CHAPTER 48

Three men gathered around Johnston’s desk, and two of them laughed heartily. Overstreet nodded to Johnston and poured a second round. “Another toast to Mr. Jefferson Davis, who, as promised, dug us out of a mighty deep hole.”

“Hear, hear,” Johnston chimed. Everyone threw down their drinks.

“Well, Mr. Overstreet,” Davis said, stroking his wrinkled red tie, “you forfeited the mayorship but could’ve done worse. As operators of the Tulsa County racetrack’s pari-mutuel betting, you two should earn enough in commissions to buy your own racetrack.”

Overstreet smiled. “Running for mayor was simply a means to an end.”

Davis set his glass on the corner of the desk. Better to warn these clowns or he might have to deal with them again. “You boys got off because the FBI didn’t want to justify wire taps all the way to the supreme court. The last thing the feds want is to argue a fourth amendment search-and-seizure case before Chief Justice Warren. Besides, they bagged the Chicago Outfit, and that was their prime goal anyway. But they know of your accomplice with the Outfit, and if they ever get their hands on him, and he talks, you can bet they’ll make him a sweet offer to give you boys up.”

Overstreet smiled confidently. “We understand.”

Davis picked up his drink and peered into it. One thing still puzzled him. “Tell me, Mr. Overstreet. Why didn’t the governor veto the racetrack bill? It was assumed he would with the mayor in office. What changed his mind?”

“Everybody wants something, Mr. Davis. And we knew what the governor wanted most.” His eyes flicked to Johnston. “You want to tell him, Maynard?”

Johnston blew a thin stream of smoke peacefully at the ceiling from his freshly lit cigar. “My problem, Mr. Davis, is I never learned to accept defeat. Instead, I’ve learned to whisper in all the right ears, especially in Washington. That, and to sprinkle a few dollars around like Christmas candy. So you see, come the 1960 presidential election, the Republican candidate will be none other than our own Governor Alvin Wishbone.”