The General had been awake for fifteen minutes when the call came. He was still in his pyjamas, sipping his second coffee and reading through Chris’ message again, reviewing the talk with Dr. Kutler in his mind; he had just realized that he had never gotten around to hearing Kutler’s pet theories, when the call came. He took it where he was, in the bedroom. Wendt’s face was taut as his voice, but he was in control. He looked surprisingly young, tanned, and healthy. Could be quite a guy, Jed decided, if he stayed sober long enough. “Saw this thing in the paper,” Wendt said, without preliminaries. “What’s the scoop?” “I can’t say for sure,” Jed told him. “And if I could, I wouldn’t on the phone.” “Anything to it?” Harbridge shrugged. “You know more than I do. Last time I was up was to pin eagles on you.” “That’s right--_sir_. I damn near forgot, didn’t I--_sir_?” “Come off it, Wendt. It was stupid enough, calling me. Don’t let’s play games now.” “No, _sir_. Sorry to have bothered you.” Jed saw his arm tense; he’d be reaching for the switch. “Hold on, John,” he said sharply. The damn fool call was made. Might as well get some use out of it. “Yes, sir?” Harbridge sighed. All right, two could play that, if necessary. “I take it you have decided to accept the subpoena?” he asked acidly. “I have my heli right here--sir--to go get it with.” Jed grinned. “At ease, will you, Wendt?” He saw the other man relax imperceptibly, unwillingly. “Okay, as long as I know you’re a law-abiding citizen, and not calling to ask for assistance in this absurd evasive maneuver--” He allowed just the comers of his mouth to twitch slightly. “--I can tell you this much. My own opinion is it’s a personal spite feud. I think he’s got it in for Chris or Kutler or both of them. I had a talk with Kutler last night and--” “Excuse me, sir. Are these Dr. Kutler’s opinions you’re giving me, or your own?” “Both. Why?” “I’m not sure I’d put my faith in his explanations.” “They’re the only explanations I’ve had so far,” Jed said crisply. “Maybe next week I’ll know more.” “That’s what I actually called about,” Wendt said, dropping the mocking-game altogether. “Do you, or will you, know which witnesses will be subpoenaed for next week?” “I don’t know now. You’ll probably see it in the papers same time I do.” “I see.” His eyes made sure he didn’t believe a word of it. “I was hoping there might be some way to have a word with--one of the people whose names I saw mentioned.” “Sure. Any time you get tired of hiding out, just drop by and I’ll arrange a call for you. Glad to do anything I can. Stop by this evening.” He glanced at the wall clock, visible in Wendt’s screen, trying to remind him that by now they _knew_ where he was. He thought he got an answering flicker. “Well, I’m taking up too much of your time, General. Suppose I give you a buzz tonight, anyhow?” “If there’s anything _important_ on your mind, sure. But, John--” “Yes?”