disagreeable. “Look, Kelly,” he pleaded, “it’s not so bad as all that. Every local law enforcement agency in the Bay Area will be working on Project X. They will presumably get tips, leads and other information. They will then evaluate this information and pass on to us only what seems to be worth following up. That’s what you’ll be doing.” He got up from behind his desk and began pacing back and forth in an agitated manner. He wished he hadn’t given up smoking. “One other thing,” he continued, pausing in front of Kelly’s chair and looking her full in the face. “Even though this alien thing will most probably turn out to be nothing at all and be completely forgotten in a few weeks, there is just the slightest chance that there may be some danger involved. So I want you to have a partner on this assignment, someone who’s strong as an ox and absolutely fearless. Someone who’s never let any harm come to anyone under his protection. Someone who’s a weapons expert as well!” He realized he was getting carried away, and he paused for a moment to regain control. When he had recovered himself, he told her in a lower voice, “I couldn’t think of anyone suitable in the Bay Area. Everyone here is too soft. So I called the LA office and asked that Special Agent Muldoon be transferred up here for the duration. Good man, maybe you’ve heard of him?” he asked innocently. Kelly looked at him in astonishment. “Muldoon? Agent Fred Muldoon? Special Agent Fred ‘Lone Wolf’ Muldoon?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Why, yes.” Tanner was perplexed by her reaction. “I see you’ve heard of him. Just the man for the job, don’t you think?” ~
Tales
from
The
Last
Resort
by
The
Mad
Mick
182
~