There were lights on in the building. The elevator was on automatic. I pressed the button and went up to Dr. Alftmont’s floor. I couldn’t hear any voices as I walked quietly down the corridor, but the oblong of frosted glass in the door of the office was radiating light into the corridor.
I tried the door. It was locked. I knocked a couple of times, and then I heard a door open and close on the inside of the office. I heard steps coming across the floor, then the door opened and Dr. Alftmont stood staring at me. Surprise, consternation, and stark fear took turns registering on his face. The door of the inner office was tightly closed.
I said, “I’m sorry to bother you, Doctor, but a matter of the greatest importance has come up and makes it necessary.”
He glanced over his shoulder at the closed door to his private office and seemed puzzled.
I said, “Okay. We can talk right here.” I took a step towards him, lowered my voice, and said, “Do you know what happened this afternoon?”
He hesitated a moment, then turned and said, “You may as well come in.” He walked to the door of the private office, twisted the knob, and opened it.
I looked into the lighted interior of his testing laboratory. He said, “Go right on through to the private office.”
I walked across and opened the door.
Bertha Cool sat over in a big chair near the window. She looked up at me, and her face showed surprise.
I said, “You!”