cussler.blueandgold-第2章

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　〃What　in　God's　name　is　going　on；　Phillipo？〃
　A　grave　expression　came　onto　his　face。　〃There　was　something　your　father　didn't　tell　you。〃
　〃I　don't　understand。〃
　Phillipo　glanced　toward　the　closed　cockpit。　〃He　had　heard　things。　Nothing　that　would　persuade　him　you　were　in　danger；　but　enough　so　that　he　would　like　the　reassurance　of　knowing　I　would　be　nearby　if　you　needed　help。〃
　〃Looks　like　we　could　both　use　some　help。〃
　〃Sim；　senhora。　But　unfortunately　we　must　do　for　ourselves。〃
　〃Do　you　have　a　gun？〃　she　said　abruptly。
　〃Of　course；〃　he　said；　faintly　amused　at　the　hard…nosed　question　from　this　beautiful　and　cultured　woman。　〃Would　you　like　me　to　shoot　them？〃
　〃I　didn't　mean…no；　of　course　not；〃　she　said　glumly。　〃Do　you　have　any　ideas？〃
　'A　gun　is　not　just　for　shooting；〃　he　said。　〃You　can　use　it　for　intimidation；　use　its　threat　to　make　people　do　things　they　don't　want　to　do。〃
　〃Like　pointing　us　in　the　right　direction？〃
　〃I　hope；　senhora。　I　will　go　forward。　I　will　ask　them　politely　to　land　at　the　nearest　airport；　saying　it　is　your　wish。　If　they　refuse　I　will　show　them　my　gun　and　say　I　would　not　like　to　use　it。〃
　〃You　can't　use　it；〃　Francesca　said　with　alarm。　〃If　you　put　a　hole　in　the　plane　at　this　altitude；　it　would　depressurize　the　cabin；　and　we'd　all　be　dead　within　seconds。〃
　〃A　good　point。　It　will　increase　their　fear。〃　He　took　her　hand　and　squeezed　it。　〃I　told　your　father　I　would　watch　out　for　you；　senhora。　〃
　She　shook　her　head　as　if　it　would　make　the　situation　go　away。　〃What　if　I'm　wrong？　That　these　are　innocent　pilots　doing　their　job？〃
　〃Simple；〃　he　said　with　a　shrug。　〃We　call　ahead　on　the　radio；　we　land　at　the　nearest　airport；　we　bring　in　the　police；　we　straighten　things　out；　then　we　resume　our　trip。〃
　They　cut　their　conversation　short。　The　door　to　the　cockpit　had　opened；　and　the　captain　stepped　into　the　cabin。　He　ambled　forward；　having　to　bend　his　head　because　of　the　low　overhead。
　〃That　was　some　joke　you　just　told　us；〃　he　said　with　his　crooked　grin。　〃Got　any　more？〃
　〃Sorry；　senhor；〃　Phillipo　said。
　〃Waall；　I　got　one　for　you；〃　the　pilot　replied。　Riordan's　droopy；　heavy…lidded　eyes　gave　him　a　sleepy　look。　But　there　was　nothing　sluggish　about　the　way　he　reached　behind　his　back　and　produced　the　pistol　he　had　tucked　in　his　belt。
　〃Hand　it　over；〃　he　said　to　Phillipo。　〃Real　slow。〃
　Phillipo　gingerly　opened　his　jacket　wide　so　the　shoulder　holster　was　in　plain　view；　then　extracted　his　gun　by　the　tips　of　his　fingers。　The　pilot　stuck　the　gun　in　his　belt。
　〃Grazyeass；　amigo；〃　he　said。　〃Always　nice　to　deal　with　a　professional。〃　He　sat　on　an　armrest　and　with　his　free　hand　lit　a　cigarette。　〃Me　and　my　partner　have　been　talking；　and　we　think　maybe　you're　on　to　us。　Figured　you　were　checking　us　out　when　you　came　up　a　second　time；　so　we　decided　to　lay　it　all　out　so　there　won't　be　any　misunderstandings。〃
　〃Captain　Riordan；　what　is　going　on？〃　Francesca　said。　〃Where　are　you　taking　us？〃
　〃They　said　you　were　smart；〃　the　pilot　said　with　a　chuckle。　〃My　partner　never　should　have　started　bragging　about　the　plane。〃　He　blew　twin　plumes　of　smoke　from　his　nostrils。　〃You're　right。　We're　not　going　to　Miami；　we're　on　our　way　to　Trinidad。〃
　〃Trinidad？〃
　〃I　hear　it's　a　real　nice　place。〃
　〃I　don't　understand。〃
　〃It's　like　this；　senyoreeta。　There's　going　to　be　a　wele　party　waiting　for　you　at　the　airport。　Don't　ask　me　who　they　are　'cause　I　don't　know。　All's　I　know　is　we've　been　hired　to　deliver　you。　Things　were　supposed　to　go　nice　and　easy。　We　were　going　to　tell　you　we　had　mechanical　problems　and　needed　to　land。〃
　〃What　happened　to　the　pilots？〃　Phillipo　asked。
　〃They　had　an　accident；〃　he　said　with　a　slight　shrug。　He　ground　the　cigarette　butt　on　the　floor。　〃Here's　the　situation；　miss。　You　just　stay　put；　and　everything　will　be　fine。　As　for　you；　cavaleiro；　I'm　sorry　to　get　you　in　trouble　with　your　bosses。　Now　I　can　tie　you　both　up；　but　I　don't　think　you'd　try　anything　foolish　unless　you　can　fly　this　plane　yourselves。　One　more　thing。　Up；　partner；　and　turn　around。〃
　Thinking　he　was　about　to　be　frisked；　Phillipo　plied　without　protest。　Francesca's　warning　came　too　late。　The　pistol　barrel　arced　down　in　a　silvery　blur　and　struck　the　bodyguard　above　the　right　ear。　The　sickening　crunch　was　drowned　out　by　the　bodyguard's　cry　of　pain　as　he　doubled　over　and　crumpled　onto　the　floor。
　Francesca　jumped　up　from　her　seat。　〃Why　did　you　do　that？〃　she　said　defiantly。　〃You　have　his　gun。　He　couldn't　harm　you。〃
　〃Sorry；　miss。　I'm　a　firm　believer　in　insurance。〃　Riordan　stepped　over　the　prostrate　form　in　the　aisle　as　if　it　were　a　sack　of　potatoes。　〃Nothing　like　a　cracked　skull　to　discourage　a　man　from　getting　into　trouble。　There's　a　first　aid　kit　up　there　on　the　wall。　Taking　care　of　him　should　keep　you　busy　'til　it's　time　to　set　down。〃　He　tipped　his　hand　to　his　cap；　strolled　back　to　the　cockpit；　and　shut　the　door。
　Francesca　knelt　by　the　stricken　bodyguard。　She　soaked　cloth　napkins　in　mineral　water　and　cleaned　the　wound；　then　applied　pressure　until　the　bleeding　was　stanched。　She　daubed　an　antiseptic　on　the　scalp　cut　and　the　bruised　skin　around　it；　wrapped　ice　in　another　napkin；　and　pressed　it　to　the　side　of　the　man's　head　to　prevent　swelling。
　As　Francesca　sat　by　his　side；　she　tried　to　piece　the　puzzle　together。　She　ruled　out　a　kidnapping　for　money。　The　only　reason　someone　would　go　through　this　much　trouble　would　be　for　her　process。　Whoever　was　behind　this　mad　scheme　wanted　more　than　a　scale　model　and　the　papers　explaining　her　work。　They　could　have　broken　into　the　lab　or　grabbed　her　luggage　at　the　airport。　But　they　needed　Francesca　to　interpret　her　findings。　Her　process　was　so　arcane；　so　different；　that　it　didn't　conform　to　the　norms　of　science；　which　is　why　no　one　had　thought　of　it　before。
　The　whole　thing　didn't　make　sense！　Within　a　day　or　two　she　was　going　to　give　the　process　to　the　countries　of　the　world　for　nothing。　No　patents。　No　copyright。　No　royalty　fees。　Absolutely　free　of　charge。　Anger　smoldered　in　her　breast。　These　ruthless　people　were　stopping　her　from　improving　the　lot　of　millions。
　
　　Phillipo　groaned。　He　was　ing　around。　His　eyes　blinked　open　and　came　into　focus。
　〃Are　you　all　right？〃　she　said。
　〃It　hurts　like　the　devil；　so　I　must　be　alive。　Help　me　sit　up；　please。〃
　Francesca　put　her　arm　around　Phillipo　and　lifted　until　he　sat　with　his　back　against　a　seat。　She　unscrewed　a　bottle　of　rum　from　the　bar　and　put　it　to　his　lips。　He　sipped　some　liquor；　managed　to　keep　it　down；　then　took　a　healthy　swallow。　He　sat　there　for　a　moment　waiting　to　see　if　his　guts　would　e　up。　When　he　didn't　vomit；　he　smiled。　〃I'll　be　fine。　Thank　you。〃
　She　handed　him　his　glasses。　〃I'm　afraid　they　were　broken　when　he　hit　you。〃
　He　tossed　them　aside。　〃They　are　only　plain　glass。　I　can　see　fine　without　them。〃　The　level　eyes　that　bored　into　Francesca　were　not　those　of　a　frightened　man。　He　glanced　at　the　closed　cockpit　door。　〃How　long　have　I　been　out？〃
　〃Twenty　minutes；　maybe。〃
　〃Good；　there　is　still　time。〃
　〃Time　for　what？〃
　His　hand　slid　down　to　his　ankle　and　came　up　filled　with　a　snub…nosed　revolver。
　〃If　our　friend　hadn't　been　so　anxious　to　give　me　a　headache；　he　would　have　found　this；〃　he　said　with　a　grim　smile。
　This　was　definitely　not　the　same　rumpled　man　who　had　seemed　more　like　an　absentminded　professor　than　a　bodyguard。　Francesca's　elation　was　tempered　by　reality。　〃What　can　you　do？　They　have　at　least　two　guns；　and　we　can't　fly　the　plane。〃
　〃Forgive　me；　Senhora　Cabral。　Another　failure　to　be　forthright　on　my　part。〃　Sounding　almost　guilty；　he　said；　〃I　forgot　to　mention　that　I　was　in　the　Brazilian　air　force　before　I　joined　the　secret　service。　Please　help　me　up。〃
　Francesca　was　speechless。　What　other　rabbits　would　this　man　pull　out　of　his　hat？　She　gave　him　a　hand　until　he　was　able　to　stand　on　shaky　legs。　After　a　minute　a　new　strength　and　determination　seemed　to　flow　through　his　body。　〃Stay　here　until　I　tell　you　what　to　do；〃　he　said　with　the　air　of　a　man　used　to　people　obeying　his　mand。
　He　went　forward　and　opened　the　door。　The　pilot　glanced　over　his　shoulder　and　said；　〃Hey；　look　who's　back　from　the　land　of　the　living　dead。　Guess　I　didn't　hit　you　hard　enough。〃
　〃You　don't　get　a　second　chance；〃　Phillipo　said。　He　jammed　the　revolver　barrel　under　the　Texan's　ear　hard　enough　to　hurt。　〃If　I　shoot　one　of　you；　the　other　can　still　fly。　Which　one　will　it　be？〃
　〃Christ；　you　said　you　took　his　gun！〃　Carlos　said。
　〃You've　got　a　short　memory；　cavaleiro；〃　the　pilot　replied　calmly。　〃You　shoot　us　and　who's　going　to　fly　the　plane？〃
　〃I　will；　cavaleiro。　Sorry　I　didn't　bring　my　pilot's　license　with　me。　You'll　have　to　take　my　word　for　it。〃
　Riordan　turned　his　head　slightly　and　saw　the　cold　smile　wreathing　the　bodyguard's　face。
　〃I　take　back　what　I　said　about　dealing　with　a　professional；〃　Riordan　said。　〃What　now；　partner？〃
　〃Give　me　the　two　guns。　One　at　a　time。〃
　The　pilot　handed　over　his　pistol　and　the　one　he　had　taken　from　Phillipo。　The　bodyguard　passed　the　weapons　back　to　Francesca；　who　had　e　up　behind　him。
　〃Get　out　of　your　seat；〃　he　ordered；　backing　into　the　cabin。　〃Slowly。〃
　Riordan　caught　the　copilot's　eye　and　levered　himself　out　of　his　seat。　Using　his　body　to　shield　the　gesture；　he　made　a　quick　palm…down　flip　with　his　hand。　The　copilot　nodded　almost　imperceptibly　to　show　he　understood。
　The　pilot　followed　Phillipo　as　if　drawn　by　an　imaginary　leash；　as　the　bodyguard　backed　up　into　the　cabin。　〃I　want　you　to　go　lie　facedown　on　the　divan；〃　Phillipo　said；　keeping　his　gun　pointed　at　Riordan's　chest。

　〃Hell；　I　was　hoping　I　could　take　a　nap；〃　the　pilot　said。　〃That's　real　kind　of　you。〃
　Francesca　had　backed　off　the　aisle　to　make　room　for　the　two　men　to　pass。　Phillipo　asked　her　to　get　some　plastic　trash　bags　from　under　a　front　seat。　Phillipo　intended　to　use　the　bags　to　bind　the　pilot。　With　Riordan　on　ice　he　would　only　have　to　deal　with　the　copilot。
　The　cabin　was　about　twelve　feet　long。　In　the　tight　space　Phillipo　had　to　step　aside　to　let　the　other　man　pass。　He　re　minded　Riordan　not　to　try　anything　at　close　quarters；　because　it　would　be　impossible　to　miss。　Riordan　nodded　and　stepped　to　ward　the　rear。　They　were　only　a　few　inches　apart　when　the　co　pilot　put　the　plane　over　on　its　left　side。
　Riordan　had　expected　the　move；　but　he　didn't　know　when　it　would　e　or　that　it　would　be　so　violent。　He　lost　his　balance　and　was　thrown　onto　a　seat；　his　head　slamming　into　the　bulkhead。　Phillipo　was　lifted　off　his　feet。　He　flew　across　the　cabin　and　landed　on　top　of　Riordan。
　The　pilot　disentangled　his　right　hand　and　blasted　his　big　fist　into　the　bodyguard's　jaw。　Phillipo　saw　galaxies　whirling　over　his　head　and　almost　blacked　out；　but　he　managed　to　keep　a　death　grip　on　the　gun。　Riordan　brought　his　arm　back　for　another　punch。　Phillipo　blocked　it　with　his　elbow。
　Both　men　were　street　fighters。　Phillipo　clawed　at　Riordan's　eyes。　The　pilot　bit　Phillipo　on　the　fleshy　part　of　the　palm。　The　bodyguard　jammed　his　knee　into　Riordan's　groin；　and　when　the　pilot　opened　his　mouth；　Phillipo　snapped　his　head　forward；　smashing　the　cartilage　in　Riordan's　nose。　He　might　have　gained　the　upper　hand；　but　at　that　point　the　copilot　made　the　plane　yaw　sharply　to　the　right。
　The　struggling　men　flew　across　the　aisle　into　the　opposite　seat。　Now　the　American　was