"You need money to buy some underwear with."
She slammed her hand into my face. I ducked back, and stood there,
blinking.
"Look, Holcomb, as far as I'm concerned, the deal's on. Fine. Thanks
for helping me out back there, too. But just thanks--no further
payment. And no kidding around. This is a business deal. Have you got
that straight, or do I burn you down where you stand and find another
boy?"
She meant it. I looked down at her hand, and one of the Colts was in it.
"Okay." I hadn't meant that crack as a pass, but as long as the
question had come up, it was all right by me to have it settled right
here. "But put that thing away before I make you eat it."
She grinned, suddenly, and put the gun back. "I'm sorry, Ash. But
it's the best way I've ever found to establish a clear-cut business
relationship. Partners?"
She stuck out her hand, and I took it.
"Deal."
A siren rose and died on Rocket Row. Pat jumped back. "Damn it!" she
said. She shot a glance up the alley. "We'd better split up," she said.
"Look, Ash," she said hastily, "I'll get in touch with you. Meanwhile,
do what I tell you to, and don't waste time asking me why. I'll tell
you later. All you have to do now is take the job Transolar is going to
offer you. That's all. Take that job, and start to carry it out. I'll
be in touch with you somewhere along the line."
She looked down toward the alley's mouth. I followed her glance, and
saw shadowy figures of men running by.
"They'll be in here in a minute. I've got a car a couple of blocks
away. I'll see you, Ash."
"Yeah. Hurry up," I added, as the first of the cops came warily into
the alley.
I pulled my gun and ducked behind a barrel as she started to run. The
cop yelled and came after her. I snapped a shot over his head, and
that drove him into cover. Over the shouts that rose, I could hear her
footsteps fading out.
I followed her cautiously, sliding from behind one ashcan to another,
keeping the cops down with an occasional shot. I made it out of the
alley and into the street, then ducked into a doorway, kicked the lock
loose, took the stairs two at a time to the roof, and got away over the
housetops.
And all the time, I was wondering about Pat, the job that Transolar was
going to offer me, and how she'd known about it.