Soothsayer by Mike Resnick Read Free Book Online Page A

weren't nice to me. They wouldn't play with me."
    "How did you leave?"
    "Somebody stole me."
    "Jimmy Sunday?"
    Penelope shook his head. “No. Before him."
    The Mouse was silent for a moment, trying to understand what she had been told, and to determine how much of it was true.
    "It's my turn,” said Penelope.
    "Your turn?"
    "To ask you more questions."
    "All right,” said the Mouse.
    "Were you always called the Mouse?"
    "No. I had a real name once."
    "What was it?"
    The Mouse smiled a bittersweet smile. “That was a long time ago, and I never think about it any more."
    "How long ago?"
    "Very."
    "How old are you?” asked Penelope.
    "Thirty-seven Standard years."
    "You're much older than Merlin,” observed Penelope.
    "Not that much,” said the Mouse defensively. “Six or seven years, that's all."
    "What did you do before you met him?"
    "All kinds of things,” said the Mouse.
    "Were you ever married?"
    "No."
    "Did you ever want to be?"
    The Mouse shrugged. “I thought I did once. I was wrong."
    "Is that when you became the Mouse?"
    The Mouse smiled. “Not quite."
    "How does Merlin do his tricks? Are they really magic?"
    "No, not really; they're just illusions. And he never tells me how they work."
    "But he's your friend, isn't he?"
    "Yes."
    "Then he should tell you."
    "But because I'm his friend, I never ask."
    "I don't understand,” said Penelope.
    "When you get a little bigger, you will.” Suddenly the Mouse became aware of a large man staring at them through the doorway that faced the lobby. When she met his gaze he looked away.
    "Penelope,” said the Mouse softly, “I want you to turn your head very slowly and tell me if you recognize the man standing by the pillar just beyond the door. Not quickly, now; just casually, as if you're bored and are looking around."
    Penelope did as she was instructed, then turned back to the Mouse.
    "Have you ever seen him before?” asked the Mouse.
    Penelope shook her head. “No."
    "You're sure?"
    "Yes."
    "I may be wrong, but I've got a feeling that he's staring right at us.” She reached out and took Penelope's hand in her own. “There's no reason to be afraid. He won't make a move while there are so many witnesses. We're safe for the moment."
    "I knew it wouldn't stop,” said Penelope unhappily.
    The Mouse let go of Penelope's hand and began checking her weaponry beneath the table: the knife in her boot, the acid spray in her pocket pouch, the tiny sonic pistol tucked beneath her belt. When she was sure everything was in order, she instructed the computer to bill her room, and then got to her feet.
    "Well, we might as well find out if I'm right or wrong,” she announced. “Stay near me, but always keep me between you and that man, do you understand?"
    "Yes."
    "And don't be afraid. No one's going to hurt you."
    "I won't be afraid,” promised Penelope.
    The Mouse took Penelope by the hand and walked out of the restaurant toward the airlift. The large man fell into step about forty feet behind them.
    "Damn!” muttered the Mouse under her breath.
    She pulled Penelope onto the invisible cushion of air and let it propel them to the eighth floor. The large man took the airlift just to the left, about ten seconds behind them.
    They stepped off at the eighth floor and began walking toward their room. The large man remained some forty feet behind them.
    The Mouse reached her door and began entering the computer lock combination, then felt a small hand on her wrist.
    "Don't,” whispered Penelope.
    The Mouse turned to her.
    "There's someone inside."
    "How do you know?” asked the Mouse.
    "I just know,” said Penelope with total conviction.
    The Mouse took her at her word, grabbed her hand again, and began walking down the corridor, away from the large man.
    "There'd better be a stairway!” she muttered.
    They turned a corner and saw an exit sign above one of the doors.
    "Faster!” said Penelope, breaking into a run, and the Mouse followed suit.
    They entered the stairwell and