Tell him hello from us, and I hope the whole thing works out. He never said whether it would mean his staying up there or not, but I gather this trip is just a visit anyhow? Maybe we’ll make it up before he leaves--? _Do_ give him regards, anyhow. Very best, and from J., Lisa P.S. Will assume any date after the 31st is okay, unless you let us know otherwise.... L _Mexcity--July 27, 1977_ “I guess they’re not going to pick up on it,” the General admitted. “You can’t win _every_ time,” Prentiss said. “I know. But how many battles lose a war? Any bright thoughts?” “Only complicated ones.” “Okay. Even not-so-bright. Something is better than nothing.” “Well, it’s not _that_ complicated, I guess. Just tricky. Pick up on it ourselves.” “You mean plant it?” Harbridge was thoughtful. “No,” he said. “Too risky. If we got caught out on the first plant, so we’re devious bastards with something up our sleeves. If we didn’t do the first one, and got caught on this, we’re not so devious, and it’s obvious we’re out to get Christensen. If we got caught on both, it would smell real funny--and too many people have good noses in this town--hey!” “Something?” “I think so. This thing is a windfall to anyone who’s after Chris’ hide. Or it ought to look that way, if they were just looking. I think you did too good a job, Al. They just didn’t realize there was anything there _shouldn’t_ have been in that article.” Which shows just how much _any_one is worried about what goes on up there, he thought. Chris used to keep an eye on his public relations, but he’s been out of touch too much. Well, let’s give a push--“I think--let’s see, that Dartmouth boy we got shoved at us, what’s his name?, Jennings? Yuh. He’s Andy Jennings’ son?” Prentiss nodded. “Okay. That’s it. I _think_ this kid is just dumb enough so if you clucked at him about the kind of leaks that let important stuff like that get out, he’d be very likely to go home and tell his pop. And in view of the fact that Andy Jennings just bought himself a small interest worth a half million dollars in Undersea, I think we might just get our work done for us.” “You think Jennings can remember a whole sentence that long? I mean, get home and tell it straight?” “Well you better make it _very_ clear.” The General laughed. Prentiss went out to find young Jennings, and Jed sat down to write to Chris. _Dollars Dome--July 28, 1977_ NESNETSIRHC .RD said the lettering on the translucent plastic door and then, underneath it, ROTCERID HCRAESER. Nature’s own idiot, spelled backwards, the Director thought. Peter Andrew Christensen, Big Brain. If you’re so smart, why aren’t you a University President? Or Research Director for General Atomics? Or a respectable dues-paid master plumber, maybe?