"How do you think I got in? Through the window?"
"But I thought you were in serious trouble. Beach called and said--"
"I know all about that. Beach is behind the time, and he's not getting
any more of our business, do you understand?" I had been speaking
harshly. Now I fell into the familiar friendly vein. "Charlie, this
is the situation. I came within an inch of getting my head chopped
off. But I spoke to the Central Committeeman, and the matter's being
straightened out."
I paced the office casually. "It's costing me money, of course. A cool
half-million."
Charlie's eyes grew to the first magnitude. "Canopus! Have you got that
much?"
"Not quite. Not in cash, anyway. There are some securities I can't put
on the market right now. So I'm a hundred thousand short. Which isn't
so much, actually."
I had to make this sound completely nonchalant. "I thought I'd borrow
it from the business for thirty days. I assume that's all right with
you?"
Spacker is no fool either. He hesitated. "Well sure, Bart, if we have
it. But you know, with this Venus crisis we're running pretty close."
I exploded. "What do you mean, 'if we have it'! Our assets top thirty
million."
"You weren't in the pit this morning, Bart. The way Venus commodities
are going, we'll be damn lucky to cover our commitments."
"_That_ bad? Well, it's a good thing I'm leaving for Venus tonight." I
paused. "All right, Charlie, then make me a personal loan."
"I'd be glad to, Bart. But ... considering the circumstances, how can I
be sure you'll come back from Venus?" Spacker was shrewd.
"Don't be absurd, Charlie." I tried to make light of his bullseye. "If
that bothers you, I'll give you two-for-one in government series R as
collateral."
Spacker shook his head. "If something should go wrong with this deal
you've made, then the government will be able to reclaim them as
forfeit. And I'll be out a hundred thousand."
* * * * *
I was swallowing the humiliation, frustrated with a rage that I had to
conceal. I was furious at his lack of trust, and chagrined that he was
so well justified.
"All right, Charlie," I said cordially. "I'm a little hurt by your
suspiciousness, but you have me at a disadvantage. I need the money. I
suppose I could raise it some other way, but then that would delay my
departure for Venus. And you know that our mutual welfare is tied up
with the trip.
"If so many things worry you about this personal transaction, let me
put your mind at ease. I'll sign over my equity in the business as
security for the loan. Is that good enough?"
Charlie was now his best competitive self. "Look at it from my point
of view, Bart. If you didn't return, the business would become all
mine anyway. Isn't that right?" A bland look of innocence spread over
his face, a mask concealing the saturnine smile. "Bart, I suggest you
delay your trip for a day or so. Raise the money some other way."
I held back long enough to believe my ears. Then I drew my gun. "You
bastard!"
"You can't force me to sign! I'd repudiate it by phone the minute you
left!"
"I'll kill you!"
"That won't get you the money. You'll rot in the slave-mines of
Mercury!"
True. A feeling of fatalism swept over me like ocean surf. I opened
Spacker's door and called out to the detectives:
"If you gentlemen will step in here, we've just received word of Mr.
Sponsor's whereabouts."
Then I stepped back behind the door jamb, leveling the gun at Spacker.
He knew I meant silence. He knew I would kill.