`Pete, just tell me what it means.’
`Jesus, this is an open line.’
`I know it’s an open line. Tell me what it means.’
`Where are you calling from?’
`San Diego.’
`Jesus, you must be out of your mind.’
`I need the information, Pete. And I need it now.’
`Look,’ Morrison said, `if you don’t mind me saying so, this is pretty irregular. You’ve just popped a -‘ He broke off again. `Honestly,’ he said, in his most honest, public-information officer’s voice, `I’d have to obtain clearances and confirmation of need-to-know from your department, and then I’d have to pass it on to the Army, and then -‘
`Okay, fine. Do it.’
`You have to supply the clearances.’
`I haven’t got time.’
`You’re asking me on an open line to define a hot new weapons system and break its code and you haven’t got ‘
`Look,’ Graves said. `If I call Phelps, can he call you and requisition this information?’
‘Verbal requisition?’ Morrison seemed shocked. `This is pretty heavy stuff for a verbal. You sure you don’t want specifications on the ABM sites while you’re at it, and maybe Polaris submarine coordinates? Any other minor details?’
Graves suppressed his anger. Morrison was such a bureaucratic ass. `I need the information,’ he repeated. `I need it now.’
`Sounds like this may be a matter for Defence to look into,’ Morrison said. `We’d be curious to know how you got that coding in the first place. Why don’t you forward us a complete report along with a requisition AB-212; that’s the green form. I may be able to release the data to you in a day or so, and -‘
Graves hung up.
`This is Graves.’
`I know who it is,’ Phelps said. `What do you have to say for yourself?’
‘Binary 75 slash 76,’ Graves said. `It’s a coding – I need to know what it means.’
`Binary 75 slash 76,’ Phelps said. There was a long pause; faintly, Graves could hear him writing it down. Finally he said, `Are you going to tell me where you came across it?’
`It’s what Drew tapped from the system,’ Graves said
‘Oh,’ Phelps said.
`But Drew doesn’t know what it means, either.’
`How did he happen to tap in?’
‘Wright told him to.’
`Well, did you ask Wright why?’
`No.’
`Why not?’
`I haven’t picked him up yet,’ Graves said.
`You haven’t picked him up yet.’
`That’s right.’
`What are you waiting for, a divine edict?’
`I thought I already had that,’ Graves said. `But the situation is complicated. You see, Wright asked for more information from the data banks.’
`More information?’
`About a State Department Intelligence officer named John Graves. He pulled my file.’
`Don’t be an ass,’ Phelps said. `Pick him up immediately. He’s on to you, that’s clear.’
`Not only is he on to me,’ Graves said, `he’s showing me a puzzle and daring me to work it out.’
`This is not a fucking poker game,’ Phelps said. `We can convict Wright on the basis of evidence we already have, and -‘
`You can’t touch him,’ Graves said. `When he cools down, Drew won’t testify against him. You haven’t got a prayer of making a case against Wright. Our only chance is to wait – and to get me my own file contents.’
`You’re joking.’
`I’m not.’
`It’s out of the question.’
`I want to know what he knows.’
`About yourself?’
`Yes. Especially psychological test scores.’
`Out of the question. Unheard of.’
`You’ve got to do this for me,’ Graves said. `You’ve got to get me that file.’
`I can’t requisition it,’ Phelps said, `without higher
authority. You know that. You’re much better off picking Wright up.’
`Not yet.’
`I have to go to lunch,’ Phelps said. `Call me later. I think you’re acting like a fool.’
And Phelps hung up.
`State Department.’ A singsong voice.
‘Office of the Secretary, please.’
`Thank you.’ Lilting.
`Secretary of State, can we help you?’
`Mr Burnett, please.’ Burnett was one of the Secretary’s advisers. Although young, he had worked himself up from a speech writer to a close and influential position. Graves knew him slightly.
`Mr Burnett has gone to lunch and is not back yet. He is expected shortly.’
`Did he leave a number?’
`No, I’m sorry – just a moment, he’s coming through the door. Whom shall I say is calling?’
`John Graves. State Intelligence.’
`One moment please, Mr Graves.’
There was a very long wait, and a humming sound as Graves was put on `hold’. Then a click.
‘Burnett here.’
`Tom, this is John Graves calling.’
`How are you, John? It’s been a long time. When was it? Senator Evans’ party, I think. You had a very cute -‘
`Listen, Tom. I have a problem. I need your help.’
`I’ll do what I can.’ Said very smoothly, in the manner that all those people adopted sooner or later. No promises, but very smooth.
Graves paused. `I need my file.’
`Your file?’
`Yes. My Department file.’
`I don’t think – just a minute – no, please hold that, I’ll call him right back – John?’
`I’m here.’
`I’ll have to call him right back. Yes, in a few minutes. Absolutely. Five minutes, tell him five minutes. John?’
`I’m here,’ Graves said again.
`Now what was it? Your file?’
`Yes. I need my own file.’
`I’ve never heard of anyone needing their own file,’ Burnett chuckled. `Curiosity, yes, but -‘
`Tom. Stop being polite. This is Department business and it’s very important.’
`Perhaps you could stop by the office and -‘
`I can’t stop by the office. I’m not in Washington. I’m in San Diego.’
`Oh?’ There was hesitation now, the smoothness gone. `San Diego?’
`I’m doing an SS here. A guy named John Wright. I need my own -‘
‘Who?’
`John Wright.’
`Well why didn’t you say so before? I’ll get it to you right away. The Secretary has directed everyone to cooperate fully with the San Diego operation.’
Graves sighed. That was refreshing. He had an enormous sense of relief. What was that joke? It felt so good when he stopped.
`Let’s see,’ Burnett said. `I’ll have to get an authorization. I can do that with the Undersecretary; I don’t have to bother the boss. Then we have to get it to you. You don’t have access to a photoprinter?’
`No.’
`Well, let’s see . . . I don’t know what sort of facilities are available in San Diego. Look. There’s one sure bet. The police department. They have a printer for sure. I can transmit the file contents to you over that. But it’ll take time to do the whole thing.’
`I don’t want the whole thing. I just want the psychological test scores.’
`You do?’
‘That’s right,’ Graves said.
`Well,’ Burnett said, `I can have that for you right away. They’ll transmit in fifteen or twenty minutes. Okay?’
`Okay,’ Graves said. `And thanks.’
`For Christ’s sake, don’t mention it,’ Burnett said.
Graves hung up.
Downstairs in the car, Lewis said, `You look like you’ve gargled with Drano.’
`I have,’ Graves said. He got into the car. `We’re going to the police station.’
Lewis pulled out into traffic. `Anything interesting happening upstairs?’
`They’ve found that Wright is preoccupied with weather today.’
`Weather?’