< previous page page_269 next page >

Page 269
Chapter Thirty-Three
Washington, D.C./December 1
853e4b9c19f5826e1f89c698126f2ff9.gif
The most dangerous time for a bad government is when it starts to reform itself.
ALEXIS DE TOQUEVILLE
The Marine guard led Morgan and the others into the Executive Wing and down the stairs into NSC country. The young corporal addressed himself to Morgan as though the trio of civilians accompanying him were troops under the colonel's command.
"Please wait here, sir. Dr. Kellner is next door with Ambassador Conroy, but he has asked to see you before the meeting starts." He indicated where they were to wait, then hurried off.
Camilla Varig was not at her desk, Morgan noted. Probably in with Kellner, he thought. But time passed and Camilla did not appear. Varig was never sick, never late, rarely absent. Yet her desk and console remained unattended.
Joe Ryerson, who had been reasonably cowed by his escort and silent on the ride in from Andrews, began once again to

 
< previous page page_269 next page >