Drake nodded. "I dare say I could swing it. How does it happen that you don't have an avenue of disposal planned?"
She looked bleak for a moment. "The man who was to help me decided to back out at the last minute. He didn't know what the job was, and I wouldn't tell him because I didn't trust him."
"And you trust me?"
Her eyes were very trustful. "I've heard a lot about you, Drake, and I happen to know you never doublecross anyone unless they doublecross you first."
"Trade about is fair play, to quote an ancient maxim," Drake said, grinning. "And I am a firm believer in fair play.
"But that's neither here nor there. The point is: what do you have to offer? Why shouldn't I just pinch the gems myself and do a quick flit across the Galaxy? That would give me all the loot."
She shook her head. "Belgezad is on to you, you know. He knows you're here. His own private police and the Shan's own Guard will be at the Coronation to protect all that jewelry." She cocked her pretty head to one side and looked at him. "What's between you and Belgezad, anyway?"
"I stole his toys when he was a child," said Drake, "and he hasn't trusted me since. How do you propose to get the Necklace of Algol if I can't?"
She smiled and shook her head slowly. "That would be telling. You let me take care of my part, and I'll let you take care of yours."
Drake shook his head—not so slowly. "Absolutely not. We either work together or we don't work at all."