"I do, Kliment."
"I am in no mood for gags, as the Yankees say."
Ilya Simonov looked at him wearily. He said slowly, "You sent me to
investigate an epidemic, a spreading disease. Very well, I report that
it's highly contagious."
* * * * *
Blagonravov poured himself more vodka angrily. "Explain yourself. What's
this all about?"