The Tenth Justice - Brad Meltzer [52]
“No,” said Lungen, looking away.
“So you didn’t know it was me, but you still grilled me just to be sure?” Ben asked, shaking his head.
“Ben, the Herald may not know the source, but they definitely believe Eric has one. If that story ran, there’s got to be some truth behind it.”
“Weren’t you ever told not to believe everything you read?”
“Don’t be a smart-ass,” Lungen said. “Until I’m sure what happened, this isn’t a closed issue.”
“Well, until you’re sure what happened, I’m out of here.” Ben stood to leave.
“I’m not playing around,” Lungen warned, standing. “If you think you’re so innocent—”
“I am innocent.”
“Would you be willing to take a lie detector test to back that up?”
Pausing, Ben knew there was only one answer that would satisfy Lungen. In his most confident tone, he answered, “If that’s what it takes.”
“You should realize one thing,” Fisk interrupted. “Even if we believe you, there’s no reason to assume the rest of the world will. Carl’s friend at the Herald said they received calls from every major newspaper about Eric’s story. They didn’t realize what they were getting into when they ran that sucker.”
“Why don’t you demand a retraction?” Ben asked.
“We demanded one first thing this morning,” Lungen explained. “Apparently, since the article only suggests the possibility of a leak, the paper doesn’t care that it’s unsubstantiated.”
“Do you think other papers will pick it up?”
“Now you know what we’re worried about,” Lungen said. “From what we hear, the press won’t touch the story until they have a source. It doesn’t have to be a good source. It can be a janitor, a secretary, a clerk, anyone. But as soon as they get a source, they’ll tear whoever’s responsible apart. To be honest, they may never get a source. But you never know. Some cafeteria worker might be pissed at how tight her hairnet is, and the next thing we know, she’s on the evening news telling the world how she overheard someone talking to someone else.
“For the next few weeks, although it may not get much play in the press, I’ll guarantee you that every journalism grad in town will be digging around this place hoping to blow it wide open. And if I were you, I’d be worried, because thanks to your roommate, the easiest person to finger in this disaster is you.”
“Thanks,” Ben said wryly, struggling to suppress his anxiety. “Can I go now?”
“I’m serious.”
“I understand,” Ben said, moving to the door.
“One more thing before you leave,” Fisk said. “If you are going to confront Eric about his story, I’d appreciate it if you could come back here tomorrow morning, in case anything new pops up.”
“We’ll see,” Ben said, sidestepping him and edging out the door.
After Ben left the room, Lungen looked to Fisk. “What’d you think?”
“You know how I feel,” Fisk said. “I hate clerks. They all think because they were picked to work at the Supreme Court, their shit doesn’t stink anymore.”
“That’s very helpful,” Lungen said. “Now what’d you think of Ben?”
“I got what I expected. He’s obviously a bright kid, and I think he laid it out pretty well. He’s not dumb enough to help Eric write that story, but that doesn’t mean Eric is full of shit either. Why? What was your take?”
“I’m not sure. I wish Ben was a bit more nervous.”
“He was definitely calm,” Fisk agreed. “So he’s either telling the truth, or he’s one of the best bullshit artists I’ve ever seen.”
“I really think he was as surprised by the article as we were. And my friend at the Herald said they grilled Eric for a source. He never came close to naming one, though.”
Pausing for a moment, Fisk finally said, “I don’t like these kids.”
“Fisk, you don’t like anyone who’s smarter than you.”
“I’m dead serious about this. I say that no matter what happens, we watch this guy very carefully.”
Chapter 7
WHEN OBER RETURNED HOME, HE WAS surprised to see Nathan and Eric sitting silently on the large blue couch. “Where’s Ben?” he asked, looking at his watch. “I thought you guys were going to blows at eight.”
“He must be stuck at the office,” Nathan surmised, looking up at Ober.