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recognized the ubiquitous Major Harris, who swung out from behind the wheel of the Hummer and trotted toward the plane to greet the motley score of bulky, bundled figures disembarking. |
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Ryerson counted the bodies getting off and snickered a little. Not too many brave souls, I see, he thought. A lot fewer than I figured would come. Four-by-fours and Hummers congregated to carry away the mountain of television equipment and baggage coming out of the rear of the plane. |
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As he watched the reporters disembarking, the one at the top of the ladder just emerging from the plane threw back her parka hood, looked around, and smiled at the person just below when offered a helping hand. Ryerson drew in his breath, almost in shock. It was Marina Suslova. What in God's name was she doing here? Was she looking for himhad she followed him all the way to this misbegotten place? Did she know that he had, so to speak, spilled the beans about her activities in Washington? If so, she could be damn dangerous. |
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Ryerson's heart was beating rapidly and he was sweating in the icy air. He drew back into the shadows by the tower, confused as to how to act if Marina should spot him. But she seemed to be completely absorbed in greeting Major Harris, not in looking at either the landscape or its few occupants. Harris gallantly ushered Suslova into his Hummer, got into the driver's seat, backed up, and drove swiftly away from the strip toward the admin tents. Ryerson winced as the Hummer's lights sought him out momentarily where he stood by the tower. For some reason, he was convinced that Marina had seen him and recognized him in that split second as the Hummer passed. Her gaze had lingered, looked away, and then on past him, as though he were a total stranger. Ryerson's gaunt cheeks paled. You bitch! I fucked you upside down and sideways, he thought, enraged, and you diss me? |
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There were a thousand reasons why it would be wiser if no one knew of any relationship between himself and Marina Suslova, not the least of which was that she worked for the |
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