The Dark Lady

able to visit the world where she will make her next appearance, and if she is indeed who I suspect she is, this may literally constitute an act of heresy.
    There is also a possibility that I am wrong, that she did not contact me at all, and that she indeed has no interest whatsoever in non-humans. But I cannot know this until I speak to her, and I cannot speak to her unless I help my friend. Therefore, if I am wrong, if indeed she did not visit me, then I will have helped my friend commit this criminal act for no higher purpose than financial gain, and I will share his guilt.
    I require moral and ethical guidance, and there is no one else to whom I can turn. Therefore, I entreat you to
    I felt a hand on my shoulder and sat upright, startled.
    “The boss wants to see you,” said Hector Rayburn.
    “Right now?” I asked.
    “That's what she says.”
    “Thank you, Friend Hector,” I said.
    I instructed my computer to store the letter in its memory, then got to my feet and walked to Tai Chong's office.
    “Come in, Leonardo,” she said with a pleasant smile.
    “Yes, Great Lady,” I said, entering the room. I noticed immediately that a new hologram had been added to those that showed her winning awards and posing with various artists: This one depicted her being led to the Kennicott jail by two burly policemen, a triumphant expression on her face.
    “Interesting, isn't it?” she said, following my gaze.
    “It is frightening, Great Lady,” I said truthfully. “The policemen look very powerful and very angry.”
    “They were,” she said happily. “I think I am prouder of that hologram than any of the others.”
    I did not know what to reply to a person who took such obvious delight at being arrested for breaking the law, so I made no reply.
    After a moment she cleared her throat and spoke again: “I was wondering if you've heard from Valentine Heath yet?”
    “I spoke to him this morning, Great Lady.”
    “And?”
    “He is still determined to rob Malcolm Abercrombie.”
    “Did you tell him that I wanted to see him?”
    My hue deepened in humiliation.
    “I forgot, Great Lady.”
    “Well, no matter,” she said. “But please remember to tell him the next time you see him.”
    “I will not see him again, Great Lady.”
    “Oh? Why not?”
    “Because he intends to rob Malcolm Abercrombie tonight, and he will almost certainly be apprehended.” I paused. “He is staying at the Far London Towers, Great Lady. Possibly you can dissuade him.”
    “Perhaps,” she said. “What makes you so sure that he will be caught? He's a very clever man.”
    “Because he has never been inside Malcolm Abercrombie's house, and he is unfamiliar with the security system. He has asked for my help, but I refused.”
    “I see.”
    I shifted my weight uneasily. “I have a request to make, Great Lady.”
    “What is it?”
    “Does Claiborne have a branch on Saltmarsh?”
    “That's in the Albion Cluster, isn't it?”
    “Yes, Great Lady.”
    “I believe we do have a small outlet there,” she said. “Why?”
    “I desire an immediate transfer to Saltmarsh.”
    She frowned. “Why? Are you unhappy here?”
    “No, Great Lady!” I exclaimed. “Quite the contrary: I love my work and I am happy with my surroundings. But I believe that the Dark Lady will soon be on Saltmarsh, and it is imperative that I speak to her.”
    “Why?”
    “There is a possibility— not a certainty, but a possibility— that she may have enormous religious significance for the race of Bjornn,” I replied. “I realize that it sounds ludicrous when I say it, but I must see her again to determine the truth.”
    “Why didn't you mention this to me yesterday?” she asked.
    “I only found out last night,” I replied. “I had hoped to take a leave of absence and go to Saltmarsh with Reuben Venzia, but he has already departed without me.” I paused. “You are my only hope.”
    She stared at me thoughtfully. “What about Heath?” she asked at last. “You are friends, are you not?”
    “He lacks the money even to fuel his ship,” I said. “That is why he is so intent on robbing Malcolm Abercrombie.”
    “Has he any interest in the Dark Lady?” she asked, drawing meaningless little patterns on a pad of paper as she spoke.
    “He is interested in her only as a piece of property that he can sell to Malcolm Abercrombie,” I said.
    “How vulgar,” she replied. She seemed lost in thought for a moment, and then she suddenly stood up. “I