"Mack Reynolds - Pacifist" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

Warren Casey met him half way, reached forward with both hands and grasped the fabric of the foppish
drape suit the secretary wore. Casey stuck out a hip, twisted quickly, turning his back halfway to the other.
He came over and around, throwing the younger man heavily to his back.


Casey didn’t bother to look down. He stuck a hand into a side pocket, pointed a finger at McGivern through
the cloth.


The other’s normally ruddy face drained of colour. He fell back into his chair.


Warren Casey walked around the desk and brought the gun the other had been fumbling for from the drawer.
He allowed himself a deprecating snort before dropping it carelessly into a pocket.


Senator Phil McGivern was no coward. He glowered at Warren Casey. “You’ve broken into my
home—criminal,” he said. “You’ve assaulted my secretary and threatened me with a deadly weapon. You will
be fortunate to be awarded no more than twenty years.”


Casey sank into an easy chair so situated that he could watch both McGivern and his now unconscious
assistant at the same time. He said flatly, “I represent the Pacifists, Senator. Approximately an hour ago
your son was kidnapped. You’re one of our top priority persons. You probably realize the implications.”


“Fredric! You’d kill a nine-year-old boy!”


Casey’s voice was flat. “I have killed many nine-year-old boys, Senator.”


“Are you a monster!”


“I was a bomber pilot. Senator.”


The other, who had half risen again, slumped back into his chair.


“But that’s different.”


“I do not find it so.”


In his hard career, Phil McGivern had faced many emergencies. He drew himself up now. “What do you
want—criminal? I warn you, I am not a merciful man. You’ll pay for this, Mr. . . .”