"Дон Пендлтон. Doomsday Disciples ("Палач" #49) " - читать интересную книгу автора

Carter found a seat and dropped into it. The eyes that met and locked
with Minh's across the desk were guarded, curious.
"What's going on," he asked. "Your gate..."
Minh interrupted.
"An unfortunate disturbance," he explained. "Everything's under
control. I'm interested in your misfortune now."
"I'd call it a mutual misfortune," Carter said. "They were your
soldiers.''
"As you say. Perhaps if you began with your visitor..."
Carter shrugged and shifted restlessly in his chair.
"There isn't much to say. He was KGB."
Minh raised an eyebrow.
"Are you certain?"
"He knew my name, all about the mission. What else could he be?" Carter
countered.
"What else indeed," Minh said, his mind already probing other
permutations. "Please continue."
Carter hesitated, choosing his words carefully. Minh sensed he was
holding back.
"He was curious about our progress," the lawyer said. "There was some
mention of his taking over."
Minh concealed the ripple of surprise behind a mask of stone.
"Really."
Carter's nod was jerky, almost spastic.
"I didn't get the details. Your men were right behind him."
"And?"
The counselor made a sour face,.
"And nothing. The bastard killed them - four up, four down."
Minh's expression was a practiced blend of concern and curiosity. In
fact, he felt neither.
"Where were you?" he asked.
"Trying not to make it five."
Minh smiled appreciatively.
"Are the authorities involved?"
"It's possible," he said. "I didn't wait around."
"Of course." Minh said, pausing thoughtfully. "You saw one man only?"
Carter looked suspicious, as if the question might be loaded.
"Just the one," he said at last. "Expecting more?"
Minh ignored the question and countered with another of his own.
"Is it possible to verify the KGB connection?''
Carter made a show of studying his fingernails and hesitated before
answering. When he finally spoke, his voice was cautious, distant.
"If the agency is behind this, they'll lie," he said. "If they're
not... I'd like to have the situation in control before I fill them in."
Minh was pleasantly surprised by the Russian's cagey realism. He
favored Carter with a smile.
"I agree," he said. "We should face our enemies - whoever they are -
with a united front.''
"You still haven't told me what your trouble was out here tonight,''
Carter said.