Shadow Knight's Mate by Jay Brandon Page B

the policy idea was his. No one denied that. No one else wanted to take credit from him, frankly. And this was the kind of young man who could spread a phrase, if his flame of fandom were to be fanned just a little.
    â€œThat’s very kind, Bentley,” Wilkerson interrupted. “Deputy press secretary, you said? Well, I hope you get the chance to write some press releases that will spread your take on the—the doctrine.”
    â€œAbsolutely, sir. I’ve already written a couple, but unfortunately they haven’t made it into the final versions of the releases. What I need…”
    The young man paused, glancing around. Wilkerson unconsciously leaned toward him. “What is it, Bentley? Anything I can help with? I have a little influence.” He chuckled again.
    â€œIt’s not that, sir. The problem I’ve encountered—and I mean even for myself—is not having quite a clear understanding of all the ramifications of the Wilkerson Doctrine. The, well, the subtleties, sir. The consequences. I’m sure you’ve thought all that out. Overcoming the danger of not having intelligence field operatives, for example. I’ve been asked about that a lot, and so far I haven’t come up with a good answer.”
    â€œBelieve me, the President and I have that well in hand.”
    â€œOh, I was sure you did, sir. And I’m not asking for information. I just want to understand the basic tenets of the doctrine. I have some friends who feel the same way. We’re trying to spread the good word, but don’t feel entirely equipped. We feel like—disciples without a gospel, you might say.”
    Wilkerson was struck by the phrase, especially the word ‘disciples’. “You’ve read my paper?”
    â€œOh, of course. Several times. But…”
    â€œYou want more,” Wilkerson said confidentially, understanding.
    â€œYes, sir. That’s it exactly. An expansion. A … a commentary on the text, as it were. So far people have just seen the
Cliff’s Notes
version, and I think if we had an amplification…”
    Wilkerson was nodding along. “I expect to have an article coming out shortly…” he said slowly, but saw he’d disappointed his disciple.
    â€œThat will be wonderful, sir.” Bentley’s sincere young face said otherwise. His voice dropping, he said, “We’ll wait for that.”
    Before he could turn away again, Wilkerson stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Wait. I have a better idea, Bentley. One article is all fine, but if there were a group of us, all spreading the word at once, we could get the explanation across much faster.”
    Bentley’s eyes brightened again. “That’s a wonderful idea, sir. A rash of articles instead of just one. A virus of information, spreading through all the media. Until people understand the Wilkerson Doctrine fully it won’t gain the acceptance it deserves.”
    Dennis Wilkerson smiled, modestly he hoped. “Can you think of anyone you might recruit to this team?”
Perhaps eleven friends?
    â€œAs a matter of fact, sir, I have a few friends who already meet in a sort of study group. One works in the House, one at State, things like that. All very junior, like me, but if we understand fully, we can start—”
    â€œSpreading the word,” Wilkerson said. “When’s your next meeting?”
    Bentley looked embarrassed. “Tonight, actually. I’m sure you already have commitments. We could certainly re-schedule—”
    Wilkerson chuckled indulgently at his young disciple’s earnestness. “Tonight would be fine, Bentley. Shall we say eight? Where?”
    Bentley offered to bring the whole group bodily to whatever location Wilkerson might suggest, but the NSA graciously agreed to come to Bentley’s apartment. The address was in Georgetown, as he would have expected. Family money supplementing an