Mickey Hatchet shoved past him into the room. He looked around, taking in the damaged furniture and walls. His gaze raked over the body of the blonde.

"You and your wife must've had some pretty hard words," he said. He strode over and grabbed Manning by the shoulders. "I don't like it," he said. "Something's going on here. It's in the air. I can smell it."

"Nothing that I can't handle," Manning said, stepping out of his grip.

"Look," said Mickey Hatchet. "I'm in this. To the finish. I don't like being in it any better than you would. But that's the way it is. There are a lot of alley cats in this universe, who'll do anything for a fast credit; they don't care whose blood it is. But it's my universe, too. I'd like it to be a clean place to live and I'm going to see that it is. You understand that?"

"I think so," Manning said.

"Okay." Mickey Hatchet's gaze raked over the blonde again. He saw that the zipper on her dress hadn't been pulled all the way to the top. He pointed a bony finger and whirled on Manning. "The broad had her dress open?"

"Yes," Manning admitted.

"And she's wearing nothing under it?"

"Y-yes. But—"

"Happens to me all the time," Mickey Hatchet said wearily. He pointed the finger again, this time at her middle. "There's only one thing to do. Pow!" He turned and strode toward the door.

"Wait a minute," Manning said. "There is something you might be able to do."

"You want a little private eye work you've come to the right place. What?"

"Pretty soon there'll be another ship coming here. When it leaves, it'll leave in a hurry. Think you can tail it?"

"I'll tail him so close you'll think I grew on his back," said Mickey Hatchet.

"How do I get in touch with you?" Manning asked.

"Call my ship. The Trigger Happy."

Fanya murmured something in her own tongue[11] but neither man paid any attention.

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