The man slowly shook his head.
I dont give a damn if the FBI director himself came down here and kissed my shoes and swore his undying allegiance to me, I will not be swayed. Ever! Have I made my position clear?
Yes. The younger man nodded slightly. Another person said, Okay, I get your point, but if we kill the agent dont you think the FBI will go on a crusade to find out the truth? Then where are we?
Some grumblings rose from the others. Thornhill looked around warily. The collection of men here represented a very uneasy alliance. They were paranoid, inscrutable fellows long used to keeping their own counsel. It had truly been a miracle to forge them together in the first place. He was well aware that it would not take much to undo it all.
The FBIwilldo everything they can to solve the murder of one of their agents, and the chief witness to one of their most ambitious investigations ever. So what I would propose doing is to give them the solution we desire them to have. They looked curiously at him. He cleared his throat, sipped water from the glass in front of him, and then took a minute to restoke his pipe.
After years of helping Buchanan run his operation, Faith Lockharts conscience or good sense or paranoia got the better of her. She went to the FBI and has now begun telling them everything she knows. Through a little foresight on my part we were able to discover this development. Buchanan, however, is completely unaware that his partner has turned against him. He also doesnt know that we intend to kill her. Only we know. Thornhill inwardly smiled at this last remark. It felt good, omniscience; it was the business he was in, after all.
The FBI, however, may suspect that he does know about her betrayal, or may find out at some point. Thus, to the outside observer, no one in the world has greater motivation to kill Faith Lockhart than Danny Buchanan.
And your point? the same man said.
My point, said Thornhill tersely, is quite simple. Instead of allowing Buchanan to disappear as we previously agreed, we tip the FBI that he and his clients discovered Lockharts duplicity and had her and the agent murdered.
But once they get hold of Buchanan, hell tell them everything, the man quickly responded. Thornhill looked at him as a disappointed teacher to pupil. Over the last year, Buchanan had given them everything they needed; he was now officially expendable. The truth slowly dawned on the group. So we tip the FBI about Buchananposthumously.Three deaths . . . correction, three murders, the man said. Thornhill looked around the room silently gauging the reaction of the others to this exchange, to his plan. Three deaths by whatever means meant nothing to these men. What they all did for a living routinely cost people their lives; however, their operations had also avoided open war on many occasions. Kill three to save three million, who could possibly argue with that? Even if the victims were relatively innocent. Every soldier who ever died in battle was innocent, too. No formal vote was taken by Thornhill; none was needed.
Thank you, gentlemen, Thornhill said, I'll take care of everything. He adjourned the meeting.