"Only your lives, perhaps. More, if my deductions are correct. Listen to me. Like you, I am in greater peril here. My offense is a minor one. By now, I should have been fined and let go with a warning. I suspect the authorities of more sinister intentions. It will be easy to find a pretext if they wish to be rid of me. I must escape. Alone, none of us would stand a chance. Together, who knows...?"
Ferris consulted his partner with a glance, Angel nodded, but imposed a question.
"And afterwards, what of your deductions?"
"I will forget them," promised Pao Chung.
"See that you do," said Ferris. "Or we will."
Pao Chung ignored the prophecy amiably. "I know a possible refuge once we have managed the escape. A man in the city owes me favors. As refuge, of course, it will be temporary. They will have mechanical trackers after us eventually, but not at first. Electronic bloodhounds would spoil their sport, make killing us too easy. But the nature of our sanctuary will give them pause for a time. Complex, interesting and dangerous, it is the one place in Castarona no one will think to look. And there is enough space to hide in for quite a while."
"Such a place sounds interesting," Ferris agreed. "But I suppose you know every unsavory rat's nest in Castarona."
"Not a rat's nest," said Pao Chung, smiling. "Much better. Have you heard of Khaljean's?"
"Who hasn't? That should muddle the pursuit for a day or two. But can you count on Khaljean?"
Pao Chung snorted. "Blackmail is my professional secret, so don't ask details. Khaljean will grant us refuge. Not willingly, perhaps, but I have enough on him to guarantee his conduct. How about a plan for getting out of jail?"