Science fiction; Spy stories; Telepathy -- Fiction; United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation -- Fiction
Malone simply gave him a nod, and a "Thank you, Doctor," and turned to
Burris. He could feel Barbara's eyes on him, but he went on with his
prepared questions. "Chief," he said, "what about you? After we nail
our spy, what happens--to Her Majesty, I mean? You don't intend to
stop giving her the homage due her, do you?"
Burris stared, openmouthed. After a second he managed to say: "Why,
no, of course not, Sir Kenneth. That is--" and he glanced over at the
psychiatrists--"if the doctors think...."
There was another hurried consultation. The four psychiatrists came
out of it with a somewhat shaky statement to the effect that
treatments which had been proven to have some therapeutic value ought
not to be discontinued, although of course there was always the chance
that....
"Thank you, gentlemen," Malone said smoothly. He could see that they
were nervous, and no wonder; he could imagine how difficult it was for
a psychiatrist to talk about a patient in her presence. But they'd
already realized that it didn't make any difference; their thoughts
were an open book, anyway.
Lady Barbara said: "Sir--I mean Ken--are you going to--"
"What's this all about?" Burris snapped.
"Just a minute, Sir Andrew," Malone said. "I'd like to ask one of the
doctors here--or all of them, for that matter--one more question." He
whirled and faced them. "I'm assuming that not one of these persons is
legally responsible for his or her actions. Is that correct?"
Another hurried huddle. The psych boys were beginning to remind Malone
of a semi-pro football team in rather unusual uniforms.
Finally one of them said: "You are correct. According to the latest
statutes, all of these persons are legally insane--including Her
Majesty." He paused and gulped. "I except the FBI, of course--and
ourselves." Another pause. "And Dr. O'Connor and Dr. Gamble."
"And," said Lady Barbara, "me." She smiled sweetly at them all.
"Ah," the psychiatrist said. "Certainly. Of course." He retired into
his group with some confusion.
Malone was looking straight at the throne. Her Majesty's countenance
was serene and unruffled.
Barbara said suddenly: "You don't mean--but she--" and closed her
mouth. Malone shot her one quick look, and then turned to the Queen.
"Well, Your Majesty?" he said. "You have seen the thoughts of every
man here. How do they appear to you?"
Her voice contained both tension and relief. "They are all good men,
basically--and kind men," she said. "And they believe us. That's the
important thing, you know. Their belief in us.... Just as you said
that first day we met. We've needed belief for so long ... for so
long...." Her voice trailed off; it seemed to become lost in a
constellation of thoughts. Barbara had turned to look up at Her
Majesty.
Malone took a step forward, but Burris interrupted him. "How about the
spy?" he said.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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