"You don't seem to see what I mean," Extrone said. "We won't be the—ah—the bait."
"Oh?"
"Let's get back to the column."
"Extrone wants to see you," Lin said.
Ri twisted at the grass shoot, broke it off, worried and unhappy. "What's he want to see me for?"
"I don't know," Lin said curtly.
Ri got to his feet. One of his hands reached out, plucked nervously at Lin's bare forearm. "Look," he whispered. "You know him. I have—a little money. If you were able to ... if he wants," Ri gulped, "to do anything to me—I'd pay you, if you could...."
"You better come along," Lin said, turning.
Ri rubbed his hands along his thighs; he sighed, a tiny sound, ineffectual. He followed Lin beyond an outcropping of shale to where Extrone was seated, petting his rifle.