"William W. Johnstone - Ashes 01 - Out of the Ashes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johnstone William W)

тАЬThe FBI knows damned well I was a mercenary back in тАШ69 and тАШ70. So does the State Department. I
made that very clear in several of my novels. Blackmail won't work with me.тАЭ
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The man shrugged. тАЬIt was worth a try.тАЭ

тАЬLook,тАЭ Ben said, тАЬI don't like the way this country is going any more than you doтАФbelieve that, or not.
But violent overthrowтАФeven if you people had the men and equipment, which you don'tтАФis not my
forte.тАЭ

тАЬBut we do have the men and equipment, Mr. Raines.тАЭ

тАЬYou say. I don't want any part of it.тАЭ

тАЬYou're certain?тАЭ

тАЬAs certain as the sun comes up in the east.тАЭ

тАЬThen we badly misjudged you, Mr. Raines.тАЭ

Ben shook his head in disagreement. тАЬNo, you didn't. If you had approached me just a few years ago,
back in тАШ80, or even тАШ82, I probably would have gone along with you. But now ... no.тАЭ

тАЬMay I ask why not?тАЭ

тАЬBecause for the past few years I've been very comfortable. And getting fatter all the time. My books
are selling well; no bill collectors calling every night; everything you see around youтАФincluding the
houseтАФis paid for. I have no reason to rock the boat.тАЭ

тАЬIf you are so happy, why do you drink yourself into a stupor every evening?тАЭ

Ben smiled. тАЬYou have been investigating, haven't you? I didn't mention happy, did I? Comfortable was
the word I chose.тАЭ

тАЬHas it not occurred to you that we may be privy to ... matters concerning the situation in the world that
... you are not aware of, sir? I beg you to reconsider your stance.тАЭ

Ben shook his head no.

The man sighed. тАЬWell ... you will not be contacted by us again, Mr. Raines. Thank you for your time.тАЭ
He hesitated, then said, тАЬI ... may be making a mistake, Mr. Raines, but everybody is entitled to one. So
here is mine: Bull Dean and Carl Adams are still alive. They're running the show.тАЭ

Ben came out of his chair. He stared at the man. тАЬI don't believe it. Hey! I saw the bodies, buddy.тАЭ

The man's expression did not change. тАЬIf you reverse your position, Mr. Raines, just run an ad in the
local paper that you'd like to buy a Russian wolfhound. You'll be contacted.тАЭ He turned and was gone