Part 38 (2/2)
Now Daniel could understand the pressure on Phil Murray to perforanization was oals to reach, and if for soht be, they were not achieved, new oals The battle had to be joined, even if the outcome was in doubt Murray had to prove that he was not afraid, nor was he shi+rking his task And all the while, he are that Leas sitting back there in Washi+ngton, careful toSteel without a strike, and because of that carefully avoided taking a position within the union councils either pro or con regarding a strike effort He was quite willing to leave it to Murray If he failed, he would hang hilory because he had shown the way and had confidence that Murray could do it
Daniel stopped in front of the door that had MR MURRAY painted on it in gold letters and turned to the secretary seated at the desk just outside She was a new girl, one he had never seen before 'Is Mr Murray in?”
She looked up from her typewriter 'May I ask ishes to see hiins”
She picked up the telephone ''Mr Huggins is here to see you, Mr Murray” Ainto her voice ”You ht Murray looked drawn and tired as he rose from behind his desk and calad you're back”
I am too/' Daniel said Andback to his own seat ”How's the baby?”
”Fine”
”Your wifeto pull you back so fast”
Daniel met his eyes ”My wife is dead”
A stunned look ca”
”There was nothing to say It happened, and it's over”
Murray was silent for a moment ”I'm sorry, Daniel If I had known, I wouldn't have pressed you”
”It's okay,” Daniel said ”I did the things I had to do and now I'ood hands?”
”I've got a fine wo to be all right”
Murray took a deep breath ”If there's anything I can do to help, you let me know”
”Thank you” Daniel waited The amenities had been disposed of quickly, but from the moment he had co It was nothing he could put his finger on, just the feeling that Murray did not seem completely comfortable with him
Murray shuffled soht Holding it in his hand, he glanced at it for ayou into the office here as coordinator of the subregional offices in the Midwest It will be up to you to see that none of theo off half-cocked on their own”
”I don't know if F out in the field Why can't I just stay ontoo ianizers We need some- one in here to keep an eye on the overall picture for us”
'WhodoIreportto?”
''David McDonald in Pittsburgh He's taking over day-to-day operations Fton, where I can keep pressure on the governood man, a veteran of many years in the steel industry There had been talk that he was Murray's heir apparent, just as the talk had been that Murray was Lewis' heu-apparent Now, at least, the first part of the rumor had been confirmed But Daniel could find no fault with it McDonald was the logical candidate
''Do I have any specific authority in the new job?”
”I thought you would get together with Dave and work that out between you,” Murray answered
Daniel took a cigar from his inside coat pocket He bit off the end and lit it slowly, his eyes fixed on Murray all the while Finally, when the cigar was going, he leaned back in the chair ”Okay, Phil,” he said quietly ”We've known each other a long ti kicked upstairs?”
Murray flushed ”It's not exactly that”
”It's not exactly anything else either,” Daniel said
Murray shook his head slowly ”You won't let me off the hook, will you?”
Daniel was silent
”Too ainst the strike Too irl They just don't trust you”
”Do yow trust me?”
”That's a stupid question,” Murray flared ”If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't give you another job'
”Maybe I'd better quit anyway,” Daniel said ”I don't like running up blind alleys”
Murray's voice was forceful ”You're not quitting I don't want it, David doesn't and Lewis doesn't You're the only ional offices, the only one we can depend on to give us a clear picture of what's happening there Besides, it won't be for long When this strike is settled, weVe got so to be settled for a long time,” Daniel said ''I can't seeh Girdler is He's e an unholy alliance with the other independents, and they're going all the ith hihtful ”An unholy alliance I can use that phrase in the press conference I'uest,” Daniel said
”Me ion I think that unholy alliance you talk about hts when they see the ive a damn,” Daniel said ”They're out to break this strike noh people on my back now Don't make it impossible for me to keep you Just help me”
It was the first time Murray had ever come out and spoken so bluntly to him It was only friends who talked to each other that honestly Murray had been there when he needed help For almost twenty years Murray had been there Noas his turn ”Okay,” he said ”What's the first thing you want me to do?”
”Woric on the Meo off without any trouble”
”I'll doto stay in Chicago, I'd better go out and find myself a place to live”
Murray looked up at him ”Thanks, Daniel”
”You don't have to thank me, Phil,” Daniel said ”I owe you”
Murray sht now the iet the job done And incidentally, I forgot to hty-five hundred dollars a year to go with your new job”
Daniel laughed 'You should have iven you such a hard time”