mc.risingsun-第34章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


d　meanwhile　the　Japanese　are　buying　high…tech　panies　at　the　rate　of　about　one　every　ten　days。　For　the　last　six　years。　We're　being　disemboweled。　But　our　government　doesn't　pay　attention；　because　we　have　something　called　CFIUS　…　the　mittee　on　Foreign　Investment　in　the　United　States　…　that　monitors　the　sale　of　high…tech　panies。　Except　CFIUS　never　does　anything。　Of　the　last　five　hundred　sales；　only　one　was　blocked。　pany　after　pany　gets　sold；　and　nobody　in　Washington　says　boo。　Finally；　Senator　Morton　makes　a　stink；　and　says　'Wait　a　minute　here。'　But　nobody's　listening　to　him。〃
　〃The　sale　is　going　through　anyway？〃
　〃That's　what　I　heard　today。　The　Japanese　PR　machine　is　hard　at　work；　cranking　out　favorable　publicity。　And　they　are　tenacious。　They　are　on　top　of　everything。　I　mean　everything…　〃
　There　was　a　knock　at　the　door；　and　a　blond　woman　stuck　her　head　in。　〃Sorry　to　disturb　you；　Ron；〃　she　said；　〃but　Keith　just　got　a　call　from　the　Los　Angeles　representative　for　NHK；　Japanese　national　television。　He　wants　to　know　why　our　reporter　is　bashing　Japan。〃
　Ron　frowned。　〃Bashing　Japan？　What's　he　talking　about？〃
　〃He　claims　our　reporter　said　on　air；　'The　damn　Japanese　are　taking　over　this　country。'　〃
　〃e　on；〃　Ron　said。　〃Nobody　would　say　that　…　on　air。　Who's　supposed　to　have　said　that？〃
　〃Lenny。　In　New　York。　Over　the　backhaul；〃　the　woman　said。
　Ron　shifted　in　his　chair。　〃Uh…oh；〃　he　said。　〃Did　you　check　the　tapes？〃
　〃Yeah；〃　she　said。　〃They're　tracing　the　download　now　in　the　main　control　room。　But　I　assume　it's　true。〃
　〃Hell。〃
　I　said；　〃What's　the　backhaul？〃
　〃Our　satellite　feed。　We　pick　up　segments　from　New　York　and　Washington　every　day；　and　replay　them。　There's　always　about　a　minute　before　and　after　that　isn't　aired。　We　cut　it　out；　but　the　raw　transmission　can　be　picked　up　by　anybody　with　a　private　dish　who　wants　to　hunt　for　our　signal。　And　people　do。　We　warn　the　talent　to　be　careful　what　they　do　in　front　of　a　camera；　But　last　year；　Louise　unbuttoned　her　blouse　and　miked　herself　…　and　we　got　calls　from　all　over　the　country。〃
　Ron's　phone　rang。　He　listened　for　a　moment；　and　said；　〃Okay。　I　understand；〃　and　hung　up。　〃They　checked　the　tape。　Lenny　was　talking　on　camera　before　the　feed；　and　he　said　to　Louise；　'The　goddamn　Japanese　are　going　to　own　this　country　if　we　don't　wise　up。'　It　wasn't　on　air；　but　he　did　say　it。〃　He　shook　his　head　ruefully。　〃The　NHK　guy　knows　we　didn't　run　it？〃
　〃Yeah。　But　he's　saying　it　can　be　picked　up　and　he's　protesting　on　that　basis。〃
　〃Hell；〃　Ron　said。　〃So　they　even　monitor　our　backhaul。　Jesus。　What　does　Keith　want　to　do？〃
　〃Keith　says　he's　tired　of　warning　New　York　talent。　He　wants　you　to　handle　it。〃
　〃Does　he　want　me　to　call　the　NHK　guy？〃
　〃He　says　use　your　judgment；　but　we　have　a　deal　with　NHK　for　the　half…hour　show　we　send　them　every　day　and　he　doesn't　want　that　risked。　He　thinks　you　should　apologize。〃
　Ron　sighed。　〃Now　I　have　to　apologize　for　what　wasn't　even　on　air。　God　damn　it。〃　He　looked　at　us。　〃Guys；　I　have　to　go。　Was　there　anything　else？〃
　〃No；〃　I　said；　〃Good　luck。〃
　〃Listen；〃　Ron　said。　〃We　all　need　good　luck。　You　know　NHK　is　starting　Global　News　Network　with　a　billion　dollars　in　capitalization。　They're　going　to　take　on　Ted　Turner's　CNN　around　the　world。　And　if　past　history　is　any　guide　。　。　。〃　He　shrugged。　〃Kiss　the　American　media　goodbye。〃
　As　we　were　leaving；　I　heard　Ron　say　on　the　phone；　〃Mr。　Akasaka？　Ron　Levine；　over　here　at　AFN。　Yes；　sir。　Yes；　Mr。　Akasaka。　Sir；　I　wanted　to　express　my　concern　and　deep　apologies　about　what　our　reporter　said　over　the　satellite…　〃
　We　closed　the　door；　and　left。
　〃Where　now？〃　I　said。
　
　？
　The　Four　Seasons　Hotel　is　favored　by　stars　and　politicians；　and　it　has　a　graceful　entrance；　but　we　were　parked　around　the　corner　by　the　service　entrance。　A　large　dairy　truck　was　pulled　up　to　a　loading　dock；　and　kitchen　staff　was　unloading　cartons　of　milk。　We　had　been　waiting　here　for　five　minutes。　Connor　glanced　at　his　watch。
　I　said；　〃Why　are　we　here？〃
　〃We're　plying　with　the　Supreme　Court；　kōhai。〃
　At　the　loading　dock；　a　woman　in　a　business　suit　came　out；　looked　around；　and　waved。　Connor　waved　back。　She　disappeared　again。　Connor　got　out　his　billfold　and　took　out　a　couple　of　twenties。
　〃One　of　the　first　things　I　learned　as　a　detective；〃　Connor　said；　〃is　that　hotel　staff　can　be　extremely　helpful。　Particularly　since　the　police　have　so　many　restrictions　these　days。　We　can't　go　into　a　hotel　room　without　a　warrant。　If　we　did；　whatever　we　found　in　a　search　would　be　inadmissible；　right？〃
　〃Right。〃
　〃But　the　maids　can　go　in。　Valet　and　housekeeping　and　room　service　can　go　in。〃
　〃Uh…huh。〃
　〃So　I've　learned　to　maintain　contacts　at　all　the　big　hotels。〃　He　opened　the　door。　〃I'll　only　be　a　moment。〃
　He　walked　to　the　loading　dock　and　waited。　I　tapped　the　steering　wheel　with　my　hands；　The　words　came　into　my　head：
　
　I　changed　my　mind；　this　love　is　fine。
　Goodness；　gracious；　great　balls　of　fire。
　
　On　the　loading　dock；　a　maid　in　uniform　came　out；　and　talked　to　Connor　briefly。　He　took　notes。　She　held　something　golden　in　the　palm　of　her　hand。　He　didn't　touch　it；　he　just　looked　at　it；　and　nodded。　She　slipped　it　back　in　her　pocket。　Then　he　gave　her　money。　She　went　away。
　
　You　shake　my　nerves　and　you　rattle　my　brain。　
　Too　much　love　drives　a　man　insane。
　You　broke　my　will；　but　what　a　thrill…　
　
　A　valet　came　out　onto　the　loading　dock；　carrying　a　man's　blue　suit　on　a　hanger。　Connor　asked　a　question；　and　the　valet　looked　at　his　watch　before　he　answered。　Then　Connor　crouched　down　and　peered　closely　at　the　lower　edges　of　the　suit　coat。　He　opened　the　jacket　and　examined　the　trousers　on　the　hanger。
　The　valet　took　away　the　first　suit；　and　brought　a　second　one　out　onto　the　dock。　This　one　was　a　blue　pinstripe　suit。　Connor　repeated　his　inspection。　He　seemed　to　find　something　on　the　coat；　and　scraped　it　carefully　into　a　small　glassine　bag。　Then　he　paid　the　valet　and　walked　back　to　the　car。
　I　said；　〃Checking　Senator　Rowe？〃
　〃Checking　a　number　of　things；〃　he　said。　〃But；　yes；　Senator　Rowe。〃
　〃Rowe's　aide　had　white　panties　in　his　pocket　last　night。　But　Cheryl　was　wearing　black　panties。〃
　〃That's　true；〃　Connor　said。　〃But　I　think　we　are　making　progress。〃
　〃What've　you　got　in　the　bag？〃
　He　took　the　little　glassine　bag　out；　and　held　it　to　the　light。　I　saw　small　dark　strands　through　the　plastic。　〃Carpet　fibers；　I　think。　Dark；　like　the　carpet　at　the　Nakamoto　conference　room。　Have　to　check　with　the　lab　to　be　sure。　Meanwhile；　we　have　another　problem　to　solve。　Start　the　car。〃
　〃Where　are　we　going？〃
　〃Darley…Higgins。　The　pany　that　owns　MicroCon。〃
　
　？
　In　the　lobby　beside　the　receptionist；　a　workman　was　mounting　large　gold　letters　on　the　wall：　DARLEY…HIGGINS　INC。　Beneath　that　it　read　EXCELLENCE　IN　MANAGEMENT。　More　workmen　were　laying　carpet　in　the　hallway。
　We　showed　our　badges　and　asked　to　see　the　head　of　Darley…Higgins；　Arthur　Greiman。
　The　receptionist　had　a　Southern　accent　and　an　upturned　nose。　〃Mr。　Greiman　is　in　meetings　all　day。　Is　he　expecting　you？
　〃We're　here　about　the　MicroCon　sale。〃
　〃Then　you　want　Mr。　Enders；　our　vice…president　for　publicity。　He　speaks　to　people　about　MicroCon。〃
　〃All　right；〃　Connor　said。
　We　sat　down　on　a　couch　in　the　reception　area。　On　a　couch　across　the　room　sat　a　pretty　woman　in　a　tight　skirt。　She　had　a　roll　of　blueprints　under　her　arm。　The　workmen　continued　to　hammer。　I　said；　〃I　thought　the　pany　was　in　financial　trouble。　Why're　they　redecorating？〃
　Connor　shrugged；
　The　secretary　answered　the　phone；　routing　the　calls。　〃Darley…Higgins；　one　moment；　please。　Darley…Higgins　。　。　。　Oh；　please　hold；　Senator　。　。　。　Darley…Higgins；　yes；　thank　you　。　。　。〃
　I　picked　up　a　brochure　from　the　coffee　table。　It　was　the　annual　report　of　Darley…Higgins　Management　Group；　with　offices　in　Atlanta；　Dallas；　Seattle；　San　Francisco；　and　Los　Angeles。　I　found　a　picture　of　Arthur　Greiman。　He　looked　happy　and　self…satisfied。　The　report　included　an　essay　signed　by　him　entitled；　〃A　mitment　to　Excellence。〃
　The　secretary　said　to　us；　〃Mr。　Enders　will　be　right　with　you。〃
　〃Thank　you；〃　Connor　said。
　A　moment　later；　two　men　in　business　suits　walked　out　into　the　hallway。　The　woman　with　the　blueprints　stood。　She　said；　〃Hello；　Mr。　Greiman。〃
　〃Hello；　Beverly；〃　the　older　man　said。　〃I'll　be　with　you　in　a　minute。〃
　Connor　stood　up；　too。　The　secretary　immediately　said；　〃Mr。　Greiman；　these　men…　〃
　〃Just　a　minute；〃　Greiman　said。　He　turned　to　the　man　with　him；　who　was　younger；　in　his　early　thirties。　〃Just　make　sure　you　get　it　straight　with　Roger；〃　Greiman　said。
　The　younger　man　was　shaking　his　head。　〃He　won't　like　it。〃
　〃I　know　he　won't。　But　tell　him　anyway。　Six　million　four　in　direct　pensation　for　the　CEO　is　the　minimum。〃
　〃But　Arthur…　〃
　〃Just　tell　him。〃
　〃I　will；　Arthur；〃　the　younger　man　said；　smoothing　his　tie。　He　lowered　his　voice。　〃But　the　board　may　balk　at　raising　you　above　six　when　pany　earnings　are　down　so　much…　〃
　〃We're　not　talking　about　earnings；〃　Greiman　said。　〃We're　talking　about　pensation。　It　has　nothing　to　do　with　earnings。　The　board　has　to　match　current　pensation　levels　for　chief　executives。　If　Roger　can't　bring　the　board　into　line　on　this；　I'm　going　to　cancel　the　March　meeting　and　ask　for　changes。　You　tell　him　that。'
　〃Okay；　I　will；　Arthur；　but…　〃
　〃Just　do　it。　Call　me　tonight。〃
　〃Right；　Arthur。〃
　They　shook　hands。　The　younger　man　walked　off　unhappily。　The　receptionist　said；　〃Mr。　Greiman；　these　gentlemen…　〃
　Greiman　turned　to　us。　Connor　said；　〃Mr。　Greiman；　we'd　like　to　speak　to　you　for　a　minute　about　MicroCon。〃　And　he　turned　slightly　aside；　and　showed　his　badge。
　Greiman　exploded　in　rage。　〃Oh；　for　Christ's　sake。　Not　again。　This　is　goddamned　harassment。〃
　〃Harassment？〃
　〃What　would　you　call　it？　I've　had　senatorial　staffers　here；　I've　had　the　F。B。I。　here。　Now　I　have　the　L。A。　police？　We're　not　criminals。　We　own　a　pany　and　we　have　the　right　to　sell　it。　Where　is　Louis？〃
　The　receptionist　said；　〃Mr。　Enders　is　ing。〃
　Connor　said　calmly；　〃Mr。　Greiman；　I'm　sorry　to　disturb　you。　We　have　only　one　question。　It'll　just　take　a　minute。〃
　Greiman　glowered。　〃What's　your　question？〃
　〃How　many　bidders　were　there　for　MicroCon？〃
　〃That's　none　of　your　business；〃　he　said。　〃Anyway；　our　agreement　with　Akai　stipulates　that　we　can't　discuss　the　sale　publicly　in　any　way。〃
　Connor　said；　〃Was　there　more　than　one　bidder？〃
　〃Look；　you　have　questions；　you　talk　to　Enders。　I'm　busy。〃　He　turned　to　the　woman　with　blueprints。　〃Beverly？　What　have　you　got　for　me？〃
　〃I　have　a　revised　layout　for　the　boardroom；　Mr。　Greiman；　and　tile　samples　for　the　washroom。　A　very　nice　gray　I　think　you'll　like。〃
　〃Good；　good。〃　He　led　her　down　the　hallway　away　from　us。
　Connor　watched　them　go；　and　then　abruptly　turned　toward　the　elevator。　〃e　on；　kōhai。　Let's　get　some　fresh　air。〃
　
　？
　〃Why　does　it　matter　if　there　were　other　bidders？〃　I　said；　when　we　were　back　in　the　car。
　〃It　goes　back　to　the　original　question　we　had；〃　Connor　said。　〃Who　wants　to　embarrass　Nakamoto？　We　know　the　sale　of　MicroCon　has　strategic　significance。　That's　why　Congress　is　upset。　But　that　almost　certainly　means　other　parties　are　upset；　too。〃
　〃In　Japan？〃
　〃Exactly。〃
　〃Who　will　know　that？〃
　〃Akai。〃
　
　The　Japanese　receptionist