Free Isaac Asimov by Fantastic Voyage

so?”
    “Obviously,” Grant said. “And this least suspicious character is who? Or is this the place where a shot rings out and you crumple to the floor just before you name the identity of the fiend?”
    “No one seems to be aiming at me,” said Michaels. “I think I will have time. The least suspicious character is, obviously, you yourself, Grant. Who would be less suspicious than the trusted agent, assigned to see the ship safely through the mission? Can you really be trusted, Grant?”
    “I’m not sure. You have only my word and what’s that worth?”
    “Exactly. You have been on the Other Side, been there oftener and under more obscure circumstances than anyone else on this ship, I’m certain. Suppose that in one way or another, you have been bought off.”
    “Possible, I suppose,” said Grant, unemotionally, “but I brought Benes here safely.”
    “So you did; knowing, perhaps, that he would be taken care of at the next stage, leaving you in the clear and fit for further duties, as you are now.”
    Grant said, “I think you mean this.”
    But Michaels shook his head, “No, I don’t. And I’m sorry for I think I’m beginning to grow offensive.” He pinched his nose and said, “I wish they would begin miniaturizing. After that, I might have less time to think.”
    Grant felt embarrassed. There was a naked look of apprehension on Michaels’ face as the skin of banter peeled off. He called up, “How about it, captain?”
    “All set. All set,” came Owens’ metal-harsh voice.
    The lights went on. At once, Duval pulled out several drawers at his side of the ship, and began to look over the charts. Cora inspected the laser with care.
    Grant said, “May I come up there, Owens?”
    “You can stick your head up here if you want to,” replied Owens. “There isn’t room for anything more.”
    Grant said under his breath. “Take it easy, Dr. Michaels. I’ll be gone for a few minutes and you can jitter, if you feel like it, without being watched.”
    Michaels’ voice was dry and his words seemed to grind out with difficulty. “You are a considerate man, Grant. If I had had my natural sleep …”
    Grant rose and stepped back, grinning at Cora who stepped out of his way coolly. He then moved quickly up the ladder, looked up and about and said, “How will you know where to go?”
    Owens said, “I’ve got Michaels’ charts here.” He flipped a switch and on one of the screens immediately before himwas a replica of the circulatory system, the one Grant had already seen several times before.
    Owens touched another switch and parts of the chart glowed an iridescent yellow-orange.
    “Our projected route,” he said. “Michaels will be directing me when necessary, and since we are nuclear fueled, Carter and the rest will be able to follow us with precision. They will help direct us, if you take care of your end with the wireless.”
    “You’ve got a complicated set of controls here.”
    “It’s pretty sophisticated,” said Owens, with obvious pride. “A button for everything, so to speak, and as compact as I could make it. This was going to be used for deep-sea work, you know.”
    Grant swung down again and again Cora made way for him. She was deep in concentration over her laser, working with what were virtually watchmaker’s tools.
    “That looks complicated,” said Grant.
    Cora said briefly, “A ruby laser, if you know what that is.”
    “I know it puts out a tight beam of coherent monochromatic light, but I haven’t the foggiest notion as to how it works.”
    “Then I suggest you go back to your seat and let me do my job.”
    “Yes, ma’am. But if you have any footballs you want strung, you let me know. Us physical types are good at that kind of unskilled work.”
    Cora put down a small screwdriver, brushed her rubber-gloved fingers together and said, “Mr. Grant?”
    “Yes, ma’am?”
    “Are you going to make this entire venture hideous with your notion of fun?”
    “No, I