Laura awakened, stretched, and rolled out of bed, her lithe form looking like flowing water.

She went into the bathroom, did the necessary things to start the day, put on a pair of slacks, blouse, and sensible shoes.

Her mother was in the kitchen and silently handed her a cup of coffee. Mom made good coffee.

"Off to the place again?" the older woman asked.

"Yes," replied Laura, "and I can't tell you about it or even where I'm going."

"Honest work?" asked her mother.

"Yes."

"Damn, girl, when are you goin' learn?"

Laura ate some toast, finished the coffee, took her coat from the peg, and opened the front door. "I'm off. Don't wait up. And that Tommy gun isn't mine, so don't hock it or sell it. Got it?"

"I won't, and I won't. Have a good time at your...job." The pause was palpable.

"Bye."

She took the crosstown bus; no howlers were in evidence. That was good, because getting rid of the last night's bodies had been a messy business. Who would have believed, she thought, that they had so much blood in them?

She got off the bus on the corner across from the atheletic field. A man carrying a briefcase and a slightly bemused air, crossed the street with her.

"Good morning, Laura," he said.

"Oh, good morning, Doctor," she replied. "How's your wife?"

"Bueno...I mean, good, thanks. I forget sometimes," he apologized.

He knocked, and a thick wooden door opened. Inside was a helmeted military policeman. He studied both of them and holstered his .45.

"Good morning, Doctor, Laura. General Groves is in the conference room and asked to see both immediately when you arrived."

"Thank you."

They walked down a corridor, stopped at another heavy wooden door, knocked and entered. A general, in uniform, stood in one corner. Several white-coated men, obviously scientists, were talking.

The general strode over, hand out, saying, "Laura! Dr. Fermi! Good morning!"