Odd Girl Out Read Online Free PDF Page A

his eyes. “This is…” I paused, searching for the right words.
    McMicking, typically, didn’t have to search. “This is going to get my butt in serious trouble,” he said calmly “But this is war. And I owe you. You and Bayta both.”
    “Mostly Bayta,” I said, rubbing my thumb across the ID. It even felt real. “She’s the one the Spiders listen to, and mostly obey.”
    “But you’re the one she listens to,” McMicking pointed out. He smiled faintly. “And mostly obeys.”
    “I’m not sure I’d go that far,” I demurred.
    “I would,” McMicking said. “And one of these days I’m hoping you’ll be able to explain just how all of that works.”
    “Definitely,” I promised, though I didn’t have the vaguest idea when that day would come. Bayta’s close relationship with the Chahwyn and Spiders was a closely guarded secret, but at least it was something I could vaguely understand. Bayta’s relationship with me, on the other hand, I was still trying to get a handle on. “Meanwhile, I’ll do whatever I can to get back before my court date,” I added. “If I do, hopefully you’ll be able to sneak the bail money back into your department account with no one the wiser.”
    “You just focus on figuring out what the Modhri is up to and nail him,” McMicking said grimly. “Mr. Hardin can absorb the loss if he has to.”
    “Mr. Hardin isn’t the one I’m worried about,” I said, sliding the ID to the back of the stack. Behind it was a torchliner ticket, with the shuttle from Sutherlin scheduled to leave that evening for its long voyage across the inner system to the Quadrail station. “I didn’t think I was nearly this easy to read,” I commented.
    He shrugged. “It’s not like the Modhri is doing serious work down here,” he said. “At least, I hope not. Therefore, wherever you need to go for follow-up on Lorelei will probably be somewhere out-system. I hope the timing isn’t going to be too tight.”
    “No, it’s perfect,” I assured him. “The sooner I get out of town, the better.”
    I rotated the ticket to the back of the stack and thumbed through the rest of my brand-new credentials. There was a universal pilot’s license, an import/export license, a rare-collectables dealer’s certificate, and a notarized security bond. “No plumber’s certificate?” I asked.
    “Never hurts to be prepared,” he said equably. “You may find the last one particularly useful.”
    I flipped to it, and stopped cold, about as surprised as I’d been in many a day. It was a card identifying Frank Abram Donaldson as a member in good standing in the Hardin Industries security force.
    I looked up at McMicking again. This time there was a puckish smile on his face. “And that one’s even legit,” he said. “I have standing authority to hire any security personnel I want.”
    “Oh, he’s going to be pleased about this one,” I said. “What exactly is my salary, if you don’t mind my asking?”
    “Don’t mind at all,” he said. “You’re on staff at a dollar a year. Don’t spend it all in one place.”
    “Not a problem,” I assured him. “It’s the prestige of the thing that matters.”
    “The hell with the prestige,” McMicking countered. “What matters is that that ID includes a carry permit.”
    I frowned down at the card. He was right—the proper legal phrasing was there at the bottom. “The hell with the prestige, indeed,” I agreed. “That could come in very handy.”
    “And unlike your residence permit, it doesn’t require you to load with snoozers, either,” he added, moving back toward the door. “I have to get going—Mr. Hardin’s briefing me on a new assignment this afternoon. If I get anything more on Ms. Beach before you hit the Quadrail, I’ll send it on ahead.”
    “Thanks,” I said, sliding the stack of documents into my inside pocket. “For everything. I owe you.”
    “Just let me know how it comes out,” McMicking said. He paused with his hand