"Elizabeth Moon - Serrano 3 - Winning Colors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moon Elizabeth)

"Well what, exactly?"
"It's something you'd be much better at . . . you know you have a talentтАФ"
She knew when she was being conned. "Arash, I'm hungry, and you've promised me a good meal . . . at least
wait until I'm softened up before you start trying to put your hooks in."
"Me?" But that wide-eyed look was meant to be seen through. He grinned at her; it no longer put shivers
down her spine, but she had to admit the charm. "Greedy lady . . . and yes, I did agree to feed you. Salieri's
is still acceptable?"
"Entirely." Expensive and good food, a combination rarer than one might suppose. And whatever Arash
thought he was getting from her, it would not include anything more than a dinner companion . . . she
wondered if he had any idea of her present situation with Petris. Probably not, and better that he live in
blissful ignorance.
Salieri's midway through the second shift had a line out to the concourse, but Arash led her past it. "We have
reservations," he said. Sure enough, at his murmur the gold-robed flunky at the door let them pass. Heris felt
her spirits lift in the scarlet and gold flamboyance of the main foyer, with the sweet strains of the lilting waltz
played by a live orchestra in the main dining room. Whatever Arash wanted, this would be fun.
Two hours later, after a lavish meal, he got down to it. "You do owe me a favor, you know," he said.
"True. That and a fat bank account will get you a dinner at Salieri's."
"Hardhearted woman. I suppose even civilian life couldn't soften your head." He didn't sound surprised.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Captain Livadhi. What's your problem?"
"You mentioned my illustrious crew. My . . . er . . . talented finaglers."
Heris felt her eyebrows going up. "So I did. So they are. What else?"
Livadhi leaned closer. "There's someone I need to get off my ship. Quickly. I was hopingтАФ"
"What's he done?" Heris asked.
"It's not so much that," Livadhi said. "More like something he didn't do, and he needs to spend some time out
of contact with Fleet Command."
"Or he'll drag you down with him?" Heris suggested, from a long knowledge of Livadhi. She was not surprised
to see the sudden sheen of perspiration on his brow, even in the dim light of their alcove.
"Something like that," he admitted. "It's related to the matter you and I were involved in, but I really don't want
to discuss it in detail."
"But you want me to spirit him away for a while, without knowing diddly about him?"
"Not . . . in detail." He gave her a look that had melted several generations of female officers; she simply
smiled and shook her head.
"Not without enough detail to keep my head off the block. How do I know that you aren't being pressured to
slip an assassin aboard to get rid of Lady Cecelia? Or me?"
"It's nothing like that," he said. In the pause that followed, she could almost see him trying on various stories
to see which she might accept. As he opened his mouth, she spoke first.
"The truth, Livadhi." To her satisfaction, he flushed and looked away.
"The truth is . . . it's not like that; it's not an assassin. It's my best communications tech, who's heard what
he shouldn't have, and needs a new berth. He's a danger to himself, and to the ship, where he is."
"On my ship," said Heris. "With my friends . . . are you sure no one's put you up to this to land trouble on
me?" This time his flush was anger.
"On my honor," he said stiffly. Which meant that much was true; the Livadhis, crooked as corkscrews in
some ways, had never directly given the lie while on their honor. She knew that; he knew she knew that.
"All right," she said. "But if he gives me the wrong kind of trouble, he's dead."
"Agreed. Thank you." From the real gratitude in his voice she knew the size of the trouble his man was in.
Then what he'd said earlier caught up with her. Communications tech . . . best? That had to be . . .
"Koutsoudas?" she asked, trying to keep her face still. He just grinned at her, and nodded. "Good heavens,
Arash, what is the problem?"
"I can't say. Please. He may tell you, if he wantsтАФI don't think it's a good idea, but the situation may change,
and I trust his judgment. Just take care of him. If you can."