cc.floodtide-第5章

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body。　He　stopped　only　when　he　began　to　break　out　in　sweat；　pausing　to　grip　her　chin　with　one　hand；　staring　into　her　battered　face。　She　moaned　and　pleaded　with　him　to　stop。
　〃Perhaps　you've　had　a　change　of　mind。〃
　〃Never；〃　she　muttered　through　a　split　and　bleeding　lip。　〃I　will　die　first。〃
　Then　Wong's　narrow　lips　curled　into　a　cold　smile。　His　arm　was　raised　and　then　came　down　in　a　vicious　swing　as　the　hose　caught　her　on　the　base　of　the　skull。　Ling　T'ai　was　enveloped　in　blackness。
　Her　tormentor　returned　to　the　table　and　seated　himself。　He　picked　up　a　phone　and　spoke　into　the　mouthpiece。　〃You　may　remove　the　woman　and　place　her　with　those　going　to　Orion　Lake。〃
　〃You　do　not　think　she　can　be　converted　into　a　profitable　piece　of　property？〃　said　a　heavy…bodied　man　at　the　end　of　the　table。
　Wong　shook　his　head　as　he　looked　down　on　Ling　T'ai；　lying　bleeding　on　the　floor。　〃There　is　something　about　this　woman　I　do　not　trust。　It　is　best　to　play　safe。　None　of　us　dare　to　incur　the　wrath　of　our　esteemed　superior　by　jeopardizing　the　enterprise。　Ling　T'ai　will　get　her　wish　to　die。〃
　An　elderly　woman；　who　said　she　was　a　nurse；　tenderly　dabbed　a　wet　cloth　on　Ling　T'ai's　face；　cleaning　away　the　caked　blood　and　applying　disinfectant　from　a　small　first…aid　kit。　After　the　old　nurse　finished　tending　the　injuries；　she　moved　off　to　console　a　young　boy　who　was　whimpering　in　his　mother's　arms。　Ling　T'ai　half　opened　the　eye　that　was　only　mildly　swollen　and　fought　off　a　sudden　wave　of　nausea。　Though　suffering　agonizing　pain　that　erupted　from　every　nerve　ending；　her　mind　was　unmistakenly　clear　on　every　aspect　of　how　she　came　to　be　in　this　predicament。
　Her　name　was　not　Ling　T'ai。　The　name　on　her　American　birth　certificate　read　Julia　Marie　Lee；　born　in　San　Francisco；　California。　Her　father　had　been　an　American　financial　analyst　based　in　Hong　Kong　when　he　met　and　married　the　daughter　of　a　wealthy　Chinese　banker。　Except　for　dove…gray　eyes　under　the　brown　contact　lenses；　she　had　favored　her　mother；　who　passed　on　beautiful　blue…black　hair　and　Asian　facial　features。　Nor　was　she　a　schoolteacher　from　Jiangsu　Province　in　China。
　Julia　Marie　Lee　was　a　special　undercover　agent　for　the　International　Affairs　Investigations　Division　of　the　United　States　Immigration　and　Naturalization　Service。　By　posing　as　Ling　T'ai；　she　had　paid　a　representative　of　an　alien…smuggling　syndicate　in　Beijing　the　equivalent　of　30；000　in　Chinese　currency。　Being　part　of　the　human　cargo　with　its　built…in　misery；　she　piled　a　wealth　of　information　on　the　syndicate's　activities　and　methods　of　operation。
　Once　she　was　smuggled　on　shore；　her　plan　was　to　contact　the　field　office　of　the　assistant　district　director　of　investigations　in　Seattle；　who　was　prepared　and　waiting　for　information　to　arrest　the　smugglers　within　territorial　limits　and　break　up　the　syndicate's　pipeline　into　North　America。　Now　her　fate　was　uncertain；　and　she　saw　no　avenue　of　escape。　Through　some　untapped　reservoir　of　fortitude　she　did　not　know　she　possessed；　Julia　had　somehow　survived　the　torture。　Months　of　hard　training　had　never　prepared　her　for　a　brutal　beating。　She　cursed　herself　for　choosing　the　wrong　course。　If　she　had　meekly　accepted　her　fate；　her　plan　to　escape　would　have　most　likely　been　achieved。　But　she　thought　that　by　playing　the　role　of　a　frightened　but　proud　Chinese　woman　she　could　have　deceived　the　smugglers。　As　it　turned　out；　it　was　a　mistake。　She　realized　now　that　any　sign　of　resistance　was　shown　no　mercy。　Many　of　the　men　and　women；　she　began　to　see　in　the　dim　light；　were　also　badly　beaten。
　
　The　more　Julia　thought　about　her　situation；　the　more　she　became　certain　she　and　everyone　in　the　cargo　hold　around　her　were　going　to　be　murdered。
　
　THE　OWNER　OF　THE　SMALL　GENERAL　STORE　AT　ORION　LAKE；　ninety　miles　due　west　of　Seattle；　turned　slightly　and　peered　at　the　man　who　opened　the　door　and　stood　momentarily　on　the　threshold。　Orion　Lake　was　off　the　beaten　track　to　most　traffic；　and　Dick　Colburn　knew　everyone　in　this　rugged　area　of　the　Olympic　Peninsula　mountains。　The　stranger　was　either　a　tourist　passing　through　or　a　fisherman　from　the　city　trying　his　luck　with　either　the　salmon　or　trout　stocked　in　the　nearby　lake　by　the　Forest　Service。　He　wore　a　short　leather　jacket　over　an　Irish　knit　sweater　and　corduroy　pants。　No　hat　covered　a　mass　of　wavy　black　hair　that　was　streaked　gray　at　the　temples。　Colburn　watched　as　the　stranger　stared　unblinkingly　at　the　shelves　and　display　cases　before　stepping　inside。
　
　Out　of　habit　Colburn　studied　the　man　for　a　few　moments。　The　stranger　was　tall；　his　head　cleared　the　top　of　the　door　by　less　than　three　fingers。　Not　the　face　of　an　office　worker；　Colburn　decided。　The　skin　was　too　tan　and　craggy　for　a　life　spent　indoors。　The　cheeks　and　chin　were　in　need　of　a　shave。　The　body　seemed　thin　for　the　frame。　There　was　the　unmistakable　look　about　him　of　a　man　who　had　seen　too　much；　who　had　suffered　hardship　and　grief。　He　appeared　tired；　not　physically
　
　tired；　but　emotionally　used　up；　someone　who　cared　little　about　life　anymore。　It　was　almost　as　if　he　had　been　tapped　on　the　shoulder　by　death　but　had　somehow　shrugged　him　off。　Yet　there　was　a　quiet　cheerfulness　in　the　opaline…green　eyes　that　broke　through　the　haggard　features；　and　an　obscure　sense　of　pride。
　
　Colburn　concealed　his　interest　well　and　went　about　his　business　of　stocking　the　shelves。　〃Can　I　help　you　with　anything？〃　he　asked　over　his　shoulder。
　〃Just　dropped　by　to　pick　up　a　few　groceries；〃　replied　the　stranger。　Colburn's　store　was　too　small　for　shopping　carts；　so　he　picked　up　a　basket；　slinging　the　carrying　handles　over　one　arm。
　〃How's　the　fishing？〃
　〃Haven't　tried　my　luck　yet。〃
　〃There's　a　good　hole　at　the　south　end　of　the　lake　where　they've　been　known　to　bite。〃
　〃I'll　keep　that　in　mind；　thank　you。〃
　〃Got　you　a　fishing　license　yet？〃
　〃No；　but　I'll　bet　you're　authorized　to　sell　me　one。〃
　〃Resident　or　nonresident　of　the　state　of　Washington？〃
　〃Non。〃
　
　The　grocer　pulled　out　a　form　from　beneath　the　counter　and　handed　the　stranger　a　pen。　〃Just　fill　in　the　applicable　blanks。　I'll　add　the　fee　onto　your　groceries。〃　To　Colburn's　practiced　ear　the　accent　was　vaguely　southwestern。　〃The　eggs　are　fresh。　Laid　right　here　hi　town。　There's　a　sale　on　cans　of　Shamus　O'Malley's　stew。　And　the　smoked　salmon　and　the　elk　steaks　taste　like　they　came　from　heaven。〃
　
　For　the　first　time　a　hint　of　a　smile　crossed　the　stranger's　lips。　〃The　elk　steaks　and　the　salmon　sound　good；　but　I　think　I'll　pass　on　Mr。　O'Malley's　stew。〃
　
　After　nearly　fifteen　minutes　the　basket　was　full　and　set　on　the　counter　beside　an　antique　brass　cash　register。　Instead　of　the　usual　selection　of　canned　goods　picked　by　most　fishermen；　this　basket　was　filled　with　mostly　fruits　and　vegetables。
　
　〃You　must　be　planning　on　staying　awhile；〃　said　Colburn。　〃An　old　family　friend　loaned　me　his　cabin　on　the　lake。　You　probably　know　him。　His　name　is　Sam　Foley。〃
　〃I've　known　Sam　for　twenty　years。　His　cabin　is　the　only　one　that　damned　Chinaman　hasn't　bought　up；〃　Colburn　grumbled。
　〃Good　thing　too。　If　Sam　sells　out；　there　won't　be　an　access　for　fishermen　to　launch　their　boats　on　the　lake。〃
　〃I　wondered　why　most　of　the　cabins　looked　run…down　and　abandoned；　all　except　that　odd…looking　building。　The　one　on　the　north　side　of　the　lake　opposite　the　mouth　of　that　small　river　flowing　west。〃
　
　Colburn　spoke　as　he　rang　up　the　groceries。　〃Used　to　be　a　fish　cannery　back　in　the　forties　until　the　pany　went　broke。　The　Chinaman　picked　it　up　for　a　song　and　men　remodeled　it　into　a　fancy　mansion。　Even　built　a　nine…hole　golf　course。　Then　he　began　buying　every　piece　of　property　that　fronted　on　the　lake。　Your　friend；　Sam　Foley；　is　the　only　holdout。〃
　〃It　seems　half　the　population　of　Washington　and　British　Columbia　is　Chinese；〃　mented　the　stranger。
　〃The　Chinese　have　poured　into　the　Pacific　Northwest　like　a　flood　tide　since　the　munist　government　took　over　Hong　Kong。　They　already　own　half　of　downtown　Seattle　and　most　of　Vancouver。　No　telling　what　the　population　will　look　like　in　another　fifty　years。〃　Colburn　paused　and　punched　the　TOTAL　lever　on　the　cash　register。　〃With　the　fishing　permit；　that'll　be　seventy…nine…thirty…five。〃
　
　The　stranger　pulled　his　wallet　from　a　hip　pocket；　handed　Colburn　a　hundred…dollar　bill　and　waited　for　the　change。　〃The　Chinaman　you　mentioned…what　sort　of　business　is　he　in？〃
　〃All　I　heard　is　that　he's　a　wealthy　shipping　tycoon　from　Hong　Kong。〃　Colburn　began　sacking　the　groceries　while　gossiping　away。　〃Nobody　has　ever　seen　him。　Never　es　through　town。　Except　for　drivers　of　big　delivery　trucks；　nobody　goes　in　or　out。　Strange　goings…on；　if　you　ask　most　of　the　folks　around　here。　He　and　his　cronies　don't　fish　in　the　daytime。　You　can　only　hear　boat　motors　at　night；　and　they　don't　run　lights。　Harry　Daniels；　who　hunts　and　camps　along　the　river；　claims　he's　seen　an　odd…looking　work　boat　traveling　the　lake　after　midnight；　and　never　under　a　moon。〃
　
　〃Everybody　loves　a　good　mystery。〃
　〃If　I　can　do　anything　for　you　while　you're　in　the　neighborhood；　just　ask。　My　name's　Dick　Colburn。〃
　The　stranger　showed　white；　even　teeth　in　a　broad　grin。　〃Dirk　Pitt。〃
　〃You　be　from　California；　Mr。　Pitt？〃
　〃You'd　do　Professor　Henry　Higgins　proud；〃　said　Pitt　light…heartedly。　〃I　was　bom　and　grew　up　in　Southern　California；　but　for　the　past　fifteen　years　I've　lived　in　Washington。〃
　Colbum　began　to　smell　new　ground。　〃You　must　work　with　the　U。S。　government。〃
　〃The　National　Underwater　and　Marine　Agency。　And　before　you　misreckon；　I　came　to　Orion　Lake　strictly　to　relax　and　unwind。　Nothing　more。〃
　〃If　you'll　pardon　me　for　saying　so；〃　said　Colburn　sympathetically；　〃you　look　like　a　man　who　could　use　some　rest。〃
　Pitt　grinned。　〃What　I　really　need　is　a　good　back　rub。〃
　〃Cindy　Elder。　She　tends　bar　over　at　the　Sockeye　Saloon　and　gives　a　great　massage。〃
　〃I'll　keep　her　in　mind。〃　Pitt　took　the　grocery　sacks　in　both　arms　and　headed　for　the　door。　Just　before　stepping　outside；　he　stopped　and　turned。　〃Out　of　curiosity；　Mr。　Colburn；　what　is　the　Chinaman's　name？〃
　Colburn　looked　at　Pitt；　trying　to　read　something　in　the　eyes　that　wasn't　there。　〃He　calls　himself　Shang；　Qin　Shang。〃
　〃Did　he　ever　say　why　he　purchased　the　old　canning　factory？〃
　〃Norman　Selby；　the　real…estate　agent　who　handled　the　trans…action；　said　Shang　wanted　a　secluded　area　on　water　to　build　a　fancy　retreat　where　he　could　entertain　affluent　clients。〃　Col…burn　paused　and　looked　positively　belligerent。　〃You　must　have　seen　what　he　did　to　a　perfectly　good　cannery。　Only　a　matter　of　time　before　the　State　Historical　mission　would　have　named　it　as　a　historic　site。　Shang　turned　it　into　a　cross　between　a　modern　office　building　and　a　pagoda。　An　abortion；　I　say；　a　damned　abortion。〃
　〃It　does　have　a　novel　look　about　it；〃　Pitt　agreed。　〃No　doubt　Shang；　as　a　neighborly　gesture；　invites　the　town　citizens　to　parties　and　golf　tournaments？〃
　〃Are　you　kidding？〃　said　Colburn；　venting　his　anger。　〃Shang　won't　even　allow　the　mayor　and　city　council　within　a　mile　of　his　property。　Would　you　believe　he　even　erected　a　ten…foot　chain…link　fence　with　barbwire　on　the　top　around　most　of　the　lake？〃
　〃Can　he　get　away　with　that？〃
　〃He　can　and　did；　by　buying　off　politicians。　He　can't　keep　people　off　the　lake。　It　belongs　t