Read Online The Rhinemann Exchange by Robert Ludlum - Free Book Online
Authors: Robert Ludlum
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is concerned with a contractual interpretation.”
“I’m
not.
”
“I
have
to be,” replied Oliver. “The War Department has refused payment to Meridian Aircraft Corporation. We have a contract.…”
“Take the goddamned contract up with someone else!”
“Anger won’t solve anything.” Vandamm spoke harshly.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Undersecretary, but I’m not here to discuss
contractual interpretations.
”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to, General Swanson.” Vandamm now spoke calmly. “The Disbursement Office has withheld payment to Meridian on
your
negative authorization. You haven’t cleared it.”
“Why should I? The aircraft can’t do the job we expected.”
“It
can
do the job you contracted for,” said Oliver, moving his thick neck from Vandamm to the brigadier general. “Rest assured, general, our best efforts are being poured into the
intended
maximum guidance system. We’re expending all our resources. We’ll reach a breakthrough, we’re convinced of that. But until we do, we expect the contracts to be honored. We’ve met the guarantees.”
“Are you suggesting that we take the aircraft
as is?
”
“It’s the finest bomber in the air.” Jonathan Craft spoke. His soft, high voice was a weak exclamation that floated to a stop. He pressed his delicate fingers together in what he believed was emphasis.
Swanson disregarded Craft and stared at the small face and magnified eyes of the ATCO scientist, Gian Spinelli. “What about the
gyros?
Can you give me an answer, Mr. Spinelli?”
Howard Oliver intruded bluntly. “Use the existing systems. Get the aircraft into combat.”
“
No!
” Swanson could not help himself. His was the roar of disgust, let Undersecretary Vandamm say what he liked. “Our strategies call for round-the-clock strikes into the deepest regions of Germany. From all points—known and unknown. Fields in England, Italy, Greece … yes, even unlisted bases in Turkey and Yugoslavia; carriers in the Mediterranean and, goddamn it, the Black Sea! Thousands and thousands of planes crowding the air corridors for space. We need the extra altitude! We need the guidance systems to operate at those altitudes! Anything less is unthinkable!… I’m sorry, Mr. Vandamm. I believe I’m justifiably upset.”
“I understand,” said the white-haired Undersecretary of State. “That’s why we’re here this afternoon. To look for solutions … as well as money.” The old gentleman shifted his gaze to Craft. “Can you add to Mr. Oliver’s remarks, from Packard’s vantage point?”
Craft disengaged his lean, manicured fingers and took a deep breath through his nostrils as if he were about to deliver essential wisdom. The executive font of knowledge, thought Alan Swanson, jockeying for a chairman’s approval.
“Of course, Mr. Undersecretary. As the major subcontractor for Meridian, we’ve been as disturbed as the general over the lack of guidance results. We’ve spared nothing to accommodate. Mr. Spinelli’s presence is proof of that. After all, we’re the ones who brought in ATCO.…” Here Craft smiled heroically, a touch sadly. “As we all know, ATCO is the finest—and most costly. We’ve spared
nothing.
”
“You brought in ATCO,” said Swanson wearily, “because your own laboratories couldn’t do the job. You submitted cost overruns to Meridian which were passed on to us. I don’t see that you spared a hell of a lot.”
“Good Lord, general!” exclaimed Craft with very little conviction. “The
time
, the
negotiations
… time is money, sir; make no mistake about
that.
I could show you.…”
“The general asked
me
a question. I should like to answer him.”
The words, spoken with a trace of dialect, came from the tiny scientist, who was either dismissing Craft’s nonsense, or oblivious to it, or, somehow, both.
“I’d be grateful, Mr. Spinelli.”
“Our progress has been consistent, steady if you like. Not rapid. The problems are
“I’m
not.
”
“I
have
to be,” replied Oliver. “The War Department has refused payment to Meridian Aircraft Corporation. We have a contract.…”
“Take the goddamned contract up with someone else!”
“Anger won’t solve anything.” Vandamm spoke harshly.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Undersecretary, but I’m not here to discuss
contractual interpretations.
”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to, General Swanson.” Vandamm now spoke calmly. “The Disbursement Office has withheld payment to Meridian on
your
negative authorization. You haven’t cleared it.”
“Why should I? The aircraft can’t do the job we expected.”
“It
can
do the job you contracted for,” said Oliver, moving his thick neck from Vandamm to the brigadier general. “Rest assured, general, our best efforts are being poured into the
intended
maximum guidance system. We’re expending all our resources. We’ll reach a breakthrough, we’re convinced of that. But until we do, we expect the contracts to be honored. We’ve met the guarantees.”
“Are you suggesting that we take the aircraft
as is?
”
“It’s the finest bomber in the air.” Jonathan Craft spoke. His soft, high voice was a weak exclamation that floated to a stop. He pressed his delicate fingers together in what he believed was emphasis.
Swanson disregarded Craft and stared at the small face and magnified eyes of the ATCO scientist, Gian Spinelli. “What about the
gyros?
Can you give me an answer, Mr. Spinelli?”
Howard Oliver intruded bluntly. “Use the existing systems. Get the aircraft into combat.”
“
No!
” Swanson could not help himself. His was the roar of disgust, let Undersecretary Vandamm say what he liked. “Our strategies call for round-the-clock strikes into the deepest regions of Germany. From all points—known and unknown. Fields in England, Italy, Greece … yes, even unlisted bases in Turkey and Yugoslavia; carriers in the Mediterranean and, goddamn it, the Black Sea! Thousands and thousands of planes crowding the air corridors for space. We need the extra altitude! We need the guidance systems to operate at those altitudes! Anything less is unthinkable!… I’m sorry, Mr. Vandamm. I believe I’m justifiably upset.”
“I understand,” said the white-haired Undersecretary of State. “That’s why we’re here this afternoon. To look for solutions … as well as money.” The old gentleman shifted his gaze to Craft. “Can you add to Mr. Oliver’s remarks, from Packard’s vantage point?”
Craft disengaged his lean, manicured fingers and took a deep breath through his nostrils as if he were about to deliver essential wisdom. The executive font of knowledge, thought Alan Swanson, jockeying for a chairman’s approval.
“Of course, Mr. Undersecretary. As the major subcontractor for Meridian, we’ve been as disturbed as the general over the lack of guidance results. We’ve spared nothing to accommodate. Mr. Spinelli’s presence is proof of that. After all, we’re the ones who brought in ATCO.…” Here Craft smiled heroically, a touch sadly. “As we all know, ATCO is the finest—and most costly. We’ve spared
nothing.
”
“You brought in ATCO,” said Swanson wearily, “because your own laboratories couldn’t do the job. You submitted cost overruns to Meridian which were passed on to us. I don’t see that you spared a hell of a lot.”
“Good Lord, general!” exclaimed Craft with very little conviction. “The
time
, the
negotiations
… time is money, sir; make no mistake about
that.
I could show you.…”
“The general asked
me
a question. I should like to answer him.”
The words, spoken with a trace of dialect, came from the tiny scientist, who was either dismissing Craft’s nonsense, or oblivious to it, or, somehow, both.
“I’d be grateful, Mr. Spinelli.”
“Our progress has been consistent, steady if you like. Not rapid. The problems are
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