Shadow of a Broken Man by George C. Chesbro

didn't turn around when he spoke. "We've prepared a psychological profile on you, Dr. Frederickson. It's sketchy because of the limited time we've had, but it's fascinating nonetheless. Your karate, your Ph. D., your obvious need to achieve. You're aggressive, occasionally hostile, but I suppose that's understandable. You have the mind of a giant trapped in a dwarf's body. A pity."
    "My mother thought so too," I said testily. "What's your point?"
    He slowly turned and dropped his dead cigar into an ashtray. "My point is that we consider you a dangerous man. I'm not sure how to handle you."
    "A suggestion: Try telling me the truth."
    "The truth here is irrelevant!" he snapped. Then he sucked in a breath. "It is absolutely essential that you drop this investigation!"
    "Essential to whom?"
    "To the well-being of innocent people," he answered without hesitation. "Do you know what a 'freak' is?"
    "Who would know better?" I said drily.
    Lippitt didn't smile. "The term 'freak' has a special meaning in my field. Put simply, a freak is a terrorist, a torturer. Most of the ones I know of are truly psychopathic. They're used on occasion by all countries. Their assignment is simply to spread havoc, but only under special circumstances. Such a man was brought into this situation five years ago but— thankfully—never used. That doesn't mean that he won't be used now if it's discovered that this matter has been brought up again."
    "As far as I know, you're the only heavyweight who knows about my interest in Rafferty."
    Lippitt laughed shortly, without humor. "Yes, but who knows where your questions will lead? My good man, you have no idea how dangerous this business could become. The others have resources." He tapped the tips of his fingers together a few times while he stared at me, then dropped his hands to his sides. I had the feeling he'd made some kind of decision.
    "I'll tell you the truth that you seem to think is so important and I say is irrelevant," he continued. "I know Rafferty is dead because I killed him."
    I studied the map of Lippitt's face, but there was no key there to indicate whether or not he was lying. My mouth had suddenly gone dry. "How?" I asked in a cracked voice.
    "I shot him to death," Lippitt said evenly. "He was trying to kill me. It was after I shot him that he fell off the catwalk into the furnace."
    "Why did you kill him, Lippitt? Why were you after him in the first place?"
    "He was about to defect to the Russians. He forced the issue; he backed me into a corner."
    "But what would the Russians want with an architect?"
    "Rafferty had certain invaluable information. We could not let him share that information with anyone."
    "What kind of information?"
    Lippitt shook his head. "I can't tell you that, Frederickson."
    "Maybe you haven't had the time to cook up that part of your story."
    He ignored the barb. "I won't argue with you over something that can't be proved," he said quietly. "Perhaps you should simply give me the benefit of the doubt."
    "Why should I do that?"
    "To save lives." His even tone lent weight to his words. I suddenly felt brushed back and on the defensive. "Other governments knew that Rafferty had this information," Lippitt continued. "What developed was a race to control Rafferty."
    "That would explain the Missing Persons report with your name on it."
    "Correct. A number of governments were involved; like us, they would have spared nothing to find him. What Victor Rafferty knew was that valuable. Now, if you continue to stir things up, certain parties may begin to suspect that Rafferty is still alive and they'll begin looking for him. If that happens, Dr. Frederickson, people will die. I guarantee it."
    "Is that what happened to Dr. Morton?"
    Lippitt caught his reaction a split second too late. "Who is this Dr. Morton?"
    "He was Rafferty's neurosurgeon, and I think you know it. He was murdered a few days before the time you say you shot Rafferty. I believe the two cases are linked."
    "I