He also saw things and did things over which it is best to draw a kindly veil, for _every_ desire--mental or physical, open or sternly suppressed, noble or base--that Virgil Samms had ever had was being _completely satisfied_. EVERY DESIRE.
As Samms sat there, straining motionlessly upon the verge of death through sheer ecstasy, a door opened and Senator Morgan entered the room. Herkimer started, almost imperceptibly, as he turned--had there been, or not, an instantaneously-suppressed flash of guilt in those now completely clear and frank brown eyes?
"Hi, Chief; come in and sit down. Glad to see you--this is not exactly my idea of fun."
"No? When did you stop being a sadist?" The senator sat down beside his minion's desk, the fingertips of his left hand began soundlessly to drum. "You wouldn't have, by any chance, been considering the idea of...?" He paused significantly.
"What an idea." Herkimer's act--if it was an act--was flawless. "He's too good a man to waste."
"I know it, but you didn't act as though you did. I've never seen you come out such a poor second in an interview ... and it wasn't because you didn't know to start with just what kind of a tiger he was--that's why he was selected for this job. And it would have been so easy to give him just a wee bit more."
"That's preposterous, Chief, and you know it."
"Do I? However, it couldn't have been jealousy, because he isn't being considered for your job. He won't be over you, and there's plenty of room for everybody. What was the matter? Your bloodthirstiness wouldn't have taken you _that_ far, under these circumstances. Come clean, Herkimer."
"Okay--I hate the whole damned family!" Herkimer burst out, viciously.
"I see. That adds up." Morgan's face cleared, his fingers became motionless. "You can't make the Samms wench and aren't in position to skin her alive, so you get allergic to all her relatives. That adds up, but let me tell you something." His quiet, level voice carried more of menace than most men's loudest threats. "Keep your love life out of business and keep that sadistic streak under control. Don't let anything like this happen again."
"I won't, Chief. I got off the beam--but he made me so _damn_ mad!"
"Certainly. That's exactly what he was trying to do. Elementary. If he could make you look small it would make him look big, and he just about did. But watch now, he's coming to."