"Dean Ing - Silent Thunder" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ing Dean)

liberals to go easy on the criticism.

Harry Rand took a sip. Then we sweep pornography from the shelves, he said.

Yes.

A larger sip. Then we cast out the coat hangers.

Wha? ah, the abortionist's coat hanger; sometimes you come up with unexpected
connections, Harry. But yes; out with the coat hangers.

Harry drained his glass. It sounds good, Walt, I'll get back to you on it.

Or I can call you.

I was sure you would, said the President. But I don't see why the urgency.

Kalvin swirled his drink and took his time answering. It gets a little complicated. Call it a
window of opportunity. I thought it would stay open, but it won't.

Don't go cryptic on me, said the President.

All right: I know how you worry about people and I didn't want to bother you. And he
would be very upset if he knew I'd told you, so this doesn't go out of the room.

Harry drew a cross-my-heart on his vest. Who'd be upset?

Terence Unruh. He has an inoperable cancer, Harry. He'll be dead in six weeks.

Harry Rand frowned his way to a connection. Oh; that CIA deputy you're so chummy
with. Family man?

Yes, but they're taking it well. And the Director of

Central Intelligence will pick the next man. And whoever he is, he won't be as, um,
friendly as Terry Unruh. We have a month, Harry. After that, if we've lost our unofficial
friendly provider and we can't make sure the media are responsible to us, I couldn't
guarantee anything.

Harry Rand knew that Walt's definition of 'friendly' leaned toward the willing and useful;
the manageable of whatever Walter Kalvin wanted managed. Don't look so glum, Walt.
Pointing at his breast, smiling: This is still where all the bucks stop.

Walter Kalvin's glance was almost dismissive. I wouldn't guarantee even that, Harry, he
said. You never know what ridiculous charges might get ballyhooed into an issue by
some gonzo newsman. But with a Federal Media Council, you can stop the ballyhoo
before it gains momentum.
Harry Rand could feel himself flushing with irritation because, while he bowed to no man
in his basic goodness, this council idea was the sort of thing that might work for men
whose supply of goodness was severely limited. He stood up, walked to the ritzy