"Where do you fit in? If Ted was killed—"
Wendy's face colored. "I wanted to go on living, Mr. Jansen. I didn't want to die. I can't be an idealist if my own life—"
"What did you do?" His hand gripped her wrist. "Did you turn Ted over to Bareen?"
She struck his face a second time. "I loved your brother. I wouldn't have done a thing like that."
"Then what?"
"I told you what you wanted to know. I don't have to tell you more. Now get out of here." She followed him to the door. "But you have to leave Mercury at once, you see," she said. "Bareen can't afford to let you live. Bareen will have you killed."
"The way they tell it on Earth, Bareen's a loner. If he goes, the whole outfit folds and will play ball with Earth the way it ought to. Is that the way you see it?"
"Yes, but—"
"You thought I was here for revenge? I am, baby. Don't get any wrong ideas. But I've also got a job to do. Earth needs that chlorella." He opened the door.
"Jansen—"