"Joanna Wylde - Saurellian 5 - Jerred's Price" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wylde Joanna)

“I’ll do better,” Sula whimpered. “I’m gonna do better. Just give me another chance.
Please.”
“I don’t think so,” the guard said, his tone deceptively light. “I think it’s already too
late for you, Sula. You keep doing this and people will think it’s all right not to pay.
We’re gonna make an example outta you.”
Giselle caught her breath as the guard pulled a blaster out of his belt and pointed it
toward the cowering girl. She knew, deep down inside, that there was nothing she
could do to help Sula. Nothing. That didn’t make her feel like less of a monster for
watching.
With surreal slowness, the guard raised the gun to Sula’s head and pulled the
trigger. There was a bright flash, and the corridor was filled with the smell of burnt hair
and flesh. The body slumped to one side, and to Giselle’s horror, she could feel her
fingers loosen. Her bag hit the floor with a loud thumping noise, and the guards
whirled to face her.
“I didn’t see anything,” she muttered, turning away from them and fumbling at her
door. Had the computer already recognized her? Would it open? They were going to
kill her. She knew it.
She could hear them stalking toward her, and then the door opened. She stumbled
through, slapping it closed and screaming, “Lock!” to the computer.
A small light glowed red. How long would it hold?
The door shuddered as the guards shot it with a blaster. She scrambled to her feet,
running across her small, one-room apartment toward the fresher. She dove in and
scrabbled at the shower’s back panel. She’d wondered if she was paranoid when she’d
decided to get the apartment. The landlord charged her extra for an apartment with an
escape hatch. Who the hell would be after her? Why would she need a second exit?




14
 Jerred’s Price


But she’d always had a hint of paranoia, and it had saved her ass more than once.
This time was no exception. The panel slid open, revealing a narrow service shaft. She
crawled in, pulling the panel closed behind her. She figured she had about ten minutes
before they figured out where she had gone. More than enough time to get away if she
hustled. As she crawled down the narrow shaft she whispered a prayer of thanks to the
Goddess for saving her yet again.




*****
Jerred smiled broadly as the security captain offered him a drink. Amazing what
kind of service a few credits could buy, he thought in amusement. The bastards must
feel like they’d won a prize, a man who was willing to pay almost anything to make the
little run-in with station security go away.
“It’s a real pleasure to deal with such civilized representatives of the local
government,” he said, tipping back his drink. The captain gave an oily smile.