"William W Johnstone - Ashes 32 - Destiny in the Ashes (txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johnstone William W)

settle on the west side of town. It is a very poor section, even worse
than the center city, and the rents are cheap and no one asks too many
questions or requires papers showing citizenship."

"Is it safe to go there and search for persons needing then-shots?"
Corrie asked.

Marinaro shrugged. "As safe as any other place... which is to say, not
safe at all if you flash your money around. The people of Indianapolis
have been hit very hard by the recent cutbacks due to the war. Hunger
will make savages of the most law-abiding citizen at times," he said
apologetically.

Harley asked what the charges for the meal were, and Marinaro told him,
a worried look on his face as if he thought Harley might complain.

Harley grinned and gave him his money, adding a twenty-percent tip.
Marinaro's face lit up in a wide smile. "Thank you, sir. You are most
generous."

"We are going to be here for some time, and the hotel has no facilities
for eating," Harley said. He peeled off a few more bills. "If you would
be so kind as to restock your

40

kitchen, we would like to make this our main dining facility for the
duration of our stay."

Marinaro counted the money and nodded rapidly. "With this, I will get
you some veal and some beef for meatballs. You will eat like kings while
you are here."

"Good," Harley said, "but if you would, please keep it quiet. We don't
want to be bothered by beggars or thieves while we go about our business."

Marinaro grinned and put his finger against his lips. "It will be our
little secret."

In a well-used apartment building on the city's west side, Abdullah El
Farrar was meeting with his second in command, Mustafa Kareem.

"Mustafa," Farrar asked, sipping orange juice at a kitchen table, "have
you been able to find out the arrangements for President Osterman's
upcoming speech?"

"Yes," the big man answered quickly. "I found a member of her advisory
staff who enjoys the company of young men. Akim was much to his liking,
it seems, and was able to get him to talk without much difficulty."