cc.floodtide-第47章

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was　what　counted。　He　scrambled　around　the　front　end　of　the　cars　toward　the　entrance　door；　keeping　low　and　using　the　wheels　and　tires　to　shield　his　movement　from　the　view　of　a　night　scope　probing　the　floor　beneath。　He　reached　the　door；　threw　it　open　and　fell　back　behind　a　car　as　bullets　sped　through　the　opening　into　the　night　outside。　Then　Pitt　crawled　along　the　wall　of　the　hangar　until　he　could　huddle　against　the　wheel　of　a　1939　540…K　Mercedes…Benz　sedan。
　
　The　move　was　foolhardy　and　reckless；　but　he　only　paid　a　small　price。　Pitt　could　feel　blood　streaming　from　his　left　forearm　where　the　flesh　had　been　nicked　by　a　bullet。　Had　the　remaining　assassin　been　given　five　long　seconds　to　divine　Pitt's　intention；　he　would　have　never　rushed　headlong　toward　the　door　in　the　certain　belief　that　his　quarry　had　tried　to　escape　from　the　hangar。
　
　Pitt　heard　the　soft　drumming　of　supple　rubber　soles　against　concrete。　Then　a　figure　dressed　from　the　top　of　the　head　to　his　feet　in　black　became　outlined　in　the　doorway　by　the　dim　light　outside　on　the　electrical　pole。　All's　fair　in　love　and　war；　Pitt　thought；　as　he　pulled　the　trigger　and　cut　down　the　killer　with　a　shotgun　blast　through　the　back　below　the　right　shoulder。
　
　The　arms　flew　upward　and　outward；　his　tactical　machine　pistol　clattering　to　the　walkway　in　front　of　the　hangar。　The　killer　stood　there　a　moment；　tore　off　his　night…vision　goggles　and　slowly　turned。　He　stared　disbelievingly　into　Pitt's　face　as　the　hunted　approached　the　hunter　and　saw　the　muzzle　of　vicious…looking　shotgun　aimed　at　his　chest。　The　shocked　realization　of　his　deadly　blunder；　the　awareness　that　his　death　was　only　seconds　away；　seemed　more　to　anger　than　frighten　him。　The　bitter；　stunned　expression　in　his　now　visible　eyes　gave　Pitt　a　chill。　It　was　not　the　look　of　a　man　afraid　to　die；　it　was　the　desperate　look　of　a　man　who　had　failed　his　mission。　He　staggered　toward　Pitt　in　a　hopeless　gesture　of　tenacity；　the　lips　that　were　faintly　visible　through　the　open　slit　in　his　black　hood　hideous　in　a　blood…flecked　snarl。
　
　Pitt　did　not　send　another　burst　from　the　shotgun　into　the　assassin's　body。　Nor　did　he　use　his　gun　as　a　club。　He　stepped　forward　and　lashed　out　with　one　foot；　kicking　the　man's　legs　out　from　under　him　and　sending　him　crashing　heavily　to　the　ground。
　
　Picking　up　the　killer's　weapon；　Pitt　did　not　immediately　recognize　it　as　Chinese…manufactured；　but　he　was　impressed　with　its　advanced　innovations：　a　plastic　frame　with　integral　electro…optics；　a　fifty…round　magazine　in　line　with　the　bore；　and　cased；　telescoped　cartridges　with　the　ballistics　of　a　rifle　shell。　It　was　a　handgun　for　the　twenty…first　century。
　
　He　stepped　back　inside　the　hangar　and　switched　on　the　lights　again。　Despite　the　harrowing　ordeal；　Pitt　felt　strangely　unaffected。　He　walked　the　aisle　separating　the　cars　until　he　stood　below　the　balcony　of　his　apartment。　Then　he　stared　down　at　the　second　killer's　body。　The　partner　of　the　man　he　dropped　in　the　doorway　was　as　dead　as　a　rat　in　a　sprung　trap。　One　of　Pitt's　shots　had　missed；　but　the　other　had　taken　off　the　top　of　the　killer's　head。　Not　a　sight　to　remember　at　the　dinner　table。
　
　Wearily；　Pitt　climbed　a　circular　metal　staircase　and　entered　his　apartment。　There　was　no　sense　in　calling　911。　He　expected　federal　marshals　to　e　bounding　up　the　road　any　minute。　Methodically；　he　rinsed　a　glass　with　water；　shook　it　partially　dry　and　inverted　it　in　a　bowl　of　salt。　Then　he　added　crushed　ice；　a　sliced　lime；　and　two　shots　from　a　bottle　of　Don　Julio　silver　tequila。　Relaxing　in　a　leather　sofa；　he　savored　the　drink　like　a　thirst…stricken　bedouin　who　staggered　onto　an　oasis。
　
　Five　minutes　and　a　second　tequila　later；　Admiral　Sandecker　arrived　with　a　team　of　marshals。　Pitt　came　down　to　the　hangar　floor　and　met　them；　drink　in　hand。　〃Good　evening；　Admiral；　always　good　to　see　you。〃
　
　Sandecker　grunted　something　appropriate　and　then　nodded　at　the　body　beneath　the　apartment。　〃You　really　must　leam　to　pick　up　after　yourself。〃　The　voice　was　caustic；　but　there　was　no　mistaking　the　concern　in　his　eyes。
　
　Pitt　smiled　and　shrugged。　〃The　world　needs　murderers　like　it　needs　cancer。〃
　Sandecker　noticed　the　streak　of　blood　on　Pitt's　arm。　〃You　took　a　hit。〃　〃Nothing　a　Band…Aid　won't　fix。〃
　〃Let's　have　the　story；〃　demanded　Sandecker；　all　preliminaries　over。　〃Where　did　they　e　from？〃
　〃I　haven't　a　clue。　They　were　waiting　for　me。〃
　〃A　miracle　they　didn't　kill　you。〃
　〃They　didn't　plan　on　me　ing　to　the　party　prepared　after　I　saw　that　my　security　system　had　been　tampered　with。〃
　Sandecker　looked　at　Pitt　cautiously。　〃You　might　have　waited　until　I　arrived　with　the　marshals。〃
　
　Pitt　motioned　through　the　door　toward　the　road　and　barren　land　outside　the　hangar。　〃If　I　made　a　run　for　it；　they'd　have　cut　me　down　before　I　got　fifty　yards。　Better　to　go　on　the　offensive。　I　felt　my　only　chance　was　to　do　something　quickly　and　catch　them　off　balance。〃
　Sandecker　stared　at　Pitt　shrewdly。　He　knew　his　special　projects　director　would　never　attempt　anything　without　a　solid　reason。　His　eyes　took　in　the　bullet…riddled　doorway。　〃I　hope　you　know　a　good　handyman。〃
　At　that　moment　a　man　wearing　casual　clothes　and　a　wind…breaker　over　a　ballistic　armor　vest　with　a　Smith　&　Wesson　model　442　。38　revolver　in　a　shoulder　holster　approached。　In　one　hand　he　held　a　hooded　mask　worn　by　the　killer　whom　Pitt　had　dropped　in　the　doorway。　〃Won't　be　easy　to　ID　them。　They　were　probably　imported　for　the　hit。〃
　Sandecker　made　the　introduction。　〃Dirk；　this　is　Mr。　Peter　Harper；　executive　associate　missioner　of　field　operations　for　the　Immigration　and　Naturalization　Service。〃
　Harper　shook　Pitt's　hand。　〃A　pleasure　to　meet　you；　Mr。　Pitt。　It　seems　you　had　an　unexpected　homeing。〃
　〃A　dubious　surprise　I　wasn't　counting　on。〃　Pitt　was　not　at　all　sure　he　could　warm　to　Harper。　The　associate　missioner　of　the　INS　struck　him　as　a　man　who　spent　his　spare　time　working　algebra　problems。　Despite　the　fact　he　carried　a　weapon；　Harper　looked　benign　and　scholastic。　〃There　is　a　van　parked　a　short　distance　from　the　hangar。〃
　〃We　already　checked　it　out；〃　said　Harper。　〃It　belongs　to　a　　rental…car　agency。　The　name　on　the　agreement　is　fictitious。〃　〃Who　do　you　suspect　was　behind　this？〃　Sandecker　asked。　〃The　name　Qin　Shang　es　to　mind；〃　said　Pitt。　〃I'm　told　he　has　a　retaliatory　nature。〃
　〃The　obvious　choice；〃　Sandecker　agreed。　〃He　won't　be　happy　when　he　finds　out　his　assassins　failed；〃　added　Harper。
　Sandecker's　expression　turned　foxlike。　〃I　think　it　only　appropriate　that　Dirk　tell　him　in　person。〃
　Pitt　shook　his　head。　〃I　hardly　think　that's　a　sensible　idea。　I'm　persona　non　grata　in　Hong　Kong。〃
　
　Sandecker　and　Harper　exchanged　glances。　Then　Sandecker　said；　〃Qin　Shang　saved　you　the　trip。　He　recently　arrived　in　Washington　to　grease　his　way　out　of　any　connection　with　Orion　Lake。　As　a　matter　of　fact；　he's　throwing　a　party　at　his　residence　in　Chevy　Chase　to　stroke　congressmen　and　their　staffers。　If　you　hurry　and　dress；　you　can　just　make　it。〃
　
　Pitt　looked　as　if　he'd　been　sandbagged。　〃I　hope　you're　joking。〃
　〃I　was　never　more　serious。〃
　〃I　believe　the　admiral　makes　a　good　case；〃　said　Harper。　〃You　and　Qin　Shang　should　meet　face…to…face。〃
　〃Why？　So　he　can　provide　a　first…hand　description　of　me　to　the　next　team　he　sends　out　to　put　me　in　a　cemetery？〃
　〃No；〃　said　Harper　seriously。　〃To　let　Qin　Shang　know　that　despite　his　wealth　and　power　he　can't　outclass　the　United　States　government。　The　man　is　not　infallible。　If　your　appearance　can　shake　him　up；　he　probably　won't　get　the　word　you're　alive　until　you　walk　in　on　him。　The　shock　just　might　make　him　mad　enough　to　make　a　mistake　in　the　future。　And　that's　when　we　step　in。〃
　
　〃In　essence　you　want　me　to　create　a　chink　in　his　armor。〃　Harper　nodded。　〃Exactly。〃
　〃You　realize；　of　course；〃　said　Pitt；　〃that　what　you're　proposing　will　promise　my　further　involvement　in　investigating　his　illegal　activities。〃
　
　〃Think　of　yourself　as　a　distraction；〃　said　Sandecker。　〃The　more　Qin　Shang　concentrates　on　you　as　a　threat　to　his　operations；　the　easier　it　will　be　for　the　INS　and　the　other　intelligence　services　to　nail　him　to　the　cross。〃　〃Distraction　hell。　You　want　a　decoy。〃　Harper　shrugged。　〃A　rose　by　any　other　name。〃　Pitt　made　as　if　to　appear　uneasy　with　the　idea　despite　the　fact　it　intrigued　him。　He　thought　of　the　bodies　strewn　on　the　bottom　of　Orion　Lake；　and　the　anger　rose　inside　him　like　an　uncontrollable　flood。　〃Whatever　it　takes　to　hang　the　murdering　scum。〃
　
　Harper　sighed　in　relief；　but　Sandecker　never　doubted　for　an　instant　that　Pitt　would　acquiesce。　The　admiral　had　never　known
　
　Pitt　to　turn　down　a　challenge；　no　matter　how　impossible。　Some　men　were　indifferent；　impassive。　It　was　difficult　to　tell　what　they　were　thinking。　Not　Pitt。　Sandecker　understood　him　like　no　other　man　except　Al　Giordino。　To　women　he　was　a　mystery；　a　man　they　could　reach　out　and　touch　but　never　restrain。　He　knew　there　were　two　Dirk　Pitts；　one　that　could　be　tender；　considerate　and　humorous；　the　other　cold　and　ruthless　as　a　winter　storm。　Unvaryingly　petent　to　the　point　of　brilliance；　his　perception　of　events　and　people　was　uncanny。　Pitt　never　made　a　conscious　error。　He　had　a　knack　for　doing　the　right　thing　during　incredibly　difficult　circumstances　that　was　almost　inhuman。
　Harper　was　unable　to　read　Pitt。　All　he　saw　was　a　marine　engineer　who　had　unbelievably　killed　two　professional　assassins　who　had　e　to　murder　him。　〃So　you'll　do　it。〃
　〃I'll　meet　Qin　Shang；　but　I　wish　someone　would　tell　me　how　I'm　going　to　crash　his　party　without　an　invitation。〃
　〃It's　all　been　arranged；〃　explained　Harper。　〃A　good　agent　I　always　has　connections　with　the　pany　that　prints　invitations。〃
　〃You　were　pretty　sure　of　yourself。〃
　〃I　admit　I　wasn't；　but　the　admiral　here　assured　me　that　you　never　turned　down　free　drinks　and　food。〃
　Pitt　threw　Sandecker　a　peevish　look。　〃The　admiral　has　mads　victimization　an　art　form。〃
　〃I've　even　taken　the　liberty　of　arranging　an　escort　for　you；〃　Harper　continued。　〃A　most　attractive　lady　who　will　back　you　up　in　case　of　trouble。〃
　〃A　baby…sitter；〃　Pitt　muttered；　rolling　his　eyes　upward。　〃As　a　matter　of　pure　optimism　I　have　to　ask　if　she's　seen　bat。〃　〃I'm　told　she　shot　down　two　aircraft　and　saved　your　ass　on　the　Orion　River。〃　〃Julia　Lee。〃　〃The　same。〃
　
　Pitt's　lips　stretched　into　a　wide　grin。　〃It　looks　as　if　the　evening　won't　turn　out　to　be　a　bust　after　all。〃
　
　PITT　KNOCKED　ON　THE　DOOR　OF　THE　ADDRESS　GIVEN　HIM　BY　Peter　Harper。　After　a　short　wait；　it　was　opened　by　Julia　Lee。　She　stood　radiant　in　a　white　silk　cashmere　dress　that　came　slightly　below　the　knees　with　open　shoulders　and　back　to　the　curve　above　her　hips　and　was　held　up　by　a　thin　strap　around　the　neck。　Her　black　hair　was　swept　back　in　a　wrapped　ponytail　high　on　the　head　with　spiky　ends。　Her　only　jewelry　was　a　thin　gold　chain　around　her　waist　and　a　gold　cuff　necklace。　Her　legs　were　nude；　her　feet　showing　in　open　gold　shoes。
　
　Her　eyes　widened　and　she　murmured；　〃Dirk；　Dirk　Pitt！〃
　〃Oh；　I　hope　so；〃　he　replied　with　a　devilish　grin。
　After　her　initial　shock　at　seeing　Pitt　standing　there　resplendent　in　a　tuxedo　with　vest　and　gold　watch　chain；　she　recovered　and　threw　herself　against　him；　her　arms　encircling　his　neck。　He　was　so　surprised　he　barel