cc.fireice-第30章

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　The　professor　roared　with　laughter　and　translated　for　the　others。　Then　he　directed　the　Trouts　to　the　seating　that　had　been　saved　for　them；　rubbed　his　hands　in　anticipation；　and　went　into　his　cottage　to　start　the　meal　moving。　Dinner　was　salmon…filled　pirogi；　basically　Russian　turnovers；　served　with　rice　and　a　clear　borscht。　The　professor　also　had　a　case　of　the　famous　Russian　champagne　that　was　made　in　nearby　Abrau…Dyurso。　Even　without　vodka　and　a　mon　language；　dinner　was　loud　and　friendly　and　extended　late　into　the　evening。　It　was　nearly　midnight　when　the　Trouts　pushed　themselves　away　from　the　table　and　begged　to　be　allowed　to　go　back　to　their　cottage。
　
　〃The　party　is　just　starting！〃　Orlov　bellowed。　His　face　was　red　from　alcohol　and　sweaty　after　serenading　the　other　diners　with　an　energetic　rendition　of　a　bawdy　Russian　folk　song。
　
　〃Please　don't　stop　on　our　account；〃　Paul　said。　〃We've　had　a　long　day；　and　it's　starting　to　catch　up　with　us。〃
　〃Of　course；　you　must　be　very　tired。　I've　been　a　poor　host；　making　you　sit　here　and　listen　to　my　attempts　to　sing。〃
　
　Paul　patted　his　stomach。　〃You've　been　a　great　host。　But　I'm　a　little　older　than　I　was　when　we　used　to　drink　the　night　away　at　the　Captain　Kidd。〃
　〃You're　obviously　out　of　training；　my　friend。　One　week　here　and　we　would　have　you　back　in　shape。〃　He　hugged　both　Trouts。　〃But　I　understand。　Would　you　like　Yuri　to　escort　you？〃
　〃Thank　you；　Professor。　We'll　find　our　way；〃　Gamay　said。　〃See　you　in　the　morning。〃
　
　Orlov　let　them　go　after　another　round　of　hugs　and　kisses。　As　they　made　their　way　along　the　path　toward　the　single　light　glowing　on　the　porch　of　their　cottage；　the　Trouts　could　hear　Orlov　belting　out　a　spirited　but　hardly　recognizable　rendition；　in　Russian；　of　〃What　Should　We　Do　with　the　Drunken　Sailor？〃
　〃I　don't　envy　Vlad　for　the　hangover　he's　going　to　have；〃　Gamay　said。
　
　〃There's　no　party　animal　like　a　Russian　party　animal。〃　They　laughed　as　they　climbed　onto　the　porch。　They　weren't　exaggerating　their　exhaustion。　They　brushed　their　teeth；　stripped　down　to　their　underwear　and　slipped　beneath　the　cool　sheets。　Within　minutes；　both　were　asleep。　Gamay　was　the　lighter　sleeper。　Later　that　night；　she　sat　up　in　bed　and　listened。　Something　had　awakened　her。　The　sound　of　voices。　High…pitched　and　excited。　She　poked　Paul　out　of　his　slumber。
　
　〃What's　going　on？〃　he　mumbled；　his　voice　thick　with　sleep。
　
　〃Listen。　It　sounds　like　。　。　。　children　playing。〃
　
　But　just　then　a　loud　shriek　of　unmistakable　terror　echoed　through　the　woods　outside。
　
　〃That　was　no　kid；〃　Paul　said；　vaulting　from　the　bed。　He　scooped　his　slacks　off　a　chair　and　jumped　into　them；　nearly　falling　on　his　face。　Gamay　was　one　second　behind；　pulling　her　shorts　over　her　slim　hips　and　throwing　a　T…shirt　over　her　head。　They　burst　out　onto　the　porch；　where　they　could　see　a　reddish　glow　through　the　trees。　The　smell　of　smoke　hung　heavily　in　the　air。
　
　〃One　of　the　camps　is　on　fire！〃　Paul　said。
　
　They　ran　along　the　path　in　bare　feet　and　almost　mowed　down　Yuri；　who　was　running　in　the　opposite　direction。
　
　〃What's　going　on？〃　Paul　said。
　
　〃Don't　talk；〃　Yuri　replied　breathlessly。　〃We　must　hide。　This　way。〃
　
　The　Trouts　glanced　at　the　fire；　then　followed　Yuri's　lead。　He　moved　fast　in　a　long；　loping　gait。　When　they　were　deep　in　the　pines；　he　took　Gamay　by　the　arm；　pulled　her　onto　the　soft　Cover　of　pine　needles　and　motioned　for　Paul　to　duck　down。　They　could　hear　branches　and　twigs　snapping　and　rough　voices。　Paul　started　to　get　up　to　look；　but　Yuri　pulled　him　back　down。　After　a　few　minutes；　the　crashing　stopped。
　
　Yuri　spoke　from　the　darkness。
　
　〃I　was　asleep　in　my　father's　camp；〃　he　said；　his　voice　！　hoarse　from　tension。　〃Men　came　in　the　night。〃
　〃Who　were　they？〃
　〃I　don't　know。　They　had　their　faces　covered。　They　dragged　us　out　of　bed。　They　wanted　to　know　where　the　red…headed　woman　and　the　man　were。　My　father　said　that　you　had　left　to　go　home。　They　didn't　believe　him。　They　beat　him。　He　yelled　in　English　for　me　to　warn　you。　While　they　were　busy；　I　ran　to　tell　you。〃
　〃How　many　were　there？〃
　

　〃A　dozen；　maybe。　I　don't　know。　It　was　dark。　They　must　have　e　by　water。　Our　camp　is　right　by　the　driveway；　and　we　would　have　heard　someone　e　in。〃
　〃We've　got　to　get　back　to　your　father。〃
　〃I　know　a　way；〃　Yuri　said。　〃e。〃
　
　Paul　grabbed　onto　the　back　of　Yuri's　shorts　and　Gamay　held　on　to　her　husband's　other　hand　as　they　made　their　way　through　the　woods；　taking　a　circuitous　path。　The　smoke　thickened。　Soon　they　could　see　the　source　of　the　smoke：　the　professor's　cottage。　They　stepped　out　of　the　woods　into　the　clearing；　where　students　were　spraying　the　cottage　with　hoses　apparently　powered　by　a　generator。　They　couldn't　save　the　building；　but　their　efforts　kept　the　fire　from　spreading　to　the　adjacent　woods　and　cottages。　The　older　people　were　huddled　in　a　group。　Yuri　spoke　in　Russian　to　the　tall　physicist；　then　turned　to　the　Trouts。
　
　〃He　says　the　men　are　gone。　He　saw　them　leave　in　a　boat。〃
　
　The　group　parted　to　reveal　Orlov　lying　on　the　ground；　his　face　covered　with　blood。　Gamay　was　on　her　knees　in　an　instant；　put　her　ear　close　to　the　professor's　mouth　and　felt　for　a　pulse　in　his　neck。　Then　she　examined　his　arms　and　legs。
　
　〃Can　we　get　him　somewhere　where　he'll　be　more　fortable？〃　she　asked。
　
　The　professor　was　lifted　onto　the　picnic　table　and　covered　with　the　tablecloth。　At　Gamay's　request；　a　pot　of　warm　water　and　towels　were　produced。　She　gently　sponged　the　blood　away　from　the　professor's　face　and　balding　scalp。
　
　〃The　bleeding　seems　to　have　stopped；〃　she　said。　〃It's　ing　from　the　head；　so　it's　worse　than　it　looks。　He's　also　bleeding　from　the　mouth；　but　I　don't　think　it's　internal。〃
　
　Paul's　jaw　hardened　at　the　plight　of　his　old　colleague。　〃Someone　used　him　for　a　punching　bag。〃
　
　The　professor　stirred　and　mumbled　some　words　in　Russian。　Yuri　leaned　close　for　a　second；　then　grinned。　〃He　says　he　needs　a　glass　of　vodka。〃
　
　Glowing　embers　were　ing　down　on　them　from　the　fire　and　the　smoke　made　it　hard　to　breathe；　so　Paul　suggested　that　they　move　the　professor　to　a　more　sheltered　location。　Trout　and　three　other　men　carried　him　to　the　cottage　farthest　from　the　fire。　They　laid　him　out　on　a　bed；　covered　his　body　with　blankets　and　brought　him　a　glass　of　vodka。
　
　〃Sorry　this　isn't　champagne；〃　Gamay　said；　offering　him　a　sip　as　she　tilted　his　head　up。
　
　The　vodka　dribbled　down　his　chin；　but　he　swallowed　enough　of　the　potent　liquor　to　bring　color　back　to　his　cheeks。　Paul　dragged　a　chair　over。　〃Do　you　feel　like　talking？〃
　〃Keep　the　vodka　ing　and　I'll　talk　all　night　long；〃　Orlov　said。　〃How's　my　cottage？〃
　〃The　fire　brigade　couldn't　save　it；　but　they　kept　the　fIre　from　spreading；〃　Yuri　said。
　
　A　satisfied　smile　crossed　the　professor's　swollen　lips。　〃One　of　the　first　things　I　organized　here　was　a　fire　pany。　We　draw　water　directly　from　the　sea。〃
　〃Please　tell　us　what　happened；〃　Gamay　said；　as　she　dabbed　the　professor's　forehead　with　a　damp　washcloth。
　
　〃We　were　sleeping；〃　he　said；　talking　slowly。　〃Some　men　came　into　the　cottage。　We　never　lock　the　doors　out　here。　They　wanted　to　know　where　the　people　in　the　boat　were。　I　didn't　know　what　they　were　talking　about　at　first；　then　I　realized　they　wanted　you。　So　naturally　I　said　I　didn't　know。　They　beat　me　until　I　was　unconscious。〃

　
　〃I　ran　off　to　warn　the　Trouts；〃　Yuri　said。　〃I　didn't　want　to　leave　you。　They　came　looking　for　us。　We　hid　in　the　woods　until　they　were　gone。〃
　
　Orlov　reached　out　and　put　his　hand　on　Yuri's　shoulder。　〃You　did　the　right　thing。〃
　
　He　motioned　for　more　vodka。　The　drink　seemed　to　clear　his　mind；　and　the　scientific　analysis　of　cause　and　effect　came　into　play。
　
　Looking　Paul　directly　in　the　eye；　he　said；　〃Well；　my　friend；　it　seems　you　and　Gamay　made　some　interesting　friends　in　the　short　time　you　have　been　here。　On　your　little　sightseeing　trip；　perhaps？〃
　〃I'm　truly　sorry。　I'm　afraid　we're　responsible　for　this　mess；〃　Paul　said。　〃It　was　entirely　unanticipated。　We　made　your　son　a　partner　in　crime；　too。〃
　
　Paul　told　Orlov　that　NUMA　was　investigating　Ataman　and　related　the　events　surrounding　their　boat　trip。
　
　〃Ataman？〃　Orlov　said。　〃In　a　way；　I　can't　say　I'm　surprised　at　their　violent　reaction。　Huge　cartels　tend　to　act　as　if　they　are　above　the　law。〃
　
　Gamay　said；　〃There　was　a　strange　man　on　the　yacht。　He　had　a　thin　face；　long　black　hair　and　a　beard。　Was　that　Razov？〃
　〃It　doesn't　sound　like　him。　Probably　his　friend；　the　mad　monk。〃
　〃Pardon　me？〃
　〃His　name　is　Boris。　I　don't　even　know　if　he　has　a　last　name。　He　is　said　to　be　Razov's　йminence　grise；　his　mentor。　Few　people　have　seen　him。　You're　very　lucky。〃
　〃I　don't　know　if　I'd　call　it　lucky；〃　Gamay　said。　〃I'm　sure　he　saw　us；　too。〃
　〃He's　probably　the　one　who　called　out　the　hounds；〃　Paul　said。
　
　Orlov　groaned。　〃That's　where　we　are　in　Russia　today。　Thugs　advised　by　mad　monks。　I　can't　believe　Razov　has　bee　such　a　powerful　political　figure　in　our　country。〃
　〃I　was　wondering；〃　Paul　said。　〃How　did　they　know　where　to　find　us？　I'm　pretty　sure　Yuri　lost　them。〃
　〃Maybe　the　bigger　question　is　what　they　intended　to　do　after　they　found　us。〃　Gamay　turned　to　the　professor　and　his　son。　〃We're　profoundly　sorry　for　what　happened。　Please　tell　us　how　we　can　make　it　up　to　you。〃
　〃Perhaps　a　little　help　in　rebuilding　my　cottage；〃　Orlov　said；　after　some　thought。
　
　〃That　goes　without　saying；〃　Paul　said。
　
　〃Anything　else？〃　Orlov　furrowed　his　brow。　〃One　more　thing；〃　he　said；　his　face　lighting　up。　〃As　you　know；　Yuri　is　intent　on　visiting　the　United　States。〃
　〃Consider　it　done；　with　the　condition　that　you　e　along。〃
　
　The　professor　could　barely　control　his　pleasure；　〃You　drive　a　hard　bargain；　my　friend。〃
　〃I'm　a　tough　old　Yankee；　and　don't　you　forget　it　I　think　we　should　be　on　our　way　the　first　thing　in　the　morning。〃
　〃I'm　sorry　you　have　to　leave　so　soon。　Are　you　sure？〃
　〃It　might　be　best　for　everyone　if　we　go。〃
　
　They　talked　until　the　professor's　weariness　caught　up　with　him　and　he　drifted　off　to　sleep。　The　Trouts　and　Yuri　split　the　rest　of　the　night　into　shifts；　so　at　least　one　person　would　stand　watch　while　the　others　caught　some　sleep　in　the　bunk　beds。　The　morning　dawned　without　incident；　and　after　a　quick　breakfast　of　coffee　and　rolls；　the　Trouts　said　their　good…byes；　vowing　to　get　together　in　a　few　months；　and　squeezed　into　the　same　taxi　that　had　dropped　them　off。
　
　As　the　Lada　bumped　down　the　road；　Gamay　looked　out　the　back　window　at　the　charred　remains　of　the　cottage。　Smoke　still　hung　in　the　air。　〃We'll　have　a　lot　to　tell　Kurt　when　we　get　back；〃　she　said。
　
　Paul's　eyes　blinked　with　amusement。　〃If　I　know　Kurt；　he'll　have　even　more　to　tell　us。〃
　
　…17…
　THE　MAN　AUSTIN　knew　only　as　Ivan　gazed　around　in　wonder　at　the　shrine　to　the　Romanovs。　Austin　had　just　given　him　a　demonstration　of　the　chanting　chair。　〃This　is　really　quite　extraordinary；〃　he　said；　letting　his　eyes　wander　around　the　room。　〃You　have　made　quite　a　find。〃
　
　Austin　responded　with　a　lopsided　grin。　〃Then　all　is　forgiven　for　corning　in　with　six…guns　blazing？〃
　〃On　the　contrary。　It's　exactly　what　I　wanted　to　happen。〃
　〃You're　a　strange　man；　Ivan；〃　Austin　said；　with　a　shake　of　his　he