im spreads to the outside, this Section will
emphatically deny he exists. I hope that's clear."

"Well, yes sir," Ronny said. The commissioner had been all but roaring
toward the end.

The order box clicked on Ross Metaxa's desk and he said loudly, "What?"

"Don't yell at me," Irene snapped back. "Ronny's five minutes are up.
You've got an appointment. I'm getting tired of this job. It's a
mad-house. I'm going to quit and get a job with Interplanetary Finance."

"Oh, yeah." Ross snarled back. "That's what you think. I've taken
measures. Top security. I've warned off every Commissioner in UP. You
can't get away from me until you reach retirement age. Although I don't
know why I care. I hate nasty tempered women."

"Huh!" she snorted and clicked off.

"There's a woman for you," Ross Metaxa growled at Ronny. "It's too bad
she's indispensable. I'd love to fire her. Look, you go in and see Sid
Jakes. Seems to me he said something about Tommy Paine this morning. Maybe
it's a lead." He came to his feet. "So long and good luck, Ronny. I feel
optimistic about you. I think you'll get this Paine troublemaker."

Which was more than Ronny Bronston thought.

Sid Jakes already had a visitor in his office, which didn't prevent him
from yelling, "It's open," when Ronny Bronston knocked.

He bounced from his chair, came around the desk and shook hands
enthusiastically. "Ronny!" he said, his tone implying they were favorite
brothers for long years parted. "You're just in time."

Ronny took in the office's other occupant appreciatively. She was a small
girl, almost tiny. He estimated her to be at least half Chinese, or maybe
Indo-Chinese, the rest probably European or North American.

She evidently favored her Asiatic blood, her dress was traditional
Chinese, slit almost to the thigh Shanghai style.

Sid Jakes said, "Tog Lee Chang Chu--Ronny Bronston. You'll be working
together. Bloodhounding old Tommy Paine. A neat trick if you can pull it
off. Well, are you all set to go?"

Ronny mumbled something to the girl in the way of amenity, then looked
back at the supervisor. "Working together?" he said.

"That's right. Lucky you, eh?"

Tog Lee Chang Chu said demurely, "Possibly Mr. Bronston objects to having
a female assistant."

Sid Jakes snorted, and hurried around his desk to resume his seat. "Does
he look crazy? Who'd object to having a cutey like you around day in and
day out? Call him Ronny. Might as well get used to it.