Читать книгу An Affair of State онлайн

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"I suppose you'll carry your dispatch case with you, Mr. Baker," the ticket agent suggested.

"Oh, yes, of course." It had been stupid of him to forget that an FSO never checked his dispatch case along with the other luggage. A dispatch case was part of a man.

The agent brought it out from behind the counter. Its handle felt good in his hand.

Not until then did he realize Susan was no longer at his side. He was searching for her, his eyes sweeping the rows of benches facing the great windows looking out on the runways, when an airline captain touched his arm. "You're Mr. Baker, of the State Department?"

"Yes."

"I'm Bill Judson. I take your flight as far as Shannon. If you get bored, come on up front and I'll show you how our new flying machine works."

Jeff smiled. "Thanks very much. That's awfully good of you." He knew he had received the equivalent of a five-gun salute. He felt good all over.

Over the captain's shoulder he spotted her. Her arms were loaded, and she was looking for him. "You'll excuse me," he told the pilot, and then shouted across the waiting room, "Hey, Susie!" The pilot grinned, and other people turned and stared. But she heard.