"Only this. Assuming the killer was a person Carmack had reason to
mistrust--or to fear--he had to solve the neuro-vibe in order to gain
access. Not many persons could have done that, Losch. But _you_ could
have done it."
Losch came up out of his chair with a heavy, angry look. "Now see here,
you--"
"Which pretty well establishes motive, means and method. You were in
Washington the day of the murder! And you left for Bermuda the day
following! Is that substantially correct?"
"_Totally_ correct!" said Losch savagely. "Now may I ask what the hell
you're going to do about it?"
* * * * *
Beardsley observed him for a prolonged second. "Remember it," he
answered softly.
Losch opened his mouth to say more, but Beardsley lifted a palm at the
screen and smiled benignly. "Well, sir, I think that about covers it. I
want to thank you very much for the record, and--ah--have a nice
vacation! Goodbye."
With that he clicked off abruptly.
* * * * *
He turned to face Mandleco, who was struggling between anger and
distress as he paced away from the screen and back. He confronted
Beardsley with a sad and accusing look. "Now see here, Beardsley! If I'd
known your methods were ... don't you think that was all a bit
high-handed?"
"What? No, not in the least. Didn't you notice?"
"Notice what?"
"Losch was an angry man, yes, indeed."
"Angry," snapped Mandleco. "Good reason!"
"No," Beardsley mused. "The _wrong_ reason. Murder--at least the type
we're concerned with--is a form of release, you know. A killer may
commit his deed in anger, but once the thing is accomplished he never
retains that anger long." Beardsley gazed contemplatively at the screen.
"You know, I admire that man. I really do. He had the convictions at
least, if not the courage."