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As always, Joe Ryerson reacted with bluster. "Hold on, Kellner" |
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"No, Mr. Ryerson. You hold on. I can have a warrant for your arrest here in ten minutes, and I am not bluffing." |
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"Arrest? On what charge?" Ryerson protested, backing away, his face pale. |
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Kellner said coldly, "The charge will be for a crime not covered by the First Amendment. We are speaking here of espionage, Mr. Ryerson." |
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Ryerson looked as if he were going to faint. |
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"Information has reached the FBI that you have met regularly with a member of my staff and with a member of the Russian mission. Does the mention of a townhouse in Georgetown ring any bells?" |
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"The Bureau had me under surveillance? I'm a journalist, for God's sake!" |
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"Surveillance of foreign agents is routine, even in Washington," Kellner said. "The Bureau suggests that you may have been a courier. Not a very exalted position, Mr. Ryerson. But if you cooperate now, it will be to your advantage. If not, there are two FBI agents in the hall, ready to take you to the U.S. magistrate and then to the stockade at Fort Myers. Decide." |
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Ryerson's face showed that he understood the weakness of his position. Bluster wouldn't do here. Whatever else Joe Ryerson was, he was not stupid. |
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Kellner said to the lawyers, "I want a complete statement from him. Wait for me in the legal counsel's office." The three men moved off down the hall, the aides conferring, then one turned back to Kellner for an answer to a last-minute question. |
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While he waited, Morgan considered the unpleasant scene he had just witnessed. There had been a personal note of cruelty in Vincent Kellner's attack on Joe Ryerson, and that was unlike the Adviser, who prided himself on his rational behavior. That could only have had to do with Camilla, Morgan thought. Kellner had said "a member of my staff and a mem- |
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