Gravity Doesn't Lie (Joe Drive space noir, #1) by Trigger Jones

Author:Trigger Jones [Jones, Trigger]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space detective story, science fiction noir, space rebellion, space opera, planet wars, tough guy in space, Moon colony
Publisher: Twintree Books
Published: 2023-01-02T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

It was late, and Joe had had a long day. Still, he knew better than to spend the night in the Red Zone hotel. All of Mars knew he was here. He felt distinctly exposed.

Joe was halfway through the Red Zone’s capacious lobby, feeling the first nervous sweat between his shoulder blades at the thought of using the hotel’s transpo booth, when he spotted the hood of a grey cloak over the top of a lounge chair. Ryza peeked up over the top of the chair, raised a hand and beckoned him over. Half amused, half curious, and ashamedly relieved for the delay in getting to the transpo booth, Joe altered course and joined him in the next chair.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said, “although I expect it’s no accident.”

The monk laughed. He seemed delighted to see Joe again. “No, probably not. Pull that thing over.” Their chairs were part of a loose collection in the middle of the lobby, so no one noticed as Joe yanked his around to face Ryza. The monk considered the placement, pulled his own chair up so they were face to face with knees almost touching again, and seemed satisfied. He pulled a small black box out from his robe and put it on the arm of his chair.

Joe heard the noise of the lobby around them descend into a soft murmur. “There,” said Ryza. “Now we don’t have to yell at each other and no one else can hear us.” He noticed Joe’s look of surprise and added, “It’s only a sound blanket generator. Simple stuff. So, let’s get down to it. You’ve had a busy couple of days, Joe. Nice job at the tables tonight, by the way, your winnings will almost pay for this trip.”

“I didn’t see you there.” He was starting to think he couldn’t fart on this dessicated red rock without it making the news reels.

Ryza laughed again. He’d pulled his hood down, revealing that youthful face and close-cropped blond haircut Joe remembered from Heaviside. The kid’s blue eyes were bright with intelligence and, as Joe saw now, a burning curiosity. The kind of flame that could lead a young man into trouble. But Joe found himself liking the monk.

“We’re trained to observe from the sidelines and interfere as little as possible. I’ve been watching you go all over the place, Joe. You’ve met a few people. Your friend from the casino looks like fun. He gave you a little something tonight. Mind if I ask what it is?”

Joe gave his own little laugh. “You can ask.”

Ryza shrugged. “No doubt something to make it easier for you to get up there.” He gestured towards the ceiling, and Poundville beyond. Then those bright eyes glittered. “Want to tell me how you plan on breaking the security? Maybe I could come along for the ride.”

“Not a chance, monk. That’s my business, not yours.”

Ryza sank back into his chair, disappointed. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you? Let me

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