"Robert Reed - Decency" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

"I'll take that for youтАФ"

"Sorry, ma'am." He had read her ID tag, adding, "I'm expecting Marvin
Lee. Material studies."

"I know. But Marvin's busy, and I like the press tent's coffee. Since I
was coming this way, I volunteered."

"But I can't give it to you. Ma'am." Caleb could see how the shard had
been stolen in the first place.

Red eyes rolled, amused with his paranoia.
 Not for the first time, he felt frustration. No sense of protocol here; no
respect for sensible rules. The name on the ID was Hilton. Showing none
of his feeling, Caleb said, "Perhaps you could take me to him, Dr. Hilton. If
it's no trouble."

"I guess." She poured black coffee into a Styrofoam cup, a knowing
little smile appearing. "Now I get it. You're after a trip to the big tent,
aren't you?"

Hadn't he just said that?

A sly wink, and she said, "Come on then. I'll take you."

They left the press tent, the doctor without a coat and the guard not
bothering to zip his up. A twenty-yard walk, then they entered the bug's
enormous tent, three sets of sealed doors opening for them. The last pair
of guards waved them on without a look. Caleb smelled liquor, for just a
moment, and as he stepped through the door he was wondering whom to
warn about this serious breach of the rules тАФ

тАФand there was a horrible, horrible wail.

Caleb stopped in midstride, his breath coming up short, a bolt of
electricity making his spine straighten up and his face reflexively twist as
if in agony.

Turning, showing the oddest half-grin, Dr. Hilton inquired, "Is
something wrong?"

It took him a moment to say, "No, I'm fine."

"But it's your first time here, isn't it?"

What was her point?

"You've heard stories about it, haven't you?"