“Not here in Washington, anyhow,” said Denny.

Clearly the courts in Roath were more amenable to Denny’s wishes.

“Alternatively,” George said, “we could negotiate.”

“What would that involve?”

“A phased introduction of more black employees at all levels.”

“Promise them anything!” said Denny.

“They’re not completely stupid, and payments would be tied to compliance.”

“What do you think they’ll want?”

“The Justice Department doesn’t really care, so long as they can say they’ve made a difference. But they will consult with black organizations in your town.” George glanced down at the file on his desk. “This case was brought to the Justice Department by Roath Christians for Equal Rights.”

“Fucking Communists,” said Denny.

“The Justice Department will probably agree to any compromise that has the approval of that group. It gets them and you out of the department’s hair.”

Denny reddened. “You better not be telling me I have to negotiate with the goddamn Roath Christians.”

“It’s the smart way to go if you want a quick solution to your problem.”

Denny bristled.

George added: “But you don’t have to see them personally. In fact I recommend you don’t speak to them at all.”

“Then who will negotiate with them?”

“I will,” said George. “I’ll fly down there tomorrow.”

The mayor grinned. “And you being, you know, the color you are, you’ll be able to talk them into backing down.”

George wanted to strangle the dumb prick. “I don’t want you to misunderstand me, Mr. Mayor—Denny, I should say. You will have to make some real changes. My job is to make sure they’re as painless as possible. But you’re an experienced political leader, and you know the importance of public relations.”

“That’s the truth.”

“If there’s any talk of the Roath Christians backing down, it could sabotage the whole deal. Better for you to take the line that you’ve graciously made some small concessions, much against your will, in order to get your airport built for the good of the town.”

“Gotcha,” Denny said with a wink.

Without realizing it, Denny had agreed to reverse a decades-old practice and employ more blacks at his airport. This was a small victory, but George relished it. However, Denny would not be happy unless he could tell himself and others that he had pulled a fast one. Best, perhaps, to go along with the delusion.

George winked back.

As the delegation from Tennessee was leaving the office, George’s secretary gave him a strange look and a slip of paper.

It was a typed phone message: “There will be a prayer meeting at the Barney Circle Full Gospel Church tomorrow at six.”

The secretary’s look said this was a strange way for a high-powered Washington lawyer to spend the cocktail hour.

George knew the message was from Maria.

• • •

Cam did not like Tim Tedder. He wore a safari suit and had a soldier’s short haircut. He had no sideburns, at a time when almost everyone wore sideburns. Cam felt Tedder was too gung ho. He clearly relished everything clandestine. Cam wondered what Tedder would have said if asked to kill Jasper Murray rather than just wiretap him.