"Now hear this," I said. "Under the powers vested in me ..." I sentenced Mother to indefinite detention in Oklahoma. I threatened her with worse—face it, the only worse thing was death—if she were found in a restricted area again.
"Take her out, Fred," I said. He hadn't counted on my being able to do it, and it left him without a plan. "Four times?" I asked him.
"No. No, Gyp. On my way," he said, taking Mother by the arm.
Anita started to follow him. I stopped her and waited until the door had closed behind Fred and Mother.
"You were right about Fred, Anita," I said. "Thank you for saving my life."
"Oh, Gyp," she said, tears trying to brim over her eyelids. "He's such a cutthroat!"
"Sure," I said. "But now we know it. Get me an appointment with George Kelly, will you, Anita?"
She compressed her lips. "That's more like it!" she said angrily. "Get Fred kicked clear out of the Bureau. George Kelly is a great Director, Gyp, and he'll do it if you insist."
"Maybe," I said. I stewed over what to tell the boss until Anita came back in.
"Mr. Kelly can see you now, Mr. Tinker," she said, all calmed down again.