"I'm afraid you'll have to reach a decision now." X's voice was cold.
Gavin's hard blue eyes went wary.
The T.I.S. maintained in their secret files a complete record of
every man and woman engaged in the slave trade. Gavin had studied it
thoroughly in preparation for this assignment. Trev, he knew, besides
being a broker in slaves for Josiah Cabot, was suspected of dealing
in merchandise of a great deal more dangerous character. Scientific
secrets.
Trev was a free lance, buying from independent spies and selling to
the highest bidder. He was tolerated because the very corporations
and governments he stole from were also his patrons. Trev would have
connections with all the secret agencies of the different corporations.
If anyone were dickering with X to sell the _Nova's_ space drive,
Trev would be the likeliest suspect. And, if Trev thought Gavin was
dickering with X, the Martian wouldn't hesitate to betray him to Cabot.
That was one side.
On the other hand, it might be a trap. His best policy was to have
nothing to do with X.
He said, "I don't do business with someone I don't know. I'm going now.
Don't try to stop me."
"Meg," said Mr. X.
* * * * *
Gavin felt the girl's hand seize his shoulders in a grip of steel. She
had come up behind him lightly as a cat. Her fingers dug into his arms
and held him like a vise. Her buxomness, he realized, in dismay, must
be solid muscle.
"Kill him," she advised X over Gavin's shoulder. "He's probably a spy
for one of the other companies." She had a harsh metallic voice.