Behind him, a voice he knew said high and clear, snide and cruel, “Well, she always had a yen for Phil Kutler--” _Gentlemen don’t slug lady bitches_, he told himself, carefully unbunching the muscles in shoulder and upper arm. _Leave it lay, lad. Don’t even look._ He knew he knew the voice, but he did not know _whose_ it was: best to leave it that way. He dodged past a couple of strangers, got blocked at the next table by a crowd of six sitting down. The high vicious clearness followed him: “But I’m not so sure that’s it. I can’t say _who_ told me, but it’s someone I _usually listen_ to, and the way _he_ heard it, the reason _Ray_ let that Moon scientist off so easily--” It died away. Another voice, lower and less clear, urgent in undertone, blocked it off. Johnny’s way was still stopped. He turned, not meaning to; walked back past the table between without wanting to, went up to the red-gown bitch who owned that voice. The deeper, lower, one, the man at her side had been saying _his_ name. He smiled, and he knew just how damned unpleasant that smile was. “Pardon me,” he said. “I believe you were saying something about a friend of mine?” “Excuse me,” she said coldly. “I don’t believe--” She turned to the white-jacketed man. “Darling, do you--?” “Yes,” he said wearily. “Johnny Wendt, Linda Har--” “Forget it,” Johnny said, suddenly sick of the whole thing. Why pick a fight with a perfectly nice guy over a bitch, or a pair of them? “Skip it. I’m sorry. I don’t want to know your friend. Should’ve cut out like I started to. Teach her some manners, hey?” He turned and started to edge his way past the table again. “_Bob!_” The high clear vicious voice. _Yeah?_ He grinned. Nobody could say _he_ started this one. He tensed himself for the hand that would touch his shoulder. _Okay!_ He wheeled back, driving from the shoulder as he turned, with great satisfaction. _Dollars Dome--11:30_ P.M. _(C.S.T.)_ “Oh, I’m sure you _could_!” Lisa turned to Chris. “Where did Thad take off to before? He usually works this shift, doesn’t he?” “Usually,” Chris said--a little reluctantly? Phil wondered if the same thought that had crossed his was in the Director’s mind? Thad had left with Rita Donovan; hadn’t Lee noticed? It wasn’t like her to be so tactless, if she had. And, he thought a bit grimly, it was unlikely she had _not_ noticed. _Checking up?_ He felt almost ashamed of thinking it. “I was just telling Ray I didn’t see why he couldn’t tour some of the labs _now_, if he really wanted to. Thad would probably be in Bio anyhow, and--” “I imagine Dr. Christensen has a more formal tour ready for tomorrow,” McLafferty broke in smoothly. “Sort of,” Chris said easily. “But it wouldn’t make any difference that I can see. I’m not sure Bourgnese is working tonight, but I’d be glad to take you around myself any time. We don’t go much by the clock around here.”