Friday by Robert Heinlein.

As I left the Kenya Beanstalk capsule he was right on my heels. He followed me through the door leading to Customs, Health and Immigration. As the door contracted behind him I killed him.

I have never liked riding the Beanstalk. My distaste was fullblown even before the disaster to the Quito Skyhook. A cable that goes up into the sky with nothing to hold it up smells to much of magic. But the only other way to reach Ell-Five takes too long and costs too much; my orders and expense
account did not cover it.

So I had been edgy even before I let the shuttle from Ell-Five at Stationary Station to board the Beanstalk capsule...