"Charles L. Harness - The Rose" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harness Charles L)

He strode angrily toward the door. After a few seconds of dial manipulation, he turned the handle and
pulled it inward. A hand thrust something metallic at him. Anna caught whispers. She fought down a
feeling of suffocation as Grade opened the cassette and read the message.

The Security officer walked leisurely back toward them. He stroked his moustache coolly, handed the bit
of paper to Martha Jacques, then clasped his hands behind his back. For a moment he looked like a
glowering bronze statue. "Dr. van Tuyl, you didn't tell us that you were already acquainted with Mr.
Jacques. Why?"

"You didn't ask me."

Martha Jacques said harshly: "That answer is hardly satisfactory. How long have you known Mr.
Jacques? I want to get to the bottom of this."

"I met him last night for the first time in the Via Rosa. We danced. That's all. The whole thing was purest
coincidence."

"You are his lover," accused Martha Jacques.

Anna colored. "You flatter me, Mrs. Jacques.

Grade coughed. "She's right, Mrs. Jacques. I see no sex-based espionage."

"Then maybe it's even subtler," said Martha Jacques. "These platonic females are still worse, because
they sail under false colors. She's after Ruy, I tell you."

"I assure you," said Anna, "that your reaction comes as a complete surprise to me. Naturally, I shall
withdraw from the case at once."

"But it doesn't end with that," said Grade curtly. "The national safety may depend on Mrs. Jacques' peace
of mind during the coming weeks. I must ascertain your relation with Mr. Jacques. And I must warn you
that if a compromising situation exists, the consequences will be most unpleasant." He picked up the
telephone. "Grade. Get me the O.D."

Anna's palms were uncomfortably wet and sticky. She wanted to wipe them on the sides of her dress,
but then decided it would be better to conceal all signs of nervousness.

Grade barked into the mouthpiece. "Hello! That you, Packard? Send meтАФ"

Suddenly the room vibrated with the shattering impact of massive metal on metal.

The three whirled toward the sound.

A stooped, loudly dressed figure was walking away from the great and inviolate door of Colonel Grade,
drinking in with sardonic amusement the stuporous faces turned to him. It was evident he had just
slammed the door behind him with all his strength.
Insistent squeakings from the teleset stirred Grade into a feeble response. "Never mind...it's Mr.
Jacques..."