ar.
We never handle transactions of this size in cash."

"That's the way I like to do business," Kerk answered him, "I've
canceled the deposit, this is the total sum. Now how about a receipt."

Ellus had made out the receipt before his senses returned. He held it
tightly while he looked uncomfortably at the three billion spread out
before him.

"Wait--I can't take it now, you'll have to return in the morning, to the
bank. In normal business fashion," Ellus decided firmly.

Kerk reached over and gently drew the paper out of Ellus' hand.

"Thanks for the receipt," he said. "I won't be here in the morning so
this will be satisfactory. And if you're worried about the money I
suggest you get in touch with some of your plant guards or private
police. You'll feel a lot safer."

When they left through the shattered door Ellus was frantically dialing
numbers on his screen. Kerk answered Jason's next question before he
could ask it.

"I imagine you would like to live to spend that money in your pocket, so
I've booked two seats on an interplanetary ship," he glanced at the car
clock. "It leaves in about two hours so we have plenty of time. I'm
hungry, let's find a restaurant. I hope you have nothing at the hotel
worth going back for. It would be a little difficult."

"Nothing worth getting killed for," Jason said. "Now where can we go to
eat--there are a few questions I would like to ask you."

* * * * *

They circled carefully down to the transport levels until they were sure
they hadn't been followed. Kerk nosed the car into a darkened loading
dock where they abandoned it.

"We can always get another car," he said, "and they probably have this
one spotted. Let's walk back to the freightway, I saw a restaurant there
as we came by."

Dark and looming shapes of overland freight carriers filled the parking
lot. They picked their way around the man-high wheels and into the hot
and noisy restaurant. The drivers and early morning workers took no
notice of them as they found a booth in the back and dialed a meal.

Kerk chiseled a chunk of meat off the slab in front of him and popped it
cheerfully into his mouth. "Ask your questions," he said. "I'm feeling
much better already."

"What's in this ship you arranged for tonight--what kind of a cargo was
I risking my neck for?"

"I thought you were risking your neck for money," Kerk said dryly. "But
be assured it was in a good cause. That carg