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

FILE IS CLOSED.
    Crane made it through three more dull, pointless interviews with crew members and was just about to embark on a fourth when his holographic screen flickered to life and an image of the Black Pearl's face appeared.
    “Mr. Crane?”
    “What is it?”
    “I want to see you in my office.”
    “I'm busy.”
    “Then get un-busy,” she said furiously.
    “What's the problem?”
    “The problem is you , and if you're not here in ten minutes’ time, I am personally going to throw you off the Comet .” She broke the connection.

Chapter 6

    The Black Pearl sat, back erect, knees pressed tensely together, on one of the couches in her office.
    Her hair was done in a number of small braids, each tipped at the end with a gold teardrop. A gold band, possessing large rubies and turquoises placed at regular intervals, circled her head like a crown.
    About her neck and shoulders she wore a flat gold collar composed of numerous six-inch strips of gold and tipped by rubies. Her breasts and midriff were bare, while her skirt was made of perhaps twenty metal strips, also gold. Her feet were wrapped in golden sandals, and she wore a golden band on her left arm.
    The Dragon Lady, wearing a dark blue robe, sat opposite her on the facing sofa, nervously smoking a Denebian cigarette.
    “He'll be here in just another minute or two,” she said at last.
    “I know,” said the Black Pearl.
    “Are you sure you don't want to change your clothes?”
    “I'm a businesswoman. These are my business clothes.”
    “But —”
    “One way or another we're going to get things straightened out around here,” said the Black Pearl.
    “Crane wouldn't hesitate to use every advantage he could think of if he had called this meeting, so why shouldn't I?”
    The Dragon Lady shrugged. “Have it your own way. To tell you the truth, I don't even know why I'm here, unless it's to play the role of the referee.”
    “You're here because this concerns the well-being of the Comet .”
    “Well, I just wish I were anywhere else. I see a confrontation coming up, and I don't want to get involved in it. After all, I have to work with both of you.”
    “There won't be any confrontation unless he wants one,” said the Black Pearl.
    “Of course there will,” said the Security Chief. “You know he's attracted to you, and yet look at the way you're dressed. He may be many things, good and bad, but he's not stupid. He'll know why you're wearing this outfit, and he'll feel resentful and antagonistic.”
    “I'll settle for uncomfortable.”
    “I think we'll all be uncomfortable before this thing is over. I'd much rather go look at your Night Crystals.”
    “You can do the next best thing,” said the Black Pearl. “Move over to the bar and sit on one of the stools. That way you'll be out of the line of verbal fire.”
    “Gladly,” replied the Dragon Lady, crossing the room. “And the fact that he'll now have to sit on the couch across from you wouldn't have anything to do with your altruism, would it?”
    The Black Pearl offered her a predatory smile. “Perhaps just a little.”
    They sat in silence for another minute, and then the security system beeped twice.
    “He's here,” announced the Dragon Lady.
    “I know.”
    “Well?”
    “Let him knock.”
    A moment later Crane knocked on the door and the Black Pearl ordered it to open.
    The detective stepped into the room, stared at the Black Pearl for a moment, then turned and nodded a greeting to the Dragon Lady.
    “Cleopatra?” he asked, turning back to the madam. “Or one of the Roman goddesses?”
    “Cleopatra,” replied the Black Pearl, stretching her arms along the top of the sofa.
    “I always thought she was bitten by an asp. Now I get the distinct impression that she died of a chest cold.”
    “Sit down, Mr. Crane,” said the Black Pearl.
    He looked around the room, saw that the chairs were too far away, shrugged, and walked over to the couch.
    “What did you want to see me about?”