The company’s welcoming party included several corporate executives. Introductions were perfunctory, they had all researched each other’s dossiers...extensively and all knew all. Greta still went through the protocol introductions as those were her duty. The group took several limousines through the city to the fabrication facility. On facility tour, Jeffery found that in many cases that robots were fabricating and assembling other robots, including parts of his. A bit of science fiction. I started early on Saturday to beat the shoppers to the Beltway and it was not even eleven o'clock when I parked my Mercedes a block away from Lillian's apartment building.Just as I approached the entrance a man left and I slipped through the closing door without thinking. I climbed the stairs making hardly any noise with the trainers I wore. I stood before her apartment door and I almost knocked when I heard Lillian's voice from inside."No, I don't want your money, Theo! I told you I won't. "Can I help you?" I said."Yes, Fraulein, I rather think you can," he said, pulling a luger outfrom until the towel. "Please don't move, nor you, Herr Schmidt, exceptto put your hands up."We both complied, not looking at the other."What's going on, Franz?"This was Captain Wendt, who had risen from his chair."They were very careful about it and didn't meet too often, but overthe course of several weeks I gradually noticed that whenever HerrSchmidt came into my cafe he always took the table behind. "It's about a three hour drive," she said excitedly. However, she didn't tell her that it was three hours through the mountains on tiny roads."Well, maybe I could go up with you tonight and come back Saturday night." As soon as she said it, she wished that she hadn't. It was overstepping the bounds--the imaginary line she had drawn to keep outside relationships from interfering with her already complicated life. Still, a sudden chill ran down her spine and she thought, I need a break, so what.