"Lee Edgar - Princess 04 - Checkmate for a Princess" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

d├йtente. Suzette seemed the only truly cheerful one, a lover of pure orange
juice.
'I now have the pictures that have been developed,' announced the Admiral. 'It
seems there is lot of work to be done to put Europe right. Little remains, as
far as our experts can tell, of any form of central government in the European
countries.'
'And what of Britain?' asked Roger.
'No contact yet with the northern fleet. I hope the news, when it comes, will
be better.'
'We must set up some kind of relief organisation,' said Philippe. He looked
from the Admiral to the Russian Colonel. 'Will your governments help?'
'I have received a coded communiqu├й from Washington,' said Admiral Davison.
'The President is sending a representative across in the next day or so to
weigh up the situation.'
'And your people?' Suzette asked the Russians.
'They have been less open about their offers,' replied the Major. 'I fear they
will wait for a United Nations directive before acting.'
The Admiral pushed his empty plate away from himself. 'I shall send in my full
report later in the day. I would be honoured, Colonel Narovic, if you would
assist me and confirm my observations.'
'In the furtherance of peace, Admiral, I would gladly do so.'
'Can I help?' asked Suzette cheerfully, probably knowing far more about the
true situation than both of the men put together.
The two military leaders looked at each other.
'It is possible you could be useful for something,' said the Russian.
'We will need weather reports,' added the Admiral.
Suzette sat in silence for a long time.
Her brother saved her embarrassment and spoke for them all. 'Well, if you
don't need us, gentlemen, we will go and repair our house or clean our car or
something. Might I beg us a lift back to land?' He stood up.
'Of course, Mr Blackman,' said the Admiral. 'Our helicopter is at your
disposal and Major Slazinski has orders to assist you in any way possible. He
will be in radio contact with us here and keep you supplied with food and
whatever else you need.'
'You are very kind,' said Philippe, also standing. He turned to the Russians.
'It was nice meeting you, comrades. I'm sure we will meet again sometime,
under less stressful circumstances.'
'I hope so,' said Major Gobonev. He turned to Suzette. 'Proschaneye, Miss
Blackman - Farewell.'
'Dos vidanya,' she responded with a brief glance at Colonel Narovic. 'Until we
meet again.'
~~~~~
FRIDAY 13th AUGUST - 1500 hrs.
The sound of the labouring engines caused Philippe to look up from his repair
work on Suzette's villa and lean out of the broken window. Roger stepped onto
the patio and looked down the hill to where the three trucks wound their way
through the narrow gorge that cut off their valley from the wide, once-fertile
Plain of Rousillon.
'It looks like Carlos,' he announced with a smile.
'He seems to have gathered a few friends along the way,' observed Suzette,