what Adam had known from the beginning. He had made the wrong choice. He should never have given up Jennifer. Being with her again was a reminder of all that he had had, and thrown away, and he could not bear the thought of it.
He was in an impossible situation. A no-win situation, Blair Roman would have called it.
There was a knock on the door and Chuck Morrison, Adam’s chief assistant, came in carrying a cassette. “Can I talk to you a minute, Adam?”
“Can it wait, Chuck? I’m in the middle of—”
“I don’t think so.” There was excitement in Chuck Morrison’s voice.
“All right. What’s so urgent?”
Chuck Morrison moved closer to the desk. “I just got a telephone call. It could be some crazy, but if it’s not, then Christmas came early this year. Listen to this.”
He placed a cassette in the machine on Adam’s desk, pressed a switch and the tape began to play.
What did you say your name was?
It doesn’t matter. I won’t talk to anyone except Senator Warner.
The Senator is busy just now. Why don’t you drop him a note and I’ll see to—
No! Listen to me. This is very important. Tell Senator Warner I can deliver Michael Moretti to him. I’m taking my life in my hands making this phone call. Just give Senator Warner the message.
All right. Where are you?
I’m at the Capitol Motel on Thirty-second Street. Room Fourteen. Tell him not to come until after dark and to make sure he’s not followed. I know you’re taping this. If you play the tape for anyone but him, I’m a dead man.
There was a click and the tape ended.
Chuck Morrison said, “What do you think?”
Adam frowned. “The town is full of cranks. On the other hand, our boy sure knows what bait to use, doesn’t he? Michael—by God—Moretti!”
At ten o’clock that night, Adam Warner, accompanied by four secret service men, cautiously knocked at the door of Room 14 of the Capitol Motel. The door was opened a crack.
The moment Adam saw the face of the man inside, he turned to the men with him and said, “Stay outside. Don’t let anyone near this place.”
The door opened wider and Adam stepped into the room.
“Good evening, Senator Warner.”
“Good evening, Mr. Colfax.”
The two men stood there appraising each other.
Thomas Colfax looked older than when Adam had last seen him, but there was another difference, almost indefinable. And then Adam realized what it was. Fear. Thomas Colfax was frightened. He had always been a self-assured, almost arrogant man, and now that self-assurance had disappeared.
“Thank you for coming, Senator.” Colfax’s voice sounded strained and nervous.
“I understand you want to talk to me about Michael Moretti.”
“I can lay him in your lap.”
“You’re Moretti’s attorney. Why would you want to do that?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Let’s say I decided to go along with you. What would you expect in return?”
“First, complete immunity. Second, I want to get out of the country. I’ll need a passport and papers—a new identity.”
So Michael Moretti had put out a contract on Thomas Colfax. It was the only explanation for what was happening. Adam could hardly believe his good fortune. It was the best possible break he could have had.
“If I get immunity for you,” Adam said, “—and I’m not promising you anything yet—you understand that I would expect you to go into court and testify fully. I would want everything you’ve got.”
“You’ll have it.”
“Does Moretti know where you are now?”
“He thinks I’m dead.” Thomas Colfax smiled nervously. “If he finds me, I will be.”
“He won’t find you. Not if we make a deal.”
“I’m putting my life in your hands, Senator.”
“Frankly,” Adam informed him, “I don’t give a damn about you. I want Moretti. Let’s lay down the ground rules. If we come to an agreement, you’ll get all the protection the government can give you. If I’m satisfied with your testimony, we’ll provide you with enough money to live in any country you choose under an assumed identity. In return for that, you’ll have to agree to the following: I’ll want full testimony from you regarding Moretti’s activities. You’ll have to testify before a grand jury, and when we bring Moretti to trial, I’ll expect you to be a witness for the government. Agreed?”
Thomas Colfax looked away. Finally he said, “Tony Granelli must be turning over in his grave. What happens to people? Whatever happened to honor?”
Adam had no answer. This was a man who had cheated the law a hundred times, who had gotten paid killers off