"Very well, Mr. Blacker," the colonel said stiffly. "I'm willing to help. Just tell me what you want me to do."
The receptionist smiled icily at Tom, and then the smile vanished like a Martian polar cap.
"Why—Mr. Blacker!"
"Hi, Stella," he grinned. "Mr. Andrusco in his office?"
"Why, I don't know. Suppose I give him a ring—"
He stopped the hand that was reaching for the telephone. "No need of that. I think I'll just surprise him. After all, it's been some time."
He turned the knob of John Andrusco's door slowly.
Livia was with him. When he entered, they both stood up hastily, their eyes wide and their mouths unhinged.
Livia reacted first. She cried out his name, and then sat down heavily, as if the words had been a physical force.