"Pardons. For all of us. For all crimes."
Bennington whistled. "That's a big order. And in return?"
"Your staff stays alive."
Flatly. There was no question Musto meant what he said.
"That means I'll have to talk with the governors of six states," Bennington temporized.
"That's your worry."
The general sighed. "All right, you've got Message Center. Connect this phone with the outside. Remember, this is going to take a while."
"That don't worry us, general. Add up how much time we've got coming due over here. It's all you need and then some."
Bennington lifted the phone on the desk and waited. He could see an irregular flickering, like a cigarette lighter, in the Message Center Room. Then the familiar buzzing sounded in his ears.