Free The Evening News by Arthur Hailey Page B

Talk between Sloane and Jessica continued over dinner, always a favorite time. Jessica had a maid come in daily but prepared dinner herself , managing to be organized so that she spent minimal time in the kitchen after her husband's arrival for the evening . Sloane said thoughtfully, "I know what you meant back there, that it isn't like me to venture out on limbs. I guess, in my life, I haven't taken chances as often as I might. But I felt strongly about some things in the book. Still do .”
    "The terrorism part ? ”
    He nodded .” Since that was written I've done some thinking about how terrorism might, how it could, affect you and me. It's why I've taken some special precautions. Until now I haven't told you, but you ought to know .”
    While Jessica regarded him curiously, he went on .” Have you ever thought that someone like me could be kidnapped, become a hostage ? ”
    "I have when you've been overseas .”
    fie shook his head .” It could happen here. There's always a first and I , like some others on television, work in a goldfish bowl. If terrorists begin operating in the U.S.-and you know I believe they will, quite soon-people like me will be attractive bait because anything we do, or is done to us, gets noticed in a big way .”
    "What about families? Could they be targets too ? ”
    "That's highly unlikely. Terrorists would be after a name. Someone everybody knows .”
    Jessica said uneasily, "You spoke of precautions. What kind ? ”
    "The kind that would be effective after I'd been taken hostage-if it happened. I've worked it out with a lawyer I know, Sy Dreeland. He has all the details, and authority to make them public if and when that's needed .”
    "I don't much like this conversation ,” Jessica said .” You're making me nervous, and how can precautions be any good after something bad has already happened ? ”
    "Before it happens ,” he said, "I have to trust the network to provide some kind of security protection, and they do that now, more or less. But afterward, just as I said in the book, I wouldn't want any kind of ransom to be paid by anyone, including from our own money. So one thing I've done is make a solemn declaration-it's all in legal form-to that effect .”
    "Are you telling me all our money would be tied up, frozen ? ”
    He shook his head .” No. I couldn't do that, even if I wanted. Almost everything we have-this house, bank accounts, stocks, gold, foreign currencies-you and I own jointly and you could do whatever you wanted with them, just as you can now. But after that solemn declaration was made public and everybody knew the way I felt, I'd like to think you wouldn't go some other route .”
    Jessica protested, "You'd rob me of the right to make a decision !”
    He said gently, "No, dearest. I'd relieve you of a terrible responsibility and a dilemma .”
    "But supposing the network were willing to pay a ransom ? ”
    "I doubt they would be, but certainly not against my wishes which are on record in the book and repeated in the declaration .”
    "You said the network is giving you some kind of security protection . It's the first I've heard of it. Just what kind ? ”
    "When there are telephoned threats, or screwball letters which sound a certain way, or a rumor of some kind of possible attack-it happens at all networks and especially to anchor people--then private security men are called in. They hang around the CBA News Building, wherever I'm working , doing whatever security people are supposed to. It's happened with me a few times .”
    "You've never told me .”
    "No, I guess I never have ,” he conceded .” What else haven't you told me ? ”
    There was an edge to Jessica's voice , though clearly she had not made up her mind whether to be angry at the concealment or just anxious .” Not hing else at the network, but there are some other things I've arranged with Dreeland .”
    "Would it be too much to let me know about those too ? ”
    "It's important that you know