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he said wearily, "with damned little public support and less money." |
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Sometime during their three days together Morgan had said wonderingly that "Canada's Air Command consists of the Snow Birds and two obsolete tactical fighter squadrons stationed in Europe." She had happily photographed the dismantlement of NATO's continental air bases. The Canadian force was, now that she thought about it, a pitifully meager force with which to protect the territorial integrity of a nation a third again as big as the United States. She had always been proud of that fact, convinced that it showed the superiority of the Canadian system over the overbearing American bullies, who were always armed to the teeth. |
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"You can't keep this story quiet, Prime Minister," she said urgently. |
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"I am not suggesting a cover-up in perpetuity, Mrs. Neville," he said indignantly. |
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"It's time the NSC meeting got started, Vincent," Caidin said impatiently. "I want Mrs. Neville sworn to silence by the time it's over. Bolton or Jamison can take care of that." |
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The door to the office opened, and an aide beckoned to General Bolton, whom Anna had almost forgotten. He and Jamison had been sitting close to the French windows, listening carefully, but not entering the discussions. The general then whispered to the President, who said exasperatedly, "Yes, yes, all right. Vincent, you have a call from Colonel Morgan at Bethesda. Take it here." |
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Morgan's call to Kellner was brief, but Anna had never before seen so profound a change in a man. Kellner listened, responded in monotones Anna could hear but not decipher, and seemed to change from a man of flesh and blood to one of stone. In a slightly more audible tone he said to Morgan, "Can he make the journey?" |
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He listened to what Morgan replied and then said, "Attend to it. Peters can fly the helo we have up there." Then he replaced the telephone in its cradle and spoke to the ever more |
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