vity generator and
the sub-space energizer."

Be it noted that it was a statement question and not an accusation.
But Goil said it in such a tone and manner that it implied that Willy
and only Willy could give an answer.

Willy felt and looked the impact of the words. He looked pleadingly at
me, whose eyes sought interest in one of the empty chairs. Then he
looked at Orrin for succor, but Orrin only stared back at Willy
half-accusingly.

But my own spirits had given a little jump at Goil's use of Willy's
given name. This had not happened before. And this was most
uncharacteristic of Goil, particularly in a situation like this one.

Could it be, I thought, Willy's personable influence working on Goil?

Willy floundered for words, then stammered out with, "I--I don't know
what you mean, Mr. Goil."

Goil, apparently confident that his attack was going well, said, "I'm
sure you do, Willy. Think. Wasn't it Thursday that you removed that
generator and the energizer from the stock room? These are very
expensive and complicated items, Willy. If they can be recovered, so
much the better. What could you possibly have done with them?"

"I--I didn't--" Willy started weakly.

Goil stood up from behind his desk, leaned forward, and his features
twisted even more in sudden anger. He shouted, "Maloon, you were the
only one who could have taken them! The only one who was not working
in the vaporizing operation. Maloon, I'm going to find those things,
and I'm going to prove you took them if I have to stay here for the
next six months! And then I'm going to fire you and prosecute you.
Maloon, what have you done with those things?"

Willy tried to sink right through the floor.

I felt utterly helpless and a little angry at Goil's bullying tactics.

Orrin, suddenly angry, shouted, "Mr. Goil, this isn't a court of law.
No one is on trial here."

"This may not be a court of law, Mr. Orrin," Goil said, no less angry
than Orrin, "but you can call it a court of inquiry. You seem to
forget that your position might be at stake here. Your interfering
with my investigation will be taken into consideration separately
after this matter at hand has been resolved."

This remark, and the severity with which it was made, only angered
Orrin more, but he held himself in check.

Willy had been fidgeting and looking back and forth at Orrin and Goil
with a guilty and despondent look on his face. He started to say:

"I don't want to cause any