Science fiction; Spy stories; Telepathy -- Fiction; United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation -- Fiction
But the Queen's face was full of a majestic assurance. "He's right
there," she said, and she pointed.
Malone followed her finger.
It was aimed directly at the glowing image of Andrew J. Burris,
Director of the FBI.
5
Malone opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Not even air.
He wasn't breathing.
He stared at Burris for a long moment, then took a breath and looked
again at Her Majesty. "The spy?" he whispered.
"That's right," she said.
"But that's--" He had to fight for control. "That's the head of the
FBI," he managed to say. "Do you mean to say he's a spy?"
Burris was saying: "... I'm afraid this is a matter of importance,
Dr. Dowson. We cannot tolerate delay. You have the court order. Obey
it."
"Very well, Mr. Burris," Dowson said with an obvious lack of grace.
"I'll release him to Mr. Malone immediately, since you insist."
Malone stared, fascinated. Then he turned back to the little old lady.
"Do you mean to tell me," he said, "that Andrew J. Burris is a
telepathic spy?"
"Oh, dear me," Her Majesty said, obviously aghast. "My goodness
gracious. Is that Mr. Burris on the screen?"
"It is," Malone assured her. A look out of the corner of his eye told
him that neither Burris, in Washington, nor Dowson or any others in
the room, had heard any of the conversation. Malone lowered his
whisper some more, just in case. "That's the head of the FBI," he
said.
"Well, then," Her Majesty said, "Mr. Burris couldn't possibly be a
spy, then, could he? Not if he's the head of the FBI. Of course not.
Mr. Burris simply isn't a spy. He isn't the type. Forget all about Mr.
Burris."
"I can't," Malone said at random. "I work for him." He closed his
eyes. The room, he had discovered, was spinning slightly. "Now," he
said, "you're sure he's not a spy?"
"Certainly I'm sure," she said, with her most regal tones. "Do you
doubt the word of your sovereign?"
"Not exactly," Malone said. Truthfully, he wasn't at all sure. Not at
all. But why tell that to the Queen?
"Shame on you," she said. "You shouldn't even think such things. After
all, I am the Queen, aren't I?" But there was a sweet, gentle smile on
her face when she spoke; she didn't seem to be really irritated.
"Sure you are," Malone said. "But--"
"Malone!" It was Burris' voice, from the phone. Malone spun around.
"Take Mr. Logan," Burris said, "and get going. There's been enough
delay as it is."
"Yes, sir," Malone said. "Right away, sir. Anything else?"
"That's all," Burris said. "Good night." The screen blanked.
There was a little silence.
"All right, Doctor," Boyd said. He looked every inch a king, and
Malone knew exactly what king. "Bring him out."
Dr. Dowson heaved a great sigh. "Very well," he said heavily. "But I
want it known that I resent this highhanded treatment, and I shall
write a letter complaining of it." He pressed a button on an
instrument panel in his desk. "Bring Mr. Logan in," he said.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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