"Brian Lumley - Psychomech 01 - Psychomech" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lumley Brian)

‘Do you trust me?’
Schroeder had a sudden, vivid, dazzling flash of memory. In his mind’s eye he saw Garrison in mid-air, stretched out,
reaching, limned against a blossoming shock; of white fire. And he felt again the senses-shattering, gut-crushing blast
of the explosion. He shuddered and the vision passed. Trust you? Oh, yes! With my life, Richard Garrison.’
Garrison got to his feet. He nodded and slowly began to push the wheelchair, following the course that Schroeder
steered. ‘The building you slept in last night is my own private house,’ the man in the chair explained. ‘At least when I
am in this part of the world. And "house" is rather a poor word for it, really; for of course the place in no way
resembles a house in the accepted sense of the word. It is more a small, very private hotel, I suppose. And it is only
one of six such structures. It stands central, with the other five building a circle about it. Between the buildings are
paths, gardens, fountains and three small, heated swimming pools. Maintenance - that is to say the central heating,
control of the solar cells and panels, the air conditioning in so forth - is all controlled from beneath the central
structure. By the way, did Willy take you up to the roof?’
‘Yes, he showed me the whole place.’
‘Then you will know that the "attic" is in fact a revolving solarium. Thus the building - my "headquarters", if you
like - has a cellar, ground, first and second floors, and a solarium roof. The other buildings are the same, with the
exceptions that they have no second floors and no elevators. The roofs of all six structures are domed and
half-covered in solar cells. They also have large reflective mirrors which automatically follow the sun, which gives us
one third of our power. Seen from above, all glittery and with its central tower, the place looks very futuristic. But I
assure you that everything is functional. Nothing is for decoration.’
‘Well,’ said Garrison, ’so now I know what the place looks like. But what is it for? What’s its purpose?’
‘Eh? Well for one thing it’s my home, or one of them, as I’ve already explained.’
Garrison was impressed. ‘Jesus! One of your homes! The place must be worth a million.’
Schroeder chuckled. ’‘Seven millions, my young friend. And that was when it was built, five years ago. And not
Deutsch Marks but pounds - pounds sterling!’
Garrison whistled. ‘But why six buildings? Who do you accommodate?’
‘Well, apart from myself, the inner building - the inner sanctum, as it were - accommodates my staff and Willy
Koenig. The upper floors are for guests; my staff and I remain on the ground floor. That is the building in which I
entertain only the most influential of business friends. You should feel suitably honoured.’
‘Oh, I do!’
‘As for the outer buildings: two of them are likewise designed as guest accommodation. The other three are rather
more special.’
‘Special?’
‘Oh, yes! One is a small but marvellously equipped hospital. Rather, a surgery. Have you heard of Saul Siebert?’
‘The doctor?’
‘A surgeon - perhaps the world’s greatest. I paid for Saul’s studies, his education. It was a favour to his father, one
of my junior officers, killed in the war. A favour, yes -but what an investment! Saul is quite brilliant, but he does not
forget that he owes everything to me. He has his own sanatorium in the Harz, of course, but occasionally I require him
to work here.’
‘You "require" him to work here?’
Schroeder ignored Garrison’s dry tone. ‘So far,’ he continued, ‘Saul Siebert has saved four lives here. Lives which
were important to me. One was that of an oil sheik, another a member of the Soviet Presidium, who now enjoys
excellent health. The third was a Greek shipping magnate whose name is a household word, and the last was my own.
Saul is not finished with me, however, for there is still much damage. Personally, I do not think he has enough time left
to finish the job. Rather, I do not think I have enough time .. .’
As Garrison brought the chair to an abrupt halt Schrbeder hastily urged him on. ‘No, no, don’t stop. And please
forgive me for being so morbid. This is poor entertainment indeed! Now then, what were we talking about?’
‘Two buildings left to explain,’ Garrison reminded him, wheeling the chair forward again.
‘Of course,’ said Schroeder, ’and once more, forgive me. Two more buildings, yes. One of them is my library.
Nothing but books. I’m a great reader, you see. And the roof is not a solarium but a reading room and observatory,
The last building: that is a strictly private place. No one goes in there but me, and very occasionally Willy. And