Kinsmen 01 - Silver Shark

security?"
    "If they catch hackers on the bionet, they kill them." Renata leaned closer. "Venturo's death count is in dozens. You can't keep doing that sort of work and not be affected."
    You don't say.
    "He looks delicious and golden, but his head is a dark place. He was attacked in front of our building once - four people - and he drove each of them to impale themselves onto an iron fence, one by one. You don't need to tangle with that kind of mind. Trust me on this."
    "I understand," Claire said.
    "There is a reason why psychers in Guardian Inc. aren't permitted to read our minds. Sometimes a two-way connection happens and you see things in their heads. Dark things. He's a kinsman - all they care about is power and influence. Not to mention that nothing serious could ever come from it. Psychers love other psychers. Something about joining of the minds, and all that."
    Venturo saw them. His steps sped up a fraction.
    Renata fell silent.
    Claire looked down at her tablet.
    Venturo stopped by them. "Renata, where is the new hire? The refugee?"
    Claire glanced up. Renata cleared her throat and pointed at Claire with her stylus. Venturo turned. His eyes narrowed.
    For a brief, tiny second the two of them were alone in the Universe, and then he nodded. "Love the hair. I need the summary of the Sangori file."
    He turned and stalked into his office.
    Renata jerked her head in the direction of his retreating back and mouthed, "Go."
    Claire smiled inwardly and followed.
    Venturo landed in his chair, his face dark, and leaned back, hands on the arm rest. The door slid shut, sealing them from the rest of the offices. Claire sat.
    "Sangori File," Claire began, enunciating clearly to let him tag it in his head. "Principals: Savien Sangori, head of the family, sixty-two years old, grey hair, stocky build, tendency to lick his lips when he is nervous."
    "Was this in the file?" he asked.
    "This was in the news footage which I watched this morning. It was recorded when he was interviewed last year in connection with insider trading."
    He nodded. "Continue."
    "Maureen Sangori, wife of Savien, fifty-seven years old, dark hair, lean, Combat implant of at least B level. Prefers knives. Quick to anger. Likes the color white: white dress, white flowers, white aerial..."
    It took her about an hour to recite the Sangori file. Sangori Finances, the investment concern with net worth of one point two billion credits, had grown too large for the common computing solutions. The firm prepared to switch to bionet by launching the new incarnation of the management system that allowed their clients instant access to their portfolio. They were in desperate need of a bionet safety solution and Guardian Inc. was happy to provide them with one.
    Venturo listened with his eyes closed without interruptions. There was always a chance that she miscalculated, but most psychers perceived and processed the information similarly. She had presented it the way her own mind analyzed it, except she preferred her cues to be visual.
    "End file," she said.
    Venturo opened his eyes.
    A digital screen chimed. "Sangori appointment in twenty minutes, Red Conference Room."
    Ven stood up, went to the door, and paused by Renata's desk. "Take her off routine processing."
    "For how long?" Renata asked.
    "Until further notice." Ven started down the hallway and turned, walking backward. "Come on."
    Claire pointed at herself. "Me?"
    "Who else?"
    She caught up with him. "Where are we going?"
    "To my Sangori appointment. I may need another point of view."
    She hid a grin and followed him into the elevator.

Chapter Four
    Claire strode down the hallway, her heels clicking lightly on the transparent floor, her tablet in her hand. She wore a pale green dress that set off her hair and her new tan. The day was winding down, and the week with it.
    The hallway brought her to thirty-three twelve, a wide room nicknamed the Wheel. The Wheel consisted of a round common area from which a dozen office rooms branched in a circle. From above it looked like a flower with a circular middle and elongated petals.
    People emerged from the offices at her approach. Hands held out pseudopapers and data strips. She was a link to Ven and everyone wanted to get their bit in before the Friday rolled to a close.
    "Earnings projections for the next twin-week!"
    "What do you want me to do about Vinogradov case?" Marto asked.
    "He will look at it this afternoon," she replied.
    "What about Hawk Corp.?" Liana