johngardner.winloseordie-第12章

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he　path　leading　back　to　the　main　villa。
　He　chose　Ihe　bedroom　at　the　back　of　the　house：　the　one　furthest　away　from　any　of　ihe　doors　and　windows。　It　was　large　with　a　big；　old…fashioned　wooden　bed。　built…in　closets　filled　with　doors　and　interiors　that　had　once　belonged　to　a　pair　of　beautiful　old　wardrobes。　There　was　a　plicated　icon　facing　the　bed　…elongated　figures；　a　fussy　bination　of　faiih　and　philosophy　that　showed　the　Trinity　surrounded　by　saints　and　angels。　It　looked　like　a　genuine　product　of　the　Stroganov　school；　but　who　would　know？　A　doctor　friend　of　Bond's　could　have　knocked　a　similar　piece　off　in　a　matter　of　weeks；　then　aged　it　over　twelve　months　and　nobody　but　an　advanced　expert　would　have　known。
　He　hung　up　the　one　suii　and　two　spare　pairs　of　slacks；　carefully　put　the　shirts；　socks　and　other　items　in　the　drawers　which　formed　one　side　of　each　cupboard　and　laid　out　the　short　towelling　robe　he　had　brought　with　him。　Lastly　he　casually　threw　a　heavy　roll…neck　sweater　onto　the　bed；　placed　a　little　leather…cased　toolkit　on　the　night　table；　then　went　into　the　main　room　to　the　telephone。
　The　number　in　Ejigland　picked　up　on　the　third　ring。　'Predator。'　said　Bond。
　？Hellkin；'　the　voice　was　clear　from　the　distant　line。　'Repeat。　Hellkin。…
　'Acknowledge。'　Bond　put　down　the　receiver。　'We　will　give　what　cover　we　can。'　M　had　said。　〃There　will　be　a　daily　password　so　that　everyone　knows　what's　what。'　The　instructions　were　that　Bond　should　telephone　on　arrival。　After　that　he　would　call　at　a　similar　time　every　twenty…four　hours。　The　word　of　the　day　would　be　given；　and　that　would　last　until　the　next　contact。　'Don't　want　our　own　people　getting　shot　up；'　M　had　said　as　though　he　did　not　give　a　damn　who　got　shot　up。
　In　the　kitchen。　Bond　prepared　a　light　meal：　a　four…egg　omelette　with　a　tomato　salad。　He　ate　alone；　there　in　the　kitchen　and　confined　his　drinking　to　three　glasses　of　the　red　wine　Beatrice　had　provided。　The　label　said　it　was　a　Vino　Gran　Caruso　and　he　did　not　doubt　it　for　a　minute。　He　even　toyed　with　the　idea　of　taking　a　fourth　glass；　but　in　view　of　his　situation　he　left　it　at　three。
After　the　meal；　he　went　around　the　entire　villa　to　make　certain　every　lock　was　applied；　every　bolt　closed；　and　all　curtains　drawn。　Then　he　sat　in　the　main　room；　with　the　toolkit　beside　him；　and　stripped　the　automatic；　examining　each　part　before　reassembling　it。　Then；　carefully　using　two　pairs　of　pliers；　he　removed　（he　bullets　from　four　rounds　of　ammunition；　each　taken　at　random　from　the　four　magazines。　Once　he　checked　thai　Ihey　were　the　real　thing　Bond　disposed　of　the　mutilated　shells；　rilled　one　magazine　and　slammed　it　into　the　Browning's　butt；　cocking　the　mechanism　before　readjusting　the　other　clips　…　one　full；　the　other　two　with　a　couple　of　rounds　short。
　It　was　almost　ten　o'clock　by　the　time　he　was　ready　for　the　next　move。　In　the　bathroom　he　showered；　then　changed　into　the　thick　roll…neck；　heavy　cord　slacks；　and　a　pair　of　soft　black　moccasins。　He　strapped　on　a　leather　shoulder…holster　from　the　bottom　of　his　case；　then　shrugged　on　his　windcheater　before　sliding　the　Browning　in　place；　and　distributing　the　spare　magazines　around　his　pockets。　It　was　not；　he　considered；　going　to　be　the　most　fortable　Christmas　week　he　had　ever　spent。
　Finally；　Bond　moved　from　room　to　room；　starting　in　the　kitchen；　altering　the　furniture；　placing　it　against　doors　and　near　window…entry　points　before　strewing　bottles　and　cans　from　the　kitchen　like　mines　across　the　floor。　He　worked　back　towards　his　bedroom　so　that　anyone　who　managed　to　gain　entrance　would　have　to　use　a　torch　or　cause　a　great　deal　of　noise。　Even　with　a　torch；　a　trained　man　would　have　problems　in　not　bumping　against；　or　falling　over；　one　of　the　obstacles。　He　stretched　strings　between　chairs；　tying　them　to　pots　and　pans。　He　even　fitted　simple　booby…traps　of　pans；　plastic　buckets　and　cooking　utensils　near　doors　or　the　smaller　windows。
　He　then　arranged　the　pillows　in　the　bed；　so　that　the　impression　to　any　inlruder　would　be　that　he　was　quietly　sleeping。　It　was　a　very　old　dodge；　but　one　that　worked　efficiently　on　an　assassin　doing　a　quick　in…and…out　job。　Lastly；　Bond　pulled　a　sleeping…bag　from　the　bottom　of　his　case　and；　still　moving　furniture　and　scattering　traps；　he　put　out　the　lights；　carefully　heading　towards　the　french　windows　which　led　from　the　dining…room　to　the　rear　terrace。
The　sky　was　clear　outside；　and　the　moon　not　fully　up　as　yet。　Silently　he　closed　and　locked　the　windows；　making　his　way　slowty　and　without　a　sound；　to　the　covered　roof…top。　The　nighl　air　stung　his　Face　with　cold；　but；　once　zipped　snug　inside　the　sleeping…bag；　set　close　to　the　wall　near　ihe　steps；　James　Bond
closed　his　eyes　and　drifted　into　a　light　sleep。
　Sleep；　for　Bond；　was　always　shallow：　it　came　with　the　job。　When　he　woke　it　was　suddenly；　his　eyes　snapping　open；　all　senses　alert；　ears　straining　for　sounds。　Certainly　there　was　a　soft　noise；　a　scraping　ing　from　below；　near　the　frcnch　windows。
　He　quietly　unzipped　himself　from　the　sleeping…bag；　rolled　away　and　stood　up。　Browning　out　and　ready　with　the　safety　off　…　all　in　a　matter　of　thirty　or　forty　seconds。　Crouching；　he　peered　over　the　parapet　at　the　top　of　ihe　open　steps　leading　to　the　rear　terrace。
　The　moon　was　sinking；　but　still　gave　him　enough　light　to　see　the　figure；　kneeling　and　examining　the　lock。
　Hardly　brealhing；　he　inched　towards　the　steps。　Below；　the　figure　rose　and　he　could　see　the　intruder's　shape　and　form　ing　up　from　the　kneeling　position；　straightening　and　turning　carefully。　There　was　a　weapon　in　the　crouching　figure's　hand；　an　automatic　pistol；　held　with　both　hands；　as　the　person　moved　with　the　proficiency　of　an　expert。
　As　she　turned。　Bohd　stood　up。　arms　stretched　out；　grasping　his　own　pistol；　feet　apart　in　the　classic　stance。
　'Don'1　even　think　about　it；　Beatrice。〃　he　said　loudly；　'Just　drop　the　gun　and　kick　it　away。'
The　figure　below　turned　sharply；　giving　a　sudden　little　gasp。
'Do　as　I　say！　Now！'　Bond　manded。
7
Hellkin
She　did　not　drop　the　pistol；　but　threw　it　into　the　bushes　so　lhat　it　made　no　noise。
　'James。　Hellkin；'　she　whispered。　'Hellkin。　There's　someone　in　the　grounds。'
　Her　voice。　Bond　thought；　had　lost　its　broad　accent；　and　she　had　given　him　the　code；　obeyed　his　orders；　but　with　the　care　of　one　who　wishes　to　avoid　noise　that　might　just　be　heard　by　some　third　person。　He　came　down　the　steps　quickly；　keeping　his　back　to　the　wall。　'Hellkin1　was　enough　for　him。
　'What　did　you　see　or　hear？'　He　was　close　to　her。　whispering　in　her　ear。
　'A　torch。　A　light。　Down　by　the　second　gate。　Five　minutes　ago。　I　came　straight　away。'
'You　saw　it　from　where？'
？The　main　villa。　I　was　on　watch：　the　balcony　at　the　lop。'
　'Find　your　pistol。'　Bond　cocked　his　head　in　the　direction　of　the　bushes。　〃Then　follow　me　down　and　cover　me。'
　She　dropped　to　her　knees　and　then　flattened　her　body；　squirming　into　the　undergrowth　while　Bond　kept　his　back　to　the　french　windows；　standing　stock　still；　waiting　for　her。　Hellkin。　he　thought。　She　was　on　the　side　of　the　angels　but　the　intellectuals　who　still　chose　cryptos　and　code　names　in　London　were　being　clever…clever。　He　seemed　to　recall　thai　Hellkin　was　one　of　the　twelve　fork…bearing　lesser　demons　of　Dante's　Inferno。　Hellkin　…　Alchino。　ihe　Allurer。　Well。　Beh…ah…Tree…che　was　certainly　alluring。
　She　was　back　with　him　now；　holding　up　a　Browning　similar　to　his。
'Cover　me；'　he　whispered　again　as　he　moved　along　the　wall；　flattening　himself　at　the　corner；　then　going　around　it　fast；　pistol　up　ready　to　take　out　anyone　skulking　near　Ihe　kitchen　door。
　Nobody…　He　moved　on　along　the　wall；　back　Hat　to　the　stucco　again；　glancing　behind　to　see　that　Beatrice　was　following。　He　could　make　out　the　dark　shape　against　the　white　wall；　inching　forward；　hands　locked　around　the　pistol；　elbows　bent　so　that　the　weapon　came　level　with　her　forehead。
　The　next　turning　of　the　wall　would　bring　them　to　the　front　of　the　villa：　to　the　terrace　and　winter…covered　pool。　Bond　threw　himself　forward；　rolled　across　the　tarmac；　arms　strciched　out　and　pistol　at　the　ready。
　He　saw　（he　movement　close　lo　the　gate　at　the　foot　of　the　steps　and　shouted；　'Halt！　Halt；　we're　armed。'
　Whoever　was　on　the　other　side　of　the　gate　imagined　they　were　in　with　a　chance；　for　two　bullets　ripped　through　the　water　lilies　and　palms；　gouging　hunks　out　of　the　green　floor　covering　of　the　terrace；　all　a　little　close　lo　Bond　for　fort。　He　could　see　nothing　now；　but　heard　Ihe　quick　double　bark　of　Beatrice's　Browning　and　a　ery；　like　an　animal　mewing　with　pain。
　Bond　spun　around　｜ust　in　time　to　see　Beatrice　e　pounding　out　of　the　shadows　in　pursuit　of　whoever　had　been　hit　on　the　other　side　of　the　gate。　He　shouted　to　her　to　stop；　seeing　the　dangers　that　could　lurk　below　the　steps。　They　would　not　simply　send　one　man　to　deal　with　him。　Unless　he　was　greatly　mistaken；　a　whole　hil　team　would　be　operational　and；　if　anything；　Beatrice　had　probably　winged　the　locksmith　who　had　not　even　got　through　the　single；　second；　gate。
　He　followed　her；　trying　to　keep　close　to　the　wall　in　the　darkness；　wincing　in　anticipation　of　the　fatal　burst　of　machine…gun　fire　that　would　surely　e　at　any　moment。　Somewhere　from　outside；　a　fair　way　off；　he　heardthestutterof　a　car　ignition；　then　the　grind　of　gears。
　Bciitrice　had　reached　the　gate　without　any　further　shots　ing　out　of　the　night；　turning　her　head　and　calling；　low…voiced。　'The　keys。　James。　You　have　the　keys。'
　He　already　had　them　out　on　the　penlight　ring　in　his　left　hand；　running　his　fingers　through　them　10　select　the　key　to　the　inner　gate。
Beatrice　had　stopped　with　her　back　to　the　wall；　trying　to　find　cover　in　the　slim　stem　of　a　vine　as　Bond　passed　her；　fumbling　with　the　keys。　It　took　around　twenty　seconds　which　seemed　like　an　hour；　but。　when　the　key　turned；　there　was　Beatrice　at　his　back；　preparing　to　give　covering…fire。
　Nobody。　No　movement。　No　sudden　fire　slashing　through　the　night。　Only　wet　spots　of　blood　around　the　gate；　showing　dark；　like　oil；　in　the　small　beam　from　the　penlight。
　They　spread　out；　Bond　moving　left　to　the　car；　the　girl　lo　the　right；　crouching　and　ready；　heading　for　ihe　main　gates。
　It　took　thirty　seconds　to　give　the　Fiat　a　perfunctory　going　over。　It　was　locked　and　untouched。　They　both　reached　the　gates；　and　saw　that　they　had　been　breached　with　a　lock…pistol；　the　bolt　of　which　had　smashed　out　the　flat　oblong　mechanism；　as　it　was　propelled　at　high　speed　by　a　carbon　dioxide　cartridge。
　Together　they　even　ventured　into　the　road。　Bond　crossing　first　while　Beatrice　covered　him。　For　ten　minutes　or　so　they　offered　themselves　as　targets。　Nothing。　Had　the　team　been　frightened　off　so　easily？　To　the　girl　he　said　they　should　try　and　secure　the　gate。　She　nodded；　'I　have　a　chain　and　padlock。　I'll　get　them　now。'　She　moved　quickly　back　into　the　turning　circle　within　the　gates；　and　sped　up　the　steps　towards　the　villa。
　Bond　looked　over　the　Fial　again；　then　leaned　against　the　wall。　Why　all　this　trouble　for　me？　he　asked　himself。　Certainly　the　supposedly　undercover　job　on　Invincible　had　responsibilities。　But　taking　out　one　man。　himself；　would　make　no　lasting　difference：　someone　would　take　his　place。　He　recalled　NTs　words　about　their　intelligence…gathering。　They　imagine　you're　unique；'　the　Old　Man　had　said。　'They　think　your　presence　on　Invi