Page 25 of Sweetwater and the Witch

“What do you mean?” he asked. “We’re on a date.”

She shot him a stern look. “You know perfectly well what I mean. You ought to be shocked or appalled by what just happened back there in my house. At the very least you should be nervous. You are taking it all much too calmly.”

“Now, see, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m not calm. I’m actually pretty rezzed. This reception is supposed to be a business affair. I wasn’t looking forward to it. But now that I’ve got a date, I am no longer dreading the evening ahead.”

She drummed her fingers on the seat. “Are you by any chance affiliated with some so-called casino security outfit?”

“You mean, am I an enforcer? Nope. I’m an independent engineer.”

“Are you connected to one of the Guilds?”

“No, but I’ve done some work for the Guilds.”

“Such as?”

“Usually the same kind of work I do for my other clients. They bring me specimens of unusual amber or quartz and request a rez analysis.”

“What’s a rez analysis?”

“They pay me to analyze and measure the potential resonating qualities of a stone. Those qualities will determine whether or not it has any useful tech applications.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Usually?” Ravenna said.

“Yep.”

“Usuallystrikes me as a sneaky word.”

He whistled softly. “You’re good, lady.”

“I repeat my first question. What is going on tonight?”

“I told you tonight is a business affair. I’m doing a small favor for the new Guild boss.”

“What sort of favor?”

“He wants me to keep an eye on the CEO of a major tech firm. See who he meets with.”

Ravenna radiated disapproval. “You’re involved in corporate espionage?”

“No.” He eased the Slider into the heavy traffic of the Amber Zone Strip. “The Guild Council wants to know if the head of Spooner Technologies is engaged in illegal activities.”

Over in the passenger seat the vibe of disapproval seemed to change to one of curiosity.

“So we’re on an undercover mission tonight?” Ravenna asked.

“I am. But you’re not involved in that end of things. You’re my date.”

“No, I am not your date.” Ravenna’s voice was suddenly laced with understanding. “I’m your cover. That’s what this evening is all about, isn’t it? You didn’t need a date; you needed a cover.”

“I know it looks that way, but—”

“It looks that way because it is that way. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. But I think you owe me a little more information. Why did the new Guild boss ask you, in particular, to spy on this particular CEO?”

“Probably because I’m convenient. My last name is Sweetwater and I’m an engineer who specializes in exotic ambers and quartz, so I’ve got a legitimate professional reason to attend the convention. Also, I happen to live here in Illusion Town. Like I said, convenient.”

“There’s more to it than that.” Ravenna slid him a speculative look. “You have some unique talent that Gabriel Jones thinks will be useful, don’t you?”

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