Free Pulp Fiction | The Hollow Crown Affair by David McDaniel by Unknown Page B

had already begun when Illya poked Napoleon and pointed. Across the gymnasium, on one of a row of folding chairs, sat Irene Baldwin in a perfectly proper and fetching outfit. "She's here to tell Ward something," said the Russian. "And there are entirely too many secrets being kept around here these days. Let's see if we can intercept anything of general interest."
    Solo nodded. Chandra and Lyn had drifted off together for a few minutes, and Alexander Waverly had drifted into contemplative silence. Lin Potter had bounced by with a short young man with tangled blond hair and black framed glasses, waved to them and called them to join, but Chandra had something important to tell Lyn and begged their patience for just five more minutes.
    They had left Napoleon and Illya standing at the edge of the dance floor, hands clasped behind them, rocking forward occasionally, and conversing in tones just audible above the energetic but uninspired combo. Now they had stopped rocking, and were watching, with the utmost unconcern, the quietly smiling and nearly anonymous woman across the hall.
    Finally Illya spoke. "Napoleon," he said, "I think I'll go and ask her for a dance."
    Napoleon said nothing for a minute. "Sounds like a good idea," he said at last. "See what you can find out."
    The next number was slower with a more definite rhythm, and Illya materialized beside Irene's chair, clicked his heels slightly and offered her his hand. Her eyes were warm as she accepted it and rose, and they turned out onto the floor.
    Illya opened the conversation. "I must thank you for the bouquet," he said. "Chandra told us you were on our side."
    "Chandra oversimplifies, I'm afraid. I just didn't want Ward to let things get worse. When the situation deteriorates, change it. As for the bouquet, I carried it with me when I went down to the City." She laughed lightly. "Ward always said you wouldn't recognize a clue if it was handed to you on a tray—I'm really pleased to find he was wrong."
    Before Illya could think of an answer, she changed the subject and was asking him if he had seen any of Burlington since he'd been here.
    "No—we came straight here from the airport."
    "What a pity. If you have time, you should ask Ward to give you his ten-cent tour of the city."
    "I remember how your fifty-cent tour of San Francisco ended."
    "With poor Mr. Horne riding the California Street cable. Yes, that was an enjoyable evening. But I won't be able to come with you this time—Ward and I have agreed not to know each other at all while conditions are so unstable; I should actually be in hiding at the moment."
    "Why did you come to the dance, then?"
    She sighed. "Sentimental weakness, I suppose. And I did want to see Ward, if only from a distance. Chandra told me how well he looked at Convocation."
    "I don't suppose you know what we can expect, where King is, or anything like that."
    She shook her head. "Oh no. I just stay close enough that I can come help Ward if he needs me."
    The music stopped and they joined the patter of applause as the floor cleared and the tempo changed. Irene stepped back hesitantly. "I probably shouldn't have been seen with you, Mr. Kuryakin. Thank you." And she was gone.
    Chandra had kept Lyn occupied just long enough. The two girls emerged from an anonymous doorway seconds after Illya rejoined Napoleon and Waverly. Lyn fastened herself to Illya and drew him back to the dance floor as the combo performed a vicious molto accellerando . Chandra sat next to Napoleon, who greeted her with a look of curiosity. "I don't suppose you're acquainted with Lyn."
    "Only a nodding acquaintance—she's Ward's secretary. Where is Ward, anyway?"
    "Still working over his computer outputs. But he called for his electric cart so he should be here shortly."
    "Oh, look!" said Chandra suddenly. "There's Irene!"
    Napoleon nodded. "Illya took a turn around the floor with her while you were out. She told him she'd just as soon not be noticed at all."
    "I think you