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all, you had a hand in it, too. But the hell with that. I’m not pointing a gun at you for personal reasons.”
    â€œThen what—”
    I said, “You got a call from Washington while you were driving here, didn’t you? You were told that my attitude seemed to be somewhat uncertain, and that it might be a good idea to make absolutely sure that I came in as ordered. Am I correct?”
    He hesitated. Then he nodded reluctantly.
    â€œAll right,” I said. “Well, here’s a message to take back. Tell the man upstairs that limited measures have failed and the full mad-dog treatment may be indicated. Tell him that I recommend a silenced rifle with a telescopic sight. A shotgun could do the job, but it would be pretty damn noisy and messy. A good man with a pistol might deliver, but he’d be taking chances. I may have a superman complex, Doctor, but I’m not laboring under the delusion that I’m bullet-proof.”
    â€œEric, you’re talking wildly—”
    â€œShut up,” I said, “and listen carefully. The one thing I want you to impress on him is that he must not make the mistake of trying to take me alive a second time. You’re getting away with it tonight. No one else will. Do you understand? I may not be the best man he’s got, but I’m pretty damn good; plenty good enough to handle anybody he sends after me with orders not to kill. Tell him not to waste trained men by ordering out to get me handicapped by silly instructions like that. They simply won’t come back. Is that clear?”
    Perry licked his lips again, watching the cocked revolver in my hand. “It’s clear.”
    â€œI’ve been a member of this organization a long time, off and on,” I said. “I know how it works. I know that if he really wants me, he can get me—dead. I’ll even make it easy for him. I’m sticking to my cover as Lash Petroni, hoodlum. If I’m mowed down one dark night, it’ll just go down in the records as another syndicate kill. If that’s what he wants, tell him to go ahead. I won’t even duck. I’ve got other things to do besides watching the bushes for hidden guns.”
    Perry asked quickly, “Other things? What other things do you have to do, Eric?”
    â€œNever mind,” I said. “He’ll know. Just tell him the choice. He can have me killed. That’s all he can do without risking a massacre that’ll hit front pages clear across the country. I won’t stand still for the dog-catcher with the net. I won’t stand still for interference of any kind. If I bump into one of the boys, I’ll go for him without asking questions. A savage battle to the death between agents of a super-secret government organization wouldn’t look very nice in the headlines, would it? The publicity would put him out of business, and he knows it. And it’s just what I’ll give him if he tries any more of this horsing around. Tell him to send out the elimination squads or forget it. I’ll be in touch when I have something to report.”
    â€œEric,” Perry said, “Eric, I want you to consider carefully the consequences of—”
    â€œNever mind the consequences,” I said. “He’ll know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. If he wants it done, tell him, leave me alone. If he doesn’t, shoot me. That’s his choice. And now you can tell your driver to get your patient the hell out of my car, but don’t you move until I give the word—”
    It was a tricky business, but not as bad as it might have been. He was just an expert on medical matters; I didn’t have to worry about him. Pretty boy Alan wouldn’t have worried me under any circumstances, certainly not with his mind on his tummy. The driver was my only real concern. He was probably an old pro, but I gave him no chance to prove it. While he was helping the walking