(1976) The R Document by Irving Wallace Page A

grind. Anyone from the FBI would be suspect. As I mentioned before, I’ve been thinking of Collins. I’d rather send someone like Chris Collins. He doesn’t wear a uniform, so to speak. An Attorney General would more likely be regarded as a civilian.’
    ‘Umm. Collins. … I’ve been thinking about him, too–—
    I’m not sure about him. I don’t know if he’s strong enough or has the conviction -‘
    ‘Exactly. His weakness can be assets in this case. Give him more credibility. Actually, Vernon, I have no real doubts about him. He’s clearly on our side. He knows where his job is buttered. He understates, which in this situation is good, yet he carries the authority of his office. Last week we discussed sending him to California. But now I think he should play a bigger role.’
    ‘What do you have in mind? Scheduling him for a speaking tour up and down the state?’
    ‘No, that would seem too much like programmed propaganda.’ The President thought about it. ‘Something less
    obvious.’ The President snapped his fingers. ‘I just remembered. I had a notion yesterday - Yes, if it could be worked out -I asked Miss Ledger to look into it. You see, Vernon, it occurred to me that if Collins had to be in California because he had specific business there, then it would all appear more natural. One second.’
    He buzzed for Miss Ledger.
    Almost instantly, the door on the far side of the room opened and she appeared.
    ‘Miss Ledger, do you recall - Yesterday when I was leaving I asked you to look into the conventions that have been set up in California - anything taking place in the next two weeks or so - an event where it might be logical for the Attorney General to speak.’
    ‘Yes,’ she said. I had an answer to my inquiries an hour ago. I didn’t want to disturb you.’
    ‘Well, is there anything?’
    ‘You’re in luck, Mr President. The American Bar Association is having its annual national meeting in Los Angeles from Monday through Friday.’
    The President came to his feet, beaming. ‘Perfect. Just great. You get right on the phone to the President of the ABA - he’s an old friend - and tell him I’d appreciate it very much if he could book Attorney General Collins in as their main guest speaker the last day of the convention.’
    Miss Ledger looked troubled. ‘It won’t be easy, Mr President. I learned they already have all their guest speakers set, and the main one appearing on the ABA Presidential Program on Friday at 3 p.m. is Chief Justice John G. Maynard.’
    ‘What’s the difference?’ said the President. ‘Now they can have two main guest speakers. Attorney General Collins can either precede or follow the Chief Justice. You tell them I’d consider their doing that as a personal favor.’
    ‘I’ll call immediately, Mr President.’
    After Miss Ledger had gone back to her office, President Wadsworth remained standing. ‘Well, that’s taken care of. I’ll inform Collins. I’ll get him to give a very generalized speech on the changing approach to criminal justice. He can allude to the 35th Amendment as the hope of the future, and speak of the historic role California will play when it ratifies.
    I think a fair number of the state legislators will be in the audience. Maybe Collins can hold an informal cocktail party for them afterwards, do a little low-key lobbying. Well, I guess that takes care of…’
    He was looking down at the memorandums spread on his desk. Suddenly, he snatched up one piece of paper.
    ‘I almost forgot, Vernon. There’s another matter. The television show. Did I speak to you about it?’
    ‘No, Mr President.’
    ‘There’s a national network television show that originates from some locale prominent in the news each week. A Miss - Miss - ‘ He squinted at the memorandum. ‘ - Miss Monica Evans, the producer of this half-hour show, phoned McKnight. Apparently she’s an old friend of his. The end of next week they want to tape a debate in Los Angeles on