Чужак в чужой стране

           Look,I’llcalltheparkinglotandhaveyourcabwaitingrightattheendofthatpassagewaywherewetooktheelevator–that’stheSupremeBishop’sprivateentrance.Saveyouagoodtenminutes."

           "That’sverykindofyou."

           "SoifMr.Smithhassomethingonhissoulhewantstoconfess,wewon’thavetohurryhim.I’llstepoutsideandphone."Booneleft.

           Jillcameoverandsaidworriedly,"Jubal,Idon’tlikethis.IthinkweweredeliberatelymaneuveredsothatDigbycouldgetMikealoneandworkonhim."

           "I’msureofit."

           "Well?Theyhaven’tanybusinessdoingthat.I’mgoingtobustrightinonthemandtellMikeit’stimetoleave."

           "Suityourself,"Jubalanswered,"butIthinkyou’reactinglikeabroodyhen.Thisisn’tlikehavingtheS.S.onourtails,Jill;thisswindleismuchsmoother.Therewon’tbeanystrong-armstuff."Hesmiled."It’smyopinionthatifDigbytriestoconvertMike,they’llwindupwithMikeconvertinghim.Mike’sideasareprettyhardtoshake."

           "Istilldon’tlikeit."

           "Relax.Helpyourselftothefreechow."

           "I’mnothungry."

           "Well,Iam?andifIevertuneddownafreefeed,they’dtossmeoutoftheAuthors’Guild."Hepiledpaper-thinVirginiahamonbutteredbread,addedtoitotheritems,noneofthemsyntho,untilhehadanunsteadyziggurat,muncheditandlickedmayonnaisefromhisfingers.

           TenminuteslaterBoonehadnotreturned.Jillsaidsharply,"Jubal,I’mnotgoingtoremainpoliteanylonger.