"I can't tell you what to do. But I'll warn Cripp, that's all."
"That would make your own assignment rather difficult."
"What assignment are you talking about?"
"Crippens. The way I figure it, you have a lot at stake there. We'll let you handle Crippens."
"You're crazy!"
"You are if you refuse. We won't give you a single Security man for protection. Remember what they said in COMING EVENTS. Your one chance is to get Crippens before they get you and then let the World scoop us. I would suggest the first thing next Monday morning, but then, it's your baby."
"First Mayor Spurgess and now Crippens. Are you trying to make me a hatchetman?"
"A reporter, Darius. You've always been a good one."
"But Crippens is my friend."
"I wish we had another way out. Crippens has his place on the Star-Times, but we thought too much of him. We don't want to lose you, Darius. You can take that as an objective compliment and sleep easy. Your job's secure."