cc.iceberg-第13章

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amn　mess。　only　one　thought　gripped　his　mind：　Hunnewell　was　dead；　and　someone　had　to　pay。
　〃Were　you　the　pilot　of　the　helicopter　that　crashed；　sir？〃　one　of　the　policemen　inquired。　An　ut＇Mistakable　British　accent　and　a　courteous　tone；　but　the　〃sir〃　seemed　forced。
　〃Yes；〃　was　all　Pitt　answered。
　The　policemen　seemed　taken　aback　for　a　moment　by　Pitts　terse　reply。　He　was　blond；　had　dirty　fingernails；　and　was　dressed　in　a　uniform　that　left　his　wrists　and　ankles　showing。　〃Your　name；　and　the　name　of　the　deceased？〃
　〃Pitt；　Major　Dirk　Pitt；　United　States　Air　Force。
　
　The　man　in　the　coffin　was　Dr。　William　Hunnewell；　National　Underwater　Marine　Agency。〃　Pitt　thought　it　strange　that　neither　policeman　made　an　attempt　to　write　the　information　down。
　〃Your　destination？　It　was　undoubtedly　the　airfield　at　Keflavik？〃
　〃No；　the　heliport　in　Reykjavik。〃
　
　A　flicker　of　surprise　crossed　the　blond　policeman's　eyes。　It　was　barely　perceptible；　but　Pitt　caught　it。　The　interrogator　turned　to　his　partner；　a　dark…skinned；　burly　character　with　glasses；　and　said　something　in　Icelandic。
　
　He　swung　his　head　toward　the　Land　Rover　outside；　scowled　noticeably；　then　turned　back　to　Pitt。
　〃Could　you　tell　me　your　departure　point；　sir？〃
　〃Greenland…couldn't　give　you　the　name　of　the　town。　It's　spelled　with　twenty　letters；　and　to　an　American　it's　totally　unpronounceable。　Dr。　Hunnewell　and　I　were　on　an　expedition　for　our　government；　charting　icebergs　in　the　East　Greenland　Current。　The　idea　was　to　crisscross　the　Denmark　Strait　by　refueling　at　Reykjavik　and　then　head　back　west　to　Greenland　on　a　parallel　course　fifty　miles　further　north。　Unfortunately　we　didn't　plan　well；　ran　out　of　fuel　and　crashed　on　the　coast。
　
　That's　all；　give　or　take　a　few　details。〃　Pitt　lied　without　knowing　exactly　why。　God；　he　thought；　it's　being　a　habit。
　〃Where　exactly　did　you　crash？〃
　〃How　the　hell　should　I　know；〃　Pitt　said　unpleasantly。　〃Go　three　blocks　past　the　cow　pasture　and　turn　left　at　Broadway。　The　helicopter　is　parked　between　the　third　and　fourth　waves。　It's　painted　yellow；　you　can't　miss　it。〃
　〃Please　be　reasonable；　sir。〃　Pitt　took　satisfaction　at　the　sudden　flame　in　the　policeman's　face。　〃We　must　have　all　the　details　in　order　to　make　a　report　to　our　superior。〃
　〃Then　why　don't　you　stop　beating　around　the　bush　and　ask　about　Dr。　Hunnewell's　bullet　wounds？〃　The　official　facial　expression　on　the　dark…skinned　policeman　cracked　in　a　stifled　yawn。　Pitt　stared　at　Dr。　Jonsson。
　〃You　did　say　that's　the　reason　they're　here？〃
　〃It　is　my　duty　to　cooperate　with　the　law。〃　Jonsson　seemed　hesitant　to　speak。
　〃Suppose　you　explain　your　rade's　wound；〃　said　dirty　nails。
　〃We　were　carrying　a　rifle　to　shoot　polar　bears；〃　Pitt　said　slowly。
　〃It　accidentally　discharged　in　the　crash；　the　bullet　striking　dr。　Hunnewell　in　the　elbOw。〃
　
　As　far　as　Pitt　could　see；　the　two　Icelandic　policemen　weren't　reacting　at　all　to　his　sarcasm。　They　stood　quiet；　looking　at　him　with　impatient　speculationspeculation；　Pitt　thought；　at　how　they　would　subdue　him　if　he　resisted　any　physical　demands　on　their　part。
　
　He　didn't　have　to　wait　long。
　〃I　am　sorry；　sir；　but　you　force　us　to　take　you　to　our　headquarters　for　further　interrogation。〃
　〃The　only　place　you'll　take　me　is　to　the　American　consulate　in　Reykjavik。　I　have　mitted　no　crime　against　the　people　of　Iceland　nor　broken　any　of　your　laws。〃
　〃I　am　quite　familiar　with　our　laws；　Major　Pitt。　We　do　not　relish　getting　out　of　bed　at　this　time　of　morning　for　an　investigation。　The　questions　are　necessary。　You　have　not　answered　them　to　our　satisfaction；　so　we　must　take　you　to　our　headquarters　until　we　can　determine　what　happened。　There　you　will　be　free　to　call　your　consulate。〃
　〃In　due　time；　Officer；　but　first；　would　you　mind　identifying　yourselves？〃
　〃I　do　not　understand。〃　The　policeman　stared　coldly　at　Pitt。　〃Why　should　we　identify　ourselves？　It　is　obvious　what　we　are。　Dr。　Jonsson　can　vouch　for　our　authenticity。〃　He　offered　no　papers　or　the　usual　police　identification　card。　All　he　showed　was　his　irritation。
　〃There　is　no　doubt　as　to　your　official　capacity；　gentlemen；〃　Jonsson　said　in　an　almost　apologetic　tone。
　〃However；　Sergeant　Amarson　usually　patrols　our　village。　I　do　not　believe　I　have　seen　you　e　through　our　village　before。〃
　〃Amarson　had　an　emergency　call　in　Grindavik。
　He　asked　us　to　answer　your　call　until　he　could　arrive。〃
　〃Are　you　being　transferred　to　this　territory？〃
　〃No；　we　were　just　passing　through　on　our　way　to　the　north　to　pick　up　a　prisoner。　We　stopped　in　to　say　hello　and　have　a　cup　of　coffee　with　Sergeant　Amarson。
　
　Unfortunately；　before　the　pot　became　hot；　he　received　your　call　and　the　one　from　Grindavik　almost　simultaneously。〃
　〃Then　wouldn't　it　be　wise　to　hold　Major　Pitt　until　the　sergeant　arrives？〃
　〃No；　I　think　not。　Nothing　can　be　acplished　here。〃　He　turned　to　Pitt。　〃My　apologies；　Major。　Please　do　not　be　angry　at　our；　how　do　you　say　it　in　your　country；　running　you　in。〃　He　turned　to　Jonsson。　〃I　think　it　best　if　you　came　along　too　Doctor；　in　case　the　Major　has　plications　from　his　wounds。　It's　merely　a　formality。〃
　A　strange　formality；　Pitt　thought；　considering　the　circumstances。　He　had　little　choice　but　to　ply　with　the　policeman's　wishes。　〃What　about　Dr。　Hunnewell？〃
　〃We　will　ask　Sergeant　Amarson　to　send　a　lorry　for　him。〃
　Jonsson　smiled；　almost　diffidently。　〃Forgive　me；　gentlemen；　I　haven't　quite　finished　with　the　major's　head　wound。　I　have　two　more　stitches　to　insert　before　he　is　ready　for　travel。　If　you　please；　Major。〃　He　stood　aside　and　motioned　Pitt　back　into　the　examining　room；　closing　the　door。
　〃I　thought　you　were　all　through　butchering　me；〃　Pitt　said　good…naturedly。
　〃Those　men　are　imposters；〃　Jonsson　whispered。
　
　Pitt　said　nothing。　There　was　no　surprise　on　his　face　as　he　stepped　softly　over　to　the　door；　put　an　ear　against　it　and　listened。　Satisfied　when　he　could　hear　voices　across　the　next　room；　he　came　back　and　faced　Jonsson。
　〃You're　positive？〃
　〃Yes；　Sergeant　Amarson　does　not　patrol　Grindavik。　Also；　he　never　drinks　coffee…his　system　is　allergic　to　it；　so　he'refuses　even　to　stock　it　in　his　kitchen。〃
　〃Your　sergeant；　does　he　stand　five　foot　nine　and　weigh　about　one　hundred　and　seventy　pounds？〃
　〃To　the　inch　and　within　five　pounds…he　is　an　old　friend。　I　have　examined　him　many　times。〃　Jonsson's　eyes　clouded　with　puzzlement。　〃How　could　you　describe　a　man　you　have　never　met？〃
　〃The　character　who　does　all　the　talking　is　wearing　Amarson's　uniform。　If　you　look　closely；　you　can　see　the　outlines　where　the　sergeant　stripes　used　to　rest　on　the　sleeve。〃
　〃I　do　not　understand；〃　Jonsson　said　in　a　whisper。
　His　face　was　very　pale。　〃What　is　happening？〃
　〃I　don't　have　half　the　answers。　Sixteen；　maybe　as　many　as　nineteen　men　have　died；　and　the　killing　will　probably　go　on。　I'd　guess　Sergeant　Amarson　was　the　latest　victim。　You　and　I　are　next。〃
　Jonsson　looked　stricken；　his　hands　clenched　and　unclenched　in　bewilderment　and　despair。　〃You　mean　I　must　die　because　I　have　seen　and　talked　with　two　murderers？〃
　〃I'm　afraid；　Doctor；　that　you're　an　innocent　bystander　that　must　be　eliminated　simply　because　you　can　recognize　their　faces。〃
　〃And　you；　Major；　why　have　they　concocted　such　an　elaborate；　scheme　to　kill　you？〃
　〃Dr。　Hunnewell　and　I　also　saw　something　that　we　shouldn't　have。〃
　Jonsson　stared　into　Pitts　impassive　face。　〃it　would　be　impossible　to　murder　us　both　without　creating　excitement　in　the　village。　Iceland　is　a　small　country。　A　fugitive　could　not　run　very　far　nor　hide　very　long。〃
　〃These　men　are　no　doubt　professionals　when　it　es　to　killing　Someone　is　paying　them　and　paying　them　well。　An　hour　after　we're　dead；　they'll　probably　be　relaxing　with　a　drink　in　one　hand　aboard　a　jetliner　bound　for　either　Copenhagen；　London　or　Montreal。〃
　〃They　seem　lax　for　professional　assassins。〃
　〃They　can　afford　to　be。　Where　can　we　go？　Their　car　and　Mundsson's　truck　are　in　front　of　the　house…they'd　easily　cut　us　off　before　we　could　open　a　door。〃　Pitt　swung　a　hand　toward　a　window。　〃Iceland　is　open　country。　There　aren't　ten　trees　within　fifty　miles。　You　said　it　yourself；　a　fugitive　could　not　run　very　far　nor　hide　very　long。〃
　Jonsson　bowed　his　head　in　silent　acceptance；　then　he　grinned　faintly。　〃'Then　our　only　alternative　is　to　fight。　It　is　going　to　be　difficult　taking　a　life　after　spending　thirty　years　trying　to　save　them。〃
　〃Do　you　have　any　firearms？〃
　Jonsson　sighed　heavily。　〃No；　my　bobby　is　fishing；　not　bunting。　The　only　equipment　I　possess　that　might　be　classed　as　weapons　are　my　surgical　instruments。〃
　
　Pitt　walked　over　to　a　white　steel…framed；　glasspaneled　cabinet　that　held　an　assortment　of　neatly　arranged　medical　instruments　and　drugs；　and　opened　the　door。　〃We　have　one　convenient　advantage；〃　he　said　thoughtfully。　〃They　don't　know　we're　wise　to　their　nasty　little　plot。　Therefore；　we　shall　introduce　them　to　a　good　old　American　game　known　as　Pin　the　Tali　on　the　Donkey。〃
　
　Only　two　more　minutes　had　elapsed　when　Jonsson　opened　the　door　to　the　examining　room；　revealing　Pitt　parked　on　a　stool　holding　a　bandage　to　his　bleeding　head。　Jonsson　motioned　to　the　blond　man　who　spoke　English。
　〃Could　you　please　assist　me　for　a　moment？　I　am　afraid　that　I　need　a　third　hand。〃
　
　The　man　raised　his　eyebrow　questioningly；　then　shrugged　to　his　partner；　who　sat　with　his　eyes　half　closed；　his　over…confidence　giving　birth　to　thoughts　a　thousand　miles　away。
　
　Jonsson；　keeping　any　suspicion　at　a　low　level；　purposely　left　the　door　slightly　ajar；　but　not　enough　to　allow　vision　of　more　than　a　fraction　of　the　examining　room。　〃If　you　could　hold　the　major's　head　on　a　slight　angle　with　both　hands；　then　I　can　finish　without　interruption。
　
　He　keeps　twitching　and　ruining　any　chance　for　a　neat　stitch　job。〃　Jonsson　winked　and　then　spoke　in　Icelandic。　〃These　Americans　are　like　children　when　it　es　to　pain。〃
　
　The　fraudulent　policeman　laughed　and　nudged　the　doctor　with　his　elbow。　Then　he　walked　around　in　front　of　Pitt；　bent　down　and　gripped　Pitts　head　with　both　hands　on　the　temples。　〃e；　e；　Major　Pitt；　a　few　stitches　are　nothing。　What　if　the　good　doctor　had　to　amputate　your…〃　It　was　all　over　in　less　than　four　seconds…silently。
　
　With　seeming　indifference　and　nonchalance；　Pitt　reached　up　his　hands　and　grabbed　the　blond　man　around　the　wrists。　Surprise　showed　for　a　brief　instant　in　the　stranger's　face；　then　true　shock　as　Jonsson　clamped　a　heavy　gauze　pad　over　his　mouth　and　jammed　a　syringe　against　his　neck　in　the　same　movement。　ne　shock　gave　way　to　terror；　and　he　moaned　in　his　throat；　a　moan　that　could　not　be　heard　because　Pitt　was　loudly　cursing　Jonsson　for　a　nonexistent　sewing　operation。　The　eyes　above　the　white　gauze　began　to　lose　focus；　and　the　man　made　a　desperate　effort　to　hurl　himself　backward；　but　his　wrists　were　held　solidly　in　the　vise　of　Pitts　grip。
　
　Then　the　eyes　turned　upward　and　he　quietly　collapsed　into　Jonsson's　arms。
　
　Pitt　quickly　knelt　down　and　pulled　a　service　revolver　from　the　unconscious　man's　belt　holster　and　stepped　softly　to　the　door。　As　soundless　as　he　was　swift；　he　lined　up　the　gun　and　jerked　open　the　door；　swinging　it　all　the　way　to　its　stop。　For　a　second　the　touth…looking　brute　with　the　spectacles　sat　there　in　stunned　immobility；　staring　at　P