I whirled, clutched at my hip pocket, and dropped to my knees at the same time. The sights of my .375 centered in the middle of a silk-covered midriff.
She stood there indolently, disdainful of the cannon that was aimed at her. She was not armed; I'd have caught the esper warning of danger if she'd come at me with a weapon of some sort, even though I was preoccupied with the bookful of evidence.
I stood up and faced her and let my esper run lightly over her body. She was another Mekstrom, which did not surprise me a bit.
"I seem to have found what I was looking for," I said.
Her laugh was scornful but not loud. "You're welcome, Mr. Cornell."
#Telepath?#
"Yes, and a good one."
#Who else is awake?#
"Just me, so far," she replied quietly. "But I'll be glad to call out—"
#Keep it quiet, Sister Macklin.#