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confrontation, and confrontation was not her style. Such experiences tended to
be draining, unsettling, and seldom productive. Clearance had come through
late in the afternoon from Sherven's office for her transfer up to
Explorer 6
, but by that time Elundi and Iwon had already set things up for that evening.
Having made a commitment, Lorili would honor it, naturally; but after that,
she just wanted to be away from it all to get on with her work and be free to
think about the future.
At the end of the day, she walked with Iwon to the Central District, where he
had arranged to meet
Elundi, and the three of them proceeded to Tyarla's apartment, which was not
very far from Lorili's in another of the outer residential sectors. Tyarla
received them wearing a glittery green trouser suit with the flared sleeves
and legs that were the current fashion on Venus, her hair worn high in a
silver slide. The interior was a colorful riot of purple, lilac, yellow, and
black, splashed across compositions of angular mural designs and hanging
drapes, with metallic furnishings and ceramic ornaments. Tyarla herself
remained cool and aloof, evidently relishing the experience as little as
Lorili did. She let them find their own seats around the room and didn't offer
anything by way of drinks or refreshment. Elundi introduced his two companions
and then began:
"I'm sorry to bring this up again if you're having enough to deal with
already, Tyala. As I said on the phone earlier, yes, it's to do with these
things you've said concerning Gaster Lornod." He sighed, as if to convey that
this wasn't easy for him either. "Look, I've been following Lornod's arguments
for a long time. I think he makes some good points. And when I get interested
in a subject I do a lot of research into the background. So I know a lot about
the man, his character, and where he's coming from." Elundi shook his head
appealingly. "What you're saying just doesn't fit. I've talked to a number of
people who know him personally, and they say the same thing."
Tyarla raised her chin defiantly; but at the same time her eyes betrayed
insecurity. "He's a politician.
They're all alike. Of course there's a nicely groomed public image. I can't
help it if your friends were taken in by it. I only know what heard and
saw."
I
"Why should you care?" Iwon put in. "Even if it's true, why bother? Why get
yourself mixed up in this?"
"I think the people should know," Tyarla shot back.
Elundi was shaking his head. "One of my contacts talked to you Karteen Bissel.
She says you weren't even able to describe Lornod accurately."
"So I'm not very good at putting descriptions into words. Is that supposed to
be a crime?"
Lorili could see this kind line going on indefinitely without result. But
Elundi abandoned the circuitous route and came directly to the issue. "I
mentioned Jenyn on the phone earlier "
"And I said it's got nothing to do with Jenyn." Tyarla looked at the other
two, as if for support. "Why is he bringing Jenyn into it?"
"I work with Jenyn, as you know," Elundi said. "I don't pretend to know him
that well, because he's only been back in Rhombus from the Americas for a
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short time. But he was the one who introduced us, and I think you do know him
very well from when he was in Rhombus before."
Tyarla sniffed haughtily. "I can't see what that's got anything to do with it,
or that it's any of your business."
"You were pretty clearly making it everyone's business at the time," Elundi
retorted. Even as he said it, the pained look in his eyes showed he knew that
he shouldn't have.
"I don't have to listen to this." Tyarla started to rise.
Iwon tried to be placating. "Let's not get heated. It won't help. . . . Look,
Tyarla, this is for your own good as much as anything else. Really. If it is
the way Elundi's saying, it will be far better to come clean about it now."
"I don't need you people to tell me what's good for me. I can take care of
myself, thanks." Tyarla was on her feet, but as yet she was making no move to
show them the door. A part of her, yet, was undecided.
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