"Timothy Zahn - A Coming of Age" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zahn Timothy)

Tirrell shook his head sadly. It was always the same story: preteen on top of the world at his hive,
without the brains to look ahead to life after Transition. It wasn't like the event sneaked up on
anyoneтАФTransition was as sure as death and paperwork. Still, pretending it wasn't going to happen
was an easy trap to fall into, especially given the horror stories that circulated in the hives. Even
after twenty years Tirrell's own memories of that time held some sore spots. "What about his buyer
here? Have you picked him up yet?"

"Yeah, but I'm not sure it'll lead us anywhere. He claims he doesn't know anything about gem
smugglingтАФsays his warehouse was broken into the night after we intercepted that load eight
months back." Alverez shrugged. "I'm inclined to believe himтАФlike Sandur, he's too small an
operator for professionals to trust."

"Which leaves us whoever in Raella is pulling the Cleopatra act," Tirrell growled. Eight months of
hard work, gone like a hole in water.

"I believe Cleopatra was only putting pearls in wine, but you've got the right idea." Alverez
scratched his cheek and picked up another piece of paper. "It's Raella's ball nowтАФwhich is just as
well, because something came in half an hour ago that I want you on. It looks like we might have a
new fagin operating in town."

The hairs on the back of Tirrell's neck stirred, and suddenly the scenery outside the window didn't
seem quite so picturesque any more. Gem smugglers were businessmen, opponents to match wits
with; fagins were more on a level with vermin. "What's happened?"

"Four-year-old boy was kidnapped in broad daylight at Vaduz ParkтАФkidnapped so casually that his
sitter didn't even realize what had happened until an hour afterward. We've got a shakedown squad
out there now looking for clues, but I'm not expecting much."

"The boy's parents been notified?" Tirrell asked, already heading for the door.

"Foster parents, yes. They're on their way to the park now."

Tirrell nodded grimly. "All right. I'll see you later."

Opening the door, he left at a fast walk.



The sitter who'd been watching Colin Brimmer was seventeen years old, a student at Ridge Harbor
Introductory School picking up a few extra points toward medical training. She was also very near
the point of tears, a point which, judging by the puffiness of her eyes, she'd already been by at least
once. "I don't know what else I can tell you, Detective Tirrell," she said, sniffing as she fought
halfheartedly with her sinuses. "I've told the other policemen everything I know. Please, I just want
to go home."

file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/T...othy%20Zahn%20-%20A%20Coming%20of%20Age.htm (8 of 190) [12/31/2004 12:01:27 AM]
A Coming of Age