The Girl With a Symphony in Her Fingers by Michael G Coney

Author:Michael G Coney [Coney, Michael G]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780575129382
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Published: 2013-03-29T04:00:00+00:00

A couple of weeks passed during which we heard nothing more from Rennie, although rumor in the club had it that investigations were under way and one or two people had been discreetly questioned. I prevailed upon Lambert to allow me to see Joanne again and we had a pleasant though inconclusive ‘talk through the wire. She told me that Carioca Jones had been to see her several times—apparently the ex-3-V star had more pull than I—and that she was getting up a petition demanding her release. Behind the petition was an implied threat that the Foes could make things even hotter for the state pen by stepping up their demonstrations and publicity, if they so desired. It was now mid-June, and although Joanne was due for release in less than three months, September seemed a hell of a way off.

In fact the Foes had been quiet lately, following their public humiliation over the episode of Charles. Carioca explained this to’ me one morning when she arrived with the monstrous Wilberforce—who was wearing a muzzle, I was relieved to see.

“My dear, we’re torn by internal dissension,” she cried.

It seemed a tactless moment to ask when the Foes were going to pay me for the forty-eight slithe-skin wristlets, but I have never prided myself on diplomacy.

“I really can’t say when you’ll see your money, Joe,” she replied distantly. “The Foes are more than a little fragmented just now, and since that ridiculous trek to Lake William we are really on our beam ends, financially speaking. But all that will soon change. Evadne Prendergast has resigned over that appalling debacle concerning the man Charles Wentworth—and I should think so too. How any normal person could be guilty of such a gross error of judgment I really can’t think.”

Wilberforce lay pulsating on the grass, eyeing the nearest slithe pen with ill-concealed gluttony. The little reptiles cowered against the far side of their enclosure, yellow with terror; so I stood close to the shark’s head, trying to obscure the slithes’ view of him. “Who is to be the new president?” I asked.

“Of course that’s up to the members, by secret ballot—but I’ve made it quite clear that I am willing to be considered. I am even holding the Lake William Hotel’s exorbitant bill until the result is known; naturally, I have made it known that I am not averse to throwing my personal wealth behind our great cause. Unfortunately, that wretched policeman Rennie is poking about and making the most bizarre accusations, and it is becoming so the Foes are terrified to be seen in the company of one another. It’s only the common cause of dear Joanne that’s holding us together.”

I made sympathetic noises and Wilberforce slammed his head against my leg, forgetting he wore a muzzle. “What’s wrong with this fish?” I asked.

“Joe, that’s what I came to see you about. I intend to confront Miranda Marjoribanks with him and I need moral support. Will you be a dear and come along?”

In

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