Howard L Myers' "Duplex" aka "Partner" (as by Verge Foray) (novelette, mystery, free)

In some sense, this is the first story in - or at least a precursor to - author's "econo-war" series, & the best of the lot. More on series some other time. Unlike series, however, this is not space opera.

Story summary.

Kent & Pard Lindstrom are unusual companions: two men living in the same body! Each lives in, & controls, one hemisphere of the brain! Story is narrated from Kent's perspective.

Kent is a well known pianist; Pard prefers tinkering with gadgets. Neither is interested in other's interests. Pard is usually active at night, when Kent is asleep.

Now, on a single day, two attempts have been made on their life - apparently by military! And during the night, Pard apparently was involved in a street brawl & an arson - activities that landed them behind bars. Pard has apparently got recently involved in something sinister, & without the knowledge of Kent, ...

Fact sheet.

First published: Analog, June 1968.
Rating: A.
Download full text from Baen CD: 7 pages beginning here.
Listed among the stories from John Campbell's Astounding/Analog.
Related: Stories of Howard L Myers (as by Verge Foray).