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           ThePentagonandtheCIAwerebeingBalkanized,partiallydismantled,andaCongressionalinvestigationhadfocusedonScreamingFist.Ripeforwatergating,theaidetoldCorto.

           He’dneedeyes,legs,andextensivecosmeticwork,theaidesaid,butthatcouldbearranged.Newplumbing,themanadded,squeezingCorto’sshoulderthroughthesweat-dampsheet.

           Cortoheardthesoft,relentlessdripping.Hesaidhepreferredtotestifyashewas.

           No,theaideexplained,thetrialswerebeingtelevised.Thetrialsneededtoreachthevoter.Theaidecoughedpolitely.

           Repaired,refurnished,andextensivelyrehearsed,Corto’ssubsequenttestimonywasdetailed,moving,lucid,andlargelytheinventionofaCongressionalcabalwithcertainvestedinterestsinsavingparticularportionsofthePentagoninfrastructure.CortograduallyunderstoodthatthetestimonyhegavewasinstrumentalinsavingthecareersofthreeofficersdirectlyresponsibleforthesuppressionofreportsonthebuildingoftheEMPinstallationsatKirensk.

           Hisroleinthetrialsover,hewasunwantedinWashington.InanMStreetrestaurant,overasparaguscrepes,theaideexplainedtheterminaldangersinvolvedintalkingtothewrongpeople.Cortocrushedtheman’slarynxwiththerigidfingersofhisrighthand.TheCongressionalaidestrangled,hisfaceinanasparaguscrepe,andCortosteppedoutintocoolWashingtonSeptember.