"Stacey?"
"This is Stacey's office."
"Is he there?"
"Who's calling, please?"
"Tell him Paul Grayson—if he's up yet."
"He's up," came the cheerfully amused voice at the other end. "But he's still grumpy."
"I'll cheer him up," promised Paul. There was the click of a connection made and one quick burr from the ringing of the distant telephone.
"Stacey," came the reply.
"Paul Grayson."
"Hell's Eternal—I thought you were on your way to Proxima."