“Do they know who the thief is, or are we supposed to discover that also?”

“They know. He was one of the xenobiologists studying the Taalav. Making sure they stay healthy and producing crystal. Not a Kliu, a prisoner. A Cousin working in an exoskeleton because of Pillory’s gravity. Don’t know why he was sent there; they won’t release his files or tell me anything about him, not even his name and description. I suppose they might have to refund some of their, fee if his planet of conviction discovers he’s gone missing.”

“Just how much cooperation are we going to get?”

“As little as they feel they can get away with. We can’t trust the Kliu, Shadow. I’ve had clients like them before. Letter of the contract and that’s it. Keep that in mind. And there’s this-the theft was almost a year ago. They’ve been using available resources to search for the array. But they’re a cautious species and have decided on backup just in case their hands slip. That’s us. You. If they spot you as my agent, they’ll put a trace on you and as soon as you look to be getting somewhere, they’ll zip round you and scoop the pot under our noses. Then they come round saying sorry, we found the smuggler ourselves. You get your one-percent kill-fee, no more. That’s extrapolation, but you can be sure the conclusion is solid. If you need cover and can’t arrange it, call me. I expect you to use your ingenuity, though. That is one thing you have plenty of.”

“I think I’d better see an array in place. Flakes don’t do it. And I want to question the people who knew the thief. Spla! If I don’t know his history, how am I supposed to find the smuggler who took him offworld? I presume that was how it was done?”

Digby nodded, a lock of shining gray hair dropping into his eyes. He brushed it back with a flick of his hand. “Thought you might, so I’ve arranged for you to go to Pillory. There’s a light exo ready for you in the equipment room. It’s been tarted up with a few extras including a visor which you are to keep in place as much as possible.