"Robert Reed - Five Thrillers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

"Blood,тАЭ Joe repeated. тАЬAs much as we can physically manage. And we can also enjoy a big chemically
induced shit before leaving this wreck."

The engineer began massaging the numbers.

Joe matter-of-factly dangled his leg between the officers. тАЬAnd if we're pressed, I guess I could
surrender one of these boys. But my guess is that it won't come to that."

And in the end, it did not.
****
Three weeks later, Joe Carroway was sitting in the psychiatrist's office, calmly discussing the tragedy.

"I've read everyone's report,тАЭ she admitted.
He nodded, and he smiled.

Unlike their last meeting, the woman was striving to maintain a strict professional distance. She couldn't
have foreseen what would happen to the Dandy Demon or how this employee would respond. But there
was the possibility that blame would eventually settle on her, and to save her own flesh, she was
determined to learn exactly what Joe and the officers had decided on the bridge.

"Does your face hurt?тАЭ she inquired.

"A little bit."

"How many times did he strike you?"

"Ten,тАЭ Joe offered. тАЬMaybe more."

She winced. тАЬThe weapon?"

"A rough piece of iron,тАЭ he said. тАЬBarnes had a souvenir from the first asteroid he helped work."

Infrared sensors and the hidden T-scanner were observing the subject closely. Examining the telemetry,
she asked, тАЬWhy did you pick Mr. Barnes?"

"That's in my report."

"Remind me, Joe. What were your reasons?"

"He was big enough to matter."

"And what did the others think about the man?"

"You mean the crew?тАЭ Joe shrugged. тАЬHe was one of us. Maybe he was quiet and kept to himselfтАФ"

"Bullshit."

When he wanted, Joe could produce a shy, boyish grin.