Read Online Dayworld by Philip José Farmer - Free Book Online Page A

a quarter after eleven, the pieces were bagged by the lab personnel and taken away. They would be stoned at the morgue, and, later, destoned for extensive analysis.
    Patrollers and detectives had been sent out to question everybody in the neighborhood they could before midnight. The desk workers at the local precinct would also be calling up many in the neighborhood. They would report whom they had made contact with so that the foot personnel would not duplicate efforts. Even so, only a few of the possible witnesses would be questioned before midnight.
    “We’ve made sure that no escapee from Tamasuki has done this,” Colonel Topenski said. “They’re all accounted for, all locked up.”
    “That’s good,” Caird said. What was not so good was that it was possible that someone might notice the recording of Castor’s transfer. If that were followed up, then Horn would be in deep trouble. Eventually, so would Caird and all immers.
    Caird looked at his watch. He said, “I have to get back home, Colonel. I live in Greenwich Village.”
    “Why don’t you use a stoner here? There are plenty in the precinct house, only two blocks away.”
    “My wife isn’t feeling well.”
    One more lie to cover up many.
    “Perhaps she could stone early and go to the hospital next Tuesday.”
    “Thanks for the suggestion, Colonel, but I know her. She’ll want me to be there with her.”
    Topenski shrugged and said, “Ah, well. We don’t have much time left, and what’ll we do with it anyway?”
    “Not very much,” Caird said. He started away, then stopped. “Well, yes, there is something we can do right now and so save time when we get going in the morning. We’re dealing with a homicidal maniac. I think I’ll put in a request for arms for the investigating personnel.”
    Topenski bit his lip, then said, “This situation really seems to call for extreme measures. I think the general will agree. She’s over there.”
    Caird hurried to catch Horn, who was just about to get into an organic vehicle. She stepped back out when she heard him call and turned toward him. Caird gestured that she should join him. She understood that he wanted them to be out of earshot of the others. After hearing his suggestion that weapons should be requisitioned, she nodded.
    “Of course, I’ll have to justify it to the governor and the organic council. If they balk, I’ll show them recordings of the scene of the crime and take them to the morgue.”
    “Can you get away with orders to shoot to kill if necessary?”
    “Yes ... only ... the murderer has to be identified first. And the other days may not want to issue an order to shoot. At least, not until they have ID.”
    “As for us, we must drop any plans for stoning and hiding him. What if he were found and destoned? No. We must kill him.”
    “It’s the right decision, hard as it is,” Caird said. “Anyway, I suspect we’ll have no choice. He’s probably got a gun or will get one. We’ll have to kill him if only in self-defense.”
    “Yes, but I’ll have to follow routine and order the armed personnel to warn him first.”
    “I know. I just hope I get to him first.”
    He looked at his watch. “I need a weapon right now. Just in case Castor should be in my neighborhood when I get home.”
    Horn went into the car and turned on the rear seat strip. She was giving her order before he got settled in beside her. The driver took the car off as fast as the electric motor would take it, orange lights flashing, siren wailing. The traffic was thin; most people were home and getting ready to stone. By the time the few blocks had been covered, the sergeant in charge at the precinct had opened the armory. Caird and Horn went in past the organics lining up to receive their arms and got the sergeant to wait on them immediately. Rank had its privileges.
    Caird put his weapon in his shoulderbag, said, “Until tomorrow, Tony,” and hurried out to the car. The driver, delighted at being permitted