"The prisoners, please," Valnar insisted.
"I—I can't," said the warden, sitting down weakly.
"You better," Barlow advised.
"They were taken to Washington this morning at the orders of the Director."
Valnar switched on his projector again and the warden fell forward on his desk, snoring. Barlow urged Valnar toward the elevator that would take them to the roof.
"A police plane will do fine," he said. "And they are fast. We've got to get to Washington in a hurry."
"Is that where Dodson is?" Valnar asked as they shot upward while the elevator operator snored peacefully in a corner.
"Yes, and God only knows what he intends to do to Laurine and the others."
The elevator halted at the roof and Barlow faced Valnar. "Can you spread that beam to get everybody up here?" he asked. "Then they won't follow, or radio ahead to have us intercepted."
"Sure thing," Valnar said, motioning for Barlow to open the door.