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“Ah, there is still one problereement,” Melba said “I did my part”

“And it speaks well of you,” Travin said “But doing business with you? I enjoy it, I think Exciting discoveries to bethis new you, we have to put the DNA in the tables We have to scrub out doubled records I think you haven’t been entirely honest withto loosen the knot in her throat The insect-eyedthe couch squeak

“My money spends,” she said

“As it should, as it should,” Travin said “Clarissa Melpohter to Jules-Pierre Mao of Mao-Kski Mercantile Very interesting name”

“Mao-Kas nationalized when my father went to jail,” Melba said “It doesn’t exist anymore”

“Corporate death sentence,” Travin said as he put the envelope on the desk display “Very sad But not for you, ah? Rich men know money They find ways to put it where little eyes can’t find Get it to their wives,On the couch, the bodybuilder stifled a yawn It enuine She let the silence stretch not because she wanted to pressure Travin to speak next, but because she didn’t knohat to say He was right, of course Daddy had taken care of all of them as best he could He always had Even the persecution of the United Nations couldn’t reach everything Clarissa had had enoughlife on Luna or Mars and die of old age before the capital ran out But she wasn’t Clarissa anyive you another ten thousand,” she said “That’s all I’ve got”

Travin sray smile

“All that pretty money floay, ah? And what takes you out into the darkness, eh? I wondered So I looked You are very, very good Even knowing to squint, I didn’t see more than shadows Didn’t hear more than echoes But—” He put the envelope on the desk before hier on it the way her brother Petyr did when he was alht hiesture of ownership “I have so”

“Ten thousand is all I have Honestly I’ve spent the rest”

“Would you need more, then?” Travin asked “Investment capital, call it? Our little Melba can have ten thousand, if you want it Fifty thousand if you need it But I ant hten When she tilted her head, the ht Birdlike Scared

“What are you talking about?” she asked, willing her voice to sound solid Forne: ain, false friendliness curved all of his vowels

“Partners You are doing so and the flotilla, ah? All these people heading out in the dark to face thewith thereat return The sort one expects from a Mao You tell me what is your plan, I help you how I can help you, and what comes your way from this, we divide”