cc.iceberg-第23章

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ms　like　a　hurricane。〃
　〃I　sincerely　hope　it　didn't　cause　any　critical　damage　to　your　vital　parts。〃
　〃If　you're　referring　to　my　future　sex　life；　I　fear　the　worst。〃
　〃My　sympathies；　Miss　Royal。〃　Sandecker　didn't　sound　very　convincing。　He　lifted　the　boxes　onto　the　table　and　pulled　off　the　lids。　〃OK；　here　they　are；　including　furniture　and　draperies。〃
　Pitt　looked　into　the　first　box。　〃No　indications　of　water　damage。〃
　〃They　were　watertight；〃　Sandecker　offered。　〃Each　packed　so　carefully　the　crash　left　them　entirely　intact。
　
　To　say　the　models　were　simply　masterpieces　of　difficult　art　would　have　been　a　gross　understatement。
　
　The　admiral　was　right。　The　detail　was　amazing。　Every　brick；　every　windowpane；　was　precise　in　scale　and　placement。　Pitt　lifted　off　the　roof。　He　had　seen　model　exhibits　before　in　museums；　but　never　workmanship　like　this。　Nothing　had　been　overlooked。　Paintings　on　the　walls　were　exacting　in　color　and　design。　The　furniture　had　liny　designs　printed　on　the　fabric。　Telephones　on　desks　had　receivers　that　could　be　picked　up；　connected　to　wires　that　led　into　the　walls。　As　a　crowning　touch；　the　bathrooms　even　possessed　toilet　paper　rolls　that　unraveled　to　the　touch。　The　first　model　building　consisted　of　four　floors　and　a　basement。　Pitt　carefully　lifted　them　off　one　at　a　time；　studied　the　contents　and　just　as　carefully　replaced　them。　Then　he　inspected　the　second　model。
　〃I　know　this　one；〃　Pitt　said　quietly。
　Sandecker　looked　up。　〃Are　you　sure？〃
　〃Positive。　It's　pink。　You　don't　often　forget　a　structure　built　of　pink　marble。　It　was　about　six　years　ago　when　I　entered　those　walls。
　
　My　father　was　on　an　economic　survey　mission　for　the　President；　conferring　with　the　heads　of　finance　of　Latin　American　governments。　I　took　a　thirty…day　leave　from　the　Air　Force　and　acted　as　his　aide　and　pilot　during　the　trip。　Yes；　I　remember　it　well；　especially　this　exotic　black…eyed　little　secretary…〃
　〃Spare　us　your　erotic　escapades；〃　Sandecker　said　impatiently。　〃Where　is　it　located？〃
　〃In　El　Salvador。　This　model　is　a　perfect　scaleddown　replica　of　the　Dominican　Republic　capitol　building。〃　He　gestured　toward　the　first　model。　〃Judging　from　the　design；　the　other　model　also　represents　the　legislative　offices　of　another　South　or　Central　American　country。〃
　〃Great；〃　Sandecker　said　unenthusiastically。　〃We've　e　up　with　a　character　who　collects　miniature　capitols。〃
　〃It　doesn't　tell　us　a　hell　of　a　lot。〃　Tidi　handed　Pitt　a　cup　of　coffee　and　he　sipped　it　thoughtfully。　〃Except　that　the　black　jet　was　doing　double　duty。〃
　Sandecker　met　his　stare。　〃You　mean　it　was　delivering　these　models　when　it　changed　course　to　shoot　down　you　and　Hunnewell？〃
　〃Exactly。　One　of　Rondheim's　fishing　trawlers　probably　spotted　our　helicopter　approaching　Iceland　and　diverted　the　jet　by　radio　so　it　would　be　waiting　for　us　when　we　reached　the　coast。〃
　〃Why　Rondheim？　I　see　nothing　tangible　that　ties　him　in　with　any　of　this？〃
　〃Any　port　in　a　storm。〃　Pitt　shrugged。　〃I　admit　I'm　groping。　And；　at　that；　I'm　not　pletely　sold　on　implicating　Rondheim　myself。　He's　like　the　butler　in　an　old　movie　mystery。　Every　piece　of　circumstantial　evidence；　every　finger　of　doubt；　points　to　him；　making　him　the　most　obvious　suspect。　But　in　the　end；　our　friendly　butler　turns　out　to　be　an　undercover　policeman　and　the　least　obvious　character　turns　out　to　be　the　guilty　party。〃
　〃Somehow　I　can't　picture　Rondheim　as　an　undercover　cop。〃　Sandecker　crossed　the　cabin　and　poured　himself　another　cup　of　coffee。　〃But　he's　just　enough　of　a　prick　for　me　to　fervently　wish　that　in　some　form　or　manner　he's　behind　Fyrie's　and　Hunnewell's　death；　so　we　could　zero　in　on　the　bastard　and　nail　him　to　the　floor。〃
　〃It　wouldn't　be　easy。　He's　in　a　pretty　solid　position。〃
　〃If　you　ask　me；〃　Tidi　interjected；　〃you　two　schemers　are　jealous　of　Rondheim　because　of　his　hold　over　Miss　Fyrie。〃
　Pitt　laughed。　〃You　have　to　be　in　love　to　be　jealous。〃
　Sandecker　grinned　at　her。　〃Your　forked　tongue　is　showing；　lady。〃
　〃I'm　not　being　catty　out　of　spite。　I　like　Kirsti　Fyrie。〃
　〃I　suppose　you　like　Oskar　Rondheim　too〃　Pitt　said。
　〃I　wouldn't　like　that　snake　if　he　was　General　of　the　Salvation　Army；〃　she　said。　〃But　you　have　to　give　the　devil　his　due。　He's　got　Kirsti　and　Fyrie　Limited　tucked　neatly　in　his　pocket。〃
　Why？　Answer　that！〃　Pitt　said　speculatively。
　〃How　can　Kirsti　love　him　if　she's　terrified　of　him？〃
　Tidi　shook　her　head。　〃I　don't　know。　I　still　see　the　pain　in　her　eyes　when　he　squeezed　her　neck。〃
　〃Maybe　she's　a　masochist　and　Rondheim's　a　sadist；〃　Sandecker　said。
　〃If　Rondheim　is　masterminding　these　terrible　murders；　you　must　turn　everything　you　know　over　to　the　proper　authorities；〃　Tidi　pleaded。　〃If　you　persist　in　pushing　this　thing　too　far；　both　of　you　might　be　killed。〃
　Pitt　made　a　sad　face。　〃It's　shameful；　Admiral。
　Your　own　secretary　is　vastly　underestimating　her　two　favorite　people。〃　He　turned　and　looked　dolefully　at　Tidi。　〃How　could　you？〃
　Sandecker　sighed。　〃It's　almost　impossible　to　find　loyalty　in　an　employee　these　days。〃
　〃Loyalty！〃　Tidi　looked　at　them　as　if　they　had　gone　mad。　〃What　other　girl　would　let　herself　be　dragged　over　half　the　world　in　unfortable　military　cargo　planes；　frozen　on　smelly　old　boats　in　the　middle　of　the　North　Atlantic；　and　be　subjected　to　constant　male　harassment　for　the　meager　salary　I'm　paid。　If　that　isn't　loyalty；　I'd　like　to　know　what　you　typical　inconsiderate　men　call　it？〃
　〃Crap！　that's　what　I　call　it；〃　Sandecker　said。　He　put　his　hands　on　her　shoulders　and　looked　warmly　into　her　eyes。　〃Believe　me；　Tidi；　I　value　your　friendship　and　your　concern　for　my　welfare　very　highly；　and　I'm　certain　Dirk　prizes　you　just　as　highly。　But　you　must　understand；　a　close　friend　and　three　of　my　people　have　been　murdered　and　an　attempt　made　on　Dirk　here。　I'm　not　the　kind　of　guy　who　hides　under　a　mattress　and　calls　a　cop。　By　God；　this　whole　bung…twisting　mess　was　pushed　on　us　by　persons　unknown。　When　we　find　out　who　they　are…then　and　only　then…will　I　stand　back　and　let　the　law　and　its　enforcers　take　over。　Are　you　with　me？〃
　
　The　surprise　of　Sandecker's　sudden　display　of　affection　held；　then　slowly　passed　from　Tidi's　face　and　big　tears　began　to　well　in　her　eyes。
　
　She　pressed　her　head　against　the　admiral's　chest。　〃I　feel　such　a　monkey；〃　she　murmured。　〃I'm　always　shooting　off　my　mouth。　Next　time　it　runs　away　from　me；　please　stuff　a　gag　in　it。〃
　〃You　can　count　on　it；〃　he　said　more　softly　than　Pitt　had　ever　heard　him。　Sandecker　held　Tidi　another　minute　before　he　released　her。　〃Okay；　let's　up　anchor　and　get　the　hell　back　to　Reykjavik。〃　The　old　familiar　gravel　tone　was　back。　〃I　could　use　a　nice　hot　toddy。〃
　
　Pitt　suddenly　stiffened；　held　up　a　hand　for　silence；　and　stepped　to　the　wheelhouse　doorway　and　listened　intently。　It　was　very　faint；　but　it　was　there。　Through　the　blanket　of　mist　it　came　as　a　steady　drone：　the　sound　of　an　engine　running　at　very　high　rpm's。
　
　Chapter　11
　
　〃Do　you　hear　it；　Admiral？〃
　〃I　hear　it。〃　Sandecker　was　at　his　shoulder。　〃About　three　miles；　ing　fast。〃　He　concentrated　for　a　few　seconds。　〃I　make　it　dead　ahead。〃
　
　Pitt　nodded。　〃ing　straight　toward　us。〃　He　stared　unseeing　into　the　fog。　〃Sounds　strange；　almost　like　the　whine　of　an　aircraft　engine。　They　must　have　radar。　No　helmsman　with　half　a　brain　would　run　at　full　speed　in　this　weather。〃
　〃They　know　we're　here　then；〃　Tidi　whispered；　as　though　someone　beyond　the　railing　would　hear。
　〃Yes；　they　know　we're　here；〃　Pitt　acquiesced。
　〃Unless　I'm　much　mistaken；　they're　ing　to　investigate　us。　An　innocent　passing　stranger　would　give　us　a　wide　berth　the　minute　our　blip　showed　on　his　scope。
　
　This　one　is　hunting　for　trouble。　I　suggest　we　provide　them　with　a　little　sport。〃
　〃Like　three　rabbits　waiting　to　play　games　with　a　pack　of　wolves；〃　Sandecker　said。　〃They'll　outman　us　ten　to　one；　and　。　。　。〃　he　added　softly；　〃they're　undoubtedly　armed　to　the　teeth。　Our　best　bet　is　the　Sterlings。　Once　we're　under　way；　our　visitors　stand　as　much　chance　of　catching　us　as　a　cocker　spaniel　after　a　greyhoud　in　heat。〃
　〃Don't　bet　on　it；　Admiral。　If　they　know　we're　here；　they　also　know　what　boat　we've　got　and　how　fast　it　will　go。　To　even　consider　boarding　us；　they'd　have　to　have　a　craft　that　could　outrace　The　Grimsi。
　
　I'm　banking　on　the　hunch　they've　got　it。〃
　〃A　hydrofoil。　Is　that　it？〃　Sandecker　asked　slowly。
　〃Exactly；〃　Pitt　answered。　〃Which　means　their　top　speed　could　be　anywhere　between　forty…five　and　sixty　knots。〃
　〃Not　good；〃　Sandecker　said　quietly。
　〃Not　bad　either；〃　Pitt　returned。　〃We've　got　at　least　two　advantages　in　our　favor。〃　Quickly　he　outlined　his　plan。　Tidi；　sitting　on　a　bench　in　the　wheelhouse；　felt　her　body　go　numb；　knew　that　her　face　beneath　the　makeup　was　paper…white。　She　couldn't　believe　what　she　was　hearing。　She　began　to　tremble　until　even　her　voice　became　unsteady。
　〃You　。　。　。　you　can't　mean　what　。　。　。　you　say。〃
　〃If　I　don't；〃　Pitt　said；　〃we're　going　to　have　bigger　trouble　than　River　City。〃　He　paused；　looking　at　the　pale；　unprehending　face；　the　hands　twisting　nervously　at　the　knotted　blouse。
　〃But　you're　planning　a　cold…blooded　murder。〃　For　a　moment　her　mouth　mumbled　soundless　words；　then　she　forced　herself　on。　〃You　just　can't　kill　people　without　warning。　Innocent　people　you　don't　even　know！〃
　〃'That　will　do；〃　Sandecker　snapped　sharply。　〃We　haven't　got　time　to　explain　the　facts　of　life　to　a　frightened　female。〃　He　stared　at　her；　his　eyes　understanding；　but　his　voice　manding。　〃Please　get　below　and　take　cover　behind　something　that'll　stop　bullets。〃　He　turned　to　Pitt：　Use　the　fire　ax　and　chop　the　anchor　line。　Give　me　a　signal　when　you　want　full　power。〃
　
　Pitt　herded　Tidi　down　the　galley　steps。　〃Never　argue　with　the　captain　of　a　ship。〃　He　swatted　her　on　the　bottom。　〃And　don't　fret。　If　the　natives　are　friendly；　you　have　nothing　to　worry　about。〃
　
　He　was　just　lifting　the　ax　into　the　air　when　the　Sterlings　rumbled　to　life。　〃Good　thing　we　didn't　lay　out　a　damage　deposit；〃　he　murmured　vaguely　to　himself　as　the　ax　sliced　cleanly　through　the　rope　into　the　wooden　railing　as　the　rope　slid　noiselessly　into　the　sea　and　sending　the　anchor　forever　to　the　black　sandy　bottom。
　
　The　unseen　ship　was　almost　upon　them　now；　the　roar　of　its　engine　died　to　a　muted　throb　as　the　helmsman　eased　back　the　throttles　in　preparation　for　ing　alongside　The　Grimsi。i。　From　where　he　lay　on　the　bow；　clenching　and　unclenching　his　hands　around　the　ax　handle；　Pitt　could　hear　the　hull　splash　into　the　waves　as　the　diminishing　speed　pushed　the　hydrofoil　deeper　in　the　water。　He　raised　himself　carefully；　narrowing　his　eyes　and　trying　vainly　to　pierce　the　heavy　fog　for　a　sign　of　movement。　The　area　round　the　bow　was　in　near　darkness。　Visibility　was　no　more　than　twenty　feet。
　
　Then　a　shadowy　bulk　slowly　came　into　view；　showing　its　port　glow。　Pitt　could　barely　make　out　several　dim　forms　standing　on　the　forward　deck；　a　glow　behind　them　that　Pitt　knew　would　be　the　wheelhouse。　It　was　like　a　specter　ship　whose　crew　appeared　as　dim　ghosts。
　
　The　erieform　arose　menacingly　and　towered　above　the　Grimsi；　the　stranger　had　a　length　of　a　hundred　feet　or　better；　Pitt　guessed。　He　could　see　the　other　men　clearly　now；　leaning　over　the　bulwarks；　saying　nothing；　crouched　as　if　ready　to　jump。　The　a