Part 6 (1/2)
Karnes.”
Karnes took the instrument. ”Karnes speaking.”
”Radio Central, Mr. Karnes,” came the voice. ”We just got some more on Brittain. About ten minutes ago, he abandoned the police 'copter.
Officer Powers was in the seat, shot through the head. We'll get the essobee on a murder rap, now.”
”Where was the 'copter abandoned?”
Radio Central told him and went on: ”Funny thing was, he didn't try to hide it or anything. And he stole another 'copter from a private citizen. We're trying to get the description now. I'll call you if anything further comes in.”
”Fine.” Karnes hung up. The address where Brittain had left the 'copter was in almost a direct line between the apartment building and Long Island s.p.a.ceport. But if Brittain were actually heading there, why should he leave such a broad and obvious trail?
He turned to the officer who was driving the 'copter.
”I've got a hunch. Swivel this thing around and head for Long Island.
I've got a funny feeling that Brittain will be there. He--”
The phone rang again, and Karnes grabbed it.
”Mr. Karnes, we've found that civilian's 'copter! It's at Long Island s.p.a.ceport! Just a second, the stuff's still coming in.” Pause. ”Get this: A man answering to Brittain's description bought a ticket for the West Coast rocket.
”As you know, that's UN territory, and we have no jurisdiction. The rocket is sealed for takeoff, but they're holding it for us until you get there!”
”Right! I'm headed there now!” he answered quickly.
It was twelve minutes later that the police 'copter settled just outside the rocket enclosure. Karnes had already notified the pilot to be ready for him. He sprinted up the ramp and stood at the airlock of the transcontinental rocket.
It sighed open, and Karnes stepped inside. He was met by a frightened stewardess.
”Tell him to get in here and not to try any funny stuff!” snapped a voice from the pa.s.senger cabin.
Brittain was standing at the forward end of the pa.s.senger compartment with a levelled gun.
The rocket was tilted at forty-five degrees for the takeoff, and the pa.s.senger's seats had swiveled with a section of the flooring to keep them level, which gave the effect of a stairway which climbed toward the pilot's cabin in the forward section of the s.h.i.+p. Brittain's position was at the top of the stairway.
Karnes raised his hands and kept them carefully away from his hip holster.
”All right,” called Brittain, ”Close that door and get this s.h.i.+p off the ground.”
The pilot could hear him through the intercom system. The airlock door slid shut again.
”You and the stewardess get into a seat,” the spy continued sharply.
”If you try anything funny, I start shooting the other pa.s.sengers if I can't hit you.”
Karnes saw then what hold Brittain had on the pilot. The rocketeer couldn't afford to risk the lives of his pa.s.sengers.
He and the stewardess slid into the acceleration seats and strapped themselves in. Brittain stepped down the tiered floor and took a rear seat near a frightened-looking blonde girl.