Randall Garrett

Nor Iron Bars a Cage.... Randall Garrett

Book Excerpt: ... I'd think you'd want these maniacs put away, after your--"He stopped himself, wet his lips, and said: "O. K. You go ahead and take care of Smith. Get some sleep. I'm going to. I'll leave orders to call us both if anything breaks in the Donahue case."I just nodded and walked out. I didn't want to hear any more. But the door didn't close tightly, and I heard Kleek's voice as he spoke to the computer tech. "I just don't figure Roy. His wife died in a fire set by an arson bug, and he wants to--"I kept on walking as the door clicked shut.* * * * *I was in my office at nine the next morning, after seven and a half hours of sleep on one of the bunks in the ready room. The business with Hammerlock Smith had taken more time than I had thought it would. The big, stupid ape had been in a vicious mood, reeking of whisky and roaring insults at everyone. His cursing was neither inventive nor colorful, consisting of only four unlovely words used over and over again in v...