Henderson shook his head. "You won't make it. The rains have already started. All ships are grounded for the next twenty-four hours. Security ordinance." The woman snorted. "I'll chance that. All I ask from you is a few hours before you report the stolen ship. Get it? And in return I'm doing you a favor when I find him. I'm trusting you, you trust me."
Henderson sighed. He looked at his heat gun in the woman's hand, looked up then into the woman's eyes.
She nodded. Put his gun back on the table. "Yeah. See what you mean. I won't need yours. A deal?"
"A deal." He watched her go. He listened to the 'copter take off. After that there was another silence in the room, a very heavy silence.
He slowly crossed to the transmitted set in the corner. Hesitated. Slowly brought up his hand and touched a button. The little screen came into life. He said softly:
"Henderson to Flight 9."
"Flight 9. Yes, Chief."
His voice became even softer: "A 'copter. Registration X-13-X. Pilot Arthur Sterling. Took off five minutes ago from Fraon. Headed for Jao."
"One moment, Chief, I'll put radar on it." A pause. Then: "Right, sir. Got it. Coming fast. Helluva nerve that guy's got. Don't he know all ships are supposed to be grounded?"
Henderson shook his head. "It's all right. He had a little trouble. I gave permission to continue flight. Contact Jao, tell them I said not to bother it. Got that?"