Furster also said he received the plans Open Door Jack transmitted, and sold those for the helium extractor to a go-between for Gaspard. Jackson was guilty only of what he had confessed. Furster and an accomplice had tried to kidnap Tom at the Range View Inn through the warning ruse and the cars-for-hire cards. At that point, Furster had figured Tom would be more useful to him alive.
Before Tom and Ames left New York, the seA DESPERATE MANEUVER 175
curity chief received a phone call from Phil Radnor. After a long conversation he smiled.
“The last link, Tom,” Ames reported. “That missile was launched from a spot near the French Alps as our computers indicated. Gaspard fired it out of revenge.
A real zany. Interpol has arrested him and he has made a full confession.”
Tom, despite his regret that a scientist would use such dishonest tactics, gave a wide grin. “I guess that wraps it up, Harlan. Let’s go home.”
The following evening Bud arrived from Florida. Tom and the two girls greeted him at the airport as he came off the plane. The husky young astronaut gave a yell of delight when he saw them.
“Hey! A welcoming committee!” He gave Tom a quick bear hug, wrung Phyl’s hand, and whirled Sandy around.
“Well! I can see you’re all right again!” She giggled breathlessly.
“After that prize flop of the Venus probe, I hardly expected to be greeted by such smiling faces,” Bud wisecracked.
“Don’t be silly, fly-boy!” Tom retorted. “We’re here to hail the returning hero!”
Grinning broadly, Bud accompanied them to Sandy’s car. When they reached the Swift home, Mrs. Swift had a gala dinner prepared.
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