Topaz [antikvár]

(PROLOGUE) SUMMER, 1962Marsh McKittrick's Buick was passed through the gates of the vast Government complex out-side Langley. He eased onto the turnpike, then sped toward Washington, touching his briefcase nervously and looking into the rearview mirror. Two c ars filled with heavily armed guards fol-lowed closely. Sanderson Hooper beside him and Michael Nordstrom in the rear seat remained speechless.Marsh McKittrick feit small victory in the vindi-cation that was about to be his. Responsible directly to the President on intelligence matters, he had argued vociferously about the Soviet be-havior in Cuba since the terrible happening at the Bay of Pigs.The Soviet Prime Minister had interlarded peace pledges with bold threats for the months of 1962 and acted with growing daring, cunning, and menace.Sanderson Hooper, one of the most competent intelligence evaluators, had been reluctant to go along until now. Thé contents of the briefcase finally convinced him.In a matter of moments the young American