"I've got frozen Grier steak direct from Venus," Tabor said. "How does that sound?"
"O.K." said Nathan.
"Then I'll show you how a master cook of the spaceways prepares it."
He disappeared into the galley. Nathan watched Firebird. Her eyes darted about the walls of the cabin as if searching every panel and joint. She edged closer to Nathan on the narrow lounge seat. When Tabor was out of sight around the corner of the corridor, she took Nathan's hand and pressed it against the pouch where she had the four Jewels.
The pouch was almost too hot to touch.
Questions piled upon his lips. Firebird smiled without speaking. "But we don't know the color of it," said Nathan.
"Right. We don't know the color of it, except that it's either blue or pink."
"We'll find out soon enough," said Nathan. He rose from the seat, his lips pressed tightly.
"No!" Firebird grasped his arm. "We don't need to do that. We'll let him bring it to us when we need it. There's no danger of his going to Venus, now."