he registry--47M
26429--yes--of course, and thank you." He waited a moment. "Hello--Dr.
Brainard?--Kennon here. I've just had some news. Alexander's on Beta!
Yes--he served me with a summons. Can you get a restraining order to
prevent him from leaving? You can? Good! Here's his address." Kennon
rattled off the location. "Yes--I'm taking the next airboat to Beta
City. This should simplify things considerably.--Of course it should. He
was a fool to have come here. Yes--I suppose you should tell Copper.
Oh! She is? I'm sorry to hear that, but there's no reason for her to
be angry. She should realize that I did this for her--not to make her
miserable. Hmm.--She--she has? You think she should come with
me?--Yes, I realize she can be a problem when she wants to be. All right
then--tell her to pack a toothbrush and a few spare diapers. And see if
you can get me a couple of tickets on the next flight to Beta City. I'll
be over in a couple of hours and pick her up." He cradled the phone and
dialed the operator again.

"I want the phone number of Skyline Tower 1024, Beta City, Mr.
Alexander. Yes. I'll wait. This number is HUV 2-1278 and my name
is Kennon, Dr. Jac Kennon 47M 26429. I called you before. No, I'm a
transient. I can refer you to Dr. James Brainard, Huntersville Medical
Center. Yes, I'll accept charges. Now will you give me that number? BCA
7-8941--thank you."

Kennon hung up, dialed the number, and waited.

"Hello," he said. "Mr. Alexander? This is Dr. Kennon.--Yes--I suppose
you do, but I've been trying to get back to Kardon for the past month.
You are? Well, that's your privilege, but I'd advise you to go easy
until I see you. Naturally--I'm coming as soon as I can get there. We'll
be seeing you tomorrow morning at the latest. We?--I'm bringing Copper,
of course. I just wanted you to know."

Kennon wiped his forehead. Alexander sounded angry and dangerous. Ten
years hadn't served to cool him off. What had happened on Kardon after
he had left? Kennon shook his head. There was something here he didn't
understand. The entrepreneur should have been covering his tracks, not
threatening jail and disaccreditation. It was obvious that a personal
visit was more necessary than he had thought.

Alexander was waiting. His eyebrows rose at the sight of Copper in
formal Betan dress--and lifted a trifle more at the sight of the baby.

"What is this, Kennon?" he asked.

"Trouble," Kennon said. He took off his hat. "I came h