The Sandler Inquiry Part 19

"So we'll exchange some information. Who's your client?"

Thomas sat down again.

"A girl' he said. Zenger, unsatisfied, waited without replying.

"I've got 'a girl who claims she's Arthur Sandler's daughter."

Zenger's face appeared frozen for several seconds.

"Oh, Christ" he finally scoffed.

"All this for some female fruitcake who turned up? My advice to you is take the p.u.s.s.y and run."

"I'm inclined to believe her claim" said Thomas.

-Why?"

"She has some doc.u.ments. And I have a feeling. I think she's telling the truth. I suspect she is Arthur Sandler's daughter."

Zenger was already shaking his head.

"Not possible," he said.

-Why?"

"Your father handled the Sandlers more than I did. But yes, I know a few things about the family. Arthur Sandler wasn't the type of man who ran around siring b.a.s.t.a.r.d children."

"She's not illegitimate."

"Well, then there's immaculate conception involved, because Arthur Sandler never married" "Apparently he did ' "Bulls.h.i.+t!" roared Zenger heatedly.

"During World War Two. In England" Now it was Zenger's turn. For an instant Thomas sensed the old man was stunned by a revelation of truth.

But, if he had been, he recovered just as quickly. He began to smile.

"That proves that it's a hoax" said Zenger grimly.

-Why?"

"The fact is that Arthur Sandler never left the United States during the war. Not for a single day. Being wealthy and being Germanic by "traction, he was afraid to leave."

"Afraid?"

"Some people, people with influential friends, knew what was happening to j.a.panese Americans. Sandler feared the same. He was scared that if he left the country he'd never be let back in. He'd be stripped of his fortune and his citizens.h.i.+p in one neat little swoop Zenger, feeling his case winning, allowed himself a calm smile.

He added,

"And I can prove this" "How?"

"I have an old friend in the pa.s.sport office in Was.h.i.+ngton. I can arrange a visit for you. You can go down there yourself and inspect the old pa.s.sport records."

"You make it sound very simple."

"It is " Thomas pondered it, then shook his head. He fingered the cold coffee cup in front of him.

"No, it's not" he said.

"I took the liberty of making some telephone calls."

"Jesus Christ," snapped Zenger.

"Who'd you call?"

"England' "Who in England?"

"A bureau of records in Exeter. And the borough clerk's - office in Devons.h.i.+re "And?" asked Zenger coldly.

"The marriage certificates and the birth certificates check with what's on official record. Everything checks, right down to the signatures on both certificates. Now, if necessary, I can have the handwriting a.n.a.lyzed. I can also go to England and try to trace down the people who witnessed the marriage or birth. From there-" "Holy Christ. Holy, holy Christ!"

Thomas looked across the table at the muttering Zenger.

Zenger's face was ashen and his hands were shaking. His face started to sink to his palms, but Zenger caught himself and looked across the table.

"You know too much already," he said.

"You sitaround with a telephone and play detective, but you don't really understand what you're fooling with." The old man leaned forward.

"Thomas. Don't get involved. You'll get everyone killed."

"Everyone? Who?"

"You!" snorted Zenger in a mocking voice.

"You! Me! This girl, even if she is a hoax."

"In that case," said Thomas evenly, "you'd better tell me what we're dealing with. Because I'm going on with this case until someone convinces me that I shouldn't."

The old man's frail hand was shaking slightly. He picked up a linen napkin from the table and dried his palms. There was anxiety in his eyes as he looked at the younger man across the table.

"I used to think that your father was the shrewdest lawyer I could ever imagine. I might have been wrong' He paused for a moment.

"I said hot pincers couldn't get this story' out of me. And they wouldn't. But you're going to get your d.a.m.ned story." Zenger looked Daniels in the eye. Promise me you'll drop the case when you leave here today."

Thomas shrugged, knowing he didn't have to bargain.

"I can't make any promise" he said.

"I haven't heard anything yet" Zenger shook his head.

"G.o.d help you."