"TUROW, SCOTT - THE BURDEN OF PROOF" - читать интересную книгу автора (Turrow Scott)

"Oh, it'll be your first," said Peter. "You'll want to give it lots of
attention. It will always be special."

The doorbell rang. Through the front panes, Stern saw his
brother-in-law. Dixon had returned to town last night. He had been in
New York on pressing business and had delayed flying home. Stern had
felt slighted--the usual with Dixon-and he was taken aback, therefore,
at his relief at seeing Dixon on the threshold with his bags yesterday
evening. His brother-in-law, a large, solid man, had thrown his arms
about Stern and made a good show of great sorrow. One could seldom be
certain how Dixon truly felt. That was part of his genius--he was like
a forest, full of many colors. He could greet you at any instant with a
salesman's blather or the gruffest truths.

This morning, however, Dixon's attention had returned more typically to
himself. As Stern took his coat, Dixon lowered his voice discreetly.

"When you're back at the stand, Stern, I'd like to ask you a question or
two."

Dixon always addressed him military fashion, last name only. They had
met originally in the service, which had led, by turns, to Dixon's
making Silvia's acquaintance and to his becoming in time her suitor, a
development to which Stern was still not fully adjusted, three decades
after the fact.

"Business questions?" he asked Dixon.

"That kind of item. I don't need to trouble you now. I want to hear
about your trip to Chicago."

Ah yes, thought Stern, the paths of ego were deep and the living needed
to go on.

"'I understand your concern, Dixon. The situation may be somewhat
involved, however. It i's best that we discuss it another time."

A shadow Passed, predictably, over Dixon. Fifty-five years old, he. was
tan, trim, and, even with this darkened look, the image of vitality. He
was a powerful man; he worked out every day with weight equipment. Dixon
worshipped at the same altar as so many others in America: the body and
its uses. His dark brass-colored hair had grown paler and more brittle
with age, but was cleverly barbered to give him a mannerly business-like
look.

"You didn't like what you heard?" he asked Stern.

In fact, Stern had learned little of substance, The documents he had
examined in Chicago account statements and trading records of the
clients for an eight- or nine-month period, had been revealing. There