ht
against them, but they're going to get a considerable amount of publicity,
and we're going to be in no position to alienate any of their
constitutional rights."

Larry stood up, approached his chief's desk and leaned over it urgently.
"Sir, that's fine, but we've got to move and move fast. Something's up and
we don't even know what! Take that counterfeit money. From Susan Self's
description, there's actually billions of dollars worth of it."

"Oh, come now, Lawrence. The child exaggerated. Besides, that's a problem
for Steven Hackett and the Secret Service, we have enough on our hands as
it is. Forget about the counterfeit, Lawrence. I think I shall put you in
complete control of field work on this, to co-operate in liaison with Ben
Ruthenberg and the F.B.I. So far as we're concerned, the counterfeit angle
belongs to Secret Service, we're working on subversion, and until the
Civil Liberties Union or whoever else proves otherwise, we'll consider
this Movement an organization attempting to subvert the country by illegal
means."

Larry Woolford made a hard decision quickly. He was shaking his head.
"Sir, I'd rather you gave the administrative end to someone else and let
me continue in the field. I've got some leads--I think. If I get bogged
down in interdepartmental red tape, and in paper work here at
headquarters, I'll never get to the heart of this and I'm laying bets that
we either crack this within days or there are going to be some awfully big
changes in this country."

The Boss glared at him. "You mean you're refusing this assignment,
Woolford. Confound it, don't you realize it's a promotion?"

Larry was worriedly dogged. "Sir, I'd rather stay in the field."

"Very well," the other snapped disgustedly, "I hope you deliver some
results, Woolford, otherwise I am afraid I won't feel particularly happy
about your somewhat cavalier rejection of this opportunity." He flicked on
the phone and snapped to LaVerne Polk, "Miss Polk, locate Walter Foster
for me. He is to take over our end of this Movement matter."

LaVerne said, "Yes, sir," and her face was gone.

The Boss looked up, still scowling. "What are you waiting for, Woolford?"

"Yes, sir," Larry said. It was just coming home to him now, what he'd
done. There possibly went his yearned for promotion in the department.
There went his chance of an upgrading in status. And Walt Foster, of all
people, in his place.

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