A Planet Called Pavanne by Lan Wright

when the Blue Star fell upon them. The next few days would see Heininger consolidate his position and make the final moves in his plan for self-aggrandizement. He dare not do anything to jeopardize those final few microscopic days… His thoughts and his words were both halted in mid-flow; Harkrider’s voice cut across them, sharp and high, like a hot knife. “Again, Rudolph, again. What was that last part?” Heininger read hurriedly back over the last few paragraphs. They concerned a drop in royalties from a large hotelier to whom had been traced an avaricious mistress and a swindling accountant. The accountant had tried to manipulate a computer so that he might fill his own pockets while his employer was besotted with other interests. The manipulations had been skillful, but not skillful enough to deceive Heininger. He gave the facts again, coldly and without emotion. “What does the woman do?” asked Harkrider. “She is manageress of a cosmetic store.” “See that she earns her living—ah—less pleasantly.” Harkrider giggled. “I’m sure your imagination can think up something.” “And the two men?” “The accountant. Kill him, and let the news be known. It will act as a deterrent to others.” Heininger made a note on the papers before him. “I have given the hotelier twenty-five days to make up the deficit,” he said. “Will he do it?” Heininger shrugged. “He might.” He went on with his report, reeling out the facts and figures, the details culled from a hundred sources and a score of mouths.