It was from Carol. Could I meet her as soon as possible, please, at the Costa?I texted back in the affirmative setting our meeting for 9.00, which gav... me enough time to go through my emails and reply to a couple of important ones.When I arrived at the Costa, Carol had already got our drinks and had snagged us a table as far away from the windows as possible.“Hi, Mike. Look, let’s not beat around the bush on this. Having closely observed Louise yesterday evening, I’d have to say that I am 99%. Her palm wasn’t resting on the soft curve of a pillow as she pushed herself up.No. Pillows were not so perfectly rounded and firm. Pillows were also not attached to a pair of shapely alien legs. Dey’s hand was resting on Xee’s butt. The Huntress was laying face down on the bed, her body tangled with sheets and pillows. Dey had managed to not impale herself on the spines that thrust up from the Huntress’ back, each one shimmering with the faint warp field that they used to cool their bodies off.. There were handshakes all around and a promise that a signed and sealed paper would be delivered to Queenstown within a week if all went well. Evidently other men were involved as investors and had to sign off on the agreement.From the back room of the busy factor's place, they walked toward the dock and heard the rat-a-tatting of a drum. "Come," Anne pulled on Philip's arm. "Let's see if that's Billy. He told me he was going to be recruiting."It was. He sat at a small table in his old uniform,. .. and the Andersons." But ... you came back ... how?" Only David knows. You do realize if you talk about it ... you'll probably end up dead." Then why did you tell me?" Your redeeming quality ... you wouldn't let it go until we did." Grace grinned at her.It was a rueful grin, but Jeanine grinned back.Hineahuone came out wearing ... I don't know ... but she looked damn all fine ... and orchids ... strategically placed orchids ... What the flowers didn't cover they displayed.She looked at me,.