The Darkness of God: Book Three of the Shadow Warrior Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page B

their reach. And at least as many artists in various mediums. Wonder if corruption is a spore-bed for creators?
    “Interesting, change, though. According to the ‘pedia I scanned, nothing and nobody interesting’s come out of Rogan’s World for quite a while. Since just after the war, to be precise.”
    “What does that mean?” Kristin asked.
    “Probably nothing. But it could be somebody doesn’t want Rogan’s World to draw any attention at all.”
    Kristin looked frightened. “Could the Overlord Stone give somebody
that
kind of power?”
    Wolfe nodded.
    “So how do we find Token — that woman.”
    “Good,” Wolfe approved. “The less we use her name, the safer it is. For I don’t truly know what the Great Lumina could give, especially to someone who’s been using it for as long as she has.”
    • • •
    “How do we find her?” Kristin asked.
    “We don’t. We let her find us.” Wolfe smiled. “Apropos of absolutely nothing, I like your perfume.”
    “Oh. Oh. I thought the name in the catalog sounded — interesting. Thank you.” Kristin looked somewhat confused.
    • • •
    “How long have you been bell captain?” Joshua asked.
    “Oh, seven, eight years,” the woman said. Her name tag read HAGERSMARK . “Long enough to be able to help our guests in whatever ways they want.” She pocketed the bill Wolfe handed her.
    “Supposing that I — or one of my crew — wanted company?”
    “Easiest thing in the world,” Hagersmark said, looking bored. “Any variation you want.”
    “What about — inducements that don’t happen to be legal?”
    “I don’t know that word.”
    “Things to smoke, inject, whatever.”
    “Like you said, whatever.”
    “Just curious,” Wolfe said. “But what I’m really interested in is action. This hotel seems a little — quiet.”
    “The management likes to keep it that way,” Hagersmark said. “They figure guests can find their own joy spots. Or bring ‘em back here. As long as you pay, you can do whatever you want. But you want action. I assume …” She rolled fingers as if manipulating a set of dice.
    “You assume,” Wolfe said.
    “How big?”
    He handed her a bill.
    “That suggest anything?”
    The woman eyed it, reacted.
    “You
do
mean action,” she said. “Best bet’s a private game. But you’ll need to meet some people to set that sorta thing up. Be around in the right places. Best bet’s either Nakamura’s or the Oasis. The Oasis generally attracts a little looser crowd.”
    “Thank you,” Wolfe said.
    Hagersmark started toward the door, then stopped. “So that’s your game, eh? Everybody in the hotel was wondering.”
    “I’m just someone who mostly lives the quiet life,” Wolfe said. “But every year or so I like to vary things.”
    “Of course, sir,” she said piously. “Have a nice, quiet time.”
    • • •
    A day later, Wolfe was waiting for Kristin to finish dressing when the discreet tap came at the door.
    Max was sitting across from him, watching.
    He
felt
out, uncurled from the chair he was in. “Kristin. Stay out of sight.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    “We’ve got visitors. And the desk was supposed to buzz us before anyone came up.”
    The knock came once more.
    “I’m ready,” she said. “Shall I call for backup?”
    “Not yet. Max, you get out of here, too. But be ready for life to get interesting. Don’t do anything unless I start screaming.”
    The Chitet hesitated, then hurried into one of the bedrooms and half closed the door.
    Wolfe went to the door and opened it. Two men stood outside. Both were young, wore full evening dress, and had cold eyes above careful smiles.
    “Mister Taylor?”
    Wolfe nodded.
    “We’re sorry to intrude, but perhaps a moment of your time might be beneficial to us both.”
    “So Hagersmark didn’t stay bought,” he murmured and beckoned them in.
    “A drink?” he offered.
    “No, thank you. We don’t want to take up any more of your time than necessary. My