In High Places Read Online Free PDF Page A

which had been unaccountably delayed - unaccountably, that is, except to the two chief opponents dealing their cards, face up, behind the scenes.
    Nine years. James Howden's thoughts went back...

... They would win the next election. Everyone in the party knew it. There was eagerness, a smell of victory, a sense of things to come.
    The party had convened to elect a new leader. It was a virtual certainty that whoever was elected would become Prime Minister within a year. It was a prize and an opportunity which James McCallum Howden had dreamed of all his political life.
    The choice lay between himself and Harvey Warrender. Warrender led the party's intellectuals. He had strong support among the rank and file. James Howden was a middle-of-the-roader. Their strength was approximately equal.
    Outside in the meeting hall there was noise and cheering.
    'I'm willing to withdraw,' Harvey said. 'On terms'
    James Howden asked, 'What terms?'
    'First - a cabinet post of my own choosing, for as long as we're in power.'
    'You can have anything except External Affairs or Health.'
    Howden had no intention of creating an ogre to compete with himself. External Affairs could keep a man permanently in the headlines. The Health Department disbursed family allowances to the populace and its minister rode high in public favour.
    'I'd accept that,' Harvey Warrender said, 'providing you agree to the other.'
    The delegates outside were getting restless. Through the closed door they could hear feet stomping, impatient shouts.
    'Tell me your second condition,' Howden said.
    'When we're in office,' Harvey said slowly, 'there'll be a lot of changes. Take television. The country's growing and there's room for more stations. We've already said we'll organize the Board of Broadcast Governors. We can load it with our own people, and a few others who'll go along.' He stopped.
    'Go on,' Howden said.
    'I want the TV franchise for--' He named a city - the country's most prosperous industrial centre. 'In my nephew's name.'
    James Howden whistled softly. If it were done, it would be patronage on a grand scale. The TV franchise was a plum of plums. Already there were many favour seekers - big money interests among them - jostling in line.
    'It's worth two million dollars,' Howden said.
    'I know.' Harvey Warrender seemed a little flushed. 'But I'm thinking of my old age. They don't pay college professors a fortune, and I've never saved any money in politics.'
    'If it were traced back...'
    'It won't be traceable,' Harvey said. 'I'll see to that. My name won't appear anywhere. They can suspect all they want, but it won't be traceable.'
    Howden shook his head in doubt. Outside there was another burst of noise - catcalls now, and some ironic singing.
    'I'll make you a promise, Jim,' Harvey Warrender said. 'H I go down - for this or anything else - I'll take the blame alone and I won't involve you. But if you fire me, or fail to support me on an honest issue, I'll take you too.'
    'You couldn't prove...'
    'I want it in writing,' Harvey said. He gestured towards the hall. 'Before we go out there. Otherwise we'll let it go to a vote.'
    It would be a close thing. They both knew it. James How-den envisaged the cup he had coveted slipping away.
    'I'll do it,' he said. 'Give me something to write on.'
    Harvey had passed him a convention programme and he had scribbled the words on the back - words which would destroy him utterly if they were ever used.
    'Don't worry,' Harvey said, pocketing the card. 'It will be safe. And when we're both out of politics I'll give it back to you.'
    They had gone outside then - Harvey Warrender to make a speech renouncing the leadership - one of the finest of his political life - and James Howden to be elected, cheered, and chaired through the hall...

The bargain struck had been kept on both sides even though, over the years, as James Howden's prestige had risen, Harvey Warrender's had steadily declined. Nowadays it was hard to remember that