tc.patriotgames-第98章

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lose　us　in　this　rain　if　we're　lucky。〃　
　　　　〃What　would　you　call　the　visibility？〃
　　　　〃Except　for　the　lightning〃　　Robby　shrugged　　〃maybe　a　hot　hundred　yards；　tops。　We're　not　leaving　a　wake　for　them　to　follow；　and　they　don't　know　where　we're　going。〃　He　paused。　〃God；　I　wish　we　had　a　radio！　We　could　get　the　Coast　Guard　in　on　this；　or　maybe　somebody　else；　and　set　up　a　nice　little　trap　for　them。〃　Jack　sat　all　the　way　down；　facing　aft　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　engine　box　from　his　friend。　He　saw　that　his　daughter　was　asleep　in　the　arms　of　the　Princess。　It　must　be　nice　to　be　a　kid；　he　reflected。　
　　　　〃Count　your　blessings；　mander。〃
　　　　〃Bet　your　ass；　boy！　I　guess　I　picked　a　good　time　to　take　a　leak。〃
　　　　Ryan　grunted　agreement。　〃I　didn't　know　you　could　handle　a　shotgun。〃
　　　　〃Back　when　I　was　a　kid；　the　Klan　had　this　little　hobby。　They'd　get　boozed　up　every　Tuesday　night　and　burn　down　a　nigger　church　　just　to　keep　us　in　line；　y'know？　Well；　one　night；　the　sheetheads　decided　to　burn　my　pappy's　church。　We　got　word　　a　liquor…store　owner　called；　not　all　rednecks　are　assholes。　Anyway；　Pappy　and　me　were　waiting　for　them。　Didn't　kill　any；　but　we　must　have　scared　them　as　white　as　their　sheets。　I　blew　the　radiator　right　out　of　one　car。〃　Robby　chuckled　at　the　memory。　〃They　never　did　e　back　for　it。　The　cops　didn't　arrest　anybody；　but　that's　the　last　time　anybody　tried　to　burn　a　church　in　our　town；　so　I　guess　they　learned　their　lesson。〃　He　paused　again。　When　he　went　on；　his　voice　was　more　sober。　〃That's　the　first　time　I　ever　killed　a　man。　Jack。　Funny；　it　doesn't　feel　like　anything；　not　anything　at　all。〃　
　　　　〃It　will　tomorrow。〃　
　　　　Robby　looked　over　at　his　friend。　〃Yeah。〃
　　　　Ryan　looked　aft；　his　hands　tight　on　the　Uzi。　There　was　nothing　to　be　seen。　The　sky　and　water　merged　into　an　amorphous　gray　mass；　and　the　wind…driven　rain　stung　at　his　face。　The　boat　surged　up　and　down　on　the　breaking　swells；　and　for　a　moment　Jack　wondered　why　he　wasn't　seasick。　Lightning　flashed　again；　and　still　he　saw　nothing；　as　though　they　were　under　a　gray　dome　on　a　sparkling；　uneven　floor。

　　　　They　were　gone。　After　the　sniper　team　reported　that　all　the　terrorists　had　disappeared　over　the　cliff；　Werner's　men　searched　the　house　and　found　nothing　but　dead　men。　The　second　HRT　group　was　now　on　the　scene；　plus　over　twenty　police；　and　another　crowd　of　firemen　and　paramedics。　Three　of　the　Secret　Service　agents　were　still　alive；　plus　a　terrorist　who'd　been　left　behind。　All　were　being　transported　to　hospitals。　That　made　for　seventeen　security　people　dead；　and　a　total　of　four　terrorists；　two　of　them　apparently　killed　by　their　own　side。
　　　　〃They　all　crowded　into　the　boat　and　took　off　that　way；〃　Paulson　said。　〃I　could　have　taken　a　few　out；　but　there　just　wasn't　any　way　to　figure　who　was　who。〃　He'd　done　the　right　thing。　The　sniper　knew　it；　and　so　did　Werner。　You　don't　shoot　without　knowing　what　your　target　is。
　　　　〃So　now　what　the　hell　do　we　do？〃　This　question　came　from　a　captain　of　the　State　Police。　It　was　a　rhetorical　question　insofar　as　there　was　no　immediate　answer。
　　　　〃Do　you　suppose　the　good　guys　got　away？〃　Paulson　asked。　〃I　didn't　see　anything　that　looked　like　a　friendly；　and　the　way　the　bad　guys　were　acting　。　。　。　something　went　wrong；〃　he　said。　〃Something　went　wrong　for　everybody。〃
　　　　Something　went　wrong；　all　right；　Werner　thought。　A　goddamned　battle　was　fought　here。　Twenty…some　people　dead　and　nobody　in　sight。
　　　　〃Let's　assume　that　the　friendlies　escaped　somehow　　no；　let's　just　assume　that　the　bad　guys　got　away　in　a　boat。　Okay。　Where　would　they　go？〃　Werner　asked。
　　　　〃Do　you　know　how　many　boatyards　there　are　around　here？〃　the　State　Police　Captain　asked。　〃Jesus；　how　many　houses　with　private　slip's？　Hundreds　　we　can't　check　them　all　out！〃　
　　　　〃Well；　we　have　to　do　something！〃　Werner　snapped　back；　his　anger　amplified　by　his　sprained　back。　A　black　dog　came　up　to　them。　He　looked　as　confused　as　everyone　else。

　　　　〃I　think　they　lost　us。〃
　　　　〃Could　be；〃　Jackson　replied。　The　last　lightning　flash　had　revealed　nothing。　〃The　bay's　right　big；　and　visibility　isn't　worth　a　damn　　but　the　way　the　rain's　blowing；　they　can　see　better　than　we　can。　Twenty　yards；　maybe；　just　enough　to　matter。〃　
　　　　〃How　about　we　go　farther　east？〃　Jack　asked。
　　　　〃Into　the　main　ship　channel？　It's　a　Friday　night。　There'll　be　a　bunch　of　ships　ing　out　of　Baltimore；　knocking　down　ten…twelve　knots；　and　as　blind　as　we　are。〃　Robby　shook　his　head。　〃Uh…uh；　we　didn't　make　it　this　far　to　get　run　down　by　some　Greek　rustbucket。　This　is　hairy　enough。〃　
　　　　〃Lights　ahead；〃　the　Prince　reported。
　　　　〃We're　home；　Jack！〃　Robby　went　forward。　The　lights　of　the　twin　Chesapeake　Bay　Bridges　winked　at　them　unmistakably　in　the　distance。　Jackson　took　the　wheel；　and　the　Prince　took　up　his　spot　in　the　stem。　All　were　long　since　soaked　through　by　the　rain；　and　they　shivered　in　the　wind。　Jackson　brought　the　boat　around　to　the　west。　The　wind　was　on　the　bow　now；　ing　straight　down　the　Severn　River　valley；　as　it　usually　did　here。　The　waves　moderated　somewhat　as　he　steered　past　the　Annapolis　town　harbor。　The　rain　was　still　falling　in　sheets；　and　Robby　navigated　the　boat　mostly　by　memory。
　　　　The　lights　along　the　Naval　Academy's　Sims　Drive　were　a　muted；　linear　glow　through　the　rain　and　Robby　steered　for　them；　barely　missing　a　large　can　buoy　as　he　fought　the　boat　through　the　wind。　In　another　minute　they　could　see　the　line　of　gray　YPs　　Yard　Patrol　boats　　still　moored　to　the　concrete　seawall　while　their　customary　slips　were　being　renovated　across　the　river。　Robby　stood　to　see　better；　and　brought　the　boat　in　between　a　pair　of　the　wood…hulled　training　craft。　He　actually　wanted　to　enter　the　Academy　yacht　basin；　but　it　was　too　full　at　the　moment。　Finally　he　nosed　the　boat　to　the　seawall；　holding　her　to　the　concrete　with　engine　power。
　　　　〃Y'all　stop　that！〃　A　Marine　came　into　view。　His　white　cap　had　a　plastic　cover　over　it；　and　he　wore　a　raincoat。　〃Y'all　can't　tie　up　here。〃
　　　　〃This　is　Lieutenant　mander　Jackson；　son；〃　Robby　replied。　〃I　work　here。　Stand　by　Jack；　you　get　the　bowline。〃　
　　　　Ryan　ducked　under　the　windshield　and　unsnapped　the　bow　cover。　A　white　nylon　line　was　neatly　coiled　in　the　right　place；　and　Ryan　stood　as　Robby　used　engine　power　to　bring　the　boat's　port　side　fully　against　the　seawall。　Jack　jumped　up　and　tied　the　line　off。　The　Prince　did　the　same　at　the　stern。　Robby　killed　the　engine　and　went　up　to　face　the　Marine。　
　　　　〃You　recognize　me；　son？〃
　The　Marine　saluted。　〃Beg　pardon。　mander；　but　〃　He　flashed　his　light　into　the　boat。　〃Holy　Christ！〃
　　　　About　the　only　good　thing　that　could　be　said　about　the　boat　was　that　the　rain　had　washed　most　of　the　blood　down　the　self…bailing　hole。　The　Marine's　mouth　dropped　open　as　he　saw　two　bodies；　three　women；　one　of　them　apparently　shot；　and　a　sleeping　child。　Next　he　saw　a　machine　gun　draped　around　Ryan's　neck。　A　dull；　wet　evening　of　walking　guard　came　to　a　screeching　end。
　　　　〃You　got　a　radio；　Marine？〃　Robby　asked。　He　held　it　up　and　Jackson　snatched　it　away。　It　was　a　small　Motorola　CC　unit　like　those　used　by　police。　〃Guardroom；　this　is　mander　Jackson。〃　
　　　　〃mander？　This　is　Sergeant　Major　Breckenridge。　I　didn't　know　you　had　the　duty　tonight；　sir。　What　can　I　do　for　you？〃　
　　　　Jackson　took　a　long　breath。　〃I'm　glad　it's　you；　Gunny。　Listen　up：　Alert　the　mand　duty　officer。　Next；　I　want　some　armed　Marines　on　the　seawall　west　of　the　yacht　basin　immediately！　We　got　big　trouble　here；　Gunny；　so　let's　shag　it！〃
　　　　〃Aye　aye；　sir！〃　The　radio　squawked。　Orders　had　been　given。　Questions　could　wait。
　　　　〃What's　your　name；　son？〃　Robby　asked　the　Marine　next。　
　　　　〃Lance　Corporal　Green；　sir！〃
　　　　〃Okay；　Green；　help　me　get　the　womenfolk　out　of　the　boat。〃　Robby　reached　out　his　hand。　〃Let's　go；　ladies。〃　
　　　　Green　leaped　down　and　helped　Sissy　out　first；　then　Cathy；　then　the　Princess；　who　was　still　holding　Sally。　Robby　got　them　all　behind　the　wood　hull　of　one　of　the　YPs。
　　　　〃What　about　them；　sir？〃　Green　gestured　at　the　bodies。　
　　　　〃They'll　keep。　Get　back　up　here；　Corporal！〃
　　　　Green　gave　the　bodies　a　last　look。　〃Reckon　so；〃　he　muttered。　He　already　had　his　raincoat　open　and　the　flap　loose　on　his　holster。
　　　　〃What's　going　on　here？〃　a　woman's　voice　asked。　〃Oh；　it's　you。　mander。〃　
　　　　〃What　are　you　doing　here；　Chief？〃　Robby　asked　her。
　　　　〃I　have　the　duty　section　out　keeping　an　eye　on　the　boats；　sir。　The　wind　could　beat　'em　to　splinters　on　this　seawall　if　we　don't　〃　Chief　Bosun's　Mate　Mary　Znamirowski　looked　at　everyone　on　the　dock。　〃Sir；　what　the　hell　。　。　。　〃
　　　　〃Chief；　I　suggest　you　get　your　people　together　and　put　them　under　cover。　No　time　for　explanations。〃
　　　　A　pickup　truck　came　next。　It　halted　in　the　parking　lot　just　behind　them。　The　driver　jumped　out　and　sprinted　toward　them　with　three　others　trailing　behind。　It　was　Breckenridge。　The　Sergeant　Major　gave　the　women　a　quick　look；　then　turned　to　Jackson　and　asked　the　night's　favorite　question　　
　　　　〃What　the　hell　is　going　on；　sir？〃
　　　　Robby　gestured　to　the　boat。　Breckenridge　gave　it　a　quick　look　that　lingered　into　four　or　five　seconds。　〃Christ！〃　
　　　　〃We　were　at　Jack's　place　for　dinner；〃　Robby　explained。　〃And　some　folks　crashed　the　party。　They　were　after　him　〃　Jackson　gestured　to　the　Prince　of　Wales；　who　turned　and　smiled。　Breckenridge's　eyes　went　wide　in　recognition。　His　mouth　flapped　open　for　a　moment；　but　he　recovered　and　did　what　Marines　always　do　when　they　don't　know　what　else　　he　saluted；　just　as　prescribed　in　the　'Guide　Book'。　Robby　went　on：　〃They　killed　a　bunch　of　security　troops。　We　got　lucky。　They　planned　to　escape　by　boat。　We　stole　one　and　came　here；　but　there's　another　boat　out　there；　full　of　the　bastards。　They　might　have　followed　us。〃
　　　　〃Armed　with　what？〃　the　Sergeant　Major　asked。　
　　　　〃Like　this；　Gunny。〃　Ryan　held　up　his　Uzi。
　　　　The　Sergeant　Major　nodded　and　reached　into　his　coat。　His　hand　came　out　with　a　radio。　〃Guardroom；　this　is　Breckenridge。　We　have　a　Class…One　Alert：　Wake　up　all　the　people。　Call　Captain　Peters。　I　want　a　squad　of　riflemen　on　the　seawall　in　five　minutes。　Move　out！〃　
　　　　〃Roger；〃　the　radio　answered。　〃Class…One　Alert。〃　
　　　　〃Let's　get　the　women　the　hell　outa　here；〃　Ryan　urged。
　　　　〃Not　yet；　sir；〃　Breckenridge　replied。　He　looked　around；　his　professional　eye　making　a　quick　evaluation。　〃I　want　some　more　security　here　first。　Your　friends　might　have　landed　upriver　and　be　ing　overland　　that's　how　I'd　do　it。　In　ten　minutes　I'll　have　a　platoon　of　riflemen　sweepin'　the　grounds；　maybe　a　full　squad　here　in　five。　If　my　people　ain't　too　drunked　out；〃　he　concluded　quietly；　reminding　Ryan　that　it　was　indeed　a　Friday　night　　Saturday　morning　　and　Annapolis　had　many　bars。　〃Cummings　and　Foster；　look　after　the　ladies。　Mendoza；　get　on　one　of　these　boats　and　keep　a　lockout。　Y'all　heard　the　man；　so　stay　awake！〃　
　　　　Breckenridge　walked　up　and　down　the　seawall　for　a　minute；　checking　fields　of　view　and　fields　of　fire。　The　。45　Colt　automatic　looked　small　in　his　hands。　They　could　see　in　his　face　that　he　didn't　like　the　situation；　and　wouldn't　until　he　had　more　people　here　and　the　civilians　tucked　safely　away。　Next　he　checked　the　women　out。
　　　　〃You　ladies　all　right　　oh；　sorry；　Mrs。　Jackson。　We'll　get　you　to　the　sick　bay　real　quick；　ma'am。〃　
　　　　〃Any　way　to　turn　the　lights　off？〃　Ryan　asked。　　
　　　　〃Not　that　I　know　of　　I