there

that he'd be

that he'd be visiting Torch every chance he got anyway?"
Ginny nodded. Pritchart's smile remained cool, but spread a little. "Not a casual girlfriend then, I gather. Well . . . who knows? That might help things, too."
"Besides," Kevin interjected, "Victor's got the inside track with the Torches also. If you send anybody else out there, he'll just—ah—"
"Run rings around them?" Eloise jibed. "Leave them lying flat on their back in a cloud of dust?"
"Something like that."
The President of the Republic of Haven moved her eyes to a blank spot on the far wall, which she examined for a minute or so. Then, leaning forward, she planted her hands on the desk again and spread her fingers.
"All right, we'll do it. And since we need to send someone official to attend the coronation of the new Queen of Torch in a few weeks—Kevin, you're it. I'll let you break the news to your protégé that he's now an Official Maniac. Which means if he pulls a stunt like this again, I'll flay him alive."
Usher nodded, looking as innocent as a lamb.
"You're not fooling me, Kevin," growled Pritchart. "Your lamb imitation wouldn't fool Little Red Riding Hood."
But she was laughing softly when she said it. And then added: "I'd love to be there myself, actually. Just to watch you and Ginny having to