In the morning, clean and in clothing provided by the detention center, they were shown into a pleasant office. Vita, suffering H withdrawal, refused to participate, and Orlene, appalled at what she had learned, had retreated to passivity again. Thus it was up to Jolie to handle this interview.
A man of middle age sat in an easy chair. He stood as they entered. "Please make yourself comfortable," he said, indicating another chair. "This is a preliminary interview, informal, and if you wish, off the record. I merely wish to learn something about you."
Jolie found herself disarmed by his manner; he hardly resembled a callous bureaucrat! She sat, and the man sat again. He had a receding hairline which he did not bother to mask, and an expanding waistline, yet he seemed healthy overall. His eyes were gray-brown, as if the pigment had smeared. There were smile lines framing both eyes and mouth, but also frown lines.
"Now, when we ran the routine identification check on you, we discovered that you are a local resident—but there is no lost-person report on you. Indeed, there is a qualifier: your identification remains invalid unless you corroborate it. We are legally bound not to report you, without your permission. This is unusual, to say the least."
It was also interesting! Certainly Luna knew where Vita was, for she had sent the two of them to her. But what connection did Vita have to Luna, and why was it so important to get the girl straightened out?
I sure don't know! Vita thought irritably. And care less. Ask him if he's got any H.
So the mystery remained—unless this was merely a convenient case, to keep Jolie occupied and Orlene from sinking to Hell. Well, it certainly was doing that!
"I had a bad experience at home," Jolie said, speaking for Vita. Internally, she asked: May I tell him?
Go ahead, I don't care. But I won't go home.
"This is often the case," the man agreed. "In past times runaway children were routinely returned to their homes. Then it was discovered what they were running from, and policy changed. Abuse?"
"Perhaps," Jolie said cautiously.
"Would you like information on what constitutes abuse, legally? We want to understand your situation, and to have you understand it yourself."
Jolie glanced at the matron who had brought her here, and who remained standing at the door. That might be for her protection, or the man's. "Are you trying to get me to incriminate myself? I'm willing to do that; I did throw garbage at the police carpet, so they would arrest me."
"So that you could win clear of the youth gang that was closing in on you," he agreed. "I understand—and so did the arresting officers. But there are other aspects of this case that cause us to be reluctant simply to turn you loose again."
"I don't want to be turned loose!" Jolie said, alarmed. She knew that this host would be far better off in custody than on the street.
"We have little choice, as you have committed no significant crime and you can not be classed as a runaway. But we are willing to help in whatever way seems appropriate."
"This doesn't sound like a police interrogation!" Jolie exclaimed. "Who are you? What do you really want of me?"
The man smiled. "I apologize for neglecting to introduce myself. I am Judge Scott, and this is a preliminary hearing before our formal meeting in court. I prefer to know something about those who come before me, so that my ignorance does not lead to bad decisions."
Jolie was amazed. "I thought you were just a functionary! Someone to take evidence to use against me."
He smiled again. "That, too, perhaps. But the roots of my involvement are curiosity and a desire to do what is right, which is not always merely what is legal."
Jolie realized that her encounter with this man could be a stroke of luck—or perhaps had somehow been anticipated by Luna. She decided to put her cards—not merely Vita's on the table. "May I speak privately with you, Judge Scott?"
"The matron is here to ensure that I take no unseemly advantage of you," he reminded her. "This is standard policy with juvenile females."
"I understand that. But what I have to say is private and I think not at all what you expect."
"There is also a recording of this interview being made, for my protection as well as yours, so I can not guarantee you privacy."
"That recording can be sealed as proprietary material." The Judge raised an eyebrow. "You sound uncommonly knowledgeable for your years."
"I am. Please let me talk to you alone." He nodded to the matron, who quietly retired. "I am not merely a runaway fifteen-year-old girl, H addict and prostitute," Jolie said. "I am a more mature woman who is animating her body as a temporary host and a still more mature woman who is operating during the incapacity of the other one. Can you grasp this?"
"Certainly this is possible, if the host consents. What would be the purpose in such a grouping?"
"The host is important to another person, who does not wish to interfere directly. The other ghost is important to me, so I brought her to this host in order to prevent her soul from sinking to Hell, where it does not belong."
The Judge gazed at a spot on the ceiling. "Allow me to remind you that the charge against you is limited to abuse of an officer of the law, in the circumstances a misdemeanor. You have not been charged with substance abuse or with prostitution, and may not wish to volunteer such information to the court." That's for sure! Vita put in. It seemed she was monitoring this dialogue.
"Oh, but I do," Jolie said. "In fact, I am prepared to turn state's evidence in exchange for treatment and witness protection."
You're crazy! Vita protested. The pimp was bad, but not as bad as prison. You know what happens to girl prisoners? I wear a null-preg, null-VD charm to keep me clean, but in prison they get mean, and the charm won't help.
Startled, Jolie glanced at the girl's wrist. There was the magic band, matching her light brown skin, which she hadn't noticed before.
"I am not certain you understand what such action would entail," the Judge said. "You would have to remain in protective custody, and with our present limited facilities, that means an adult prison. I believe I would prefer to return you to the street."
Jolie smiled. "My host would prefer to return to the street too. But I am proceeding on the assumption that she would only become fully addicted to Spelled H. would be mercilessly exploited and abused by her pimp, and would come to a sad end. I also believe that there was reason that we were sent to her, and that she must be restored to her family."
No way! Vita snapped. My band's no good against that either.
"To which she does not wish to be restored," the Judge said. "I would suspect that she has been abused there, perhaps sexually molested. But prison is not the answer."
"Neither is the street," Jolie pointed out.
His eyes came down to focus on her face. "Tell me more about yourself. Not the host; I mean you the ghost. When did you live, and why did you not go to Heaven?"
"I don't think that's relevant."
"It is if you are in control of the body. It is your responsibility that will determine the host's overt actions, and this will help me make a decision."
Jolie nodded. "Stop me when you've heard enough. My name is Jolie. I was born in southern France in the year 1191 A.D. of common peasant stock. In 1205, when I was fourteen, I was summoned to the house of the local sorcerer, a young man a year my senior but of infinitely greater experience and education and power. He fed me and talked to me and said he wanted my love, and in due course he had it, and I married him. I was killed by a crusader in 1208, but there was enough evil in my situation to put my soul in balance, and I remained with my husband as a ghost. He became a friar, but when he was of middle age, I animated a living woman and tempted him into sin, and thereafter he was prey to a demoness sent by Lucifer, and I could not approach him."
"Lucifer?"
"Satan's predecessor. When my husband died, he replaced Lucifer and became Satan. Today I keep company with Gaea instead of with Satan, but I still love him and visit him when I can. Now I am trying to help Gaea's daughter, and—"
What?
Jolie bit her lip. "Oh, I said too much! She didn't know, and it wasn't yet time to tell her. I got carried away by what I was telling you—"
"Some might suppose a person who told such a story was either inventive or crazy," Judge Scott remarked.
Jolie nodded. "So I might as well finish it while you're still listening. Gaea sent me to Luna, and Luna sent me to help this host. I do not know what her interest in this host is, but I do know the girl needs help, so I am trying to help her. Most immediately, I am trying to get her off the street and off H, and this is where I beseech your help."
The Judge seemed undisturbed. "Since you are a long-term ghost, you will have mastered the tricks of the trade, as it were. You will be able not only to animate a willing host, but to manifest directly to those who are interested enough to perceive you."
"Yes. Do you wish me to?"
"Yes, please."
Jolie drew herself out of the host and floated in the air beside her. Then she intensified her image until she manifested in her natural living guise: a seventeen-year-old French villain girl. Even so, few could have seen her.
The Judge looked directly at her and nodded. "Can you speak also?"
"If you can hear me."
"I can hear you. Who remains in charge of the host?"
There was a pause. Then Orlene spoke. "I suppose that's me. I wanted to sink down to Hell, but now I am uncertain. This girl does need help, and it may be my penance to bring her out of her slough."
"And you are?" the Judge inquired.
"Orlene. My baby died, and I committed suicide and am trying to reach him in the Afterlife. But the Incarnation of Night played a cruel trick on me, and I can not forgive myself for what it brought me to."
"Will you, also, vacate the host?" the Judge asked.
"But she'll sink to Hell!" Jolie protested.
"Perhaps not, now," he replied. "She cannot be condemned to Hell for evil inflicted on her by another."
"But she doesn't believe that!"
"I am coming to believe it," Orlene said. "Certainly I understand now that others have problems as bad as mine, and it behooves me to do what I can to help them, instead of merely giving up." She moved out of the body and floated.
"Who remains in charge of the host?" the Judge asked again.
Vita looked around craftily. "Look, Judge, this is all a big mistake. If you'll just let me go—"
"You would be back on the street in a moment, looking for H," the Judge concluded.
"I didn't say that!" She glanced at him appraisingly. "I can pay, if you like young flesh." She shaped her hair with her hands and inhaled, trying to enhance her figure in the plain prison dress. "Anything you want, just don't put me in prison or ship me home."
The Judge nodded again. "Point made. Return to your host, ghosts, and we shall discuss ways and means."
"But they won't let me have—" Vita protested. Then Orlene approached her from the left and Jolie from the right. She tried to bat them away, but her will was not in it: she knew that only Jolie was competent to deal with the Judge at this stage. So after token resistance, she allowed them to reenter her and resume control.
The Judge considered for a moment. "I want your commitment, Jolie, that you as the dominant personality will remain with this host until her situation has been clarified."
"Well, that depends on Orlene, and on Luna. If Luna asked me to leave—"
"You are referring to Senator Kaftan?" he asked sharply.
"Luna Kaftan, yes. But I wouldn't want her name brought into this until I know more about her interest in this person."
The Judge touched a panel on the arm of his chair.
"Senator Kaftan, please."
In a moment the air between them flickered and a holo picture of a young man appeared. "Senator Kaftan's office," he said. "Oh, hello, Judge Scott! She's in conference at the moment, but I'll have her call you back."
"No need, Joe," the Judge said. "Merely inform her that I propose to assume jurisdiction over one of her clients, with her permission."
Joe's eyes moved around until they spied Vita. "No problem, Judge; her permission is noted."
"Thank you." The image faded.
"What's going on?" Jolie asked, amazed.
"When you mentioned Luna Kaftan, I knew this was no ordinary case. So I verified that you are what you claim to be, and that this girl, your host, is indeed a concern of Luna's. She wants the matter handled discreetly, so I am assuming personal jurisdiction. But I am not about to take an errant juvenile girl into my home unsupervised. I must have your commitment to remain with her until this matter has been resolved."
"Your home?" Jolie still was struggling over the Judge's evidently close acquaintance with Luna.
"There are no appropriate facilities for such a project. My housekeeper will see to your comfort. I will release you on your own recognizance, and you will report to my residence immediately. There you will be able to tend to your host's needs without harassment. Will you make that commitment, Jolie?"
If Luna knew this man and trusted him, Jolie realized she could do no less. "Yes."
"Very well. You will be conducted back to your cell. This afternoon you will appear before me formally. Thereafter you will go to this address." He gave her a card. "I will provide a carpet, as the girl's pimp may be on watch for her release. Avoid him."
"Thank you," Jolie said faintly. What was she caught up in here? The Judge seemed so direct and understanding but taking an underage prostitute into his home? If it wasn't for Luna's involvement, she would distrust this overwhelmingly; as it was, she distrusted it only significantly.
The matron returned. The interview was over—and what an interview it had been!
So he does want young flesh! Vita thought.
Jolie, you can't put her into his power! Orlene thought. You know the sexual imperative of the male!
Who cares? Vita retorted. He can't be as bad as the pimp was. If I do good, maybe he'll let me have some H.
No sex! Orlene thought.
No H! Jolie thought at the same time.
We'll see, the girl responded smugly.
If your father molested you, Orlene asked, why are you so eager for sex with strangers?
I'm not eager, in fact I don't like it. But it's not incest, and if anyone finds out, it won't put my father in prison and break up my family and break my mother's heart. It's the only currency I've got now, so I might as well make it count. The H makes it okay, and it can really make a man jump. Sex is power.
They reached the cell. "Here is your headache pill," the matron said, proffering a capsule.
"Headache?" Jolie asked, surprised. Then she realized that the Judge must have ordered it, so she accepted it.
"Thank you."
They were alone. Is that H? Vita asked eagerly. "I'm near dying for a sniff."
"You aren't dying," Jolie said. "I can feel your body, now, remember. It's only a moderate withdrawal discomfort; you really aren't addicted yet, and you aren't going to be. This pill is to ease even that symptom." She put it in her mouth, and it dissolved immediately into sweet juice, which she swallowed.
Maybe it's just a symptom to you, but it's one hell of a craving for me! Vita retorted. If I were on my own now, I'd be out hustling for it, you bet.
You will not have it while I'm in charge, Jolie retorted.
Vita subsided sullenly. It was obvious that she was biding her time and would go for the H the moment she had opportunity. Even though they shared the body, they did not share the craving.
Gaea is my mother? Orlene asked.
"It is true," Jolie said, subvocalizing. "I'm sorry I said it like that, but it is true. She birthed you when she was mortal and could not marry, so gave you up to a Gypsy woman, who gave you to the family who adopted you. When she assumed the Office of the Incarnation of Nature, she had the power to influence your life, but felt that would be a conflict of interest, so she made no attempt to locate you. Instead a friend asked me to watch over you, and that I did, visiting you in your dreams. When you died, I couldn't tell her, but I still tried to help you, so that you could achieve some satisfaction. I hoped that I would be able to tell her that you died but were satisfied, but it got complicated."
It got complicated, Orlene agreed. Jolie, how can you still try to help me, after what I did?
What did you try to do that was so bad? Vita asked.
"It wasn't her fault," Jolie said.
I tried to rape her.
Vita made a thought-whistle. How could—
"She was turned magically into a man, whose passion then overwhelmed him," Jolie explained before Orlene could get into more guilt. "I am still trying to help you, Orlene, because I know you, and know that you would never have done such a thing in your normal state, either living or dead. It was the cruel prank of the Incarnation of Night, making you pay for your audacity in wanting your baby back."
Some prank! Vita thought admiringly. But you know, men do like to do it to women, and you can't trust any man who denies it. That's why I know what to expect from the Judge.
I don't think so, Orlene thought. The Judge glowed.
He had a glow on?
What?
"She means was he intoxicated or under the influence of some drug," Jolie clarified.
Oh. No, I mean I can see when a person is right for another, and the Judge is right for anyone. He's a good man, a very good man.
Jolie had forgotten about Orlene's talent. Some people had individual magic, such as Gaea's for enhanced music, and Orlene's magic was to be able to orient on any person or people and tell by a glow she perceived whether they were suitable for each other. It was interesting that she endorsed the Judge. He had struck Jolie as a good man, but such impressions could be mistaken.
Well, we'll see how he is when he gets me alone in his house. Vita concluded. You know, I can see why you'd be sent to watch Orlene, she being related to an Incarnation, but I'm sure not related! What's so important about a black teen whore?
"I wish I knew," Jolie said.
They relaxed, feeling the lethargy of the pill. It did seem to be countering the drug withdrawal pangs for Vita.
In the afternoon they were conducted to the formal hearing. Judge Scott sat at his tall desk, in the traditional robe of the office. The clerk read out the charge, and the Judge dismissed it, with a warning to Vita not to repeat the offense. It was all done in a minute, and the next defendant was brought up.
They walked out of the courtroom and to the carpet access. Immediately a carpet sailed up, recognizing Vita. They boarded, and it took off.
Vita peered down. There's the pimp's limo! she thought. So he was waiting for me!
"He was waiting for you," Jolie agreed. "With Spelled H in one hand and a club in the other."
God, I want to go to him! I mean, for the H.
You are off the H! Jolie retorted.
You offered to testify, Orlene thought. You could have gotten that beast locked away. Why didn't you?
"It's almost impossible to make it stick," Jolie said. "And new pimps and drug runners come in as fast as the old ones are taken out. It's hardly worth dealing with the minor criminals; it's the big ones the law wants."
The carpet sailed up and over the city, following the established carpet routes. Jolie peered down, noting the activities on the tops of the megabuildings. Some were set up as parks, with shrubs and trees growing, and garden paths, and even fair-sized ponds. Others were set up for sports, with tennis courts, running tracks, game fields and swimming pools. Some were residential, in the archaic sense: little country villages set amid winding roads. The best way to get away from the bustle of the big city was to live on top of it—if you could afford the rentals. Jolie always looked with longing at such developments, because they reminded her of her origin in medieval times, when isolated villages were most of what there was. Were she alive again...
You really are from long ago, Vita thought, picking up the thought.
"Yes, I really am," Jolie agreed wistfully. "I would have been long since dead and gone, if I hadn't died." She smiled, realizing the incongruity of that statement. But it was true: but for the crusade, she would have lived out her life with Parry, learning magic and growing old, perhaps having children and grandchildren. Yet she might also have died of one of the periodic plagues, or in childbirth, or some accident. The average lifetime had been short then. So there were ways in which she was better off now, as a ghost.
And I thought ghosts were always moaning! Vita commented. You two ghosts aren't spooky at all!
Jolie laughed. "Not at the moment!"
The carpet approached an isolated megabuilding. This one was restricted, meaning that the average person couldn't enter it without a special pass. People in sensitive positions normally lived in such buildings: those subject to assassination or harassment, such as government officials, company presidents, prominent entertainers and, of course, judges. Luna—Senator Kaftan—was exceptional in her residence in the heart of the city. But, of course, she had special magic protection.
Jolie hoped that the Judge would live on the roof, but was disappointed; his suite was buried deep inside the building. The carpet accessed it by descending into a central court and flying along a tube that curved like the inside of some giant serpent. You'd think a judge could do better than this. Vita remarked.
Not an honest one, Orlene replied.
That seemed to be the key: Judge Scott was not rich. But this residence would be quite secure from characters like Vita's pimp. It was also not the kind of place from which it would be easy to run.
At last the carpet halted at a spherical chamber. There were several doors, one of which listed the name ROQUE SCOTT.
Roque! Vita thought, with a giggle in the background.
I like it, Orlene thought.
Oh, I like it too—I just think it's funny!
They got off the carpet, and it flew away, following whatever orders it had been given. They approached the door, and it opened. A grandmotherly woman stood there.
"You must be Vita," she said. "I'm a V too: Vaasta. Your room's waiting."
She glows too, Orlene thought.
Now, tuning in, Jolie began to see it: a gentle radiance that surrounded the woman. This evidently meant that she was benign. That was comforting to know.
The suite was spacious enough, its aspect enhanced by strategically placed mirrors. It had no windows to the outside, but a magic picture showed a scene of thick foliage and a small puddling stream with tiny fish. The leaves of the trees moved with the breeze, and it was even possible to reach into it and touch things, though not to remove them. Vita found it fascinating; she had never had access to gentle magic like this. Orlene was nostalgic; she had had pictures like this during her life, and shared them with her lover Norton.
Vaasta showed them the room and found several dresses for them; evidently she had been sent word to order some in the appropriate size range. Jolie looked at her host in the mirror and approved; she now looked much more like an innocent girl than a prostitute. As far as Jolie was concerned, that would be the reality henceforth.
In the evening the carpet brought the Judge home. Jolie presented herself, neatly dressed. "We thank you for providing us this refuge, Judge Scott," she said.
"Roque," he replied. "Here I am Roque, and you are—which one?"
"Jolie," Jolie said after a momentary hesitation. She had no mortal identification, so that was better.
"You understand, this is an unofficial arrangement," he said. "I freed you in court, and you are not required to remain here. But I feel it is better for you to be here until your internal questions are resolved."
So he has young sex on ice, Vita remarked.
"Thank you, Roque," Jolie said. "What may I do to earn my keep?"
"Why, I really hadn't thought of that," he said.
Ha!
"I am sure that one of the three of us has some knowledge or ability that you might find useful," Jolie said.
He smiled. "Unless you can look at a suspect's face and accurately read his innocence or guilt, I have no use for you at court, and Vaasta is quite adequate to maintain the residence. So you should consider yourself—yourselves—guests, as my favor to Senator Kaftan, whose motives and judgment I deeply respect."
I can do that, Orlene thought. All I would have to do is orient on a person's suitability for release into society, and the good ones would glow.
"As it happens, Orlene has a magic talent, and could do what you describe," Jolie said. "We should be happy to go to court with you."
"I was speaking facetiously," he said, surprised.
"I wasn't."
He considered a moment, in the way he had. "You really wish to do this?"
Certainly, Orlene thought.
I'd rather lie in bed and watch holos, Vita thought.
"We have a difference of opinion," Jolie said. "But the vote is two to one in favor of going to court with you."
"Then perhaps we should wait for a unanimous decision," the Judge said.
"No need. I govern the host, and I feel it is better to earn our keep."
Listen, it's my body! Vita protested.
Which will be out on the street and back with the pimp, without Jolie, Orlene returned. She agreed to remain for the duration, which is why he's willing to have us in his home. He knows she's a responsible person, while you aren't.
"Justice is not always served by the governing party," he said. "The host should not be coerced."
He's taking my side? Vita asked, amazed. He must want flesh real bad!
No, he's glowing, Orlene reported. He is really trying to do what is proper.
Oh, all right! But I'll kick up a storm if it gets boring.
"Make that unanimous now," Jolie said, smiling wryly.
He smiled again, this time with increased warmth which added to his presence. "As you wish. Now let us see what Vaasta has for dinner."
Vaasta was good at her business, and it was an excellent meal. They had carrot casserole and pseudo lobster salad, which caused Vita to tune out in disgust, but she returned for dessert: rainbow wafers. It was inexpensive fare, but nutritious. Then the Judge retired to his study to review upcoming cases, and Jolie settled down to watch the evening holo shows. To Vita's disgust, she insisted on watching the news first. Then she tuned in to an entertainment program for Vita's benefit. It was full of violence, lust and humor, in that order, with virtually no social significance, and Vita loved it. Then to their chamber, where they slept undisturbed, to Vita's expressed surprise and unexpressed annoyance.
It was a new experience for Orlene, who had not occupied a living body this way since she died, and for Jolie, who had not been away from Gaea this long since coming to her. But it was pleasant enough for all three of them. Their dreams were a mélange of all their minds and experiences.
In the morning they joined Roque on the carpet and flew into the city. They entered the rush of commuter carpets, so thick that at times it was easy to lose track of the fact that they were high in the air. It was more like being part of a river current, with other carpets above and below and on all sides.
"By the way," he murmured, "in court I should be addressed as Judge Scott."
"Of course," Jolie agreed. She was in a formal suit which was somewhat baggy on Vita's slight frame but made her look a trifle older.
In the courtroom she was given a seat next to the steno, so that she seemed to be an apprentice or assistant, and no one questioned her presence. Orlene watched each case, and Jolie saw the glow she saw. She whispered to the steno, "Guilty... really guilty... innocent... doubtful," and the steno signaled the Judge by some obscure means.
Vita, far from being bored, was fascinated. I never saw such a line of creeps! she thought. They all want the Judge to think they're good guys, but we're seeing right through them!
There came a recess, and the Judge summoned steno and assistant to his chambers. "I happened to be versed in most of the morning's cases," he said. "Many are repeaters, or have records elsewhere. You had no prior knowledge of them?"
"None," Jolie said. "We had never seen or heard of any of them before; we went only by the glow."
"You called them with complete accuracy. I am amazed."
"It is Orlene's magic; she had a lifetime to master its use. She can tell who is right for whom, and who is good or bad, or who is telling the truth or lying."
"I am often required to make judgment calls, and when the evidence is inconclusive, I try to err on the side of leniency. It bothers me greatly to err too far, and to receive news of a crime that was enabled by my misjudgment. I want you to sit in on a preliminary interview and to inform me of your impression."
"Without the steno? How should I do that?"
"Sit quietly with your hands in your lap, moving nervously. When the indication is good or true, let your right fingers be exterior; when it is bad or false, let your left fingers show. I will not remark on this; merely keep them appropriately positioned throughout."
"Yes," Jolie agreed. "Like this for good, and this for bad." She cupped her left hand with her right, then reversed it.
"Precisely. You may be far more valuable than I had anticipated."
This is sure more fun than turning tricks! Vita thought.
I should hope so, Orlene responded dryly. This immersion in the ugly side of society seemed to be helping her: Jolie wondered whether it was because it was now evident how few living folk were perfect or even really good.
The in-chambers case turned out to be a suave businessman, a rather handsome individual with a commanding presence. There were diamond cuff links on his shirt, and his tie clip was a sparkling opal.
"So nice to see you, Judge Scott," he said genially, proffering his hand.
The Judge did not take it. "This is not a social meeting, Mr. Bronx."
"Call me Cheer," Bronx said. "I don't believe in standing on formality."
"I do," the Judge said coldly. "As you know, this is a private preliminary hearing to determine whether formal charges of embezzlement should be brought against you. Are there any factors you wish to have placed in evidence?"
"You know, Judge Scott, I really admire your unusual technique. They say you can tell more about a case in an informal hearing than a prosecutor can bring out in a week of witnesses."
Despite the man's open attitude, his nature was thoroughly evil. The glow about him seemed black. Jolie's hands were set firmly in the negative position.
"Is there any reason I should not remand you to a criminal court specializing in racketeering?"
"Apart from lack of evidence? You know I would not soil my hands on that sort of crudity, Judge Scott."
To Jolie's surprise, the glow changed. This man was innocent of that particular charge. She changed her hands.
"Extortion?" the Judge asked.
"You know such charges are unfounded!"
And it seemed they were.
"But you do gain considerable illicit wealth by cheating on contracts with state agencies," the Judge said. "I believe the term for this is 'skimming.' "
"How can you say such a thing! I am a regular businessman!"
The hands reverted to the "guilty" position.
"The evidence is inconclusive," the Judge said. "But I believe it is best to determine the accuracy of any charges made. I shall direct that a thorough investigation be made into your business practices. You will present your books to this court next week, for review by a qualified accountant."
"But my books will show no wrongdoing!" Bronx protested.
"I was referring to your private set."
The glow around the man became like a bottomless pit. Now Bronx knew that Judge Scott knew what to look for, and rage and fear surged in him. Yet his face remained bland. "Of course."
After the interview the Judge nodded to Jolie. "Your hands were invaluable."
"But you seemed to know the answers already!"
"I suspected; you confirmed. Now I am able to eliminate the false leads and concentrate on the true one. Bronx will shortly be out of business in this city."
Gee, this is fun! Vita thought. He's really socking it to those toads!
So it went, and their day was a success. "Little did I know that you would prove to be so useful," Roque said as they returned to his residence on the carpet in the evening. "For the first time, I was assured of making no errors."
"We are glad to help," Jolie said.
He's just warming us up for the night. Vita thought, but she was less certain than she had been.
"Do you care to tell me more of the background of the girl?" Roque asked.
Does he glow? Vita demanded.
Yes, he means well, Orlene replied. He is a good man.
I guess he is. Okay, tell him about my father.
"She was raped by her father," Jolie said. "Rather than make an issue that would destroy her family, she ran away, and was taken in by a pimp who dosed her on H and prostituted her to wealthy clients with a taste for what she calls 'young flesh.' She felt that this was better than what she faced at home."
"It is unfortunately routine. Is she willing now to testify against her father?"
No!
"She is not."
"Will she trust my discretion if she gives me the name?"
"But you already have the name! You said there was a—a note in her file."
"Yes. We know her identity unofficially, but it must be corroborated before we are allowed to report it. Unfortunately this restricts my action, and I can not make a further investigation into the matter without that corroboration."
That's the way I want it! Vita thought.
"No."
"Let me explain my interest here. Vita is the daughter of Senator Kaftan's chief researcher. Her absence has made her mother unable to function effectively, and it seems she is the only one able to pursue a critical line of research that relates in essential business. Senator Kaftan must have that information."
But they'll put my father in prison! Vita thought in anguish. That'll really break up Mom!
"I feel that a man guilty of a crime like that should receive the full impact of the law," Roque continued. "But circumstances are seldom clear-cut. Would it suffice if her father voluntarily separated, and took up residence in another city, and was denied visitation rights?"
You mean I'd never see Dad again—and no scandal?
That is what it means, Orlene agreed.
And Mom—she wouldn't know?
"Would her mother know?" Jolie asked.
"Not unless Senator Kaftan told her—which the Senator might do, if asked."
I guess... Vita thought uncertainly. And me—would she know about me? I mean, the H and all.
"Vita doesn't want her mother to know about her recent situation, either," Jolie said.
"She could call the Senator's office and leave a message for her mother, stating only that she is safe and will return later," he suggested. "I think that would be a great relief to her mother."
The Senator's office! Vita thought. I never thought of that! Her feeling of relief and elation flooded through them all.
The carpet pulled into the megabuilding. When they reached the apartment, Roque placed the call. In a moment he was talking to Luna herself, while Jolie watched from just outside pickup range. "Luna, the girl would like to leave a message for her mother, no return address, her father not to know. Can you go along with this?"
"I can, Roque," the Senator said. "Put her on; her confidence will be protected."
Roque stepped away, and Jolie stepped into pickup range. She relinquished the body to the girl.
"Uh, Mom, it's me. Vita," she said awkwardly. "I, uh, I got into some trouble and couldn't come home. But I'm okay now, doing real well, in fact. I, uh, I've got a job, kinda, and it's real nice. I—Oh, Mom, I love you, and I'm coming home soon's I can!" She cut off the contact, unable to continue, overwhelmed by her tears.
Roque returned. "That will mean a lot to your mother, Vita," he said.
Vita turned and hugged him tightly, catching him off guard. He stood there somewhat helplessly, patting her shoulder. Then she retreated, and Jolie took over.
She released Roque. "Thank you; this is Jolie again," she said, stepping away. "It was very kind of you to do this."
"Well, there is a practical aspect, of course," he said, embarrassed. "Luna needs the services of her mother, and this will facilitate the return of those services."
But he did it because he didn't like grief in either Vita or her mother, Orlene thought. He glows of goodwill, not practicality.
"Of course," Jolie said, agreeing with both Orlene and the Judge.
They had supper and watched the evening holos. As they retired for the night, wearing a silken nightie Vaasta had shopped for during the day. Vita had further comments.
I hugged him, and he never put a move on me!
He is a decent man, Orlene agreed. As decent as I have encountered since dying.
I thought sure he'd grab a feel, at least a little one, but he didn't.
He didn't, Orlene agreed.
I mean, he doesn't have a woman, so unless he's—
He isn't. He glows normal.
I think I love him.
"Now, wait!" Jolie murmured.
I mean, every man I ever got close to, including especially my father, wanted to get into my pants.
"Well, your pimp didn't."
You kidding? He had me first thing! Said he never put flesh in the field 'less he knew it was tight.
"There goes another bastion of morality!" Jolie said with irony. "If you can't trust your pimp—"
Oh, come off it! It was just business to him. But he sure put me through the grinder! I learned more in fifteen minutes—
"We really don't need to review it," Jolie said, though she would have smiled had Orlene not been present. It was evident that the girl was resilient and would not suffer emotional crippling from that particular aspect of her experience. At the same time, it wouldn't have bothered Jolie to see the pimp roasting eternally on a spit over a fire in Hell. For every truly decent man, there seemed to be two truly unscrupulous ones who would take advantage of any girl they could catch, regardless of age.
But Roque's different. I mean first he gave us a nice place to stay, and then he helped me talk to Mom, and he's not hot for my flesh. What's more to ask?
"Time. Experience. Maturity," Jolie said.
He's got them in spades!
"Not his. Yours."
Pooh! Maybe for you old women that's okay, but I'm young and alive. I want to love!
And some day surely you will, Orlene put in. But not illicitly.
That's the only kind I know!
They slept—and suffered through Vita's dreams of hugging a man who didn't grab feels. Her emotion, unwarranted and unrealistic as it was, was nevertheless overwhelming. Perhaps it was a long-dammed reaction to her need for respect for an older man, lost when her father betrayed her. The thing was, Roque really was a good man, one worth loving. But there was no way he would love an underage girl.
The next day something alarming happened in court. They were sitting as before, beside the steno, when one of the cases turned out to be the pimp. He was there on an accurate charge: soliciting for prostitution.
Oh, my God—if he sees me...! Vita thought.
Jolie agreed. She tried to cover her face with her hands, but couldn't do it effectively without becoming obvious.
The pimp's gimlet gaze caught her and lingered for a moment. There was no question: he recognized her. Vita felt doomed, and Jolie couldn't argue. That pimp would blow the whistle on the whole thing if he didn't get his way!
Then the judge's head turned, following the pimp's gaze, and he realized what had happened. Abruptly he called a recess. "You will consult in my quarters," he told the pimp.
In a moment, it seemed, they were there: Judge, Jolie, and pimp. "I gather you recognize this woman," Judge Scott said abruptly.
"I sure do, Your Honor! That's one of my gals! What's she doing in your court?" He stared penetratingly at Jolie.
The gall of the man! How could he think to get away with this? He was talking himself into prison!
No, he figures to blackmail the Judge, Vita thought. Figures the Judge won't want to be exposed with a whore.
The Judge turned to Jolie. "Is this true?"
You're no whore! Orlene thought fiercely. Whatever you were into before is past now.
And there was the key. "I am not his creature," Jolie said, speaking with her own voice. "I despise his breed."
The pimp's jaw dropped. He did not know that Jolie had taken over Vita's body, and her words were not at all what he had expected from a cowed, H-addicted girl.
"The lady seems to disagree with you," the Judge remarked. "What basis do you have for your claim?"
He called me a lady! Vita thought, thrilled.
The pimp realized that he was in trouble. If the girl had found courage, she could testify against him and put him in a lot more trouble than before. Still, he made the attempt. "You know I've got what you want, girl."
"Are you by chance alluding to an illegal drug?" Jolie demanded imperiously. "Certainly I want none of that, and none of you, you despicable whoremaster! I shall be happy to provide information—"
The pimp raised his hands in a surrender gesture. "Suppose I just get out of town in a hurry, Your Honor?"
"I would have no objection to that," the Judge agreed.
That concluded the session. But how come the pimp backed down so fast? Vita asked. He knew I never could tell him no!
"He discovered that he wasn't dealing with you anymore," Jolie explained. "Had it been just you, he would have taken you with him, and the Judge would have let you go rather than be compromised and have his reputation sullied. Or so he thought. But he found himself up against a fearless judge and a fearless woman, and knew the odds had turned against him. He did the most expedient thing: voluntary banishment. You'll never see him again. The Judge let him go because this is more effective than sentencing him on a misdemeanor charge."
Gee! And that about covered it.