Winner Lose All-A Lando Calrissian Tale: Star Wars (Novella) by Timothy Zahn

Author:Timothy Zahn [Zahn, Timothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-345-54491-9
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2012-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

Darim Chumu was a middle-aged human with the look and feel of a born huckster. From his casual body language as he sat comfortably in one of the chairs in the penthouse entryway lounge, to the deep smile lines in his face, it was clear that he was a man who’d closed countless deals over the years.

But that face wasn’t smiling now. And the languid posture carried the same underlying tension of a gambler trying to read an opponent’s hand. “I apologize for the abruptness of my invitation,” he said after the somewhat strained introductions had been made and Lando had been seated across from him. “But you mentioned Lady Vanq, and that name is not to be spoken casually in the High Card Casino.”

“I’ll make a note,” Lando said, striving to match his host’s tone. “Was there anything else?”

Chumu’s eyes narrowed microscopically. “I don’t think you fully understand, Master Calrissian,” he said. “Lady Vanq cheated Master Jydor out of a great deal of money a few months ago. Friends of hers aren’t welcome here.”

“I’m hardly a friend,” Lando protested mildly. So Chumu was probing to see just how close Lando and the murdered Devaronian had been. “More a business acquaintance.”

“I didn’t know she did business with gamblers,” Chumu said. “Do you own a casino or gambling pit?”

“Actually, it was regarding one of my other professions,” Lando said. “It’s rather confidential, I’m afraid.”

Chumu’s eyes narrowed a little more. “I’m afraid I must insist on an answer.”

“I don’t know if I can—” Lando broke off as his comlink twittered.

“Go ahead and answer that,” Chumu said.

“They’ll call back,” Lando said, leaving the comlink where it was. Odds were that it was Zerba calling to chat, and cheating, scams, and murder were the absolute last topics of conversation he wanted brought up right now.

“Answer it,” Chumu said, his tone making it clear it was an order. “Or Rovi will.”

With a grimace, Lando pulled out the comlink. As he did so, Rovi reached over his shoulder and closed a massive hand around Lando’s. “On wide-focus, if you please,” Chumu added.

There was nothing for it but to comply. Mentally crossing his fingers, Lando clicked it on. “Lando.”

“It’s Michelle,” Bink’s voice came. “Listen, do you know where Lady Vanq is? I’ve tried all the comlink numbers I have, but I can’t get ahold of her.”

“I don’t have any numbers you don’t,” Lando said, trying to hide his relief. Bink calling—and using a pseudonym—meant that she was on to the problem. Probably Zerba had spotted the grab and alerted her.

Of course, he had no idea where she was going with this. But whatever it was, it would probably beat anything he could come up with on the fly. “Is it important?”

“Of course it’s important,” Bink said stiffly. “She still owes me the last payment on that Tchine copy.”

And with that, Lando was suddenly up to speed. “She hasn’t paid yet?” he asked, feigning surprise.

“And she’s late on the initial for the Caffreni flutterine,” Bink said. “You told me she could be trusted to pay on time.

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