"Kate Wilhelm - Forever Yours Anna" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilhelm Kate)

The buzzer sounded. When he opened the door, the prosperous, uninvited client was
there again. He was carrying a brushed-suede briefcase.

Gordon opened the door wider and motioned him on through the foyer into the office.
The sunlight was gone, eclipsed by the building across Amsterdam Avenue. He
indicated a chair and took his own seat behind the desk.

"I apologize for not making an appointment," his visitor said. He withdrew a wallet
from his breast pocket, took out a card, and slid it across the desk.

"I'm Avery Roda. On behalf of my company I should like to consult with you
regarding some correspondence that we have in our possession."

"That's my business," Gordon said. "And what is your company, Mr. Roda?"

"Draper Fawcett."

Gordon nodded slowly. "And your position there?"

Roda looked unhappy. "I am vice president in charge of research and development,
but right now I am in charge of an investigation we have undertaken. My first duty in
connection with this was to find someone with your expertise. You come very highly
recommended, Mr. Sills."

"Before we go on any further," Gordon said, "I should tell you that there are a number
of areas where I'm not interested in working. I don't do paternity suits, for example.
Or employer-employee pilferage cases."

Roda flushed.

"Or blackmail," Gordon finished equably. "That's why I'm not rich, but that's how it
is."

"The matter I want to discuss is none of the above," Roda snapped. "Did you read
about the explosion we had at our plant on Long Island two months ago?" He did not
wait for Cordon's response. "We lost a very good scientist, one of the best in the
country. And we cannot locate some of his paperwork, his notes. He was involved
with a woman who may have them in her possession. We want to find her, recover
them."

Cordon shook his head. "You need the police, then, private detectives, your own
security force."

"Mr. Sills, don't underestimate our resolve or our resources. We have set all that in
operation, and no one has been able to locate the woman. Last week we had a
conference during which we decided to try this route. What we want from you is as
complete an analysis of the woman as you can give us, based on her handwriting.
That may prove fruitful." His tone said he doubted it very much.

"I assume the text has not helped."