cc.fireice-第55章

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　Now　Austin　reached　into　the　vent　and　placed　the　sniffer　out　of　sight。　Then　he　worked　his　way　over　to　a　lifeboat　and　felt　his　way　down　to　where　the　davit　joined　the　deck。　He　got　down　on　his　hands　and　knees　and　found　a　small　hollow　space　in　the　steel　support。　He　slipped　the　second　sniffer　inside　and　started　to　rise；　when　he　heard　a　soft　click　on　the　deck　behind　him。　Something　hard　pressed　against　the　small　of　his　back。
　
　…32…
　YOU'RE　GETTING　CARELESS　in　your　old　age；　Kurt　Austin。　The　next　time　it　could　be　fatal。〃
　
　The　hard　pressure　was　removed　from　his　back。　Austin　turned　and　saw　the　livid　white　scar　on　Petrov's　face　in　the　silvery　moonlight。
　
　〃I　aged　at　least　ten　years　when　you　stuck　that　gun　in　my　ribs；　Ivan。　A　simple　hello　would　have　been　sufficient　to　grab　my　attention。〃
　〃It　keeps　me　in　practice；〃　Petrov　said　〃I　don't　want　to　lose　my　edge。〃
　〃Believe　me；　your　edge　is　as　sharp　as　ever。　Who　let　you　in　my　country？〃
　〃Unlike　your　unsanctioned　adventure　in　Russia；　my　visit　here　es　with　the　blessing　of　your　State　Department。　I'm　in　the　U。S。　on　an　agricultural　trade　mission　for　Siberian　Pest　Control　and　asked　the　local　Russian　consulate　to　include　me　on　the　guest　list　for　this　reception。〃
　〃How　did　you　find　me？〃
　〃I　saw　you　leave　the　grand　salon　and　followed　you　into　the　restricted　area　of　the　ship。　Your　face　threw　me　off；　I　must　admit；　but　it　was　impossible　to　hide　those　wide　shoulders　and　that　confident　walk。　I've　been　wondering；　where　did　you　get　that　incredible　wig？〃
　〃I　bought　it　at　a　KGB　yard　sale。〃
　〃I　wouldn't　be　surprised　at　that　the　way　things　are　going。　May　I　ask　why　you　were　crawling　about　in　the　dark　on　your　hands　and　knees？〃
　〃I　lost　a　contact　lens？〃
　〃Really？　I　don't　remember　your　dossier　saying　anything　about　contacts。〃
　
　Austin　chuckled　and　told　the　Russian　about　the　electronic　sniffers。　Ivan　was　duly　impressed　and　asked　only　that　he　be　kept　informed　as　information　developed。　〃I　suggest　that　we　rejoin　the　festivities；〃　he　said。　〃Most　of　the　guards　are　watching　the　guests；　but　a　few　are　making　the　rounds。〃
　
　Austin　knew　they　were　already　pressing　their　luck。　They　moved　toward　the　lights　and　music；　taking　advantage　of　every　shadow　or　pocket　of　darkness。　They　saw　only　one　guard　and　ducked　behind　a　bollard　until　he　passed。　Moments　later；　they　were　strolling　along　the　deck。
　
　Petrov；　who　looked　debonair　in　his　tuxedo；　lit　up　an　American　cigarette。　〃What　are　your　plans　now？〃
　〃You　didn't　see　Razov's　pet　monk；　did　you？〃
　〃I　suspect　that　Razov　prefers　to　have　Boris　stay　out　of　sight　on　public　occasions。　He　mayor　may　not　be　on　the　ship。　We're　not　likely　to　see　him。〃
　〃In　that　case；　maybe　I'll　spend　a　few　minutes　talking　to　our　host。〃
　〃Razov？　Do　you　think　it's　wise　to　play　your　hand　here　on　his　territory？〃
　〃Maybe　I　can　get　him　rattled　enough　to　make　a　mistake。〃
　〃I've　heard　it's　not　safe　to　play　with　rattlesnakes；　but　do　what　you　wish。　I　think　I'll　wander　around　and　enjoy　the　food　and　drink　as　long　as　I'm　here。〃
　〃You　came　alone？〃
　
　Petrov　plucked　a　shot　of　vodka　from　the　tray　of　a　passing　waiter。　He　slugged　it　down　and　smiled。　〃I　won't　be　far　away　if　you　need　me。〃
　
　The　party　was　going　full…blast。　Guests　wandered　about　the　deck　with　food　and　drinks。　The　Cossack　band　had　switched　from　Russian　folk　tunes　and　was　belting　out　a　rock　number。　Petrov　mingled　with　the　crowd　and　disappeared　like　a　leaf　being　swept　away　in　a　stream。　Austin　saw　a　knot　of　people；　with　Razov　holding　court　at　its　center。　He　moved　closer；　wondering　how　he　was　going　to　get　past　the　body…　guards　flanking　Razov。　The　pair　of　long…legged　canines　took　the　matter　out　of　his　hands。　Razov's　dogs　jerked　away　from　him　and　galloped　toward　Austin　in　a　dead　heat。　As　before；　they　jumped　up；　put　their　paws　on　his　chest　and　licked　his　face。　He　managed　to　dislodge　them　with　strategically　placed　hip　blocks。
　
　He　grabbed　the　leashes　and　held　them　short　to　keep　the　rambunctious　hounds　under　control。　A　moment　later；　the　dogs'　trainer　came　running　up；　this　time　with　panic　in　his　eyes。　Austin　was　about　to　pass　the　leashes　over　when　he　saw　Razov　and　his　two　bodyguards　ing　up　behind　the　trainer。
　
　〃I　see　you've　met　Sasha　and　Gorky；〃　Razov　said；　with　a　genial　smile。　He　took　the　leashes　from　Austin　and　said　some1hing　in　Russian。　The　dogs　obeyed　instantly　and　sat　by　his　side。　Their　haunches　quivered　as　they　fought　their　instincts。
　
　〃I　shared　some　prime　rib　and　sausage　with　them　a　while　ago；〃　Austin　said。　〃Hope　you　don't　mind。〃
　〃I'm　surprised　they　ate　it；〃　Razov　said。　〃They　dine　on　fare　much　better　than　most　people's。　My　name　is　Razov。〃　He　extended　his　hand　and　glanced　at　the　name　on　the　press　pass　hanging　around　Austin's　neck。　〃I'm　the　host　of　this　little　celebration。〃
　〃Yes；　I　know。　I　heard　you　speak。　Very　impressive。〃　He　squeezed　the　hand　until　the　bones　crunched　and　he　saw　Razov　wince　with　pain。　〃My　name　is　Kurt　Austin。〃
　
　Razov's　face　showed　no　emotion。　〃The　famous　Mr。　Austin。　You　look　nothing　like　I　expected。〃
　〃Neither　do　you。　You're　much　smaller　than　I　thought　you'd　be。〃
　〃This　is　only　a　temporary　diversion。　I'm　still　with　NUMA。　We've　been　doing　some　treasure　hunting　in　the　Black　Sea。〃
　〃I　hope　it　was　worth　your　while。〃
　〃Someone　beat　me　to　a　treasure　aboard　a　ship　called　the　Odessa　Star。〃
　〃That's　too　bad；　but　treasure…hunting　is　very　petitive。〃
　〃What　I　can't　figure　out　is　why　someone　who　already　possesses　huge　wealth　would　go　through　so　much　trouble　to　recover　a　few　shiny　baubles。〃
　〃We　Russians　have　always　been　fascinated　by　baubles；　as　you　call　them。　We　believe　that　beyond　their　intrinsic　value；　they　impart　a　power　to　the　possessor。〃
　〃Treasure　didn't　do　the　tsar　and　his　family　much　good。〃
　〃The　royal　family　was　betrayed　by　traitors　in　its　midst。〃
　〃I　assume　you　intend　to　return　the　treasure　to　the　Russian　people。〃
　〃You　know　nothing　about　my　people；〃　Razov　said。　〃They　don't　care　for　jewels。　What　they　need　is　the　firm　hand　of　a　leader　who　can　restore　their　national　pride　and　fend　off　those　countries　who　are　circling　like　vultures。〃
　〃That's　assuming　your　secret　Operation　Troika　is　a　success。〃
　〃There's　nothing　secret　about　Troika；〃　he　said；　with　undisguised　scorn。　〃It's　shorthand　for　my　plan　to　open　trade　centers　in　Boston；　Charleston　and　Miami。　Look　around；　Mr。　Austin。　There　is　nothing　sinister　about　my　business。〃
　〃What　about　the　massacre　aboard　the　NUMA　ship？　Would　you　consider　that　sinister？〃
　〃I　read　about　it　in　the　press。　A　tragedy；　certainly；　but　I　had　nothing　to　do　with　that　unfortunate　incident。〃
　〃I　don't　blame　you　for　not　taking　credit　for　it。　It　was　a　botched　attack。　You　screwed　up；　Razov。　Your　mad　dog　got　the　wrong　ship。　I　wasn't　on　the　Sea　Hunter；　and　your　men　murdered　the　Sea　Hunter's　crew　for　nothing。　Of　course；　you　know　all　that　by　now。〃
　
　Austin　saw　a　flash　of　anger　in　Razov's　eyes。　〃Really；　Mr。　Austin；　you　disappoint　me。　You　sneak　aboard　my　ship　in　that　ridiculous　disguise；　drink　my　vodka　and　eat　my　food；　then　repay　my　hospitality　by　calling　me　a　killer。〃
　〃I　had　another　reason　to　e　aboard。　I　wanted　to　look　into　the　face　of　the　murdering　scum　I　plan　to　destroy。〃
　
　The　mask　of　the　affable　politician　melted　away；　to　be　replaced　by　the　street　thug。　〃You　destroy　me？　You're　a　mere　flea。〃
　〃Maybe；　but　there　are　many　more　fleas　where　I　e　from。　And　we　all　bite。〃
　〃It　will　take　more　than　NUMA　and　your　government　to　stop　me；〃　Razov　said。　〃When　I'm　through　bringing　Russia　back　to　its　former　glory；　the　U。S。　will　be　like　a　puking；　mewling　child；　a　world　beggar；　its　resources　depleted；　its　leadership　weak　and　confused　…　〃　Razov　saw　that　he　had　gone　too　far　and　stopped　suddenly。　〃You're　no　longer　wele　aboard　my　yacht；　Mr。　Austin。　My　security　men　will　escort　you　to　the　launch。〃
　〃I　can　find　my　way。　'Til　we　meet　the　next　time；　Mr。　Razov。〃　He　started　to　walk　away。
　
　Razov's　lips　parted　in　a　feral　grin。　〃There　isn't　going　to　be　a　next　time。〃
　
　Razov　made　a　subtle　gesture；　and　his　guards　started　to　follow。　Austin　let　out　a　low　whistle。　The　wolfhounds　perked　up　their　ears　and；　with　tails　wagging；　broke　away　from　Razov；　trailing　their　useless　leashes。　Austin　grinned　and　looked　Razov　straight　in　the　eye。　The　Russian　stared　at　Austin　with　a　look　of　pure　hate。　Austin　turned　and　walked　quickly　toward　the　stern　of　the　boat；　merging　with　the　crowd　with　the　dogs　at　his　heel。　He　realized　that　he　had　to　lose　the　hounds。　They　were　too　conspicuous　and　would　call　attention　to　him。
　
　He　stopped　and　patted　the　dogs　on　their　heads；　then　handed　their　leashes　to　a　startled　young　woman　wearing　a　maroon　blazer。　He　whipped　his　wig　and　sunglasses　off　and　tucked　them　in　the　woman's　pocket。
　
　〃Would　you　return　these　to　Mr。　Razov；　please？　With　my　pliments。〃
　
　Walking　quickly；　he　made　his　way　past　the　salon　entrance　and　slipped　through　the　crowd；　almost　bowling　Kaela　over。
　
　〃What's　the　big　hurry？〃　she　said。
　
　〃Get　off　the　yacht　as　soon　as　you　can；〃　he　said。
　
　〃Where　are　you　going？〃
　〃Don't　know。　See　you　at　the　Ritz　Bar　in　about　an　hour。〃　Austin　pecked　Kaela's　cheek　and　headed　toward　the　stairs　that　would　take　him　to　the　launch　deck。　He　hoped　to　catch　a　ride　on　a　launch；　but　abandoned　that　course。　Two　guards　flanked　the　stairway；　their　eyes　scanning　the　crowd。　Austin　had　assumed；　wrongly；　that　Razov　wouldn't　risk　an　incident　with　all　the　people　around。　But　Razov　had　spilled　more　than　he'd　intended　and　was　willing　to　take　the　risk。　Pushing　his　way　back　through　the　crowd；　Austin　was　trying　to　gain　a　few　minutes　while　he　figured　out　an　alternative　escape　route；　when　someone　grabbed　his　arm。
　
　Austin　whirled　and　tensed　his　body　into　a　bat　stance。　Petrov　released　his　grip。　The　Russian　was　smiling；　but　his　eyes　were　deadly　serious。
　
　〃I　think　you'd　better　not　go　that　way；〃　he　said。　Austin　followed　Petrov's　gaze。　A　guard　was　working　his　way　through　the　crowd。　He　looked　straight　at　Austin　and　spoke　to　a　microphone　in　the　lapel　of　his　suit。　Austin　let　Petrov　guide　him　into　one　door　of　the　salon；　around　the　dance　floor；　then　through　the　other　door　and　out　onto　the　deck。　They　headed　toward　a　stairway；　but　this　too　had　a　tall　guard　stationed　at　it。　The　man　had　a　hand　cupped　next　to　his　ear；　listening　to　his　radio。
　
　Wearing　a　broad　smile；　Petrov　went　up　to　him　and　said　something　in　Russian。　The　guard　responded　with　a　suspicious　glare　and　reached　for　the　gun　inside　his　jacket。　Petrov　drove　his　fist　into　the　man's　midsection。　The　guard　doubled　over；　gasping　for　breath；　and　when　he　came　up　for　air；　Austin　was　waiting　with　a　right　cross。　The　big　man　tumbled　like　a　big　tree　felled　by　a　lumberjack。
　
　Stepping　over　the　fallen　guard；　they　raced　down　the　stairs　to　the　deck　below。　Austin　saw　a　door　like　the　one　used　on　the　other　side　of　the　ship　for　the　guest　shuttles。　Petrov　worked　the　latch　and　pushed　the　door　open。　Austin　wondered　if　they　were　going　to　have　to　swim　for　it　when　a　shaft　of　light　fell　on　a　powerboat。　The　motor　was　idling；　and　the　man　at　the　wheel　grinned　and　waved　when　he　saw　Petrov。
　
　〃I　took　the　liberty　of　arranging　alternative　transportation；〃　Petrov　said。
　
　〃I　thought　you　came　alone。〃
　〃Never　trust　a　former　KGB　man。〃
　
　Austin　scolded　himself。　Unlike　Petrov；　he　had　underestimated　the　d