human
Well?
gpt
I don't see anything about computer-secretaries,
human
The Russians, Burris began slowly,
gpt
Of course I believe it, Malone said.
human
Otherwise we wouldn't need an FBI.
gpt
There are still domestic cases, he said.
human
Like juvenile delinquents stealing cars inter-state, for instance. If you remember. He paused, then went on:
gpt
But the fact remains: Russians are not stupid. Not by a long shot.
human
All right,
gpt
Do you really think, then, Burris said instantly,
human
Lots of people are inefficient,
gpt
Not spies, Burris said with decision.
human
Do you really believe that the Russians would send over a bunch of operatives as clodheaded as these are pretending to be?
gpt
People make mistakes,
human
Russian spies, Burris said,
gpt
Where? but controlled himself at the last minute. Instead, he said:
human
But the confessions are right there. And, according to the confessions--
gpt
Do you really believe, Burris said,
human
I don't think the spies are the real spies, he said stubbornly.
gpt
I mean the spies we're all looking for.
human
Do you mean to stand there and tell me, Burris went on inexorably,
gpt
Their confessions--
human
Spies can lie, Malone, Burris said gently.
gpt
As a matter of fact, they usually do. We have come to depend on it as one of the facts of life.
human
But Queen Elizabeth, Malone said stubbornly,
gpt
As he finished the sentence, he suddenly realized what it sounded like.
human
You know Queen Elizabeth,
gpt
The Virgin Queen,
human
I wouldn't know, Malone said, feeling uncomfortable.
gpt
I mean Rose Thompson. She thinks she's Queen Elizabeth and I just said it that way because--
human
It's all right, Malone, Burris said softly.
gpt
I know who you mean.
human
Well, then, Malone said.
gpt
If Queen Elizabeth says the spies aren't lying, then--
human
Then nothing, Burris said flatly.
gpt
Miss Rose Thompson is a nice, sweet, little old lady. I admit that.
human
And she's been a lot of help,
gpt
I admit that, too, Burris said.
human
But she is also somewhat battier, Malone, than the entire Order Chiroptera, including Count Dracula and all his happy friends.
gpt
She only thinks she's Queen Elizabeth I,
human
That, Burris said,
gpt
All right,
human
Things are going wrong in the Congressional computer-secretaries, Burris said.
gpt
So I assign you to the case. You come back to me with three spies, and the trouble stops. And what other information have you got?
human
Plenty,
gpt
All this business about mysterious psionic faculties, Burris said,
human
But that doesn't mean there isn't such a thing,
gpt
Even your own star witness, Burris said,
human
Nevertheless--