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“Where can he go now that he’s exposed?”

“Anywhere they’ll take him in But not before he commits a final crime to benefit the nation that will protect a criminal”

“Using those torpedoes,” said Archie

“Against what?” wondered Bell

TED WHITMARK WAS WAITING in the Van Dorn reception roo his hat on his knees and could not meet Bell’s eye as he asked, “Is there someplace private we can talk, Mr Bell?”

“Coe tie was askew, his shoes scuffed, and his trousers in need of a pressing He led hiside so they could sit close and not be overheard Whit his lip

“How is Dorothy?” Bell asked to put him at ease

“Well… she’s one of the things I want to talk about But I’ll get to the main event first, if you don’t mind”

“Not at all”

“You see, I, uh, I play cards Often…”

“You gamble”

“Yes I ga streak and,

before I know it, I’ to do is win back soets worse”

“Are you in a losing streak at the moment?” Bell asked

“It looks that way Yes, you could say that” Again he fell silent