The Fourth K

"Sure, he can," Christian said. "And he doesn't need advice from me on how to break balls. But I can give him a hand."

Christian could see that the Oracle and George Greenwell did not know what he was talking about. But Lawrence Salentine and Louis Inch were smiling slightly.

Inch said impatiently, "That's unimportant, not relevant to our meeting here tonight."

"What the hell is the purpose?" Christian said.

It was Salentine who answered him in a smooth calming voice-he was used to handling confrontations. "This is a very difficult time," he said. "I think even a dangerous time. All responsible people must work together for a solution. All the people here favor the deposing of President Ke

Christian was so astonished he could not answer. The Oracle broke in. "I agree. It will be better for Ke

His action today was completely irrational and springs from a desire for vengeance. It could lead to terrible events. Christian, I implore you to listen to these men."

Christian said very deliberately, "There is not one chance in hell." He spoke directly to the Oracle. "How could you be party to this? How can you, of all people, be against me?"

The Oracle shook his head. "I'm not against you," he said.

Salentine said, "He can't just destroy fifty billion dollars because he suffered a personal tragedy. That's not what democracy is about."

Christian had regained his composure. He said in a reasonable tone of voice, "That is not the truth. Francis Ke

You are a bunch of hypocrites."

For the first time, George Greenwell spoke. "What about the other hostages?

Are you willing to sacrifice them?"

And Christian shot back without thinking, "Yes." He paused and then said, "I think the President's way is the best possible chance to get them out alive."

Greenwell said, "Bert Audick is in Sherhaben now, as you know. He has assured us that he can persuade the hijackers and the Sultan to release the remaining hostages."

Christian said contemptuously, "I heard him assure the President of the United States that no harm would come to Theresa Ke

Salentine said, "Mr. Klee, we can argue all these minor points till doomsday. We haven't got the time. We were hoping you would join us and make it easier. What must be done will be done whether you agree to it or not. I assure you of that. But why make this struggle more divisive? Why not serve the President by working with us?"

Christian looked at him coldly. "Don't bullshit me. Let me tell you this,

I know you men carry a lot of weight in this country, weight that is unconstitutional. My office will investigate all of you as soon as this crisis is over."

Greenwell gave a sigh. The violent and senseless ire of young men was boring to a man of his experience and age. He said to Christian, "Mr. Klee, we all thank you for coming. And I hope there will be no personal animosity. We are acting to help our country."

Christian said, "You are acting to save Audick his fifty billion dollars." He had a flash of insight. These men did not have a real hope of recruiting him. This was simply an intimidation. That he would possibly remain neutral. Then he got their sense of fear. They feared him. That he had the power and, more important, he had the will. And the only one who could have warned them about him was the Oracle.

They were all silent. Then the Oracle said, "You can go, I know you have to get back. Call me and let me know what's happening. Keep me abreast."

Hurt by the Oracle's betrayal, Christian said, "You could have warned me."

The Oracle shook his head. "You wouldn't have come. And I couldn't convince my friends that you wouldn't sign. I had to give them their shot." He paused for a moment. "I'll see you out," he said to Christian.

And he rolled his wheelchair out of the room. Christian followed him.

Before Christian left the room, he turned to the Socrates Club and said, "Gentlemen, I beg of you, don't let the Congress do this." He gave off such a grave menace that nobody spoke.

When the Oracle and Klee were alone on the top of the ramp leading to the entrance foyer, the Oracle braced his wheelchair. He lifted his head, so freckled with the brown of aging skin, and said to Christian, "You are my godson, and you are my heir. All this doesn't change my affection for you. But be warned. I love my country and I perceive your Francis Ke

For the first time Christian Klee felt a bitterness against this old man he had always loved. "You and your Socrates Club have Francis by the balls," he said. "You people are the danger."

The Oracle was studying him. "But you don't seem too worried. Christian, I beg of you, don't be rash. Don't do something irrevocable. I know you have a great deal of power and, more important, a great deal of cu

"I don't know what you are talking about," Christian said. He was in a hurry now. He had his last stop to make before going back to the White House.

The Oracle sighed. "Remember, no matter what happens you still have my affection. You are the only living person I love. And if it is within my power I will never let anything happen to you. Call me, keep me abreast."

Even in his anger Christian felt again his old affection for the Oracle.

He squeezed his shoulder and said, "What the hell, it's only a political difference, we've had them before. Don't worry-I'll call you."

The Oracle gave him a crooked smile. "And don't forget my birthday party.

When this is all over. If we are both alive."

And Christian to his astonishment saw tears dropping onto the withered aged cheeks. He leaned over to kiss that face, parched, cool as glass.

Christian Klee was late getting back to the White House. His last stop had been to secretly interrogate Gresse and Tibbot.

He went directly to Oddblood Gray's office, but the secretary told him that Gray was having a conference with Congressman Jintz and Senator Lambertino. The secretary looked frightened. She had heard rumors that Congress was trying to remove President Ke

Christian said, "Buzz him, tell him it's important and let me use your desk and phone. You go to the ladies' room."

Gray answered the phone thinking he was talking to his secretary. "It'd better be important," he said.

Christian said, "Otto, it's Chris. Listen, I've just been asked by some guys in the Socrates Club to sign the removal memo. Dazzy was asked to sign, they tried to blackmail him over that affair with the dancer. I know Wix is on his way to Sherhaben, so he's not signing the petition. Are you signing?"

Oddblood Gray's voice was very silky. "It's fu

Christian said impatiently, "I knew you wouldn't sign, Otto. But I had to ask. But look, put out some lightning bolts. Tell those guys that as the Attorney General I'm launching an investigation into the blackmail threat on Dazzy. Also, that I have a lot of stuff on some of those congressmen and senators that won't look too good in the papers and I'll leak it.