She looked at the Koi, playing near her feet. “Well, not entirely, but there are orders for material that. . .”
“Suppose,” he sighed, “I agree to take a lie-detector test? Voluntarily, here, on one of your own Embassy’s machines? Would that satisfy you?” Longin wouldn’t like that, but at this point Michael didn’t see what else he could do. If it didn’t work, Longin would have only himself to blame.
He’d told him he was only an engineer.
She looked uncertain. “You’d do that?”
“Right now, if you want.”
“Well, yes, I guess that would do it.” She looked confused. “That fueling data … I was so sure.”
“Anyone would be, I guess.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go take that test.”
The multiple launch was a great success. The King was pleased, Longin was pleased, everyone connected with Project Polonaise was pleased.
It was two weeks later that his intercom buzzed and a harried secretary reported that there was a hysterical woman in the lobby, screaming Michael’s name hi juxtaposition with unpleasant words.
“She had a gun with her, too, sir, but it was detected at the gate. The security people have her.”
“What does she look like?” He already knew, but the secretary confirmed it.
“The police want to know if you want to speak with her, sir, before she’s removed.”
“I suppose I should. You might relay appropriate information to the proper offices to see that they initiate deportation proceedings. She doesn’t belong here. She’s … confused. But yes, I will see her.”
There was a curious crowd gathered around the se-