第19节

rovos collected his movement order on the way out, then he

was not in the Bureau either.

Chisum pulled open a drawer of a counter unit set underneath a wall

cabinet full of various surgical instruments and took out a pair of

scissors and electric hair clippers. He plugged the clippers into a

nearby socket. 'Pull that chair over here."

Steve wheeled the metal chair into place and sat on it passively while

Chisum chopped off the bulk of his hair with the scissors then used the

clippers to give him an impeccable crew-cut. 'Makes a change from

shaving the hair off guy's dongs..." he grunted. He waved his right

hand in front of Steve's nose. 'Wish I had a Credit point for every

one I've picked up with these pinkies."

Steve said nothing but, deep down, he resented having to lose his long

hair all because of some damnfool regulation. Once again he reminded

himself he would have to keep a tight rein on his reactions. You're

back inside, Brickman. Play it cool and, above all, play it smart...

Chisum stepped back to study his handiwork. 'Guess that about does

it..." He picked up the scissors and trimmed off a few stray ends,

then switched on the clippers again and moved in close to clean up the

hair line behind Steve's right ear. 'Listen, I know your kin-sister

Roz,' he muttered. His voice was barely audible under the whine of the

clippers. 'D'you want me to tell her you're okay?"

An alarm bell rang inside Steve's head. What was this guy's connection

with his kin-sister? 'Won't that be dangerous?"

Chisum laughed off the question. He laid aside the clippers, pulled

the towel from around Steve's neck and invited him to stand up.

'Welcome back to the human race."

Steve felt his eyes suddenly fill with tears. Rising from the chair,

he rubbed his face vigorously with both hands in an effort to conceal

his emotions and berated himself silently. Get a grip on yourself,

Brickman! You mustn't let any of these people get to you. Especially

the nice guys. They are the most dangerous of all . . .

During the meal on the mess deck, Chisum made no attempt to question

Steve on his period of captivity. The conversation ranged in desultory

fashion over Steve's life at Roosevelt Field, his three years at the

Academy, and what it was like to serve aboard a wagon-train. Chisum

Was amiable, asked intelligent questions but was not over curious. By

the end of the meal, Steve realised that Chisum had revealed virtually

nothing about his own 'background.

As they pushed their plates aside, Steve asked the questions he'd been

waiting to ask since the haircut.

Questions he knew Chisum would expect to be asked.

'Where am I?"

Chisum considered the question. 'I think, at this stage, it's better

for you not to know that. Better for both of us."

'What's the connection between you and Roz?"

Chisum shrugged. 'Nothing special. Just good friends."

Steve waited but Chisum did not elaborate further.

'The thing is, no one's supposed to know that I'm back."

'That's okay, she can keep a secret." Chisum's eyes did not waver.

'Maybe, but..." Steve shook his head, '... there's too much at

stake.

If anyone found out it could really screw things up - for both of

you."

Chisum shrugged. 'I'll take a chance if you will."

'John, come on. You know what the score is. They're keeping me under

wraps. Why stick your neck out? You don't owe me anything."

Chisum's eyes stayed on Steve's. 'That's right. I don't owe you

anything - and that includes an explanation.

Okay?"

'Guess it'll have to be. Thanks anyway."

Chisum rose from the table. 'She's a good kid. Gonna make a fine

doctor."

'If she makes it."

Chisum nodded firmly. 'She'll make it." He took Steve up from the