Boldt Read Free

going to cause us a lot of useless extra work.”
    Draper pushes the file across the desk and spins it around so that the paper is the right way up, and I don’t have to lean forward to read what’s on the paper because the message is made up with the familiar cut-up newsprint of various types and sizes. The message says: WHEN YOU COME TO THIS CITY, TAKE TIME OUT TO SAY GOODBYE TO ALL YOUR OLD FRIENDS.
    I look at Draper. Draper smiles a small smile.
    â€œA valentine for your brother. Left in the mailbox at party headquarters last night. Dropped there by hand.”
    I shrug. “Every politician gets one of those one time or another.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Draper says. ‘That’s very true. But sometimes they’re more than just one of those. Sometimes there’s a final message that just happens to come out of the barrel of a gun.”
    â€œSometimes.”
    â€œYeah,” says Draper, getting up. “And that sometimes isn’t going to be in this city, not while I’m in this job. Because I like this job, and the reason I like it is because it’s smooth. I know the state of play between us and the rest, and all we have to do is a nice, clearly defined job.” He picks up the paper. “But this, this is messy. A worry I don’t need to worry about. If this kook delivers then we’re all in for a rousting, and I’m at the top of the heap.”
    He walks around the desk and stands in front of me. “And, of course, I’m also concerned that a lunatic with a gun should not interfere with our democratic process, a process that sums up everything that made this country great.”
    He delivers this line with an expression on his face which is totally at odds with the words he is saying. Which is Draper all over.
    He leans back and props himself up on the edge of his desk. Murdock shakes a cigarette out and lights up. “You don’t seem particularly concerned that some nut with a gun might be waiting in your brother’s closet when he gets to town.”
    â€œMaybe I don’t think the nut means to deliver.”
    â€œYou’re psychic, too.”
    I shrug.
    â€œOr maybe your brother’s where he is and you’re where you are and that kind of gets under your skin. Maybe it’s something like that.”
    Now Draper likes this kind of conversation, not just with me, with anyone. This is one of the reasons he likes his job, because it means he’s in a position to talk like this and not get whacked in the mouth.
    â€œIt could be, sir,” I tell him. “But I wouldn’t want a full- scale investigation on it.”
    â€œI always wondered how it came out the way it did. In your family, I mean. The fact that he’s there and you’re here. How does it come out that way? Was he born with more of his fair- share of endowments, and you were born with what you have? Or did the folks give him preferential treatment. I mean, I can see how they would, as you came first.”
    â€œWhenever I’m asked,” I tell Draper, “about my brother, I say, ‘Well, there’s always a black sheep in every family,’ and then I leave it for them to figure out which one.”
    â€œThat’s funny,” Draper says, “that’s a funny joke. If Cavett should ever have you on his show, remember that one, hey?”
    â€œI’ll write it down, to make sure.”
    Draper turns away and goes back behind his desk.
    â€œBolan has been given this one. Bolan is in charge of all security arrangements. What he says goes and it goes with my full backing. He can tie this town up any way he likes while your brother’s circus is performing.”
    I light a cigarette and wait for Draper to get to whatever point he’s making . He could reach it any time within the next sentence or the next thirty-six hours. “Now there’ll be your brother’s regular guys but what do they know?