acrobatics and
that's why Hafitz misses. Also it knocks him out of the wheelchair so
he's helpless and you get his gun. Also you see that the plans are still
there--right where you put them, stuck to the bottom of his wheelchair."

"So that was it," said Paul.

"Yes," said Mac. "And then you cover Hafitz while he straightens out the
ship and you rendezvous with the space control and they take you all
into custody. You get a citation from the government. That's about it.
Corny, huh?"

"But what about the girl?" Paul asked. "Is she really a spy?"

"Girl? What girl?"

"Naomi, her name was," Paul said. "You couldn't miss her. She was in the
vikie right at the beginning--that brunette in the fast car."

"But there wasn't any girl, Paul," Mac insisted. "Not when I saw it."

"Of course there was. There had to be--the vikies all start out the same
way, no matter who sees them."

"It beats me, pal. I know I didn't see her. Maybe you dreamed up the
dame."

"I don't think so," Paul said. "But of course it's possible." He yawned.
"I wouldn't mind dreaming of her tonight, at that. Think I'll turn in
now, Mac. I've got that long trip tomorrow, you know. Up to Canada to
look over a new line of Marswool sport jackets at the All-Planets
Showroom."

"Driving or flying?"

"The weather prognosis is zero-zero. I'll drive."

"Good," said Mac.

* * * * *

Paul Asher woke up late. He had a confused recollection of a dream.
Something about a beautiful brunette giving him a backrub.

A look at the chrono sent the dream out of his head and he hurried
through shaving and dressing.

His car was waiting for him, engine idling, at the curb. He got in,
tossing his briefcase and topcoat ahead of him to the far side of the
front seat. His back began to itch, insistently, and he rubbed it
against the leather upholstery.

Paul adjusted the safety belt around him, and fastened it. Might as well
do it now, instead of having to fool around with it later. Damn that
itch, anyway! It was as if something were stuck to his skin--like a
sticking plaster....

The high-powered vehicle purred smoothly as it took a long, rising
curve. The road climbed steadily toward the mountaintop city ahead.

The scene was familiar.

The itching of his back spread and became a prickly feeling in the small
hairs at the nape of his neck.

He knew now that he was not alone in the car. He looked in the rear-view
mirror.

Nao