Voices Behind the Curtain

by Gordon Zuckerman

  * * *

  BEFORE DISAPPEARING UPSTAIRS TO CHANGE INTO SOMETHING MORE appropriate for the evening she had planned, Natalie placed the long-playing record on the phonograph, retrieved the aromatic candles from the hall closet, and took special care to set the table the way David had long preferred.

  David was not only late returning home, but appeared preoccupied when he came through the front door. Without saying a word, he passed by the anxiously awaiting Natalie, proceeded over to the telephone, and asked the operator to make a transatlantic call to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  Shocked and disappointed by David’s impersonal behavior, his failure to notice the carefully set table, or smell the aromas coming from the kitchen, there was nothing she could do but try to understand his strange behavior. When she recognized the number he had given the operators as the same number of the Prince of Saud’s private residence number, she began to relax. Something of extreme importance must be on David’s mind. Relax, ole girl, as soon as he completes his call to the Prince, he will recognize your efforts. Why don’t I pour me a glass of wine, walk out on the rear porch, sit down in my favorite chair, watch the sun set over the Golden Gate Bridge, and wait for David to join me?

  * * *

  HE WAS JUST COMPLETING HIS CALL WHEN SHE RE-ENTERED THE house. Still hoping to salvage the evening, she poured two glasses of wine, walked over to where he was standing, set down the two glasses on the nearby table, and engulfed him in her warmest hug, kissed him, and whispered, “I’ve prepared your favorite dinner, brought home two of your favorite wines, but it is my personal brand of dessert that I hope you will enjoy the most.”

  Using both hands to gently remove her arms, he disengaged himself, retreated to the front hall, retrieved his hat and coat, and exited out the front door without a word.

  Caught completely by surprise, she now knew she had a serious problem on her hands. When she returned to the porch, she was carrying the bottle of wine and both glasses.

  * * *

  SHE WAS SIPPING THE LAST OF THE WINE WHEN SHE BEGAN TO WONDER, This is the second time the threat of my career or personal interests has destroyed an important relationship. What am I supposed to have learned? Could it be that I can have a career or a good relationship with an exciting man, but I can’t have both at the same time?

  When David failed to return, she finished the last of the wine. A very disappointed Natalie concluded, I guess there is nothing to prevent my spending the summer in London, assembling the other half of my bridge!

  CHAPTER 15

  Stacking the Deck

  EL FUERTE, MEXICO, NOVEMBER 1948

  The need to supplement the funds in the Mexican war chest couldn’t have come at a better time. On almost an everyday basis, the newspapers were reporting the latest developments involved in the committee’s questioning of another high-profile witness. Magazines, published weekly, were featuring stories written by former war correspondents, recounts of the testimony of called witnesses, capsulated summaries of their independent research, and their speculations of the possible consequences of the “Red Menace,” the spreading influence of Communism. Television, in its infancy, was transmitting visual images and recorded testimony directly into private homes of the American public. Discussions of yesterday’s committee events were becoming a regular part of daily conversations.

  Signs directing citizens to the nearest air raid shelters were beginning to appear on high-traffic streets. In the schools, air raid survival procedures were being taught and rehearsed with increasing frequency. Showings of Movietone weekly news reports were being played in the local movie theaters. Pictures of the Distant Early Warning radar structure being constructed in Alaska were shown to the children during the Saturday matinees and their parents in the evenings.

  Families were constructing bomb shelters in their backyards, and parents and children would carefully stock these shelters with food, water, fuel, bedding, and extra clothing. On the weekend, families would practice taking sanctuary in the shelters.

  At the same time they were being fed a steady diet of the approaching threat of Communism, the younger people were getting married, taking advantage of the “GI Bill of Rights” to extend their education, having children, looking for work, and seeking ways to spend their pent-up war savings.

  Following a series of private discussions, it was decided that another of Señor Arena’s old friends, Tom Jenkins, should be asked to invite “Manuel’s Club” to his dove hunting ranch for the November 1st opening of Dove Season. Located next to Lake Hidalgo in the province of Sonora, approximately 25 miles east of El Fuerte on the western slope of the Sierra Madre Mountains, it boasted of some of Mexico’s finest dove hunting and bass fishing. Its remoteness insulated guests from any unwanted attention.

  The nature of the invitation indicated the 2-day stay would be entirely devoted to business, hunting, and fishing, well punctuated by the marvelous cuisine of Tom’s kitchen staff and his collection of prewar Pinot Noir wines made from grapes grown in France’s Bourgogne region.

  Under normal circumstances, the much-coveted invitations to hunt White-winged and Mourning doves would have provided sufficient incentive for these busy executives to take time out of their busy schedules. The prospect of world-class dove hunting and bass fishing made the need for taking care of pending serious business even more appealing.

  It had been 8 months since they had last met in Acapulco. There was a growing mountain of evidence that what had been presented as a theoretical plan was rapidly taking shape as a well implemented program. The growing fear of Communism was occurring at an astonishing rate. Public discussions regarding rearming were becoming more common. Stories describing even the remotest of Communist-related occurrences were being disseminated by the press. A new crop of Republican congressional candidates, possessing impressive credentials, supported financially from some new and unknown source of campaign financing, were favored to win election.

  Descent to the dirt strip, carved out of the sage brush terrain near El Fuerte, required two extra passes. The first pass was needed to inspect for any livestock that may be standing on the strip or grazing alongside. The second pass was needed to herd any cattle, horses, pigs, or chickens away from the strip. A strange assortment of vehicles were parked alongside the deserted strip.

  The aged, well-worn, much-dented vehicles with cracked windows showing signs of rust contrasted with the sleek, well polished black limousines that had awaited them on their prior arrival in Acapulco. Had anybody been observing the arrival of the smaller private aircraft, they would have concluded the disembarking men were American sportsmen who Tom typically invited to hunt and fish.

  What was left of the afternoon was devoted to transporting the arriving guests to their accommodations in the lodge, unpacking, naps, and refreshing showers. Having changed into their tropical hunting clothes, they no longer resembled the high-powered executives that had departed their point of origin earlier that same morning. Similar to their other visits, when they appeared at the carefully planned cocktail party, they were pleased to see their old well respected friends with whom they were engaged in the serious business of reviving government military contracting.

  Following the congenial cocktail party, discussions over dinner and after dinner were limited to taking care of business. Starting at five o’clock the next morning, their time had been reserved for hunting, a buffet lunch served in the field, and an afternoon of bass fishing.

  The cocktail hour was devoted to Jordan’s reporting on the disturbing progress that was being accomplished with all three of the separate strategies he had described in Acapulco. His presentation was concise and succinct, only interrupted by questions for clarification. Anxious to move the discussion to the new crop of committed congressional candidates that were smoothly making their way through the nomination and electoral process, he reported, “After completing my tour and meeting all the prospective candidates each of you or your regional political representatives
suggested I interview, I felt the need to make a solitary decision. In my judgment, there were so many qualified candidates, rather than be forced to deny the candidacy of a promising young politician, in accordance with the limitations of our budgeted stipulations, I decided we should support the election of the larger number of qualified candidates. I made this decision out of the conviction our interests would be better served if we committed both our nominating and final election budgets to assisting the larger number of outstanding candidates to become nominated. Once we have diagnostic proof of their electability and we are assured of their future loyalty, I plan to return to you and obtain the additional financial support we need to finance their final election campaigns.”

  The Detroit automaker, wishing to reinforce Jordan’s decision in a positive and supporting manner, asked, “Is there some magic number of committed loyal votes we will need to assure passage of our agenda items?”

  “Excellent question! As I attempted to explain in Acapulco, we can never be confident of how accurately we can predict how the traditional voting congressmen will vote for or against any particular bill of importance. The question we have been attempting to resolve is how many committed, loyal votes will be needed to be added to our predictable voting base to assure passage. For the most part, they are under the influence of the National Party. While each of you are entitled to make your own enquiries, it’s important that Manuel’s Club remains anonymous and refrains from conducting any form of direct communications. Not confident that we will ever know what a foolproof 60 percent majority will require, I concluded we should support the largest possible number of qualified candidates and remain prepared to take advantage of each election cycle to add more qualified members to this first crop.”

  Someone sitting near the rear of the room announced, “Jordan, now that’s what I call skillful leadership. Already, I have been hearing stories describing this new, hot group of candidates making their way toward Washington. Not only do my friends appear to be impressed by the size and the talent of this new wave, but they are wondering where all the money has been coming from required to fund so many ‘high-octane’ campaigns. I hope I speak for everyone in this room when I say, ‘Good job!’ Thank you. Without further ado, why don’t you pass the envelopes? Isn’t it surprising to learn how quickly the cost of making movies can increase?”

  “Not so fast!” From the right side of the room, the high-pitched voice of the chemical producer from Delaware asked, “Jordan, in arriving at the total amount of additional funding you will need, have you included any extra funding you may need to complete your publicity campaign and put the finishing touches on your Washington lobbyist program?”

  Smiling before he answered, Jordan said, “The magnitude of the free publicity, generated from our congressional hearing campaign, has been so prolific, we have not been required to commit more than half of what we originally allocated for publicity purposes. Although I can’t be certain, I have assumed the remaining funds should provide us with adequate reserves to deal with any unanticipated contingencies.”

  From the left side of the room, the deep booming voice of the steelmaker from Pittsburgh could be clearly heard. “Gentlemen, as you understand, I am not known for my frivolous tendencies. When I think of all the fine progress Jordan and his team have accomplished, the relative magnitude of what we stand to gain, and the difficulty and risk involved in organizing another meeting, I would like to suggest we double the number contained in the enveloped we are about to receive.”

  No one was quite certain whether the standing ovation was meant to approve the suggestion or demonstrate their appreciation of Jordan’s actions, but nobody really cared. The jubilant environment erased any restraint over enjoying after-dinner cocktails, conducting congenial conversations, or learning of recent developments in their friends’ businesses. Old friends and valued colleagues were enjoying themselves. They were taking satisfaction in what they had helped to create. They were imagining when their factories would be fully devoted to producing needed goods for the American military. Unfortunately, any thoughts of rising at five o’clock to go hunting the next morning were conveniently ignored or entirely forgotten.

  CHAPTER 16

  Gloria’s Finest Performance

  WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 1949

  Within a few days, the committee had assembled its list of questions for Gloria Adams. The subpoena was issued and served. Richard Allen Bailey was chosen by his colleagues to lead the questioning.

  When the day arrived for her hearing, Gloria took her place. She was sitting at the witness table exhibiting a serene sense of self-confidence. She was dressed in what had become her trademarked grandmotherly smock and chalk-white tennis shoes. Her Sentinel-supplied attorney was seated next to her. Don Cerreta was sitting at the far end of the table. Natalie, Walt Matthews, and Mike, some of the last to arrive, were sitting unobserved near the rear of the hearing room.

  If Gloria couldn’t respond with her customary one-word answer, she would look confused and ask Bailey for further clarification.

  The opening questions addressed to Gloria were simple in nature and were being offered in a pleasant, nonconfrontational manner. Gloria answered each of the questions with yes and no answers. After the first hour, the environment in the hearing room began to change. The questions were becoming more complex and open-ended. They were the kind of questions that were difficult to answer with yes and no responses. Gloria, as planned, responded with short, concise answers. If she couldn’t answer in the manner that had been agreed to, she politely inquired for further information or questioned the accuracy of the foundation of the question. Upset by her unwillingness to answer in a more complete fashion, the frustrated committee chairman slammed down his gavel before he announced in a loud threatening tone, “Miss Adams, I think we deserve more complete answers.”

  The well prepared actress responded despite the outburst with supreme calm. “Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, how can I be expected to respond if I don’t understand the question or believe the premise for the question doesn’t conform with what I believe to be true? Perhaps if Mr. Bailey would explain the basis of his questions in a clearer fashion and refrain from basing them on value judgments and incorrect assumptions, I could respond more readily.”

  “You are out of order! Don’t for one second believe you can play cute and refuse to answer our questions. Do you understand that the committee can hold you in contempt of Congress?”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, may I interrupt?” asked Don Cerreta who had been quietly sitting at the far end of the witness table. All heads turned toward the respected federal prosecutor as he slowly rose before asking the court reporter if she would be kind enough to read back the transcript of the prior question and Miss Adams’s answer. “Mr. Chairman, once she reads back the transcript, I think we should be able to determine if the witness refused to answer any question or simply asked for clarification.”

  The chairman placed his hand over his microphone, turned to Bailey and the other committeemen seated nearby, and asked, “What should we do? How can we deny a request from a federal prosecutor?”

  Bailey and the others only shrugged.

  With a deepened frown, the chairman turned back toward the front of the room to ask, “Would the stenotype operator please read back the last question and answer.”

  Once she had read aloud the exchange between Gloria and Bailey, Cerreta immediately stated, “I think the transcript clearly states the witness was asking for clarification. The law clearly states that a witness is not required to answer any question not deemed relevant to the case at hand. If she doesn’t understand the question, how can she be expected to respond?”

  The room came to life with excited murmuring. For the first time, someone had challenged the committee. Its leaders seemed genuinely confused.

  The eyes of the spectators shifted between the chairman and Bailey, watching as they struggled to respond.

  Without warning, Don Cer
reta continued his line of questioning. “Mr. Bailey, do my notes accurately reflect the circumstances under which the subpoena was issued?”

  “I’ve scanned the case,” Bailey hesitantly answered.

  “Very well. In that case, I’m sure you won’t mind telling us which law you believe Miss Adams is suspected of violating.”

  * * *

  SILENCE WAS THE ONLY REPLY.

  “What law did Miss Adams, or any of the guests who attended her party in October of 1937, succeed in breaking? Was the fact that some of the guests were known to be members of some Socialistic or Communistic political party? Oh, by the way, would you remind us if being a member of the Communist Party was against the law in 1937?”

  Spontaneous laughter from the spectators and the press brought another angry banging of the gavel.

  “Very well,” Cerreta coolly suggested, “let us return to the circumstances of the hearing. What law did Miss Adams break by inviting friends to her house? Does the record suggest that they were planning the overthrow of the United States government?”

  Clearly, the atmosphere in the committee room had changed. Counsel for the witness was asking the questions, and committee members were unsure or not prepared to respond. The chairman, looking to his fellow committeemen for assistance, found only perplexed looks. Unsure how to respond, he called for a 10-minute recess.

  During the break, the elevated excitement in the room grew stronger. Complete strangers were excitedly talking to the person standing next to them. They were expressing their surprise how quickly the role of the inquisitor and those who were being interrogated had been reversed. The animated conversations, occurring all throughout the room, were only interrupted by the banging the chairman’s gavel signaling the resumption of the hearing. He then proceeded to announce, “I believe this entire matter can be cleared up if the witness would agree to answer one final question.” He gestured toward Bailey.