Shadow of the Condor (33 page)

Ryzhov turned and quickly stalked from the room.

Serov waited fifteen minutes. No one came to lead him away. He sighed deeply. For a while he had known ecstasy, the ecstasy of relief after Gamayun appeared safe. Then all hell broke loose, and he was right back in'his office, right back living in fear and panic, functioning as best he could, holding the world together while he waited for them to come and take him away.

At least, he thought, it looks as though I will still come out all right. He shook his head resignedly. Again he hadn't been punished for failure. That is how he measured success: lack of punishment.

Between the hammer and the anvil, he wanted to tell his wife, that's where they've got me. Between the hammer and the anvil.

But, of course, he told his wife nothing.