"Stephen Goldin - The Sword Unswayed" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goldin Stephen)

"Who let you into the smaller house?"

"I let myself in. P'tar'houn-Hoc had given me a passcode to get through his security. The door opened
and I stepped inside. He was lying on the floor in a pool of blood with a knife stuck in his chest. I was so
horrified I could not think of what to do. I off-teeped and shook for several minutes. Then I decided to
call Debs. She always has good advice."

"`Debs'?" Hoy said. He looked at Rabinowitz, the trace of a mischievous smile on his lips.

"An old school nickname," she replied. "If you were old and schooled, you might be allowed to use it."

"Sometimes I feel positively ancient," Hoy said, "particularly when I'm jerked out of bed under false
pretenses."

He turned back to Bian Dinh. "You said this was going to be a business meeting. Were you recording it,
by any chance?"

"I was going to, but I hadn't yet turned the recorder on. I saw no reason to record my cab ride to his
house."

"Why did you teep there instead of just veering?" Rabinowitz asked.

"P'tar'houn-Hoc preferred meeting in person. He thought it was more secure."

"And you say you off-teeped?" Hoy asked. "You just left your rented body standing beside the corpse?
Have you gone back to see if it's still there?"
"No, I . . .I've been afraid to."

Hoy shrugged. "Understandable, I guess. Well, you don't have to worry about notifying the authorities.
When they find that rent-a-bod and trace it back, they'll come looking for you soon enough."

"Still, someone should be told," Dinh said. "Who knows how long it may be before he is missed."

"An honest, upright citizen," Hoy mused. "What a refreshing change. Yes, I believe I can get in touch with
the proper people on . . .on that planet. Why do people insist on giving things such unpronounceable
names? Anyway, I'm past my bedtime and since our lovely Ms. Rabinowitz shows little indication of
hospitality --"

"The proper word is `pity,'" Rabinowitz cut in.

" -- I must be traveling homewards. May I give you a ride somewhere, Ms. Dinh?"

"She has to get back to her hotel in the City," Rabinowitz said quickly.

Dinh shot her a pleading glance, but Rabinowitz shook her head. "Sorry, Bian, I have that rehearsal in the
morning that I just can't miss. There are other people counting on me, too. Tonight has been a big enough
distraction. I'll call you as soon as it's over, I promise."

"Ms. Rabinowitz can vouch that you're safe with me," Hoy said. "She knows I don't molest any principals