Universe Twister - Keith Laumer [223]
"You don't seem overjoyed."
Lom pulled at his lower lip, frowning intently. "Actually," he said, "I'm not at all sure this is a desirable development at just this point."
"What's that remark supposed to mean?"
"Our antagonist, my boy, is a man of fiendish cleverness. At this moment he holds all the cards. Against him, a lone Agent hasn't a chance."
"Nonsense. I admit the fellow may not know the score—having me not be me is a bit confusing. But all I have to do is make contact with this new Agent, fill him in on a few facts, and make the pinch—"
"But that may not be so easy. Remember: I have one vital datum that you lack."
"Oh? What's that?"
"I," said Lom, "know who the villain is."
Chapter Ten
1
"You could have saved some time," Lafayette said, "if you'd mentioned this a little earlier."
"How could I? I thought you were his partner in the scheme."
"All right—who is he? Zorro?"
"Good heavens, no—"
"Not the Red Bull?"
"Nothing like that. You've never met him. The fact is, he's a renegade Commissioner of the Central Authority, by the name of Quelius."
"A commissioner? Ye gods—one of the top men—"
"Precisely. Now you can see the seriousness of his defection. I was his first victim. Then you. Now he's gobbling up an entire kingdom—and it will require a good deal more than honest intentions to topple the madman."
"All right—what's your suggestion?"
"First, we must make contact with this new chap Central's sent in, before he comes to grief. Presumably he's here in the palace by now, possibly in disguise. We'll attempt to intercept him when he calls on the princess."
"How are we going to recognize him?"
"I have," Lom said, patting his pockets, "a small ID device. When within fifty feet of a Central Authority ID card, it emits a warning buzz. Its failure to react to you was one of the principal reasons for my suspicions of you."
"Ummp. My ID is in a dresser drawer, downstairs."
"Quite. Now, at this point I suggest we divide forces. In that way, if one of us is caught the other may still get by in the confusion."
"Ummm. Shall we flip a coin?"
"I'll go first, dear boy. Now—what is the most direct route to the royal apartments?"
Lafayette told him. "Be careful," he finished. "There'll be guards six deep around the whole wing."
"Never fear, I shall make judicious use of the sonic projector. And I suppose you may as well have the disaster gun. But I'd suggest using it only in emergency. It's never been tested, you know."
"Thanks a lot." O'Leary accepted the weapon gingerly.
"Well—no point in waiting, I suppose. You follow in, oh, ten minutes, eh?" Lom moved to the door.
"Wait a minute," Lafayette said. "You've got your buzzer to identify the agent—but what do I use?"
"I should think any stranger might be a likely prospect. Ta-ta, my lad. I'll see you in court." The old fellow opened the door and slipped out. Lafayette listened. Two minutes passed with no audible alarm.
"So far so good," Lafayette murmured. "Now it's my turn."
Clarence was sound asleep, sitting in a corner with his head tilted on one shoulder. He opened his eyes, blinking in a bewildered way when Lafayette tapped him on the knee.
"I'm going now, Clarence. You can go back to the squad room. If anybody asks, tell them we went home. And thanks a lot."
"Geez," Clarence said, rubbing his eyes. He yawned prodigiously. "I wanna stay on duh job, boss. Dis cloak and dagger game is loads o' fun."
"Sure—but we need you back with the troops—someone who knows the score in case things go wrong."
"Yeah! Wow! Duh fellers won't never know I'm on a secret lay, which I'm woiking as usual wit' every appearance o' normality, an' all."
"That's the idea—" Lafayette jumped fourteen inches as a sharp ring sounded from the cabinet beside the door.
"Hey—dat sounds like duh doorbell," Clarence said. "OK if I answer it, boss?"
"It's the phone," O'Leary said, and grabbed it up. "Hello?"
"Oh, is that you?" It was the same voice he had last spoken to. "I say, look here, it appears something has come up; a Very Important Person wishes a word with you. Just