"I'm afraid not."
"We'll make the goodbys quick." He came to her. "At least we're being honest with each other. No lies. No pettiness. We've developed pretty powerful ideals. And they just won't fit together. It's that simple—and that good."
She looked up at him and smiled. "At least I haven't lost you to another woman."
He returned her smile. "We're getting sentimental. This isn't good. It's weakening." He bent and lightly kissed her hair. For an instant her breathing stopped.
"Goodby."
"Goodby," she whispered.
He strode to the door and opened it. His body snapped taut.
CONFRONTING him with a drawn blaster, stood a man in the shining red garb of the police command. He resembled Mephisto with his flowing cape and snug trousers. His face was dark, his nose thin, his eyes black and very bright.
"You seem surprised," said the man in red.