“Good,” Hector said. And to himself he added, J won’t leave him for a minute. Then when Odal shows up 1 can protect him … and do what Geri wants me to
There was no escaping Hector. He moved into Leoh’s apartment and stood within ten meters of the old scientist, day and night. When Leoh awoke, Hector was already whistling shrilly in the autoldtchen, punching buttons, and somehow managing to make the automatic equipment bum at least one part of breakfast. Hector drove him wherever he wanted to go, and stayed with him when he got there. Leoh went to sleep with Hector’s cheerful jabbering still in his ears.
Increasingly, they ate dinner at Geri Dulaq’s sumptuous home on the outskirts of the city. Hector waggled like an overanxious puppy whenever Geri was in sight. And Leoh saw that she was coolly able to keep him at arm’s lengthThere was something that she wanted Hector to do for her, the old man quickly realized, something Hector wouldn’t talk about. Which—for Hector—was completely unusual.
About a week after the news of Odal’s return, the Kerak major still hadn’t been seen outside of his embassy’s building. But an enterprising newsman, expecting new duels, asked for an interview with Leoh. The Professor met him at the dueling machine. Hector was at his side.
The newsman turned out to be Hector’s age and Leoh’s girth, Horid in complexion, sloppy in dress, and slightly obnoxious in attitude.
“I know all about the basic principles of its operation,” he told Leoh airily when the Professor began to explain how the dueling machine worked.