Part 27 (2/2)
”I've heard the whole story. I--”
”Then it was you who had my office taped.”
”Exactly. I'm not ashamed of it. When I'm fighting for my const.i.tuents I use every weapon at my command.”
Brent Taber regarded Crane narrowly. ”I underestimated your abilities, Senator. That was fast work. Twenty minutes after I refused you permission to attend that meeting, you had your man briefed and in action. It was the waiter who brought in the coffee, wasn't it?”
Before Crane could answer, Taber gestured and said, ”Never mind. That's not important. You've heard the tape, so tell me--what do you want from me? How can I earn your co-operation?”
”Quite simply, Taber. By recognizing my authority as a United States Senator. By keeping me briefed on your progress against this terrible thing that menaces our people. By accepting my active co-operation in destroying it.”
”What exactly do you mean by _active_?”
”Just what the word implies. Have the men on the senatorial committee you briefed been at all active in helping you?”
”Frankly, no.”
”Then what right have they to expect any rewards--shall we say?--for their efforts?”
”You may have a point.”
”I believe in rewards where rewards are due.”
”And you want--?”
”In plain terms, the right to a.s.sociation in the public mind with the effort to protect the nation.”
”You want favorable publicity if and when this matter makes headlines?”
”Is that too much to ask?”
Brent Taber suddenly seemed lost and, in truth, he was wondering why in h.e.l.l he'd approached Crane in this way. He felt ashamed for even considering the possibility of bending to the will of a windbag like Crane. _Good Lord_, he thought, _I must be tired. I was on the point of playing the jellyfish._
Abruptly his voice sharpened. ”I'm sorry, I can't promise you that.”
”Taber, you're a fool! I'll get it anyhow. I told you I'd break you if you got in my way, and you've been almost discredited already. Don't you know when to quit?”
”Maybe that's my trouble, Senator. Maybe I'm bull-headed. Anyhow, right or wrong, I'll play out this string to the end. Good day--and I hope you enjoy your new offices.”
An hour later, back at his own phone, Taber got a second call from Callahan. ”There's another one.”
”Another one? I don't follow you.”
”A photographer from New York City. He's being real cagey, this one, but I know the breed. The kind that's so stupid-clever he outsmarts himself.”
”What's he after?”
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