Night Extra

“I want to make a deal with you,” Terrell said. “But you’ve got nothing to bargain with. I want that understood. It will save hedging and double-talk. I think Caldwell was framed. I’m not going to tell you why I think so. But I’m going to try to prove it. I want what you’ve got on Ike Cellars. On the present administration, up to and including Mayor Ticknor.”

“Now just a minute, please.” Sarnac looked confused and excited. “I can’t agree to those terms. I can’t give you information without knowing what to expect in return. You’ve got to consider my position.”

“That doesn’t interest me at all. I want what you’ve got on Ike Cellars. I want the information that he’s afraid of. I’m offering one thing in exchange for it — a chance to keep Caldwell out of the electric chair. And not even a good chance. What do you say? I’m busy, Sarnac, and so are you. Let’s don’t waste each other’s time.”

“You think Caldwell was framed?” Sarnac said. His hands were shaking. “Is that a guess, Terrell?”

“I know he was framed,” Terrell said quietly. “Understand? I know it. He could have hurt someone important so he was stopped dead in his tracks. Stepped on. Smashed. Now are you going to tell me who he was about to hurt? And how? Or are you going to sit tight and let the illustrious name of Caldwell turn into a number in a state pen? And that’s if he’s lucky enough to get a recommendation for mercy. Otherwise he’ll die. Well, what is it?”

It was a long speech for Terrell, and a heated one; he felt that he must have sounded highly emotional. “Make up your mind,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t see what you’ve got to lose. We’re after the same thing for different reasons. I want the story, you want Caldwell cleared. Why shouldn’t we work together?”

“You want it all your way.”

“That’s right,” Terrell said. “I want it my way.”

Sarnac was silent for a few seconds, shaking his head as if he couldn’t line up his thoughts properly. “I don’t know,” he said. “All right, all right.” His voice rose sharply; Terrell had stood and turned to the door. “Sit down. But for the love of God and truth don’t deceive us, Terrell. Don’t offer us hope if none exists.”

“I’m offering you a chance, which depends on what you tell me. So let’s get with it.”

“If Caldwell had been elected, Ike Cellars and Mayor Ticknor would have gone to jail for life. Along with dozens of smaller thieves in the administration.” Sarnac’s voice strengthened as he went on. “That’s what they feared. That’s why they’ve committed murder to keep him from office.”

“That’s a good, husky charge,” Terrell said. “Now for details. How were you going to do all this?”

“I’ll make it as clear as I can. First, let me ask you. what you know about the Municipal Parking Authority.”

“Not too much. A program to ease the city’s traffic problems. I’ve read the stories on it. But it’s fairly dull stuff. Like what the earth will use for fuel in a couple of million years. Important, but not pressing.”

“Perhaps you’re right. But you should have been more interested. Our Parking Authority is one of the neatest civic swindles you’ll ever come across. And the public’s indifference to it has cost the community — the public itself — millions of dollars.”

“Okay, I’m shocked. How does it work? And how do you tie Cellars and Ticknor to it?”

“I’ll try to explain.” Sarnac stood and came around his desk, frowning thoughtfully and rubbing his finger alongside his nose. This was a classroom mannerism, Terrell guessed, for Sarnac’s attitude changed as he assumed the role of teacher; he seemed at home in this capacity, and rather pleased to be operating again within a familiar framework.

“The Parking Authority was established by City Council at the request of Mayor Ticknor,” Sarnac said, in a careful, precise voice. He paused, as if giving Terrell time to take notes, and then continued. “This was about four years ago, shortly after the present administration had been returned to office. Mayor Ticknor was supported by dozens of experts in traffic management and city planning. Their arguments were clear and logical. More cars are being licensed each month. Parking space is contracting steadily. Traffic problems can only worsen unless drastic and imaginative steps are taken. And so the Authority was created, with broad powers to pass laws, condemn property, build traffic arterials, and so forth. On paper all these proposals look fine.”

“But they weren’t put into effect?”