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Show 147 "Having some storm medicine," he said, "Bourbon?" "Mo thanks. I came about something else." "What's on your mind?" Without taking off his coat Sid related Kimiko's conversation. During the account the Major sat silent, the great brows growing closer. At the end he glanced at Sid briefly, his fingers drumming a soft tattoo on the arm of the chair. Finally he sighed. "Goddam." Momentarily he peered in the direction of Higashi, almost in admiration. "The bastard. Nearly had me." As he shook his head, something like a chuckle surged about in his chest. "But now" - Finishing his drink ha set the glass down and got to his feet. Within a few moments they were on their way. The Major, looking larger than usual, sat beside Riggs, while Sid, in the back seat, huddled into his coat. Biggs glanced at the Major, but sensing his mood drove on in silence. Sid peered out at the bay, lashed into molten waves that struck high against the banks and sent spray over the pavement. The road was empty. Higashi stood naked under the storm, without a sign of life. The amado were closed; the gutters coursed with water. At the turn-off into the Engineers' compound the puddles had formed a lake, marked with long striations as if the water, made viscous by the wind, was being sucked into the air; and inside the gate Riggs stopped and looked at the rainswept field. Impossible to distinguish the streets. "Sir - ?" "Headquarters, goddam it." And more afraid of the Major than the sunken road,he drove on. _ . • I_ L_ _ _ . . i ^ P f < rs e-L |