The Fourth K: A Novel by Mario Puzo

Author:Mario Puzo [Puzo, Mario]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780345480798
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2012-01-04T08:00:00+00:00

The driver cut off the siren and they were gliding through the gates of the Oracle’s estate. Christian noted that there were three limousines waiting in the circular driveway. And it was curious that the drivers were in their seats behind the wheel and not outside smoking cigarettes. Beside each car lounged a tall well-dressed man. Christian nailed them at once. Bodyguards. So the Oracle had important visitors. And this must be why the old man had summoned him so urgently.

Christian was greeted by the butler, who led him to a living room furnished for a conference. The Oracle was in his wheelchair waiting. Around the table were four members of the Socrates Club. Christian was surprised to see them. His latest report had been that all four were in California.

The Oracle motored his wheelchair to the head of the table. “You must forgive me, Christian, for this slight deception,” he said. “I felt that it was important that you meet with my friends at this critical time. They are anxious to talk to you.”

Servants had set the conference table with coffee and sandwiches. There were also drinks being served, the servers summoned by a buzzer the Oracle could reach beneath the table. The four members of the Socrates Club had already refreshed themselves. Martin Mutford had lit a huge cigar and unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie. He looked a little grim, but Christian knew that this grimness was often a tightening of the muscles to conceal fear.

He said, “Martin, Eugene Dazzy told me one of your lobbyists gave him some bad advice today. I hope you had nothing to do with that.”

“Dazzy can weed out good from bad,” Mutford said. “Otherwise he wouldn’t be the President’s chief of staff.”

“Sure, he can,” Christian said. “And he doesn’t need advice from me on how to break balls. But I can give him a hand.”

Christian could see that the Oracle and George Greenwell did not know what he was talking about. But Lawrence Salentine and Louis Inch were smiling slightly.

Inch said impatiently, “That’s unimportant, not relevant to our meeting here tonight.”

“What the hell is the purpose?” Christian said.

It was Salentine who answered him in a smooth calming voice—he was used to handling confrontations. “This is a very difficult time,” he said. “I think even a dangerous time. All responsible people must work together for a solution. All the people here favor the deposing of President Kennedy for a period of thirty days. Congress will vote tomorrow night in special session. Vice President Du Pray’s refusal to sign makes things difficult, but not impossible. It would be very helpful if you as a member of the President’s personal staff would sign. That is what we are asking you to do.”

Christian was so astonished he could not answer. The Oracle broke in. “I agree. It will be better for Kennedy not to handle this particular issue. His action today was completely irrational and springs from a desire for vengeance. It could lead to terrible events.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.