"Ludlum, Robert - The Matarese Countdown" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ludlum Robert)

"They probably eat their weight every day.. .. Not that it matters,
but where's your husband?"

"Out hunting. He says one can track animals in the new snow."

"He'll probably shoot his foot off. Also, we don't need provisions.

Moscow is generous," the old woman said.

"As they should be!" interjected Anastasia Solatov.

"No, my dear. Because they're frightened to be otherwise."

"What are you saying, Maria Yuriskaya?"

"Bring me the priest, my child. I'm eighty-five years old, and someone
must be told the truth. Now!"

The elderly, black-robed Russian Orthodox prelate stood over the bed.

He knew the signs; he had seen them too often. The old woman was
dying, her breath growing shorter, with each moment more difficult.

"Your confession, dear lady?" he intoned.

"Not mine, you ass!" replied Maria Yuriskaya.

"It was a day not unlike this-the snow on the ground, the hunters
ready, their guns strapped over their shoulders. He was killed on such
a day as this, his body mauled, torn apart by a crazed wounded bear
driven into his path by madmen."

"Yes, yes, we've all heard the story of your tragic loss, Maria."

"They said at first it was the Americans, then that it was my husband's
critics in Moscow-even his jealous competitors, but it was neither."

"It was so long ago, madame. Stay calm, the Lord is waiting for you.
He will take you into his bosom and comfort you-" "Guvno, you fool! The
truth must be told. I learned later-calls from all over the world,
nothing written, only words spoken through the ajr_that I and my
children, and their children, would never live to see another daybreak
should I speak of what my husband said to me."

"What was that, Maria?"

"My breath is leaving me, Father, the window grows dark."

"What was it, my child of God?"