18
STARTLING STORIES
constant throughout the quadrant.”
“Ivy eyes?” inquired Speculation.
Psychiatry broke in: “Igneovitreous items, isn’t it?”
There followed a pause, an awkward gap in which no words were spoken. Durante watched with satisfaction as a silent impera-tive to elaborate pressed down upon Knott from around the table, a force she resisted for a good 20 seconds before she broke.
“You know…luxury goods, love-stones, stones of desire…erotic so they say. Just 7 tonnes.”
“Fleet is trading in erotic IVIs?” splut-tered Serendipidam. “So-called cocos de mer? I had no idea. Extraordinary!”
“Yes, Provost Marshal, indeed… That is to say, they are part of my private venture in this voyage, from which, rest assured, Fleet will be pleased to take a substantial cut of the profits. It
