ot. He's the hardest-charger among my Section Chiefs. But
I had never found his ambitions extending to my own job as head of the
Division of Psychic Investigation. "You're still here," I conceded. "I
guess I never caught you at it, Fred."

"And you never will, Gyp," he said. "You've given me the greatest breaks
a guy ever got. This time I'm returning the favor."

"By _executing_ a telepath?" I demanded. "And a woman, at that!"

He didn't ask me how I knew, but I could see it annoyed him.

"The biggest break you ever got," he insisted. "This thing is so hot it
will burn you to death. Another crypto-telepath, right here in the
District. I want to make summary disposition of her, and I don't want
you to so much as look at the papers. Just give me instructions to use
my own discretion."

Talk about a blank check. "Fred," I said, searching for words that
wouldn't offend him. "I have more confidence in you than in any man I've
ever worked with. But _execution_! Sure, three years ago, when the
President declared the psychic emergency, we were killing the most
fatally dangerous ones. But that's a couple years behind us. I just
can't go that far without more reason than you've given me."

"It's perfectly legal," Fred said sullenly and beside the point.
"Congress has given you summary--"

"Of course," I cut in. "What F.B.I. man would suggest an illegal course
of action? But why should I delegate? If this is so touchy, I should
handle it myself. Why delegate?"

"Simply because, I ask it," he said. "And because you trust me. Listen,
Gyp," he added, almost passionately. "Don't ask me any more questions.
I've said too much already. If you know _why_, it wouldn't be right for
you to delegate. Do as I ask. Trust me. I'm saving you a world of
trouble."

"Boy, oh boy!" I said. "This doesn't sound like the way to stay out of
trouble. What is so dangerous about this telepath?"

"Nothing doing," Fred said. "I know I'm asking for a blank check.
There's no other way for me to help you play it."

"This is your own idea, Fred?"

"Sure."

"Talked it over with Anita?"

He shook his head furiously. "I wouldn't compromise you, Gyp, and not
with _her_!"

That settled it. I would trust Anita with the crown jewels.

"No dice, Fred," I said. "Give me the facts."

"Gyp," he pleaded. "_Don't_ ask for them!"

"The facts!"

He straightened up from where he had hung over my desk during the whole
argument. "This cuts my guts right ou