cc.floodtide-第48章

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　recovered　and　threw　herself　against　him；　her　arms　encircling　his　neck。　He　was　so　surprised　he　barely　caught　himself　from　tumbling　over　backward　down　the　steps。　Impetuously；　she　kissed　him　hard　on　the　mouth。　Now　it　was　Pitt's　turn　for　his　eyes　to　widen。　He　had　never　expected　such　a　spontaneous　reception。
　
　〃I　thought　I　was　the　one　who　said　I'd　kiss　you　full　on　the　mouth　when　next　we　meet。〃　Reluctantly；　he　gripped　Julia　by　the　upper　arms　and　gently　eased　her　away。　〃Do　you　greet　all　your　blind　dates　in　that　manner？〃
　Suddenly；　she　cast　her　dove…gray　eyes　to　the　ground　shyly。　〃I　don't　know　what　came　over　me。　Seeing　you　came　as　a　shock。　I　wasn't　told　who　was　escorting　me　to　Qin　Shang's　　party。　Peter　Harper　only　said　he　arranged　for　a　tall；　dark；　hand…　r　some　man　to　act　as　my　backup。〃
　〃The　dirty　sneak　led　me　to　believe　that　you　were　my　backup；　He　should　have　been　a　theatrical　producer。　I'll　bet　he's　drooling　in　anticipation　of　Qin　Shang's　reaction　when　the　two　people　who　queered　his　operation　at　Orion　Lake　walk　in　uninvited　to　j　his　party。〃
　〃I　hope　you're　not　disappointed　at　having　to　escort　me。　I　Under　all　this　makeup；　I　still　look　pretty　awful。〃
　He　gently　lifted　her　chin　until　he　could　look　down　into　her　I　misty　eyes。　He　might　have　said　something　witty　and　clever；　I　but　it　wasn't　the　moment。　〃About　as　disappointed　as　a　man　who　has　discovered　a　diamond　mine。〃
　〃I　didn't　know　you　could　say　nice　things　to　a　girl。〃
　〃You　wouldn't　believe　the　hordes　of　women　my　silver　i　tongue　has　seduced。〃
　〃Liar；〃　she　said　softly　as　her　lips　broke　into　a　smile。
　〃Enough　of　this　endearing　talk；〃　he　said；　releasing　her。　〃We'd　better　get　a　move　on　before　the　food　runs　out。〃

　After　Julia　briefly　returned　inside　the　house　to　find　her　purse　f　and　coat；　Pitt　led　her　to　the　stately　and　majestic　machine　parked　at　the　curb　in　front　of　the　townhouse　where　she　was　staying　　with　an　old　sorority　sister　from　college。　She　stared　in　open　　astonishment　at　the　mammoth　car　with　its　big　chrome　wire　wheels　and　wide　whitewall　tires。
　〃Good　Lord！〃　she　exclaimed。　〃What　kind　of　a　car　are　we　I　going　in？〃
　〃A　nineteen…twenty…nine　Duesenberg；〃　answered　Pitt；　〃Since　we've　been　ordered　to　crash　a　party　thrown　by　one　of　the　world's　richest　men；　I　thought　it　only　fitting　and　proper　that　　we　arrive　in　style。〃
　〃I've　never　ridden　in　a　car　this　grand；〃　said　Julia　admiringly　　as　she　slid　onto　the　soft　tan　leather　seat。　She　marveled　at　the　hood　that　seemed　to　stretch　halfway　down　the　block　as　Pitt　　closed　the　door　and　came　around　behind　the　big　steering　wheel；　　〃I've　never　heard　of　a　Duesenberg。〃
　
　〃The　Model　J　Duesenbergs　were　the　finest　examples　of　American　automating；〃　Pitt　explained。　〃Manufactured　from　nineteen…twenty…eight　until　nineteen…thirty…six；　they　were　considered　by　many　automobile　connoisseurs　as　the　handsomest　cars　ever　built。　Only　about　four　hundred　eighty　chassis　and　engines　came　out　of　the　factory　and　were　sent　to　the　most　esteemed　coachmakers　in　the　country　who　produced　magnificent　designs。　This　car　was　custom…bodied　by　the　Walter　M。　Murphy　pany　in　Pasadena；　California；　and　styled　as　a　convertible　sedan。　Not　cheap；　they　sold　as　high　as　twenty　thousand　dollars　when　the　Ford　Model　A　sold　for　around　four　hundred。　They　were　owned　by　the　wealthy　celebrities　of　their　day；　particularly　the　Hollywood　crowd；　who　bought　Duesenbergs　as　a　show　of　pride　and　prestige。　If　you　drove　a　Duesy；　you　had　made　it　big…time。〃
　〃She's　beautiful；〃　said　Julia；　admiring　the　artistically　flowing　lines。　〃She　must　be　fast。〃
　〃The　engine　was　an　outgrowth　of　the　Duesenberg　racing　engines。　A　straight　eight…cylinder　engine　displacing　four　hundred　twenty　cubic　inches；　it　produced　two　hundred　sixty…five　horsepower　when　most　engines　at　the　time　put　out　less　than　seventy。　Although　this　engine　doesn't　have　the　supercharger　that　was　installed　on　later　models；　I　made　a　few　modifications　when　I　restored　the　car。　Under　the　right　conditions　she　could　touch　one　hundred　forty　miles　an　hour。〃
　
　〃I'll　take　your　word　for　it　without　a　demonstration。〃
　〃A　pity　we　can't　drive　with　the　top　down；　but　it's　a　cool　night　and　I　put　it　up　to　protect　milady's　hair。〃
　〃A　woman　loves　a　considerate　man。〃
　〃I　always　aim　to　please。〃
　She　looked　at　the　flat　windshield　and　noticed　a　small　hole　in　one　corner　of　the　glass　with　tiny　cracks　spreading　from　it。　〃Is　that　a　bullet　hole？〃
　〃A　souvenir　from　a　couple　of　Qin　Shang's　flunkies。〃
　〃He　sent　men　to　kill　you？〃　asked　Julia；　staring　in　fascination　at　the　hole。　〃Where　did　this　take　place？〃
　〃They　dropped　by　the　aircraft　hangar　where　I　live　earlier　in　the　evening；〃　Pitt　answered　impassively。
　〃What　happened？〃
　〃They　weren't　the　least　bit　sociable；　so　I　sent　them　on　their　way。〃
　Pitt　hit　the　starter　and　the　big　engine　turned　over　with　a　soft　purr　before　the　eight　cylinders　fired　and　broadcast　a　mellow　roar　through　the　big　exhaust　pipe。　The　low　gears　gave　out　a　muted　whir　as　Pitt　shifted　through　the　sequence　from　first　to　third。　The　great　luxury　car　that　has　never　been　surpassed　rolled　through　the　streets　of　Washington；　regal　and　majestic。
　
　Julia　decided　it　was　hopeless　to　pry　any　more　information　out　of　Pitt。　She　relaxed　in　the　wide　leather　seat　and　enjoyed　the　ride　and　the　stares　of　other　drivers　and　the　people　walking　on　the　sidewalks。
　
　Shortly　after　traveling　up　Wisconsin　Avenue　out　of　the　District　of　Columbia；　Pitt　turned　onto　a　meandering　residential　street　canopied　by　huge　trees　sprouting　new　spring　leaves　until　he　reached　the　gate　of　the　drive　leading　to　Qin　Shang's　Chevy　Chase　mansion。　The　iron　gates　were　a　monstrosity　of　Chinese　dragons　entwined　around　the　bars。　Two　Chinese　guards　dressed　in　elaborate　uniforms　stared　strangely　at　the　huge　car　for　sev…　j　eral　moments　before　stepping　forward　and　asking　to　see　invitations。　Pitt　passed　them　through　the　open　window　and　waited　while　the　guards　checked　his　and　Julia's　names　against　those　on　a　guest　list。　Satisfied　that　Pitt　and　Julia　were　indeed　invited；　they　bowed　and　pressed　the　code　on　a　remote　transmitter　that　opened　the　gates。　Pitt　threw　them　a　brief　wave　and　tooled　the　Duesenberg　up　the　long　driveway　and　stopped　under　the　portico　at　the　entrance　to　the　house；　whose　exterior　was　lit　up　like　a　football　stadium。
　
　〃I　must　remember　to　pliment　Harper；〃　said　Pitt。　〃He　not　only　provided　us　with　invitations；　but　he　somehow　managed　to　sneak　our　names　onto　the　guest　list。〃
　Julia's　expression　was　that　of　a　young　girl　approaching　the　Taj　Mahal。　〃I've　never　attended　a　major…league　Washington　party　before。　I　hope　I　won't　embarrass　you。〃
　〃You　won't；〃　Pitt　assured　her。　〃Just　tell　yourself　that　it's　strictly　a　social　theater。　The　powerful　Washington　elite　throw　posh　functions　because　they　have　something　to　sell。　It　all　es　down　to　people　milling　around；　swilling　booze；　looking　influential　and　exchanging　gossip　mixed　with　explicit　information。　Mostly；　the　city's　society　chronicles　the　foolish　events　from　their　petty　little　political　worlds。〃
　〃You　act　as　if　you've　been　to　them　before。〃
　〃As　I　told　you　on　the　dock　at　Grapevine　Bay；　my　father　is　a　senator。　In　my　bon　vivant　younger　days　I　used　to　tag　along　and　attempt　to　pick　up　congressional　mistresses。〃
　〃Were　you　successful？〃　〃Almost　never。〃
　A　stretch　limo　was　disgorging　several　of　Qin　Shang's　guests；　who　turned　and　gazed　in　frank　admiration　at　the　Duesenberg。　Valet　parking　attendants　appeared　as　if　summoned。　The　valets　were　immune　to　limousines　and　expensive　cars；　most　of　them　foreign；　but　this　one　staggered　their　minds。　Almost　reverently；　they　opened　the　doors。
　
　Pitt　eyed　a　man　standing　off　to　the　side　who　took　a　particular　interest　in　the　newers　and　their　means　of　transportation。　Then　he　turned　and　hurried　inside。　No　doubt；　Pitt　thought；　to　alert　his　boss　to　the　arrival　of　guests　who　didn't　fit　the　normal　pattern。
　
　As　they　swept　arm　in　arm　through　the　elegant　colonnade　entrance；　Julia　whispered　to　Pitt；　〃I　hope　I　don't　lose　it　when　I　meet　that　murdering　bastard　and　spit　in　his　face。〃
　
　〃Just　tell　him　how　much　you　enjoyed　the　cruise　on　his　ship；　and　how　you're　looking　forward　to　the　next　one。〃
　The　gray　eyes　flashed　with　fire。　〃Like　hell　I　will。〃
　〃Now　don't　forget；〃　said　Pitt；　〃as　an　agent　in　good　standing　with　the　INS；　you're　here　on　assignment。〃
　〃And　you？〃
　Pitt　laughed。　〃I'm　just　along　for　the　ride。〃
　〃How　can　you　be　so　lackadaisical？〃　she　snapped。　〃We　may　be　lucky　to　get　out　of　here　with　our　heads。〃
　〃We'll　be　all　right　so　long　as　we're　in　a　crowd。　Our　problems　e　after　we　leave。〃
　〃Not　to　worry；〃　she　assured　him。　〃Peter　has　arranged　for　a　team　of　security　people　to　stand　by　outside　the　house　in　case　of　trouble。〃
　〃Should　Qin　Shang　get　nasty；　do　we　send　up　flares？〃
　〃We'll　be　in　constant　munication。　I　have　a　radio　in　my　purse。〃
　Pitt　stared　at　the　tiny　purse　skeptically。　〃And　a　gun　too？〃
　She　shook　her　head。　〃No　gun。〃　Then　she　smiled　slyly。　〃You　forget；　I've　seen　you　in　action。　I'm　counting　on　you　to　protect　me。〃
　〃Dearheart；　you're　in　big　trouble。〃
　They　passed　through　the　foyer　into　a　vast　hallway　filled　with　Chinese　art　objects。　The　centerpiece　was　a　seven…foot…tall　bronze　incense　burner　inlaid　with　gold。　The　upper　section　depicted　flames　leaping　toward　the　sky　interspersed　with　women；　their　arms　and　hands　uplifted　with　offerings。　Aromatic　incense　wreathed　the　flames　in　billowy　clouds　that　scented　the　entire　house。　Pitt　stepped　up　to　the　bronze　masterwork　and　studied　it　closely；　examining　the　inlaid　gold　that　decorated　the　base。
　〃Beautiful；　isn't　it？〃　said　Julia。
　〃Yes；〃　Pitt　said　quietly。　〃The　craftsmanship　is　quite　unique。〃
　〃My　father　has　a　much　smaller　version　that　isn't　nearly　so　ancient。〃
　〃The　smell　is　a　bit　overwhelming。〃
　〃Not　to　me。　I　grew　up　surrounded　by　Chinese　culture。〃
　
　Pitt　took　Julia　by　the　arm　and　led　her　into　an　immense　room　rilled　with　Washington's　rich　and　mighty。　The　scene　reminded　him　of　a　Roman　banquet　out　of　a　Cecil　B。　DeMille　movie：　j　slim　women　in　designer　dresses；　congressmen；　senators　and　the　aristocracy　of　the　city's　attorneys；　lobbyists　and　power　brokers；　all　trying　to　look　sophisticated　and　distinguished　in　their　formal　evening　wear。　There　was　such　an　ocean　of　fabrics　between　the　guests　and　the　furniture　that　the　room　was　unnatu…rally　silent　despite　a　hundred　voices　talking　at　once。
　
　If　the　furnishings　had　cost　less　than　twenty　million　dollars；　then　Qin　Shang　had　bought　them　at　a　discount　house　in　New　Jersey。　The　walls　and　ceiling　were　intricately　carved　and　paneled　in　redwood；　as　was　most　of　the　furniture。　The　carpet　alone　must　have　taken　twenty　young　girls　half　their　adolescent　lives　to　weave。　It　flowed　in　blue　and　gold　like　an　ocean　at　sunset；　and　the　depth　of　its　pile　made　it　seem　as　if　one　had　to　wade　through　it。　The　curtains　alone　would　have　put　those　in　Buckingham　Palace　to　shame。　Julia　had　never　seen　so　much　silk　in　one　space。　The　opulent　upholstered　chairs　and　settees　looked　like　they　might　have　been　more　at　home　hi　a　museum。　
　
　No　less　than　twenty　stewards　stood　behind　a　buffet　linel　whose　mountains　of　lobster；　crab　and　other　seafood　must　have　cleaned　out　the　entire　catch　of　a　fishing　fleet。　Only　the　finest　French　champagne　was　served　alongside　vintage　wines；　none　of　which　had　labels　from　later　than