Scott got Larry alone in the conference room.
    "Is it just me, or is your secretary very... calm?" he asked.
    "She seems remarkably unaffected by the current hysteria, yes," Muse admitted. "I'm not quite sure why."
    "Could she be working for anyone besides you? Us?"
    "If she is, she is by far the best actress that I have ever seen in my life, and therefore I doubt it. Because if need be, I am the greatest actress I have ever seen in my life." He smiled. "But if she is working for someone, she is amazingly skilled."
    "Either that or she's got a relative in the life," Scott speculated.
    "Perhaps. An interesting thing to attempt. Why don't you go visit James' family? The Bugbys? See what their response is to you. It may just be that those of us who are particularly close to the life are somehow resistant to this propaganda. A thought."
    "Do you know when Sphinx will be in?"
    "Any moment now. Usually, like any lion, up with the sun and busy all day. And like any cat, up all night."
    "Does he sleep?"
    "I believe he catches... catnaps."
    "Does he."
    Their watcher was still there. Scott heroically conquered an urge to roll up the blind and wave at him. Sphinx showed up a little later.
    "Good morning," Scott greeted him.
    "Hello."
    "I have a puzzle for you. I can't figure it out."
    "And what is the puzzle?"
    "I think the person whose desk I took this out of last night is the local head of the World Crime League." He handed over the drive.
    "Hm."
    "It seems to be encrypted. It ate my encryption program."
    "Not surprising." He sat down at the computer. "I'll have it for you in an hour."
    "Have I pointed out recently not only how good you are but how much I appreciate this?"
    "It gives me something to do and it pays my rent," Sphinx shrugged. "Keeps my daughter happy. Keeps me off the streets."
    "Thank you anyway."
    "You're more than welcome."

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