Read Online The Court by William J. Coughlin - Free Book Online

basis alone.”
    â€œI can live with the disappointment.”
    Deering laughed. “Yeah. We have two men set up for consideration. We were ready to go with them last time, in case the committee cut up Howell. Now we have to take another look and decide which man stands the best chance of getting through those long knives up on Capitol Hill. And we have to know we aren’t getting a lemon.”
    â€œWho are they?”
    â€œYou know one, at least by reputation: O’Malley of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.”
    Green nodded. “A sound lawyer and a good judge, at least from all I’ve heard.”
    â€œYeah. But he’s a Catholic. That damn broad is a Catholic. It wouldn’t look good, at least under these circumstances, to appoint two Catholics in a row. Besides, O’Malley has handled some hot cases over the years. And you can be sure all the losers will troop into the Senate hearings to raise a howl. That’s the problem with nominating a sitting judge, he’s got a record, and unless the guy’s a wire walker he’s probably made some controversial decisions. Of course, O’Malley’s personal life is clean. He’s been in public life for a long time, so at least everything in that area is known, or so we hope.”
    â€œWho’s the other candidate?”
    Deering drew deeply on his cigar, then flicked the ash into his dish. “Ah, that’s where the mystery comes in. He’s dean of a law school. He worked for the President when he was trying for the nomination. The President likes him. And those are pretty good cards for openers.”
    â€œWhat’s the problem then?”
    â€œIn a way there isn’t any problem. He hasn’t decided any cases, so nobody is sore at him. He hasn’t taken any controversial public stands. He wrote a book on constitutional law, but it’s harmless; just a recap of a high school civics course, only in fancier language.” Deering sighed. “We had the FBI do the usual check. But you know how they do those things. They talk to a few coworkers, a neighbor or two, run his fingerprints, and that’s that. They don’t really dig down. The report says he’s great, but for all we know the guy might be a pervert or a spy. We really know very little about the real man.”
    â€œWhat do you want from me?”
    Deering again grew very serious. “Jerry, we want to know what makes this guy tick. We don’t want any surprises like that damn woman. The President wants to know what he can expect. And he thinks you’re the man who can do it. Anyway, it’ll give you a chance to go home again. You know, renew old acquaintances and all that.”
    Green was startled.
    â€œThe guy’s name is Roy Pentecost. Dean of the law school at Michigan State University. Isn’t that where you come from, Lansing, Michigan?”
    Green nodded slowly, experiencing a rush of conflicting discomforting emotions. “Yes. The university is in East Lansing, but it’s all part of.…”
    â€œAnd it’s also the state capital, right?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhen can you leave?” Deering asked. “Time is of the essence.”
    Green didn’t reply at once. He felt a sense of panic. It was not unlike the sensation aboard a roller coaster as it chugged to a towering summit; that breathless moment when the car is about to scream down the plunging track. It was fear. But the advantages of the White House offer outweighed any reservations about returning home, no matter how strong. “I’ll have to check with the other partners. I have to get their approval. I’ll call you this afternoon.”
    Deering looked at his watch. “Oh, Christ, I have to run. Listen, Jerry, here’s my card. Call as soon as possible, okay? The President is really anxious about this.”
    Green looked at the card. “And if I pass this guy?”
    Deering grinned as