jamesclavell.noblehouse-第124章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　The　driver　was　young　and　smart　and　still　dry。　〃The　rain's　wonderful；　isn't　it；　sir？〃
　Armstrong　looked　across　sourly。　The　young　man　blanched。　〃Do　you　smoke？〃
　〃Yes　sir。〃　The　young　man　took　out　his　pack　and　offered　it。　Armstrong　took　the　pack。　〃Why　don't　you　join　the　others？　They　need　a　nice　smart　fellow　like　yourself　to　help。　Find　some　clues。　Eh？〃
　〃Yes　sir。〃　The　young　man　fled　into　the　rain。
　Carefully　Armstrong　took　out　a　cigarette。　He　contemplated　it。　Grimly　he　put　it　back　and　the　pack　into　a　side　pocket。　Hunching　down　into　his　seat；　he　muttered；　〃Sod　all　cigarettes；　sod　the　rain；　sod　that　smart　arse　and　most　of　all　sod　the　sodding　Werewolves！〃
　In　time　the　inter　came　on　crackling；　〃Chief　Inspector　Donald　Smyth。〃
　〃Morning。　I'm　out　at　Sha　Tin；〃　Armstrong　began；　and　told　him　what　had　happened　and　about　finding　the　body。　〃We're　covering　the　area　but　in　this　rain　I　don't　expect　to　find　anything。　When　the　papers　hear　about　the　corpse　and　the　message　we'll　be　swamped。　I　think　we'd　better　pick　up　the　old　amah　right　now。　She's　the　only　lead　we　have。　Do　your　fellows　still　have　her　under　surveillance？〃
　〃Oh　yes。〃
　〃Good。　Wait　for　me；　then　we'll　move　in。　I　want　to　search　her　place。　Have　a　team　stand　by。〃
　〃How　long　will　you　be？〃
　Armstrong　said；　〃It'll　take　me　a　couple　of　hours　to　get　there。　Traffic's　sodded　up　from　here　all　the　way　back　to　the　ferry。〃
　〃It　is　here　too。　All　over　Aberdeen。　But　it's　not　just　the　rain；　old　lad。　There's　about　a　thousand　ghouls　gawking　at　the　wreck；　then　there're　more　bloody　mobs　already　at　the　Ho…Pak；　the　Victoria　。。。　in　fact　every　bloody　bank　in　the　vicinity；　and　I　hear　there's　already　about　five　hundred　collecting　outside　the　Vic　in　Central。〃
　〃Christ！　My　whole　miserable　bloody　life　savings're　there。〃
　〃I　told　you　yesterday　to　get　liquid；　old　boy！〃　Armstrong　heard　the　Snake's　laugh。　〃And　by　the　way；　if　you've　any　spare　cash；　sell　Struan's　short　…　I　hear　the　Noble　House　is　going　to　crash。〃
　
　41
　
　8：29　A。M。：
　Claudia　picked　up　a　mass　of　notes　and　letters　and　replies　from　Dunross's　out　tray　and　began　to　leaf　through　them。　Rain　and　low　clouds　obscured　the　view　but　the　temperature　was　down　and　very　fortable　after　the　heavy　humidity　of　the　last　weeks。　The　antique　clock　set　into　a　silver　gimbal　on　the　mantel　chimed　8：30。
　One　of　the　phones　jangled。　She　watched　it　but　made　no　attempt　to　answer　it。　It　rang　on　and　on　then　ceased。　Sandra　Yi；　Dunross's　secretary；　came　in　with　a　new　batch　of　documents　and　mail　and　refilled　the　in　tray。　〃The　draft　of　the　Par…Con　contract's　on　the　top；　Elder　Sister。　Here's　his　appointments　list　for　today；　at　least；　the　ones　I　know　about。　Superintendent　Kwok　called　ten　minutes　ago。〃　She　blushed　under　Claudia's　gaze；　her　chong…sam　slit　high　and　tight；　her　neck　collar　fashionably　high。　〃He　called　for　the　tai…pan；　not　me；　Elder　Sister。　Would　the　tai…pan　please　return　his　call。〃
　〃But　I　hope　you　talked　to　Honorable　Young　Stallion　at　length；　Younger　Sister；　and　swooned　and　sighed　marvelously？〃　Claudia　replied　in　Cantonese；　then　switched　to　English　without　noticing　it；　still　leafing　through　all　the　notes　as　she　talked；　stacking　them　into　two　different　piles。　〃After　all；　he　really　should　be　gobbled　up　and　safely　in　the　family　before　some　Mealy　Mouth　from　another　clan　catches　him。〃
　〃Oh　yes。　I've　also　lit　five　candles　in　five　different　temples。〃
　〃I　hope　on　your　time　and　not　pany's　time。〃
　〃Oh　very　yes。〃　They　laughed。　〃But　we　do　have　a　date　…　tomorrow　for　dinner。〃
　〃Excellent！　Be　demure；　dress　conservatively；　but　go　without　a　bra　…　like　Orlanda。〃
　〃Oh；　then　it　was　true？　Oh　oh　do　you　think　I　should？〃　Sandra　Yi　was　shocked。
　〃For　young　Brian；　yes。〃　Claudia　chuckled。　〃He　has　a　nose　that　one！〃
　〃My　fortune…teller　said　this　was　going　to　be　a　wonderful　year　for　me。　Terrible　about　the　fire　wasn't　it？〃
　〃Yes。〃　Claudia　checked　the　appointment　list。　Linbar　in　a　few　minutes。　Sir　Luis　Basilio　at　8：45。　〃When　Sir　Luis　arrives　p…　〃
　〃Sir　Luis's　waiting　in　my　office　now。　He　knows　he's　early　…　I've　given　him　coffee　and　the　morning　papers。〃　Sandra　Yi's　face　became　apprehensive。　〃What's　going　to　happen　at　ten？〃
　〃The　stock　market　opens；〃　Claudia　told　her　crisply　and　handed　her　the　larger　stack。　〃You　deal　with　this　lot；　Sandra。　Oh　and　here；　he's　canceled　a　couple　of　board　meetings　and　lunch　but　I'll　deal　with　those。〃　Both　looked　up　as　Dunross　came　in。
　〃Morning；〃　he　said。　His　face　was　graver　than　before；　the　bruises　enhancing　his　ruggedness。
　Sandra　Yi　said　prettily；　〃Everyone's　so　happy　you　weren't　hurt；　tai…pan。〃
　〃Thank　you。〃
　She　left。　He　noticed　her　walk；　then　Claudia's　look。　Some　of　his　gravity　left　him。　〃Nothing　like　a　pretty　bird。　Is　there？〃
　Claudia　laughed。　〃While　you　were　out　your　private　phone　rang　twice。〃　This　was　his　unlisted　phone　that；　by　rule；　he　alone　picked　up；　the　number　given　only　to　family　and　a　handful　of　special　people。
　〃Oh；　thank　you。　Cancel　everything　between　now　and　noon　except　Linbar；　old　Sir　Luis　Basilio　and　the　bank。　Make　sure　everything's　VIP　for　Penn　and　Miss　Kathy。　Gavallan's　taking　her　to　the　airport。　First　get　Tightfist　Tung　on　the　phone。　Also　Lando　Mata　…　ask　if　I　can　see　him　today；　preferably　at　10：20　at　the　Coffee　Place。　You　saw　my　note　about　Zep？〃
　〃Yes；　terrible。　I'll　take　care　of　everything。　The　governor's　aide　called：　will　you　be　at　the　noon　meeting？〃
　〃Yes。〃　Dunross　picked　up　a　phone　and　dialed　as　Claudia　left；　closing　the　door　behind　her。
　〃Penn？　You　wanted　me？〃
　〃Oh　Ian；　yes；　but　I　didn't　phone；　is　that　what　you　mean？〃
　〃I　thought　it　was　you　on　the　private　line。〃
　〃No；　but　oh　I'm　ever　so　pleased　you　called。　I　heard　about　the　fire　on　the　early　news　and　I　。。。　I　wasn't　sure　if　I'd　dreamed　it　or　not　that　you'd　e　back　last　night。　I　。。。　I　was　quite　worried；　sorry。　Ah　Tat　said　you'd　left　early　but　I　don't　trust　that　old　hag　…　she　wanders　sometimes。　Sorry。　Was　it　awful？〃
　〃No。　Not　bad　actually。〃　He　told　her　about　it　briefly。　Now　that　he　knew　everything　was　all　right　with　her　he　wanted　to　get　off　the　phone。　〃I'll　give　you　a　blow…by…blow　when　I　pick　you　up　for　the　airport。　I　checked　on　the　flight　and　it'll　leave　on　time　。。。〃　His　inter　buzzed。　〃Hang　on　a　moment；　Penn　。。。　Yes；　Claudia？〃
　〃Superintendent　Kwok　on　line　two。　He　says　it's　important。〃
　〃All　right。　Sorry；　Penn；　got　to　go；　I'll　pick　you　up　in　good　time　for　your　flight。　'Bye；　darling。　。。。　Anything　else；　Claudia？〃
　〃Bill　Foster's　plane　from　Sydney's　delayed　another　hour。　Mr。　Havergill　and　Johnjohn　will　see　you　at　9：30。　I　called　to　confirm。　I　hear　they've　been　at　the　bank　since　six　this　morning。〃
　Dunross's　uneasiness　grew。　He　had　been　trying　to　talk　to　Havergill　since　3：00　p。m。　yesterday　but　the　deputy　chairman　had　not　been　available　and　last　night　was　not　the　time。　〃That's　not　good。　There　was　a　crowd　already　outside　the　bank　when　I　came　in　at　7：30。〃
　〃The　Vic　won't　fail；　will　it？〃
　He　heard　the　anxiety　in　her　voice。　〃If　they　do　we're　all　up　the　spout。〃　He　stabbed　line　two。　〃Hi；　Brian；　what's　up？〃　Brian　Kwok　told　him　about　John　Chen。
　〃Jesus　Christ；　poor　John！　After　giving　them　the　ransom　money　last　night　I　thought　。。。　what　bastards！　He's　been　dead　some　days？〃
　〃Yes。　At　least　three。〃
　〃The　bastards！　Have　you　told　Phillip　or　Dianne？〃
　〃No；　not　yet。　I　wanted　to　tell　you　first。〃
　〃You　want　me　to　call　them？　Phillip's　at　home　now。　After　the　payoff　last　night　I　told　him　to　miss　the　eight　o'clock　morning　meeting。　I'll　call　him　now。〃
　〃No；　Ian；　that's　my　job。　Sorry　to　bring　bad　news　but　I　thought　you　should　know　about　John。〃
　〃Yes　。。。　yes；　old　chum；　thanks。　Listen；　I've　a　do　at　the　governor's　around　seven　but　that'll　be　through　by　10：30。　Would　you　like　a　drink　or　a　late　snack？〃
　〃Yes。　Good　idea。　How　about　the　Quance　Bar　at　the　Mandarin？〃
　〃10：45？〃
　〃Good。　By　the　way；　I've　left　word　for　your　tai…tai　to　go　straight　through　Immigration。　Sorry　to　bring　bad　news。　'Bye。〃
　Dunross　put　down　the　phone；　got　up　and　stared　out　of　the　window。　The　inter　buzzed　but　he　did　not　hear　it。　〃Poor　bugger！〃　he　muttered。　〃What　a　bloody　waste！〃
　There　was　a　discreet　knock；　then　the　door　opened　a　fraction。　Claudia　said；　〃Excuse　me；　tai…pan；　Lando　Mata　on　line　two。〃
　Dunross　sat　on　the　edge　of　his　desk。　〃Hello　Lando；　can　we　meet　at　10：20？〃
　〃Yes；　yes　of　course。　I　heard　about　Zeppelin。　Awful！　I　just　got　out　with　my　own　life！　Damned　fire！　Still；　we　got　out；　eh？　Joss！〃
　〃Have　you　been　in　touch　with　Tightfist　yet？〃
　〃Yes。　He's　arriving　on　the　next　ferry。〃
　〃Good。　Lando；　I　may　need　you　to　back　me　today。〃
　〃But　Ian；　we　went　through　that　last　night。　I　thought　I　ma…　〃
　〃Yes。　But　I　want　your　backing　today。〃　Dunross's　voice　had　hardened。
　There　was　a　long　pause。　〃I'll　。。。　I'll　talk　to　Tightfist。〃
　〃I'll　talk　to　Tightfist　too。　Meanwhile　I'd　like　to　know　I　have　your　backing　now。〃
　〃You've　reconsidered　our　offer？〃
　〃Do　I　have　your　backing；　Lando？　Or　not。〃
　Another　pause。　Mata's　voice　was　more　nervous。　〃I'll　。。。　I'll　tell　you　when　I　see　you　at　10：20。　Sorry；　Ian；　but　I　really　must　talk　to　Tightfist　first。　See　you　for　coffee。　'Bye！〃
　The　phone　clicked　off。　Dunross　replaced　his　receiver　gently　and　muttered　sweetly；　〃Dew　neh　loh　moh；　Lando　old　friend。〃
　He　thought　a　moment　then　dialed。　〃Mr。　Bartlett　please。〃
　〃No　answer　his　phone。　You　want　message？〃　the　operator　said。
　〃Please　transfer　me　to　Miss　K。　C。　Tcholok。〃
　〃Wat？〃
　〃Casey　。。。　Miss　Casey！〃
　The　call　tone　rang　and　Casey　answered　sleepily；　〃Hello？〃
　〃Oh　sorry；　I'll　call　you　back　later。　。。。〃
　〃Oh；　Ian？　No　。。。　no；　that's　all　right；　I　should　。。。　should　have　been　up　hours　ago　。。。〃　He　heard　her　stifle　a　yawn。　〃。。。　Jesus；　I'm　tired。　I　didn't　dream　that　fire　did　I？〃
　〃No。　Ciranoush；　I　just　wanted　to　make　sure　you　were　both　all　right。　How're　you　feeling？〃
　〃Not　so　hot。　I　think　I　must　have　stretched　a　few　muscles　。。。　don't　know　if　it　was　the　laughing　or　throwing　up。　You　all　right？〃
　〃Yes。　So　far。　You　haven't　a　temperature　or　anything？　That's　what　Doc　Tooley　said　to　watch　out　for。〃
　〃Don't　think　so。　I　haven't　seen　Linc　yet。　Did　you　talk　to　him？〃
　〃No　…　there's　no　reply。　Listen；　I　wanted　to　ask　you　two　to　cocktails；　at　six。〃
　〃That's　lovely　with　me。〃　Another　yawn。　〃I'm　glad　you're　okay。〃
　〃I'll　call　you　back　later　to　。。。〃
　Again　the　inter。　〃The　governor's　on　line　two；　tai…pan。　I　told　him　you'd　be　at　the　morning　meeting。〃
　〃All　right。　Listen；　Ciranoush；　cocktails　at　six；　if　not　cocktails　maybe　late　supper。　I'll　call　later　to　confirm。〃
　〃Sure；　Ian。　And　Ian；　thanks　for　calling。〃
　〃Nothing。　'Bye。〃　Dunross　stabbed　line　two。　〃Morning；　sir。〃
　〃Sorry　to　disturb　you；　Ian；　but　I　need　to　talk　to　you　about　that　awful　fire；〃　Sir　Geoffrey　said。　〃It's　a　miracle　that　more　weren't　lost；　the　minister's　hopping　mad　about　poor　Sir　Charles　Pennyworth's　death　and　quite　furious　that　our　security　procedures　allowed　that　to　happen。　The　Cabinet　have　been　informed　so　we　can　expect　high…level　repercussions。〃
　Dunross　told　him　his　idea　about　the　kitchens　for　Aberdeen；　pretending　it　was　Shi…teh　T'Chung's。
　〃Excellent。　Shitee's　clever！　That's　a　start。　Meanwhile　Robin　Grey　and　Julian　Broadhurst　and　the　other　MPs　have　already　phoned　for　a　meeting　to　protest　our　inpetent　fire　regulations。　My　aide　said　Grey　was　quite　incensed。〃　Sir　Geoffrey　sighed。　〃Rightly　so；　perhaps。　In　any　event　that　gentl