The Sacrificial Circumcision of the Bronx by Arthur Nersesian Read Free Book Online Page A

way Bush drove as he talked, Paul’s first instinct was that the man was there on behalf of some higher-ups in the War Department who were launching their own probe. When they entered the restaurant, the maître d’ immediately recognized Mr. Bush and showed him to his “usual table.”
    In another moment, a fine bottle of French wine was uncorked and poured. Bush ordered two plates of filet mignon—both medium rare—then offered Paul an expensive Cuban cigar. Paul politely refused. That was when he first considered that the man might be representing corporate interests. Almost as soon as he thought this, Bush said, “The reason I’m here is because a group of us got heavily involved in America’s new tank project and, well, we think of it as our own baby.”
    “Success has many fathers, and failure is an orphan,” Paul replied.
    “Exactly, but success doesn’t come as quickly as we’d like. We’re trying to get this thing on its wobbly little feet without any problems, and at this stage, if any little thing comes up, it can have a big effect on the war effort.”
    “Doesn’t it help the baby if we heal it when it’s sick?”
    “We already know the hull is too thin. We’ve doubled the size of it, but we’re trying to keep it a little on the hush-hush.”
    “I read that the thickness was supposed to be five-eighths of an inch, but some where measured at a quarter-inch, and if you multiply that discrepancy by the four thousand tanks which the government commissioned, that’s a whole lot of clams saved.”
    “The tank in question, as you know, was put together from several different blueprints from French and English designs. So where exactly would you lay the blame?”
    “Which company manufactured the hull of the tanks that blew in and killed over thirty young American soldiers?” Paul asked coolly.
    Bush smiled and just stared at him as though he were a child. In the course of the next twenty minutes, as the subcontractor rattled off statistics to put the facts in a context that made them seem trivial, Paul’s food was taken away uneaten. Bush ordered a Baked Alaska and brandy, and then more brandy. Other patrons stopped by, shook Bush’s hand, and left.
    “You know, these tanks were finished way ahead of deadline. No one even thought they’d make it out onto the battlefield in time. Do you know how many infantry soldiers they have saved?”
    “They’re death machines for the two men inside.”
    “And we’ve already taken measures out on the field to have the tanks reinforced with one-inch plates riveted to their undercarriage.”
    “Then that should be made public too.”
    “Maybe it will soothe your mind, Captain Moses, to know that all this has already been brought to the attention of everyone from the attorney general to the inspector general’s office.”
    “Then why are you taking me out for dinner?”
    “Because, frankly, there is enough stuff here to start a congressional investigation, though that in itself doesn’t worry me. There are plenty of parties who can shoot smoke in all directions. What saddens me, and the reason I’m here spending my own dime and time, is the fact that this investigation could hurt our nation’s new tank project.” Some suited older man came over and gave Bush’s hand a shake. Bush shook back without even pausing. “And I think a delay would put America at a strategic disadvantage that could affect us for the next fifty years.”
    “You’re very popular,” Paul pointed out, referring to all the handshakes.
    “That’s how deals get made.”
    At this, Paul stood up and said, “If you can prove to me that these mistakes have been corrected and I don’t see any more reports of this type, I’ll consider sitting on it.”
    Bush said that he’d send Paul documents detailing all the changes underway as well as the new procedures they were using to temper the steel. “By the way, I’m very impressed by your credentials,” he added. “I don’t