King Cole by W.R. Burnett Read Free Book Online Page B

there.”
    They sat silently smoking for a long time, then Gregg finally said:
    “Read, I’m a little tight right now, been doing quite a lot of steady drinking since morning, so I feel like talking seriously. Do you mind?”
    Read glanced at his watch.
    “You’ll have to be quick about it. I’m playing hooky right now.”
    Gregg nervously lit a fresh cigarette and settled himself more comfortably.
    “N.P. sent Austeen out today. Did you know? They smell news. Can’t beat that bunch.”
    “I never met Austeen.”
    “He’s the smartest reporter in the U.S., I think. Read, just a little tip from another newspaperman; tread lightly with Austeen. N.P. has absolute confidence in him.”
    “I always tread lightly.”
    “I know you do. You always have. But that story about the sentiment in the farm districts changing by election day was a little heavy-footed. Just a little.”
    “That’s only the beginning.”
    Gregg looked at the table for a long time.
    “I see your point,” he said. “And it’s your own business. You know what you’re doing or you wouldn’t be Governor. You’ve picked your way pretty carefully. You haven’t had any Harry Daugherty to guide you. Ed Sullavan’s all right, but he’s no mastermind.” Gregg hesitated. “About Austeen. N.P. smells a rat or he wouldn’t be here. He’s a New York Jew. He’s not like us. You want him on your side, Read. You need him. Just take my tip, be careful with him.”
    “I always get along with the boys all right.”
    “I know. But he may antagonize you a little. Never mind. I’ve had my say. Just trying to help.” Gregg laughed and pulled on his cigarette, then he said slowly: “Read, I’m just tight enough to try once more to make you see the light.”
    “What light?”
    “Read, I know what this election means to you. If you’re elected against this kind of odds, you’ll be talked about for President. The Ohio boys have a way of getting the nominations. I know. But, Read, won’t you think it over?”
    Read was a little impatient now.
    “Think what over?”
    “I’m your friend,” said Gregg, “and I want to stay your friend. It would be easy for me to keep my mouth shut, you see? Instead, I’m talking. All right. Being a practical politician, you’re thinking about getting re-elected. Have you thought about the outcome?”
    “Outcome of what?”
    “Lord, I must be drunk if you have to keep asking me questions. Whether you’re elected or not your attitude is going to kick up one hell of a fuss. All the radicals will call you a Fascist. The liberals will call you worse than that. Everybody will say you’ve been bought up by the big fellows. Hundreds of thousands will hate your guts. This campaign of yours is an appeal to reaction. Did you ever think about that? You know the old world has gone bust. We’re as far from nineteen-twenty-eight as we are from eighteen-twenty-eight; farther. The system was beginning then; now it’s dead…”
    Read laughed.
    “You’ve been listening to Eagle Beak.”
    “Now wait a minute, Read…”
    “Nothing’s dead. We’ve had depressions before. Don’t be an ass.”
    Gregg called for the bill and they got up.
    “All right,” said Gregg, paying the check. “I was just trying to have my say. I’m your friend. But I wanted to be sure you knew what you were doing. Things are on the fence; they can go one way or another. In the future, I mean. You’ve always been a liberal. I just wondered if you wanted to be held responsible for a violent reaction…”
    They walked out into the gray November day. The sky was clearing a little toward the west and the sun was trying to shine. They shook hands.
    “Thanks, anyway,” said Read.
    “I’m for you,” said Gregg. “But I don’t like stuffed shirts. Never did. You’ve really got something inside that shirt of yours. Don’t lose it.”
     
    At four o’clock that afternoon, Read was learning that Gregg was a very