Mything Persons

with the possibility that he was shrewd and resourceful

as well. Still, I had learned that ignoring unpleasant

elements of a caper was perhaps the worst way to pre-

pare for them.

"Keep going," I urged.

"Well," the troll sighed, "when you stumbled on his

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hiding place at the Woof Writers, he didn't panic. He

waited to hear as much of your plans as possible, all the

while taking advantage of the opportunity to assess you

first-hand, then timed his escape so as to catch you all

flat-footed."

I digested this distasteful addition to the rapidly

growing data file. "Do you really think he was sizing me

up?"

"There's no doubt in my mind. Not only was he

gauging your skills and determination, he was successful

enough at second-guessing you, based on the results of

his studies, to be waiting to sound the alarm when you

busted Aahz out of jail. ... a particularly bold move

when one realizes that he was running the risk of being

recognized, which would have blown his frame-up of

your partner."

"Bold or desperate," I said thoughtfully. "That's

probably why he waited until we had actually sprung

Aahz and were on the way down before he blew the

whistle. If we had gotten away unscathed, then the

frame would be useless, so at that point he really wasn't

risking anything."

"Have it your way," the troll shrugged. "The final

analysis remains that we have one tough nut to crack.

One can only wonder what he will do when we catch up

with him this time."

"If he's performing up to par, it could be rough on

us."

Chumley shot me a sidelong glance.

"Actually, I was thinking it could be rough on your

lady fair ... if he has managed to observe the feelings

you have for her."

I started to protest, then the impact of his theory hit

me and my embarrassment gave way to concern.

"Is it really that apparent? Do you think he could

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spot it? If so, he might already have done something to

Luanna for having contacted us."

"It stands out all over you to anyone who knows

you," Chumley said, shaking his head. "As for some-

one watching you for the first time ... I just don't

know. He'd be more likely to deduce it from the in-

formation you had... such as his name. That kind of

data had to come from somewhere, though there's an

outside chance that with your current reputation he'll

assume that you gleaned it by some magical source."

I barely heard him. My mind was focused on the

possibility that Luanna might be hurt, and that I might

indirectly have been the cause. A black well of guilt was

rising up to swallow me, when I felt a hand on my

shoulder.

"Don't tune out now, Skeeve," Chumley was saying,

shaking me slightly. "First of all, we're going to need

you shortly. Secondly, even if Vic's figured out that

you're in love with her, I don't think he'll have hurt her.

If anything, he'll save her for a trump card to use

against us."

I drew a deep ragged breath.

"... and he'll be just the bastard to do it, too," I

said. "I don't know what I'll be able to do, for us or for

her, but I'll be ready to try. Thanks, Chumley."

The troll was studying me closely.

"Actually, I wasn't thinking that he was such a

blighter," he said. "More like a clever, resourceful per-

son who's gotten in over his head and is trying his best

to ad-lib his way out. Frankly, Skeeve old boy, in many

ways he reminds me of you. You might think about that

when attempting to appraise his likely courses of action

and how to counter them."

I tried again to weigh what he was saying, but all I

could think about was what the consequences of this

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hunt could mean to Luanna. It was difficult enough for

me to accept that we would have to force Luanna and

her cohorts to answer to the authorities for their in-

discretions, but the thought of placing her in physical

danger was unbearable.

I looked around for Aahz, fully intending to put an

end to this hunt once and for all. To my surprise, the

rest of the group was assembled on the corner ahead,

and my partner was beckoning us to join them.

"What's going on?" I asked, almost to myself.

"Just off-hand," Chumley replied, "I'd say we've

reached our destination."

A cold wave of fear washed over me, and I hurried to

the rendezvous with Chumley close behind.

"We're in luck," Aahz announced as I arrived.

"Guido here says he saw Vic entering the building just

as we got here. It's my guess they're all inside right

now."

"Aahz, I—I want us to quit right now," I blurted,

painfully aware of how weak it sounded.

"Oh?" my partner said, cocking an eyebrow at me.

. "Any particular reason?"

I licked my lips, feeling the eyes of the whole group

on me.

"Only one. I'm in love with one of the fugitives...

the girl."

"Yeah. Now tell me something I didn't know," Aahz

smirked, winking at me.

"You knew?"

"All of us knew. In fact, we were just discussing it.

Remember, we all know you... and me probably best

of all. It's already been pretty much decided to let your

love-light go. Think of it as a present from us to you.

The other two are ours."

Five minutes ago, that would have made me deliri-

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