tc.patriotgames-第92章

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gular　hole　in　the　wall；　which　allowed　someone　in　there　to　see　into　the　living　room；　but　Ryan　had　placed　a　print　over　it。　The　picture　was　mounted　on　a　rail　and　could　be　slid　aside；　Jackson　noticed。　The　purpose　of　that　was　clear　enough。　Jack　led　them　to　his　library　next。　Everyone　liked　that　the　only　window　was　over　his　desk　and　looked　out　over　the　bay。
　　　　〃No　servants。　Jack？〃
　　　　〃No；　sir。　Cathy's　talking　about　getting　a　nanny；　but　she　hasn't　sold　me　on　that　idea　yet。　Is　everyone　ready　for　dinner？〃　
　　　　The　response　was　enthusiastic。　The　potatoes　were　already　in　the　oven；　and　Cathy　was　ready　to　start　the　corn。　Jack　took　the　steaks　from　the　refrigerator　and　led　the　menfolk　outside。　
　　　　〃You'll　like　this；　Cap'n。　Jack　does　a　mean　steak。〃　
　　　　〃The　secret's　in　the　charcoal；〃　Ryan　explained。　He　had　six　gorgeous…looking　sirloins；　and　a　hamburger　for　Sally。　〃It　helps　to　have　good　meat；　too。〃　
　　　　〃I　know　it's　too　late　to　ask；　Jack；　but　where　do　you　get　those？〃　
　　　　〃One　of　my　old　stock　clients　has　a　restaurant…supply　business。　These　are　Kansas　City　strips。〃　Jack　transferred　them　to　the　grill　with　a　long…handled　fork。　A　gratifying　sizzle　rose　to　their　ears。　He　brushed　some　sauce　on　the　meat。
　　　　〃The　view　is　spectacular；〃　His　Highness　observed。
　　　　〃It's　nice　to　be　able　to　watch　the　boats　go　by；〃　Jack　agreed。　〃Looks　a　little　thin　now；　though。〃
　　　　〃They　must　be　listening　to　the　radio；〃　Robby　observed。　〃There's　a　severe…thunderstorm　warning　on　for　tonight。〃　
　　　　〃I　didn't　hear　that。〃
　　　　〃It's　the　leading　edge　of　that　cold　front。　They　develop　pretty　fast　over　Pittsburgh。　I'm　going　up　tomorrow；　like　I　said；　and　I　called　Pax　Weather　right　before　we　left。　They　told　me　that　the　storms　look　pretty　ferocious　on　radar。　Heavy　rain　and　gusts。　Supposed　to　hit　around　ten　or　so。〃　
　　　　〃Do　you　get　many　of　those　here？〃　His　Highness　asked。
　　　　〃Sure　do；　Captain。　We　don't　get　tornadoes　like　in　the　Midwest；　but　the　thunder…boomers　we　get　here'll　curl　your　hair。　I　was　bringing　a　bird　back　from　Memphis　last　　no；　two　years　ago；　and　it　was　like　being　on　a　pogo　stick。　You　just　don't　have　control　of　the　airplane。　Those　suckers　can　be　scary。　Down　at　Pax；　they're　taking　all　the　birds　they　can　inside　the　hangars；　and　they'll　be　tying　the　rest　down　tight。〃
　　　　〃It'll　be　worth　it　to　cool　things　off；〃　Jack　said　as　he　turned　the　steaks。
　　　　〃Roger　that。　It's　just　your　basic　thunderstorm。　Captain。　We　get　the　big　ones　three　or　four　times　a　year。　It'll　knock　down　some　trees；　but　as　long　as　you're　not　in　the　air　or　out　in　a　small　boat；　it's　no　big　deal。　Down　in　Alabama　with　this　kind　of　storm　ing　across；　we'd　be　sweating　tornadoes。　Now　that's　scary！〃　
　　　　〃You've　seen　one？〃
　　　　〃More　'n　one；　Cap'n。　You　get　those　mostly　in　the　spring　down　home。　When　I　was　ten　or　so；　I　watched　one　e　across　the　road；　pick　up　a　house　like　it　was　part　of　a　Christmas　garden；　and　drop　it　a　quarter　mile　away。　They're　weird；　though。　It　didn't　even　take　the　weathervane　off　my　pappy's　church。　They're　like　that。　It's　something　to　see；　all　right　　but　you　want　to　do　it　from　a　safe　distance。〃　
　　　　〃Turbulence　is　the　main　flying　hazard；　then？〃　
　　　　〃Right。　But　the　other　thing　is　water。　I　know　of　cases　where　jets　have　ingested　enough　water　through　the　intakes　to　snuff　the　engines　right　out。〃　Robby　snapped　his　fingers。　〃All　of　a　sudden　you're　riding　in　a　glider。　Definitely　not　fun。　So　you　keep　away　from　them　when　you　can。〃　
　　　　〃And　when　you　can't？〃　
　　　　〃Once；　Cap'n；　I　had　to　land　on　a　carrier　in　one　　at　night。　That's　about　as　close　as　I've　e　to　wetting　my　pants　since　I　was　two。〃　He　even　threw　in　a　shudder。
　　　　〃Your　Highness；　I　have　to　thank　you　for　getting　all　of　this　out　of　Robby。　I've　known　him　for　over　a　year　and　he's　never　admitted　to　being　mildly　nervous　up　there。〃　Jack　grinned。
　　　　〃I　didn't　want　to　spoil　the　image；〃　Jackson　explained。　〃You　have　to　put　a　gun　to　Jack's　head　to　get　him　aboard　a　plane；　and　I　didn't　want　to　scare　him　any　more　than　he　already　is。〃　Zing！　And　Robby　took　the　point。
　　　　It　helped　that　the　deck　was　now　in　the　shade；　and　there　was　a　slight　northerly　breeze。　Jack　manipulated　the　steaks　over　the　coals。　There　were　a　few　boats　out　on　the　bay；　but　most　of　them　seemed　to　be　heading　back　to　harbor。　Jack　nearly　jumped　out　of　his　skin　when　a　jet　fighter　screamed　past　the　cliff。　He　turned　in　time　to　see　the　white…painted　aircraft　heading　south。
　　　　〃Robby；　what　the　hell　is　that　all　about？　They've　been　doing　that　for　two　weeks。〃
　　　　Jackson　watched　the　plane's　double　tail　vanish　in　the　haze。　〃They're　testing　a　new　piece　of　gear　on　the　F…18。　What's　the　big　deal？〃　
　　　　〃The　noise！〃　Ryan　flipped　the　steaks　over。
　　　　Robby　laughed。　〃Aw；　Jack；　that's　not　noise。　That's　the　sound　of　freedom。〃　
　　　　〃Not　bad；　mander；〃　His　Highness　judged。　
　　　　〃Well；　how　about　the　sound　of　dinner？〃　Ryan　asked。
　　　　Robby　grabbed　the　platter；　and　Jack　piled　the　meat　on　it。　The　salads　were　already　on　the　table。　Cathy　made　a　superb　spinach　salad；　with　homemade　dressing。　Jack　noted　that　Sissy　was　bringing　the　corn　and　potatoes　out；　wearing　an　apron　to　protect　her　dress。　He　distributed　the　steaks　and　put　Sally's　hamburger　on　a　roll。　Next　he　got　their　daughter　in　a　booster　seat。　The　one　awkward　thing　was　that　nobody　was　drinking。　He'd　gotten　four　bottles　of　a　choice　California　red　to　go　with　the　steaks；　but　it　seemed　that　everyone　was　in　a　teetotaling　mood。
　　　　〃Jack；　the　electricity　is　acting　up　again；〃　his　wife　reported。　〃For　a　while　there　I　didn't　think　we'd　get　the　corn　finished。〃

　　　　The　Secret　Service　agent　stood　in　the　middle　of　the　road；　forcing　the　van　to　stop。
　　　　〃Yes；　sir？〃　the　driver　said。
　　　　〃What　are　you　doing　here？〃　The　agent's　coat　was　unbuttoned。　No　gun　was　visible；　but　the　driver　knew　it　was　there　somewhere。　He　counted　six　more　men　within　ten　yards　of　the　van　and　another　four　readily　visible。
　　　　〃Hey；　I　just　told　the　cop。〃　The　man　gestured　backward。　The　two　State　Police　cars　were　only　two　hundred　yards　away。　
　　　　〃Could　you　tell　me；　please？〃
　　　　〃There's　a　problem　with　the　transformer　at　the　end　of　the　road。　I　mean；　you　can　see　this　is　a　BG　and　E　truck；　right？〃　
　　　　〃Could　you　wait　here；　please？〃
　　　　〃Okay　with　me；　man。〃　The　driver　exchanged　a　look　with　the　man　in　the　right…front　seat。　The　agent　returned　with　another。　This　one　held　a　radio。
　　　　〃What　seems　to　be　the　problem？〃
　　　　The　driver　sighed。　〃Third　time。　There's　a　problem　with　the　electrical　transformer　at　the　end　of　the　road。　Have　the　people　here　been　plaining　about　the　electricity？〃
　　　　〃Yeah；〃　the　second　man；　Avery；　said。　〃I　noticed；　too。　What　gives？〃
　　　　The　man　in　the　right　seat　answered。　〃I'm　Alex　Dobbens；　field　engineer。　We　have　a　new；　experimental　transformer　on　this　line。　There's　a　test　monitor　on　the　box；　and　it's　been　sending　out　some　weird　signals；　like　the　box　is　going　to　fail。　We're　here　to　check　it　out。〃　
　　　　〃Could　we　see　some　ID；　please？〃
　　　　〃Sure。〃　Alex　got　out　of　the　truck　and　walked　around。　He　handed　over　his　BG&E　identification　card。　〃What　the　hell's　going　on　here？〃
　　　　〃Can't　say。〃　Avery　examined　the　pass　and　handed　it　back。　〃You　have　a　work　order？〃
　　　　Dobbens　gave　the　man　his　clipboard。　〃Hey；　if　you　want　to　check　it　out；　you　can　call　that　number　up　top。　That's　the　field…operations　office　at　pany　headquarters　in　Baltimore。　Ask　for　Mr。　Griffin。〃
　　　　Avery　talked　into　his　radio；　ordering　his　men　to　do　just　that。　〃Do　you　mind　if　we　look　at　the　truck？〃
　　　　〃Be　my　guest；〃　Dobbens　replied。　He　led　the　two　agents　around。　He　noted　also　that　four　men　were　keeping　a　very　close　eye　on　things；　and　that　they　were　widely　separated；　with　their　hands　free。　Others　were　scattered　across　the　yard。　He　yanked　open　the　sliding　door　and　waved　the　two　agents　inside。
　　　　The　agents　saw　a　mass　of　tools　and　cables　and　test　equipment。　Avery　let　his　subordinate　do　the　searching。　〃Do　you　have　to　go　back　there　now？〃
　　　　〃The　transformer　might　go　out；　man。　I　could　let　it；　but　the　folks　in　the　neighborhood　might　be　upset　if　the　lights　went　off。　People　are　like　that；　you　know？　Do　you　mind　if　I　ask　who　you　are？〃
　　　　〃Secret　Service。〃　Avery　held　up　his　ID。　Dobbens　was　taken　aback。
　　　　〃Jeez！　You　mean　the　President's　back　there？〃　
　　　　〃I　can't　say；〃　Avery　replied。　〃What's　the　problem　with　the　transformer　　you　said　it　was　new？〃
　　　　〃Yeah；　it's　an　experimental　model。　It　uses　an　inert　cooling　agent　instead　of　PBBs；　and　it　has　a　built…in　surge…suppressor。　That's　probably　the　problem。　It　looks　like　the　unit's　temperature…sensitive　for　some　reason。　We've　adjusted　it　several　times；　but　we　can't　seem　to　get　it　dialed　in　right。　I've　been　on　the　project　for　a　couple　of　months。　Usually　I　let　my　people　do　it；　but　this　time　the　boss　wanted　me　to　eyeball　it　myself。〃　He　shrugged。　〃It's　my　project。〃
　　　　The　other　agent　came　out　of　the　van　and　shook　his　head。　Avery　nodded。　Next　the　chief　agent　called　the　radio　van；　whose　occupants　had　called　Baltimore　Gas　&　Electric　and　confirmed　what　Alex　had　told　them。
　　　　〃You　want　to　send　a　guy　to　watch　us？〃　Dobbens　asked。　
　　　　〃No；　that's　okay。　How　long　will　it　take？〃　Avery　asked。
　　　　〃Your　guess　is　as　good　as　mine；　sir。　It's　probably　something　simple；　but　we　haven't　figured　it　out　yet。　〃The　simple　ones　are　the　ones　that　kill　you。〃
　　　　〃There's　a　storm　ing　in。　I　wouldn't　want　to　be　up　on　a　pole　in　one　of　those；〃　the　agent　observed。
　　　　〃Yeah；　well；　while　we're　sitting　here；　we're　not　getting　much　work　done。　Everything　okay　with　you　guys？〃　
　　　　〃Yeah；　go　ahead。〃　
　　　　〃You　really　can't　tell　me　who's　in　the　neighborhood？〃　
　　　　Avery　smiled。　〃Sorry。〃　
　　　　〃Well；　I　didn't　vote　for　him　anyway。〃　Dobbens　laughed。　
　　　　〃Hold　it！〃　the　second　agent　called。　
　　　　〃What's　the　matter？〃　
　　　　〃That　left…front　tire。〃　The　man　pointed。
　　　　〃Goddammit；　Louis！〃　Dobbens　growled　at　the　driver。　The　steel　belt　was　showing　on　part　of　the　tire。
　　　　〃Hey；　boss；　it's　not　my　fault。　They　were　supposed　to　change　it　this　morning。　I　wrote　it　up　Wednesday；〃　the　driver　protested。　〃〃I　got　the　order　slip　right　here。〃
　　　　〃All　right；　just　take　it　easy。〃　Dobbens　looked　over　to　the　agent。　〃Thanks；　man。〃
　　　　〃Can't　you　change　it？〃
　　　　〃We　don't　have　a　jack。　Somebody　lifted　it。　That's　a　problem　with　pany　trucks。　Something　is　always　missing。　It'll　be　all　right。　Well；　we　got　a　transformer　to　fix。　See　ya。〃　Alex　reboarded　the　truck　and　waved　as　the　vehicle　pulled　off。　
　　　　〃Good　one；　Louis。〃
　　　　The　driver　smiled。　〃Yeah；　I　thought　the　tire　was　a　nice　touch。　I　counted　fourteen。〃
　　　　〃Right。　Three　in　the　trees。　Figure　four　more　in　the　house。　They're　not　our　problem。〃　He　paused；　looking　at　the　clouds　that　were　building　on　the　horizon。　〃I　hope　Ed　and　Willy　made　out　all　right。〃
　　　　〃They　did。　All　they　had　to　do　was　hose　down　one　pigmobile　and　switch　cars。　The　pigs　here　were　more　relaxed　than　I　expected；〃　Louis　observed。
　　　　〃Why　not？　They　think　we're　someplace　else。〃　Alex　opened　a　toolbox　and　removed　his　transceiver。　The　agent　had　seen　it　and　not　questioned　it。　He　couldn't　tell　that　the　frequency　range　had　been　altered。　There　were　no　guns　in　the　van；　of　course；　but　radios　were　far　deadlier。　He　radioed　what　he'd　learned　and　got　an　acknowledgment。　Then　he　smiled。　The　agents　hadn't　even　asked　about　the　two　extension　ladders　on　the　roof。　He　checked　his　watch。　Rendezvous　was　scheduled　in　ninety　minutes　。　。　。　

　　　　〃The　prob