“I knew that he had no need for mercenaries, but I thought he might be interested in purchasing a shipload of weapons to carry on the battle.”

“Hot?”

“Lukewarm,” admitted the Swagman. “The navy confiscated them a month after I delivered them.”

“I wasn’t aware that the navy ever got out to the Corbellus Cluster,” said Schussler.

“They didn’t—until someone thoughtlessly appropriated a few thousand laser weapons from one of their munitions warehouses.”

“Is that why Santiago dropped you?” asked Cain.

“Why should you think so?”

“Because stealing from the navy isn’t your style. You’d need Santiago’s muscle for an operation like that. My guess is that he threw you out for selling weapons he wanted to keep.”

“You couldn’t be more mistaken,” said the Swagman indignantly.

“Are you seriously trying to tell me that you stole those weapons yourself?” said Cain.

“Oh, it was Santiago’s operation from start to finish.” acknowledged the Swagman. “And yes, we did have some slight disagreement over their ultimate disposition. But we parted ways for a totally unrelated reason.”

“The mind boggles,” commented Cain wryly.

“I’m surprised that Santiago or the Godolphin Barb didn’t commission your death,” said Schussler.

“The Barb did,” replied the Swagman. “Fortunately, my would-be assassin tried to attack me at my fortress on Goldenrod, where even the Angel would find it difficult to do me any damage.”

“How do you know that it was the Barb who hired the assassin, rather than Santiago?” asked the cyborg.

“Because I’m still here.” The Swagman wandered over to the table, where Cain had replaced the bullets in his first pistol and was preparing to clean and oil a second. “You know,” he said, staring at the pieces that were neatly laid out on the table, “there’s something I’ve been curious about ever since I observed you with Altair of Altair.”

“Ask away,” said Cain without looking up.

“Why do you use a projectile weapon?” said the Swagman.

“It’s more accurate than laser or sonic pistols, and since it doesn’t have an energy pack to begin with, it can’t run out of power.”

“But it makes such a loud noise.”

“So what?”

“I would have thought stealth and silence were essential to your profession.”

Cain smiled. “They’re essential while I’m stalking my prey. Once I start shooting, I don’t much give a damn who knows I’m there.” He paused. “I’m not one of your menials, Swagman. I operate within the law; I don’t have to sneak away when my work is done.”

“A point well taken,” admitted the Swagman.

“A laser gun is all right if you have to fan a large area,” continued Cain. “But it’s not a precision instrument. To each his own; I prefer bullets.”

“I wonder what method the Angel used on Giles Sans Pitié?” mused Schussler.