‘‘So I’m going to give these necessary—but perhaps a little underhanded—missions to Bill, who is the best lawyer I know,’’ Roosevelt said.
‘‘I don’t quite understand, Mr. President,’’ Hoover said.
‘‘Among other things you are to do, Edgar,’’ the President said, ‘‘is not only to look the other way when you suspect COI is doing something it shouldn’t, but . . . and this is very important . . . you are to divert the eyes of other people who may be asking questions.’’
‘‘Isn’t that tantamount to giving COI a license to break the law?’’ Hoover asked.
‘‘It is giving him license to do whatever I tell him to do in any way he can most effectively do it,’’ the President said.
‘‘If this came out, Mr. President, it would be damaging, very damaging, politically,’’ Hoover said. ‘‘I respectfully suggest, Mr. President, that the FBI can handle this sort of business, when necessary, better than anyone else.’’
Donovan was surprised that Hoover was offering the FBI to do the President’s illegal bidding. Roosevelt acted as if he didn’t hear him.
‘‘I yesterday afternoon sent to the Senate the name of Commander Douglass for promotion to captain,’’ Roosevelt said. ‘‘And I instructed the secretary of the Navy to place Captain Douglass on indefinite duty with the Office of the Coordinator of Information. In the absence of Bill, when dealing with COI, you will deal with Douglass.
‘‘I have also instructed the chief of naval intelligence that he is to transfer to COI whatever people Captain Douglass asks for. And I want you, Edgar, to send over six of your best people to Douglass. Your very best people.’’
‘‘Yes, Mr. President,’’ Hoover said.
The people he will send, Douglass thought, will be the ones who will spy most effectively on us.
‘‘From the people so assembled, Captain Douglass will select those who will accompany the scientists to England as their protectors, and to see what other information they can develop.’’
‘‘I respectfully—’’ Hoover tried again.
‘‘I told you before, Edgar,’’ the President said, ‘‘that this decision is not open for debate.’’
‘‘Yes, Mr. President,’’ Hoover said. The second most skilled politician in Washington knew when not to argue.
‘‘Is that about it, Bill?’’ the President asked.
‘‘Just one thing,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘Edgar, if we want to arm our people, what would be the most inconspicuous way to do it?’’
‘‘Are you asking me if I will see FBI credentials given to your people?’’ Hoover asked, his face flushing.
‘‘Edgar,’’ the President said, ‘‘you missed the point. If Bill asks you for FBI credentials, you will either give him the credentials or explain to me why you can’t.’’
‘‘I don’t want FBI credentials,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘I want something that won’t call attention to our people. The FBI is famous. We want to be anonymous.’’
‘‘Did you say ‘infamous’?’’ the President asked.
"Deputy U.S. marshal," Hoover said after a moment’s thought. ‘‘They’re armed, and they travel a good deal. How soon will you need them?’’
‘‘As soon as you and the Navy send your people,’’ Douglass said.
‘‘I’ll take care of it,’’ Hoover said.
‘‘I have heard from the National Institute of Health about you, Bill,’’ the President said.
‘‘The National Institute of Health?’’
‘‘You will be thrilled, I’m sure, to hear that you now have offices. In the National Institute of Health.’’
‘‘The NIH?’’ Hoover asked, amused.
‘‘I considered St. Elizabeths for a while,’’ the President said, ‘‘before settling on NIH. At least it will be close to your place in Georgetown.’’
‘‘Your kindness overwhelms me, Franklin,’’ Donovan said.