dk.nightchills-第42章

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　〃Hasn't　he　encoded　his　data？〃
　〃Naturally。　But　the　day　after　the　puter　was　installed；　long　before　Ogden　began　to　use　it；　I　had　my　people　program　it　to　decode　and　print　out　any　data　that　I　requested…regardless　of　how　the　request　was　phrased；　regardless　of　passwords　or　number　keys　or　other　security　devices　that　he　might　use　to　limit　my　access　to　the　information。〃
　The　helicopter　hovered；　descended。
　〃When　do　we　deal　with　him？〃
　〃You　deal　with　him；〃　Dawson　said。　
　〃Me…or　do　I　program　someone　to　do　it？〃
　〃Do　it　yourself。　He　can　deprogram　anyone　else。〃　Dawson　smiled。　〃You　do　have　a　handgun　with　you？〃
　〃Oh；　yes。〃
　〃In　the　small　of　your　back？〃
　〃Strapped　to　my　right　ankle。〃
　〃Marvelous。〃
　〃Back　to　the　original　question；〃　Klinger　said。　〃When　do　I　eliminate　him？〃
　〃Tonight。　Within　the　hour；　if　possible。〃
　〃Why　not　back　in　Greenwich？〃
　〃I　don't　want　to　bury　him　on　the　estate。　That's　taking　too　great　a　chance。〃
　〃What　will　we　do　with　the　body？〃　〃Bury　it　here。　In　the　woods。〃　The　helicopter　touched　ground。　The　pilot　shut　off　the　engines。
　Overhead；　the　rotors　coughed　and　slowed　down。　A　wele　silence　gradually　replaced　the　racket　they　had　made。
　Klinger　said；　〃You　intend　for　him　to　just…disappear　off　the　face　of　the　earth？〃
　〃That's　correct。〃
　〃His　vacation　ends　on　the　fifth　of　next　month。　That's　when　he's　due　back　at　the　Brockert　Institute。　He's　a　punctual　man。　The　morning　of　the　fifth；　when　he　doesn't　show　up；　there's　going　to　be　some　motion。　They'll　e　looking　for　him。〃
　〃They　won't　e　looking　in　Black　River。　There's　nothing　at　all　to　connect　Ogden　with　this　place。　He's　supposed　to　be　vacationing　in　Miami。〃
　〃There's　going　to　be　a　very　quiet　and　very　big　manhunt；〃　Klinger　said。　〃Pentagon　security　people；　the　FBI　。　。　。〃
　Unbuckling　his　seat　belt；　Dawson　said；　〃And　there's　nothing　to　connect　him　with　you　or　with　me。　Eventually　they'll　decide　that　he　went　over　to　the　other　side；　defected。〃
　Maybe。
　〃Definitely。〃
　Dawson　opened　his　door。
　〃Do　I　take　the　chopper　back　to　town？〃　Klinger　asked。
　〃No。　He　might　hear　you　ing　and　suspect　what　you're　there　for。　Take　a　car　or　a　jeep　from　here。　And　you'd　better　walk　the　last　few　hundred　yards。〃
　〃All　right。〃
　〃And　Ernst？〃
　〃Yes？〃
　In　the　amber　cabin　light；　Dawson's　five…hundred…dollars…apiece　capped　teeth　gleamed　in　a　broad　and　dangerous　smile。　There　seemed　to　be　light　behind　his　eyes。　His　nostrils　were　flared：　a　wolf　on　the　trail　of　a　blood　scent。　〃Ernst；　don't　worry　so　much。〃
　〃Can't　help　but。〃
　〃We're　destined　to　survive　this　night；　to　win　this　battle　and　all　of　those　battles　that　will　e　after　it；〃　Dawson　said　with　solemn　conviction。
　〃I　wish　I　could　be　as　confident　of　that　as　you　are。〃
　〃But　you　should　be。　We're　blessed；　my　friend。　This　entire　enterprise　is　blessed；　you　see。　Don't　you　ever　forget　that；　Ernst。〃　He　smiled　again。
　〃I　won't　forget；〃　Klinger　said。
　But　he　was　reassured　more　by　the　weight　of　the　revolver　at　his　ankle　than　by　Dawson's　words。
　Straining　to　hear　any　sound　other　than　their　own　footsteps；　Paul　and　Sam　left　the　church　by　the　rear　door　and　crossed　the　open　fields　to　the　riverbank。
　The　high　grass　was　heavy　with　rain。　Within　twenty　yards；　Paul's　shoes　and　socks　were　wet　through　to　his　skin。　The　legs　of　his　jeans　were　soaked　almost　to　the　knees。
　Sam　located　a　footpath　that　traversed　the　bank　of　the　river　at　a　forty…five…degree　angle。　Every　groove　and　depression　in　the　earth　had　been　transformed　into　a　puddle。　The　way　was　exceedingly　muddy　and　slick。　They　slipped　and　slid　and　waved　their　arms　to　keep　their　balance。
　At　the　bottom　of　the　path；　they　came　onto　a　two…foot…wide
　rocky　shelf。　On　the　right　the　river　rolled　and　gurgled；　filling　the　darkness　with　syrupy　sound：　a　wide　ebony　strip　which；　at　this　hour　of　the　night；　looked　like　crude　oil　rather　than　water。　On　their　left　the　bank　of　the　river　rose　up　eight　or　nine　feet；　and　in　some　places　the　exposed　roots　of　willow　trees　and　oaks　and　maples　overlaid　the　earthen　wall。
　Without　benefit　of　a　flashlight；　Sam　led　Paul　westward；　toward　the　mountains。　His　snowy　hair　was　a　ghostly；　luminescent　sign　for　Paul　to　follow。　The　older　man　stumbled　occasionally；　but　he　was　for　the　most　part　sure…footed；　and　he　never　cursed　when　he　misstepped。　He　was　surprisingly　quiet；　as　if　the　skills　and　talents　of　an　experienced　warrior　suddenly　had　e　back　to　him　after　all　these　years。
　This　is　war；　Paul　reminded　himself。　We're　on　our　way　to　kill　a　man。　The　enemy。　Several　men
　The　warm；　heavy　air　was　redolent　with　the　odor　of　damp　moss　and　with　the　stale　fumes　of　the　plants　that　were　deposing　in　the　muck　at　the　water's　edge。
　Eventually；　Sam　found　a　series　of　wind…　and　water…chiseled　ledges；　steps　that　took　them　up　from　the　river　again。　They　came　out　in　an　apple　orchard　on　the　slopes　at　the　extreme　west　end　of　town。
　Thunder　roared　down　from　the　peaks；　disturbing　the　birds　in　the　apple　trees。
　They　went　north。　They　were　taking　the　safest…and　also　the　most　roundabout…route　to　the　back　of　the　municipal　building。　Soon　they　came　to　a　waist…high　white　picket　fence　that　marked　the　end　of　the　orchard　and　the　verge　of　Main　Street；　where　it　became　known　to　the　locals　as　the　mill　road。
　After　he　had　looked　both　ways　and　had　carefully　studied　the　land　to　which　he　was　running；　when　he　was　certain　that　there　was　no　one　to　see　him；　Sam　slipped　over　the　fence。　He　was　as　agile　as　a　young　man。　He　sprinted　silently　across　the　lane　and　quickly　disappeared　into　a　dense　stand　of　scrub　pines；　scraggly　birches；　and　brush　on　the　other　side。
　Paul　tucked　his　revolver　into　his　belt；　put　both　hands　on　the　fence；　looked　up　and　down　the　street　as　Sam　had　done…but　was
　suddenly　arrested　by　a　severe　spell　of　uncontrollable　shivering。　His　stomach　twisted；　and　he　was　short　of　breath。
　He　tried　to　tell　himself　that　the　shakes　were　caused　by　his　wet　feet；　but　he　knew　that　wasn't　true。　The　night　was　warm。　His　feet　were　wet　but　not　cold。
　He　was　shivering　for　only　one　reason：　because　he　was　going　to　kill　a　man。
　Or　be　killed　。
　That　was　a　possibility。
　He　felt　sick。
　Dizzy。
　He　followed　Sam。
　　
　10：30　P。M。
　　
　　
　Lolah　Tayback　stood　before　him；　naked。
　〃I'm　the　absolute　master；〃　he　said。
　〃Yes；　sir。〃
　〃Look　at　me；　Lolab。〃　She　stared　at　the　floor。　〃Lolah？〃
　〃Let　me　go。〃　Soft　voice。　Tears。
　〃What's　the　matter？〃　〃I'm　scared。〃　〃Don't　you　like　me？〃　She　didn't　respond。　〃Do　you　like　me；　Lolah？〃　〃Yes；　sir。〃
　〃Tell　the　truth；　Lolab。〃　〃I　。　。　。　don't。　。　。　like　you。〃　He　slapped　her　face。　She　fell　against　the　desk。　〃Bitch。〃
　〃Don't　hurt　me。〃　〃Animal。〃
　〃Don't　hurt　me。　Please。〃
　〃I'll　kill　you。〃
　〃Don't…〃
　He　struck　her　with　his　fist。　Then　he　struck　her　again。
　Twin　arc　lamps　on　ribbed　aluminum　poles　bracketed　the　parking　lot　behind　the　municipal　building。　In　the　stark　blue…white　light　the　needles　of　nearby　pine　trees　resembled　feathers。　The　lamps　made　the　wet　macadam　shine　like　molten　tar　and　transformed　the　puddles　into　broken　mirrors。　It　glinted　coldly　on　the　windshields　of　several　automobiles；　including　the　town　ambulance　and　the　spare　police　cruiser。
　When　Sam　opened　the　rear　door　of　the　building　and　Paul　stepped　into　the　first…floor　corridor；　two　men　looked　up　in　surprise。　Bob　Thorp　reached　for　the　revolver　in　the　holster　at　his　hip。　The　other　man；　a　uniformed　deputy；　raised　his　shotgun。
　〃I　am　the　key；〃　Paul　said　quickly。　They　both　said；　〃I　am　the　lock。〃
　〃Speak　softly。〃　They　nodded。
　〃Bob；　leave　your　gun　in　the　holster。〃
　〃All　right。〃
　〃And　you。　Put　down　that　shotgun。〃　The　deputy　obeyed。
　Opening　these　men；　using　them；　pushing　buttons　deep　within　their　minds；　Paul　felt　neither　triumph　nor　the　exhilaration　of　mand。　Instead；　aware　that　their　lives　and　sanity　and　dignity　were　in　his　hands；　he　had　an　almost　overpowering　sense　of　solemn　responsibility；　and　for　a　moment　he　was　paralyzed　by　it。
　Sam　opened　the　first　door　on　the　right；　switched　on　the　overhead　fluorescent　lights；　and　ushered　everyone　into　a　file　room。
　　
　10：36　P。M。
　　
　　
　　
　Salsbury's　knuckles　were　skinned。　His　hands　were　covered　with　thin　gloves　of　blood：　his　blood　and　hers。
　He　took　a　Smith　&　Wesson　。38　Police　Special　from　the　firearms　cabinet　behind　Thorp's　desk。　He　located　a　box　of　shells　on　the　top　shelf　and　loaded　the　handgun。
　He　returned　to　Lolah　Tayback。
　She　was　on　the　floor　in　the　center　of　the　room；　lying　on　her　side　with　her　knees　drawn　up。　Both　of　her　eyes　were　bruised　and　swollen。　Her　lower　lip　was　split。　Her　septum　was　broken；　and　blood　trickled　from　her　delicate　nostrils。　Although　she　was　barely　conscious；　she　groaned　miserably　when　she　saw　him。
　〃Poor　Lolah；〃　he　said　mock　sympathetically。
　Through　the　thin　slits　of　her　swollen　eyelids；　she　watched　him　apprehensively。
　He　held　the　gun　to　her　face。
　She　closed　her　eyes。
　With　the　barrel　of　the　。38；　he　drew　circles　around　her　breasts　and　prodded　her　nipples。
　She　shuddered。
　He　liked　that。
　The　file　room　was　a　cold；　impersonal　place。　The　fluorescent　strip　lighting；　institutional…green　walls；　yellowed　Venetian　blinds；　rank　on　rank　of　gray　metal　cabinets；　and　brown　tile　floor　made　it　a　perfect　place　for　an　interrogation。
　Sam　said；　〃Bob；　is　there　anyone　in　your　office　right　now？〃
　〃Yes。　A　couple　of　people。〃　〃Who？〃
　〃Lolah　Tayback…and　him。〃　〃Who　is　'him'？〃
　〃I　。　。　。　don't　know。〃
　〃You　don't　know　his　name？〃　〃Gee；　I　guess　not。〃
　〃Is　it　Salsbury？〃　Thorp　shrugged。
　〃Is　he　a　somewhat　chubby　man？〃
　〃About　forty　pounds　too　heavy；〃　Thorp　said。　〃And　he　wears　very　thick　glasses？〃
　〃Yeah。　That's　him。〃
　〃And　he's　alone　with　Lolah？〃
　〃Like　I　said。〃
　〃You're　certain　of　that？〃
　〃Sure。〃
　Paul　said；　〃And　his　friends？〃
　〃What　friends？〃　Thorp　asked。
　〃In　the　helicopter。〃
　〃They　aren't　here。〃　〃Neither　of　them？〃　〃Neither　of　them。〃　〃Where　are　they？〃　〃I　don't　know。〃
　〃Aren't　they　at　the　mill？〃
　〃I　don't　know。〃
　〃Will　they　be　back？〃
　〃I　don't　know　that　either。〃　〃Who　are　they？〃
　〃I'm　sorry。　I　don't　know。〃
　Sam　said；　〃That's　it；　then。〃
　〃We　go　after　him？〃　Paul　asked。
　〃Right　now。〃
　〃I'll　hit　the　door　first。〃
　〃I'm　older；〃　Sam　said。　〃I've　got　less　to　lose。〃　〃I'm　younger…and　faster；〃　Paul　said。
　〃Speed　won't　matter。　He　won't　be　expecting　us。〃
　〃And　maybe　he　will；〃　Paul　said。
　Reluctantly；　Sam　said；　〃All　right。　You　first。　But　I'll　be　damned　close　behind。〃
　Salsbury　forced　her　to　lie　on　her　back。　He　parted　her　legs　with　one　hand　and　put　the　cool　steel　barrel　of　the　。38　between　her　silken　thighs。　He　shivered　and　licked　his　lips。　With　his　left　hand　he　slid　his　glasses　up　on　his　nose。　〃Do　you　want　it？〃　he　asked　eagerly。　〃Do　you　want　it？　Well；　I'm　going　to　give　it　to　you。　All　of　it。　Every　last　inch　of　it。　Do　you　hear　me；　you　little　bitch？　Little　animal。　Bust　you　wide　open。　Wide　open。　Going　to　truly　and　really　give　it　to　you。　。　。〃
　*　*　*
　Paul　hesitated　outside　of　the　closed　door　to　the　police　chief's　office。　When　he　heard　Salsbury　talking　inside　and　knew　that　the　man　was　unaware　of　their　presence　in　the　building；　he　threw　open　the　door　and　went　inside　fast；　crouching；　the　big　。357　Magnum　shoved　out　in　front　of　him。
　At　first　he　couldn't　believe　what　he　saw；　didn't　want　to　believe　what　he　saw。　There　was　a　badly　beaten；　naked　young　woman　lying　on　the　floor；　spread…eag