“Besides, you’re going to make me rich.”

He glanced at her, his teeth flashing in the dim light. “I suppose I said that in my note. It was hastily written. I’m going to show you how you can become rich, yes. Not easily. And not safely. But quite quickly, if you have the fortitude for it.”

To her surprise, she found that she was warming to him. “Does this involve murder, Dr. Chase?”

“That,” he said, “depends on how you mean it. I do not plan to kill anyone. Is that what you’re asking?”

“I suppose.”

“Then you have your answer. Nor do I intend that you should kill anyone. If you did, however, it wouldn’t be murder. You’d be acting in defense of your country, and would thus avoid blood-guilt. Morally.”

“You’re telling me that America’s in danger.”

“Every country is always in danger. All the time.”

She sensed that he was smiling.

“Let’s get back to murder. The man we’re after has committed several. Thus he might murder you or me. In that sense, murder is certainly involved.”

“How risky is it?”

“Very risky. Mathematically? Let me think.” Gideon paused. “I’d say there’s about one chance in fifty that you’ll be killed if you do what I ask. I should tell you however that your present risk is at least equally grave. As things are right now, there’s about one chance in fifty that this man will kill you.”

“That is going to take some digesting. And coffee.”

He nodded. “Com Pu Ter, please fill the thermos under the instrument panel with coffee.”

Gurgling and hissing followed a brief silence. When they stopped, Gideon said, “It’s ready now.”

Cassie groped under the instrument panel, found the thermos, and brought it out. “Only one cup. Want to drink from the other side?”

Gideon nodded. “I do. Thank you.”

She poured. “Cream. I usually take it black, but tonight I’ll make an exception.”