"Call your father," ordered the Venusian.
"Khaljean is not here. He's ... hunting. Come back after noon tomorrow if you must see him."
The head withdrew inside. The gate crashed shut. Bolts grated.
"Shall I fly over the stockade and throttle her?" asked Angel, rippling his wings.
Pao Chung hammered the gate again. As before, the racketing animal chorus repeated the sound, with variations. Pao Chung kept pounding until the gate was opened again. This time the head did not appear, but a wiry female voice addressed them from the inside darkness.
"Still here? The police must be hunting you."
"They are."
"Good! I will point you out and stay to watch the kill."
Pao Chung chuckled evilly. "Do that. The record of Khaljean's background and illegal activities is in my safe. My will provides for publication of all such papers upon my death."
The voice hesitated. "It might be worth humiliation or disgrace to be rid of you permanently."