"02 - Blue Gold (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cussler Clive)

"That's what they said in Los Angeles when the city water department stole the Owens Valley river."

"You make my point for me. This is nothing new. L.A. be came the biggest, richest, and most powerful desert city in the world by sending forth an army of water surveyors, lawyers, and land speculators to take control of water from its neighbors."

Professor Dearborn spoke up. "Pardon me, but I'm afraid I agree with the congressman. The Los Angeles case was a classic case of water imperialism. If what you're saying is true, you're laying the groundwork for a water monopoly."

"Let me pose a scenario, Dr. Dearborn. The drought persists. The Colorado River is unable to meet demand. The cities are dying of thirst. You wouldn't have lawyers debating water allocation, you'd have gunfights at the water hole as in the old days. Think about it. Thirst-crazed mobs in the street, attacking all authority. The complete breakdown of order. The Watts riots would be a schoolyard fight by comparison."

Dearborn nodded like a man in a trance. "You're right," he said, clearly troubled. "But, if you'll pardon me . . . it just doesn't seem right."

She cut him short. "This is a fight for survival, professor. We live or we die according to our will."

Defeated, Dearborn leaned back, arms folded, and shook his head.

Kinkaid took up the cudgels. "Don't let her confuse the issue with her phony scenarios, Professor Dearborn."

"Apparently I have not been able to change your mind."

Kinkaid stood and said, "No, but I'll tell you what you did do. You've given me some good ammunition for when I bring this matter up again before committee. I wouldn't be surprised if antitrust action is merited. I'll bet my colleagues who voted for the Colorado River bill would change their minds if they knew that the whole system was going to be under the thumb of one corporation." "I'm sorry to hear that," Brynhild said.

"You're going to be a damned lot more sorry when I get through with you. I want to leave your private amusement park immediately."

She gazed at him with sadness. She admired strength even when it was used against her.

"Very well." She spoke into a radio she had clipped to her belt. "It will take a few minutes to get your luggage and ready the helicopter."

The door to the hall opened, and the man who had escorted Kinkaid earlier guided him from the chamber.

When they were gone, Brynhild said, "While some may consider this drought a disaster, it presents a golden opportunity. The Colorado River is only part of our plan. We are continuing to acquire control over water systems around the country. You are all in a position to influence the success of our goals in operations in your communities. There will be great reward for every one in this room, beyond your imagination in fact. At the same time you will be doing something for the common good as well." Her eyes swept both sides of the table. УAnyone who wants to leave now can do so. I only request that you give your word to keep your silence about this meeting."

The guests exchanged glances and some uneasily shifted their weight, but nobody accepted her offer of an exit visa. Not even Dearborn.

Waiters materialized magically, placed pitchers of water on the tables and a glass in front of each man.

Brynhild looked around the assemblage. "It was William Mulholland who was most responsible for bringing water to Los Angeles. He pointed to Owens Valley and said, 'There it is. Take it.' "

As if on signal, the waiters poured the glasses full and re treated.
Raising her glass high, she said, "There it is. Take it."

She put the glass to her lips and took a long drink. The others followed suit as if in a strange communion ritual.

"Good," she said. "Now for the next step. You will go home and wait for a call. When a request is made you will comply without question. Nothing that transpired at this meeting can be divulged. Not even the fact that you were here."

She scanned each face. "If there are no more questions," she said, making clear by her tone that debate had ended, "please enjoy yourselves. Dinner will be served in the dining hall in ten minutes. I have brought in a five-star chef, so I don't think you will be displeased. There's entertainment from Las Vegas after dinner, and you will be shown to your rooms. You will leave after breakfast tomorrow morning, in the sequence you arrived. I will see you at the next meeting, exactly a month from now."

With that, she left the table, strode across the room and through the double doors she had entered by, walking down a corridor and into an anteroom. Two men stood in the room, legs wide apart, arms folded behind their backs, their deep-set black eyes glued to the flickering screens that took up one wall. They were identical twins dressed alike in matching black leather jackets. They had the same stocky physiques, high cheekbones, hair the color of wet hay, and dark, beetling brows.

"Well, what do you think of our guests?" she said with derision. "Will these worms serve their purpose and loosen the soil?"

The analogy was lost on the brothers, who had only one thing on their minds.