Ferris blinked. "What's been happening?" he asked.
"Nothing much," said Kennedy, unbuckling the electrodes. "I've taken my
readings. Thank you very much for the help, sir. I'll see that you get
due credit when my research is published."
"Ah--yes. Yes." Ferris puffed himself out. Then he put an arm around
Fraser's shoulder. "If you aren't busy," he said, "maybe we could go
have lunch."
"Thanks," said Fraser. "I'd like to talk to you about a few things."
He lingered for a moment after Ferris had left the room. "I imagine this
is goodbye for us," he said.
"Well, so long, at least. We'll probably hear from each other again."
Kennedy shook Fraser's hand. "No hard feelings? I did go to a lot of
trouble for you--wangling your introduction to Ferris when you'd named
him, and having one of my men persuade him to come here. And right when
I'm so infernally busy, too."
"Sure," said Fraser. "It's all right. I can't pretend to love you for
what you've done, but you aren't a bad sort."
"No worse than you," said Kennedy with a short laugh. "You've used the
machine for your own ends, now."
"Yeah," said Fraser. "I guess I have."
* * * * *
Sworsky asked, "Why do you insist on calling me from drugstores? And why
at my office? I've got a home phone, you know."
"I'm not sure but that our own lines are tapped," said Fraser.
"Kennedy's a smart cookie, and don't you forget it. I think he's about
ready to dismiss me as a danger, but you're certainly being watched;
you're on his list."
"You're getting a persecution-complex. Honest, Colin, I'm worried."
"Well, bear with me for a while. Now, have you had any information on
Kennedy since I called last?"
"Hm, no. I did mention to Thomson, as you asked me to, that I'd heard
rumors of some revolutionary encephalographic techniques and would be
interested in seeing the work. Why did you want me to do that?"
"Thomson," said Fraser, "is one of Kennedy's men. Now look, Jim, before
long you're going to be invited to visit Kennedy. He'll give you a spiel
about his research and ask to measure your brain waves. I want you to
say yes. Then I want to know the exact times of the three appointments
he'll give you--the first two, at least."
"Hmmm--if Kennedy's doing what you claim--"
"Jim, it's a necessary risk, but _I'm_ the one who's taking it. You'll
be okay, I promise you; though perhaps later you'll read of me being
found in the river. You see, I got Kennedy to influence a big stockowner
for me. One of the lesser companies in which he has a loud voice is
Messenger. I don't suppose Kennedy knows that. I hope not!"
* * * * *
Sworsky looked as if he'd been sandbagged. He was white, and the hand
that poured a drink shook.
"Lord," he muttered. "Lord, Colin, you were right."