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A.R.Yngve
PARRY'S PROTOCOL
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Chapter 24
CIA HEADQUARTERS
LANGLEY, VIRGINIA
SEPTEMBER 15
The library was a clear-lit maze of bookshelves spread out across several wings, each wing visible from the window where Abram was sitting in front of a computer terminal. It was one of the many which were scattered throughout the library. Most of them were occupied by male and female employees searching for information.
An elderly librarian in baggy pants rolled a cart of books past Abram. They both nodded imperceptibly -- the librarian slipped him an envelope, Abram shoved it under his papers. Then they ignored each other. A heavily built, crew-cut man in his early sixties came walking along the bookshelves, halted near Abram, smiled with all of his tanned face, and came closer. He leaned over the terminal, folding his arms across his wide chest.
"Eh-bram! Good to se you, you been difficult t'find lately."
At the sound of the drawling, deep-nasal voice, Abram started and looked up from the monitor. He gave a quick smile of recognition, and turned in his chair.
"Hi Ned," he said, "sorry I couldn't come directly to your office when I arrived. I was so eager to search for material for my next report, that..."
Ned Wilson gave a laugh, patting him on the shoulder with a broad palm.
"Ha ha... always the dutiful one, that's fine. Could ah' just get a hint of what the next chapter'll be about?"
"Well... one could say that I will try to apply such a broad perspective as possible. The sequence might become a little unstructured, since I will let the imagination run a little over the limit for traditional future reports..."
"Ehxcellent, ehxcellent!"
Ned's phone suddenly beeped inside his jacket. He held it to his ear, pressed the receiving button, and listened attentively for a couple of seconds.
He put a hand over the receiver and grinned excusingly: "So much to do, so little time... be seeing ya!"
Ned hastily walked away, leaving Abram to concentrate on the computer terminal again. Abram opened the unsealed envelope which the librarian had given him: inside was the sealed letter addressed to "Dr. Patrick Rymowicz" from Bettina Avarez, and a separate note. The note was a computer printout with a handwritten message added on top:
Abram,
here is the X-ray of the envelope you gave me. The letter inside was wrapped in black paper, and a rather goofy one -- we had quite a laugh over at our department. Good luck with that patient of yours -- he must have a way with women, though he might not know it. ;-)
-Greg
NMR SCAN PROGRAM
ENVELOPE READING (CERTAINTY 94%):
Dear Dr. Rymowicz, I still long to hear from you. I pray each night that you are well. Please, please, let me know that you have noticed my love for you! My passion for you burns hotter with the years. If you suffer greatly in your desolation, perhaps I can bring you comfort. I would do anything to help you to freedom. If you need money, anything -- just write to me. I will wait for your word and obey it.
Forever yours,
Bettina
Bettina had ended the letter with her address and phone number. Abram choked a chortle, then turned grave and slipped the sealed letter into his briefcase.