Overload

"Take your time," London told him. "Been doing plenty of thinking myself."

Nim couldn't believe it. Simply could not believe that Paul Sherman Yale would be a participant in power theft, even peripherally, even as a silent spectator. And yet . . . Nim. was reminded uneasily of their conversation at the cattle feedlot. What was it Paul Yale had said? "It's the inflated cost of everything that does us in . . . especially electricity. This operation runs on it. We use electric power for the mill . . . for forty thousand cattle . . . in the pens there are bright lights on all night . . . our power bills are astronomical." And later:

"I've told the trust manager, Ian Norris, to cut down, economize . . .We have to."

Even before then, on that day in the Napa Valley when Nim first met the Yales, Beth Yale betrayed her husband's bitterness, and her own, that their family trust was mismanaged and losing money.

Nim addressed Harry London. "One more question. Do you know if anyone-from your department, the police, or the D.A's office-bas contacted Mr. Yale about any of this?"

"I do know. No one has."

Nim paused, once more assessing all that he had heard. Then he announced, "Harry, this is too big for me. I'm going to hand it to the chairman."

The Property Protection chief nodded his agreement. "I figured you'd have to."

* * *

At 11 am next day they assembled in the chairman's office suite: Eric Humphrey, Nim, Harry London, Paul Sherman Yale.

Mr. Justice Yale, who had just been chauffeured from the Napa Valley, was especially jovial. His lined face beaming, he told the others, "Coming back to California has made me feel younger and happier. I should have done it years ago." Suddenly aware that no one else was smiling, he turned to Humphrey. "Eric, is anything wrong?"

Humphrey, while outwardly dapper and composed as usual, was inwardly uncomfortable, Nim could tell. He knew the chairman had approached this meeting with misgivings.

"Frankly, I'm not sure," Humphrey replied. "But some information has been reported to me which I believe you should be told about. Nim, please fill in the background for Mr. Yale."

In a few sentences Nim explained about the high incidence of power theft and the role in the company of Harry London, whom Mr. Justice Yale had not met previously.

While Nim talked, the old man's brow furrowed. He appeared puzzled and during a pause inquired, "How does my own work fit in with this?"

"Unfortunately," Humphrey said, "what we're discussing does not concern your work. There appear to be . . . well, some personal aspects."

Yale shook his head in a gesture of perplexity. "Now I'm even more at a loss. Will someone please explain?"

"Harry," Nim instructed, "you take over."

"Sir," London said, addressing Yale, "I believe you know an Ian Norris."

Was it imagination, Nim wondered, or had an expression of alarm for the briefest instant crossed Mr. Justice Yale's face? Probably not. Nim cautioned himself: Don't look for shadows that don't exist.

"Certainly I know Norris," Yale acknowledged. "He and I have business dealings. But I'm curious about your connection with him."

"My connection, sir, is that Norris is a thief. We have definite proof."

Harry London went on, describing what he had revealed to Nim yesterday about Norris' power stealing and the Yale Family Trust.

This time Paul Sherman Yale's reaction was unmistakable: In succession-incredulity, shock, anger.

At the end of London's recital, Eric Humphrey added, "I hope you understand, Paul, why I decided that this matter-painful as it is-had to be brought to your attention."

Yale nodded, his face flushed, still revealing the conflict of emotions.

"Yes, that part I understand. But as to the rest . . ." He spoke sternly to Harry London. "This is a serious accusation. Are you certain of your facts?"

"Yes, sir. Absolutely sure." London met the old man's gaze unflinchingly.

“The D.A. is definite, too. He believes he has ample evidence to convict."

Eric Humphrey interjected, "I should explain to you, Paul, that Mr. London's record with us has been outstanding. He has put teeth into our Property Protection program and shown himself to be a responsible executive. He is not given to making accusations lightly."

Nim added, "Especially one this serious."

"It is certainly serious." Mr. Justice Yale had regained his composure and was speaking in measured tones as if, Nim thought, he were once more occupying the highest judicial bench. "For the moment I accept what you gentlemen say, though later I will insist on examining the evidence."

"Naturally," Eric Humphrey said.

"Meanwhile," Yale continued, "I assume it is clearly understood and accepted that, until this moment, I had no knowledge myself of anything you have described."

Humphrey assured him, "That goes without saying. None of us had the slightest doubt of it. Our main concern was about embarrassment to you."

"And to Golden State Power," Nim added.

Yale shot him a quick, shrewd glance. "Yes, there is that to be considered." He permitted himself a slight smile. "Well, I thank you for your confidence in me."

"It never wavered," Humphrey said.

Briefly Nim wondered: Wasn't the chairman overdoing it a bit? then he thrust the thought away.

Paul Yale seemed to want to go on talking. "Apart from this unfortunate incident, I find the entire concept of power theft interesting. Frankly, I had no idea such a thing existed. I have never heard of it before. Nor did I know there were such people in the public utility business as Mr. London." He told the Property Protection chief, "On some other occasion I would be interested to hear more about your work."

"Be glad to fill you in anytime, sir."

They went on talking, the initial strain gone. It was arranged that later in the day Harry London would disclose to Mr. Justice Yale the detailed evidence relating to Ian Norris and the Yale Family Trust properties.

Yale announced his intention to retain private legal counsel to protect his interests vis-a-vis Norris. He explained, “The question of succession of trustees for that family trust has always been something of a problem.

My grandfather made provisions which were inelastic and have not worn well with time. It will require a court order to have Norris removed. In the circumstances, I shall seek it."

Nim contributed little to the discussion. Something, somewhere in his mind, was bothering him. He wasn't sure what.

* * *

Two days later, Harry London returned to Nim.

"Got some news you'll like about that Norris case."

Nim looked up from the latest draft of his NEI convention speech. "Such as?"

"Ian Norris has made a statement. He swears your friend Paul Sherman Yale knew nothing whatever about what was going on. So the old boy's story is confirmed."

Nim asked curiously, "Why would Norris make a statement?"

"Deals within wheels. I'm not sure the scales of justice are dead level, but here's the way it is: Norris' lawyer has been talking with the D.A.

First, it's been agreed GSP & L will be paid what's owing-or rather, what we estimate is owing, which is a helluva lot of money. After that, Norris will plead 'no contest' to a charge of criminal stealing under Section 591."

“What's that?"

'Part of the California Penal Code. Covers stealing from public utilities like us and the phone companies, and allows for a fine and a prison term of up to - five- -years. - Anyway, the- D.A. will -ask for the maximum fine but will agree not to press for imprisonment. Put it all together and there'll be no evidence presented in court, so the name of the Yale Family Trust won't be in the record."

Harry London stopped.

"Getting information from you," Nim complained, "is like drawing corks.

Tell me the rest of that under-the-counter deal."

"Some of it I don't know; probably never will. One thing that comes through is that our Mr. Yale has powerful friends. The D.A. bas been under pressure to get the case settled and keep the Yale name under wraps." London shrugged. "I suppose that's best for dear old GSP & L."

"Yes," Nim agreed, "it's best."

Afterward, with London gone, Nim sat, silent, thinking. It was true: there would have been harmful publicity for the company if one of its directors and its official spokesman had been intervened in a case of power theft, however innocently. Nim supposed he should feel relieved. Yet something continued to nag at him, as it had for two whole days, a burr in his subconscious, a conviction that he knew something important if he could only remember what.