"William W Johnstone - Ashes 33 - Enemy in the Ashes (txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johnstone William W)

coffers-raise taxes or levy fines or something. The government cannot
function without money!"

Her cabinet members rose from their chairs, casting worried looks at one
another as they filed out of her office.

Claire took a deep breath and stretched her arms out over her head.
"Damn, these meetings always make me tense," she said, glancing at Herb
Knoff, still sitting next to her. She gave him a half smile. "How about
a massage for your boss?" she asked with a lascivious grin.

He returned the look. "Anytime is a good time for a full-body rubdown,
Claire."

She moved from behind the desk, took his hand, and led him into her
living quarters adjacent to the office. As she went through the door,
she began to unbutton her blouse.

Suddenly, a man dressed all in soldier's fatigues stepped from behind
the door and whipped his left arm

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around Herb's forehead, stretching his head back while he put a long,
curved knife to his neck.

"Holy shit!" Herb grunted, standing still as the razor-sharp blade drew
a few drops of blood from his neck.

Claire whirled around, her hands going to her face. "What the hell's the
meaning of this?" she almost shouted.

"My name is Muhammad Atwa," the man said in a heavy accent. "I have a
proposition for you, but I first need your assurance you will not summon
help."

"How did you get in here?" Claire asked, her eyes flicking toward the
phone on her bedside table.
Atwa moved the knife suggestively. "Please do not attempt to call for
help," he said. "I am not afraid to die, and I most surely will kill you
both before your guards arrive."

"I asked you how you got in here."

He shrugged, his lips curled in a cruel smirk. "Your soldiers are very
lazy. Anyone in a uniform is allowed to pass almost without questions."

Claire sighed and sat on the edge of her bed. "What is it exactly you want?"

Atwa reached around Herb's chest, took the pistol from his shoulder