"Serrano Legacy - 03 - Winning Colors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moon Elizabeth)

"It's something you'd be much better atа.а.а. you know you have a talentЧ"
She knew when she was being conned. "Arash, I'm hungry, and you've promised me a good mealа.а.а. 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 ladyа.а.а. 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 companionа.а.а. 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. Myа.а.а. erа.а.а. 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 hopingЧ"
"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?"
"Notа.а.а. 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 isа.а.а. 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 friendsа.а.а. 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 techа.а.а. best? That had to beа.а.а.
"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 wantsЧI 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."
"Oh, I think we're capable of that. When do you want him back?"
"Not until things settle down. I'll get word to you, shall I?" Then, before she could say anything, he added, "Well, that's all taken care ofа.а.а. would you like to dance?" The orchestra had just launched into another waltz. Heris thought about it. Arash had been a good dancing partner in the old days, but in the meantime she'd danced with Petris at the Hunt Ball.
"No, thank you," she said, smiling at the memory. "I had better get back to work. When shall I expectа.а.а. erа.а.а. your package?"
Arash winced. "Efficient as ever. Or have I lost the touch?"
"I don't think so," Heris said. "You just put the touch on me, if you think about it that way, and I do. But my owner isn't thrilled with the number of ex-military crew we have now, and she's going to have kittensЧor, in her case, coltsЧwhen she finds out about this. I have some preliminary groundwork to do."
"Ah. Well, then, allow me to escort you at least to the concourse."
"Better not." Heris had been thinking. "This was a very public meeting, and I can understand your reasoning. But why let whomever is interested think you might have convinced me of whatever it is you were after?"
"I thought an open quarrel would be too obvious," Livadhi said. "If we were simply courteousЧ"
Heris grinned at him. "I am always courteous, Commander, as you well know. Even in a quarrel."
"Ouch. Well, then, since I can't persuade youЧ" He rose politely, with a certain stiffness, and she nodded. An observant waiter came to her chair, and although they walked out together, they were clearly not a couple.
In the anteroom, she said, "I'm sorry, Commander, but things have changed. It's not just being a civilianа.а.а. I have otherа.а.а. commitments. I'm sure you'll understand. It's not wise, at times like theseа.а.а."
"ButЧ"
"I can find my way, Commander. Best wishes, of course." Watching eyes could not have missed that cool, formal, and very unfriendly parting.
а
The newly refurbished yachtSweet Delight lay one final shift cycle in the Spacenhance docks, as Heris Serrano inspected every millimeter of its interior. Forest green carpet soft underfootа.а.а. she tried not to think of its origin, nor that of the crisp green/blue/white paisley-patterned wall covering in the dining salon. At least the ship didn'tsmell like cockroaches anymore. The galley and pantries, left in gleaming white and steel by Lady Cecelia's command, had no odd odors. In the recreation section, everything looked perfect: the swimming pool with its new screen programsа.а.а. Heris flicked through them to be sure the night sky had been removed. Lady Cecelia didn't want any sudden darkness to remind her of the months of blindness she'd endured. The massage lounger had its new upholstery; the riding simulator had a new saddle and a whole set of new training cubes, including the two most recent Wherrin Trials recordings.
The crew quarters, while not quite as luxurious as the owner's section, had more amenities than crews could expect anywhere else. Heris's own suite reflected a new comfort with her civilian status; she had installed a larger bed, a comfortable upholstered chair, and chosen more colorful appointments. Down in the holds, she checked for any leftover debris from the renovation. She had already found a narrow triangle of wall covering and two odd-shaped bits of carpet.
"Heris!" That had to be Lady Cecelia herself. Heris grinned and backed out of the number three hold. Cecelia would want to see for herself that every single cockroach cage had been removed.
"Coming," she called. But the quick footsteps didn't wait for her to get back to the owner's territory. Cecelia's rejuvenation had left her with more energy than she could contain; here she was, striding down the corridor at top speed.
"Did you know about this?" Cecelia waved a hardcopy at her; she had bright patches of color on her cheeks and her short red hair seemed to be standing on end.
"What?" Heris couldn't tell what it was, although the blue cover suggested a legal document. Whatever it was had made the owner furious, and Lady Cecelia furious made most people move quickly out of her way. Heris, secure in her status as captain and friend, stood her ground.
"This court decision." The blue-gray eyes bored into hers.
"Court decision? On your competency?" Of course the court would restore full competency to Cecelia; it would be crazy to pretend that this individual was anything but competent.