cc.themediterraneancaper2-第39章

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rning　your　headquarters　of　my　plans　to　search　for　the　cavern；　reek　with　serious　intentions　when　Darius　intercepted　it。　My　actions　were　devious；　I　admit；　but　my　reasons　were　valid。〃
　〃To　think　that　the　Bureau's　finest　investigator　was　shown　up　by　a　rank　amateur。〃　Then　Zacynthus　grinned　and　there　was　a　warm　hint　in　the　smile　that　removed　the　acid　from　his　words。　〃But　It　was　worth　it；　well　worth　it。〃
　Pitt　was　greatly　relieved。　He　didn't　wish　to　make　an　enemy　of　Zacynthus。　He　turned　and　looked　at　von　Till。　The　old　German　stared　back　at　Pitt　with　a　contempt　in　his　eyes　that　went　far　beyond　mere　hate。　The　only　feeling　that　suddenly　welled　within　Pitt　was　one　of　disgust。　He　spoke　quietly；　but　his　cold　voice　carried　to　every　inch　of　the　cavern。
　〃You　would　have　to　die　a　hundred　thousand　deaths；　and　then　some；　to　repay　all　the　lives　you　stole；　old　man。　Most　men　are　born　and　go　to　the　grave　without　killing　anyone；　but　your　list　stretches　endlessly　from　the　helpless　prisoners　you　condemned　to　the　cold　waters　of　the　North　Sea　to　the　schoolgirls　you　sold　into　slavery　in　the　scum…infested　back　alleys　of　Casablanca。　How　ironic　that　a　man　who　caused　so　many　other　people　to　die　in　agony　should　die　horribly　also。　My　only　regret　is　that　I　won't　be　there　to　see　your　neck　stretched；　Heibert；　see　your　withered　old　body　jerk　and　bounce　when　it　hits　the　end　of　the　rope。　They　say　the　shock　forces　the　bladder　and　the　bowels　to　move。　That's　a　fitting　end　for　you；　old　man。　Thrown　in　an　unmarked　pauper's　grave　to　rot　through　eternity　in　your　own　filth。
　Muttering　incoherent　words；　his　face　distorted　In　blind　anger。　and　entirely　oblivious　to　the　surrounding　guns　of　the　gendarmerie；　von　Till　hurled　himself　at　Pitt。　It　was　the　mad　gesture　of　a　hysterical　man。　Giordino's　forty…five　clubbed　him　on　the　back　of　the　neck　before　he　took　the　second　step。　He　fell　awkwardly　to　the　deck　in　a　crumpled　heap　and　lay　as　if　dead。　Giordino　didn't　even　look　down　as　he　holstered　the　gun。
　〃You　cracked　him　a　bit　hard；〃　Zacynthus　said　reprovingly。
　〃Vermin　don't　die　easily；〃　Giordino　replied　impassively；　〃especially　when　they're　as　mean　as　that　old　bastard。〃
　Darius　had　not　moved　or　spoken　since　Giordino　shot　him。　Any　other　man　would　have　gripped　a　wounded　and　bleeding　hand；　not　Darius。　The　huge　brute　let　his　hand　hang　limply　to　one　side；　indifferently　allowing　the　blood　to　splatter　on　the　sub's　deck。　The　lost　expression　on　his　face　reminded　Pitt　of　a　newly　caged　gorilla　he　had　once　seen　in　the　San　Diego　Zoo；　an　ugly　misshapen　monster　who　could　not　grasp　the　meaning　of　the　barred　walls　and　the　strange　looking　animals　beyond　that　stood　five　deep；　observing　his　every　movement。　Pitt　was　very　happy　indeed　that　at　least　five　of　Zeno's　gendarmerie　had　their　guns　trained　between　Darius'　cold　black　eyes。
　Pitt　nodded　toward　Darius。　〃What　happens　to　him？〃
　〃A　fast　trial；〃　Zacynthus　answered。　〃Then　the　firing　squad…〃
　〃There　will　be　no　trial；〃　Zeno　interrupted。　〃The　gendarmerie　have　never　admitted　to　a　traitor　in　their　ranks。〃　His　voice　was　grave；　yet　his　eyes　were　filled　with　sadness。　〃Captain　Darius　died　in　the　performance　of　his　duties。〃
　The　cavern　suddenly　became　silent　Pitt；　Zacynthus　and　Giordino　all　exchanged　puzzled　glances　over　Zeno's　use　of　the　past　tense。
　Darius　said　nothing。　He　displayed　no　emotion；　no　sign　of　fear；　only　a　resignation　to　a　fate　that　precluded　even　the　remotest　possibility　of　hope。　Slowly；　very　carefully。　like　a　man　who　hadn't　tasted　sleep　in　days。　he　climbed　from　the　sub　onto　the　dock　and　stood　before　Zeno；　his　head　bowed。
　〃It　seems　I　have　known　you　for　many　years；　Darius；〃　Zeno　sounded　very　tired。　〃Yet　I　haven't　really　known　you　at　all。　God　alone　knows　why　you　came　to　be　what　you　are。　It　is　a　pity。　the　gendarmerie　lost　a　good　man。　。　。〃　Zeno　hesitated；　groping　for　words；　but　he　could　think　of　nothing　else　to　say。　Carefully；　almost　to　the　point　of　meticulousness；　he　withdrew　the　cartridge　clip　from　his　gun　and　removed　all　the　shells　except　one。　Then　he　reinserted　the　clip　and　held　out　the　gun；　butt　first；　to　Darius。
　Nodding；　as　if　in　secret　understanding；　and　searching　Zeno's　eyes　for　a　sign　that　never　came；　Darius　took　the　gun；　turned　slowly　towards　the　tunnel；　and　began　walking　numbly　across　the　dock。
　〃No　goodbye；　no　regrets；　no　to　hell　with　you；〃　Giordino　said　〃unprehendingly。　〃Just　like　that；　he　wanders　off　and　blows　his　brains　out。　Ten　will　get　you　one　that　Darius　makes　a　break　for　it。〃
　〃His　life　ended　when　he　became　a　traitor；〃　Zeno　said　quietly。　〃Darius　knew　it　then…he　knows　it　now。
　An　early　death　was　his　fate　when　he　dropped　from　the　womb；　there　was　no　escaping　it。　Five　minutes　to　talk　with　his　God　and　prepare　his　soul…then　he　will　squeeze　the　trigger。〃
　Giordino　watched　Darius　fade　into　the　blackness　of　the　tunnel　and　said　nothing。　The　finality　of　Zeno's　words　shattered　all　his　doubts　over　Darius'　intentions。　Until　the　day　he。　himself；　died；　Giordino　would　never　understand　how　anyone　could　let　loose　of　life　so　unquestioningly。
　He　turned　back　to　Pitt。　〃Time's　a　wasting；　we're　running　out　of　the　money。　Gunn　is　probably　having　a　spastic　fit　wondering　what　happened　to　his　precious　scientists。〃
　〃Can't　say　as　I　blame　him。〃　The　voice　came　from　Knight。　who　was　climbing　out　of　the　deck　hatch；　a　sly　smile　across　his　face。　〃Great　intellect　is　hard　to　e　by　these　days。〃
　〃An　egghead　edian；〃　Giordino　groaned。　〃What　has　science　e　to？〃
　In　spite　of　the　pain　in　his　leg；　Pitt　couldn't　help　but　laugh。　〃Maybe　some　of　Knight's　Intellect　will　rub　off　on　you　when　you　escort　him　and　the　other　eggheads　back　to　the　First　Attempt。　I'm　holding　you　responsible　until　they're　safely　on　board。〃
　〃Talk　about　appreciation；〃　Giordino　groaned　again。　〃After　all　I've　done　for　you。〃
　〃It's　better　to　give；　than　to　receive；〃　Pitt　said　soothingly。　〃Now　hop　to　it。　If　you　expect　to　swim　out　through　the　submerged　tunnels；　you　and　the　others　will　have　to　retrieve　the　diving　gear　from　the　bottom。〃
　Woodson　crawled　from　the　hatch　and　walked　over　to　Pitt。　〃Maybe　I　better　stick　with　you；　Major；　until　you're　bedded　down。〃
　〃No　thanks。〃　Pitt　answered；　mildly　surprised　at　the　look　of　genuine　concern　on　Woodson's　otherwise　expressionless　face。　〃I'm　OK。　Zac　here　is　going　to　take　me　to　a　hospital　full　of　nymphomaniac　nurses；　right　Zac？〃
　〃Sorry；〃　Zacynthus　smiled。　〃Not　unless　the　Air　Force　has　changed　its　enlistment　policy。　I'm　afraid　the　base　hospital　at　Brady　Field　has　the　only　decent　facilities　on　the　island　for　plugging　bullet　holes。〃
　The　litter…bearers　arrived　and　immediately　eased　Pitt　onto　the　stretcher。　〃Oh　well；〃　he　said；　〃at　least　I　travel　first　class。〃　Then　he　sat　up。　〃Damn！　I　almost　forgot。　One　last　thing。　Where's　Spencer？〃
　〃Here；　Major。　right　here；〃　The　red…bearded　marine　biologist　stepped　from　behind　Woodson。　〃What　can　I　do　for　you？〃
　〃Relay　my　pliments　to　mander　Gunn　and　give　him　a　present　for　me。〃
　Spencer　paled　visibly　at　the　sight　of　Pitt's　bloody　leg。　〃Consider　it　done。〃
　Pitt　leaned　over　the　side　of　the　stretcher　and　rested　on　one　elbow。　〃In　the　outer　cavern；　twenty　feet　down；　there　are　several　small　fissures　along　the　base　of　the　north　wall。　One　has　a　flat　rock　over　the　entrance。　If　he　hasn't　already　muscled　his　way　out；　you'll　find　a　Teaser　inside。〃
　Spencer's　face　registered　total　surprise。　〃A　Teaser！
　Are　you　serious；　Major？〃
　〃I　ought　to　know　a　Tearer　when　I　see　one；〃　Pitt　replied　jokingly。　〃See　to　it　that　you　don't　drop　him。〃
　Spencer　let　out　a　long　whistle。　〃Well　what　do　you　know。　I　was　beginning　to　think　no　such　creature　existed。〃　He　paused　a　moment。　deep　in　thought。　〃Christ；　I　don't　dare　damage　him　with　a　spear　shaft。　A　net　bag；　if　only　I'd　carried　a　net　bag。〃
　〃There's　only　one　way　to　catch　a　Teaser；〃　Pitt　grinned。　〃Grab　him　by　the　fin。〃
　The　pain　was　going　away　now。　Pitt's　leg　felt　like　it　was　no　longer　part　of　him。　The　floodlights　fused　together　in　one　massive　blur；　hurting　his　eyes。　Everything　seemed　to　slow　down。　and　the　voices　became　far　away。　Then　the　stretcher　bearers　picked　Pitt　up　from　the　dock；　moving。　it　seemed　to　him；　as　though　they　were　wading　through　glue。　He　raised　his　head　for　the　last　time　that　day。
　〃Zac。　one　more　request。〃　Pitt's　voice　was　down　to　a　bare　murmur。　〃What　is　the　girl's　real　name？〃
　Zac　looked　down　at　Pitt　and　smiled　with　his　eyes。　〃Her　name　is　Amy。〃
　〃Amy。〃　Pitt　repeated。　〃Never　knew　a　girl　by　the　name　of　Amy　before。〃　He　relaxed　and　fell　back　against　the　stretcher。　closing　his　eyes。　The　last　thing　he　remembered　before　the　soothing　blanket　of　darkness　fully　covered　him　was　the　sound　of　a　single　shot；　echoing　from　somewhere　within　the　depths　of　the　labyrinth。
　　　TALLY
　　The　sky　was　a　brilliant　ceiling　of　blue　as　far　as　the　eye　could　see。　The　summer　air　was　hot　and　dripping　with　unseen　humidity　encouraged　by　burning　waves　from　the　blazing　sun。　In　blinding　radiance；　tall　white　buildings　stood　like　small　chiseled　mountains　and　reflected　the　heat　onto　the　black　asphalt　pavement　below；　the　traffic　was　heavy；　and　the　sidewalks　were　crowded　with　scurrying　office　workers　on　lunch　break　as　Pitt　pushed　aside　the　wide　glass　doors　and　limped　stiffly　into　the　air　conditioned　lobby　of　the　Bureau　of　Narcotics　building。
　For　a　bachelor；　he　thought；　one　of　the　wonderful　things　about　Washington；　D。C。　is　the　overabundance　of　girls。　They　e　in　every　size；　age；　and　disposition　and　swarm　like　chattering　locusts　throughout　every　government　office　in　the　city；　providing　the　hungry　male　with　all　the　advantages　of　a　rich　kid　running　amok　in　a　candy　store。　Pitt　selected　his　most　charming。　devil…may…care　smile　and　offered　it　to　a　trio　of　giggling　secretaries　who　exited　the　elevator。　They　returned　his　smile；　acpanied　with　the　usual　bination　of　cursory　and　demure　glances　that　women　are　prone　to　allow　for　strange　men；　and　then　wiggled　past　him　into　the　lobby；　sneaking　an　additional　peek　at　him　over　their　shoulders。
　A　moment　later；　playing　the　role　of　the　wounded　Warrior　to　perfection；　Pitt　leaned　heavily　on　his　cane　and　limped　from　the　elevator　onto　the　thick　carpet　of　the　eighth　floor。　In　the　center　of　the　anteroom　a　dozen　girls；　displaying　an　unrestricted　forest　of　nyloned　legs；　sat　at　a　dozen　desks　and　furiously　assaulted　a　dozen　typewriters；　never　once　hesitating　to　look　up　at　him。　He　moved　slowly　over　to　a　well…bosomed　blond　whose　desk　top　contained　a　small　rectangular　sign：　〃Information。〃　Then　for　a　moment　he　stared　down　at　her；　admiring　the　view。
　〃Excuse　me。〃
　She　didn't　hear　him　over　the　din　of　the　clacking　machines。
　〃Excuse　me；〃　Pitt　repeated　loudly。
　She　turned　and　noticed　him。　〃May　I　help　you？〃　The　voice　was　cool；　the　big　hazel　eyes　unfriendly。　Pitt　admitted　to　himself　that　he　had　to　go　along　with　her　icy　greeting。　The　white　turtleneck　sweater；　the　green　California　sport　coat；　the　handkerchief　casually　fluffed　from　the　breast　pocket　hardly　categorized　him　as　an　executive　or　important　Washington　bureaucrat。
　〃I　would　like　to　see　the　Director　of　the　Bureau。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　she　said；　turning　back　to　her　typewriter。　〃The　Director　is　extremely　busy　and　cannot　see　anyone。〃
　Contempt　and　anger　began　to　mount　in　Pitt。　〃Inspector　Zacynthus　made　an　appointment　for　me…〃
　〃Inspector　Zacynthus'　office　is　on　the　fourth　floor；〃　the　girl　droned　mechanically。
　A　gunshot　couldn't　have