What that means, incidentally, is that he doesn’t have to
pay any taxes, even the existing ones, although he expects
the same protection from us as the storekeepers who do,
even though most of them cheat on their taxes as well.”
“So we’re supposed to keep the peace and apprehend
criminals while we’re understaffed and using equipment
that’s outdated and falling apart. About all we have to work
with is our instincts . . . and then we get hassled for using
that!”
He came to a halt in front of me, and pushed his face
close to mine, treating me to another blast of his breath. I
didn’t point it out to him.
“Well this time we’re going to see just how good my
instincts are. I’m letting you go for now, but it occurs to
me it might be a good idea to run a check on you on other
dimensions. If you’re just an innocent businessman like you
claim, we won’t find anything … but if I’m right,” he
gave me a toothy grin, “you’ve probably tangled with the
law before, and we’ll find that too. I’m betting you’ve left
a trail of trouble behind you, a trail that leads right to here.
If so, we’ll be talking again . . . real soon. I don’t want
you to switch hotels or try to leave the dimension without
letting me know, understand? I want to be able to find you
again, MISTER Skeeve!”
Chapter Fourteen:
‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
—FIGARO
THE POSSIBILITY OF an extensive check on my off-dimen-
sion background worried me, but not so much that I forgot
my manners. J.R. had saved my skin in the alley fight,
and, throughout the police grilling, a part of my mind had