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immediately, was the one thing they'd missed to date. The very nature of Murray's research was
controversial, therefore intriguing. It would be a magnet for the curious, sparking desire and demand,
because it turned common minds into mega-computers. Mary Henderson's abrupt departure from her
Washington haunts could already have provoked someone into taking an uncommon interest in what was
going on--providing that same someone had been looking in her direction in the first place or keeping
tabs on Murray. Such things had to be assumed. Plans and their contingencies always assumed the
enemy knew more than anyone wanted him to know. Even D-Day was no total surprise to the Germans
in WWII. They knew what was going to happen, even if they didn't know where or when.
It was already early June. Five months of preparation to take over a nation was little enough time. He'd
have to make that case if he were to convince Jack and Murray it should be longer. On the other hand
they'd need to move swiftly if ever the microprotein secrets became known.
It was a classic military problem.
* * * *
It took two days of agonizing over their betrayals before Norman and Ernie decided to disregard the
orders from security to remain silent. Their calls to Murray were hardly an hour apart, though they'd not
coordinated with each other beforehand. Norman's almost-tearful confession came first. Then, while Nat
Foreman was in the shower, it was Ernie's turn.
Murray consoled her. "You and Norman did what you had to, so don't blame yourself for anything. I'll be
okay, I promise."
"Yes, Mr. Blake, but--"
"Ernie, I'm the culprit if anyone is. I shouldn't have put Norman at risk, which in turn did the same for
you. Now you just take it easy, and I have to say I'm rather pleased to hear you and Norman are hitting
it off. I wondered why he was so slow."
That drew a chuckle at the other end. "I guess we both were. Anyway, I just wanted to warn you and I
don't care what those security people said. I don't see what it can matter telling you, since they know
already. Isn't that right?"
"It sounds fine to me. Now you said there was something else you wanted to talk about?"
"What ... oh! Oh, yes. When we got to work yesterday, El Jefe told Norman to start setting up the very
same research you had been doing. He said instructions would follow. How could that have happened so
quickly?"
"Good question. You know, that's the first time you've ever called Craddock that."
"He deserves it. He's nothing but a little Napoleon, him and those porny magazines he thinks I don't
know about. He's in with those Internal Security people, I just know he is."
"Craddock's a little man, Ernie, not someone others admire. No doubt the I.S. people pressured him in
some way, but you just relax and go with the flow. They won't get very far. And don't you say anything
to anyone yet, but I may have a better job for you six months from now. Okay?"
"Oh, yes! That would be wonderful. I won't say a word."
It was time to end the conversation with a quick good-bye. Nat was coming down the hallway, and he'd
be ravenous. After breakfast he'd hear about how Internal Security not only called on Ernie and Norman,
but on Craddock as well. They were going to try to replicate the microproteins.
They'd succeed, of course. It wouldn't be that hard, not with the backup data and the microproteins
already in storage. The secret would be out.
* * * *
Elaine finished reading the transcript of Ernesta's phone call. "Should we arrest both of them, John? This
is all we need to throw away the key. Wiggins implicated Wheelright by name in her phone call, and now
Blake's aware we're onto him."
Stonebrook finished bending his paperclip and tossed the mangled mess into the basket. He didn't like
Elaine Yeager one bit, but at least she didn't get to make strategy decisions. Her job was analysis. Young
Wheelright had dodged the bullet by making his call outside the Barrington building, so at least he was
following a familiar pattern. Wiggins was essentially flipping the bird at authority. She was dumb enough
to think there'd be no one listening to her call. Probably made it when her boss Craddock was
somewhere else. Still, neither one would be of much value in jail, whereas any further calls could be
important sources of information.
"We oughta throw the book at 'em, Elaine, but the Wiggins woman could be a continuing source of
information so we let it go this time. We report the incident, though--the boss was very interested in that
stuff--and we should let Merlson know, too. That way our asses are covered. Let the senator sweat out
the secrecy stuff. It's his ball game and his money. If we play your cards right, there may be some more
where that came from."
Elaine nodded as he continued.
"Wiggins and Wheelright aren't doing anything even hinting at harmful intent toward the nation, so we
don't really want to arrest them in the first place. Besides, sounds like the information is already being [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]