Oracle Trilogy - Omnibus by Mike Resnick

Author:Mike Resnick
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi

PART 3:

The

Jade

Queen’s

Book

18

Chandler remained in his rooming house for three days following the attempts on his life, leaving only to have dinner each night at the Wolfman’s restaurant. He considered meeting with some of the Surgeon’s former clientele and going through the motions of soliciting business, but decided against it. After all, both the Oracle and the Democracy had tried to kill him; there didn’t seem to be any reason to try to maintain his cover.

On the fourth night, as he entered the restaurant accompanied by Gin, who had resumed his duties though his injured shoulder was still heavily-bandaged, the Wolfman spotted him and immediately approached him.

“Follow me, please,” he said, leading them to a small circular room at the back of the restaurant, where Lord Lucifer sat at a hexagonal table.

“Good evening, Mr. Chandler,” said Lord Lucifer.

“Good evening,” replied Chandler, looking around the room as Gin seated himself at the table. Finally he took a small device out of his pocket and pressed it against a wall, where it remained when he took his hand away.

“What’s that?” asked the Wolfman.

“An anti-eavesdropping device,” answered Chandler. “It’ll scramble any signals that might leave this room.”

“You’re a very careful man, Mr. Chandler,” said Lord Lucifer.

“That’s how I stay alive.”

“Can I bring you anything, Whistler?” asked the Wolfman. “I just got in a shipment of Cygnian cognac.”

“Later.”

“Dinner, perhaps?”

“We’ll let you know.”

The Wolfman shrugged and went back into the restaurant while Chandler seated himself at the table and waited for Gin and Lord Lucifer to do the same.

“Well?” said Chandler, facing the dapper criminal.

“Finding a way to smuggle you onto Hades is proving to be more difficult than I thought,” replied Lord Lucifer. “Since Boma’s death the Blue Devils have taken additional security measures on their shuttle flights. It can be done, of course, but it will take a lot more time and planning than I had anticipated.” He paused and smiled. “She’s definitely not very anxious to see you in the flesh, Mr. Chandler.”

“If she’s everything she’s supposed to be, I don’t imagine she’s losing any sleep over the prospect,” replied Chandler. “This is probably the Blue Devils’ idea.” He stopped speaking, struck by a sudden thought.

“What is it, Mr. Chandler?” asked Lord Lucifer, staring at him intently.

“Consider what I just said,” answered Chandler. “There’s no reason why a woman who can foresee the future should be worried about me trying to kill her. Therefore, this has to be the Blue Devils’ idea.” He stared at Lord Lucifer. “What does that imply to you?”

“That they don’t want you to reach her.”

“Of course they don’t,” said Chandler impatiently. “But why not? They know the extent of her power—it’s what’s kept them out of the Democracy—so why should this worry them?”

“I see!” said Lord Lucifer, suddenly grinning.

“Well, I don’t see a damned thing,” interjected Gin. “Would someone please tell me what you two think you know?”

Chandler turned to the driver. “I’ve been hired to bring her out, and to kill her only as a last resort. I haven’t figured out how to kill her yet, and they have no reason to think she can be killed.

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