"Jeff Verona - Field Day" - читать интересную книгу автора (Verona Jeff)

"Maybe," I said. "LetтАЩs tread carefully, okay? Be polite. No accusations."
She muttered something under her breath, then nodded. "You give good
advice,
Doug. Sometimes I forget I am here to learn from you as well as to do the
work."
My face grew hot. "Thanks, Tevi. ItтАЩs hard for me to hold my tongue, too,
and
it took me a while to learn that tact is the biggest part of this job."
We spent the balance of the afternoon compiling our preliminary report. A
message came through from Jeb Lee, asking us to join him for dinner, so I
dug
out my one decent outfit and readied myself. Tevi dressed in layers of
glittering cloth, transforming herself into a resplendent, gleaming jewel.
Patrick Henry, who came to take us to LeeтАЩs home, could barely keep his
eyes
in their sockets.
Jeb Lee greeted us like a politician, all smiles and handshakes, and
complimented Tevi effusively on her outfit. The other members of the dinner
party, all community leaders of one stripe or another, tried not to stare
at
 her. Knowing that they were male, I was sure that they appreciated the
ample
display of bare skin TeviтАЩs outfit provided. Knowing that they were
Sovereignty, I was sure they were mortified that the delicate, smooth skin
was
black.
Dinner was served by a corps of silent, severely-dressed women who flitted
about like ghosts, trading plates and filling glasses. I showed my thanks
with
words and smiles, but the women acted like I was invisible. The men ignored
them. Over the soup, I asked the florid-faced man next to me where the
spouses
were.
"Our wives?" His spoon paused in midair. "At home, of course. This is
business, they donтАЩt need to be here. Besides, theyтАЩve got to look after
the
kids. Mine does, at least."
Across the table, TeviтАЩs smile froze into place.
I extended a leg beneath the table and gave her shin a warning poke.
"Perhaps
I saw one of your children today during our inspection. Well-behaved, they
were. Athletic, too. YouтАЩve got some good football players here. Are there
any
senior leagues?"
"Leagues for football?" He stared at me. "WeтАЩre adults, Mister Hammond. We
have more important things to do than kick a ball around."
"Still, everyone can use a little exercise." I glanced at the manтАЩs
generous
stomach
He finished the last of his soup. "Militia duty keeps me in shape."