‘You sold your company,’ said the tall, suntanned contributor with the open shirt, his speech laconic but precise.
‘At a forced sale. It was worth five times what I was paid. But that’s not too large a problem for me. Against West German, French and Japanese capital, I may have a few problems at the beginning, but my contacts are as extensive as anyone else’s. Also…’ Kendrick played out his scenario with understated conviction, touching on his relationships with the royal houses and ministers of Oman, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, mentioning the protection and the assistance, including private transportation, provided for him by the governments of Oman and Bahrain during the Masqat crisis. Then, as abruptly as he began, he stopped. He had drawn the picture sufficiently for their imaginations; more might be too much.
The men in the library looked at one another, and with an almost imperceptible nod from the Vice President, the heavy man in the navy blue blazer spoke. ‘It strikes me that your plans are pretty well solidified. What would you want with a job that pays a hundred and fifty thou a year and too many chicken dinners? You’re not a politician.’
‘Considering my age, the time factor could be attractive. Five years from now I’ll still be in my forties, and the way I read things, even if I started tomorrow over there it would take me two, perhaps three years to be in full operation—and I could be shy a year there, there are no guarantees. But if I go the other way and actively seek the nomination, I might actually get it—that’s no reflection on you, Mr. Vice President. It’s merely the result of the media treatment that I’ve been given.’
When several others began speaking at once, Bollinger held up his hand, barely inches above the arm of his chair. It was enough to quiet them. ‘And, Congressman?’
‘Well, I think it’s pretty obvious. There’s no question in anyone’s mind that Jennings will win the election, although he may have problems with the Senate. If I were fortunate enough to be on the ticket, I’d go from the House to the vice presidency, spend my time and come out with more international influence—and, quite frankly, resources—than I could ever hope to have otherwise.’
‘That, Congressman,’ cried an angry young third aide from a straight-backed chair next to his colleagues on the couch, ‘is blatantly using the trust of public office for personal profit!’
There was a mass lowering and straying of the contributors’ eyes. ‘If I didn’t think you spoke out impetuously and mistakenly because you don’t understand,’ said Evan calmly, ‘I’d be extremely offended. I’m stating an obvious fact because I want to be completely open with Vice President Bollinger, a man I deeply respect. What I mentioned is the truth; it goes with the office. But in no way does that truth take away from the energy or the commitment I’d give to that office while serving it and the nation. Whatever rewards might come from such a position, whether in the form of publishing, corporate boardrooms or golf tournaments, they wouldn’t be given to a man who took his responsibilities lightly. Like Vice President Bollinger, I couldn’t operate that way.’
‘Well said, Evan,’ commented the Vice President softly while looking harshly at the impulsive aide. ‘You’re owed an apology.’
‘I apologize,’ said the young man. ‘You’re right, of course. It all goes with the office.’
‘Don’t be too apologetic,’ admonished Kendrick, smiling. ‘Loyalty to one’s boss isn’t anything to be sorry about.’ Evan turned to Bollinger. ‘If he’s a black belt, I’m getting out of here fast,’ he added, breaking the momentary tension with laughter.
‘He plays a mean game of Ping-Pong,’ said the older aide on the left of the couch.
‘He’s very creative keeping score,’ said the oldest staffer on the right. ‘He cheats.’
‘At any rate,’ continued Evan, waiting until the grins—mostly forced—had left the assembled faces. ‘I meant it when I said I wanted to be completely frank with you, Mr. Vice President. These are the things I have to think about. I’ve lost four, almost five years, of a career—a business—I worked extremely hard to develop. I was short-circuited by a mad killer and forced to sell because people were afraid to work for me. He’s dead and things have changed; they’re getting back to normal, but the European competition is heavy. Can I do it by myself or should I actively campaign for the ticket and, if I succeed, have certain guarantees that result from holding the office? On the other hand, do I really want to spend the additional years and the enormous amounts of time and energy that go with the job?… These are questions only I can answer, sir. I hope you understand.’
And then Kendrick heard the words he had hoped beyond hope to hear—hope in this case far more meaningful than in his statement to Bollinger.
‘I know it’s late for your staff, Orson,’ said the tall, lanky man in the open shirt that set off his suntanned flesh, ‘but I’d like to talk a little further.’
‘Yes, certainly,’ agreed the Vice President, turning to his aides. ‘These poor fellas have been up since dawn, what with the dreadful news about Ardis and all. Go home, boys, and have Christmas with your families—I brought all the wives and kids out here on Air Force Two, Evan, so they could be together.’
‘Very thoughtful, sir.’
Thoughtful, hell. Maybe they all have black belts… You’re dismissed, troops. Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, and if I remember correctly, the next day’s Christmas. So unless the Ruskies blow up Washington, I’ll see you in three days.’
‘Thank you, Mr. Vice President.’
‘You’re very kind, sir.’
‘We can stay, if you wish,’ said the oldest, as each successively got out of his chair.
‘And have you mauled by your two associates?’ asked Bollinger, grinning at the expressions of the others. ‘I wouldn’t hear of it. On your way out, send in the butler. We might as well have a brandy while we solve all the world’s problems.’
See-No-Evil, Speak-No-Evil and Hear-No-Evil left the room, programmed robots reacting to a familiar marching tune. The man in the gold-buttoned navy blue blazer leaned forward in his chair, his stomach making it difficult for him. ‘You want to talk frankly, Congressman? Real frank and real honest? Well, we’re going to do that.’
‘I don’t understand, Mr… I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.’
‘Cut the shit-shit!’ exclaimed the florid Bostonian. ‘I’ve heard better crap from the ward heelers in Southie.’
‘You may fool the pols in DC,’ said the small man in the too-large chair, ‘but we’re businessmen, too, Kendrick. You’ve got something to offer and maybe—just maybe—we’ve got something to offer.’
‘How do you enjoy southern California, Congressman?’ The tall man with the open shirt and the outstretched legs spoke loudly as a butler entered the room.
‘Nothing, nothing,’ exclaimed Bollinger, addressing the servant. ‘Never mind. Leave us.’
‘I’m sorry, sir, I have a message for you,’ said the butler, handing the Vice President a note.
Bollinger read it; his face at first grew red, then rapidly paled. ‘Tell him to wait,’ he ordered. The butler left the room. ‘Where were we?’
‘At a price,’ said the man from Boston. ‘That’s what we’re talkin’ about, isn’t it, Congressman?’
‘That’s a little blunt,’ answered Evan. ‘But the term is in the realm of possibility.’
‘You should understand,’ said the small man with the pinched face, ‘that you passed through two separate powerful detectors. You may get sick from the X rays but you have no recording machines on you.’
‘They’d be the last things I’d want.’
‘Good,’ said the tall man, getting out of the chair as if solely to impress the others with his formidable height and his image as the tanned rugged yachtsman; strength was the message. He sauntered to the fireplace mantel—High Noon in the Town of Corruption, thought Kendrick. ‘We caught your leeward drift about German, French and Japanese capital. How steep are the waves in open water?’
I’m afraid I’m not a sailor. You’ll have to be clearer.’
‘What are you up against?’
‘Financially?’ asked Evan, pausing, then shaking his head in dismissal. ‘Nothing I can’t handle. I can commit seven to ten million, if I have to, and my lines of credit are extensive… but, of course, so are the interest rates.’
‘Suppose lines of credit were established without those kinda’ burdens?’ said the man familiar with constituency fixing in his South Boston ward.
‘Gentlemen,’ interrupted Bollinger sharply, getting out of his chair, as did those seated in deference to his obviously imminent departure. ‘I understand that I have an urgent matter to attend to. If you need anything, feel free to ask for it.’
‘We won’t be long, Mr. Vice President,’ said Kendrick, knowing why Bollinger had to distance himself from whatever ensuing conversation took place; deniability was the byword. ‘As I mentioned, this is a problem that only I can properly resolve. I just wanted to be open with you.’