“Jesus!”
“I knew you’d be pleased.”
“Helen’s a courageous girl. She’ll make a damn fine lawyer.”
“She will. And she’ll make some man a damn fine consort, if we haven’t ruined her for young men her own age.”
“It would take a–”
“Special young man to get by her affliction?”
“Yes.”
Boyd winked. “Well, she’s twenty-one. Think of how the two of you would upset Margaret.”
Littell killed his drink. “And upset my own daughter. Susan, by the way, says Margaret is spending weekends with a man in Charlevoix. But she’ll never marry him as long as she has my paycheck attached.”
“You’re her devil. You’re the seminarian boy who got her pregnant. And in the religious terms you’re so fond of, your marriage was purgatory.”
“No, my job is. I black-bagged a Commie’s apartment today and photographed an entire ledger page devoted to doughnuts. I honestly don’t know how much longer I can do this kind of thing.”
Fresh drinks arrived. The waiter bowed–Kemper inspired subservience. Littell said, “I figured something out in the process, right between the chocolate and the glazed.”
“What?”
“That Mr. Hoover hates left-wingers because their philosophy is based on human frailty, while his own is based on an excruciating rectitude that denies such things.”
Boyd held his glass up. “You never disappoint me.”
“Kemper–”
Waiters swooped past. Candlelight bounced off gold flatware. Crêpe suzettes ignited–an old woman squealed.
“Kemper–”
“Mr. Hoover had me infiltrate the McClellan Committee. He hates Bobby Kennedy and his brother Jack, and he’s afraid their father will buy Jack the White House in ‘60. I’m now a fake FBI retiree on an indefinite assignment to cozy up to both brothers. I applied for a job as a temporary Committee investigator, and I got the word today that Bobby hired me. I’m flying to Miami in a few hours to look for a missing witness.”
Littell said, “Jesus Fucking Christ.”
Boyd said, “You never disappoint me.”
“I suppose you’re drawing two salaries?”
“You know I love money.”
“Yes, but do you like the brothers?”
“Yes, I do. Bobby’s a vindictive little bulldog, and Jack’s charming and not as smart as he thinks he is. Bobby’s the stronger man, and he hates organized crime like you do.”
Littell shook his head. “You don’t hate anything.”
“I can’t afford to.”
“I’ve never understood your loyalties.”
“Let’s just say they’re ambiguous.”
DOCUMENT INSERT: 12/2/88. Official FBI telephone call transcript: “Recorded at the Director’s Request”! “Classified Confidential 1-A: Director’s Eyes Only.” Speaking: Director Hoover, Special Agent Kemper Boyd.
JEH: Mr. Boyd?
KB: Sir, good morning.
JEH: Yes, It is a good morning. Are you calling from a secure phone?
KB: Yes. I’m at a coin phone. if the oonnection seems weak, it’s because I’m calling from Miami.
JEH: Little Brother has put you to work already?
KB: Little Brother doesn’t waste time.
JEH: Interpret your rapid hiring. Use names if you must.
KB: Little Brother was initially suspicious of me, and I think it will take time to win him over. I ran into Big Brother at Sally Lefferts’ office, and circumstances forced us into a private conversation. We went out for a drink and developed a rapport. Like many charming men, Big Brother is also easily charmed. We hit it off quite well, and I’m certain he told Little Brother to hire me.
JEH: Describe the “circumstances” you mentioned.
KB: We discovered that we shared an interest in sophisticated and provocative women, and we went to the Mayflower bar to discuss related matters. Big Brother confirmed that he is going to run in 1960, and that Little Brother will begin the campaign groundwork when the McClellan Committee mandate ends this coming April.
JEH: Continue.
KB: Big Brother and I discussed politics. I portrayed myself as incongruously liberal by Bureau standards, which Big Brother–
JEH: You have no political convictions, which adds to your efficacy in situations like this. Continue.
KB: Big Brother found my feigned political convictions interesting and opened up. He said that he considers Little Brother’s hatred of Mr. H. somewhat untoward, although justified. Both Big Brother and their father have urged Little Brother to strategically retreat and offer Mr. H. a deal if he cleans up his organization, but Little Brother has refused. My personal opinion is that Mr. H. is legally inviolate at this time. Big Brother shares that opinion, as do a number of Committee investigators. Sir, I think Little Brother is ferociously dedicated and competent. My feeling is that he will take Mr. H. down, but not in the foreseeable future. I think It will take years and most likely many indictments, and that it certainly won’t happen within the Committee mandate time frame.