Free The Inner Sanctum by Stephen Frey Page A

left."
    "That's what you wanted, right?"
    "Yes. My first impression is that she would fit in well at Sagamore when she graduates. What do you think, David?"
    "I think she's bright and aggressive."
    "Exactly." Elizabeth waved good-bye to the professor one more time as the driver opened the limousine door. "David, I want you to get to know her. Take her out for dinner a few times, on the firm of course. Find out if she's really for us." She winked at him. "There aren't enough female portfolio managers at Sagamore."
    David smiled and tilted his head to one side. This wasn't going to be a bad assignment.
    ** Chapter 9
    The room, utilitarian and plain, was buried deep within the building. And for good reason. The people who met in this inner sanctum required absolute secrecy and isolation in order to plan their strategies. Enemy listening devices could be anywhere, even hidden in vulnerable areas close to the chamber. And if those devices picked up anything, it could prove disastrous.
    Members accessed the massive building through public entrances under the veil of ethical designs, but typically their intentions were far less noble. On the occasion of a meeting, each individual was quickly led from unrestricted areas into obscure corridors and secluded stairways by escorts who themselves were not fully aware of the true purpose of the individual's presence.
    The room was fortified by subtle but effective defenses. There were no windows because high-technology audio-detection equipment could sense the minute vibrations of glass panes produced by even muted conversations and translate the vibrations into words. Tiny speakers placed at uniform intervals within the walls of the room produced white noise to negate bugs that adversaries might have managed to plant in the hallways and rooms just outside the chamber. Before each assembly, an intelligence expert swept the room's interior for listening devices. Those in attendance were electronically frisked before they were allowed entrance. And during meetings, members sat close together at a small table, spoke in low voices, and listened to an opera or symphony as they strategized. The preventive measures seemed extreme, but, as yet, there had never been a security leak.
    The chairman acknowledged each of the other members, then turned toward the individual who sought membership and said in a low voice, "Please give us an update."
    Elbridge Coleman, Republican candidate for the United States Senate, nodded. "The latest CNN/Time magazine poll will be released tomorrow morning. Our campaign people have already obtained the results through our friend at CNN. The results show that I'm now two points ahead of Malcolm Walker. Specifically, if the election were held today, I would receive forty-six percent of the vote while Walker would take forty-four."
    "That leaves ten percent undecided," the chairman noted.
    "Yes, that's right." As Coleman responded, he heard someone else in the room make a comment but could not discern specific words. The room's acoustics were terrible. It was another built-in defense mechanism. "Excuse me?" Through the low light he made eye contact with the individual he believed had spoken.
    "What is the poll's statistical margin of error?" The voice was only slightly louder this time.
    "Plus or minus four points," Coleman replied calmly.
    "So we can't yet be certain of a lock on the seat."
    Coleman smiled politely despite his irritation at so obvious an analysis as well as use of the word "we." He could not argue the fact that they had a large stake in what was going on, but it was his sweat staining the campaign trail. "No, we can't." Coleman tugged at the sleeves of his suit coat. He was tall and thin, with a trustworthy face and a strong natural presence. Handsome, but not obnoxiously so. "I think it's important to remember that just a month and a half ago, at the end of July, we trailed Walker by five points. We've gained nine points in only forty-five days." Coleman