“Hell yes, it’s my third trip here this morning,” he said dryly. “And now they know what to expect when I unload the cargo bin.”

“And what do they expect?”

“You’d have to ask Cazvar. He makes the lists. I just fill them and deliver.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s been Christmas since the night I delivered Korgan here that first day.” Harris grinned. “Instead of a sleigh I use a helicopter, but the presents are impressive enough that nobody gives a damn.”

She glanced at Korgan. “Bribery?”

He shook his head. “This village is poverty-stricken, and its people are now my allies. Why wouldn’t I share with them? I couldn’t be sure the council would be equally generous. So I told Cazvar to make lists of what people needed that would make their lives better and start shipping it.” His eyes were twinkling. “It’s purely coincidental that it would make me more popular and make anyone on the council who won’t give me what I need very unpopular.”

“You’re joking, but I believe you would have done it anyway.”

“Would I?” He nodded. “Maybe. I’ve always liked the Santa Claus fable. And these days I can indulge exploring it. The process of making money is a hell of a lot of fun, but giving it away can be even more satisfying.” The helicopter was now on the ground and two villagers were struggling to keep the crowds back while a bearded third man was striding toward the cockpit. “There’s Cazvar doing his duty. He doesn’t look too happy, does he? I don’t think he agrees with me. He’s been a trader most of his life, and it offends him to just give things away. Plus, distribution can be a hassle.” He glanced at her. “But I don’t believe you’d mind doing it. Would you like to help Harris and Cazvar unload the cargo and play Santa while I go deal with the council? I don’t think it would bore you.”

She gazed at the eager, excited faces of the men, women, and children in the crowd and slowly nodded. “No, it wouldn’t bore me.” She was opening the cockpit door. “Introduce me to Cazvar.”

Chapter ​14

Chapter
​14