Eros at Zenith: Book 2 of Tales of the Velvet Comet by Mike Resnick

ever access that information on Bello?”
    YES.
    “When?”
    AT 2213 HOURS YESTERDAY.
    “Why didn't you tell me?”
    YOU MERELY INSTRUCTED ME TO ACCESS IT AND FILE IT AWAY FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
    “Right,” said Crane wearily. “You know, Cupid, I've got a gut feeling that none of these damned interviews is going to turn up a lead.”
    WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CANCEL THEM ALL?
    “No. I've got to go through the motions, even if I think it's useless.” He paused. “Still, I think it's about time to start considering alternative approaches. Check out the financial holdings of every member of the crew, and see if any of them are heavily invested in any of the companies that Infante owned stock in.”
    PLEASE DEFINE “HEAVILY INVESTED".
    “Either fifteen percent of their assets, or a sum in excess of 100,000 credits.”
    CHECKING ... THERE IS A PROBLEM.
    “What is it?”
    WHILE WE REQUIRE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FROM PATRONS, WE DO NOT REQUIRE THEM FROM CREW MEMBERS.
    “See if you can tap into the computers in the Mall's brokerage houses.”
    CHECKING ... I HAVE BEEN DENIED ACCESS.
    THE INFORMATION IS PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL.
    “Use my security clearance code.”
    CHECKING ... I AM STILL DENIED ACCESS.
    THEIR COMPUTER MUST FIRST CHECK YOUR CODE WITH THE VAINMILL MASTER COMUTER. THIS MAY TAKE UP TO TWO HOURS.
    “Wonderful,” muttered Crane. “Then for the time being, we're back to those damned planets he visited. Have you turned up any other crew members who have been to them?”
    ONLY THE FOUR I LISTED YESTERDAY.
    “And none of them were on those worlds when he was there?”
    NO.
    “Just out of curiosity, was Infante on New Sumatra during the Bello Affair?”
    NO.
    “Too bad.”
    WHY IS THAT BAD?
    “It could have been a possible motive—someone taking revenge for all those people being killed.”
    YOUR STATEMENT INCORPORATES TWO LOGICAL FLAWS. FIRST, EDWARD INFANTE DID NOT WORK FOR QUINTUS BELLO'S GOVERNMENT.
    SECOND, IF REVENGE WAS THE MOTIVE FOR THE MURDER, THEN YOUR OPERATIONAL HYPOTHESIS THAT INFANTE'S MURDER WAS A WARNING IS INCORRECT.
    “Right,” said Crane with a sigh. He slumped back in his chair, stared at the screen for a moment, and then sat bolt upright. “That's the answer!”
    WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
    “First things first,” said Crane. “Is anyone monitoring me right now?”
    NO.
    “Has anyone been monitoring me since Pagliacci left the suite?”
    NO.
    “Can anyone call up what I've said to you at some point in the future?”
    YES.
    “All right,” said Crane. “Can you wipe everything that you and I have discussed since Pagliacci left the suite?”
    NO.
    “You're sure?”
    MY SECURITY RECORDS CANNOT BE TAMPERED WITH.
    “Can they be moved to a Priority File?”
    YES.
    “Then move everything from the instant Pagliacci walked out into a Priority File, and keep feeding our current conversation into it until I tell you to stop.”
    WHAT SECURITY CLEARANCE MAY ACCESS THE FILE?
    “What's the highest clearance rating aboard the Comet ?”
    THE DRAGON LADY AND THE BLACK PEARL EACH HAVE A CLEARANCE RATING OF 1-D.
    “Then make it 1-C and above.”
    DONE. YOU ARE NOW THE ONLY PERSON ABOARD THE VELVET COMET WHO CAN ACCESS THE FILE. WHEN YOU LEAVE, MY PROGRAMMING WILL COMPEL ME TO DOWNGRADE THE CLEARANCE RATING TO 1-D.
    “Once I leave, I don't care who accesses it.” He paused. “All right. Let's get back to business. I've got just one question to ask you.”
    YOU SAID THAT YOU HAD THE ANSWER.
    “I do. But I want you to confirm it.”
    WAITING...
    “Was Esteban Morales on New Sumatra during the Bello Affair?”
    YES.
    Crane smiled triumphantly. “I knew it!” He leaned back and relaxed somewhat. “Thanks.”
    IT IS MY DUTY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
    “You did more than answer my questions,” said Crane. “You told me who the killer was trying to frighten.”
    I DID NOT.
    “Not in so many words,” admitted Crane. “But you reminded me that Infante was murdered to scare someone else. The other