cc.vixen03-第28章

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　〃Sam　Jackson。　I　have　the　pictures。〃　~
　〃Any　problems？〃
　〃A　breeze。　You　were　right。　I　didn't　have　to　shoot　with　infrared。　They　left　the　lights　on。　Can't　say　as　I　blame　them…the　room　mirrored　from　top　to　bottom　and　all。　High…speed　film　should　bring　out　all　the　details　you　asked　for。　They　put　on　quite　a　show。　Too　bad　we　didn't　tape　it。〃
　〃They　didn't　suspect？〃
　〃How　could　they　know　one　of　the　mirrored　panels　was　two　way？　They　were　too　busy　to　notice　anything　short　of　an　earthquake。　Just　to　play　safe；　I　used　a　special　noiseless　camera。〃
　〃When　can　I　expect　to　see　the　results？〃
　〃By　eight　in　the　morning；　if　it's　a　dire　emergency。　I　could　use　some　sack　time；　though。　Wait　till　early　evening　and　I　promise　you　eight…by…ten　glossy　prints　fit　for　a　gallery　exhibit。〃
　〃Take　your　time　and　do　it　right；〃　said　Daggat。　〃I　want　every　detail　highlighted。〃
　〃You　can　count　on　it；〃　Jackson　said。　〃By　the　way；　who's　the　foxy　lady？　She's　a　real　tiger。〃
　〃That　doesn't　concern　you；　Jackson。　Call　me　when　you're　ready。　And　remember；　I'm　only　interested　in　the　artistic　positions。〃
　〃I　get　the　message。　Good　night；　Congressman。〃
　
　39
　
　Dale　Jarvis　was　just　getting　ready　to　clear　his　desk　and　leave　for　the　thirty…minute　drive　home　to　his　wife　and　a　traditional　Friday　supper　of　pork　roast　when　there　was　a　knock　at　the　door　and　John　Gossard；　who　headed　up　the　agency's　Africa　Section；　entered。　Gossard　had　e　to　the　NSA　from　the　Army　after　the　Vietnam　war；　where　he　had　served　as　a　specialist　in　guerrilla　logistics。　A　quiet　man　with　a　cynical　sense　of　humor；　he　walked　with　a　limp　caused　by　a　rifle　grenade　whose　shrapnel　had　severed　his　right　foot。　He　was　known　as　a　heavy　drinker；　but　also　as　a　man　who　fulfilled　all　his　section's　requests　for　data　in　precise　and　abundant　detail。　His　intelligence　sources　were　the　envy　of　the　entire　agency。
　Jarvis　spread　his　hands　in　an　apologetic　gesture。　〃John；　chew　my　ass　if　you　will；　it　pletely　slipped　my　mind。　I　had　every　intention　of　RSVPing　your　fishing…trip　invitation。〃
　〃Can　you　make　it？〃　Gossard　asked。　〃McDermott　and　Sampson；　over　in　Soviet　Analysis；　are　going。〃
　〃I　never　turn　down　a　chance　to　show　those　Kremlin　guys　how　to　catch　the　big　ones。〃
　〃Good。　The　boat　is　reserved。　We　cast　off　from　slip　nine　at　the　Plum　Point　Marina　at　five　sharp；　Sunday。〃　Gossard　set　his　briefcase　on　Jar…vis's　desk　and　opened　it。　〃Incidentally；　I　had　two　motives　for　stopping　by　your　sanctum　sanctorum　before　heading　home。　The　second　is　this。〃　He　dropped　a　folder　in　front　of　Jarvis。　〃I'll　let　you　take　it　over　the　weekend；　providing　you　promise　not　to　shit…can　it　along　with　your　old　paperback　spy　novels。〃
　Jarvis　smiled。　〃Small　chance　of　that。　What've　you　got？〃
　〃The　data　you　asked　for　concerning　a　weird　South　African　feasibility　plan　called　Wild　Rose。〃
　Jarvis's　brows　raised。　〃That　was　fast　work。　I　only　put　in　the　request　this　afternoon。〃
　〃The　African　Section　does　not　allow　the　moss　to　grow；〃　Gossard　said；　pontificating。
　〃Anything　I　need　to　know　before　reading　it？〃
　〃Nothing　of　any　earth…shattering　consequence。　Pretty　much　as　you　suspected：　a　wild　pipe　dream。〃
　〃Then　Hiram　Lusana　was　telling　the　truth。〃
　〃Insofar　as　the　plan　actually　exists；〃　Gossard　replied。　〃You'll　espe…cially　enjoy　the　plot。　The　concept　is　intriguing　as　hell。〃
　〃You've　piqued　my　curiosity。　Just　how　do　the　South　Africans　posing　as　AAR　blacks　intend　to　carry　out　the　raid？〃
　〃Sorry；〃　Gossard　said；　smiling　devilishly。　〃That　would　be　giving　away　the　meat　of　the　story。〃
　Jarvis　threw　him　a　serious　look。　〃Can　you　fully　trust　the　quality　of　your　source？〃
　〃My　source　is　genuine；　all　right。　Strange　sort　of　duck。　Insists　on　going　under　the　code　name　of　Emma。　We've　never　been　able　to　establish　an　identity。　His　information　is　solid　enough。　He　sells　to　anybody　and　everybody　willing　to　pay。〃
　〃I　gather　you　doled　out　a　pretty　penny　for　Operation　Wild　Rose；〃　Jarvis　said。
　〃Not　really。　It　was　included　in　a　box　with　fifty　other　documents。　We　paid　only　ten　thousand　dollars　for　the　lot。〃
　As　the　photographs　dropped　from　the　dryer　into　a　basket；　Sam　Jackson　scooped　them　up　and　neatly　jiggled　their　edges　until　they　were　straight　and　orderly。　He　was　a　tall；　angular　black　man　with　braided　hair；　a　youthful　face；　and　long；　slender　hands。　He　passed　Daggat　the　photos　and　pulled　his　apron　off　over　his　head。
　〃That's　all　she　wrote。〃
　〃How　many？〃　Daggat　asked。
　〃About　thirty　that　clearly　show　faces。　I　checked　out　the　contact　prints　with　a　magnifying　glass。　All　the　rest　were　nothing　shots。〃
　〃A　shame　they　aren't　in　color。〃
　〃Next　time；　hang　something　besides　those　blue　lights；〃　said　Jackson。　〃They　might　hype　a　sexy　gig；　but　they　sure　ain't　got　what　it　takes　to　make　sharp　color　transparencies。〃
　Daggat　carefully　studied　the　eight…by…ten　black…and…white　prints。　He　went　through　them　a　second　time。　The　third　time；　he　sifted　out　ten　and　put　them　inside　a　briefcase。　The　remaining　twenty　he　handed　to　Jackson。
　〃Put　these　together　with　the　negatives　and　contact　prints　in　an　envelope。〃
　〃You're　taking　them　with　you？〃
　〃I　think　it　best　if　I　alone　am　responsible　for　their　safekeeping。　Don't　you　agree？〃
　It　was　clear　Jackson　did　not。　He　threw　Daggat　an　uneasy　look。　〃Hey；　man；　photographers　aren't　in　the　habit　of　giving　up　their　negatives。　You're　not　going　to　produce　these　for　sale；　are　you？　I　don't　mind　shooting　a　private　porno　job　for　a　good　customer；　but　I'm　not　about　to　make　a　mercial　living　at　it。　Trouble　with　the　fuzz　I　can　do　without。〃
　Daggat　closed　upon　Jackson　until　their　faces　were　only　inches　apart。　〃I　am　not　'Hey；　man；'　〃　he　said　coldly。　〃I　am　United　States　Con…gressman　Frederick　Daggat。　Do　you　get　the　message；　brother？〃
　For　a　brief　moment　Jackson　glared　back。　Then；　slowly；　he　lowered　his　eyes　and　stared　at　the　chemical　stains　on　the　linoleum　floor。　Daggat　held　all　the　cards；　bankrolled　by　his　congressional　powers。　The　photographer　had　no　choice　but　to　fold。
　〃Suit　yourself；〃　he　said。
　Daggat　nodded；　and　then；　as　if　dismissing　Jackson's　objections　…pletely；　casually　smiled。　〃I'd　appreciate　it　if　you'd　hurry　things　up。　I　have　a　lovely　but　anxious　lady　waiting　in　the　car　outside。　She's　the　impatient　type；　if　you　know　what　I　mean。〃
　Jackson　slid　the　negatives；　contact　prints；　and　eight…by…ten　glossies　into　a　large　manila　envelope　and　handed　it　to　Daggat。　〃About　my　fee。〃
　Daggat　flipped　him　a　hundred…dollar　bill。
　〃But　we　agreed　on　five　hundred；〃　Jackson　said。
　〃Consider　your　labors　an　unselfish　act　on　behalf　of　your　country；〃　Daggat　said　as　he　walked　to　the　door。　Then　he　turned。　〃Oh；　and　one　more　thing：　just　so　you　won't　be　inconvenienced　by　unforeseen　prob…lems　in　the　future；　it　might　be　a　good　idea　to　forget　this　whole　episode。　It　never　happened。〃
　Jackson　gave　the　only　possible　reply。　〃Whatever　you　say；　Con…gressman。〃
　Daggat　nodded　and　left；　closing　the　door　quietly　behind　him。
　〃Turkey…shit　son　of　a　bitch！〃　Jackson　hissed　through　clenched　teeth　as　he　removed　another　set　of　the　photographs　from　a　cabinet　drawer。
　〃You're　gonna　get　yours！〃
　Dale　Jarvis's　wife　was　used　to　his　habit　of　reading　in　bed。　She　kissed　him　good…night；　rolled　into　her　customary　fetal　position；　facing　away　from　the　beam　of　the　lamp　on　his　night　table；　and　soon　drifted　asleep。
　Settling　himself　in；　Jarvis　arranged　two　pillows　behind　his　back；　bent　the　high…intensity　light　to　the　proper　angle；　and　pulled　his　Ben　Franklin　specs　low　on　his　nose。　He　propped　the　folder　lent　him　by　John　Gossard　on　his　raised　knees　and　began　reading。　As　he　turned　the　pages；　he　jotted　notes　on　a　small　pad。　At　two　o'clock　in　the　morning；　he　closed　the　folder　on　Operation　Wild　Rose。
　He　lay　back　and　stared　into　nothingness　for　several　minutes；　consider…ing　whether　to　drop　the　folder　back　in　Gossard's　lap　and　forget　about　it　or　have　the　outlandish　plan　investigated。　He　decided　to　promise。
　Easing　slowly　out　of　bed　so　as　not　to　disturb　his　wife；　Jarvis　padded　to　his　den；　where　he　picked　up　a　telephone　and　expertly　punched　its　touch　system　in　the　dark。　His　call　was　answered　on　the　first　ring。
　〃This　is　Jarvis。　I　want　a　rundown　on　the　current　status　of　all　foreign　and　United　States　battleships。　Yes；　that's　right…battleships。　On　my　desk　sometime　tomorrow。　Thank　you。　Good　night。〃
　Then　he　returned　to　bed；　kissed　his　wife　lightly　on　the　cheek；　and　turned　out　the　lamp。
　
　40
　
　The　House　Foreign　Affairs　submittee　hearing　on　economic　aid　to　African　nations；　chaired　by　Frederick　Daggat；　opened　to　a　half…empty　conference　chamber　and　a　platoon　of　bored　reporters。　Daggat　was　flanked　by　Democrat　Earl　Hunt；　of　Iowa；　and　Republican　Roscoe　Meyers；　of　Oregon。　Loren　Smith　sat　off　by　herself　near　one　end　of　the　table。
　The　hearing　stretched　into　the　afternoon　as　representatives　of　several　African　governments　made　their　pitch　for　monetary　aid。　It　was　four　o'clock　when　Hiram　Lusana　took　his　turn　and　sat　down　before　the　submittee。　The　chamber　was　crowded　now。　Photographers　stood　on　seats；　their　flashbulbs　stabbing　the　walls；　while　reporters　began　furi…ously　scribbling　on　note　pads　or　muttering　into　tape　recorders。　Lusana　paid　no　attention　to　the　motion。　He　sat　poised　at　the　table；　like　a　croupier　who　knew　the　odds　were　in　his　favor。
　〃General　Lusana；〃　said　Daggat。　〃Wele　to　our　hearing。　I　think　you　know　the　procedures。　This　is　purely　a　preliminary　fact…finding　session。　You　will　be　allowed　twenty　minutes　to　state　your　case。　Afterward；　the　mittee　will　put　their　inquiries　to　you。　Our　opinions　and　findings　will　later　be　reported　to　the　House　Foreign　Affairs　mittee　as　a　whole。〃
　〃I　understand；〃　said　Lusana。
　〃Mr。　Chairman。〃
　Daggat　turned　to　Loren。　〃Yes；　Congresswoman　Smith。〃
　〃I　must　object　to　the　appearance　of　General　Lusana　at　this　hearing　on　the　grounds　that　he　does　not　represent　an　established　African　govern…ment。〃
　An　undercurrent　of　murmurs　swept　the　room。
　〃It　is　true；〃　Lusana　said；　leveling　his　gaze　at　Loren；　〃I　represent　no　established　government。　I　do；　however；　represent　the　free　soul　of　every　black　on　the　African　continent。〃
　〃Eloquently　put；〃　said　Loren。　〃But　rules　are　rules。〃
　〃You　cannot　turn　a　deaf　ear　to　the　pleas　of　millions　of　my　people　over　a　technicality。〃　Lusana　sat　immobile；　his　voice　almost　too　soft　for　those　in　the　back　of　the　room　to　hear。　〃A　man's　most　prized　possession　is　his　nationality。　Without　it　he　is　nothing。　In　Africa　we　are　in　a　fight　to　claim　a　nationality　that　rightfully　belongs　to　us。　I　am　here　to　beg　for　black　dignity。　I　do　not　ask　for　money　to　buy　arms。　I　do　not　ask　for　your　soldiers　to　fight　alongside　ours。　I　plead　only　for　the　necessary　funds　to　buy　food　and　medical　supplies　for　the　thousands　who　have　suffered　in　their　war　against　inhumanity。〃
　It　was　a　masterful　performance；　but　Loren　was　not　suckered　by　it。
　〃You　are　a　clever　man；　General。　If　I　argue　your　appeal；　I'd　be　condon…ing　your　presence　at　this　hearing。　My　objection　still　stands。〃
　Daggat　made　an　imperceptible　nod　to　one　of　his　aides　in　the　back…ground　and　turned　to　Earl　Hunt。　〃Congresswoman　Smith's　protest　is　duly　noted。　How　say　you；　Congressman　Hunt？〃
　While　Daggat　was　polling　Hunt　and　Roscoe　Meyers　for　their　opinions；　his　aide　moved　behind　Ljren　and　handed　her　a　large　white　envelope。
　〃What　is　this？〃
　〃I　was　told　to　tell　you　it　is　most　urgent　th