Free The Loves of Harry Dancer by Lawrence Sanders Page A

twisting of Tischman. It makes sense to double one of your opponent’s players. But why announce the corruption publicly? Such victories are usually revealed only on a “need to know” basis.
    The Chief tries to put himself into the devious mind of the fat Chairman of the Department. What is that evil elephant up to? What does he hope to gain by informing so many people of Tischman’s defection?
    Of course! The Chairman is not satisfied that the leak in his Southeast Region has been closed with the elimination of Jeremy Blaine. He is setting a trap. Now, if Tischman is taken out, the Chairman will know a traitor still exists in Regional headquarters. Their Interior Security will take up the search again.
    So, to protect Norma Gravesend, it will be necessary for the Chief to ensure that Herman K. Tischman continues to function. How to do that? The answer seems obvious: Tischman has been turned once; he can be turned again. Double and triple-agents are not all that uncommon. When a man has defected once, he can be whirled like a windmill. Revolving to the strongest pressure.
    He summons Anthony Glitner to Washington. The case officer is shocked to hear of Tischman’s betrayal. The two men discuss how to handle the private investigator.
    “Let’s dump him,” Glitner suggests. “His reports on Dancer’s activities are valuable, but if he’s been taken, we can’t trust him. He may be feeding us disinformation.”
    “Undoubtedly,” the Chief agrees. “But if we eliminate him, we endanger our mole in the Department. How do you think they turned Tischman?”
    “Money,” the case officer says. “The man is greedy.”
    “I suspect you’re right. But our budget is stretched thin as it is; we can’t afford to keep upping the ante.”
    “Well, then…?”
    “Does this Tischman have a family?”
    “Yes, sir. Wife and little girl. About twelve years old. Mary Jane.”
    The Chief fumbles with a roll of Turns. Trying to tear it open. “There is a ploy we’ve used in the past on cases like this. High success rate. It’s called Fatal Illness. Have you ever worked it?”
    “No, Chief. I don’t know what it is.”
    “I’ll explain. You may think it cruel, even immoral. But no one gets hurt. Although there is a certain amount of, ah, discomfort. I think it may bring Mr. Tischman back into the fold.”
    He outlines to Glitner exactly how Fatal Illness is played. The case officer takes notes.
    When the Chief finishes, Glitner snaps his notebook shut. “As you say, sir, it is a little on the scurvy side. But I’m willing to give it a try.”
    “Could one of your people act the healer?”
    “Willoughby, our communications man, could do it. He’s been asking for a more active role. I think he could handle it.”
    “Fine. Tell him if he does well on this, it will go on his record. He wants to be a field agent?”
    “That’s his ambition.”
    “Here’s his chance. Get the scenario rolling as soon as you return to Florida. Tony, are you satisfied with Evelyn Heimdall’s performance?”
    “Absolutely, Chief.”
    “Good. Keep me informed. I want to win this one.”
    “So do I, sir.”

21
    S ylvia’s death has left him numb. Feelings jumbled. Thoughts fleeting. He believes himself a rational man and resolves to make no determinations concerning his personal life while pain corrodes and emotions churn. He knows he is temporarily incapable of linear thinking, of even imagining what his future might be like.
    But now Sally Abaddon and Evelyn Heimdall have appeared. He does not believe that only loneliness is driving him to embrace them. It is true they are a refuge. But they are also escape. And a challenge to reflect on how he wishes to order his remaining years.
    It is not a decision, he feels, that must be made immediately. He cautions himself to wait, consider, ponder, judge. To think.
    At the same time, a worm of doubt gnaws. Is the temporizing because of fear? Fear that another close, personal, permanent