"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 04 - Kalin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

insignia of an officer. "That's no way to talk. You got divorced,
didn't you?"

"What's that got to do with it?"

"She got married again, didn't she?"

"So?"

"Forget it," said the officer. "I'm not looking for a quarrel. But
you volunteered for gate-duty. You swore that you had no
grudges to settle and that you could use the extra pay. So you're
here and you're going to stay here for the duration. Get it?"
 "Go to hell!"

"This is your last chance, Brad."

"тАФyou!"

The officer reached out and snatched the rifle from the
guard's hands. "All right," he said coldly. "That's enough. Now
beat it."

"What?" The man blinked. "Now wait a minute!" he stormed.
"I've got a right toтАФ"

"You're relieved," snapped the officer. "I don't want you on
this gate. Now get to hell out of here while you've still got the
chance."

Dumarest looked at the officer as the man walked away
mouthing threats. "He'll get you for this."

"No he won't," said the officer. "Brad's a coward and a bully
and that's a poor survival combination. He's made too many
enemies and won't last until dawn." He sucked thoughtfully at
his teeth. "A little insurance wouldn't hurt though," he mused. "I
know his ex-wife. She's a decent woman married to a trained
fighter. I'll tip them off about what has happened. Just in case,"
he explained. "Some rats have a lot of luck and Brad might just
about make it to their apartment."

"But that's as far as he'll get," said Dumarest.

"Sure," agreed the officer. "That's the whole idea." He walked
to where a booth stood beside the gate, to a phone and his
warning call.

Dumarest joined his companions where they stood looking
down the road. There was little to see. Fires sent drifts of smoke