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will be to launch a missing-person inquiry through every agency I can reach.
FBI assistance will be solicited. Your help there would be appreciated. --
Dzule
Janvert did not bring up the subject of their companions in this project until
they were on the plane headed west. He had chosen seats for Clovis and
himself well forward of the others and on the left
side. The window beside him gave a good view of a sensational sunset over the
left wing, but he ignored it.
As expected, he and Clovis had been ordered to assume teen-age guise, and Nick
Myerlie, whom both of them considered to be an ineffectual ass, had been named
to cover as their father. What none of them had expected was that Janvert
would be selected for the number-two spot.
He and Clovis held their heads close together, speaking in barely audible
whispers.
"I don't like it," Janvert said. "Peruge will hit the ceiling and choose
someone else in the field."
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"What good would that do him?"
"I don't know, but you wait and see. Tomorrow at the latest."
"It could be recognition of your sterling qualities."
"Shit!"
"Don't you want the second spot?"
"Not on this merry-go-round." His lips set in a stubborn line. "This one's a
nasty."
"You think they're looking for a scapegoat?"
"Don't you?"
"It's possible. How do you get along with Peruge?"
"Not badly, considering."
"Considering what?"
"The fact that he doesn't trust me."
"Eddie!"
One of their teammates took this moment to wander past, headed for the forward
toilets. The teammate was an ex-door gunner from the Vietnam War (he called
it "Nam") named Daniel
Thomas Alden, and everyone called him DT. Janvert remained silent while DT
passed, noting the hard, youthful face, the square and deeply tanned line of
jaw. There was a white scar in the shape of an inverted V at the bridge of
his nose, and he affected a flight cap with transparent green visor which
imparted a dark green cast to his face. Janvert suspected DT of being a spy
for the brass.
Rumor had it he was shacking up with Tymiena, and Janvert found himself
suddenly wondering what the younger man must be thinking now.
As he passed, DT glanced at them, but there was no sign he recognized them or
even noticed them.
When he had passed, Janvert whispered, "Do you suppose DT enjoys this work?"
"Why?"
"You'd think he would find it a bit more constraining than an actual war; not
as many chances to kill people."
"Sometimes, you're too damned bitter."
"And you shouldn't be in this business at all, honey," Janvert said. "Why
didn't you beg off sick or something?"
"I thought you might need someone to defend you."
"The way you did last night?"
She ignored him and said, "Have you heard the talk about DT and Tymiena?"
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"Yes. I almost feel sorry for him."
"You think she's --"
"I don't want to think about it, but yes, I do."
"But why? Couldn't they all just be --"
"You can smell it in a case like this one. They were the shock troops. You
expect casualties with shock troops."
"What are we then?"
"With Peruge along, I don't know. I'll tell you when I find out how he
deploys us."
"Front line or rear."
"Right."
"Aren't they going to serve dinner on this flight?" she asked.
"Those stewardi are too interested in getting our elders drunk."
"That's one of the things I hate about playing this kiddy role," she
whispered. "I can't ask for a drink."
"I hate the makeup," he said. "I'll bet they don't feed us before Nebraska."
"This is a bean-and-cod special," she said. "They'll give us fish balls and
haricot. Are you still feeling low?"
"Honey, forget some of the things I said last night. I was feeling like the
very end."
"To be strictly accurate, there were two of us in that mood. It's probably
the phase of the moon."
"I still don't know a good reason why I was named number two on this case, do
you?"
"None I'm sure of." And almost as an afterthought, "The others are pretty
old."
"All the more reason -- I mean, why would they want a younger agent in
command?"
"Youth must have its day," she whispered, and she bent close to nibble his
ear. "Knock it off, darling. The old goat right behind me is trying to
eavesdrop."
Janvert knew better than to glance back at once, but he straightened presently
and glanced around at the crowded aircraft. The lights were on now and it was
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