"You mean you think Crowley will use these men for a time and then ... destroy them?"
"He'll have to, or sooner or later the secret will be out."
Braun said in soft logic, "If he can't allow anyone to know about it, then we, too, must be destroyed."
Ross growled, "Then we've got to finish him first."
Patricia said, "Now, I don't know. Don is showing considerably more sense than you two evidently give him credit for. I think in many ways what he's done is quite admirable. He's seen his chance—and has grasped it. Why, I wouldn't be surprised that Don will be the most powerful man in the country within months."
The two men were staring at her. Ross sputtered, "Have you gone completely around the bend? Are you defending this ... this...."
A voice chuckled, "Mind your language, Buster. Just take it easy or you'll wind up with some missing teeth."
Ross jumped to his feet as though couched with an electric prod. Dr. Braun stiffened in his chair and his eyes darted about the room.
Patricia alone seemed collected. "Don Crowley!" she exclaimed. "You should be ashamed of yourself, listening in on private conversations."