intended. He took the clipboard from the foot of
her bed and studied it for a moment. "Dear God! They do have you in
deep, don't they? Do you want to make a cold break, or would you
rather taper off?"

"Cold break," Cortin said firmly. Even though it was probably a
decision she would regret, it was what she was certain he would have
done.

"Right." Odeon made the necessary notations, initialed each one, then
replaced the clipboard. "You can't do much about exercise or combat
training until you're out of bed, but you can read . . . mmm. I think
you should go for an Inquisitor's Warrant, even though you won't be
able to do the practical work right away. If you want to go that
route, I know an instructor at the Academy who'll give you classroom
credit for reading the course materials and passing a test, then let
you do the practical when you're back on your feet."

Cortin nodded. "I would--thanks." The Warrant wouldn't do her any
legal good if she did go rogue, but she'd have the skill, and letting
her subjects know she'd had a Warrant should make it easier to break
them. "How soon can I get the texts?"

"I should be able to have them for you by visiting hours tomorrow.
Anything else?"

"Newspapers, please--and a pair of gloves, for when the bandages come
off."

"No problem; Sergeant Vincent promised to send your gear along. I
figure it should be here tomorrow or the next day."

"Thanks--I should have thought to ask."

"You did have other things on your mind at the time," Odeon pointed
out. He hesitated, went on reluctantly. "Speaking of which, as soon
as you feel up to it, you should be debriefed."

Cortin would have preferred to keep the information for her own use,
but by the time she was able to do anything with it, it would be
obsolete, useless. Best to pass it on to the debriefers, then hope her
fellow Enforcement troops would keep the trail warm without taking the
quarry that was rightfully hers. "I'll be glad to talk to them any
time they want. And if the team includes an artist, I think I can
describe the ones I saw well enough for him to draw."

"That would help--I'll make sure it has one. And I'll try to get them
here before the painkillers wear off; I don't think you'd want them to
see you in pain."

"I don't, and I wouldn't be able to cooperate as well, either. As soon
as you can, then."

"I'll do that." Odeon turned to leave, then hesitated and turned back.
Joanie went to