leading light at the State Department, Dwight felt he would get reliable inside information. In addition,
Dudley had been terribly embarrassed by the fact that Dwight had heard first from those awful Nicaraguan people about Sally’s
whereabouts. Dwight sat in his office and waited for him, without much to do. The baseball season hadn’t started yet, so there
was nothing but women’s programs on TV.
The two old friends greeted each other heartily.
“Sorry I couldn’t make lunch, Dwight, because I’ve a heck of a schedule here in Boston today. Gave them your office number
here, in case something comes in. I hope that’s all right.”
“Of course. How’re things in Washington?”
“What’s not tying itself into knots is unraveling,”Harrison Sloane Dudley said without too much concern. “Pity about this wretched thing with Sally. They found her suitcase
with her passport inside. It was left on some hillside, apparently. The Salvadoran army thinks it’s been planted there to
trap them and they refuse to send troops into the area. Which may be a blessing in a way, because they seem to cause as much
harm as good whenever they actually get around to doing something. No note or any—thing like a message in her hotel room.
But unlike Bennett Ward, who seems to have been abducted at gunpoint from the hotel, she left of her own free will. Very confusing.
The Ward boy’s body will arrive here in Boston tomorrow.”
“I’ve spoken to his parents,” Dwight said, “and of course I’ll attend the funeral. It’s decent of them to keep Sally’s name
out of this. I must say I appreciate your efforts also.”
Dudley looked uncomfortable. “You can’t allow your—self to be blackmailed in this matter.”
Dwight looked at him in surprise. “But I’m not. I was the one who told you about that Nicaraguan’s demands.”
“Quite so. However, any softening of your position as evidenced by the content of newscasts from the TV stations you control
could create major tax, licensing and other difficulties for you.”
Dwight’s mouth dropped open in indignation, and a red flush crept over his jowls. “Are you threatening me?”
“Passing along a message and not mincing my words, as promised. Sorry.”
“Now that we know what’s required of me”—Dwight’s voice trembled with anger—”what the hell are you people doing about my daughter’s
plight?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s about as I guessed.”
“I’m being straight with you,” Harrison said. “Next time she shows, we’ll go all out to rescue her. But as you know, we can’t
do much because of possible political repercussions—the U.S. Army is in El Salvador solely inan advisorial role, and the hands of the CIA are tied. I just hope we don’t have a Patty Hearst-type scenario here, Dwight.”
Poynings looked aghast. “Sally would never do that to me.”
This was enough to confirm in Dudley’s mind that Sally very likely would.
The executive secretary buzzed. “Call for Mr. Dudley.”
He was on the phone for a time, and Dwight moved politely out of earshot. If his old friend Harrison Dudley could sit there
and threaten him with income-tax audits and the loss of his broadcast licenses, it was imperative he take action on this mess
himself. What could the girl be doing down there? He understood about the boy’s wanting to make films and that. But what was
she doing now?
This Chips Stadnick person who was due at three would be a start. Certainly Stadnick was his only contact in this rather shady
area, although he had never met him.
Dwight looked at Harrison impatiently. They had nothing more to talk about. If at all possible—meaning that if it did not
interfere with Harrison’s own interests—he would look out for Dwight. That did not need to be stated between them. What friends
are for. Dwight wished the fellow would get off the phone and go.
Harrison finally replaced the receiver and stood.
Dudley had been terribly embarrassed by the fact that Dwight had heard first from those awful Nicaraguan people about Sally’s
whereabouts. Dwight sat in his office and waited for him, without much to do. The baseball season hadn’t started yet, so there
was nothing but women’s programs on TV.
The two old friends greeted each other heartily.
“Sorry I couldn’t make lunch, Dwight, because I’ve a heck of a schedule here in Boston today. Gave them your office number
here, in case something comes in. I hope that’s all right.”
“Of course. How’re things in Washington?”
“What’s not tying itself into knots is unraveling,”Harrison Sloane Dudley said without too much concern. “Pity about this wretched thing with Sally. They found her suitcase
with her passport inside. It was left on some hillside, apparently. The Salvadoran army thinks it’s been planted there to
trap them and they refuse to send troops into the area. Which may be a blessing in a way, because they seem to cause as much
harm as good whenever they actually get around to doing something. No note or any—thing like a message in her hotel room.
But unlike Bennett Ward, who seems to have been abducted at gunpoint from the hotel, she left of her own free will. Very confusing.
The Ward boy’s body will arrive here in Boston tomorrow.”
“I’ve spoken to his parents,” Dwight said, “and of course I’ll attend the funeral. It’s decent of them to keep Sally’s name
out of this. I must say I appreciate your efforts also.”
Dudley looked uncomfortable. “You can’t allow your—self to be blackmailed in this matter.”
Dwight looked at him in surprise. “But I’m not. I was the one who told you about that Nicaraguan’s demands.”
“Quite so. However, any softening of your position as evidenced by the content of newscasts from the TV stations you control
could create major tax, licensing and other difficulties for you.”
Dwight’s mouth dropped open in indignation, and a red flush crept over his jowls. “Are you threatening me?”
“Passing along a message and not mincing my words, as promised. Sorry.”
“Now that we know what’s required of me”—Dwight’s voice trembled with anger—”what the hell are you people doing about my daughter’s
plight?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s about as I guessed.”
“I’m being straight with you,” Harrison said. “Next time she shows, we’ll go all out to rescue her. But as you know, we can’t
do much because of possible political repercussions—the U.S. Army is in El Salvador solely inan advisorial role, and the hands of the CIA are tied. I just hope we don’t have a Patty Hearst-type scenario here, Dwight.”
Poynings looked aghast. “Sally would never do that to me.”
This was enough to confirm in Dudley’s mind that Sally very likely would.
The executive secretary buzzed. “Call for Mr. Dudley.”
He was on the phone for a time, and Dwight moved politely out of earshot. If his old friend Harrison Dudley could sit there
and threaten him with income-tax audits and the loss of his broadcast licenses, it was imperative he take action on this mess
himself. What could the girl be doing down there? He understood about the boy’s wanting to make films and that. But what was
she doing now?
This Chips Stadnick person who was due at three would be a start. Certainly Stadnick was his only contact in this rather shady
area, although he had never met him.
Dwight looked at Harrison impatiently. They had nothing more to talk about. If at all possible—meaning that if it did not
interfere with Harrison’s own interests—he would look out for Dwight. That did not need to be stated between them. What friends
are for. Dwight wished the fellow would get off the phone and go.
Harrison finally replaced the receiver and stood.
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