in silence. Then Tachyon looked up. "The Evans gambit. That's a very old-fashioned opening," he said, shifting slightly because the vinyl on the chair was sticking to his bare bottom. " I had a friend who always used that opening."
"Oh?"
"No one you would know."
"What happened to him?"
"I don't know. He's gone now. Long gone. Like all the rest."
"Maybe not," said Davidson. Tach laid the tip of his left forefinger on the knight. "You don't want to do that. The bishop would be better," the actor murmured. The alien switched pieces, and ...
"David! David! DavidDavidDavidDavidDavid."
The IV drip had ripped from his hand as he threw himself on the man opposite him. And his weakness betraved him. He could not keep his feet. David Harstein caught him beneath the armpits, and they huddled on the floor.
The tweed coat was rough against his skin. Catching on the stubble that littered his cheeks. He was wailing like a three-year-old, but he couldn't stop. David's hand was softly stroking his curly hair.
"Hush. It's all right now."
And of course it was because such had been the Envoy's power.' "Oh, David, you've come back to me."
"Only for a little while, Tach." The Takisian stiffened. "I'm old, Tachy. Someday I'll die." Thev sat silent for a few moments then David shook off the mood and said, "Let's get you back to bed."
"No, no, this is fine. Talk to me. Tell me everything. Those beautiful, beautiful girls-yours?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty proud of them."
"Do they know?"
"Yes, my family's been a pillar for me. I was so bitter when I got out of prison. The government tried to recruit me for their covert ace operations." The mobile mouth twisted. "I ran, and David Harstein died, and josh Davidson was born. I had a new identity, but all the old hate remained. Then I met -Rebecca. She took away the hurt. They've never betrayed me." The man's dark eyes were thoughtful and distant.
"Jack is .. What I mean is he has ..."
"It's all right, Tach. Braun and I have found common ground, to quote our vice-presidential nominee. And Braun reminded me that maybe we do have an obligation." He paused considering for a long moment. "Last night, when we all thought you were going to die, I realized that just knowing you resided in the same world with me was a strange kind of anchor. A comfort. Rebecca reminded me that . . well, that knowing I was alive might be a comfort to you."
"It is," Tachyon sighed, taking a tighter grip on David's lapel.
"I've spent thirty years admiring and envying those aces who had the courage to use their powers," Harstein mused. "You had the courage."
"Yes, but not the wisdom."
"That is always the problem, is it not?"
"What are you thinking?" the Envoy asked as he studied that thin chiseled face.
"Which is the most important, David? Love, honor, courage, duty?"
"Love," said the actor promptly. Tach patted his cheek. "Gentle one."
"And for you?"
"Honor and duty. I must get to the Omni, David. Will you help me?"
"Tachyon, you're in no condition."
"I know that, but needs must ..."
"Will you tell me why?"
"I cannot. Will you help me?"
"What a question."
7:00 P.M.
Spector hid behind the bed and hoped what Colin had said about being a creature of habit was true. Hastings' body was still in the shower. You couldn't really smell it until you were in the bathroom. Obvicusly, the maids had only peeked in while making their rounds, or they would have found it. Spector checked his watch. It was right at 7:00 P. M. If the joker was late, or didn't show at all, he'd have to hustle to get over to the convention hall. He'd bought a mask of his own, but was afraid it might not match the others.
He heard soft footfalls stop in front of the door. Spector crouched down behind the bed. The door opened. Shut. He heard someone sniffing the air. Spector stuck his head up. The joker was reaching for his gun. Spector made eye contact and pushed hard. Colin's legs folded up underneath him and he made a strangled little noise, then he fell over dead.
Spector had tried to make it quick. The brief conversation he'd had with the joker didn't give him any cause to dislike the guy. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. As Spector kneeled next to the body, he noticed something that he'd missed before. Colin's hair had a pronounced oily sheen. It definitely wasn't hair dressing, and more likely