uncle's Secretary had submitted to death almost
as easily. He heard footsteps behind him and felt the woman's hands
begin to shake around the pistol. "Damnit," she whispered, "are you
going to take all day?"
60 Bullet slowly pulled the weapon away. "You're as much of a prisoner
here," he said, "as any woman who was in that cage downstairs. But YOU
were bound with a different kind of chains. They were put on you from
the time you were a child. They're invisible, but they're there, just
the same. I can't kill a slave. Go with these men. They won't mistreat
you. But don't lie to any of them. Don't try to escape. Do you
understand me?"
61 The woman got up and wiped tears from her eyes. "I understand," she
agreed, "and I don't expect to be mistreated. I know your peoples'
ways. I wish YOU could keep me, though. I'd never betray you."
62 "That's not for me to decide," announced Bullet. "Before you go, is
this the only vault? Are these all the records?"
63 The woman stepped over the body of the manager and entered the other
room. She went to a wall lamp, pulled the knob of it down, turned it
twice to the right, and once to the left. There was a loud 'click' and
two sections of the wall opened revealing a good- sized hidden office.
64 Bullet turned to the men who joined him. "One of you take her
downstairs. As soon as all the captives are dressed, have them grab
pillow cases from the rooms and get up here. We need everything out of
these files, and all those computer tapes. We've got to move. Guardian
is apt to show up anytime. Clean this place out, anything of value that
can be