"Kate Wilhelm - Winter Beach" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilhelm Kate)

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Copyright (C)1981 Kate Wilhelm

First published in Redbook, 1981
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HUGH LASATER stood with his back to the window watching Lloyd Pierson squirm. They were in
Pierson's office, a room furnished with university-issue desk and book shelves, as devoid of personality
as Pierson himself was. He was one of those men no one after the fact could ever identify, so neutral he
could vanish in a mist, become one with a landscape, and never be seen again.

Lloyd Pierson stopped fidgeting with his pencil and took a deep breath. тАЬI can't do it,тАЭ he said primly,
examining the pencil. тАЬIt would be unethical, and besides she would appeal. She might even have a sex
discrimination case.тАЭ

тАЬShe won't appeal. Believe me, she won't make a stink.тАЭ

Pierson shook his head. He glanced at his watch, then confirmed what he had learned by looking at the
wall clock.

Lasater suppressed a laugh.

тАЬYou do it, or I go over your head,тАЭ he said mildly. тАЬIt's a funny thing how people hate having this kind of
decision shoved at them when it could have been handled on a lower level. You know?тАЭ

тАЬYou have no right!тАЭ Pierson snapped. He looked at Lasater, then quickly away again. тАЬThis is
insufferable.тАЭ

тАЬRighto. Dean McCrory, isn't it? I just happen to have his number here somewhere. I suppose your
secretary would place the call for me?тАЭ He searched his notebook, then stopped, holding it open.

тАЬI want to talk to your supervisor, your boss, whoever that is.тАЭ

Lasater shrugged. тАЬGot a piece of paper? I'll write the number for you.тАЭ Pierson handed him a note pad
and he jotted down a number. тАЬThat's a Washington area code. Dial it yourself, if you don't mind. You
have an outside line, don't you? And his is a direct line, it'll be his private secretary who answers. Just tell
him it's about the bird-of-prey business. He'll put you through.тАЭ

тАЬWhose private secretary?тАЭ

тАЬSecretary of Defense,тАЭ Lasater said, as if surprised that Pierson had not recognized the number.