ubt my Augment Index will bear it out," he said bitterly.
"Neuro-thalamic imbalance isn't it called? Pronounced efforts at
emotional suppression?"

"Close enough," Beardsley nodded, refusing to be enticed from his query.
"And you were in Washington prior to and including the day of the
murder. You admit this?"

"Of course, of course I admit it!" Losch sighed wearily and lifted his
hands. "Why deny the obvious? I'm resigned to the fact that my Index
probably makes me a prize Prime!"

"Professor Losch. As a person closely associated with the Carmack
Laboratories, you must be aware of the--shall we say--elaborate
precautions Carmack took to ensure his privacy?"

Losch sank back slowly, but his eyes couldn't conceal a livening
interest. "I don't know what you mean."

"Then I'll tell you. I refer to the frequency barrier which Carmack
installed within the past year. The 'neuro-vibe' I think he called it.
That strikes a note?"

Losch said sullenly, "Perhaps! What about it?"

"Only this. Assuming the killer was a person Carmack had reason to
mistrust--or to fear--he had to solve the neuro-vibe in order to gain
access. Not many persons could have done that, Losch. But _you_ could
have done it."

Losch came up out of his chair with a heavy, angry look. "Now see here,
you--"

"Which pretty well establishes motive, means and method. You were in
Washington the day of the murder! And you left for Bermuda the day
following! Is that substantially correct?"

"_Totally_ correct!" said Losch savagely. "Now may I ask what the hell
you're going to do about it?"

* * * * *

Beardsley observed him for a prolonged second. "Remember it," he
answered softly.

Losch opened his mouth to say more, but Beardsley lifted a palm at the
screen and smiled benignly. "Well, sir, I think that about covers it. I
want to thank you very much for the record, and--ah--have a nice
vacation! Goodbye."

With that he clicked off abruptly.

* * * * *

He turned to face Mandleco, who was struggling between anger and
distress as he paced away from the screen and back. He confronted
Beardsley with a sad and accusing look. "Now see here, Beardsley! If I'd
known your methods were ... don't you think that was all a bit
high-handed?"

"What? No, not in the least. Didn't you notice?"

"Notice what?"

"Losch was an angry man, yes, indeed."

"Angry," snapped Mandleco. "Good reason!"