Free Pegasus in Space by Anne McCaffrey Page B

Station, he was considered prejudiced. Another prominent American jurist had been chosen for the panel of five.
    “Couldn’t say, Gordie,” Johnny replied with one of his shrugs. “Duoml turned his office over to Coetzer’s personnel manager the day before and was out of there like he couldn’t wait to get downside.” Johnny paused. “Of course, you might conclude that he knew something was up but he sure didn’t want to be involved.”
    Fortunately, the subsequent mental probe of Duoml by Jerhattan LEO Commissioner Boris Roznine, who had been assigned to the unsavory duty by the international investigators, exonerated the man of any complicity.
    “Writhing with distaste and considerable animosity toward Barchenka,” Boris later told his twin brother, Sascha, “but without personal involvement. I think, though he hid it well, he had his suspicions. There’re enough involved as it is. Including, and you’ll love this, old Flimflam, Ponsit Prosit.”
    “
Who?
” Sascha gaped at Boris in astonishment. Sascha had deliberately put the scam artist out of his mind once the man had been assigned to Padrugoi as a janitor in the grunt level.
    “Yup. Dirt loves dirt and he’d’ve loved doing the dirty on any Talent.”
    “Just don’t,” and Sascha paused significantly, “even
think
of that scuzball near Tirla.”
    Boris gave his brother a do-you-think-I’m-crazy look. “Nor in the vicinity of Rhyssa and Peter. They’ve all put that kidnapping behind them and it’ll stay there.”
    “And Flimflam?” Sascha’s voice and manner had hardened.
    “Well,” and Boris shrugged, “I don’t think Barchenka trusted him any more than we do. He was supposed to do one of his brainwashing ReligiousInterpretation gigs on offenders, to get them to support her. I get the impression he isn’t the least bit rehabilitated. Bets a lot, but there’s no law against that up there. He can work all the scams he wants on offies and grunts. I warned Commander Ottey in Padrugoi security to watch out for any further problem from him and, well …” Boris left the rest of his sentence in the air. Sascha understood what wasn’t said.
    “And his Royal Highness Prince Phanibal Shimaz is safely on First Base?” Sascha asked.
    “The penal unit there is isolated from the main blocks,” Boris replied. “Colonel Watari’s tough. Goes by the book. Shimaz is out of the way for good. That child-farm of his was too much even for his family.” Then Boris sighed deeply. “And speaking of debasement, I hope I’m not required to probe Ludmilla again.” Despite his long service with Law Enforcement and Order, Boris gave a shudder of revulsion.
    Sascha spared his brother a sympathetic look. “Her trial’s nearly over. I doubt you’ll have to.”
    “Appalling woman.
Hates
us.” And Boris meant Talents.
    “She has reason,” Sascha remarked candidly. “Of course, if I were truly honest, I’d admit that I reciprocate her animosity with interest.”
    “I won’t tell.”
    “You’re all heart, bro,” replied Sascha.
    “So, give me some good news to go on with? I’ve five more of Ludmilla’s white-coats to scan for the hearings tomorrow,” Boris said with a heavy sigh. “Is Lance going to start training your young genius?”
    “He had to settle affairs in Adelaide but Rhyssa and Peter are expecting him any day now.”
    T he tribunal hearing the case of Padrugoi Space Station versus Ludmilla Barchenka for mutiny proceeded inexorably but with impeccable impartiality to a conclusion. The attempted hostage-taking, grievous bodily harm done several distinguished guests, and her threats against their lives were sufficient to have heavy penalties imposed on her. She was found guilty of high treason by the unanimous agreement of the tribunal that had included a Ukrainian judge and was duly sentenced to permanent house arrest in a small house outside Kiev. She wore the specialdouble-banded wrist ID of a convicted criminal that