Part 97 (1/2)

”I'm not a fraud” she answered.

I.

Thomas looked at her with anger and was about to pursue the point when Hammond spoke.

”In any event” Hammond said, 'we're forced for the sake of expediency to a.s.sume you had no knowledge of your father's activities.

Miss McAdam here is convinced that you ire innocent of any espionage activities.”

”Innocent?” repeated Thomas. A bizarre terminology, he thought, from one of the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who'd send you out to do the spying.

”What the h.e.l.l are you implying?”

”I myself,” said Hammond, standing, still rubbing a hand across his unshaven grayish chin,

”I have my doubts about you. But there's no case against you, anyway.”

He seemed to weigh his next words in advance.

”That's why we're taking you in with us” he concluded.

”You might have a certain insight. You might want to help us help ourselves ... to let us know your name is clear. Get my meaning?”

”No, I don't!” snapped Thomas angrily.

”In what? Where are we going?”

Leslie smiled as Hammond explained with icy politeness.

”Why, into the Sandler mansion'” he said.

”We've broken a wall beneath the streets. We're all set to go exploring.” He let the words sink in, disbelief all over Thomas's face.

”You would like to join us tonight, wouldn't you? Now that we've made it safe for you to step out the door?”

Thomas leaned back in his chair and felt the scratchy beard growing on his own face.

”Why are you breaking down walls?” Thomas asked.

”What's the ?”

matter with the front door ”We don't wish to be seen” said Hammond icily.

”By anyone.”

Thomas looked at Hammond, then glanced back to-Leslie.

”The three of us? Tonight?” he asked.

”More, if necessary,” Hammond allowed.