Wild Cards [09] Jokertown Shuffle by George R.R. Martin

burden."
    "I don't see that you've got any choice."
    "There must be some other option."
    "I can think of one-deal with Blaise."
    Tach's stomach felt as if lead shot had been dropped into it. He shook his head. "I can't deal with him."
    "Why not?"
    "That would require killing him."
    Jay's eyes flicked in reaction to that bald statement.
    "Jesus Christ, what is it with you Takisians? You've never heard of psychiatrists?"
    "Do you want to capture him for me?"
    Jay had the grace to blush. He looked down. "Not particularly."
    Tach turned away. "I am wounded, Jay, wounded in ways which can't even be seen. I just want to be left alone."
    "That's not an option that's open for you." There was a grimness, a seriousness to the detective's expression that Tachyon had never seen before. It was a little frightening. "There are people who are actors on history. They can't step off the stage no matter how much they might like to. You're one of those people-you poor bastard."
    There was no answer to that. Again silence held the room. Tach finally crossed to the bar, and poured out a brandy. "A little early in the day, isn't it?"
    "Don't nag. You have unalterably depressed me, now you must take the consequences."
    "Hey, it ain't my problem. You can go to hell anyway it suits you. Just don't try to blame me."
    Tach set aside the snifter, untasted. "And what of Mark?"
    "No trace. Oh, I know he's somewhere within the environs of greater Manhattan, but I don't know where."
    "Why is this so difficult? Mark Meadows is a lovely but totally ineffectual person. How could he evade you this long?"
    "He's had some help. The jokers seem to be protecting him, and most important, he doesn't want to be found."
    "His protectors must know that we can be trusted."
    "Look, if we get the information, how long until the cops have it? Meadows is a wanted fugitive. Don't forget that." "All this fuss over a child-custody hearing. They've ruined a man for nothing."
    "They've ruined him for being an ace. His little girl was just the excuse."
    "What lovely times we live in." Tach sighed. "Well, keep looking."
    Jay rose. "And Blaise?"
    "You've told me what I needed to know. Now it's just a matter of warning my friends and protecting. myself."
    Jay hesitated at the door. "You won't. . ."
    "He is my grandchild. The last of my blood. The only heir I will ever have. I can't. . ." His voice, too, died away to nothing.
    " I think you're a fool."
    "So you have said before." Jay left. And Tachyon drained the brandy.
    The shrilling of the telephone dimly penetrated the thunder and rush of the shower. Tach heard the answering machine kick in. He continued to shampoo his long red hair as his own familiar voice droned through the message. There was the nasal squeal of the signal, and then Cody's voice. "I've rented us a room at the Ritz." Sputtering, Tach shut off the flow of water. "There comes a time when you can't hide from sex anymore. Meet me."
    Tach just stood as shampoo ran down his forehead, and a sudden rush of testosterone brought his cock to rigid anticipatory attention. The soap hit and burned his eyes. Cursing, he switched the water back on, and quickly rinsed. He hurried but seemed to be scarcely moving. His fingers had become clumsy with surprise and nervous expectation. He picked his finest outfit. He wore it only to Hiram's annual Wild Card Day dinners, but tonight merited such elegance.
    As he fingered the soft material, he wondered at her choice for a rendezvous. The hotel seemed rather sterile. But her son, Chris, was a factor at her apartment, and to enter Tachyon's would seem like too much a capitulation for this proud woman.
    After dressing, he critically surveyed his reflection in the mirror. Short, yes, by human standards, but very slim. The riot of red curls brushed the shoulders of his coat. The lines about mouth and eyes were too deep for his ninety-one years, but the years on earth had not been kind. The worst flaw was that ugly extrusion on the end of his