"Charles Ingrid - The Sand Wars 05 - Return Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ingrid Charles)

"What's he telling you, then? That he's not using the switch."

Jack nodded, saying, "In case of trouble. If he goes down, if I can get to
him, I can use the armor without worrying about disarmament."

They sat in easy silence for a moment, as if aware of the commitment
made to each other, then Colin reached over the burled table, which felt to
him like another living thing, and took Jack's hand. "I'll tell you now," he
said, "for I may not have the time later. Once we leave these apartments, I'll
not look at or talk to you. May God go with you."

Jack gave a sudden, lopsided and boyish grin, quite unlike the even
baring of teeth in a battle smile which Colin had seen so many times. Colin
had the eerie sense of seeing into Jack's very soul in that expression. "I hope
He's quick—because once I get my hands on the armor I need, I'll be
running like the very devil's on my heels."

Colin let out a short burst of laughter, then caught himself and quieted.
"Denaro left this for you." He fished into a deep thigh pocket of his miner's
pants and pulled out an address disk. "It's encoded with the current
whereabouts of the fence you mentioned. He suggests that you visit him as
soon as possible—the man's not going to be in business very long." He
sighed. "I'm as naïve as I've accused you of being. Pepys has to know of
Gibbon's background—and I nearly hanged myself by associating with him.
They found my weakness—both sides—and used it neatly."

"It's not your fault. That's what a Walker does… search for religious
evidence."

Colin frowned. "We're more than that, much more. But you're right. It
won't stop my looking. I shall simply be more circumspect about my
contacts in the future. Be careful with Gibbon, Jack. You know the faction
Denaro works with—fanatics are difficult to control. Denaro has left orders
that will give the man time to deal with you and pass you on to the contacts
within the Green Shirts—but whether he can exercise those orders or not…
Find Gibbon and make your contact. And hurry."

"I will." Jack's hand closed neatly about the address disk. Jonathan's
heavy footsteps and large presence could be felt outside the apartment door.
Storm smiled briefly. "Thank you. For everything."

Colin got up even as Jonathan rang for admittance. "Just," the older man
warned, "don't criticize the eulogy."

Jonathan entered to laughter, and the great, burly man hesitated a
moment, his gentle face frowning slightly as if he wondered if the laughter
was directed at him.