"Chalker, Jack L - Hotel Andromeda (SSCol)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chalker Jack L)

*'I thought you would be waiting in the cafe," Raoul said,

sniffing.

"I just paused to ask this charming young man for direc-
tions." Celeste winked at Lekvich. He smiled wanly.

"I know where the cafe is even if you don't," Raoul said.
"Come along, now. Don't dally. I'm hungry enough to eat a

dozen mice."

"But, Raoul, your digestion."

"And don't lecture me, Celeste. I said come along." He
took her by the arm and steered her toward the restaurant

transport tubes.
Celeste looked back over her shoulder and blew Lekvich a

kiss.

Numbly, he waved.
Bzzzzt! Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

FIRST NiGHTER

13

The console! Lekvich gasped and dived for the nearest
light.

"Concierge."

"Lekvich, where have you been?" It was Ranee. He could
have kissed her voice.

"I was talking to a guest."

"You know the rules about two rings per call."

"Yes, Ranee, of course. Forgive me."

"Now listen to me, Lekvich. I'm on deck seventeen. I got
captured by Wolf Rackham -- you know, the maintenance
chief -- on my way down from deck nine. He says he has to
talk to me right now. Think you can handle things a bit
longer? I'll be there just as soon as I can. How are you
doing?"