Isn’t there a Combine code against betraying their secrets?”
Denzin shook his head, acting quite pleased with himself. “It ain’t my operation. I don’t live on this damn planet and I’m leaving in about an hour. The guy who runs this territory for us is my direct rival in fact, for a big position which will be opening up in about two weeks?—”
She held up one hand and closed her eyes. “Don’t tell me any more. I don’t want to know.”
“So if this local guy takes a fall, it’s all good for me. Don’t worry about me—I can spin this twelve ways and come out smelling like your flower there.” Denzin was relentless. “Your boyfriend will know who to involve in taking this down, if he wants to, which I’m sure he will because Kumisarc is their direct rival. Him and me are similar, sister.”
“Josh is a white hat,” she said stubbornly.
“Generational billionaires are all sharks because that’s their world, don’t kid yourself. His family chooses to be do-gooders along the way. Others make different choices.” He rose from the chair, throwing his napkin on the table. “I gotta be going. Stay and eat, or have them pack it up for you—the bill is paid. Wish we had more time but it is what it is.” He opened his arms and despite her conflicted emotions Micki rose and stepped into his bear hug.
“You take care of yourself,” she said fiercely.
He kissed her cheek and pulled away, holding out a mini holo data chip, which she took, flipping it over curiously. All the surfaces were blank, except for a tiny red button.
“What’s this?”
He gripped her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “You ever need anything—anything at all—this is a one time way to contact me. Promise me you’ll use it if the need ever arises.”
“I—I will but?—”
“You’ll never see me again otherwise, I give you my word and trust me, that’s golden in the circles I travel in. I don’t make promises lightly. I’m satisfied you’re okay and I accept your judgment this guy is the one. I wish you well, sister of my heart.”
Tears in her eyes, she kissed him and then he was gone, out a door she hadn’t even seen behind a curtain on the rear wall of the room. She surveyed the uneaten meal and her stomach revolted. Touching the already fading starscent bloom with a fingertip, she gathered her self-control, not wanting to walk out of a restaurant full of staring people in tears. She picked up her purse and headed for the door without a backward glance.
When she walked into the main restaurant area, Micki did a doubletake and stopped. The entire place was empty. No waiters, no diners, no hostess. The tables were clear of dishes and the lights were off, but enough daylight filtered in through the front windows she could see to make her way to the door. She was tense, as if unseen eyes were watching her and all she wanted was to be outside and away from here. The door was a bit sticky and once she got it open and stepped onto the small porch, it slammed shut behind her and a lock clicked. Micki spun to see a GONE OUT OF BUSINESS sign dangling in the window and she stumbled down the stairs in a state of shock. There was no groundcar waiting, which was a relief because she’d be unwilling to enter such a mob vehicle again. The street was quiet, deserted, with the other businesses along the sidewalk either closed or not of a type to attract foot traffic. In the distance she could see a busy road and remembered the limousine had been on a thoroughfare before turning into this street to reach the restaurant.
Micki walked toward the bigger street but her unease grew with each step. Would she trust a robocab even if she could hail one? She was nearly running now, angry at Denzin for putting her into what was obviously a dangerous situation. Footsteps sounded behind her and with a gasp she ducked into an alley. When she peeked around the edge of the building, there was no one there, but she’d had enough. Pulling out her handheld, she called Josh.
“Micki? Where are you?” he asked as soon as he accepted the com.
For a moment she couldn’t summon words and pressed the handheld to her chest, fighting tears. “I’m in trouble. I’m on the planet.”
Josh swore. “What the fuck are you doing there? You didn’t go back to the camp, did you?”
“I’ll explain later. Right now I need a way to get out of here.”
He didn’t ask any more questions. “I’m sending a groundcar from the local Benfield office and the driver will bring you to the shuttle landing bay at the spaceport. I’ve got a fix on your location.” Now he was obviously walking and talking. “I’m on my way to the shuttle bay now. Are you in immediate danger? Should I call the local police?”
“No.” Her reply was instantaneous and terrified. Nothing about Denzin could be brought to the attention of local cops. “I’ll be fine here—how long till the car arrives?”
