"Mack Reynolds - Day After Tomorrow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

"Don't you though," Larry said sarcastically. "Look, Hans, what's new in
the Russkie camp?"

The heartiness was gone. "How do you mean, my friend?"

"Is there anything big stirring? Is there anyone new in this country from
the Soviet Complex?"

"Well, now…" the other's voice drifted away.

Larry Woolf ord said impatiently, "Look, Hans, let's don't waste time
going round and around. You run a clearing agency for, ah, information.
You're strictly a businessman, nonpartisan, so to speak. Hell, you'd better
be. Fine, thus far our department has tolerated you. Perhaps we'll
continue to. Perhaps the reason is that we figure we get more out of your
existence than we lose. The Russkies evidently figure the same way, the
proof being that you're still alive and have branches in the capitals of every
power on Earth."

"All right, all right," the German said. "Let me think for a moment. Can
you give me any idea of what you're looking for?" There was an undernote
of interest in his voice now.

"No. I just want to know if you've heard anything new anti-my-side
from the other side. Or if you know of any fresh personnel recently from
there."

"Frankly, I haven't. If you could give me a hint."

"I can't," Larry said. "Look, Hans, like you say, you owe me a favor or
two. If something comes up, let me know. Then I'll owe you one."

The voice was jovial again. "It's a bargain, my friend."

After Woolford had hung up, he scowled at the phone. He wondered if
Hans Distelmayer was lying. The German commanded the largest
professional spy ring in the world. It was possible, but difficult, for
anything in the way of espionage-counter-espionage to develop without
his having an inkling. Well, at least he had planted a bug in the other's
ear, perhaps he would come up with something.

The phone rang back. It was Steve Hackett of Secret Service on the
screen.

Hackett said, "Woolford, you coming over? I understand you've been
assigned to get in our hair on this job."

"Huh," Larry grunted. "The way I hear it, your whole department has
given up, so I'm assigned to help you out of your usual fumble-fingered
confusion."