Человек в высоком замке

           InashorttimeshehadfoundherwayoutofdowntownDenverandontothemainautobahngoingnorth;shedroveasfastasthecarwouldgo,theenginemakingastrangethrobbingnoisethatshookthewheelandtheseatandmadeeverythingintheglovecompartmentrattle.

           ThankGodforDoctorTodtandhisautobahns,shesaidtoherselfasshehurtledalongthroughthedarkness,seeingonlyherownheadlightsandthelinesmarkingthelanes.

           Atteno’clockthatnightbecauseoftiretroubleshehadstillnotreachedCheyenne,sotherewasnothingtodobutpullofftheroadandsearchforaplacetospendthenight.

           AnautobahnexitsignaheadofherreadGREELEYFIVEMILES.I’llstartoutagaintomorrowmorning,shetoldherselfasshedroveslowlyalongthemainstreetofGreeleyafewminuteslater.Shesawseveralmotelswithvacancysignslit,sotherewasnoproblem.WhatImustdo,shedecided,iscallAbendsentonightandsayI’mcoming.

           Whenshehadparkedshegotwearilyfromthecar,relievedtobeabletostretchherlegs.Alldayontheroad,fromeightinthemorningon.Anall-nightdrugstorecouldbemadeoutnotfardownthesidewalk;handsinthepocketsofhercoat,shewalkedthatway,andsoonshewasshutupintheprivacyofthephonebooth,askingtheoperatorforCheyenneinformation.

           Theirphone—thankGod—waslisted.Sheputinthequartersandtheoperatorrang.

           "Hello,"awoman’svoicesoundedpresently,avigorous,ratherpleasantyounger-woman’svoice;awomannodoubtaboutherownage.

           "Mrs.Abendsen?"Julianasaid.