"Gene Wolfe - Copperhead" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wolfe Gene)

"I know I am. Fortunately we've got three years until the next election."

"Longer than that, Mr. President."

"Nearly three years until the next campaign." Although no one was watching, the new President made
himself smile. Smiles showed in your voice. "That's what matters. How fast can you get her here,
George?"

"Can we play rough, Mr. President? If she doesn't want to come?" Rance was stalling, giving himself time
to think. That showed in your voice, too.

"Yes. Absolutely."

"What about Karen?"

The new President had not thought of that, but he would need to talk to Karen. Karen wanted a big job,
but had she earned one? Controlling the redhead was like neck-reining a tiger. Perhaps she had.
Assistant Secretary of Labor might be enough. "Yes," he said. "Bring Karen, if she can come. If she
can't, don't wait for her."

"Five hours, Mr. President."

He glanced at his wrist. "Eleven tonight, our time."



╖╖╖╖╖



They arrived at ten fifty-five in a black Lincoln Navigator, three FBI agents, Karen, and Jane Doe. He
had told the Secret Service to get out and stay out, and had telephoned the Secretary of the Treasury
when they had refused. They were a hundred yards or more away from the house, every one of them.

Now he ordered the FBI agents to return to their vehicle and stand by, and waved Karen and Jane Doe
in. The former looked smart, competent, and horribly tired; as always the latter was so lovely that it was
only with difficulty that he kept himself from gawking at her.

"You're beat," he told Karen. "Jane and I are going into the den to talk. Alone."

Karen nodded, and the tall and superlatively graceful woman he had named Jane Doe smiled
enigmatically and brushed hair the color of new copper wire away from her face.

"I know you've done a lot," he said. "I know you've done the best you could at an impossible job. I want
you to understand that I know that, no matter what else I may say tonight and no matter what happens
tonight. Do you?"

"Yes, Mr. President."