The Devil Behind The Leaves

a Star Rooks story by

Kathleen Sky & Stephen Goldin

Published by Parsina Press at Smashwords

Copyright © 1981 by Kathleen Sky & Stephen Goldin. All Rights Reserved.

Cover image Copyright © Dušan Zidar.

“I catch your drift quite plainly, yes,” said Chandra diMedici. “You want me to smuggle for you.”

Bartrik Alvan shifted his considerable weight uneasily in his chair. “I wouldn’t have phrased it in quite those terms—”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t. Were I in your position, I would not have phrased it that way myself. Fortunately, I can take the role of the innocent and say whatever pleases me. I’m not the one proposing the commission of a felony.”

Alvan’s eyes gleamed. “But that’s where you’re wrong. Smuggling art onto Duveen isn’t a felony, just a simple misdemeanor. Even if you’re caught, Customs can’t do more than levy a simple fine....”

“Don’t try to lecture me, Squire, I won’t have it. I have a degree in interstellar law and I’m certified by the Confederation Bar Association; I can practice law on any Confederation planet. I know full well how lightly the Duveen government deals with art smugglers. The felony I referred to is theft and accessory to theft. Point: you want a statuette of Bhairavi from the ruins of the Great Temple on Vishnu. Point: no such statuettes are available for sale. Point: removal of all such relics from Vishnu is strictly forbidden. Conclusion: to obtain the desired statuette, it will be necessary to steal it. Do you find fault with my argument?”