“I never gave it much thought,” he answered. “I suppose if might makes right, he’s got a jump on the rest of the field.”

“Does might make right?” she asked.

Cain shrugged. “No. But it makes it pretty difficult for anyone to tell you you’re wrong.”

“But not impossible,” she pointed out. “And that’s precisely what we’re doing—by example.” She stared at him again. “I hope this is making some impression on you, Mr. Cain. It’s very important that you understand exactly what we’re fighting for.”

“It’s making an impression,” he said noncommittally.

“I hope so,” she repeated.

They walked through the remainder of the complex in silence, then returned to the elevator.

“How many more public works do I have to see before I get to meet Santiago?” asked Cain as they ascended to the surface.

“There aren’t any more,” said Silent Annie. “At least, not on Safe Harbor. We don’t want to do anything that might call attention to this planet.”

She stepped out into the interior of a silo, and he followed her as she made her way to the vehicle. A moment later they were once again speeding across the countryside.

“How much farther?” he asked after a few minutes.

“About fifteen miles,” she replied. “It’s been dark for almost three hours now. Are you getting hungry?”

“I can wait.”

“I can signal ahead and have dinner waiting for you when we arrive.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“Do you still intend to kill him?” she asked suddenly.

“I don’t know.”

She made no further comment, and they drove the next twenty minutes in silence. Then she took a hard left turn and began driving down a bumpy dirt road. In the distance Cain could see a white prefabricated house with a huge veranda that seemed to circle it completely.

“That’s it?” he asked.

“That’s it.”

“He’s not very well protected,” he commented. “I’ve only spotted three sensing devices since we turned onto this road.”

“You’re not supposed to see any.”

“It’s my business to see them.”

She shrugged. “It’s dark out. Probably some of them have escaped your attention.”

“I doubt it.”

“You must also remember that he has no enemies on Safe Harbor,” said Silent Annie. “Except perhaps for you.”

“Just the same, his security’s lousy,” said Cain. “That guy on the roof stands out like a sore thumb.”

“What guy?”

“The one with the laser rifle. He let the moonlight glint off his infrared scope a minute ago.”

“I don’t see anyone,” she said, peering into the darkness.

“He’s there, big as life—and twice as easy a target. It’s going to take more than this to keep the Angel out.”

“Is that your professional opinion?”

“It is.”

“I’ll tell him you said so.”

“I’ll tell him myself,” said Cain.