Mike answered, «I don't know, Jubal.»
The sound confirmed what Jubal had feared: Smith was listening to a Fosterite service; the Shepherd was reading church notices: « — junior Spirit-in-Action team will give a demonstration, so come early and see the fur fly! Our team coach, Brother Hornsby, has asked me to tell you boys to fetch only your helmets, gloves, and sticks — we aren't going after sinners this time. However, the Little Cherubim will be on hand with their first-aid kits in case of excessive zeal.» The Shepherd paused and smiled broadly, «And now wonderful news, My Children! A message from Angel Ramzai for Brother Arthur Renwick and his good wife Dorothy. Your prayer has been approved and you will go to heaven at dawn Thursday morning! Stand up, Art! Stand up, Dottie! Take a bow!»
Camera made reverse cut, showing the congregation and centering on Brother and Sister Renwick. To wild applause and shouts of «Hallelujah!» Brother Renwick was responding with a boxer's handshake, while his wife blushed and smiled and dabbed at her eyes beside him.
Camera cut back as the Shepherd held up his hand for silence. He went on briskly, «The Bon Voyage party starts at midnight and doors will be locked at that time — so get here early and let's make this the happiest revelry our flock has ever seen; we're all proud of Art and Dottie. Funeral services will be held thirty minutes after dawn, with breakfast immediately following for those who have to get to work early.» The Shepherd suddenly looked stern and camera zoomed in until his head filled the tank. «After our last Bon Voyage, the sexton found an empty pint bottle in one of the Happiness rooms — of a brand distilled by sinners. That's past and done; the brother who slipped confessed and paid penance sevenfold, even refusing the usual cash discount — I'm sure he won't backslide. But stop and think, My Children — Is it worth risking eternal happiness to save a few pennies on an article of worldly merchandise? Always look for that happy, holy seal-of-approval with Bishop Digby's smiling face on it. Don't let a sinner palm off on you something “just as good”. Our sponsors support us; they deserve your support. Brother Art, I'm sorry to have to bring up such a subject — »
«That's okay, Shepherd! Pour it on!»
« — at a time of such great happiness. But we must never forget that — » Jubal switched off the speaker circuit.
«Mike, that's not anything you need.»
«Not?»
«Uh — » Shucks, the boy was going to have to learn about such things. «All right, go ahead. But talk to me later.»
«Yes, Jubal.»
Harshaw was about to add advice to offset Mike's tendency to take literally anything he heard. But the telephone's «hold» music went down and out, and the screen filled with an image — a man in his forties whom Jubal labeled as «cop.»
Jubal said aggressively, «You aren't Gil Berquist.»
«What is your interest in Gilbert Berquist?»
Jubal answered with pained patience, «I wish to speak to him. See here, my good man, are you a public employee?»
The man hesitated. «Yes. You must — »
«I “must” nothing! I am a citizen and my taxes help pay your wages. All morning I have been trying to make a simple phone call — and I have been passed from one butterfly-brained bovine to another, every one of them feeding out of the public trough. And now you. Give me your name, job title, and pay number. Then I'll speak to Mr. Berquist.»
«You didn't answer my question.»
«Come, come! I don't have to; I am a private citizen. You are not — and the question I asked any citizen may demand of any public servant. O'Kelly versus State of California 1972. I demand that you identify yourself — name, job, number.»
The man answered tonelessly, «You are Doctor Jubal Harshaw. You are calling from — »
«So that's what took so long? That was stupid. My address can be obtained from any library, post office, or telephone information. As to who I am, everyone knows. Everyone who can read. Can you read?»
«Dr. Harshaw, I am a police officer and I require your cooperation. What is your reason — »
«Pooh, sir! I am a lawyer. A citizen is required to cooperate with police under certain conditions only. For example, during hot pursuit — in which case the police officer may still be required to show credentials. Is this “hot pursuit”, sir? Are you about to dive through this blasted instrument? Second, a citizen may be required to cooperate within reasonable and lawful limits in the course of police investigation — »
«This is an investigation.»
«Of what, sir? Before you may require my cooperation, you must identify yourself, satisfy me as to your bona-fides, state your purpose, and — if I so require — cite the code and show that “reasonable necessity” exists. You have done none of these. I wish to speak to Mr. Berquist.»
The man's jaw muscles were jumping but he answered, «I am Captain Heinrich of the Federation S.S. Bureau. The fact that you reached me by calling the Executive Palace should be proof that I am who I say I am. However — » He took out a wallet, flipped it open, and held it to his pickup. Harshaw glanced at the I.D.
«Very well, Captain,» he growled. «Will you now explain why you are keeping me from speaking with Mr. Berquist?»
«Mr. Berquist is not available.»
«Then why didn't you say so? Transfer my call to someone of Berquist's rank. I mean one of the people who work directly with the Secretary General, as Gil does. I don't propose to be fobbed off on some junior assistant flunky with no authority to blow his own nose! If Gil isn't there, then for God's sake get me someone of equal rank!»
«You have been trying to telephone the Secretary General.»
«Precisely.»
«Very well, you may explain what business you have with the Secretary General.»
«And I may not. Are you a confidential assistant to the Secretary General? Are you privy to his secrets?»
«That's beside the point.»
«That's exactly the point. As a police officer, you know better. I shall explain, to some person known to me to be cleared for sensitive material and in Mr. Douglas's confidence, just enough to make sure that the Secretary General speaks to me. Are you sure Mr. Berquist can't be reached?»
«Quite sure.»
«Then it will have to be someone else — of his rank.»
«If it's that secret, you shouldn't be calling over a phone.»
«My good Captain! Since you had this call traced, you know that my phone is equipped to receive a maximum-security return call.»
The S.S. officer ignored this. Instead he answered, «Doctor, I'll be blunt. Until you explain your business, you aren't going to get anywhere. If you call again, your call will be routed to this office. Call a hundred times — or a month from now. Same thing. Until you cooperate.»
Jubal smiled happily. «It won't be necessary now, as you have let slip — unwittingly, or was it intentional? — the one datum needed before we act. If we must. I can hold them off the rest of the day … but the code word is no longer “Berquist”.»
«What the devil do you mean?»
«My dear Captain, please! Not over an unscrambled circuit — But you know, or should know, that I am a senior phi losophunculist on active duty.»
«Repeat?»
«Haven't you studied amphigory? Gad, what they teach in schools these days! Back to your pinochle game; I don't need you.» Jubal switched off, set the phone for ten minutes' refusal, said, «Come along, kids,» and returned to his loafing spot near the pool. He cautioned Anne to keep her Witness robe at hand, told Mike to stay in earshot, and gave Miriam instructions concerning the telephone. Then he relaxed.
He was not displeased. He had not expected to reach the Secretary General at once. His reconnaissance had uncovered one weak spot in the wall surrounding the Secretary and he expected that his bout with Captain Heinrich would bring a return call from a higher level.