"Doubt it. I'll be one of those behind-the-scenes men. Supposed to be valuable. Only in a mess like this you can't tell what's behind the scenes and what's front line. They're liable to start on Louisville next."
Ilaria hitched self-consciously at his gun-belt. He twisted his helmet around a couple of times before he set it gingerly on his head. He turned and opened the door and went out. His head came back in and said:
"I'm not sure it's the sort of thing you quell, Jay."
"Kevin! Wait! What'm I supposed to—"
He was gone.
Jay thought only a moment. Then he switched on the phone. At least intercom systems were still in operation. The clerk at the desk upstairs looked at him from the screen.
"This is the Man From 1954," Jay said, using the name by which everyone called him. "Stop Tribune Ilaria as he goes out."
In an instant Kevin's head appeared.
"I'll go with you. Shall I get my uniform before we go to Standiford or after?"
Ilaria grinned. "After," he said. "Grab the elevator and come on up."