cc.fireice-第53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！


　〃Why　don't　I　go　aboard　and　ask　him？〃
　〃You're　serious？〃
　〃Of　course。　It　might　do　some　good　for　him　to　know　that　we're　onto　him。　Maybe　we　can　shake　the　trees　and　see　what　falls　out。〃
　〃Just　as　long　as　you're　not　standing　under　them。〃
　
　Austin　thought　of　Yaeger's　suggestion　about　finding　the　master　control　center。　A　man　like　Razov　would　never　let　anything　get　far　from　his　control。　And　his　yacht　was　both　his　home　and　the　headquarters　of　his　worldwide　corporation。
　
　〃We　can't　let　an　opportunity　like　this　go　by。　I　want　to　get　aboard　that　yacht。〃
　〃We　could　fix　you　up　with　some　NUMA　credentials。〃
　〃That　would　be　like　waving　a　red　flag　in　front　of　a　bull。　I　have　another　idea。　I'll　get　back　to　you。〃
　
　Austin　hung　up　and　dug　in　his　wallet　for　a　business　card。　Then　he　dialed　the　New　York　number　on　it。
　
　〃Unbelievable　Mysteries；〃　the　receptionist　said。
　
　He　asked　if　Kaela　Dorn　had　returned　from　assignments。　〃I　believe　so。　May　I　say　who's　calling？〃
　
　Austin　gave　his　name　and　braced　for　a　breath　of　icy　air。　He　was　surprised　at　the　warmth　in　Kaela's　voice。　〃Good　morning；　Mr。　Austin。　You　certainly　get　up　early　in　the　day。〃
　〃The　early　bird　catches　the　worm；　I've　been　told。〃
　〃Never　did　like　worms；〃　Kaela　said。　〃What　can　I　do　for　you？〃
　〃First　of　all；　tell　me　why　you're　being　so　friendly。〃
　〃Why　shouldn't　I　be？　You　saved　my　life。　Even　better；　you　got　me　transportation　back　to　Istanbul　on　Captain　Kemal's　boat。〃
　〃Which　wasn't　exactly　the　QE2；　as　I　recall。〃
　〃Doesn't　matter。　On　the　way　back；　the　captain　told　me　about　a　wreck　he　knew　of　and　took　me　there。　It　was　big　and　old；　and　my　guess　is　that　it　was　originally　measured　in　cubits。〃
　〃Noah's　ark？〃
　〃Who　knows？　Who　cares？　We　got　the　story；　plus　bonuses。　So　thanks　again；　and　I　mean　it　with　all　sincerity　when　I　say；　what　can　I　do　for　you；　even　though　you　still　owe　me　a　dinner。〃
　〃How　about　Boston　baked　beans？〃
　〃I　was　thinking　more　of　rack　of　lamb　at　the　Four　Seasons。〃
　〃Anything　you　say。　But　I　need　your　help　first。　There's　a　trade　reception　tonight　aboard　a　yacht　in　Boston　Harbor；　and　I　need　some　press　credentials。〃
　〃Is　there　a　story　here？〃
　〃Eventually。　But　not　now。〃
　〃Okay；　but　under　one　condition。　I'm　going　with　you。　Before　you　say　no；　think　about　it。〃
　
　Austin　thought　about　Kaela's　sultry　beauty　for　a　millisecond。　〃It's　a　deal。　I'll　catch　a　shuttle　to　Logan　Airport。〃　He　suggested　a　meeting　time　and　place。
　
　After　they　hung　up；　Austin　sat　back　in　his　chair　and　stared　into　space；　a　distant　expression　in　the　coral…blue　eyes。　Finding　Razov's　central　control　system　might　be　the　breakthrough　he　and　NUMA　needed；　but　there　was　another　reason　he　wanted　to　get　aboard　the　yacht。　Boris。
　
　…31…
　BOSTON；　MASSACHUSETTS
　
　KAELA　DORN　WAITED　at　monwealth　Pier　overlooking　Boston　Harbor　and　watched　the　parade　of　limousines　drop　off　a　steady　stream　of　VIPs　who　quickly　lined　up　to　be　transported　to　Razov's　yacht。　She　stood　near　a　line　of　television　vans　whose　satellite　dishes　and　antennae　sprouted　from　their　roofs　like　alien　vegetative　growths。　She　was　scanning　the　crowd　when　the　tall　stranger　approached　from　behind　and　greeted　her。　Hardly　glancing　in　his　direction；　Kaela　replied　with　a　polite　hello。　She　regretted　it　a　second　later　when　he　said　in　a　wheedling　nasal　voice：　〃Excuse　me；　but　haven't　we　met　before？〃
　
　She　turned　her　full　attention　toward　the　man；　thinking　that　he　looked　like　a　husky　version　of　…　what　was　that　singer's　name？
　
　〃No；〃　she　said　with　a　mixture　of　amusement　and　scorn。　〃Never？〃
　〃I　thought　you'd　forgiven　me　for　missing　our　dinner　date　in　Istanbul。〃　The　voice　had　dropped　several　octaves。
　
　Kaela　gave　him　a　hard　look；　especially　the　broad　shoulders。　〃Good　Lord！　I　didn't　recognize　you。〃
　〃They　don't　call　me　the　Man　of　a　Thousand　Faces　for　nothing；〃　Austin　said；　with　a　devilish　smile；　He　spread　his　arms　wide；　〃Is　this　what　the　well…dressed　tabloid　TV　journalist　wears？〃
　
　Austin　wore　black　slacks；　matching　T…shirt　and　sports　jacket　and　seventies…era　Ray…Ban　sunglasses；　even　though　it　was　night；　and　scuffed　New　Balance　running　shoes；　He　wore　a　gold　neck　chain；　and　his　silvery…gray　hair　was　hidden　under　a　dark　brown　wig。
　
　〃You　look　like　a　Hollywood　undertaker；〃　Kaela　said；　〃I　especially　like　the　wild　hairpiece。〃　She　squinted。　〃What　did　you　do　to　your　face？〃
　〃Putty。　A　necessary　evil　in　the　age　of　face　recognition　technology。〃
　
　Kaela　raised　an　eyebrow；　suddenly　remembering　the　name。　〃The　only　one　they're　likely　to　match　you　with　is　Roy　Orbison。〃
　〃I'll　remember　that　in　case　someone　wants　my　autograph。　Now　that　I've　passed　inspection；　how　are　you？〃
　〃I'm　fine；　Kurt。　It's　good　to　see　you　again。〃
　〃I'm　hoping　after　business　hours　we　can　pick　up　where　we　left　off。〃
　〃I'd　like　that；〃　she　said；　with　a　flirtatious　tilt　of　her　head。　〃I'd　like　that　very　much。〃
　
　Kaela　wore　a　taupe　pantsuit　whose　silky　folds　emphasized　the　curves　of　her　body。　Austin　found　himself　being　drawn　in　again　by　her　exotic　looks。　With　great　effort；　he　put　a　lid　on　his　amorous　thoughts。　For　now；　anyway。
　
　〃Then　it's　a　date。　Cocktails　at　the　Ritz　Bar。〃　He　looked　around　at　the　milling　crowds　of　men　and　women　dressed　for　the　black…tie　affair。　〃Ready　to　crash　the　party？〃
　
　Kaela　hung　a　plastic　laminated　ill　card　around　his　neck。　〃From　now　on；　you're　Hank　Simpson；　our　sound　man。　It　should　be　easy　to　fake；　Dundee's　job　was　mostly　hauling　equipment　around　and　holding　a　mike　boom。　I'll　help　you　set　up。　Mickey　is　going　to　meet　us　at　the　press　boat。　Just　grab　those　cases　and　play　dumb。〃
　〃Dumb　I　can　do；〃　Austin　said。　Snatching　up　the　heavy　metal　suitcases　as　if　they　were　feathers；　he　followed　Kaela　to　a　section　of　the　pier　where　a　PRESS　sign　had　been　nailed　onto　a　piling。　An　open　launch　was　ing　in　to　pick　up　the　next　load　of　journalists。
　
　The　short；　stocky　figure　of　Mickey　Lombardo　came　trotting　over　with　a　steadi…cam　on　his　shoulder。　〃I　got　some　great　shots　of　the　Kennedys。〃　He　recognized　Austin　despite　his　disguise。　〃Hey；　it's　our　guardian　angel；〃　he　said；　with　a　grin。　〃Good　to　see　you　again；　pal。〃
　
　Austin　held　his　finger　up　to　his　lips　and　glanced　around。
　
　〃Oh；　yeah；　I　forgot；〃　Lombardo　said；　lowering　his　voice　to　a　stage　whisper。　〃By　the　way；　I　like　your　taste　in　clothes。〃　Like　Austin；　Mickey　himself　was　dressed　almost　all　in　black。
　
　〃If　anybody　asks；　tell　them　we're　the　Blues　Brothers；〃　Austin　suggested。
　
　〃Hate　to　interrupt　your　reunion；　boys；　but　our　ride　is　here；〃　Kaela　said。
　
　Austin　picked　up　the　sound…equipment　cases　and　loaded　them　into　the　launch。　The　seats　in　the　boat　were　set　up　in　rows　like　a　bus。　Kaela　sat　between　her　two　crewmen。　Within　minutes；　the　boat　was　filled　with　a　diverse　group　made　up　of　print　journalists　unfortable　in　their　rented　tuxes　and　blow…dried　TV　anchorpersons；　each　with　an　entourage　of　fawning　assistants。　The　launch　swung　away　from　the　pier　and　sped　across　the　harbor；　its　place　taken　by　another　shuttle。
　
　The　arrival　of　Razov's　yacht　had　attracted　press　coverage　from　allover　the　East　Coast。　The　general　public　had　learned　for　the　first　time　of　Razov's　wealth　and　political　ambitions；　and　his　intention　to　open　a　billion…dollar　trade　center　in　Boston。　But　it　was　the　physical　manifestation　of　that　incredible　wealth；　his　huge　and　luxurious　yacht；　that　invited　the　most　interest。
　
　The　Kazachestvo　was　the　biggest　thing　to　hit　Boston　since　the　Tall　Ships。　Circling　TV　helicopters　followed　her　entrance　into　the　harbor　and　beamed　aerial　pictures　around　the　world。　An　escort　of　fire…fighting　boats　sent　fountains　of　water　arcing　into　the　sky。　Hundreds　of　pleasure　craft　nudged　closer；　only　to　be　shooed　away　by　the　Coast　Guard　patrols。
　
　When　the　yacht　dropped　anchor；　it　was　greeted　by　boatloads　of　politicians；　bureaucrats　and　businesspeople。　But　only　the　most　important　and　influential　guests　were　invited　to　the　gala　reception　in　the　evening。
　
　The　Ataman　ship　was　allowed　to　anchor　between　Logan　Airport　and　the　Boston　waterfront；　so　guests　arriving　by　plane　could　be　shuttled　to　the　party。　The　yacht　blazed　from　one　end　to　the　other　with　colored　lights　that　lit　up　the　harbor。　To　celebrate　the　gala　event；　the　local　congressional　delegation　had　persuaded　the　Navy　Department　to　move　the　frigate　U。S。S。　Constitution；　〃Old　lronsides；〃　from　her　home　at　the　Charlestown　Navy　Yard　for　a　rare　nighttime　harbor　excursion。
　
　The　old　fighting　ship　normally　left　her　pier　only　once　a　year；　when　she　was　turned　around　so　that　her　sides　weathered　evenly。　The　annual　turnaround　cruise　was　done　with　the　help　of　tugboats。　But　in　recent　years；　after　an　extensive　overhaul　that　had　restored　some　of　the　original　1794　construction　design；　the　ship　had　been　taken　for　short　cruises　under　sail　for　special　occasions。　Austin　overheard　one　of　the　TV　people　say　the　frigate　was　scheduled　to　do　a　sail…by　under　its　own　power。　A　detachment　of　Marines　and　a　gun　crew　were　on　board　to　fire　off　a　cannon　salute。
　
　As　the　launch　drew　closer；　Austin　turned　his　attention　to　the　yacht。　It　was　as　Gamay's　photos　showed；　with　a　sharp　V…shaped　bow；　concave　stem　and　streamlined　superstructure。　He　recognized　the　FastShip　design　that　would　allow　Razov　to　move　his　headquarters　and　home　anywhere　there　was　water　within　days。　The　launch　took　its　place　in　line　behind　several　others；　corning　alongside　the　ship　to　a　door　on　the　side　of　the　hull。　Crewmen　leaned　from　the　opening　and　helped　passengers　out　of　the　shuttle　boats。　The　guests　were　passed　on　to　official　greeters；　who　barely　glanced　at　their　press　credentials　and　sent　them　toward　a　stairway。　Austin　noted　with　perverse　amusement　that　the　TV　anchors　looked　as　if　they　had　stood　in　front　of　a　fan　after　the　trip　in　the　open　boat。
　
　With　Kaela　leading；　Austin　and　Lombardo　lugged　their　equipment　to　the　main　deck；　which　resembled　a　high…class　block　party。　The　press　representatives　passed　through　a　gauntlet　of　young　men　and　women；　all　dressed　maroon　blazers；　who　looked　as　if　they　had　been　hired　through　central　casting。　They　were　handed　press　kits；　novelty　key　chains　in　the　shape　of　Russian　wolfhounds　and　magnets　with　the　Ataman　logo　on　them。　Thus　loaded　down；　they　were　guided　to　a　roped…off　section　in　the　fantail。
　
　A　handsome　young　man　whose　blazer　had　a　crest　on　it；　indicating　rank；　weled　them　to　the　reception。　He　said　interviews　were　being　set　up　in　the　media　center　with　the　governor　and　the　mayor。　Mr。　Razov　would　be　giving　no　interviews；　but　would　make　a　statement　shortly。　Knowing　that　free　food　and　drink　are　the　most　persuasive　bribes　for　favorable　publicity；　he　directed　them　to　the　salon。
　
　While　the　other　press　people　stampeded　toward　the　open　bar；　Austin　and　his　crew　set　up　their　equipment　near　a　rank　of　microphones　and　floodlights。　When　their　work　was　finished；　he　took　Kaela　by　her　slim　arm。　〃Shall　we　join　the　other　muckety…mucks？〃
　〃In　a　minute；〃　she　said。　She　guided　him　to　the　rail；　where　there　was　a　view　of　the　Boston　skyline；　the　Customs　House　and　the　Prudential　and　Hancock　towers。　Her　soft　features　were　set　in　a　grave　expression。　〃Before　we　go　in；　I　want　to　ask　you　something。　You　were　determined　to　get　on　board　this　boat。　Does　Razov　have　anything　to　do　with　the　Black　Sea　sub　base　or　those　thugs　who　attacked　us？〃