“You’re a very distrusting man,” said Virtue. “I suppose it can be blamed on your upbringing.”

“How about blaming it on my present company?”

“You can waste your time assessing the blame,” she said. “I intend to spend mine hunting up the Angel.”

“You’re being foolish, my dear,” said the Swagman. “Or perhaps you weren’t listening to Sitting Bull as closely as you should have been.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Sokol’s still got a hit out on you. In fact, the only reason that Sitting Bull didn’t have you killed the minute you landed is because you were with me, and I’ve sent a lot of business his way over the years. As soon as you go off by yourself, you’re fair game again.”

“Do you think I’m going to quake in terror over a squat little alien who lives in a tent?” she said with a laugh.

“It could be anyone you might meet. You don’t know who Sokol may have contacted.” He paused. “As for Sitting Bull, he doesn’t look like much, and he doesn’t surround himself with luxury, but he’s a pretty formidable antagonist.”

“And if I stay with you, you’re going to protect me?”

“Indirectly. Most people don’t like to offend me.”

“At least Cain has had a little experience killing people.”

He smiled. “I hire people like Cain, my dear.”

They came to a fallen tree that was blocking their way and walked around it.

“What’s the greatest single piece of alien artwork in the galaxy?” she asked suddenly.

He thought for a moment. “There’s a mile-long tapestry on Antares Three,” he said. “Forty generations of Antareans have worked on it, and it tells the history of their race in about two thousand exquisite scenes. I’d say that’s about the rarest. Why?”

“What would you risk to get your hands on it?”

“Everything I have.”

“Well, Santiago’s the greatest single story in the galaxy, and I’ll take whatever risk is necessary to find him.”

“I should add that I wouldn’t risk my life for that tapestry,” said the Swagman.

“That’s because you’re not hungry anymore,” said Virtue. “I still am. I want to be the best—and if seeing the Angel can help me get what I want, then I’m willing to do it.”

They reached the landcar, and the Swagman picked his pistols up off the seat and put them back into his pockets.

“You’re sure you won’t reconsider?”

“I’m sure.”

He sighed. “Then maybe I’d better go with you.”

“There’s no need for both of us to go out there. I’ll keep you and Cain informed of his whereabouts.” She paused. “I think your best course of action is to go to Altair and hook up with him there.”