Great Lakes Transport Union in
Chicago."

"This sounds like a big one," Malone said.

"You have no idea," Boyd said. "And in the middle of all this, Burris
called."

"Burris?" Malone said.

"That's right," Boyd said. "He wants me to go on down to Florida and
take over the investigation of the Flarion assassination. So it looks
as if I'm going to miss most of the fun."

"Too bad," Malone said.

"But maybe not all," Boyd said. "It may tie in with the case we're
working on. At least, that's what Burris thinks."

"Yes," Malone said. "I can see why he thinks so. Did he have any
message for me, by the way?"

"Not exactly," Boyd said.

Malone blinked. "Not exactly?" he said. "What's that supposed to
mean?"

"Well," Boyd said, "he says he does have something to tell you, but
it'll wait until he sees you. Then, he says, he'll tell you
personally."

"Great," Malone said.

"Maybe it's a surprise," Boyd said. "Maybe you're fired."

"I wouldn't have the luck," Malone said. "But if I get any leads on
the Flarion job, I'll let you know right away."

"Sure," Boyd said. "Thanks. And--by the way, what are you doing now?"

"Me?" Malone said. "I'm driving."

"Yes, I know," Boyd said patiently. "To where, and why? Or is this
another secret? Sometimes I think nobody loves me any more."

"Oh, don't be silly," Malone said. "The entire city of Miami Beach is
awaiting your arrival with bated breath."

"But what are you doing?" Boyd said.

Malone chose his words carefully. "I'm just checking a lead," he said
at last. "I don't know if it's going to pan out or not, but I thought
I'd drive down to Richmond and check on a name I've got. I'll call you
about it in the morning, Tom, and let you know what the result is."

"Oh," Boyd said. "Okay. Sure. So long, Ken."

"So long," Malone said. He hung up the phone, put the car into gear
again and roared off down U. S. Highway Number One. He didn't feel
entirely happy about the way things had gone; he'd been forced to lie
to Tom Boyd, and that just wasn't right.

However, there was no help for it. It was actually better this way, he
told himself hopefully. After all, the less Tom knew from now on, the
better off he was going to be. The better off everyone would be.

He went on through Fredericksburg without incident, but he didn't
continue on to Richmond. Instead, he turned off U. S. 1 when he
reached a little town called Thornburg, which was smaller than he had
believed a to