Jirel sat at a vid-phone in a quiet corner of a nearly deserted cyber café. The drive-thru’s Instacook seemed to be the place’s biggest draw, as folks grabbed meals on the go. Vid-phone was rather pointless, since Smith didn’t use it, but he didn’t want to have this conversation on base. “What do you mean you don’t know anything about it? You healed the child and sent the father here. Didn’t you?”
“Nope, don’t do healings,” said Smith, seemingly through the dark window. “I’ve heard of a guy in San Diego, but never had the pleasure.”
“And I suppose you don’t know anything about that guy’s dreams.”
“‘Fraid not.”
“Could you ask Him? For some reason, He’s keeping me in the dark.”
“I could ask, but my initial feeling is that I’m not going to find out anything.”
Jirel sighed. “Don’t suppose the guy in San Diego would be any help?”
“I could track him down. I think all he knows is your name, but I could try.”
“I guess it couldn’t hurt. While you’re at it, could you check on these men?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t know who that other man is, but the first man was Nick Verducci.”
“White suit? Diamond ring?”
“Yes.”
“No need to check on him. He’s a big time underworld figure. The top supplier of black market food. He and Ivan were big time rivals before Ivan was hanged. The best I can say for Verducci is that he never sold tainted food. Ivan killed more Christians through food poisoning than he ever did through hangings.”
“As Ivan the Steward hung three million Christians, I doubt that’s the case.”
Smith laughed. “Oh, I forgot. You don’t get hyperbole.”
“What I don’t get is why I have two men, including a major crime syndicate figure, ready to do my bidding, and no idea what I’m supposed to do with them.”
“Give it time, my friend.”
“I miss eternity, Smith.”
Continued…here.
Subscribe to Laser & Sword by Email to get the next part and all the rest of our free offerings delivered to you. To find out what happens sooner, visit the Laser and Sword Online store and download Issue 1 for free or purchase the Annual Edition containing 11 action packed stories.