Чужак в чужой стране

           IwishtospeaktoMr.Berquist."

           Theman’sjawmuscleswerejumpingbutheansweredquietly,"Dr.Harshaw,IamCaptainHeinrichoftheFederationS.S.Bureau.ThefactthatyoureachedmebycallingtheExecutivePalaceshouldbeampleproofthatIamwhoIsayIam.However-"Hetookoutawallet,flippeditopen,andhelditclosetohisownvisionpickup.Thepictureblurred,thenquicklyrefocused.HarshawglancedattheI.D.thusdisplayed;itlookedauthenticenough,hedecided–especiallyashedidnotcarewhetheritwasauthenticornot.

           "Verywell,Captain,"hegrowled."WillyounowexplaintomewhyyouarekeepingmefromspeakingwithMr.Berquist?"

           "Mr.Berquistisnotavailable."

           "Thenwhydidn’tyousayso?Inthatcase,transfermycalltosomeoneofBerquist’srank.Imeanoneofthehalf-dozenpeoplewhoworkdirectlywiththeSecretaryGeneral,asGildoes.Idon’tproposeagaintobefobbedoffonsomejuniorassistantflunkywithnoauthoritytoblowhisownnose!IfGilisn’tthereandcan’thandleit,thenforGod’ssakegetmesomeoneofequalrankwhocan!"

           "YouhavebeentryingtotelephonetheSecretaryGeneral."

           "Precisely."

           "Verywell,youmayexplaintomewhatbusinessyouhavewiththeSecretaryGeneral."

           "AndImaynot.AreyouaconfidentialassistanttotheSecretaryGeneral?Areyouprivytohissecrets?"

           "That’sbesidethepoint."

           "That’sexactlythepoint.Asapoliceofficer,youshouldknowbetter.