tc.patriotgames-第37章

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　senior　police　officers。　
　　　　〃Well？〃
　　　　〃We　searched　from　the　Needles　to　Poole　Bay　　we　didn't　miss　a　thing。〃　The　pilot　traced　his　flight　path　on　the　chart。　〃That　type　of　boat　can　make　perhaps　twenty　knots　in　these　sea　conditions　　at　most；　and　then　only　with　an　expert　crew。　We　should　not　have　missed　them。〃　The　pilot　sipped　at　a　mug　of　tea。　He　stared　at　the　chart　and　shook　his　head　in　disbelief。　〃No　way　we　could　have　missed　them！　Not　with　two　machines　up。〃
　　　　〃What　if　they　went　seaward；　what　if　they　went　south？〃　
　　　　〃But　where？　Even　if　they　carried　enough　fuel　to　cross　the　Channel；　which　I　doubt；　only　a　madman　would　try　it。　There　will　be　twenty…foot　seas　out　there；　and　the　gale　is　still　freshening。　Suicide；〃　the　pilot　concluded。
　　　　〃Well；　we　know　that　they're　not　madmen；　they're　too　damned　smart　for　that。　No　way　they　could　have　gotten　past　you；　made　landfall　before　you　caught　up　with　them？〃　
　　　　〃Not　a　chance。　None。〃　The　flyer　was　emphatic。　
　　　　〃Then　where　the　hell　are　they？〃　
　　　　〃I'm　sorry；　sir；　but　I　haven't　a　clue。　Perhaps　they　sank。〃　
　　　　〃Do　you　believe　that？〃　the　cop　demanded。　
　　　　〃No；　sir。〃　
　　　　mander　James　Owens　turned　away。　He　looked　out　the　windows。　The　pilot　was　right；　the　storm　was　worsening。　The　phone　rang。
　　　　〃For　you；　sir。〃　A　petty　officer　held　it　up。
　　　　〃Owens。　Yes？〃　His　face　changed　from　sadness　to　rage　and　back。　〃Thank　you。　Please　keep　us　posted。　That　was　the　hospital。　Another　of　the　wounded　died。　Sergeant　Highland's　in　surgery　now。　One　of　the　bullets　hit　his　spine。　That's　a　total　of　nine　dead；　I　believe。　Gentlemen；　is　there　anything　you　can　suggest　to　us？　I'd　be　quite　willing　to　hire　a　gypsy　fortune　teller　at　the　moment。〃　
　　　　〃Perhaps　they　made　south　from　the　Needles；　then　curved　east　and　made　landfall　on　the　Isle　of　Wight。〃　
　　　　Owens　shook　his　head。　〃We　have　people　there。　Nothing。〃　
　　　　〃Then　they　might　have　rendezvoused　with　a　ship。　There　is　the　usual　amount　of　traffic　in　the　Channel。〃　
　　　　〃Any　way　to　check　that？〃
　　　　The　pilot　shook　his　head。　〃No。　There's　a　ship…traffic…control　radar　at　Dover　Strait；　but　not　here。　We　can't　board　every　ship；　can　we？〃
　　　　〃Very　well。　Gentlemen；　thank　you　for　your　efforts；　particularly　getting　your　surgeon　out　as　quickly　as　you　did。　I　was　told　that　this　action　saved　several　lives。〃　mander　Owens　walked　out　of　the　building。　Those　left　behind　marveled　at　his　self…control。　Outside；　the　senior　detective　looked　up　into　the　leaden　sky　and　swore　a　mental　curse　at　fortune；　but　he　was　too　consumed　by　anger　to　show　what　he　felt。　Owens　was　a　man　accustomed　to　concealing　what　he　thought　and　felt。　Emotions；　he　often　lectured　his　men；　had　no　place　in　police　work。　Of　course　that　was　false；　and　like　many　cops　Owens　only　succeeded　in　turning　his　rage　inward。　That　accounted　for　the　packet　of　antacid　pills　always　in　his　coat　pocket；　and　the　quiet　spells　at　home　that　his　wife　had　learned　to　live　with。　He　reached　in　his　shirt　pocket　for　a　cigarette　that　wasn't　there；　then　snorted　to　himself　　how　did　you　ever　break　that　habit；　Jimmy？　He　stood　alone　in　the　parking　lot　for　a　moment；　as　though　the　cold　rain　would　dampen　his　anger。　But　it　only　gave　him　a　chill；　and　he　couldn't　afford　that。　He'd　have　to　answer　for　this；　answer　to　the　missioner　of　the　Metropolitan　Police；　answer　to　the　Home　Office。　Someone　　not　me；　thank　God　　would　also　have　to　answer　to　the　Crown。
　　　　That　thought　hammered　home。　He　had　failed　them。　He'd　failed　them　twice。　He　had　failed　to　detect　and　prevent　the　original　attack　on　The　Mall；　and　only　the　incredible　luck　of　that　Yank's　intervention　had　saved　the　day。　Then；　when　everything　had　subsequently　gone　right；　this　failure。　Nothing　like　this　had　ever　happened　before。　Owens　was　responsible。　It　had　all　happened　on　his　watch。　He　had　personally　set　up　the　transport　scheme。　The　method　was　of　his　choosing。　He　had　established　the　security　procedures。　Picked　the　day。　Picked　the　routes。　Picked　the　men；　all　dead　now；　except　for　Bob　Highland。
　　　　How　did　they　know？　Owens　demanded　of　himself。　They　knew　when；　they　knew　where。　How　did　they　know？　Well；　he　told　himself；　that's　one　place　to　start　looking。　The　number　of　people　who　had　this　information　was　known　to　Owens。　Somehow　it　had　been　leaked。　He　remembered　the　report　Ashley　had　brought　back　from　Dublin。　〃So　good；　you　would　not　believe　it；〃　that　PIRA　bastard　had　said　of　O'Donnell's　intelligence　source。　Murphy　was　wrong；　the　detective　thought。　Everyone　will　believe　it　now。　
　　　　〃Back　to　London；〃　he　told　the　driver。　
　　　　〃Great　day。　Jack；〃　Robby　observed　on　the　couch。
　　　　〃Not　bad　at　all；〃　Ryan　agreed。　Of　course　the　house　looks　like　a　Toys　'R　Us　that　got　nuked　。　。　。　
　　　　In　front　of　them；　Sally　was　playing　with　her　new　toys。　She　particularly　liked　the　doll　house。　Jack　was　gratified　to　see。　His　daughter　was　winding　down；　having　gotten　her　parents　up　at　seven　that　morning。　Jack　and　Cathy　were　winding　down　also　after　only　five　hours　of　sleep。　That　was　a　little　tough　on　a　pregnant　wife；　Jack　had　thought　an　hour　earlier；　and　he　and　Robby　had　cleared　away　the　dishes；　now　being　processed　by　the　dishwasher　in　the　kitchen。　Now　their　wives　were　on　the　other　couch　talking　while　the　menfolk　sipped　at　some　brandy。　
　　　　〃Not　flying　tomorrow？〃
　　　　Jackson　shook　his　head。　〃The　bird　went　tits…up；　take　another　day　or　so　to　fix。　Besides；　what's　Christmas　without　a　good　brandy？　I'll　be　back　in　the　simulator　tomorrow；　and　regs　don't　prevent　me　from　drinking　before　I　do　that。　I　don't　strap　in　until　three　tomorrow；　I　ought　to　be　fairly　sober　by　then。〃　Robby'd　had　one　glass　of　wine　with　dinner；　and　had　limited　himself　to　only　one　Hennessy。
　　　　〃God；　I　need　a　stretch。〃　Jack　stood　up　and　beckoned　his　friend　to　the　stairs。
　　　　〃How　late　were　you　up　last　night；　sport？〃　
　　　　〃I　think　we　hit　the　sack　a　little　after　two。〃
　　　　Robby　checked　to　see　that　Sally　was　out　of　earshot。　〃Being　Santa　is　a　bitch；　isn't　it？　If　you　can　put　all　those　toys　together；　maybe　I　ought　to　turn　you　loose　on　my　broke　airplane。〃　
　　　　〃Wait　till　I　have　both　arms　back。〃　Jack　pulled　his　arm　out　of　the　sling　and　moved　it　around　as　they　went　down　to　the　library　level。
　　　　〃What's　Cathy　say　about　that？〃
　　　　〃What　docs　always　say　　hell；　if　you　get　well　too　soon；　they　lose　money！〃　He　moved　his　wrist　around。　〃This　thing　knots　up　like　you　wouldn't　believe。〃　
　　　　〃How's　it　feel？〃
　　　　〃Pretty　good。　I　think　I　might　get　full　use　back。　At　least　I　haven't　had　it　quit　on　me　yet。〃　Jack　checked　his　watch。　〃Want　to　catch　the　news？〃　
　　　　〃Sure。〃
　　　　Ryan　flipped　on　the　small　TV　on　his　deck。　Cable　had　finally　made　it　down　his　road；　and　he　was　already　hooked　on　CNN。　It　was　so　nice　to　get　the　national　and　world　news　whenever　you　wanted。　Jack　dropped　into　his　swivel　chair　while　Robby　selected　another　in　the　corner。　It　was　a　few　minutes　short　of　the　hourly　headlines。　Jack　left　the　sound　down。　
　　　　〃How's　the　book　ing？〃
　　　　〃Getting　there。　I　have　all　the　information　in　line；　finally。　Four　more　chapters　to　write；　and　two　I　have　to　change　around　some；　and　it's　done。〃　
　　　　〃What　did　you　change？〃　　　　　〃Turned　out　that　I　got　bum　data。　You　were　right　about　that　deck…spotting　problem　on　the　Japanese　carriers。〃　
　　　　〃I　didn't　think　that　sounded　right；〃　Robby　replied。　〃They　were　pretty　good；　but　they　weren't　that　good　　I　mean；　we　took　'em　at　Midway；　didn't　we？〃　
　　　　〃What　about　today？〃
　　　　〃The　Russians？　Hey；　Jack；　anybody　wants　to　fool　with　me　and　my　Tomcat　better　have　his　will　fixed　up。　They　don't　pay　me　to　lose；　son。〃　Jackson　grinned　like　a　sleepy　lion。　
　　　　〃Nice　to　see　such　confidence。〃
　　　　〃There's　better　pilots　than　me；〃　Robby　admitted。　〃Three；　as　a　matter　of　fact。　Ask　me　again　in　a　year；　when　I'm　back　in　the　groove。〃
　　　　〃Oh；　yeah！〃　Jack　laughed。　The　laugh　died　when　he　saw　the　picture　on　the　TV　screen。　〃That's　him　　I　wonder　why　〃　He　turned　the　sound　up。
　　　　〃　。　。　。　killed；　including　five　police　officers。　An　intensive　land；　sea；　and　air　search　is　under　way　for　the　terrorists　who　snatched　their　convicted　rade　while　en　route　to　a　British　prison　on　the　Isle　of　Wight。　Sean　Miller　was　convicted　only　three　weeks　before　in　the　daring　attack　on　the　Prince　and　Princess　of　Wales　within　sight　of　Buckingham　Palace。　Two　police　officers　and　one　of　the　terrorists　were　killed　before　the　attack　was　broken　up　by　American　tourist　Jack　Ryan　of　Annapolis；　Maryland。〃
　　　　The　picture　changed　to　show　the　weather　on　the　Channel　and　a　Royal　Navy　helicopter；　evidently　searching　for　something。　It　changed　again　to　a　file　tape　of　Miller　being　taken　out　of　the　Old　Bailey。　Just　before　he　was　put　in　the　police　van。　Miller　turned　to　face　the　camera；　and　now　weeks　later　his　eyes　stared　again　into　those　of　John　Patrick　Ryan。
　　　　〃Oh；　my　God　。　。　。〃　Jack　muttered。

Chapter　10　Plans　and　Threats

　　　　〃You　shouldn't　blame　yourself；　Jimmy；〃　Murray　said。　〃And　Bob's　going　to　make　it。　That's　something。〃
　　　　〃Certainly；〃　Owens　replied　sardonically。　〃There's　even　a　fifty…percent　chance　that　he'll　learn　to　walk　again。　What　of　the　others；　Dan？　Five　good　men　gone；　and　four　civilians　along　with　them。〃　
　　　　〃And　maybe　the　terrorists；　too；〃　Murray　pointed　out。　
　　　　〃You　don't　believe　that　any　more　than　I　do！〃
　　　　It　had　e　as　a　piece　of　blind　luck。　A　Royal　Navy　mine…hunter　ship　conducting　an　ongoing　sonar　survey　of　the　English　Channel　had　found　a　new　object　on　the　bottom　and　immediately　sent　a　camera　sled　down　to　classify　it。　The　videotape　showed　the　remains　of　a　ten…meter　zodiac…type　inflatable　boat；　with　two　hundred…horse　outboard　motors。　It　had　clearly　sunk　as　the　result　of　an　explosion　near　the　gas　tanks；　but　there　was　no　evidence　of　the　men　who'd　been　aboard；　or　their　weapons。　The　vessel's　skipper　had　immediately　grasped　the　importance　of　the　discovery　and　informed　his　superiors。　A　salvage　crew　was　preparing　now　to　go　out　and　raise　the　wreck。
　　　　〃It's　a　possibility。　One　of　them　might　have　screwed　up；　the　boat　blew；　the　bad　guys　get　dumped　in　the　drink　。　。　。　〃　
　　　　〃And　the　bodies？〃
　　　　〃Fish　food。〃　Murray　smirked。　〃Makes　a　nice　image；　doesn't　it？〃
　　　　〃You　are　so　fond　of　punting；　Dan。　Just　what　percentage　of　your　salary　would　you　wager　on　that　hypothesis？〃　Owens　wasn't　in　the　mood　for　humor。　Murray　could　see　that　the　head　of　C…13　still　looked　on　this　as　a　very　personal　defeat。
　　　　〃Not　very　much；〃　the　FBI　representative　conceded。　〃So　you　think　a　ship　picked　them　up。〃
　　　　〃It's　the　only　thing　that　makes　the　least　bit　of　sense。　Nine　merchant　vessels　were　close　enough　to　have　been　involved。　We　have　the　list。〃
　　　　So　did　Murray。　It　had　already　been　forwarded　to　Washington；　where　the　FBI　and　CIA　would　both　work　on　it。　〃But　why　not　recover　the　boat；　too？〃
　　　　〃Obvious；　isn't　it？　What　if　one　of　our　helicopters　saw　them　doing　it？　Or　it　might　have　been　too　difficult　for　the　weather　conditions。　Or　they　might　just　not　have　wished　to　trouble　themselves。　They　do　have　ample　financial　resources；　don't　they？〃　
　　　　〃When　will　the　Navy　raise　the　wreck？〃
　　　　〃If　the　weather　holds；　day　after　tomorrow；〃　Owens　said。　That　was　the　one　thing　to　be　happy　about。　Then　they'd　have　physical　evidence。　Everything　made　in　the　world　carried　trademarks　and　serial　numbers。　Somewhere　there　would　be　records　of　sale。　That　was　how　many　successful　investigations　had　started　　a　single　sales　slip　in　a　single　shop　had　often　led　to　the　conviction　of　the　most　dang