her fingers was enough to make a man forget his good intentions. "I came to ask you to take me to a party. Afterward, I thought we could drive out in the country. There's a wonderful little place I've found and I'd like to share it with you."

Manning was acutely aware of her nearness, of the warm scent washing over him. He was also aware of Xelia Zon waiting in the background and the Memory of a voice saying, "No girls." A small part of him wanted to go with the Aldebaranese, while a greater part of him knew it would be trading larger happiness for a desire of the moment. He shook his head.

"Sorry, honey," he said, feeling as if he'd been saying nothing else. "Xelia Zon is waiting for me."

For a brief minute a new and harder expression crept into her golden eyes. "You're a strange man, Manning—" she said—"or a strong one."

"What do you mean?"

"I meant it as a challenge," she said provocatively.

When her meaning penetrated, Manning laughed. "I got news for you, sweetheart," he said, "but it'll have to wait. Run along now."

He watched the provocative swing of her hips as she walked away. Then he turned and joined Xelia Zon.

"You seem to be very popular," Xelia said dryly. "I, too, have been waiting for you. You have been busy?"

"I went up to the ship to call my wife." Manning grinned. "To assure her that I was resisting temptation. Now, I'd like to go talk to the Security officers who have been trailing Dtilla Raishelle."

Xelia Zon's tail twitched questioningly, but he said nothing as he led the way to his car. They drove directly to the Central Security offices, where Manning spent the next hour talking to the two officials who had followed the Acruxian since he landed on the planet. After considerable prodding, they did remember that his box had been covered each time he'd called on the Achernarian Ambassador. They couldn't remember having seen it covered at any other time.

When they left Central Security, Manning asked Xelia to take him to the nearest Regulusian real estate office. After listening patiently to a long sales talk on the advantages of the better residential sections, Manning bought a house. He gave the agent a certified credit-draft and they left.

 Prev. P 36/50 next