tc.patriotgames-第30章

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　　　　The　phone　rang。　Murray's　secretary　had　just　left　for　the　night；　and　the　agent　lifted　it。
　　　　〃Murray。　Hi；　Bob。　Yeah；　he's　right　here。　Bob　Highland　for　you；　Jimmy。〃　He　handed　the　phone　over。
　　　　〃mander　Owens　here。〃　The　officer　sipped　at　his　port；　then　set　the　glass　down　abruptly　and　waved　for　a　pen　and　pad。　〃Where　exactly？　And　you've　already　　good；　excellent。　I'm　ing　straightaway。〃　
　　　　〃What　gives？〃　Murray　asked　quickly。
　　　　〃We've　just　had　a　tip　on　a　certain　Dwyer。　Bomb　factory　in　a　flat　on　Tooley　Street。〃　
　　　　〃Isn't　that　right　across　from　the　river　from　the　Tower？〃　
　　　　〃Too　bloody　right。　I'm　off。〃　Owens　rose　and　grabbed　for　his　coat。
　　　　〃You　mind　if　I　tag　along？〃　
　　　　〃Dan；　you　must　remember　〃
　　　　〃To　keep　out　of　the　way。〃　Murray　was　already　on　his　feet。　One　hand　unconsciously　checked　his　left　hip；　where　his　service　revolver　would　be；　had　the　agent　not　been　in　a　foreign　country。　Owens　had　never　carried　a　gun。　Murray　wondered　how　you　could　be　a　cop　and　not　be　armed　with　something。　Together　they　left　Murray's　office　and　trotted　up　the　corridor；　turning　left　for　the　elevators。　Two　minutes　later　they　were　in　the　Embassy's　basement　parking　garage。　The　two　officers　from　Owens'　chase　car　were　already　in　their　vehicle；　and　the　mander's　driver　followed　them　out。
　　　　Owens　was　on　the　radio　the　instant　the　car　hit　the　street；　with　Murray　in　the　back　seat。
　　　　〃You　have　people　rolling？〃　Murray　asked。
　　　　〃Yes。　Bob　will　have　a　team　there　in　a　few　minutes。　Dwyer；　by　God！　The　description　fits　perfectly。〃　As　much　as　he　tried　to　hide　it；　Owens　was　as　excited　as　a　kid　on　Christmas　morning。　
　　　　〃Who　tipped　you？〃
　　　　〃Anonymous。　A　male　voice；　claimed　to　have　seen　wiring；　and　something　that　was　wrapped　up　in　small　blocks；　when　he　looked　in　the　window。〃
　　　　〃I　love　it！　Peeping　Tom　cues　the　cops　　probably　afraid　his　wife'll　find　out　what　he's　been　up　to。　Well；　you　take　what　you　get。〃　Murray　grinned。　He'd　had　cases　break　on　slimmer　stuff　than　this。
　　　　The　evening　traffic　was　curb…to…curb；　and　the　police　siren　could　not　change　that。　It　took　fully　twenty　frustrating　minutes　to　travel　the　five　miles　to　Tooley　Street；　with　Owens　listening　to　the　radio；　his　fist　beating　softly　on　the　front　door's　armrest　while　his　men　arrived　at　the　suspect　house。　Finally　the　car　darted　across　the　Tower　Bridge　and　turned　right。　The　driver　parked　it　on　the　sidewalk　alongside　two　other　police　cars。
　　　　It　was　a　three…story　building　of　drab；　dirty　brick；　in　a　working　class　neighborhood。　Next　door　was　a　small　pub　with　its　daily　menu　scrawled　on　a　blackboard。　Several　patrons　were　standing　at　the　door；　pints　in　their　fists　as　they　watched　the　police；　and　more　stood　across　the　street。　Owens　ran　to　the　door。　A　plainclothes　detective　was　waiting　for　him。
　　　　〃All　secure；　sir。　We　have　the　suspect　in　custody。　Top　floor；　in　the　rear。〃
　　　　The　mander　trotted　up　the　stairs　with　Murray　on　his　heels。　Another　detective　met　him　on　the　top…floor　landing。　Owens　proceeded　the　last　thirty　feet　with　a　cruel；　satisfied　smile　on　his　face。　
　　　　〃It's　all　over；　sir；〃　Highland　said。　〃Here's　the　suspect。〃　
　　　　Maureen　Dwyer　was　stark　naked；　spread…eagled　on　the　floor。　Around　her　was　a　puddle　of　water；　and　a　trail　of　wet　footprints　ing　from　the　adjacent　bathroom。
　　　　〃She　was　taking　a　bath；〃　Highland　explained。　〃And　she'd　left　her　pistol　on　the　kitchen　table。　No　trouble　at　all。〃　
　　　　〃Do　you　have　a　female　detective　on　the　way？〃　
　　　　〃Yes；　sir。　I'm　surprised　she's　not　here　already。〃　
　　　　〃Traffic　is　bloody　awful；〃　Owens　noted。　
　　　　〃Any　evidence　of　a　panion？〃　
　　　　〃No；　sir。　None　at　all；〃　Highland　answered。　〃Only　this。〃　
　　　　The　bottom　drawer　of　the　only　bureau　in　the　shabby　apartment　was　lying　on　the　floor。　It　contained　several　blocks　of　what　looked　like　plastic　explosive；　some　blasting　caps；　and　what　were　probably　electronic　timers。　Already　a　detective　was　doing　a　written　inventory　while　another　was　busily　photographing　the　entire　room　with　a　Nikon　camera　and　strobe。　A　third　was　breaking　open　an　evidence　kit。　Everything　in　the　room　would　be　tagged；　dropped　in　a　clear　plastic　bag；　and　stored　for　use　in　yet　another　terrorist　trial　in　the　Old　Bailey。　There　were　smiles　of　satisfaction　everywhere　　except　for　Maureen　Dwyer's　face；　which　was　pressed　to　the　floor。　Two　detectives　stood　over　the　girl；　their　service　revolvers　holstered　as　they　watched　the　naked；　wet　figure　without　a　trace　of　sympathy。
　　　　Murray　stood　in　the　doorway　to　keep　out　of　everyone's　way　while　his　eyes　took　in　the　way　Owens'　detectives　handled　the　scene。　There　wasn't　much　to　criticize。　The　suspect　was　neutralized；　the　area　secured；　and　now　evidence　was　being　collected；　everything　was　going　by　the　book。　He　noted　that　the　suspect　was　kept　stationary。　A　woman　officer　would　perform　a　cavity　search　to　ensure　that　she　wasn't　〃holding〃　something　that　might　be　dangerous。　This　was　a　little　hard　on　Miss　Dwyer's　modesty；　but　Murray　didn't　think　a　judge　would　object。　Maureen　Dwyer　was　a　known　bomber；　with　at　least　three　years'　work　behind　her。　Nine　months　before；　she'd　been　seen　leaving　the　site　of　a　nasty　one　in　Belfast　that　minutes　later　had　killed　four　people　and　maimed　another　three。　No；　there　wouldn't　be　all　that　much　sympathy　for　Miss　Dwyer。　After　another　several　minutes；　a　detective　took　the　sheet　off　the　bed　and　draped　it　over　her；　covering　her　from　her　knees　to　her　shoulders。　Through　it　all；　the　suspect　didn't　move。　She　was　breathing　rapidly；　but　made　no　sound。
　　　　〃This　is　interesting；〃　one　man　said。　He　pulled　a　suitcase　from　under　the　bed。　After　checking　it　for　booby　traps；　he　opened　it　and　extracted　a　theatrical　makeup　case　plete　with　four　wigs。
　　　　〃Goodness；　I　could　use　one　of　those　myself。〃　The　female　detective　squeezed　past　Murray　and　approached　Owens。　〃I　came　as　fast　as　I　could。　mander。〃
　　　　〃Carry　on。〃　Owens　smiled。　He　was　too　happy　to　let　something　this　minor　annoy　him。
　　　　〃Spread　'em；　dearie。　You　know　the　drill。〃　The　detective　put　on　a　rubber　glove　for　her　search。　Murray　didn't　watch。　This　was　one　thing　he'd　always　been　squeamish　about。　A　few　seconds　later；　the　glove　came　off　with　a　snapping　sound。　A　detective　handed　Dwyer　some　clothes　to　put　on。　Murray　watched　the　suspect　dress　herself　as　unselfconsciously　as　if　she'd　been　alone　　no；　he　thought；　alone　she'd　show　more　emotion。　As　soon　as　her　clothes　were　on；　a　police　officer　snapped　steel　handcuffs　on　her　wrists。　The　same　man　informed　Dwyer　of　her　rights；　not　very　differently　from　the　way　American　cops　did　it。　She　did　not　acknowledge　the　words。　Maureen　Dwyer　looked　about　at　the　police；　no　expression　at　all　on　her　face；　not　even　anger；　and　was　taken　out　without　having　said　a　single　word。
　　　　That's　a　cold　piece　of　work；　Murray　told　himself。　Even　with　her　hair　wet；　with　no　makeup；　she　was　pretty　enough；　he　thought。　Nice　plexion。　It　wouldn't　hurt　her　to　knock　off　eight　or　ten　pounds；　but　in　nice　clothes　that　wouldn't　matter　very　much。　You　could　pass　her　on　the　street；　or　sit　next　to　her　in　a　bar　and　offer　to　buy　her　a　drink；　and　you'd　never　suspect　that　she　was　carrying　two　pounds　of　high　explosives　in　her　purse。　Thank　God　we　don't　have　anything　like　that　at　home　。　。　。　He　wondered　how　well　the　Bureau　would　do　against　such　a　threat。　Even　with　all　their　resources；　the　scientific　and　forensic　experts　who　back　up　the　special　agents　in　the　field；　this　was　no　easy　crime　to　deal　with。　For　any　police　force；　the　name　of　the　game　was　wait　for　the　bad　guys　to　make　a　mistake。　You　had　to　play　for　the　breaks；　just　like　a　football　team　waited　for　a　turnover。　The　problem　was；　the　crooks　kept　getting　better；　kept　learning　from　their　mistakes。　It　was　like　any　sort　of　petition。　Both　sides　became　increasingly　sophisticated。　But　the　criminals　always　had　the　initiative。　The　cops　were　always　playing　catchup　ball。
　　　　〃Well；　Dan；　any　critique？　Do　we　measure　up　to　FBI　standards？〃　Owens　inquired　with　the　slightest　amount　of　smugness。
　　　　〃Don't　give　me　that　crap；　Jimmy！〃　Murray　grinned。　Things　were　settled　down　now。　The　detectives　were　fully　engaged　in　cataloging　the　physical　evidence　in　the　confidence　that　they　already　had　a　solid　criminal　case。　〃I'd　say　you　have　this　one　pretty　cold。　You　know　how　lucky　you　are　not　to　have　our　illegal…search…and…seizure　rules？〃　Not　to　mention　some　of　our　judges。　
　　　　〃Finished；〃　the　photographer　said。
　　　　〃Excellent；〃　replied　Sergeant　Bob　Highland；　who　was　running　the　crime　scene。
　　　　〃How'd　you　get　here　so　fast；　Bob？〃　Murray　wanted　to　know。　〃You　take　the　tube；　or　what？〃
　　　　〃Why　didn't　I　think　of　that？〃　Highland　laughed。　〃Perhaps　we　caught　the　traffic　right。　We　were　here　within　eleven　minutes。　You　weren't　that　far　behind　us。　We　booted　the　door　and　had　Dwyer　in　custody　in　under　five　seconds。　Isn't　it　amazing　how　easy　it　can　be　　if　you　have　the　bloody　information　you　need！〃　
　　　　〃Can　I　e　in　now？〃　
　　　　〃Certainly。〃　Owens　waved　him　into　the　apartment。
　　　　Murray　went　right　to　the　bureau　drawer　with　the　explosives。　The　FBI　man　was　an　expert　on　explosive　devices。　He　and　Owens　crouched　over　the　collection。
　　　　〃Looks　like　Czech；〃　Murray　muttered。
　　　　〃It　is；〃　another　detective　said。　〃From　Skoda　works；　you　can　tell　from　the　wrapping。　These　are　American；　though。　California　Pyronetics；　model　thirty…one　electronic　detonator。〃　He　tossed　one　　in　a　plastic　bag　　to　Murray。
　　　　〃Damn！　They're　turning　up　all　over　the　place　　a　shipment　of　these　little　babies　got　hijacked　a　year　and　a　half　ago。　They　were　heading　for　an　oil　field　in　Venezuela；　and　got　taken　outside　Caracas；〃　Murray　explained。　He　gave　the　small　black　device　a　closer　look。　〃The　oil　field　guys　love　'em。　Safe；　reliable；　and　damned　near　foolproof。　This　is　as　good　as　the　stuff　the　Army　uses。　State　of　the　art。〃　
　　　　〃Where　else　have　they　turned　up？〃　Owens　asked。
　　　　〃We're　sure　about　three　or　four。　The　problem　is；　they're　so　small　that　it's　not　always　possible　to　identify　what's　left。　A　bank　in　Puerto　Rico；　a　police　station　in　Peru　　those　were　political。　The　other　one　　maybe　two　　were　drug　related。　Until　now　they've　all　been　on　the　other　side　of　the　Atlantic。　As　far　as　I　know；　this　is　the　first　time　they've　showed　up　here。　These　detonators　have　lot　numbers。　You'll　want　to　check　them　against　the　stolen　shipment。　I　can　get　a　telex　off　tonight；　have　you　an　answer　inside　an　hour。〃　
　　　　〃Thank　you；　Dan。〃
　　　　Murray　counted　five　one…kilo　blocks　of　explosive。　The　Czech　plastique　had　a　good　reputation　for　quality。　It　was　as　potent　as　the　stuff　Du　Pont　made　for　American　military　use。　One　block；　properly　placed；　could　take　a　building　down。　With　the　Pyronetics　timers；　Miss　Dwyer　could　have　placed　five　separate　bombs；　set　them　for　delayed　detonation　　as　much　as　a　month　　and　been　a　thousand　miles　away　when　they　went　off。
　　　　〃You　saved　some　lives　tonight；　gentlemen。　Good　one。〃　Murray　looked　up。　The　apartment　had　a　single　window　facing　to　the　rear。　The　window　had　a　pull…down　blind　that　was　all　the　way　down；　and　some　cheap；　dirty　curtains。　Murray　wondered　what　this　flat　cost　to　rent。　Not　much；　he　was　sure。　The　heat　was　turned　way　up；　and　the　room　was　getting　stuffy。　〃Anybody　mind　if　I　let　some　air　in　here？〃　
　　　　〃Excellent　idea；　Dan；〃　Owens　answered。
　　　　〃Let　me　do　it；　sir。〃　A　detective　with　gloves　on　put　up　the　blind　and　then　the　window。　Everything　in　the　room　would　be　dusted　for　fingerprints　also；　bu