“It’s not what’s in the written report,” he said. “That’s just a diversion. The problem’s in the oral report. The one the great PI firm can’t put down on paper for fear of litigation.”

“Well,” I demanded to know, “what does this oral report say?”

“No one’s ever going to know where this came from?” he inquired one more time. “You know, they’d hang me for this.”

“Look,” I guaranteed him, “a deal’s a deal. No one, I promise, no one will ever know this came from you.”

“Okay, okay,” he said. “The report says the feds are investigating you. Seriously investigating you, if you know what I mean.”

I didn’t know what he meant. How could we be under investigation and I not know about it? This couldn’t be true. Maybe Deep Throat was lying. But come to think of it, hadn’t the guy from the first big underwriter asked us about this? Hadn’t he mentioned a federal investigation and just dropped it after Jim was so taken aback even by the suggestion? Sure, and right after that they dropped us. No, Deep Throat was no liar. I needed more facts.

“Tell me,” I implored, “which federal agency is investigating us? I’ve got to know so I can clear this up.”

“Look, I already said enough. You know what can happen to me if anyone knows I told you this? I’ve got a family to look out for.”

“Please, please, you gotta tell me. I’ve got a right to know.”

“Look,” he said, “I don’t know. I only know one more thing, but if I tell you, you gotta promise never to call me again.”

“Fine, I promise, I promise. Who’s after us?”

“I don’t know who’s after you. But it all starts in the New Jersey attorney general’s office. That’s where the PI firm got the info from.” And then Deep Throat clicked off.

I kept my promise. I never called him again or let anyone know of his identity.

So now I knew. No wonder no one would deal with us. Everyone thought we were all going to the slammer. With this information, however, maybe we could set it all straight. But first I had to make sure it was true.