"You make almost twice as much as I do," Derrence said, some bitterness
investing his voice. "Twenty a week should be enough to give you a few
extra sessions in ... mental improvement."
"Agreed," Tzadi said.
Derrence covered his surprise, and his discomfort. This wasn't a man
adept in the shakedown, the way a company spy should be. This was a man
pleasantly surprised by a windfall!
"For that," Derrence said, "I expect absolute silence. You understand
me, don't you?"
"Yes. I do. You can count on me, Der."
"Good," Derrence muttered, fighting the awful feeling that he'd thrown
away a hefty slice of income for nothing. Yet Tzadi _had_ information
which could hurt him. Tzadi _had_ known Mercy before today and lied
about it. Tzadi _had_ said he needed "help" with a personal problem.
* * * * *
They ordered. Tzadi ate lightly for a fat man; he left more than half
his meal. As soon as he pushed away his plate, he said, "I wonder if
you'd be kind enough to help me in another way, Der."
Derrence stopped chewing; then swallowed and took a sip of water.
"Another way," he said flatly. So money _hadn't_ been Tzadi's object.
"Yes. I ... uh...." For the first time, Tzadi showed uncertainty, even
embarrassment. "Just as you're in trouble because of what I know, I'm
in trouble because of what someone else knows. And actually, this
someone else knows that I know about you."
"You mean you have to pay off...."
"No. She won't accept a bribe. Not money, not position, not anything.
She wants me to ... turn you in."