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Page 261
cent Kellner had brought him appeared to be irrefutable. He bad stared at the English translations of Nathan Abramov's papers uneasily, finally flinging them back across his desk at Kellner. "We haven't got time for me to read thesejust give me the gist of what Abramov claims is happening." The skepticism in his voice indicated how seriously he took Abramov's message.
However, as Kellner outlined Abramov's documentation of the extent of the Soyuz plot and the possibility that General Kondratiev would soon try to overthrow the legitimate government of Russia, Caidin's skepticism turned into anger and frustration.
"Goddamn it, Vincent, it's a hell of a time for you to dump this mess in my lap. The Egyptian ambassador is due to present his credentials, and Ian Halloran is coming in from Ottawa tonight about the business with the submarine. Someone from State should be here to help handle it, but Jannings is in intensive care at Bethesda. The doctor says he has only days left." The President shuddered. "He looks like a skeleton, and he drifts in and out of consciousness. I should never have named him to State. That's what I get for being so damned nice to those people, and they're still screaming that I'm insensitive to their feelings."
Caidin rubbed his jaw gently. "I was up all night with this lousy toothache, and I'm running a fever. I feel terrible. Are you sure that I need to speak to Cherny personally? Are you sure he doesn't know what's going on under his nose? If Abramov is right, and Milstein's death wasn't accidental, even Cherny must be getting the picture."
"Were I to be the bearer of such a message, it would never have the same gravity as it would coming from you, sir." Vincent Kellner spoke softly, suppressing the anger and anxiety he felt so deeply. It was true that Caidin didn't look well; he had circles under his eyes, and his face was flushed.
Charlotte Conroy said urgently, "Please, Mr. President. It must come from you, and you alone."

 
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