Once more he dialed.
«Central Intelligence. Mr. Andrews’ office.» It was a male voice.
«My name is Tanner. John Tanner. Director of News for Standard Mutual in New York.»
«Yes, Mr. Tanner? Are you calling Mr. Andrews?»
«Yes. Yes, I guess I am.»
«I’m sorry, he’s not in today. May I help you?»
«Actually, I’m trying to locate Laurence Fassett.»
«Who?»
«Fassett. Laurence Fassett. He’s with your agency. It’s urgent I speak with him. I believe he’s in the New York area.»
«Is he connected with this department?»
«I don’t know. I only know he’s with the Central Intelligence Agency. I told you, it’s urgent! An emergency, to be exact!» Tanner was beginning to perspire. This was no time to be talking to a clerk.
«All right, Mr. Tanner. I’ll check our directory and locate him. Be right back.»
It was a full two minutes before he returned. The voice was hesitant but very precise.
«Are you sure you have the right name?»
«Of course, I am.»
«I’m sorry, but there’s no Laurence Fassett listed with the switchboard or in any index.»
«That’s impossible!… Look, I’ve been working with Fassett!… Let me talk with your superior.» Tanner remembered how Fassett, even Jenkins, kept referring to those who had been «cleared» for Omega.
«I don’t think you understand, Mr. Tanner. This is a priority office. You called for my associate … my subordinate, if you like. My name is Dwight. Mr. Andrews refers decisions of this office to me.»
«I don’t care who you are! I’m telling you this is an emergency! I think you’d better reach someone in much higher authority than yourself, Mr. Dwight. I can’t put it plainer. That’s all! Do it now! I’ll hold on!»
«Very well. It may take a few minutes …»
«I’ll hold.»
It took seven minutes, an eternity of strain for Tanner, before Dwight returned to the line.
«Mr. Tanner, I took the liberty of checking your own position so I assume you’re responsible. However, I can assure you you’ve been misled. There’s no Laurence Fassett with the Central Intelligence Agency. There never has been.»
23
Tanner hung up the telephone and supported himself on the edge of the sink. He pushed himself off and walked mindlessly out the kitchen door onto the backyard patio. The sky was dark. A breeze rustled the trees and caused ripples on the surface of the pool. There was going to be a storm, thought Tanner, as he looked up at the clouds. A July thunderstorm was closing in.
Omega was closing in.
With or without Fassett, Omega was real, that much was clear to Tanner. It was real because he had seen and sensed its power, the force it generated, capable of removing a Laurence Fassett, of manipulating the decisions and the personnel of the country’s prime intelligence agency.
Tanner knew there was no point trying to reach Jenkins. What had Jenkins said in the living room during the early morning hours?… «If you point at me, I’ll deny everything…» If Omega could silence Fassett, silencing Jenkins would be like breaking a toy.
There had to be a starting point, a springboard that could propel him backward through the lies. He didn’t care any longer; it just had to end, his family kept safe. It wasn’t his war any more. His only concern was Ali and the children.
Tanner saw the figure of Osterman through the kitchen window.
That was it! Osterman was his point of departure, his break with Omega! He walked quickly back inside.
Leila sat at the table while Bernie stood by the stove boiling water for coffee.
«We’re leaving,» Bernie said. «Our bag’s packed; I’ll call for a taxi.»
«Why?»
«Something’s terribly wrong,» said Leila, «and it’s none of our business. We’re not involved and we don’t care to be.»
«That’s what I want to talk to you about. Both of you.»
Bernie and Leila exchanged looks.
«Go ahead,» said Bernie.
«Not here. Outside.»
«Why outside?»
«I don’t want Ali to hear.»
«She’s asleep.»
«It’s got to be outside.»
The three of them walked past the pool to the rear of the lawn. Tanner turned and faced them.
«You don’t have to lie any more. Either of you. I just want my part over with. I’ve stopped caring.» He paused for a moment «I know about Omega.»
«About what?» asked Leila.
«Omega … Omega!» Tanner’s voice—his whisper—was pained. «I don’t care! So help me God, I don’t care!»
«What are you talking about?» Bernie watched the news director, taking a step towards him. Tanner backed away. «What’s the matter?»
«For God’s sake, don’t do this!»
«Don’t do what?»
«I told you! It doesn’t make any difference to me! Just please! Please! Leave Ali and the kids alone. Do whatever you want with me!… Just leave them alone!»
Leila reached out and put her hand on Tanner’s arm. «You’re hysterical, Johnny. I don’t know what you’re talking about.»
Tanner looked down at Leila’s hand and blinked back his tears. «How can you do this? Please! Don’t lie any longer. I don’t think I could stand that.»
«Lie about what?»
«You never heard about any bank accounts in Switzerland? In Zurich?»
Leila withdrew her hand and the Ostermans stood motionless. Finally, Bernie spoke quietly. «Yes, I’ve heard of bank accounts in Zurich. We’ve got a couple.»
Leila looked at her husband.
«Where did you get the money?»
«We make a great deal of money,» answered Bernie cautiously. «You know that. If it would ease whatever’s troubling you, why don’t you call our accountant. You’ve met Ed Marcum. There’s no one better … or cleaner … in California.»
Tanner was confused The simplicity of Osterman’s reply puzzled him; it was so natural. «The Cardones, the Tremaynes. They’ve got Zurich accounts, too?»
«I guess they have. So do fifty percent of the people I know on the coast.»
«Where did they get the money?»
«Why don’t you ask them?» Osterman kept his voice quiet.
«You know!»
«You’re being foolish,» said Leila. «Both Dick and Joe are very successful men. Joe probably more than any of us.»
«But why Zurich? What’s in Zurich?»
«A degree of freedom,» answered Bernie softly.
«That’s it! That’s what you were selling last night! ‘What do you want most?,’ you said. Those were your words!»
«There’s a great deal of money to be made in Zurich, I won’t deny that.»
«With Omega! That’s how you make it, isn’t it? Isn’t it?»
«I don’t know what that means,» said Bernie, now apprehensive himself.
«Dick and Joe! They’re with Omega! So are you! The ‘Chasm of Leather!’ Information for Zurich! Money for information!»
Leila grabbed her husband’s hand. «The phone calls, Bernie! The messages.»
«Leila, please… Listen, Johnny. I swear to you I don’t know what you’re talking about. Last night I offered to help you and I meant it. There are investments being made; I was offering you money for investments. That’s all.»