Zoe was watin’ for them in the cargo hold. Crazy was there too, hangin’ upside down from the catwalk. She looked like some kinda long, gangly, spooky-eyed possum.

Gave Jayne the wiggles when she looked through him like she was.

“No money?”

Mal leaned against a crate. “Didn’t have it. Claimed he didn’t know where it was.”

“Huh. So where is it?”

“Whorehouse.”

Zoe’s eyebrows went up. “Anyone we know?”

“Man calls himself Mr. Pink.”

“That’s a pretty sly name for a man ta choose himself.”

“That’s what I said!” Mal an’ Zoe both turned to Jayne. Gave him one of those even stares an’ turned back to each other like he hadn’t said nothin’.

Oh. So it was fine fer Zoe to say the man’s sly fer givin’ himself a girly name…

Jayne grunted and crossed his arms.

Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng.

“Reckon he’d be willin’ to give it up easy?”

“Doubt it. Few are.”

“Reckon we should go check it out?”

“I conjure it’d make things easier when it comes time ta break in and take it.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Jayne.” Mal turned to Jayne. “I’m gonna need you ta go with Zoe. I reckon this Mr. Pink ain’t gonna give us our money easy-like and I’d like to know what we’re up against.”

Gorramit, he’d been standin’ right there. Not like Mal an’ Zoe’d been talkin’ in their heads.

“Shiny.” Jayne started goin’ through his guns in his head, tryin’ ta decide which one ta bring along.

“You’re just checkin’ it out. Don’t do anythin’ stupid.”

Damn.

“An’ don’t go feelin’ up the merchandise, either.”

Damn.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Jayne smiled.

Mal turned back to Zoe. “Be careful.”

“Always am, Sir.”