Read Online The Washington Lawyer by Allan Topol - Free Book Online

effort.”
    â€œI figured you would.”
    Arthur pivoted in his chair and reached for a mug. “Can I get you a cup?”
    This guy does not need caffeine, Martin thought.
    â€œSure.”
    Arthur poured two cups and placed one in front of Martin. The cherry wood desk top, Martin noticed, was already stained with the outlines of numerous other cups.
    Arthur paused to sip his coffee, making Martin wait. “I want to put you on the short list for chief justice.”
    Well, here it was. He felt thrilled. “I’d be honored.”
    Arthur tapped his fingers on the desk. “You answered so quickly. Have you thought about it?”
    â€œYes. Ever since I clerked for Hall.”
    â€œGood. Let’s talk about the selection process. One thing you have going for you is that you’re a very fine tennis player. ” Arthur flashed a smile. His effort at levity, Martin thought.
    â€œBeing serious, I have enormous respect for you as a lawyer. You have one of the country’s great legal minds. I know that from our New York litigation. And you were brilliant last year persuading the court to require a recount in the Ohio senatorial election.”
    â€œComing from you, those are real compliments.”
    â€œI mean them. And I’m amazed that you’ve argued in the Supreme Court forty-eight times and won thirty-nine of them. Phenomenal, given that so many of those arguments were against the United States, and they usually win. So in terms of legal ability, we don’t have an issue. For Braddock, personal character will be the other decisive factor. We’ll have to turn the FBI inquisitors loose. Your whole life goes under a microscope. Can you deal with that?”
    Arthur was looking right at Martin, who thought about Jasper’s call last evening, and the action Martin had taken. Still, he didn’t flinch. “I have nothing to hide.”
    â€œDo you really believe that?” Arthur sounded skeptical and slumped back in his chair. He locked his hands in front of his chest and closed his eyes. It was a tactic Martin remembered Arthur using at depositions. Lulling a witness into over confidence. Then pouncing.
    â€œI do. No personal issues that would be embarrassing.”
    Arthur’s right eye was twitching. That only began, Martin noticed, when Arthur became White House Counsel. Proof, Martin thought, that the Washington pressure cooker topped the stress level in New York. Here, even at tennis, Arthur kept that beeper hooked up to his shorts. “The president has to be able to reach me twenty-four and seven.” At first Martin had thought Arthur wanted to show off his importance. Later he realized it went with the job.
    Arthur shot forward and leaned over the desk. “Don’t crap around with me. Everybody has something. Tell me the worst now. I don’t want to be surprised later on. What about the judge you gave a bottle of scotch to as a Christmas present before he decided a case your way?”
    Martin thought again about Jasper’s call last night and his call to Gorton. That was precisely what Arthur had in mind. If it ever became public, it would destroy his chances of becoming chief justice. And Arthur would be furious at him for not mentioning it now. But how could he? He’d be eliminated immediately. He had to take a chance it wouldn’t come out.
    â€œSorry to disappoint. You can lay out my whole life.”
    â€œThey all say that in the beginning.”
    â€œThis time it’s true.”
    Arthur snarled. “Could there be one virgin in the realm?” His tone was cynical. We may be tennis buddies, Martin thought, but for Arthur this was all business.
    â€œI don’t know about the virgin part.”
    â€œHow about one truly virtuous man?”
    â€œYou could put it that way.”
    â€œIf something comes out, President Braddock won’t swing with you. We got killed two years ago over the Marian Lawlor