Dana put her right hand on his knee. When she stopped at a red light, she leaned over and kissed him.
"What was that for?"
"That's a bribe."
"How much is it going to cost me?" he grumbled.
"I have this great idea," she announced. "Why don't we take in that new Brando film, and afterward we can have a scrumptious lobster dinner at the Old Potomac Inn, then go home, turn out the lights and-"
"Take me to the office," he said. "I have work to do."
"Please, Gene, don't push yourself," she pleaded. "There's time for your work tomorrow."
"No, now!" he said.
The chasm between them was uncrossable, and from now on, things would never be the same again.
21
Seagram looked down at the metal attaché case on his desk, then up at the colonel and the captain who were standing across from him. "There's no mistake on this?"
The colonel shook his head. "Researched and verified by the Director of Defense Archives, sir."
"That was fast work. Thank you."
The colonel made no attempt to leave. "Sorry, sir, I am to wait and return to the Department of Defense with the file on my person."
"By whose orders?"
"The Secretary," the colonel answered. "Defense Department policy dictates that all material classified as Code Five Confidential must be kept under surveillance at all times."
"I understand," Seagram said. "May I study the file alone?"
"Yes, sir. My aide and I will wait outside, but I must respectfully request that no one be allowed to enter or leave your office while the file is in your possession."
Seagram nodded. "All right, gentlemen, make yourselves comfortable. My secretary will be at your service for coffee and refreshments."
"Thank you for your courtesy, Mr. Seagram."
"And, one more thing," Seagram said, and smiled faintly. "I have my own private bathroom, so don't expect to see me for a while."
Seagram sat motionless for several moments after the door closed. The final vindication of five years work lay before his eyes. Or did it? Maybe the documents within the case would only lead to another mystery, or, worse yet, a dead end. He inserted the key into the case and opened it. Inside there were four folders and a small notebook. The labels on the folders read:
CD5C 7665 1911 Report on the scientific and monetary value of the rare element byzanium.
CD5C 7687 1911 Correspondence between Secretary of War and Joshua Hays Brewster examining the possible acquirement of byzanium.
CD5C 7720 1911 Memorandum by Secretary of War to the President regarding funds for Secret Army Plan 371-990-R85.
CD5C 8039 1912 Report of closed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Joshua Hays Brewster.
The notebook was simply entitled "Journal of Joshua Hays Brewster."
Logic dictated that Seagram study the folders first, but logic was set aside as he settled back in his chair and opened the journal.
Four hours later, he stacked the book neatly on top of the folders and pushed a button on the side of his intercom. Almost immediately a recessed panel in a side wall swung open and a man in a white technician's coat entered.
"How soon can you copy all this?"