'I'm fascinated to know the connection between this
thing and Harry Keogh.'
'And that's it?'
'More or less.'
Trask shook his head. 'You're one of our best, David, and I know you have enough to do right here. Also, I have to think of the Branch. If anything were to happen to us out there ... well, the organization would be weakened enough without losing you, too. Still, it's not my decision entirely; I've just been speaking to the Minister Responsible. He's okayed it, however reluctantly, but just for the two of us. So I'm afraid that's that. Incidentally, you'll be in the chair while I'm away. And if anything was to happen to us in Perchorsk, you'd most likely stay in the chair. So you see: there's no way we can also jeopardize the life of the heir apparent!'
Chung remained silent, standing there before Trask's desk, until the Head of Branch felt obliged to ask, 'Was there something else?'
Chung looked embarrassed. 'Don't you think it's possible you made a mistake when you were talking to Tzonov on-screen?'
'In what way?'
'When you asked him if he thought his visitor at Perchorsk might be a spy for the Wamphyri, possibly working for Harry? Up until then Harry Keogh hadn't been mentioned. It seemed to me an error, to bring up the question of the Necroscope.'
Trask shook his head. 'I only mentioned him by name, not by talent. I deliberately avoided even thinking of Harry's talents. But you see, you'd already put thoughts of Harry into my head. They were in there, fresh after sixteen years. Tzonov is possibly the world's finest telepath: his eyes look right into your mind. So even covered by all that static, I still wasn't sure he wouldn't read something. The easy way out was to mention Harry, but slightly out of context. That way, Tzonov would "know" what I thought he thought and look no further. You see, David, through you we're reasonably certain that something of Harry Keogh has come back into our world. But the Opposition knows nothing of that, not yet.' He smiled. 'It's just one more reason why I won't take you east with us. You're much too valuable right where you are.'
He stood up and saw Chung to the door. Out there, the long central corridor was empty now, silent. Chung said, 'What about Harry's room?'
Trask nodded. 'It can't hurt to look inside. What was that you said about it? Always cold in there?'
As they walked down the corridor and paused at the door in question, Chung answered, 'Cold, yes. Always. The heating is on but the room stays cold.' He reached for the doorknob ...
... And the door opened!
Both men gasped and started, then breathed mutual sighs of relief, glancing at each other sheepishly as the cleaning lady, Mrs Wills, came into the corridor. Armed with her appointments - galvanized bucket, short-bladed squeegee, mop and dusters - she perspired freely.