gentle in our inquiry.
That should not prove too difficult, should it?'
'I guess not. There's still something I don't like about this, though. it makes me nervous.'
'A warning, perhaps?'
'Warning?'
'We may be probing close to the heart of the matter.' …
THE EGG-SHAPED CHAIR SPUN in the air as Hocking gazed upward at the clean blank ceiling, as if he were searching for cracks or specks of dirt. Tickler and his assistant sat slumped in their own, less-mobile seats gazing upward, too, in imitation of their leader. But they had less on their minds.
'The transport is back and Reston has not turned up.' Hocking repeated the facts of the case so far. He shot a quick, disapproving glance at Tickler. 'It would probably have been a good idea to have watched the docking and disembarkation of the passengers. But that, I suppose, would never have occurred to you.'
Tickler grew sullen. 'There was no reason to. He has not been seen or heard from since the message. And if he was here he'd have to turn up sooner or later somewhere. He's gone.'
Hocking's eyes narrowed. 'He disappeared-broke contact – on the first night they landed. Yet the report of his disappearance did not come until a week later. Doesn't that strike you as odd?'
'I don't know. I hadn't thought about it.'
'You don't think period!' exploded Hocking. 'I have to do all the thinking for all of us.'
Tickler looked away. 'I'm getting sick of this-this constant badgering. Just tell us what you want us to do, will you? I can't be responsible for Dr. Reston's whereabouts anymore. He's gone.
Most likely he fell over a rock and broke his neck.'
'Possible-but I don't think so. I believe Reston is very much alive, and something tells me he has returned to Gotham. I think we had better check with that young bubblehead, Miss Zanderson. If he is alive he will have tried to contact her; she may know his whereabouts.'
'Kurt can go talk to her,' growled Tickler, 'but it's a waste of time. I say we should begin looking for a new subject right now„ Hocking whirled to face him. 'Since when are you in charge here? You'll do as I say! Or do I have to remind you who holds the reins of power, hmm? I thought not.
'We will begin looking for a new subject when I have satisfied myself that he is indeed gone. But need I remind you that Reston possesses certain highly refined qualities-he is unique probably not one in a million like him. We have searched long and hard to find him, gentlemen. And his contribution thus far has advanced our work enormously. I do not intend to give up now until I know for a definite, absolute, undeniable fact that he is dead.'
Tickler muttered under his breath and avoided Hocking's eyes. He did not wish to feel the terrible sting of the power Hocking had referred to. Once had been enough for him; it was enough for most people.
'Any further observations, gentlemen? No? Then report back to me as soon as you have questioned Ariadne. I want you to talk to some of the cadets on that trip, too. They can confirm our suspicions. You may go.' The chair spun away from them and the two beleaguered underlings crept away.
Hocking heard the sigh of the partition closing and then silently cruised to the panel himself. 'Perhaps another visit to Miss Zanderson's father is in order,' he said to himself. 'Yes. It is time we had a little chat.'
15
…
ADJANI! WAKE UP!' SPENCE jostled the arm of his sleeping friend. A low murmur passed the Indian's lips as he rolled over. 'Adjani!' he persisted. He went to the access panel and brought up the lights.
'What is it?' Adjani sat up rubbing his eyes, and then snapped fully awake. 'Are you all right?'
'Some watchdog. Yes, I'm all right. I remembered something.'
'In your sleep?'
'I don't sleep much anymore. What difference does it make?
I remembered something-it may be important. When I first came here I met someone, a very unusual person-he had a pneumochair-'
'Those things aren't cheap.'
'A quadriplegic, I think. His name-I can't remember his name. But he asked me about my dreams.'
'He did?'
'Well, he didn't come right out and ask me. But he seemed to suggest that he knew about them. He implied as much; at least that was the feeling I got at the time.'
'What made you think of this now?'
'I don't know. I was lying there thinking about what you said about there not being any coincidences and this just popped into my head. Here was a coincidence where there shouldn't be one. I don't know. You're the connection man. You tell me.'
'A quadriplegic in a pneumochair will be easy enough to track down in any case. We'll try to find him tomorrow.' He yawned and lay down again.
'What's wrong with right now?'
'I'm sleeping right now. Besides, if you haven't noticed, it's third shift and everything is shut down. We wouldn't get very far on his trail just now. Go back to bed and try to get some rest. Tomorrow may be a long day.'
'Sorry if I interrupted your beauty sleep, mahatma.'
'It is but the buzzing of a gnat, my son. It is nothing. Go to sleep.' …
DIRECTOR ZANDERSON PASSED THROUGH the outer office and smiled warmly at the receptionist. He entered his office and hurried by Mr. Wermeyer's empty desk, glancing at the near corner as he went by to see if there were any messages for him. He saw a small red light blinking on the ComCen panel set in the desk. He stopped and punched his code. The wafer screen lit at once with the message.
It was a note from Wermeyer; it read: Brodine called to thank you for your support of their AgEn project. I quote: 'Means so much to me and my boys to know the boss is behind us.' End quote. They're sending the first crate of spuds to you. Reply?
The director tapped a key and entered the words 'potato pan. cakes.' He then cleared the display and proceeded to his office.
It was only when he reached his high, handsome desk with its satiny walnut top that he noticed he was not alone. He turned and jumped back a step.
'I am sorry if I startled you, Director Zanderson.' 'What are you doing here?'
'Is that any way to greet a friend?' Hocking smiled his grisly smile. 'I hope you don't mind. I had to see you, and since no one was about I let myself in.'
It occurred to the director that he would have to have the entry code changed at once. 'What do you want? I thought you said you'd never come here again. You said you had what you wanted and you wouldn't bother me any more.'
'Something's come up, Director. I need some information. That's all. Just a little information.'
'What makes you think you can just come sneaking in here any time you want and bully me around? I can have you thrown out of here.'
'Now, now.' Hocking clicked his tongue and chided, 'You agreed to our little arrangement long ago, didn't you? It would be showing poor form to begin getting all indignant and officious at this late date. We've kept our part of the bargain. We expect you to keep yours.'
'What do you want?' Zanderson scowled at his unwelcome guest. want a modicum of consideration,' sniffed Hocking. I 'Ha! You won't get that from me.'
'I thought I made myself clear last time we talked,' Hocking intoned menacingly. 'You are a powerful man, director. With powerful enemies. What they might do with the information I could give them… Well, who knows what they might do? There is, of course, one quick way to find out, isn't there? But you don't want me to use it, do
