Stackpole, Michael A - Shadowrun

Stackpole, Michael A - Shadowrun by Raven, Wolf Page A

Book: Stackpole, Michael A - Shadowrun by Raven, Wolf Read Free Book Online
Authors: Raven, Wolf
Ads: Link
seconds to scan the place and get the Old One's howl to vet my opinion. By that time, the unearthly scent of hundreds of carnations assaulted my nose. Save for the top of Boniface's head, every flat surface in the room boasted a vase jammed with carnations of various colors. I recalled the riot of flora surrounding the Reverend on the simchip, but 3-D reality was another order of magnitude above even that.
    The gaudiest of the carnations resided in the buttonhole of Roberts' lapel. Standing behind his desk, he nodded to me and extended his hand. "Welcome, Mr. Kies."
    I accepted his hand and found his grip disturbingly firm. I normally judge a man by how he shakes hands, but Roberts' grip felt too right and practiced. The difference might have been subtle, and I could have put it down to my general dislike of him, but I got the feeling he was playing at being a regular guy.
    "I thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice." I dropped myself into the chair in front of his desk. Boniface drifted oVer to stand right behind me, but I chose to ignore him. "I apologize for any inconvenience to a man with your busy schedule."
    Roberts nodded and gave me a reassuring smile. "How could I refuse to see you when the message said you were interested in those children in the Barrens?"
    His smile grew and his hands spread wide apart. "Of course, I've heard of your Dr. Raven. Though I've never had occasion to use the services of an individual in your trade, what I have heard about Dr.
    Raven's been very encouraging. The respect in which he is held by some of the lower classes will help ease concerns about possible sinister motives on my part. I must admit, however, I had not expected Raven to join forces with me in this matter."
    I leaned back in the padded leather chair. "I hate to burst your bubble, Reverend Roberts, but I'm not here to offer Raven's help concerning the children. As you know, homeless children in the Barrens are legion, and most would welcome your aid. These kids don't want it. We want you to leave them alone."
    His head came up and a bit of light reflected from his scalp despite the thinly sown rows of blond hair transplants. "Leave them alone? How can I do that, Mr. Kies?" His wounded tone began to parallel the tape's parable preamble, but I could do nothing to deflect him. "Those children need help and I hardly think they're in a position to determine what's best for them. They need good food and schooling and direction. They cannot be allowed to waste away in the dung-heap of society. We must take them into our fold to encourage others to do the same with similar tragic cases."
    "Dr. Raven agrees with you in that regard, Reverend." I held a hand up, sending a quiver through Boniface. "He's already running full background checks on all the children in that house, using resources you don't command. He will find out who they really are and will get them help. We can get them protection in the Barrens and we can ensure they receive the aid necessary for them to rise above their beginnings."
    "Can you, Mr. Kies? Can you expect me to back off when what you suggest is making them fit fish for that small pond, whereas I will take them away from the Barrens and make them productive members of society?"
    I didn't like the reproving tone of his question. "The people of the Barrens are capable of taking care of Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    themselves. Betty Beggings and others work to form meta-family groups and to give people a solid base from which to operate."
    Roberts smiled like a shark. "But they do not have the resources at my command." He stood and indicated the opulence of his office. "They can command tribute from others in the Barrens, dividing and subdividing a very small pie into yet tinier morsels. I, on the other hand, solicit money from the rich and well-to-do in this society. I get in single contributions more nuyen than Betty Beggings and all her ilk see

Similar Books

Afterwife

Polly Williams

A Wedding on the Banks

Cathie Pelletier

Deadline

Randy Alcorn

Thunder from the Sea

Joan Hiatt Harlow

Lily of the Springs

Carole Bellacera

Stalker

Hazel Edwards

Continental Drift

Russell Banks