“No,” Coett said honestly. “It’s a long, tough row, Mundin. Bankruptcy’s tricky, even when the corporate mass is relatively small.”
“And you’re determined to go through with the bankruptcy?
We can’t just try to vote our stock, or manipulate it on the market?”
“If anything,” Coett said shakily, “would bring Green, Charlesworth down on us, that’s it. No, no, Mundin. Simple blackmail and bribe, bankruptcy and ruin—let’s not upset the applecart.” His face was actually white. But Mundin put it out of his mind and said worriedly to Don, “What was the matter with Norma?”
“Forget it,” said Don. “Daddy wanted this, and Daddy gave his life to that—forget it. She has the idea Pop’s invention is a sacred trust, and it’s up to us to use it for the common good.” He grinned easily, but his eyes were as hooded as ever before Dr. Niessen carved into his brain. “Who do you like in the Field Day?” he asked opaquely.
Chapter Eighteen
mundin said, “You have to be careful. Don’t say that you represent G.M.L. You’re just acting for a business associate.”
“I understand, Mr. Mundin,” said Norvie Bligh.
Mundin brooded. “If we could only come out in the open instead of this cloak-and-dagger business. Well, things are looking up. You’re sure you’ve got it straight?”
“Positive, Mr. Mundin,” said Norvie. He met the lawyer’s doubtful eye and, surprisingly, winked. “Well give ’em hell, pal,” he said, and left.
Later on, outside Candella’s private office at General Recreations, Norvie wasn’t quite so confident. This was the office in which he had had so many difficult days; these were the rooms where young Stimmens had cut his throat; that was the door through which Candella had booted him out.
But the electronic secretary summoned Candella, and Norvie was all right again.
Candella came bustling through the door with a huge, friendly smile plastered on his face. “Norvie, boy!” he yelled. “Damn; but it’s good to see you! How the hell have you been?”
Norvell said curtly, “Morning, Candella.” He allowed Candella one limp touch of his hand and withdrew it.
“Well,” said Candella heartily. “Uh—well!”
Norvie said, “I’ll be brief. You got my message.”
“Oh, yes, Norvie. Yes, indeed, you’re here about——” he looked around him rapidly and said in a lowered tone “—G.M.L.”
“Speak up, Candella,” Norvell said sharply. “Yes, I’m here about G.M.L. Not officially, mind you. Not at all officially.”
“Of course not, Norvie!”
Norvell nodded. “And I have your promise that you’ll keep what I say hi strict confidence?”
“Oh, certainly, Norv——”
“Not a word to anyone?”
“Of course n——”
“Good. In a word, Candella, we have had complaints.”
Candella kept his smile, but it was like the rictus of a loathsome disease. “Complaints?”
“Oh, not about you. I have no idea how well or badly you are doing your job now, and in any case,” Norvie said severely, “that would have nothing to do with G.M.L. My associates would never dream of interfering in another corporation’s afiairs.”
Of course not!” Cande3a agreed.
“The complaints are about the bubble-houses, Candella. One of my associates is a rather substantial holder in G.M.L. We’ve heard—well, reports. I’ll be frank with you; we haven’t been able to track them down. But they are alarming, Candella; very alarming. So alarming that I can’t repeat them, or even hint at what they concern. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Certainly, Mr.—certainly, Norvie!”
Norvell nodded. “I can only ask you a couple of questions, without giving you any clue as to why I ask them. The twenty-eight thousand bubble-houses General Recreations leases are devoted almost entirely to married couples, I believe. How many of these marriages are sterile? Of those where children have been born while living hi a bubble-house, what percentage of the children are malformed?”
Candella’s eyes were cesspools of curiosity. “I—I don’t know off-hand,” he said, “but——”
“Of course not,” Norvell said impatiently. “I don’t want you asking any direct questions, either. No sense starting any rumors. But if you can find out—quietly—I’d appreciate your giving me a ring.” He produced the most splashily engraved calling card Mundm’s printer had been able to turn out overnight “Here’s my number. Remember, I’m not offering you any inducement—that would be unethical. But it would be very much appreciated by me and my associates. We show our appreciation, Candella. Good-by.”