Cranehart was silent for a few seconds. "Mr. Sanford," he said then,
"you, as a member of the Territorial Office, know very well that the
Geest War has consumed over four hundred million human lives to date.
That is the circumstance which obliges your government to insist on your
co-operation. I advise you to give it."
"But you have no proof! You have nothing but surmises--"
"Consider this," Cranehart said. "A conspiracy of the type I have
described constitutes a capital offense under present conditions. Are
you certain that you would prefer us to continue to look for proof?"
Ronald Black said in a harsh voice, "And what would the outcome be if we
did choose to co-operate?"
"Well, we can't afford to leave men of your type in a position of
influence, Mr. Black," Cranehart said amiably. "And you understand, I'm
sure, that it would be entirely too difficult to keep you under proper
surveillance on Earth--"
* * * * *
Celia Adams said from outside the cabin door, "I think it is them, Phil.
Both cars have started to circle."
Phil Boles came to the door behind her and looked up. It was early
evening--Roye's sun just down, and a few stars out. The sky above the
sea was still light. After a moment, he made out the two aircars moving
in a wide, slow arc far overhead. He glanced at his watch.
"Twenty minutes late," he remarked. "But it couldn't be anyone else. And
if they hadn't all come along, they wouldn't have needed two cars." He
hesitated. "We can't tell how they're going to take this, Celia, but
they may have decided already that they could make out better without
us." He nodded towards the edge of the cliff. "Short way over there,
and a long drop to the water! So don't let them surprise you."