As I opened my mouth to speak he raised his cane and sighed. "Yes, I know, don't bother to say it, four million a day and let us leave it there. I find business so boring."

"You will have to give me complete details of all the previous thefts," I said. "And a list of banks where you have accounts, as well as banks that you own."

"That has already been done. You will find all of the information in your computer's memory banks."

"You are pretty sure of yourself."

"I am."

"And you work pretty fast."

"I have to-and at the price I am paying you, why you better do so as well. I want results yesterday. However I will settle for information instantly. Might I offer you a lift-so you can get right to work?"

"You will have to," Angelina said coldly. "After what you did to our hoverfloat. And our picnic basket."

"The value of your craft has already been credited to your highly secret, known to no one, account in the Banco di NAPSLO. And as some recompense for hardship I do hope that you will be my guests at dinner tonight at the Earth light Room. Just tell the maitre d' to bill Kaia's account. You will dine as you have never dined before."

A black and silent overalls dropped down into the clearing: the door opened.

"After you, Mrs. diGriz. Or, might I be so bold, Angelina?"

"Buster," she said, swaying ever so gracefully up the stairs, "for what you are paying my husband you can call me anything you want."

Chapter 2

So far Chaise had kept his word. The promised money had been deposited to my account in the Banco di NAPSLO. Despite the fact that I was sure that this cache of money was unknown to anyone. Chaise must really know about banks and banking. This could not be ignored. I made a mental note to find a new and more secure bank now that Chaise knew about this one. And an even newer and more secure way of transferring all my funds from my present bank. I was sure that if Chaise knew how to put credits into my account he might very well be able to siphon them out as well.