Foundation's Edge Read Free Page B

necessarily mean anything.
    He looked comfortable and friendly, and it might well be that this was appropriate for the job. He was rather below the average height, rather above the average weight, had a bushy mustache (most unusual for a citizen of Terminus) that was now more white than gray, bright brown eyes, and a characteristic patch of primary color marking the outer breast pocket of his drab coverall.
    He said, “Sit down, Trevize. Let us keep this on a friendly basis if we can.”
    “Friendly? With a traitor?” Trevize hooked both his thumbs in his sash and remained standing.
    “With an accused traitor. `We have not yet come to the point where accusation-even by the Mayor herself-is the equivalent of conviction. I trust we never do. My job is to clear you, if I can. I would much rather do so now while no harm is done-except, perhaps, to your pride-rather than be forced to make it all a matter of a public trial. I hope you are with me in this.”
    Trevize didn’t soften. He said, “Let’s not bother with ingratiation. Your job is to badger me as though I were a traitor. I am not one, and I resent the necessity of having to have that point demonstrated to your satisfaction. Why should you not have to prove your loyalty to my satisfaction?”
    “In principle, none. The sad fact, however, is that I have power on my side, and you have none on yours. Because of that, it is my privilege to question, and not yours. If any suspicion of disloyalty or treason fell upon me, by the way, I imagine I would find myself replaced, and I would then be questioned by someone else, who, I earnestly hope, would treat me no worse than I intend to treat you.”
    “And how do you intend to treat me?”
    “Like, I trust, a friend and an equal, if you will so treat me.”
    “Shall I stand you a drink?” asked Trevize bitterly.
    “Later, perhaps, but for now, please sit down. I ask it as a friend.”
    Trevize hesitated, then sat. Any further defiance suddenly seemed meaningless to him. “What now?” he said.
    “Now, may I ask that you will answer my questions truthfully and completely and without evasion?”
    “And if not? What is the threat behind it? A Psychic Probe?”
    “I trust not.”
    “I trust not, too. Not on a Councilman. It will reveal no treason, and when I am then acquitted, I will have your political head and the Mayor’s too, perhaps. It might almost be worth making you try a Psychic Probe.”
    Kodell frowned and shook his head slightly. “Oh no. Oh no. Too much danger of brain damage. It’s slow healing sometimes, and it would not be worth your while. Definitely. You know, sometimes, when the Probe is used in exasperation-“
    “A threat, Kodell?”
    “A statement of fact, Trevize. -Don’t mistake me, Councilman. If I must use the Probe I will, and even if you are innocent you will have no recourse.”
    “What do you want to know?”
    Kodell closed a switch on the desk before him. He said, “What I ask and what you answer to my questions will be recorded, both sight and sound. I do not want any volunteered statements from you, or anything nonresponsive. Not at this time. You understand that, I am sure.”
    “I understand that you will record only what you please,” said Trevize contemptuously.
    “That is right, but again, don’t mistake me. I wilt not distort anything you say. I will use it or not use it, that is all. But you will know what I will not use and you will not waste my time and yours.
    “We’ll see.”
    “We have reason to think, Councilman Trevize”-and somehow the touch of added formality in his voice was evidence enough that he was recording-“that you have stated openly, and on a number of occasions, that you do not believe in the existence of the Seldon Plan.”
    Trevize said slowly, “If I have said so openly, and on a number of occasions, what more do you need?”
    “Let us not waste time with quibbles, Councilman. You know that what I want is an open admission in your own