The Retaliators by Hamilton, Donald

Mr. Euler has of the man who deposited money to both your accounts resembles you too closely for denials to carry much conviction. As for Norma's reaction, slipping across the Mexican border at Tijuana, that's hardly the act of an innocent person. It isn't likely that her investigation of Ernemann would have led her—or Roger either—to that desolate, dried-up sea bottom known as the great Southwest. As you're doubtless aware, Eric, Ernemann has never yet been known to set foot off duty pavement in the line of business; dirty work in dark alleys is his specialty, remember?" "Yes, sir," I said. "I remember." He went on: "Nor is there any chance Norma could have been trying to establish liaison with a Mexican agent in the line of duty, since our relations in that quarter— you remember the fiasco of your assignment down there a few years ago, the one involving flying saucers, for heaven's sake! —have deteriorated even further, and I've strictly forbidden all such contacts. No, both Norma and Roger must simply have been seeking sanctuary among the Mexicans. ... I believe it's proper to call them Mexicans if they live in Mexico, although I gather that people of the same racial lineage insist on being called Spanish if they live above the border. People are very sensitive about such things these days, are they not, Eric?" "Yes, sir," I said, listening closely. "For instance," he went on, "you come from Swedish ancestry, as I recall, but I doubt that you object strenuously to being ca