[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

are pretty determined."
"Uh-huh. I don't want no trouble either." He sighed heavily. "Okay, but just
keep in mind that Jed'smy dead alien."
"Nobody's disputing your proprietary rights, Mr. Hager."Not yet, anyway .
"You named it Jed?"
"That's right."
Page 63
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Wearing a look of anguished impatience, Robinett had straightened and was
staring over the roof of the Caddy. "Could you get him to roll down the
window, maybe? It's dark, the glass is dirty, and we can't see very well."
"Just a minute." Not wanting to rush things, Suttles threw him a warning
glance. There was no need to hurry, not with their quarry finally secured. For
one thing, the subtle byplay Suttles had observed between the big Texan and
the alien corpse needed to be studied in much greater detail, and that would
be difficult to do without Hager's cooperation.
"You've made what some people think might be a very important discovery, Mr.
Hager. Important to the government of theUnited States . We're very interested
in what you've learned."
Ross Ed jerked his head in the direction of the parked trucks. "That the
reason for the army? Jed don't have any military value."
"Just a precaution, Mr. Hager. May I call you Ross?"
"Nope."
This time Suttles had to force the smile. "I hope that will change. How did
you come to develop your ventriloquist's act with the alien, Mr. Hager?"
Ross shrugged. "Started bringing Jed to the bar, folks noticed him, and they
commented. I smart-mouthed 'em back and it just grew from there. The customers
liked it. So did the boss."
"You smart-mouthed me some pretty interesting formulae. Have you ever taken
any advanced chemistry courses, Mr. Hager?"
The Texan turned away from his interrogator. "Don't really recall. Been out
of school some time now."
""Veryadvanced chemistry," Hager added, pressing him.
"Sometimes things just pop into my head."
"Do they?" Suttles looked past him, at the motionless alien form. "Does Jed
have anything to do with that? If he does, then I'm sure you can understand
our interest. Him being dead and all. I assure you, Mr. Hager, that no harm
will come to you if you cooperate with us."
"Wasn't worried about me."
His guts knotting with repressed excitement, Robinett joined in. "Surely you
can understand how important it is not to keep a discovery like this to
yourself, Mr. Hager?"
"Yes," added Kerry, "that would be very selfish of you."
Ross Ed eyed them through the closed window before turning back to Suttles.
"Who're they?"
"Captains Kerry and Robinett." Lowering his voice, he looked for a way to
establish some rapport. "Captain Kerry is the good-looking one. By the way,
I'm Steven Suttles." He extended a hand.
The Texan shook it automatically. "Can't say as I'm pleased to meet you, Mr.
Page 64
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Suttles." Thick fingers withdrew. "I know this is probably too important to
keep to myself, but I kind of wanted to break the news about Jed in my own way
and in my own time."
"I guess I can appreciate that. But you know, while you're waiting, bad
things might happen to" he hesitated only for an instant "Jed. He could suffer
irreparable damage, or be lost, or even stolen."
Ross Ed shook his head. "I don't think so. I know he won't be stolen." This
was stated with such conviction that Suttles didn't attempt to dispute it.
"And I know he won't be misplaced. As far as damage, well, he's been dropped a
few times and he don't seem none the worse for wear."
"Must be a pretty strong suit he's wearing." Suttles squinted past the
driver. "There are some people who'd really like to have a closer look at that
suit."
"I bet."
It was about time to put an end to the small talk, Suttles knew. Not only
were Kerry and Robinett having a silent fit, but their superiors were
anxiously awaiting a report. He took a step back.
"I know we can come to some sort of mutually satisfactory arrangement
regarding Jed, Mr. Hager. Why don't you step out of your car and we'll discuss
it." He gestured toward the featureless van. "There's hot coffee and doughnuts
inside."
"Not hungry, thanks." For the second time Ross Ed gestured in the direction
of the truck. "If everything's okay and nothing's going to happen, then why
all the guns?"
"Like I told you, just a precaution. Now that I know everything's okay, I can
take care of it." Straightening, Suttles barked an order. Immediately, every
soldier within range put up his or her weapon. "There, feel more comfortable
now?"
"A little; not much. Nobody's put anything away."
"Please, Mr. Hager. It's vital that we have your help and cooperation. Won't
you please get out of the car?"
Ross weighed his choices. "And if I don't?"
Suttles didn't like the turn the conversation had taken but was compelled to
follow through. "I'm afraid you really don't have much choice, Mr. Hager.
Neither do I. You're not under arrest or anything, but it really is imperative
that you come with us. Preferably willingly." Turning, he showed how army
vehicles and troops had blocked both the entrance and the exit to the rest
stop.
"As you can see, you can't leave. I'd be personally upset if you were to
try."
The Texan eyed him evenly. "You mean I'll get shot."
Suttles considered before replying. "Probably not. To be brutally direct
about it, no one wants to risk hitting the alien.
These are very, very good marksmen and they're under strict orders. If you
Page 65
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
try to run, they'll shoot to disable your vehicle. I don't doubt that they'll
succeed."
"And if I get out and try to leave on foot, they'll shoot to disable me?"
The captain was distinctly unhappy. "Like I said, they're very good
marksmen."
Ross Ed smiled thinly. "Well, that just makes me feel warm and welcome all
over."
Suttles was not above pleading. "Nobody wants anyone to get hurt. All I'm
asking is that you step out of the car so we can talk." He gestured at the
sandy, scrub-covered knoll that rose behind the bathrooms. "There's a
helicopter waiting behind that hill to take all of us intoTucson . From there
we'll go by plane back toNew Mexico ."
"Back toNew Mexico ?" Ross's expression turned wry. "ToAlamogordo ?"
"No." Puzzled, Suttles wondered what had prompted that supposition. "To
Sandia National Laboratories. The folks there can ask better questions than I
can. They very much want to have a look at your friend."
"I bet they do. Probably like to cut him out of-his suit, too. Open him up
and take pictures of his insides, maybe his brain."
Suttles made placating motions. "They won't hurt anything. Why would they
damage that which they want to study?" Besides, it's already dead, he wanted
to add, but didn't. Some-thing in the big man's attitude told him the comment
wouldn't go over very well.
The discussion was interrupted by a tapping on the opposite window. Bending,
Suttles could see Kerry staring in at the driver.
"Mr. Hager, are you a good American? Don't you want to do what's best for
your country?"
"Sure I do," he told her before returning his attention to Suttles. "I also
kinda want to do what's best for me and what's best for Jed. Don't that make
me a good American?"
"Of course it does," Suttles responded soothingly, "but we also ow!"
Ross Ed blinked. "Mosquito?"
A confused Suttles straightened and shook his wrist. "I don't think so,
I hey!" This time he jerked and grabbed at his head. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

forum-gsm.htw.pl