cc.floodtide-第6章

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　〃Can　he　get　away　with　that？〃
　〃He　can　and　did；　by　buying　off　politicians。　He　can't　keep　people　off　the　lake。　It　belongs　to　the　state。　But　he　can　make　it　hard　for　them　to　get　on。〃
　〃Some　people　have　a　fetish　for　privacy；〃　said　Pitt。
　〃Shang's　got　more　than　a　fetish。　Security　cameras　am　armed　goons　crawl　through　the　woods　all　around　the　place　Hunters　and　fishermen　who　accidentally　wander　too　close　art　hustled　off　the　land　and　treated　like　mon　criminals。〃
　〃I　must　remember　to　stay　on　my　side　of　the　lake。〃
　〃Probably　wouldn't　be　a　bad　idea。〃
　〃See　you　in　a　few　days；　Mr。　Colburn。〃
　〃e　again；　Mr。　Pitt。　Have　a　nice　day。〃
　
　Pitt　looked　up　at　the　sky。　Not　much　of　the　day　was　left。　The　late…afternoon　sun　was　partially　shaded　by　the　tops　of　the　fit　trees　rising　behind　Colburn's　store。　He　set　the　grocery　bags　on　the　rear　passenger　seat　of　his　rental　car　and　climbed　behind　the　wheel。　He　turned　the　ignition　key；　shifted　into　drive　and　pressed　the　accelerator。　Five　minutes　later；　he　turned　off　the　asphalt　highway　onto　a　dirt　road　leading　to　the　Foley　cabin　on　Orion　Lake。　For　two　miles　the　road　meandered　through　a　forest　of　cedar；　spruce　and　hemlock。
　
　At　the　end　of　a　quarter…mile　straight；　he　came　to　a　fork；　each　road　skirting　the　shore　of　the　lake　in　opposite　directions　until　meeting　up　again　on　the　far　side；　which　happened　to　be　Qin　Shang's　extravagant　retreat。　Pitt　could　not　help　but　agree　with　the　grocer's　description。　The　former　cannery　had　truly　been　transformed　into　an　architectural　miscarriage；　totally　inappropriate　for　a　beautiful　setting　on　an　alpine　lake。　It　was　as　though　the　builder　had　begun　a　modern　structure　of　copper…tinted　solar　glass　intermingled　with　exposed　steel　beams；　then　changed　his　mind　and　turned　it　over　to　a　fifteenth…century　Ming…dynasty　contractor　who　topped　the　building　with　a　golden　tile　roof　straight　off　the　majestic　Hall　of　Supreme　Harmony　in　the　Forbidden　City　at　Beijing。
　
　After　being　told　that　the　owner　was　cloistered　by　an　elaborate　security　system；　Pitt；　while　enjoying　the　solitude　of　the　lake；　now　assumed　his　movements　were　being　observed。　He　turned　onto　the　road　bearing　left　and　continued　for　another　half…mile　before　stopping　beside　a　wooden　stairway　leading　to　a　porch　that　ran　around　an　attractive　log　cabin　overlooking　the　lake。　He　remained　sitting　in　the　car　for　a　minute；　gazing　at　a　pair　of　deer　that　were　feeding　in　the　woods。
　
　The　soreness　had　gone　out　of　his　injuries；　and　he　could　exercise　movement　almost　as　well　as　he　could　before　the　tragedy。　The　cuts　and　burns　had　for　the　most　part　healed。　It　was　his　mind　and　emotions　that　were　taking　longer。
　
　He　was　ten　pounds　lighter　and　not　making　a　concerted　effort　at　putting　the　lost　weight　back　on。　He　felt　as　if　he　had　lost　all　sense　of　purpose。　It　was　a　case　of　actually　feeling　worse　than　he　looked。　But　deep　down　there　was　a　spark　that　was　fanned　by　an　inherent　urge　to　peer　into　the　unknown。　The　spark　burst　into　flame　soon　after　he　carried　the　groceries　inside　the　cabin　and　set　them　on　the　kitchen　sink。
　
　Something　did　not　seem　right。　He　couldn't　put　his　finger　on　it；　but　it　quietly　gnawed　at　his　mind；　some　unfathomable　sixth　sense　that　told　him　something　was　wrong。　He　stepped　into　the　living　room。　Nothing　out　of　the　ordinary　there。　He　cautiously　entered　the　bedroom；　glanced　around；　checked　the　closet　and　moved　into　the　bathroom。　And　then　he　had　it。　The　toiletry　items　from　his　shaving　kit…razor；　cologne；　toothbrush；　hairbrush…were　always　placed　in　neat　order　on　the　sink　after　he　arrived　at　his　destination。　They　were　right　where　he　had　set　them；　all　except　the　shaving　kit　itself。　He　distinctly　recalled　holding　it　by　the　outside　strap　and　pushing　it　onto　a　shelf。　Now　the　strap　was　facing　the　rear　wall。
　
　He　went　through　the　rooms　now；　carefully　studying　every　loose　object。　Somebody；　probably　more　than　one　person；　had　been　over　every　inch　of　the　cabin。　They　had　to　be　professionals　but　became　indifferent　when　they　concluded　that　the　resident　was　not　a　secret　agent　or　a　hired　assassin　but　merely　a　guest　of　the　cabin's　owner　enjoying　a　few　peaceful　days　of　relaxation。　From　the　time　Pitt　left　for　town　until　he　returned；　they　had　a　good　forty…five　minutes　to　do　the　job。　At　first　the　reason　behind　the　search　escaped　Pitt；　but　then　a　light　began　to　glow　in　the　dim　reaches　of　his　brain。
　
　There　had　to　be　something　else。　To　an　expert　spy　or　gold…badge　detective；　the　answer　would　be　immediately　transparent。　But　Pitt　was　neither。　A　former　Air　Force　pilot　and　longtime　special　projects　director　for　NUMA；　his　specialty　was　troubleshooting　the　agency's　underwater　projects；　not　undercover　investigation。　It　took　him　a　good　sixty　seconds　to　solve　the　dilemma。
　
　He　realized　that　the　search　was　secondary。　The　real　purpose　was　to　install　listening　devices　or　miniature　cameras。　Someone　doesn't　trust　me；　Pitt　thought。　And　that　someone　must　be　the　chief　of　Qin　Shang's　security　network。
　
　Because　listening　bugs　were　no　larger　than　pinheads　they　would　be　difficult　to　find　without　an　electronic　snooping　device。　But　since　Pitt　had　only　himself　to　talk　to；　he　decided　to　concentrate　on　the　cameras。　Assuming　he　was　under　surveillance　and　his　every　movement　was　being　observed　by　someone　sitting　in　front　of　a　TV　monitor　on　the　other　side　of　the　lake；　he　sat　down　and　pretended　to　read　a　newspaper　while　his　mind　churned。　Let　them　see　what　they　want　in　the　living　room　and　bedroom；　he　reasoned。　The　kitchen　was　another　matter。　That　would　be　his　war　room。
　
　He　put　down　the　paper　and　began　putting　away　the　groceries　in　the　cupboards　and　refrigerator；　using　the　activity　as　a　distraction　while　his　eyes　darted　into　every　nook　and　cranny。　He　found　nothing　conspicuous。　Then　he　began　casually　glancing　at　the　log　walls　of　the　cabin；　peering　into　the　cracks　and　chinking。　He　finally　hit　paydirt　when　he　spotted　a　tiny　lens　pressed　into　a　wormhole；　burrowed　when　the　log　was　the　trunk　of　a　growing　tree。　Playing　the　role　of　an　actor　in　front　of　a　camera；　which　indeed　he　was；　Pitt　swept　the　floor　with　a　broom。　When　he　was　finished　he　turned　the　broom　upside　down　and　leaned　the　sweeper　part　against　the　wall　directly　in　front　of　the　camera。
　
　As　if　given　a　shot　to　spur　his　adrenaline；　he　brushed　off　any　feelings　of　fatigue　and　tension　and　stepped　outside；　walking　thirty　paces　away　from　the　cabin　into　the　woods。　He　pulled　a　Motorola　Iridium　phone　from　the　inside　pocket　of　his　jacket。　After　dialing　a　number；　his　signal　was　bounced　over　a　network　of　sixty…six　satellites　around　the　world　and　down　to　the　private　line　of　the　person　he　was　calling　at　the　NUMA　headquarters　in　Washington；　D。C。
　
　After　four　rings；　a　voice　with　a　slight　New　England　twang　answered。　〃This　is　Hiram　Yaeger。　Be　brief；　time　is　money。〃
　〃Your　time　isn't　worth　a　dime　stuck　in　gum　on　the　bottom　of　a　shoe。〃
　〃Am　I　the　subject　of　mockery　by　NUMA's　special　projects　director？〃
　〃You　are。〃
　〃What　are　you　doing　that's　not　worth　repeating？〃　asked　Yaeger　facetiously。　Yet　his　voice　betrayed　a　trace　of　concern。　He　knew　Pitt　was　still　recovering　from　injuries　suffered　during　a　volcanic　eruption　on　an　island　off　Australia　only　the　month　before。
　〃I　haven't　time　to　leave　you　breathless　with　my　daring　adventures　in　the　north　woods。　But　I　do　need　a　favor。〃　〃I'm　drooling　with　anticipation。〃
　〃See　what　you　can　dig　up　on　a　Qin　Shang。〃
　〃How's　it　spelled？〃
　〃Probably　like　it　sounds。　If　my　limited　knowledge　of　Chinese　menus　serves　me　correctly；　the　first　name　begins　with　a　Q。　Shang　is　a　Chinese　shipping　magnate　who　operates　out　of　Hong　Kong。　He　also　owns　a　private　retreat　on　Orion　Lake　in　Washington　State。〃
　〃Is　that　where　you're　at？〃　asked　Yaeger。　〃You　never　told　anyone　where　you　were　going　when　you　up　and　disappeared。〃
　〃I'd　just　as　soon　Admiral　Sandecker　was　kept　in　the　dark。〃
　〃He'll　find　out　anyway。　He　always　does。　Just　what　is　it　that　intrigues　you　about　Shang？〃
　〃You　might　say　I'm　irritated　by　nosy　neighbors；〃　replied　Pitt。
　〃Why　don't　you　go　over　and　borrow　a　cup　of　sugar；　have　a　few　laughs　and　challenge　him　to　a　fast　game　of　mah…jongg。〃
　〃According　to　the　locals；　no　one　can　get　within　ten　city　blocks　of　his　place。　And　at　that；　I　doubt　if　he's　at　home。　If　Shang　is　like　most　wealthy　celebrities；　he　has　several　different　houses　around　the　world。〃
　〃Why　does　this　guy　consume　you　with　curiosity？〃　〃No　upstanding　citizen　has　a　mania　about　security　unless　he　has　something　to　hide；〃　said　Pitt。
　〃Sounds　to　me　like　you're　bored；　lying　around　the　primeval　forest；　watching　moss　grow　on　the　rocks。　You've　missed　one　of　life's　pleasures　if　you　haven't　tried　to　outstare　a　moose　for　forty…five　minutes。〃
　〃I've　never　been　turned　on　by　apathy。〃　〃Any　other　requests　while　I'm　in　the　mood？〃　asked　Yaeger。　〃Now　that　you　mention　it；　I　do　have　a　wish　list　of　Christmas　goodies　I'd　like　boxed　and　sent　out　tonight　so　I　can　have　them　no　later　than　tomorrow　afternoon。〃
　〃Fire　away；〃　said　Yaeger。　〃I've　turned　on　the　recorder　and　will　print　them　out　when　you're　finished。〃
　Pitt　described　the　articles　and　equipment　he　required。　When　he　finished；　he　added；　〃Throw　in　a　Department　of　Natural　Resources　chart　of　Orion　Lake　showing　bathymetric　data　and　fish　species；　underwater　wrecks　and　obstructions。〃
　〃The　plot　thickens。　For　a　guy　who　was　battered　to　a　pulp　and　just　released　from　a　hospital；　don't　you　think　you're　overdoing　it？〃
　〃Play　along　with　me　and　I'll　mail　you　five　pounds　of　smoked　salmon。〃
　〃I　hate　being　a　weenie；〃　Yaeger　sighed。　〃Okay；　I'll　take　care　of　your　toys　before　I　make　inquiries　through　proper　and　unproper　channels　on　Qin　Shang。　With　luck；　I'll　give　you　his　blood　type。〃
　
　Pitt　knew　from　experience　that　data　buried　and　secreted　in　classified　files　was　not　immune　to　Yaeger's　ferretlike　talents。　〃Set　those　fat　little　fingers　flying　over　your　keyboard　and　call　me　at　my　Indium　number　when　you　turn　up　something。〃
　
　Yaeger　hung　up　the　phone；　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　stared　thoughtfully　at　the　ceiling　for　several　moments。　Yaeger　looked　more　like　a　street…corner　panhandler　than　he　did　a　brilliant　puter…systems　analyst。　He　kept　his　graying　hair　in　a　ponytail　and　dressed　like　an　aging　hippie；　which　he　was。　Yaeger　was　head　of　NUMA's　puter…data　network；　which　contained　a　vast　library　on　every　book；　article　and　thesis；　whether　scientific；　historical　fact　or　theory；　ever　recorded　on　the　world's　oceans。
　
　Yaeger's　puter　domain　took　up　the　entire　tenth　floor　of　the　NUMA　building。　It　had　taken　years　to　put　together　the　massive　library。　His　boss　had　given　him　a　free　hand　and　unlimited　funding　for　accumulating　every　recorded　bit　of　knowledge　on　ocean　science　and　technology　so　it　could　be　available　to　ocean…science　students；　professional　oceanographers；　marine　engineers　and　underwater　archaeologists　around　the　world。　The　job　carried　enormous　responsibility；　but　it　was　a　job　Yaeger　loved　with　a　passion。
　
　He　turned　his　gaze　on　the　expansive　puter　he　had　designed　and　built　himself。　〃Fat　fingers　on　a　keyboard；　hah！〃　There　was　no　keyboard　and　no　monitor。　As　with　virtual　reality；　images　were　projected　in　three　dimensions　in　front　of　the　user。　Instead　of　typing　on　keys；　mands　were　spoken。　A　caricature　of　Yaeger；　enhanced　and　fleshed　out；　stared　back　at　him。
　
　〃Well；　Max；　yo