But there werent many opportunities for deals this big on Lalonde. She simply had to leave, that goal had never changed. The money from the deal would be a hefty slice towards the eighteen thousand fuseodollars she needed for a basic set of neural nanonics. Joshua would probably pay her an overall bonus as well. He was honest enough.
Which brought her to the real question of the day: whether or not she was going to go to bed with him. He had certainly asked her often enough over the last four days. He was handsome, if a trifle gaunt, with a good-looking body; and he must be talented after all the girls hed been with. An owner-captain under twenty-five years old, it would surely run into hundreds. Especially with that grin. He must practise it; so sexy. She rather liked the notion of what theyd be capable of doing to each other if they flung off every inhibition. There had been rumours back at the arcology about the prowess of people geneered for spaceflight, something to do with enhanced flexibility.
And if she didwhich she probably wouldhe might just take her with him when he left. It really wasnt a possibility she could afford to ignore. After Norfolk he said he was planning on returning to Tranquillity. That habitat was premier real estate, superior even to Earth and Kulu. Ive already whored my way down the river; whoring to Tranquillity would hardly be a hardship after that.
The Crashed Dumpers door creaked open. A young man in a blue and red checked shirt and long khaki shorts walked in, and sat down at the other end of the bar. He never even glanced at Marie, which was odd. She was wearing her sawn-off jeans and a dark-orange singlet, long limbs on show. His face looked familiar, early twenties, ruggedly attractive with a neatly trimmed beard. His clothes were new, and clean, made locally. Was he one of Durringhams new generation of merchants? Shed met a lot of them since she got the job at the embassy, and they were always keen to talk while they waited for Ralph Hiltch, her boss.
She pouted slightly. There, if she had neural nanonics shed have no trouble placing the name.
Beer, please, he told the barkeeper.
The voice fixed him, it just took a moment for her incredulity to die down. No wonder she hadnt recognized him to start with. She went over to him.
Quinn Dexter, what the bloody hell are you doing here? He turned slowly, blinking at her uncertainly in the pubs filtered light. She held back on a laugh, because it was obvious he didnt recognize her either.
His fingers clicked, and he smiled. Marie Skibbow. Glad to see you made it to the big city. Everybody wondered if you would. They didnt stop talking about you for a month.
Yeah, well ... She sat on the stool next to him as he paid for his beer from a thick wad of Lalonde francs. That wasnt right, Ivets didnt have hard cash. She waited until the barkeeper went away then dropped her voice. Quinn, dont tell people who you are. Theyre killing Ivets in this town right now. Its pretty nasty.
No problem. Im not an Ivet any more. I bought myself out of my work time contract.
Bought yourself out? Marie had never known you could do that.
Sure, he winked. Everything on this planet is financially orientated.
Ah, right. How did you buy it? Dont tell me dear old Aberdale started being successful.
No, not a chance, it never changed. I found some gold in the river.
Gold?
Yes, a nugget you wouldnt believe. He held up his hand, making a fist. This big, Marie, and thats the honest truth. So I kept going back, there was nothing ever as big as that first one, but I built up quite a little hoard. They thought it must have washed down from the mountains on the other side of the savannah, remember them?
God, dont remind me. I dont want to remember anything about that village.
Cant say I blame you. First thing I did was get out. Sailed straight down the Juliffe on a trader boat; took me a week and I got ripped off by the captain, but here I am. Arrived today.
Yeah, I got ripped off too. Marie studied her glass of brightlime. So whats happening upriver, Quinn? Have the Ivets really taken over the Quallheim Counties?
It was all news to me when we docked this morning. There was nothing like that in the offing when I left. Maybe theyre fighting over the gold. Whoever owns the motherlode is going to be seriously rich.
Theyve sent a load of sheriffs and deputies up there, armed to the teeth.
Oh, dear. That doesnt sound good. Guess Im lucky I got out when I did.
Marie realized how hot she had become in the last couple of minutes. When she glanced up she saw the fans had stopped spinning. Bloody typical, right when the sun was at its zenith. Quinn? How are my family?
Well ... He pulled a sardonic face. Your fathers not changed much.
She lifted her glass level with her face. Amen.
Lets see; your mothers OK, your brother-in-law is OK. Oh yes, Paulas pregnant.
Really? God, Ill be an aunt.
Looks like it. He took a swig of his beer.
So what are you going to do now?
Leave. Get on a starship and go, some planet where I can start over.
There was that much gold? she asked.
Yeah, that much, and then some.
Marie thought fast, weighing up her options. I can get you off Lalonde by tomorrow afternoon, and not back to Earth either, this is a fresh planet the captain is heading for. Clean air, open spaces, and a rock-solid economy.
Yeah? Quinn brightened considerably. The overhead fans began to turn again.
Yes. I have a contact in the ship, but I charge commission for introducing you.
You really landed on your feet, didnt you?
I do OK.
Marie, there werent any girls on the boat down the river.
She wasnt sure how he had suddenly got so close. He was pressed up beside her, and his presence was sending fissures of doubt straight through her self-confidence. Something about Quinn was monstrously intimidating, verging on menacing. I can help there, I think. I know a place, the girls are clean.
I dont want a place , Marie. Dear God, seeing you sitting there triggered all those memories I thought Id put behind me.
Quinn, she said laconically.
You think I can help it? You were every Ivets wet dream back at Aberdale, wed spend hours talking about you. Thered be fights over who got on the work detail to your homestead. I did, I got it every time, I made bloody sure I did.
Quinn!
You were everything I could never have, Marie. Damn Christ, I worshipped you, you were perfection, everything that was right and good in the world.
Dont, Quinn. Her head was spinning, making her dizzy. What he was saying was crazy, hed never even noticed her when he walked in the Crashed Dumper. It was so hot, the sweat was running down her back. His arm went round her, making her look into fevered eyes.
And now here you are again. My very own idol. Like God gave me a second chance. And Im not giving up this chance, Marie. Whatever it takes, I want you. I want you, Marie. Then his lips were on hers.
She was shaking against him when he finished the kiss. Quinn no, she mumbled. He tightened his grip, squashing her against him. His chest felt as though it was carved from rock, every muscle a steel band. She couldnt understand why she wasnt pushing him away. But she wasnt, the thought was inconceivable.
Im going to make it so good youre never going to leave me, he said in a frantic whisper. Im going to make you see Im the one for you, that there is no one else in the whole galaxy who can replace me. Im going to take you from this atrocity of a planet when I go; and were going to live somewhere sweet and beautiful, where there isnt any jungle, and people are happy. And Im going to buy us a big house, and Im going to make you pregnant, and our children are going to be so lovely it hurts to look at them. Youll see, Marie. Youll see what true love can bring when you give yourself up to me.