cc.fireice-第24章

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umbled　down　with　it。　It　crashed　in　slow　motion　off　a　big　boulder；　breaking　in　half；　then　bounced　a　few　more　times　before　landing　in　a　muddy　cloud。　Several　other　chunks　followed　it　down　in　a　secondary　landslide。
　
　〃Crude　but　effective；〃　Austin　said；　as　he　drifted　down　the　face　of　the　pile　and　stopped　in　front　of　a　newly　created　opening　in　the　rubble。　He　probed　the　hole　with　his　light；　then　tried　to　squeeze　through　only　to　have　his　air　tanks　get　in　the　way　again。　He　removed　the　tanks。　Keeping　the　regulator　in　his　mouth；　he　backed　into　the　opening　feet　first　and　pulled　his　tanks　in　after　him。　Zavala　followed　using　the　same　procedure。
　
　They　were　wedged　in　a　tight　space　between　the　pile　of　boulders　and　two　massive　steel　blast　doors。　The　armored　doors　were　sealed；　but　near　the　top　of　one　was　a　shadow　where　the　force　of　the　explosion　had　peeled　back　a　er　like　a　page　in　a　book。　The　gap　was　big　enough　for　them　and　their　tanks。　They　slipped　through　the　hole　and　flashed　their　lights　around。　The　beams　faded　into　nothingness　except　for　a　grayish　reflection　over　their　heads。　They　swam　up　several　feet　until　their　tanks　scraped　against　concrete。　Swimming　a　few　feet　below　the　ceiling；　they　proceeded　through　the　murky　water。
　
　After　a　few　minutes；　the　ceiling　disappeared　and　they　swam　up　until　their　heads　emerged　into　the　open。　They　were　in　plete　darkness。　Austin　removed　the　regulator　from　his　mouth　and　took　a　tentative　breath。　The　air　was　musty　but　breathable。　They　switched　on　their　lights　and　saw　that　they　were　near　the　edge　of　a　man…made　pool。　They　swam　to　a　ladder；　pulled　themselves　up　on　the　side　of　the　pool　and　flashed　their　lights　around；　probing　the　perimeter　of　the　rectangular　basin。
　
　〃Hel…Io；〃　Austin　murmured。　〃Someone　left　their　rubber　ducky　in　the　bathtub。〃
　
　His　light　outlined　the　contours　of　a　submarine　on　the　far　side　of　the　pool。
　
　They　stacked　their　scuba　gear　in　neat　piles　for　quick　retrieval　and　stripped　down　to　their　lightweight　black　insulated　liners。　They　were　traveling　light；　taking　only　their　weapons；　extra　ammunition　and　lights　and；　in　Austin's　case；　a　belt　radio。　He　tried　to　call　Kemal；　but　the　thick　concrete　walls　made　radio　contact　impossible。　Setting　off　to　explore　the　high…ceilinged　chamber；　they　followed　a　set　of　narrow…gauge　tracks　that　ran　around　the　pool's　perimeter；　making　their　way　past　fuel　pumps　and　conduits　for　water　and　electricity。
　
　Gantries　and　cranes　hung　from　the　ceiling　to　service　heavy　loads。　Sideways…traversing　machinery　could　move　a　sub　to　the　dry　side　for　maintenance。　Austin　and　Zavala　went　around　the　pool　to　where　the　submarine　lay　in　dry　dock。　The　sub　was　between　three　hundred　and　four　hundred　feet　long；　Austin　estimated。　They　climbed　aboard　and　explored　the　sub　from　end　to　end。　The　deck　behind　the　conning　tower　was　of　an　unusual　design；　long　and　flat　and　recessed。　They　climbed　the　sail　and　opened　the　entry　hatch。　The　stale　smell　of　food；　unwashed　bodies　and　fuel　issued　from　the　opening。
　
　As　the　expert　on　underwater　vehicles；　Zavala　volunteered　to　go　inside　the　sub　while　Austin　stood　watch。　A　short　while　later；　Zavala　emerged。
　
　〃Nobody　home；〃　he　said；　his　voice　echoing　in　the　great　chamber。
　
　〃Nothing？〃
　〃I　didn't　say　that。〃　Zavala　handed　Austin　a　navy　baseball　cap。　〃I　found　this　in　a　bunk　room。〃
　
　Austin　examined　the　white　lettering　on　the　front　of　the　cap。　NR…1。　〃This　raises　more　questions　than　it　answers。〃
　〃The　boat　itself　is　less　of　a　mystery；〃　Zavala　said。　〃It's　a　diesel；　built　for　a　specialized　purpose。　No　torpedoes。　She's　probably　pretty　fast　on　the　surface；　from　the　looks　of　her；　and　those　hydroplanes　on　the　sail　would　give　her　good　maneuverability　under　water。　The　deck　is　modified　to　carry　something。　Cargo。　Submersibles　maybe。〃
　〃Something　like　the　NR…1？〃
　〃Easily。　But　why　block　off　the　entrance　doors　to　the　pen？〃
　〃They　don't　need　this　baby　anymore。　What　better　way　to　hide　the　evidence？　Let's　see　if　we　can　find　the　owner　of　this　cap；〃　he　said；　tucking　the　cap　inside　his　suit。
　
　Satisfied　that　the　sub　could　yield　no　further　clues；　they　walked　the　rest　of　the　way　around　the　pool　until　they　carne　back　to　their　dive　gear。　Railroad　tracks　led　to　a　set　of　double　steel　doors　about　twelve　feet　high。　Next　to　the　doors　was　an　entryway　to　allow　passage　without　having　to　open　and　close　the　big　doors。　Zavala　tried　the　handle。
　
　〃It's　unlocked；〃　he　said。　〃We're　in　luck。〃
　〃Don't　be　too　sure　about　that。　This　may　be　a　case　of　the　spider　weling　the　flies。〃
　〃No　problem；〃　Zavala　said；　fitting　the　holster　to　the　butt　of　his　Heckler　and　Koch　。9…mm　VP70M　to　form　a　shoulder　stock；　giving　the　pistol　the　capability　of　firing　three…round　bursts。　〃I　brought　spider　repellent。〃
　
　Austin　slipped　his　own　brand　of　pesticide　out　of　its　leather　holster。　His　Ruger　Redhawk；　custom…built　by　the　Bowen　Classic　Arms　pany；　was　a　heavy…duty　revolver　chambered　for　the　。50　special　cartridge。　His　hand　was　filled　with　grips　made　of　snake　wood；　a　rare　South　American　wood。　The　fat　barrel　was　only　four　inches　long；　but　the　gun　packed　a　deadly　wallop。
　
　They　opened　the　door　and　stepped　into　a　chamber　half　the　size　of　the　sub　pen。　A　railroad　spur　extended　from　the　main　chamber。　Sitting　on　the　tracks　were　a　half…dozen　car…sized　freight　carriers　powered　by　propane。　The　tracks　ran　down　the　center　of　the　room；　with　tributaries　branching　out　on　both　sides　to　a　series　of　arched　portals　that　allowed　entrance　into　side　chambers。
　
　Entering　the　nearest　room；　they　found　shelves　filled　with　spare　parts。　The　other　storerooms　contained　tools；　firefighting　equipment　and　workshops。　One　room；　separated　from　the　others　by　a　heavy　steel　blast　door；　contained　demolition　charges　and　small　arms。
　
　They　returned　to　the　main　chamber　and　walked　over　to　an　elevator。　Next　to　the　elevator　was　a　door　that　led　to　a　stairwell。　The　smell　of　cooked　cabbage　drifted　from　above。　They　climbed　the　stairs　to　the　next　landing　and　saw　light　ing　from　beneath　a　door　that　led　off　the　landing。
　
　Austin　put　his　ear　up　to　the　door　and　listened。　Hearing　nothing；　he　cracked　the　door　a　few　inches。　Then　he　gently　pushed　the　door　open　and　stepped　through；　motioning　for　Zavala　to　follow。　They　were　in　a　corridor　lit　by　lights　recessed　in　the　ceiling。　It　was　wide　enough　for　four　people　to　walk　abreast。　The　passageway　echoed　the　poured…concrete；　bomb…shelter　motif　of　the　lower　level。
　
　Several　doors　opened　off　one　side。　The　first　led　to　a　cold…storage　room　stocked　with　meats　and　vegetables。　The　cold　room　was　connected　to　food　lockers　provisioned　with　canned　goods　and　groceries。　Next　to　the　pantry　were　a　large　kitchen　and　bakery。　They　moved　from　the　kitchen　into　the　adjacent　mess　hall；　which　was　furnished　with　long　benches　and　tables。　The　smell　of　cooked　food　was　strong。
　
　Austin　went　over　to　a　table；　brushed　some　crumbs　off　the　top　and　dabbed　his　finger　into　a　circle　of　water。
　
　〃Keep　a　sharp　eye　out；〃　he　said。　〃Some　of　the　regular　customers　may　still　be　around。〃
　
　A　door　led　from　the　mess　hall　to　another　passageway　and　a　deserted　dormitory　fitted　out　with　fifty　bunks。　The　beds　were　unmade　and　the　footlockers　were　empty。　Next　to　the　dormitory　was　a　small　game　room　with　a　few　tables　and　chairs。　Austin　walked　over　to　a　chessboard；　studied　the　pieces　for　a　moment；　then　moved　a　black　knight　to　a　different　square。
　
　〃Checkmate；〃　he　said。　With　Austin　in　the　lead；　they　headed　back　to　the　main　corridor　and　climbed　the　stairs　to　the　next　floor。　In　contrast　to　the　spartan　barracks；　the　floors　were　covered　with　thick　wall…to…wall　carpeting　and　the　walls　were　paneled　in　dark　wood。　They　explored　half　a　dozen　offices　and　conference　rooms。　On　the　walls　were　a　few　yellowed　charts；　but　the　desks　were　cleaned　out　and　the　filing　cabinets　were　empty。
　
　〃This　must　have　been　the　mand　post　for　the　submarine　base；〃　Austin　said。
　
　Zavala　glanced　around　the　haunted　precincts。　〃It's　been　a　while　since　they　did　any　manding。　Spooky。　Maybe　we　should　call　Ghostbusters。〃
　
　Austin　grunted。　〃The　guys　who　shot　me　out　of　the　air　a　few　days　ago　weren't　made　out　of　ectoplasm。〃
　
　From　the　mand　post；　they　went　back　to　the　main　passageway；　poked　into　several　rooms；　each　with　two　beds；　that　could　have　been　officers'　quarters；　and　followed　another　connector　that　led　to　a　large　and　luxurious　suite。　The　polished　oak　floors　were　covered　with　finely　woven　oriental　rugs。　The　ornate　furniture　was　made　from　heavy　dark　wood。　The　decor　was　a　blend　of　Byzantine　and　Middle　Eastern；　with　a　liberal　use　of　red　cloth　and　gold　fringe。
　
　Zavala　looked　at　the　painting　of　a　voluptuous　woman；　one　of　several　that　decorated　the　walls。　〃Remind　me　when　I　get　home　to　redo　my　place　in　harem　modern。〃
　

　Austin　was　having　a　problem　imagining　a　bulldog…jowled　Soviet　sub　mander　in　these　decadent　surroundings。　〃It　looks　like　someone's　idea　of　a　Victorian　bordello。〃
　
　Despite　their　bantering；　both　men　were　uneasy。　Austin　recalled　the　violence　that　had　greeted　his　first　visit　to　these　shores。　The　quiet　gave　him　the　jitters。　They　explored　the　rest　of　the　suite；　eventually　ing　to　a　thick　wooden　door　built　with　rivets　and　ornamental　straps　as　if　it　guarded　the　portal　to　a　medieval　keep。　Carved　in　the　door　was　a　large　stylized　letter　R。
　
　Zavala　examined　the　antique　keyhole；　then　he　reached　into　his　pack　and　pulled　out　a　soft　leather　case　that　he　unfolded　to　display　an　array　of　lock　picks　that　would　have　gotten　him　arrested　in　most　states。　He　selected　a　particularly　large　pick。
　
　〃The　basic　skeleton　key　should　do　the　job。〃　He　ran　his　fingers　over　the　door　carving　and　strong　steel　hinges。　〃There　must　be　something　valuable　on　the　other　side。　I'm　surprised　they　didn't　use　a　better　lock。〃　Bending　to　his　task；　he　inserted　the　pick　in　the　keyhole；　jiggled　the　tool；　then　turned　it。　The　lock　had　been　well…lubricated　and　the　deadbolt　opened　with　a　loud　clunk。
　
　Austin　put　his　ear　up　against　the　dark　wood。　Hearing　nothing；　he　tried　the　ornamental　knob。　He　paused；　wondering　if　hidden　cameras　had　watched　them　every　step　of　the　way　into　the　labyrinth。　A　gang　of　cutthroats　could　be　lurking　on　the　other　side　of　the　door。　The　thought　of　a　bullet　or　dagger　in　the　eye　made　him　squeamish。　His　lips　tightened　in　a　grim　smile。　Being　shot　or　stabbed　in　the　heart　would　leave　him　just　as　dead　as　a　poke　in　the　eye。
　
　Austin　couldn't　remember　who'd　said　the　best　defense　is　a　good　offense；　but　he　had　always　considered　it　good　advice。　He　cocked　his　Bowen；　motioned　to　Zavala　to　back　him　up；　then　turned　the　knob；　threw　the　door　open　and　stepped　inside。
　
　…14…
　THE　DENTED　BLACK　Lada　taxi　clattered　down　the　dirt　road；　with　every　bolt　in　its　ancient　chassis　rattling　in　protest。　The　potholed　ruts　led　through　thick　pines　and　ended　at　an　encampment　of　rustic　chalets　clustered　near　the　Black　Sea。　The　cab　bounced　on　its　worn　shock　absorbers　even　after　Paul　and　Gamay　Trout　extricated　themselves　from　the　cramped　backseat　like　clowns　in　a　circus　skit。　They　removed　their　duffel　bags　from　the　roof　rack　and　paid　the　driver。　The　cab　drove　off　in　a　cloud　of　dust；　and　the　door　to　a　nearby　chalet　flew　open　with　a　bang。　A　bearlike　man　charged　out；　roaring　in　a　voice　that　practically　shook　the　cones　off　the　trees。
　
　〃Trout！　I　can't　beli