Durban looked skeptical. "An able-bodied astronaut sitting on his backside? For how long now?"

"Awhile."

"H'm. And what are you doing here?" 155

Kinsman shrugged. "Looking for a job, I guess."

"A job?"

"I can get an honorable discharge from the Air Force. I thought I might get a civilian job."

Durban's bushy brows knit together. "The Air Force is willing to let an experienced astronaut go? Who's your boss out there at Vandenberg?"

"Colonel Murdock."

"Bob Murdock?" Durban broke into a grin. "I've known Bobby since we used to fill out requisition forms over his forged signature. Don't tell me he's still a light colonel!"

"No, he's got his eagles."

"And he's willing to let you quit the Air Force? Why?"

Kinsman shook his head. Because I make him uncom- fortable. Because I don't follow the rules. Because I'm a nervous wreck and a murderer. Or is it the other way around?

"Personal, eh?"

"Very."

"I can introduce you to some NASA people who . , ."

"I've done a tour of duty with NASA. They shipped me back to the Air Force. The big aerospace corporations are where the jobs are now. Or so they tell me."

"And that's why you're here. To talk to the corporation people. Any luck?"

"All negative. They won't touch me without seeing my Air Force record, and my record shows a big blank space where it counts most."

Durban stared at him. "What the hell happened?"

Kinsman did not reply.

"Okay, okay . . . it's very personal. I'm just plain curi- ous, though. Not much happens in this game without me hearing about it, you know."

Kinsman picked up his drink again, thinking, You've heard about this one. You've heard the rumors. You just haven't connected me with the story. He drained the thick- walled glass and put it back on the table again.

"I hope you won't go probing into this, Mr. Durban. It's very sensitive ... to me personally, as well as to the Air Force."

"I can see that," Durban said.

"I wouldn't have mentioned anything at all about it," 156