"He spoke about running me for council almost a year ago," replied Mallow easily, "but I've outgrown him. He couldn't have pulled it off in any case. Not enough depth.
He's loud and forceful - but that's only an expression of nuisance value.
I'm off to put over a real coup.
I need you."
"Jorane Sutt is the cleverest politician on the planet and he'll be against you.
I don't claim to be able to outsmart him.
And don't think he doesn't fight hard, and dirty."
"I've got money."
"Mat helps.
But it takes a lot to buy off prejudice, you dirty Smyrnian."
"I'll have a lot."
"Well, I'll look into the matter.
But don't ever you crawl up on your hind legs and bleat that I encouraged you in the matter. Who's that?"
Mallow pulled the corners of his mouth down, and said,
"Jorane Sutt himself, I think.
He's early, and I can understand it.
I’ve been dodging him for a month.
Look, Jael, get into the next room, and turn the speaker on low.
I want you to listen."
He helped the council member out of the room with a shove of his bare foot, then scrambled up and into a silk robe.
The synthetic sunlight faded to normal power.
The secretary to the mayor entered stiffly, while the solemn major-domo tiptoed the door shut behind him.
Mallow fastened his belt and said,
"Take your choice of chairs, Sutt."
Sutt barely cracked a flickering smile.
The chair he chose was comfortable but he did not relax into it.
From its edge, he said, "If you'll state your terms to begin with, we'll get down to business."
"What terms?"
"You wish to be coaxed?
Well, then, what, for instance, did you do at Korell?
Your report was incomplete."
"I gave it to you months ago.
You were satisfied then."
Yes," Sutt rubbed his forehead thoughtfully with one finger, "but since then your activities have been significant.
We know a good deal of what you're doing, Mallow.
We know, exactly, how many factories you're putting up; in what a hurry you're doing it; and how much it's costing you. And there's this palace you have," he gazed about him with a cold lack of appreciation, "which set you back considerably more than my annual salary; and a swathe you've been cutting - a very considerable and expensive swathe - through the upper layers of Foundation society."
"So?
Beyond proving that you employ capable spies, what does it show?"
"It shows you have money you didn't have a year ago.
And that can show anything - for instance, that a good deal went on at Korell that we know nothing of.
Where are you getting your money?"
"My dear Sutt, you can't really expect me to tell you."
"I don't."
"I didn't think you did.
That's why I'm going to tell you.
It's straight from the treasure-chests of the Commdor of Korell."
Sutt blinked.
Mallow smiled and continued.
"Unfortunately for you, the money is quite legitimate.
I'm a Master Trader and the money I received was a quantity of wrought iron and chromite in exchange for a number of trinkets I was able to supply him with.