The Sixth Discipline

  ***

  Two days later, Ran-Del waited in an alley beside Marina Quinn and wondered how a woman could do Marina’s job. There were occasionally women warriors among the Sansoussy, but it was rare enough to cause comment.

  There was an almost imperceptible beep, and Quinn lifted her wrist to her mouth.

  “Yes?” she murmured into the portable com.

  Ran-Del couldn’t hear the reply clearly, but Quinn nodded. “He’s on his way downstairs,” she said.

  Ran-Del looked at the building to their right, and wondered what had compelled Hans Leong to hire a whore to receive his attentions when the women in Shangri-La seemed so free with their favors.

  “Now,” Quinn said, “you’re sure you’ll know if he’s got backup handy?”

  “I’ll know if he knows about it,” Ran-Del corrected. “If his mother’s having him followed without his knowledge, we’re out of luck.”

  “We’re more than out of luck,” Quinn said, with the ghost of a laugh. “We’re screwed.”

  Ran-Del smiled but didn’t answer.

  Quinn studied his face. “That’s a really handy talent you’ve got. Mind telling me why you told me about it? The Baroness didn’t want you to; I could see that.”

  Ran-Del looked at her steadily. “I wanted you to understand that I’d know if you tried to betray us.”

  Quinn nodded. “I can see that.” The com beeped again, and she stepped back into the shadows. Ran-Del stepped back with her, and in a few seconds, Hans Leong came out the back door of the brothel and walked briskly down the steps.

  Ran-Del stared at him, concentrating all his energies on reading the man’s thoughts.

  “He has two guards waiting in a bar around the corner,” Ran-Del said. “There’s no one else, not that he knows about.”

  “Let’s move, then,” Quinn said, pressing a key on her com.