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"Has he been hitting on you often?" |
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Camilla never ceased to wonder at the ease with which Suslova picked up the slangy Americanisms that came into favor year after dreary year. Her Atlantic Coast accent was nearly perfect. Only when she was excited, or aroused, did she drop articles and begin to speak with a Russian cadence. |
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The cocktail waitress appeared, and Marina ordered a vodka martini for herself and a sherry for Camilla. They sat in expectant silence until the girl returned with the order, and then departed. "You said the Farmer is worried?" Marina said. "About Anna Neville?" |
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"How did you know about Anna Neville?" |
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"I read the papers and watch television," the Russian said. |
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"Worried enough to send Colonel Morgan to San Francisco." |
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Marina was glad to hear that Camilla was feeding Yosip Ryerson the same information that she was giving to Marina. After all, they were both preparing the ground for maximum embarrassment to Vincent Kellner and the American government. She smiled sweetly and murmured, "To arrest Neville?" |
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"Don't be ridiculous," Camilla said reprovingly, but softened it with a little smile. "The Farmer doesn't work that way." |
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Marina smiled. "What a shame. Will he have her killed?" |
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Camilla blinked. There are times, she thought, when we are really light-years apart. |
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Marina smiled intimately at her. "I shock you," she said. |
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"But yes." Marina's smile seemed fetal. "I was once an assassin. I never told you that, did I?" |
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"I don't believe that. And it is in damned poor taste." |
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"But it's true. It was what I first did for the KGB when I came in. Department V. Women are very good at such work." The smile remained. |
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