[Jedi Apprentice] - 11(6)

Didi would have gone on, but Qui-Gon silenced him with an impatient gesture. “Let me see if we can narrow this down. If we knew who hired the bounty hunter, we could begin to investigate. Let me contact Tahl.”

Didi slumped in a chair. Obi-Wan drew closer to Qui-Gon. “You’re going to involve the Temple resources?” he asked in a low tone.

“Tahl is a friend of Didi’s, too,” Qui-Gon said, activating his comlink. “She’ll want to help.”

Seconds later, Obi-Wan heard Tahl’s crisp voice over the comlink. After Qui-Gon filled her in on the situation, she said, “Didi is in trouble? Of course I want to help.”

“I know the bounty hunter is Sorrusian,” Qui-Gon said. “She didn’t speak. She’s about my size, and very muscular. She wears plastoid armor and has a shaved head.”

“I know of her,” Tahl said. “I don’t know her name. Nobody does. We’ve received reports that are somewhat alarming, so Yoda asked me to keep track of her movements. It’s hard because she tends to disappear into thin air. I didn’t know she was on Coruscant. She doesn’t work for governments, just private individuals with great wealth. She gained her reputation with a series of for-hire killings. Some of her victims have been in high-level government or finance.”

“In other words,” Qui-Gon said grimly, “she is able to get around high-level security.”

“Exactly. And word is that she will take any assignment if the price is right. She’s very good, Qui-Gon. Very dangerous.”

A moan came from the desk.

Tahl’s warm laugh came through the comlink. “I hear you, Didi. Do not fret. With Qui-Gon helping you, everything will turn out fine. Qui-Gon, I will see you and Obi-Wan soon, I’m sure. Yoda is expecting you shortly.”

Tahl’s voice was warm as she spoke to Didi. Obi-Wan

didn’t understand. Obviously, he missed whatever charms Didi had for the other Jedi.

Qui-Gon cut the communication. “The situation is getting interesting, ” he observed.

“I would hardly use that word,” Didi said mournfully. “Terrifying, maybe. Horrible. Unfair. Hopeless - “

“The question is,” Qui-Gon interrupted, ignoring Didi, “why would such a high-priced killer be hired to take care of a low-level scrounger like Didi?”

Didi sat erect. “Low-level? Just a

minute.

I

resent

that characterization. Haven’t you noticed that we painted the windowsills? And as for scrounging - “

“Didi, focus your mind,” Qui-Gon interrupted urgently. “Think!”

“Hardly my best ability,” Didi said. “But I’ll try. Information has dried up recently. And I’ve been busy with the cafŠ. Astri doesn’t like my… sideline, so I have to be careful now. However, there are a couple of pieces that came my way recently by way of a regular informant, Fligh. But neither of them seems at all important. I wasn’t even sure who to sell them to…”

“What are they?” Qui-Gon asked impatiently.

Didi held up one fat finger. “First, Senator Uta S’orn from the planet Belasco is resigning.” He held up a second. “And the Tech Raiders are moving their headquarters to Vandor-3.”

Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon. “Tech Raiders?”

“Black market traders in space vessels and weapons,”

Qui-Gon explained.

“But why would the gang care if I knew their new location?” Didi asked. “They know I wouldn’t sell it to the security forces. I myself have used the gang to find parts for my pocket cruiser.” At Qui-Gon’s raised eyebrow, he quickly added, “Well, they are cheaper! It’s not illegal. Technically.”

“Even if the parts are stolen?” Qui-Gon asked.

“I don’t know if they’re stolen!” Didi insisted. “Why should I ask? I know didn’t steal them.”p>

“What about Senator S’orn?” Qui-Gon asked.

Didi shrugged. “She’s not on any important committees or planning a war or anything. It’s a piece of gossip, nothing more. I’m planning to call on a few journalists. One will probably pay a few credits. I’ll have to hurry to beat Fligh. He’s been known to sell information more than once. I assure you, this is all routine news. Nothing worth killing anyone over. Especially me.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Qui-Gon said thoughtfully. “We’ll have to investigate both items.”

Why us? Obi-Wan thought. They had done one favor for Didi. Did Qui-Gon mean to involve them further?

The door opened and a slender female rushed into the room. She wore a utility cap that was tugged low over her forehead. Curly dark hair poked out of it, waving around her ears and neck. She wore a floor-length apron that was snowy white except for one brilliant splotch of red. As she walked, she left floury footprints. She held a pan full of soup that was the obvious source of the apron stain.