Page 60 of Edge of Eternity (The Century 3)

"I didn't say he worked for King. He's a New York attorney. Also a successful businessman."

"So in what sense is he an 'adviser' to Dr. King?"

"He helped King get his book published, and defended him from a tax-evasion lawsuit in Alabama. They don't meet often, but they talk on the phone."

George sat upright. "How would you know a thing like that?"

"Sources," Hugo said smugly.

"So, you claim that Dr. King sometimes telephones a New York attorney and gets advice on tax and publishing matters."

"From a Communist."

"How do you know he's a Communist?"

"Sources."

"What sources?"

"We can't reveal the identities of informants."

"You can to the attorney general."

"You're not the attorney general."

"Do you know Levison's card number?"

"What?" Hugo was momentarily flustered.

"Communist Party members have a card, as you know. Each card has a number. What's Levison's card number?"

Hugo pretended to search for it. "I don't think that's in this file."

"So you can't prove Levison is a Communist."

"We don't need proof," Hugo said, showing irritation. "We're not going to prosecute him. We're simply informing the attorney general of our suspicions, as is our duty."

George's voice rose. "You're blackening Dr. King's name by claiming that a lawyer he consulted is a Communist--and you offer no evidence whatsoever?"

"You're right," said Hugo, surprising George. "We need more evidence. That's why we'll be asking for a wiretap on Levison's phone." The attorney general had to authorize wiretaps. "The file is for you." He proffered it.

George did no

t take it. "If you wiretap Levison you'll be listening to some of Dr. King's calls."

Hugo shrugged. "People who talk to Communists take the risk of being wiretapped. Anything wrong with that?"

George thought there was something wrong with that, in a free country, but he did not say so. "We don't know that Levison is a Communist."

"So we need to find out."

George took the file, stood up, and opened the door.

Hugo said: "Hoover will undoubtedly mention this next time he meets with Bobby. So don't try to keep it to yourself."

That thought had crossed George's mind, but now he said: "Of course not." It had been a bad idea anyway.

"So what will you do?"

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