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I would have shot back a witty reply if I hadn't slipped on a banana peel of self-recri before

"But sir!" came Billie's voice in protest from the hall outside

The doorway darkened behindthere The foreoing romance with beer, or maybe pasta He wore his heart on his potbelly His well-tailored suit ut, and it would have concealed the shoulder rig and sidearm he wore beneath it if he'dit as he moved

"De man said "I need to speak to you privately"

"You couldn't afford me, Torelli," Demeter replied s"

"Get one of your whores to get him off," Torelli said "You and I have to talk"

She arched an eyebrow at hi?"

"I need a list of your bank accounts, security passwords, and a copy of your records for the last sixover her Torelli was the kind of guy as used to getting his way if he loolance past the goons to see whether Thon of him

"One wonders if you have been partaking of your product," Demeter said "Why on earth should I provide you with my records, accounts, and funds?"

"Things are going to change around here, whore Starting with your attitude" Torelli glanced at two of the four oons, both of theo bruisers, stepped around Torelli and walked toward her

I grimaced I didn't care for Demeter much, personally, but I needed her, and I wouldn't be able to talk her into helping irl, and you don't hit girls You don't let two-bit hired bullies do it, either

I stood up and turned to face Torelli's ave them my hardest look, which didn't even slow the at ht be I ducked, recognized it as a snow-speckled winter glove, and realized that it had been a distraction

The guy on the left ca and kicked a steel-toed work boot atand took it on the shin It hurt like hell, but at least I could still oon on ht He threw a looping right hand at me, and I oon howled

The other one bulled past his pain-stunned partner and ca me to the floor so that all of his buddies could circle up and kick me for a while

Couldn't have that So I raisedfour triple-wire bands, one on each finger With a thought and a word I released the kinetic energy stored in one of the rings It hit the goon like a loco hi thud

I turned and kicked the stunned first goon in both shins, hah, then placed one of ainst his hip and shoved him to the floor He crumpled

I turned to find un

"Not bad, kid," the would-be kingpin said "That judo or so?"

"So like that"

"I could use a ave De"

"You couldn't afford me," I said

"I' to be able to afford a lot," he said "Name your price"

"One hundred and fifty-six gajillion dollars," I said promptly

He squinted atOr ure out howabout "Think you're cute, huh?"

"I' adorable," I said "Especially with the raccoon face I've got going here"