My Own Kind of Freedom, page 49 by Steven Brust
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at only starts the questions. You aren't miners, and I haven't seen you around the office. I'd say security, but you aren't wearing--"
"I captain a transport ship. We were hired to pick up some lumber for Mister Sakarya."
"Yeah, that matches what I learned. But is it true?"
"Sure," said the captain. "Why not?"
"Okay. You picked up some lumber. And then?"
Mal shrugged. "We were waiting to get paid, saw those two in the canteen, decided to interfere with their fun."
"Mister Sakarya," repeated Kit.
"Yes."
"What do you know of Mister Sakarya?"
"Well, I gather he's not burdened by excessive kindness toward his employees."
"You could say that."
"He seems like a thousand others I've seen. Big king in a little kingdom. Probably enjoys it too much."
"Yeah, well."
"Well what?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing you can tell us about him?"
"Sorry."
"Or about what you're doing?"
"Sorry."
"Aren't you curious about how we blew your cover?"
"Did you?"
"Not on purpose."
Kit shrugged.
Mal said, "But then, someone tries to knock you on the head the day we show up here, and it hasn't happened before, or you'd have been armed and expecting it. Bit hard to call it coincidence, isn't it?"
"What's your point?"
"That you might be curious about how it happened."
"Maybe I am."
"And if you tell us what you know, and we tell you what we know, we might both learn something."
"Sorry. Can't do it."
"I suppose you couldn't justify revealing anything to anyone without clearance for it."
"Close enough."
"A shame about that."
"I suppose it is."
"Do you have to tell them?"
"Yes."
"But you are curious, aren't you, Kit?"
"I'll admit to that. But I'm afraid, well, you know. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help, Captain Reynolds."
Mal pushed himself away from the wall, nodded to Kit, and headed out. Zoë f