He is right, said the man with the scar. You are too damned smart. Your I.Q. and your Personality Profile show nothing like this. Would you be open to an offer?
Maybe, I said. But it would have to be a big one. Give me the terms, and tell me who's offering.
Terms: a quarter of a million dollars, cash, he said, and that is the maximum I can offer. Turn us loose and go about your business. Forget about tonight.
I did think about it. Let's face it, it was tempting. But I go through a lot of money in a few years' time, and I hated to report failure to Walsh's Private Investigations, the third-largest detective agency in the world, with whom I wished to continue associating myself, as an independent contractor.
So who foots the bill? How? And why?
I can get you half that amount tonight, in cash, and the other half in a week to ten days. You tell us how you want it, and that is the way it will be. 'Why?' though, do not ask that question. It will be one of the things we will be buying.
Your boss obviously has a lot of money to throw around, I said, glancing at me clock and seeing that it was now six fifteen. No, I must refuse your offer.
Then you could not be a government man. One of them would take it, and then make an arrest.
I already told you that. So what else is new?
We seem to have reached an impasse, Mister Schweitzer.
Hardly, I replied. We have simply reached the end of my preface. Since reasoning with you has failed, I must now take positive action. I apologize for this, but it is necessary.
You are really going to resort to physical violence?
I'm afraid so, I said. And don't worry. I expected a hangover this morning, so I signed for sick leave last night. I have all day. You already have a painful flesh wound, so I'll give you a break this time around.
Then I stood, cautiously, and the room swayed, but I did not let it show. I crossed to the smaller guy's chair and seized its arms and his together and raised them up from off the floor. Woozy, I was; but not weak.
I carried him off to the bathroom and set him, chair and all, in the shower stall, avoiding the forward thrustings of his head.
Then I returned to the other.
Just to keep you abreast of what is going on, I said, it all depends on the time of day. I have measured the temperature of the hot water in that stall at various times, and it can come out of there at anything from 140° to 180° Fahrenheit. Your buddy is about to get it, hot and full blast, as soon as I open his shirt and trousers and expose as much bare flesh as possible. You understand?
I understand.
I went back inside and opened him up and turned the shower on, using the hot water only. Then I went back to the main room. I studied the features of his buddy, who I then noted bore him something of a resemblance. It struck me that they might be relatives.
When the screaming began, he sought to compose his features. But I could see I was getting through to him.
He tested his restraints once again, looked at my clock, looked at me.
Turn it off. God damn you! he cried.
Your cousin? I asked him.
My half brother! Shut it down, you baboon!
Only if you've got something to say to me.
Okay! But leave him in there and close the door!
I dashed and did it. My head was beginning to clear, though I still felt like hell.
I burned my right hand shutting the thing down. I left my chosen victim slouched there in the steam, and I shut the door behind me as I returned to the main room.
What do you have to say?
Could you give me one free hand and a cigarette?
No, but you can have a cigarette.
How about the right one? I can hardly move it.
I considered, and said, Okay, picking up my gun again.
I lit the stick, stuck it in his mouth, then cut the tape and tore it off his right forearm. He dropped the cigarette when I did it, and I picked it up and restored it to him.
All right, I said, take ten seconds and enjoy yourself. After that, we talk cases.
He nodded, looked around the room, took a deep drag, and exhaled.
I guess you do know how to hurt, he said. If you are not government, I guess your file is very much off.
I am not government.
Then I wish you were on our side, because it is a pretty bad thing. Whatever you are, or do, he stated, I hope you are aware of the full implications.
... And he glanced at my clock, again.
Six twenty-five.
He had done it several times, and I had dismissed it. But now it seemed something more than a desire to know the time.
When does it go off? I asked, on chance.
Buying that, on chance, he replied, Bring my brother back, where I can see him.
When does it go off? I repeated.
Too soon, he replied, and then it will not matter. You are too late.
I don't think so, I said. But now that I know, I'll have to move, fast. So ... Don't lose any sleep over it. I think I am going to turn you in now.
What if I could offer you more money?
Don't. You'd only embarrass me. And I'd still say, 'No.'
Okay. But bring him back, please, and take care of his burns.
So I did.
You guys will remain here for a brief while, I finally said, snuffing the older one's cigarette and retaping his wrist. Then I moved toward the door.
You don't know, you really don't know! I heard from behind me.
Don't fool yourself, I said, over my shoulder.
I didn't know. I really didn't know.
But I could guess.
I stormed through the corridors until I reached Carol Deith's cabin. There I banged upon the door until I heard some muffled cursing and a Wait a minute! Then the door opened and she stared out at me, her eyes winking at the light, a slumber cap of sorts upon her head and a bulky robe about her.
What do you want? she asked me.
Today is the day indeed, I said. I've got to talk to you. May I come in?
No, she said. I'm not accustomed to ...
Sabotage, I said. I know. That's what it's all about, and it isn't finished yet ... Please ...
Come in. The door was suddenly wide open and she was standing to one side.
I entered.
She closed the door behind me, leaned back against it and said, All right, what is it?
There was a feeble light glowing, and a messed-up bed from which I had obviously aroused her.
Look, maybe I didn't give you the whole story the other day, I told her. Yes, it was sabotage, and there was a bomb, and I disposed of it. That's over and done with. Today is the big day, though, and the final attempt is in the offing. I know that for a fact. I think I know what it is and where it is. Can you help me? Can I help you? Help.
Sit down, she said.
There isn't much time.
Sit down, please. I have to get dressed.
Please hurry.
She stepped into the next room and left the door open. I was around the comer from it, though, so it should not have bothered her if she trusted me, and I guess she did, because she did.
What is it? she asked me, amidst the rustle of clothing.
I believe that one or more of our three atomic charges has been booby-trapped, so that the bird will sing a bit prematurely within its cage.
Why? she said.
Because there are two men back in my cabin, both of them taped to chairs, who tried to make me talk earlier this evening, with respect to my servicing of the J-9.
What does that prove?
They were kind of rough on me.
So?
When I got the upper hand, I got the same way with them. I made them talk.
How?
None of your business. But they talked. I think RUMOKO's igniters need another check.
I can pick them up in your cabin?
Yes.
How did you apprehend them?
They didn't know I had a gun.
I see. Neither did I ... We'll get them, don't worry. But you are telling me that you took both of them and beat some answers out of them?