"Half of Venus. He was drunk and boasting of it in the taverns the night before."
That was Thymar, Nathan thought, a great flagon of wine in one hand, boasting to the whole assemblage in some tavern, proclaiming his fabulous deeds upon the spaceways and challenging any one to dispute his word with flame lances.
"Take care of things, will you?" Nathan said abruptly. "I'll get back to the town."
"What are you going to do?"
"I think I know a way to trap the killer."
The policeman and Tabor looked startled. "Be careful, boy," said Tabor. "Do you want me to go with you?"
"No. Don't worry about me."
"Watch out for Firebird. She's on Venus now, and your father must have had a reason for his warning."
"Bah! She's nothing but a Calamity Jane legend. Have you ever traded flames with her?"
"I've seen men who have. They weren't alive to tell about it."