"Brad Thor - Harvath 01 -The Lions Of Lucerne" - читать интересную книгу автора (Thor Brad)

Senator Russell Rolander was the first to stand. тАЬDonald, good to see you.тАЭ The
senator stuck out his beefy paw and pumped FawcettтАЩs hand. Rolander and Fawcett
had been roommates together at the University of Illinois. The senator had been a
college football star and continued his notoriety through many years with the
Chicago Bears before going into Illinois politics. Long known as one of Washington,
D.C.тАЩs, biggest power brokers, Rolander was a ranking member of the U.S. Senate,
held a coveted position on the Appropriations Committee, and owned a weekend
home down the road from FawcettтАЩs.
Slower to rise was New York senator David Snyder. Snyder shook FawcettтАЩs hand
only after it had been offered. Described as a sneaky little son of a bitch by his
adversaries, Snyder had scaled the rocky heights of the American political landscape
by adhering to a simple mantra: do unto others before they do unto you. He was a
master of dirty tricks, and there were few in Washington who had dared cross
SnyderтАЩs path. Those who had, hadnтАЩt survived long politically. Snyder, a slight man
of wiry build and soft features, was the mirror opposite of the large, rugged,
blond-haired Rolander. However, what Senator David Snyder lacked in physical
stature, he more than made up in brainpower. That intelligence, coupled with a
genius for strategy, had landed him an all but permanent spot on the Senate
Intelligence Committee. There wasnтАЩt a covert operation conducted in the last seven
years that didnтАЩt somehow or other have SnyderтАЩs fingerprints on it.
Fawcett, always the showman, picked up a remote from the inlaid Egyptian box on
his desk and pointed it at a wall of books to the right of the fireplace. The false wall
slid back to reveal the entryway to a smaller room, about fifteen by fifteen feet. The
white walls were decorated with rococo trim and were lined with more leather-bound
books. The entire space was permeated with the smell of honey. The wood floor
was covered by a large oriental rug. A small fireplace, trimmed in marble, stood in
the southwest corner. It utilized the same chimney system as the fireplace in the large
study, which helped keep this room a secret to outsiders. Several gilded mirrors
hung on the walls and reflected the roomтАЩs centerpiece, an enormous antique rolltop
desk. A plush couch, with handsomely carved legs, sat opposite the desk. Fawcett
waved his guests into the adjoining room. Once all three were together, he tapped a
button on his remote and the wall slid shut behind them. With only minimal pressure
from FawcettтАЩs fingertips, a set of faux book spines sprang forward from one of the
bookshelves, revealing a set of crystal decanters.
тАЬBrandy anyone?тАЭ said Fawcett as he removed a large snifter and a decanter filled
with the amber-colored liquor.
тАЬIтАЩll take one,тАЭ replied Rolander.
тАЬScotch rocks, if youтАЩve got it,тАЭ said Snyder.
As Fawcett began pouring the drinks, he motioned for the men to take a seat on the
couch. Rolander, very much at ease with himself, plopped right down onto the
antique sofa. Snyder lingered, wandering around the small room for a few seconds
pretending to admire the decor. The high-tech surveillance sweeper, disguised as a
beeper on his hip, had vibrated uncontrollably as he and Rolander were led down the
long hallways of FawcettтАЩs palatial home toward the study. An adept student of
security and surveillance systems, Snyder had noticed many of FawcettтАЩs obvious
safety measures and had guessed at the ones he couldnтАЩt see. No doubt Fawcett had
the best money could buy. An extremely cautious man, he never left anything to
chance. Snyder knew that much about him and that was one of the reasons heтАЩd
agreed to become this deeply involved.
The sweeper hadnтАЩt vibrated at all since he had entered the secret room, and for the