“Yeah.” Miriam nodded fervently. “Starting with rayon, that came first I think. Then the overlocking sewing machine, nylon, and sneakers.” She yawned, winced at her headache, then stirred the coffee. “So tell me, how have things been while I’ve been away?”

“Well.” Paulie perched on the desktop beside the fax. “I’ve got the next gold shipment waiting for you. Brill is doing fine, and those, uh, feelers—” She looked furtive. “Let’s just say she’s going to be from Canada. Right?”

“Right,” Miriam echoed. “What else has she been up to?”

“She’s been visiting your friend Olga in the hospital. Once she spotted someone trying to tail her on the T, but she lost him quick. Olga is out of intensive and recovering nicely, but she’s got a scar under her hairline and her arm’s in a sling. The guards—” Paulie shrugged. “What is it with those guys?”

“What’s what?”

“Last time she went, she said one of them said she ought to come home. Any idea what that’s about?”

“Uh, yes, probably he was a relative of hers. You say she’s visiting Olga now?”

“Why, sure.” Paulette frowned. “I’ve just got an odd feeling about her. Great kid, but she’s hiding something. I think.”

“If she wanted me out of the way she’s had more than enough opportunities to do it quietly.”

“There is that,” Paulette agreed. “I don’t think she’s out to get you. I think it’s something else.”

“Me too. I just want to know for sure what she’s hiding. The way she and Kara were planted on me by Angbard’s office, she’s probably just reporting back to him—but if she’s working for someone else…” The fax machine bleeped and began to emit a page of curling paper. “Hmm. Maybe I should check my voice mail.”