"Those two?" he gasped. "Abducting you?"
"That's what I said," Toffee snapped. "What's so funny?"
"That's right, officer," Marc said. "They're trying to steal a valuable formula from me."
"Of course they are," the cop said with amusement. "They're always trying to steal a valuable formula from someone. And every once in a while they actually get one. But what difference does it make? They couldn't do anything with it if they wanted to. Now why don't you just make them out a copy like a good fellow and hand it over? It'll make them happy as hell, and it won't do you any harm."
"No harm, you dumb flatfoot!" Toffee said, losing control. "Just step inside here for a minute and I'll hammer that thick skull of yours till you can use it for a serving platter."
"There's no call to get nasty," the cop said.
"But you don't understand," Marc said earnestly. "These men mean to use my formula to destroy the city. They're going to float it off into space."
The cop turned and observed Marc closely. He nodded to Gerald. "Better keep a close watch on this one," he said. "He's got some funny notions in his head. He might do you harm."
"My God!" Toffee cried. "Now we're crazy!"
"That's a good sign, lady," the cop said soothingly. "They say if you realize your condition and are willing to fight it there's hope of a cure."