Stranger in a Strange Land

«Pooh, sir! I am a lawyer. A citizen is required to cooperate with police under certain conditions only. For example, during hot pursuit — in which case the police officer may still be required to show credentials. Is this “hot pursuit”, sir? Are you about to dive through this blasted instrument? Second, a citizen may be required to cooperate within reasonable and lawful limits in the course of police investigation — »

«This is an investigation.»

«Of what, sir? Before you may require my cooperation, you must identify yourself, satisfy me as to your bona-fides, state your purpose, and — if I so require — cite the code and show that “reasonable necessity” exists. You have done none of these. I wish to speak to Mr. Berquist.»

The man's jaw muscles were jumping but he answered, «I am Captain Heinrich of the Federation S.S. Bureau. The fact that you reached me by calling the Executive Palace should be proof that I am who I say I am. However — » He took out a wallet, flipped it open, and held it to his pickup. Harshaw glanced at the I.D.

«Very well, Captain,» he growled. «Will you now explain why you are keeping me from speaking with Mr. Berquist?»

«Mr. Berquist is not available.»

«Then why didn't you say so? Transfer my call to someone of Berquist's rank. I mean one of the people who work directly with the Secretary General, as Gil does. I don't propose to be fobbed off on some junior assistant flunky with no authority to blow his own nose! If Gil isn't there, then for God's sake get me someone of equal rank!»

«You have been trying to telephone the Secretary General.»

«Precisely.»

«Very well, you may explain what business you have with the Secretary General.»

«And I may not. Are you a confidential assistant to the Secretary General? Are you privy to his secrets?»

«That's beside the point.»

«That's exactly the point. As a police officer, you know better. I shall explain, to some person known to me to be cleared for sensitive material and in Mr. Douglas's confidence, just enough to make sure that the Secretary General speaks to me. Are you sure Mr. Berquist can't be reached?»

«Quite sure.»

«Then it will have to be someone else — of his rank.»

«If it's that secret, you shouldn't be calling over a phone.»

«My good Captain! Since you had this call traced, you know that my phone is equipped to receive a maximum-security return call.»

The S.S. officer ignored this. Instead he answered, «Doctor, I'll be blunt. Until you explain your business, you aren't going to get anywhere. If you call again, your call will be routed to this office. Call a hundred times — or a month from now. Same thing. Until you cooperate.»

Jubal smiled happily. «It won't be necessary now, as you have let slip — unwittingly, or was it intentional? — the one datum needed before we act. If we must. I can hold them off the rest of the day … but the code word is no longer “Berquist”.»

«What the devil do you mean?»

«My dear Captain, please! Not over an unscrambled circuit — But you know, or should know, that I am a senior phi losophunculist on active duty.»

«Repeat?»

«Haven't you studied amphigory? Gad, what they teach in schools these days! Back to your pinochle game; I don't need you.» Jubal switched off, set the phone for ten minutes' refusal, said, «Come along, kids,» and returned to his loafing spot near the pool. He cautioned Anne to keep her Witness robe at hand, told Mike to stay in earshot, and gave Miriam instructions concerning the telephone. Then he relaxed.

He was not displeased. He had not expected to reach the Secretary General at once. His reconnaissance had uncovered one weak spot in the wall surrounding the Secretary and he expected that his bout with Captain Heinrich would bring a return call from a higher level.

If not, the exchange of compliments with the S.S. cop had been rewarding in itself and had left him in a warm glow. Harshaw held that certain feet were made for stepping on, in order to improve the breed, promote the general welfare, and minimize the ancient insolence of office; he had seen at once that Heinrich had such feet.

But he wondered how long he could wait? In addition to the pending collapse of his «bomb» and the fact that he had promised Jill to take steps on behalf of Caxton, something new was crowding him: Duke was gone.

Gone for the day, gone for good (or for bad), Jubal did not know. Duke had been at dinner, had not shown up for breakfast. Neither was noteworthy in Harshaw's household and no one else seemed to miss Duke.

Jubal looked across the pool, watched Mike attempt to perform a dive exactly as Dorcas had just performed it, and admitted to himself that he had not asked about Duke this morning, on purpose. The truth was that he did not want to ask the Bear what had happened to Algy. The Bear might answer.

Well, there was only one way to cope with weakness. «Mike! Come here.»