“I know,” said Virtue. “That’s why you’re going to program my new credentials into your network’s computer. It’s the first place he’ll look if he has any doubts about me.”

“The hell I will!” he exploded, then lowered his voice when he realized he was attracting the attention of the other diners. “That’s above and beyond our agreement,” he said, lowering his voice.

“True. I won’t threaten you with your ... ah, journalistic indiscretion again. I gave you my word, and I intend to keep it.”

“Then that’s settled,” he said firmly. “I’m not loading false credentials in the computer.”

“The choice is entirely yours,” she said. “I suppose I’ll just have to tell Sokol to verify my position with you personally.” She shrugged. “There’s always the chance that he won’t put two and two together and figure out who gave me the stuff I’m going to use on him.”

“You’d do it, wouldn’t you?” he said furiously. “You’d really do it!”

“Nobody’s going to stop me from finding Santiago—not you, not anyone. I’ve staked my career on it.”

“Then why don’t you find another career? Go raise a family or something, instead of blackmailing your old friends. Jesus, but I feel sorry for your partner!”

“He’s pretty good at taking care of himself. I think your sympathy would be better spent on a sweet, innocent girl like me.”

“Innocent of what?” he said disgustedly.

“You will remember to change my credentials, won’t you?” she said sweetly, pushing back her chair and standing up.

“Yes,” he muttered. “I’ll change them.”

“And one more thing, Leander.”

“What other little favor can I do for you?” he asked. “Pluck out my eyeballs so you can play marbles with them?”

“Some other time, perhaps.” Suddenly she was serious. “I’m sure everything will go smoothly—but just in case I don’t come back, or get word to you that I’m all right, I want you to contact Sebastian Cain.”

“Who the hell is that?” he demanded.

“The Songbird.” She gave him the registration number of Cain’s ship. “He should be in the Altair system in the next day or two.”

“What message do you want me to give him?”

“I should think that would be obvious,” she replied. “I may die unmourned, but I sure as hell don’t plan to die unavenged.”

7.