Trevayne by Robert Ludlum Page B

realizing that the two men were trying to put him at ease. The President gestured for him to sit down and Hill brought him his glass.
    “We met once before, but I don’t suppose you recall, Mr. Trevayne.”
    “Of course, I do, Mr. President. It was four years ago, I think.”
    “That’s right. I was in the Senate, and you had done a remarkable job for State. I heard about your opening remarks at the trade conference. Did you know that the then-Secretary of State was very annoyed with you?”
    “I heard rumors. He never said anything to me, though.”
    “How could he?” interjected Hill. “You got the job done. He’d boxed himself into a corner.”
    “That’s what made it so amusing,” added the President.
    “At the time, it seemed the only way to thaw the freeze,” said Trevayne.
    “Excellent work. Excellent.” The President leaned forward in the armchair, looking at Trevayne. “I meant what I said about inconveniencing you this evening. I know we’ll meet again in the morning, but I felt tonight was important. I won’t waste words; I’m sure you’d like to get back to your hotel.”
    “No hurry, sir.”
    “That’s kind of you.” The Chief Executive smiled. “I know you met with Bobby Webster. How did it go?”
    “Very well, sir. I think I understand everything; I appreciate your offer of assistance.”
    “You’re going to need it. We weren’t sure we were going to ask you to come out here tonight. It depended on Webster.… The minute he left you he telephoned me here. On my instructions. Then we knew we had to get you over.”
    “Oh? Why was that?”
    “You told Webster that you’d spoken with no one but Frank Baldwin about the subcommittee. Is that correct?”
    “Yes, sir. Frank indicated that I shouldn’t. At any rate, there was no reason to talk to anyone about it; nothing was set.”
    The President of the United States looked over at William Hill, who stared intently at Trevayne. Hill returned the Chief Executive’s look, then pulled his attention back to Trevayne. Hill spoke softly, but with concern.
    “Are you
absolutely sure?
”
    “Of course.”
    “Did you mention it to your wife? Could she have said anything?”
    “I did, but she wouldn’t. I’m positive about that. Why do you ask?”
    The President spoke. “You’re aware that we sent out rumors that you were being approached for the job.”
    “They reached me, Mr. President.”
    “They were meant to. Are you also aware that the Defense Commission is composed of nine members—leaders in their respective fields, some of the most honored men in the country?”
    “Frank Baldwin said as much.”
    “Did he tell you that they agreed to a man not to reveal any decisions, any progress, any concrete information?”
    “No, he didn’t, but I can understand it.”
    “Good. Now, I must tell you this. A week ago we sent out another rumor. An authenticated rumor—agreed to by the commission—that you had categorically rejected the post. We left no room for doubt as to where you stood. The rumor was that you violently objected to the whole concept, considered it a dangerous encroachment. You even accused my administration of police-state tactics. It was the sort of suppressed information that experience tells us is most readily believed, because it’s embarrassing.”
    “And?” Trevayne did not try to conceal his annoyance. Not even the President of the United States had the right to attribute such judgments to him.
    “Word came back to us that you had not rejected, but, instead, accepted the post. Civilian and military intelligenceestablished the fact that in certain powerful sectors it was common knowledge. Our denial was ignored.”
    The President and the Ambassador remained silent, as if to let the importance of their revelation have an effect on Trevayne. The younger man looked bewildered, unsure of his reaction.
    “Then my ‘refusal’ wasn’t believed. That doesn’t surprise me. Those who know me probably doubted