"William W. Johnstone - Ashes 02 - Fire In the Ashes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johnstone William W)

Addison was so angry he was trembling, his cheeks mottled with white flecks in the flush. тАЬLowry, I am
going to call a press conference. During that press conference, I am going to disassociate myself from this
scheme and publicly and categorically express my opposition to it."

тАЬThat is certainly your privilege, sir.тАЭ Lowry maintained his composure.

тАЬThat will be all,тАЭ Addison said.

тАЬYes, sir."

Lowry was grinning as he walked out of the office, being careful not to slam the door behind him.
****
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The small convoy rolled through the night, speeding past deserted homes and through small empty towns.
Ben rode in a car in the center of the armed convoy, asleep, his head on Jerre's shoulder. James Riverson
was at the wheel of the car. As so many of the Rebels in Ben's personal contingent, Riverson had been
with him for years.

тАЬDon't like it, Miss Jerre,тАЭ the huge ex-truck driver from Missouri said, his big hands making the steering
wheel appear smaller than normal. Riverson had lost his wife, Belle, in the battle for Tri-States, and their
children had been killed by government troops. Riverson hated the central government of the United
States, and like so many Rebels, could not understand why Tri-States had been destroyed.

тАЬDon't like what, James?"

тАЬThe way all this is shaping up. The people are going to get caught right in the middle."

тАЬI know. So does BenтАФhe doesn't like it either. He's going to have leaflets printed, advising the people
to stand clear."

тАЬYou know they won't do it. The majority of citizens don't understand how we could build a workable
society so quickly and their own non-elected officialsтАФmost of them, anywayтАФcan't seem to do
anything. Talk, talk, talk. No action. Or damn little action, anyway."

тАЬIsn't that the way it's always been, James? You're older than I am. Isn't that the way it's always been?"

He slowly nodded his head. тАЬI reckon so, Miss Jerre. From 1980 on, I didn't even bother voting."

тАЬThat seems so sad, James."

тАЬIt was. But hell, what was the point? Supreme Court and federal judges ran the country. The people
didn't have anything to say about it. Not the people who had any goddamn sense, that is.тАЭ He grinned in
the dim light from the dash. тАЬExcuse me, Miss Jerre. That was selfish of me to say. We all have rights. I
just wish they'd have left us alone in Tri-States. We weren't bothering a soul. Just being happy, that's all
we were doing."