"Clancy, Tom - Jack Ryan 02 - Patriot Games" - читать интересную книгу автора (Clancy Tom)

"I think I'll live," Ryan allowed. Kittiwake thrust a thermometer in
his mouth to make sure.

Forty minutes after the police had left, Ryan was typing happily away
on his computer-toy, reviewing notes and drafting some fresh copy. Cathy
Ryan's most frequent (and legitimate) complaint about her husband was that
while he was reading -- or worse, writing -- the world could end around
him without his taking notice. This was not entirely true. Jack did notice
Wilson jumping to attention out the corner of his eye, but he did not look
up until he had finished the paragraph. When he did, he saw that his new
visitors were Her Majesty, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. His
first coherent thought was a mental curse that no one had warned him. His
second, that he must look very funny with his mouth hanging open.
"Good morning, Doctor Ryan," the Queen said agreeably. "How are you
feeling?"
"Uh, quite well, thank you, uh, Your Majesty. Won't you, uh, please
sit down?" Ryan tried to sit more erect in his bed, but was halted by a
flash of pain from his shoulder. It helped to center his thoughts and
reminded him that his medication was nearly due.
"We have no wish to impose," she said. Ryan sensed that she didn't
wish to leave right away, either. He took a second to frame his response.
"Your Majesty, a visit from a head of state hardly qualifies as an
imposition. I would be most grateful for your company." Wilson hustled to
get two chairs and excused himself out the door as they sat.
The Queen was dressed in a peach-colored suit whose elegant simplicity
must have made a noteworthy dent even in her clothing budget. The Duke was
in a dark blue suit which finally made Ryan understand why his wife wanted
him to buy some clothes over here.
"Doctor Ryan," she said formally, "on our behalf, and that of our
people, we wish to express to you our most profound gratitude for your
action of yesterday. We are very much in your debt."
Ryan nodded soberly. He wondered just how awful he looked. "For my own
part, ma'am, I am glad that I was able to be of service -- but the truth
of the matter is that I didn't really do all that much. Anyone could have
done the same thing. I just happened to be the closest."
"The police say otherwise," the Duke observed. "And after viewing the
scene myself, I am inclined to agree with them. I'm afraid you're a hero
whether you like it or not." Jack remembered that this man had once been a
professional naval officer -- probably a good one. He had the look.
"Why did you do it. Doctor Ryan?" the Queen asked. She examined his
face closely.
Jack made a quick guess. "Excuse me, ma'am, but are you asking why I
took the chance, or why an Irish-American would take the chance?" Jack was
still ordering his own thoughts, examining his own memories. Why did you
do it? Will you ever know? He saw that he'd guessed right and went on
quickly.
"Your Majesty, I cannot speak to your Irish problem. I'm an American
citizen, and my country has enough problems of its own without having to
delve into someone else's. Where I come from we -- that is,