"Walter Jon Williams - The Crown Jewels" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

"A woman named Amatia Jensen wants us to locate an
artifact within the estate of one Admiral Scholder, HCN,
retired, deceased. There's going to be an estate auction in
a few weeks and Miss Jensen fears she might be outbid."

Roman's ears pricked up. "The current owner, sir?"

"Scholder's heir is his nephew, a Lieutenant Navarre. I
met him tonight. I don't think he's very interested in his
uncle's estate—certainly not in its security. He seemed to
find the whole situation fraught with personal inconve-
nience."

Gregor grinned again. "They might not notice for weeks
that the thing's missing." His fingers were tapping his
thighs in some private rhythm. Usually some part of him
or another was in motion.

"That's a good point. We should continue with our
other plans. But tomorrow, Roman, I'd like you to initiate
some inquiries about Miss Jensen. I doubt she's an agent
or a provocateur, but one never knows. And she declined
to give us media rights, which I suspect means there are
undercurrents here we don't know about."

"Yes, sir."

"She also had a companion, a young man named Pietro
Quijano. He might be a part of this and he might not. At
any rate he might be worth an inquiry."

"First thing tomorrow, sir."

Maijstral turned to Gregor. "I'd like you to fly over to
the Scholder estate and take a look at it. Check for—well,
you know."

28 / WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Gregor gave a breezy, two-fingered salute. "Only too,

boss."

Maijstral thought for a brief moment. "Oh. Yes. Our
other business. If any of your surveys turn out to be of
property owned by a General Gerald of the marines, disre-
gard it. He's filled with unnecessary complications."

Roman gazed at him levelly. "May I inquire their na-