cussler.blueandgold-第13章

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n　intense　bubbling　at　the　base　of　the　cliff；　and　a　large；　shiny；　egg…shaped　object　suddenly　appeared　from　the　water　and　began　its　climb　up　the　side　of　the　cliff。　Of　course！　The　rail　was　for　an　elevator。　The　egg　rose　steadily　up　the　track。　It　would　be　there　within　seconds。　Zavala　ducked　back　into　the　big　room　with　the　pipes；　keeping　the　door　open　a　crack。
　
　The　egg；　made　of　a　dark　tinted　glass　or　plastic　that　blended　in　with　the　side　of　the　cliff；　came　to　a　stop　at　the　platform。　A　door　opened；　and　two　men　in　white　smocks　stepped　out。　Zavala　dashed　for　the　stairs。　Within　seconds　he　was　back　at　the　store　room。　He　tore　his　coat　off；　folded　it　as　neatly　as　possible；　and　quickly　walked　along　the　corridors　to　the　bakery。　Nobody　saw　him　step　back　into　the　area　open　to　the　public。　He　hurried　along　in　the　direction　Austin　and　the　tour　group　had　taken。　The　guide　saw　him　approach　and　gave　him　a　quizzical　and　not　altogether　pleased　look。　〃I　was　looking　for　the　bano。〃
　
　She　blushed　and　said；　〃Oh；　yes。　I　will　show　you。〃　She　clapped　her　hands　for　attention。　〃The　tour　is　about　over。〃　She　handed　everyone　a　sample　package　of　tortillas　and　conducted　them　back　to　the　reception　area。　As　the　cars　and　tour　buses　left；　Austin　and　Zavala　pared　notes。
　
　〃From　the　look　on　your　face　I'd　guess　your　little　exploration　was　successful。〃
　
　〃I　found　something。　I　just　don't　know　what　it　is。〃　Zavala　laid　out　a　quick　summary　of　his　findings。
　
　〃The　fact　that　they　hid　something　underwater　indicates　that　they　don't　want　anyone　to　know　what　they　are　doing；〃　Austin　said。　〃Let's　take　a　walk。〃
　
　They　strolled　around　the　side　of　the　factory　but　only　got　a　short　distance　toward　the　water　before　they　encountered　a　high　mesh　fence　topped　with　razor　wire　a　few　hundred　feet　short　of　where　the　cliff　dropped　off。

　
　〃So　much　for　an　ocean　view；〃　Zavala　said。
　
　〃Let's　see　if　we　can　get　around　to　the　other　side　of　the　cove。〃
　
　The　two　men　returned　to　the　pickup　and　drove　back　onto　the　road。　Several　tracks　led　down　to　the　sea；　but　the　fence　blocked　each　potential　access。　They　were　just　about　to　give　up　when　they　saw　a　man　with　a　fishing　pole　and　a　basket　full　of　fish　ing　from　a　path　that　led　toward　the　water。　Zavala　called　him　over　and　asked　if　they　could　get　to　the　water。　The　man　was　wary　at　first；　apparently　thinking　they　had　something　to　do　with　the　tortilla　place。　When　Zavala　extracted　a　twenty…dollar　bill　from　his　wallet；　the　man's　face　lit　up；　and　he　said　yes；　there　was　a　fence；　but　there　was　a　place　to　crawl　under　it。
　
　He　led　them　on　a　narrow　path　through　the　shoulder…high　bushes；　pointed　to　a　section　of　chain…link　fence；　and　left　clutching　his　windfall。　A　section　of　fence　was　bent　back　from　the　ground　and　a　hole　scooped　out　underneath。　Zavala　easily　slithered　under　to　the　other　side；　then　held　the　fence　for　Austin。　They　followed　the　overgrown　path　until　they　came　to　the　edge　of　a　cliff。　They　were　near　the　tip　of　the　southernmost　promontory　enclosing　the　lagoon。
　
　A　trail　that　must　have　been　worn　by　the　feet　of　fishermen　descended　down　the　less　steep　side　of　the　point。　The　NUMA　men　were　more　interested　in　the　unimpeded　view　across　the　cove。　From　this　angle　the　dark　metal　structure　looked　like　a　sinister　re　doubt　out　of　a　Conan　movie。　Austin　scanned　the　building　through　his　binoculars；　then　pointed　them　at　the　side　of　the　cliff。　Sunlight　glinted　off　metal　about　where　Zavala　had　described　the　elevator　track。　He　let　his　eyes　sweep　out　to　the　wide　entrance　of　the　lagoon　where　surf　broke　on　the　rocks；　then　back　to　the　factory。
　
　〃Ingenious；〃　Austin　said　with　a　chuckle。　〃If　you　stuck　a　big　facility　out　here　in　the　boonies；　everyone；　like　our　fisherman　friend　back　there；　would　talk　about　it。　But　put　it　in　plain　sight；　invite　the　public　to　e　tramping　in　and　out　every　day；　and　you've　got　an　unbeatable　cover　for　some　kind　of　clandestine　operation。〃
　
　Zavala　borrowed　the　binoculars　and　scanned　the　opposite　cliff。　〃Why　a　waterproof　elevator？〃
　
　〃I　don't　have　an　answer；〃　Austin　said　with　a　shake　of　his　head。　〃I　think　we've　seen　all　we're　going　to　see。〃
　
　Hoping　to　detect　signs　of　activity　around　the　building　or　cliff；　they　lingered　a　few　more　minutes；　but　the　only　movement　they　saw　was　the　soaring　sea　birds。　They　headed　away　from　the　sea　and　minutes　later　were　crawling　under　the　fence。　Zavala　would　have　liked　to　ask　the　fisherman　if　he　knew　about　the　elevator　or　whether　he　had　seen　anything　unusual　in　the　lagoon；　but　the　man　had　taken　his　money　and　run。　They　got　back　into　the　pickup　and　headed　north。
　
　Austin　drove　without　talking。　Zavala　knew　from　past　experience　that　his　partner　was　chewing　over　a　plan　and　when　he　had　it　fully　formulated　he　would　spill　the　details。　Just　beyond　Ensenada；　Austin　said；　〃Is　NUMA　still　running　those　field　tests　off　San　Diego？〃
　
　〃As　far　as　I　know。　I　was　planning　to　check　in　after　the　race　to　see　how　things　were　going。〃
　
　Austin　nodded。　During　the　drive　back　they　exchanged　small　talk；　trading　war　stories　about　past　adventures　and　youthful　indiscretions　in　Mexico。　The　long　line　of　traffic　at　the　border　crossing　was　moving　at　a　snail's　pace。　They　flashed　their　NUMA　IDs　to　save　time　and　were　whisked　through　customs。　Back　in　San　Diego　they　headed　toward　the　bay　until　they　came　to　a　sprawling　municipal　marina。　They　parked　and　made　their　way　along　a　pier　past　dozens　of　sail…　and　power　boats。　At　the　end　of　a　dock　reserved　for　larger　craft　they　found　a　stubby；　wide…beamed　vessel　about　eighty…five　feet　long。　Painted　in　white　on　the　greenish…blue　hull　were　the　letters　〃NUMA。〃
　
　They　stepped　across　the　catwalk　and　asked　one　of　the　crew　men　puttering　on　the　deck　if　the　captain　were　aboard。　He　led　the　way　to　the　bridge；　where　a　slim；　olive…skinned　man　was　going　over　some　charts。　Jim　Contos　was　considered　one　of　the　best　skippers　in　the　NUMA　fleet。　The　son　of　a　Tarpon　Springs　sponge　fisher　man；　he　had　been　on　boats　since　he　was　able　to　walk。
　
　〃Kurt。　Joe；〃　Contos　said　with　a　wide　grin。　〃What　a　nice　surprise！　I　heard　you　were　in　the　neighborhood；　but　I　never　suspected　you'd　honor　the　Sea　Robin　with　a　visit。　What　are　you　up　to？〃　He　glanced　at　Zavala。　〃Well；　I　always　know　what　you've　been　up　to。〃
　
　Zavala's　lips　turned　up　in　his　typical　slight　smile。　〃Kurt　and　I　were　in　the　offshore　boat　race　yesterday。〃
　
　A　dark　cloud　crossed　his　brow。　〃Hey；　I　heard　about　that　thing　with　your　boat。　I'm　really　sorry　about　that。〃　
　
　　〃Thanks；〃　Austin　said。　〃Then　you　must　know　about　the　dead　gray　whales。〃
　
　〃I　do…a　very　strange　story。　Any　idea　what　killed　them？〃
　
　〃We　might　be　able　to　find　out　with　your　help。〃
　
　〃Sure；　anything　I　can　do。〃
　
　〃We'd　like　to　borrow　the　Sea　Robin　and　the　mini　and　do　a　little　diving　south　of　the　border。〃
　
　Contos　laughed。　〃You　weren't　kidding　about　a　big　favor。〃　He　paused　in　thought；　then　shrugged。　〃Why　not？　We're　just　about　through　with　our　field　tests　here。　If　you　can　get　an　oral　authorization　to　work　in　Mexican　waters；　it's　fine　with　me。〃
　
　Austin　nodded　and　immediately　called　NUMA。　After　a　few　minutes　of　conversation　he　passed　the　cell　phone　to　Contos。　He　listened；　nodded；　asked　a　few　questions；　then　clicked　off。　〃Looks　like　we're　heading　south。　Gunn　gave　his　okay。〃　Rudi　Gunn　was　NUMA　director　of　operations　in　Washington。　〃Two　days　at　the　most。　He　wants　you　and　Joe　back　so　he　can　put　you　to　work　again。　One　thing；　though。　He　says　he　won't　have　time　to　get　clearance　from　the　Mexican　government　on　short　notice。〃
　
　〃If　anyone　asks；　we　can　say　we　were　lost；〃　Austin　said　with　feigned　innocence。
　
　Contos　gestured　at　the　glittering　array　of　lights　and　dials　on　the　ship's　console。　〃That　might　be　a　tough　story　to　sell　with　all　the　electronics　this　vessel　carries。　The　Sea　Robin　may　be　ugly；　but　she　sure　knows　what's　going　on　in　the　world。　We'll　let　the　State　Department　iron　out　any　problems　if　we're　boarded。　When　do　you　want　to　leave？〃
　
　〃We'll　pick　up　our　gear　and　get　back　as　soon　as　possible。　The　rest　is　up　to　you。〃
　
　〃I'll　schedule　a　seven　A。M。　departure　for　tomorrow；〃　he　said；　and　turned　away　to　give　the　crew　its　new　orders。
　
　As　Austin　was　walking　back　to　the　car　he　asked　Zavala　what　Contos　meant　when　he　said　he　knew　what　Joe　had　been　up　to。
　
　〃We　dated　the　same　woman　a　few　times；〃　Zavala　said　with　a　shrug。　
　　　　〃Is　there　any　female　in　the　District　of　Columbia　you　haven't　dated？〃　…　Zavala　thought　about　it。　〃The　first　lady。　As　you　know；　I　draw　the　line　at　married　women。〃
　　　　〃Relieved　to　hear　that；〃　Austin　said；　getting　behind　the　wheel。
　　　　〃But　if　she　bees　divorced；　well。。。。〃
　　　　They　got　into　the　car；　and　as　Austin　started　the　engine　he　said；　〃I　think　this　would　be　a　good　time　for　you　to　tell　me　about　the　guy　in　Nogales　who　was　mauled　by　a　burrito。〃
　
　Chapter　7
　Under　a　cloudless　western　sky；　the　teal　green　McDonnell…Douglas　helicopter　cleared　the　rugged　peaks　of　Squaw　Mountain；　dipped　low　over　the　alpine　waters　of　Lake　Tahoe；　and　darted　like　a　startled　dragonfly　to　the　California　shore。　It　hovered　an　instant；　then　dropped　into　a　tall　stand　of　Ponderosa　pine；　touching　down　on　a　concrete　landing　pad。　As　the　rotors　spun　to　a　stop　an　elephantine　Chevy　Suburban　lumbered　alongside。　The　driver；　who　was　wearing　a　uniform　the　same　dark　green　as　the　helicopter　and　the　SU~　got　out　to　greet　the　rangy　passenger　who　stepped　from　the　chopper。
　
　Taking　an　overnight　bag　from　the　passenger's　hand；　he　said；　〃Right　this　way；　Congressman　Kinkaid。〃
　
　They　got　into　the　vehicle；　which　headed　along　a　blacktop　drive　through　thick　forest。　Minutes　later　it　pulled　up　in　front　of　a　plex　of　buildings　that　looked　like　a　redwood　version　of　the　fabled　Hearst　castle　of　San　Simeon。　The　late…afternoon　sun　threw　the　turrets；　walls；　and　towers　into　fantastic　silhouette。　A　whole　forest　of　giant　trees　must　have　been　leveled　merely　to　pro　vide　the　facing。　The　sprawling　edifice　was　the　ultimate　log　cabin；　squared　and　cubed　in　size；　a　series　of　connecting　outbuildings　clustered　around　a　three…story　main　house。
　
　Congressman　Kinkaid　muttered；　〃This　place　is　bigger　than　the　Mormon　Tabernacle。〃
　
　〃Wele　to　Valhalla；〃　the　driver　said　nonmittally。　
　
　　He　parked　the　vehicle　in　front；　took　the　congressman's　bag；　and　led　him　up　a　wide　stairway　to　a　deck　as　long　as　a　bowling　alley；　then　into　a　large　foyer　paneled　and　beamed　in　dark；　almost　black　wood。　They　followed　a　series　of　passageways　done　in　the　same　dark　paneling；　finally　stopping　at　a　set　of　high　metal　doors　cast　in　relief　and　shaped　in　a　Gothic　arch。
　
　〃I'll　take　your　bag　to　your　quarters；　sir。　The　others　are　waiting。　You'll　find　a　nameplate　designating　your　seat。〃
　
　The　guide　pressed　a　button　on　the　wall；　and　the　doors　opened　silently。　Kinkaid　stepped　inside　and　sucked　his　breath　in　as　the　doors　clicked　shut　behind　him。　He　was　in　a　massive；　high　ceilinged　chamber。　The　great　hall　was　lit　by　the　fire　from　a　huge　hearth　and　blazing　wall　torches　that　vied　for　space　with　brightly　decorated　shields　and　pennants；　spears；　battle…axes；　swords；　and　other　instruments　of　death　that　recalled　a　time　when　war　was　an　exercise　in　personal　butchery。
　
　The　lethal　artifacts　paled　next　to　the　object　occupying　the　center　of　the　room。　It　was　a　Viking　ship　about　seventy　feet