Я, Робот
Evidence
"Weareatthebusinessathand,Dr.Lanning."Quinn’stonewasverygentle,"ItistomyinteresttokeepMr.Byerleyadistrictattorneyattheverymost,anditistoyourinteresttohelpmedoso."
"Tomyinterest?Come!"Lanning’seyebrowshunchedlow.
"Well,saythentotheinterestoftheU.S.Robotamp;MechanicalMenCorporation.IcometoyouasDirectorEmeritusofResearch,becauseIknowthatyourconnectiontothemisthatof,shallwesay,`elderstatesman.’Youarelistenedtowithrespectandyetyourconnectionwiththemisnolongersotightbutthatyoucannotpossessconsiderablefreedomofaction;eveniftheactionissomewhatunorthodox."
Dr.Lanningwassilentamoment,chewingthecudofhisthoughts.Hesaidmoresoftly,"Idon’tfollowyouatall,Mr.Quinn."
"Iamnotsurprised,Dr.Lanning.Butit’sallrathersimple.Doyoumind?"Quinnlitaslendercigarettewithalighteroftastefulsimplicityandhisbig-bonedfacesettledintoanexpressionofquietamusement."WehavespokenofMr.Byerley–astrangeandcolorfulcharacter.Hewasunknownthreeyearsago.Heisverywellknownnow.Heisamanofforceandability,andcertainlythemostcapableandintelligentprosecutorIhaveeverknown.Unfortunatelyheisnotafriendofmine"
"Iunderstand,"saidLanning,mechanically.Hestaredathisfingernails.
"Ihavehadoccasion,"continuedQuinn,evenly,"inthepastyeartoinvestigateMr.Byerley–quiteexhaustively.
