“Once you’ve walked in the front door, I don’t much care what you do, as long as you don’t try to follow me.”

The Angel rented a vehicle, and as they began the ten-minute journey into town, it became apparent that the air-conditioning system had seen better days. Virtue decided not to complain about it until he did, and was amazed to find that his face was as dry at the end of the trip as it had been within the spaceport, while she herself was soaked to the skin.

The Angel pulled up to the entrance of the Welcome Inn, where workmen were busily replacing the door ManMountain Bates had broken down, and turned to face her.

“I won’t be in touch with you until tomorrow, unless I find what I’m looking for. I warn you once again not to follow me. Since I don’t know where to begin, I’m going to start with the lowest examples of the local criminal element and work my way up. They’re not likely to prove a very friendly or accommodating lot, and there’s very little likelihood that I can protect you if you’re skulking around in the shadows—so just go to your room, have dinner, and relax.”

“And you think you can find out who sabotaged the ship by intimidating a bunch of small-time crooks?” she said sardonically.

“Probably not,” he admitted. “Most likely the man who worked on the ship is long gone from Sunnybeach. But I’m stuck here for the next few days, and I’ve got to start somewhere, so—”

Suddenly he stopped speaking and stared intently out the window at a shabbily dressed panhandler who was begging for coins some fifty feet away.

Finally the Angel smiled.

“Now it all makes sense,” he said softly.

“What does?”

“Never mind.” He turned back to her. “When you go into the hotel, find yourself a nice, comfortable seat in the lobby.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You heard me.”

“I’m hot and I’m tired, and as long as I’m stuck in this hellhole, I intend to go to my room, take a dryshower, and change my clothes.”

“I wouldn’t advise it,” said the Angel.

“I’m getting a little bit sick and tired of taking orders from you!” snapped Virtue.

“All right,” he said with a shrug. “Do what you want.”

“Why shouldn’t I go to my room?” she demanded, suddenly unsure of herself.

“Because I was operating under a false premise,” he explained. “I thought someone was out to stop me. It’s you he’s after.” He reached forward to the control panel and hit the door latch. “Now walk into the lobby and don’t look around you.”