Then the Elstani and the Jaghdi would go their own way, without his ever knowing what that was or being able to do anything about it. The only being from that Dimension whose fate Blade could affect was Lorma. The first thing he'd do would be to get her out of the hands of that blasted vet. And then? Blade sat up as he remembered his building didn't allow pets. Turn Lorma over to a zoo? Not bloody likely! Apart from the possible danger to the Project's security, being put in a zoo would be as good as a death sentence for her. She would want to stay with him. How to make that possible?

Of course! If he sold the apartment and cashed in some of his investments, he'd have plenty to buy a modest country house. Not a cottage, a full-sized house where he could live the year round when he was at home-and where he could keep Lorma. His salary would be enough to maintain it easily, as long as he wasn't too extravagant.

There might be security problems-someone might get suspicious about the strange cat and want to learn more and if the secrecy of the Project were endangered the whole notion might have to be scrapped. But he wouldn't assume the worst until he had to. As long as there was no danger to the Project's secrets from his periodically leaving the place empty, he suspected J would approve, and J's approval would be most of the battle.

Then he and Lorma could settle down in the country. He could do something for her, even if he couldn't do much for his own loneliness.

Blade poured himself more Scotch, pulled the telephone directory toward him, and started leafing through it toward the listing for real estate agents.