jamesclavell.noblehouse-第175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！


　〃Next？〃
　〃Is　that　a　yes？〃
　〃I'd　like　to　know　all　the　terms　before　I　agree　to　one。〃
　She　sipped　the　brandy。　〃Linc　wants　nothing。　He　doesn't　know　about　all　this。〃
　〃I　beg　your　pardon？〃　Again　Dunross　was　caught　off　balance。
　〃Linc　doesn't　know　about　the　Royal　Belgium　yet；〃　she　said；　her　voice　ordinary。　〃I　brainstormed　all　this　with　Dave　Murtagh　today。　I　don't　know　if　I'm　doing　you　much　of　a　favor　because　your　。。。　because　you'll　be　on　the　line；　you　personally。　But　it　could　get　Struan's　off　the　hook。　Then　our　deal　can　work。〃
　〃Don't　you　think　you　should　consult　with　your　fearless　leader？〃　Dunross　said；　trying　to　work　out　the　implications　of　this　unexpected　tack。
　〃I'm　executive　director　and　Struan's　is　my　deal。　It　costs　us　nothing　but　our　influence　to　get　you　out　of　your　trap　and　that's　what　influence's　for。　I　want　our　deal　to　go　through　and　I　don't　want　Gornt　the　winner。〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃I　told　you。　You're　the　best　for　us　long…term。〃
　〃And　you；　Ciranoush？　What　do　you　want？　In　return　for　using　your　influence？〃
　Her　eyes　seemed　to　flatten　even　more　and　bee　more　hazel；　like　a　lioness's。　〃Equality。　I　want　to　be　treated　as　an　equal；　not　patronized　or　scoffed　at　as　a　woman　who's　in　business　on　the　coat　tails　of　a　man。　I　want　equality　with　the　tai…pan　of　the　Noble　House。　And　I　want　you　to　help　me　get　my　drop　dead　money　…　apart　from　anything　to　do　with　Par…Con。〃
　〃The　second's　easy；　if　you're　prepared　to　gamble。　As　to　the　first；　I've　never　patronized　or　sloughed　you　o…　〃
　〃Gavallan　did；　and　the　others。〃
　〃。。。　off；　and　I　never　will。　As　to　the　others；　if　they　don't　treat　you　as　you　like；　then　leave　the　conference　table　and　leave　the　battleground。　Don't　force　your　presence　on　them。　I　can't　make　you　equal。　You're　not　and　you　never　will　be。　You're　a　woman　and　like　it　or　not　this's　a　man's　world。　Particularly　in　Hong　Kong。　And　while　I'm　alive　I'm　going　to　continue　to　treat　it　as　it　is　and　treat　a　woman　as　a　woman　whoever　the　hell　she　is。〃
　〃Then　screw　you！〃
　〃When？〃　He　beamed。
　Her　sudden　laugh　joined　his　and　the　tension　fled。　〃I　deserved　that；〃　she　said。　Another　laugh。　〃I　really　deserved　that。　Sorry。　Guess　I　lost　ass。〃
　〃I　beg　your　pardon？〃
　She　explained　her　version　of　face。　He　laughed　again。　〃You　didn't。　You　gained　arse。〃
　After　a　pause　she　said；　〃So　whatever　I　do；　I　can　never　have　equality？〃
　〃Not　in　business；　not　on　masculine　terms；　not　if　you　want　to　be　of　this　world。　As　I　said；　like　it　or　not；　that's　the　way　it　is。　And　I　think　you're　wrong　to　try　to　change　it。　The　Hag　was　undisputedly　more　powerful　than　anyone　in　Asia。　And　she　got　there　as　a　woman；　not　as　a　neuter。〃
　Her　hand　reached　out　and　lifted　her　brandy　and　he　saw　the　swell　of　her　breast　against　the　light　silk　blouse。　〃How　the　hell　can　we　treat　someone　as　attractive　and　smart　as　you　as　a　non…person？　Be　fair！〃
　〃I'm　not　asking　for　fairness；　tai…pan；　just　equality。〃
　〃Be　content　you're　a　woman。〃
　〃Oh　I　am。　I　really　am。〃　Her　voice　became　bitter。　〃I　just　don't　want　to　be　classed　as　someone　whose　only　real　value　is　on　her　back。〃　She　took　a　last　sip　and　got　up。　〃So　you'll　take　it　from　here？　With　the　Royal　Belgium？　David　Murtagh's　expecting　a　call。　It's　a　long　shot；　but　it's　worth　a　try；　isn't　it？　Maybe　you　could　go　see　him；　instead　of　sending　for　him　…　face；　huh？　He'll　need　all　the　support　you　can　give　him。〃
　Dunross　had　not　got　up。　〃Please　sit　down　a　second；　if　you've　time。　There're　still　a　couple　of　things。〃
　〃Of　course。　I　didn't　want　to　take　any　more　of　your　time。〃
　〃First；　what's　the　problem　with　your　Mr。　Steigler？〃
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　He　told　her　what　Dawson　had　related。
　〃Son　of　a　bitch！〃　she　said；　obviously　irritated。　〃I　told　him　to　get　the　papers　drawn；　that's　all。　I'll　take　care　of　him。　Lawyers　always　think　they've　the　right　to　negotiate；　'to　improve　the　deal'　is　the　way　they　put　it；　trying　to　put　you　down；　I　guess。　I've　lost　more　deals　because　of　them　than　you　can　imagine。　Seymour's　not　as　bad　as　some。　Attorneys're　the　plague　of　the　United　States。　Linc　thinks　so　too。〃
　〃What　about　Linc？〃　he　asked；　remembering　the　2　million　he　had　advanced　to　Gornt　to　attack　their　stock。　〃Is　he　going　to　be　100　percent　behind　this　new　twist？〃
　〃Yes；〃　she　said　after　a　pause。　〃Yes。〃
　Dunross's　mind　reached　out　for　the　missing　piece。　〃So　you'll　take　care　of　Steigler　and　everything　stands　as　before？〃
　〃You'll　have　to　work　out　title　to　the　ships　as　we　agreed　but　that　shouldn't　be　a　problem。〃
　〃No。　I　can　handle　that。〃
　〃You'll　personally　guarantee　everything？〃
　〃Oh；　yes；〃　Dunross　said　carelessly。　〃Dirk　did　all　the　time。　That's　the　tai…pan's　privilege。　Listen；　Ciranoush；　I　…　〃
　〃Will　you　call　me　Casey；　tai…pan？　Ciranoush　is　for　a　different　era。〃
　〃All　right；　Casey；　whether　this　works　or　not；　you're　an　Old　Friend　and　I　owe　you　a　thank　you　for　your　bravery；　your　personal　bravery　at　the　fire。〃
　〃I'm　not　brave。　It　must　have　been　glands。〃　She　laughed。　〃Don't　forget　we've　still　got　the　hepatitis　over　our　heads。〃
　〃Oh。　You　thought　of　that　too。〃
　〃Yes。〃
　Her　eyes　were　watching　him　and　he　could　not　gauge　her。　〃I'll　help　you　with　drop　dead　money；〃　he　said。　〃How　much　do　you　need？〃
　〃2　million；　tax　free。〃
　〃Your　tax　laws　are　rigid　and　tough。　Are　you　prepared　to　stretch　laws？〃
　She　hesitated。　〃It's　the　right　of　every　red…blooded　American　to　avoid　taxes；　but　not　evade　them。〃
　〃Got　it。　So　at　your　bracket　you　might　need　4？〃
　〃My　bracket's　low；　though　my　capital's　high。〃
　〃46；000　at　the　San　Fernando　Savings　and　Loan's　not　very　much；〃　he　said；　grimly　amused　to　see　her　blanch。　〃8；700　in　your　checking　account　at　the　Los　Angeles　and　California's　not　too　much　either。〃
　〃You're　a　bastard。〃
　He　smiled。　〃I　merely　have　friends　in　high　places。　Like　you。〃　Casually　he　opened　the　trap。　〃Will　you　and　Linc　Bartlett　have　dinner　with　me　tonight？〃
　〃Linc's　busy；〃　she　said。
　〃Will　you　have　dinner　then？　Eight？　Let's　meet　in　the　lobby　of　the　Mandarin。〃　He　had　heard　the　undercurrent　and　the　giveaway　and　he　could　almost　see　her　mind　waves　churning。　So　Linc's　busy！　he　thought。　And　what　would　Linc　Bartlett　be　busy　with　in　that　tone　of　voice？　Orlanda　Ramos？　Has　to　be；　he　told　himself；　delighted　he　had　flushed　out　the　real　reason　…　the　real　why　of　her　help。　Orlanda！　Orlanda　leading　to　Linc　Bartlett　leading　to　Gornt。　Casey's　petrified　of　Orlanda。　Is　she　petrified　that　Gornt's　behind　Orlanda's　onslaught　on　Bartlett　…　or　is　she　just　frantic　with　jealousy　and　ready　to　bring　Bartlett　atumbling　down？
　
　59
　
　5：35　P。M。：
　Casey　joined　the　packed　lines　going　through　the　turnstiles　at　Golden　Ferry。　People　were　shoving　and　pushing　and　hurrying　along　the　corridor　for　the　next　ferry。　As　the　warning　bell　sounded　shrilly；　those　in　front　broke　into　a　frantic　run。　Involuntarily　her　feet　quickened。　The　noisy；　heated　crush　of　humanity　carried　her　along　onto　the　ferry。　She　found　a　seat　and　stared　out　at　the　harbor　gloomily；　wondering　if　she　had　pulled　off　her　side　of　the　deal。
　〃Jesus；　Casey；〃　Murtagh　had　burst　out；　〃head　office'll　never　go　for　it　in　a　million　years！〃
　〃If　they　don't　they'll　miss　the　greatest　opportunity　of　their　lives。　And　so　will　you。　This　is　your　big　chance　…　grab　it！　If　you　help　Struan's　now　think　how　much　face　everyone　gets。　When　Dunross　es　to　see　you　th…　〃
　〃If　he　es！〃
　〃He'll　e。　I'll　get　him　to　e　see　you！　And　when　he　does；　tell　him　this's　all　your　idea；　not　mine；　and　that　y…　〃
　〃But；　Casey；　don…　〃
　〃No。　It's　got　to　be　your　idea。　I'll　back　you　a　thousand　percent　with　New　York。　And　when　Dunross　es　to　you；　tell　him　you　want　Old　Friend　status　too。〃
　〃Jesus；　Casey；　I've　got　enough　troubles　without　having　to　explain　to　those　meatheads　back　home　about　Old　Friend　and　'face'！〃
　〃So　don't　explain　that　part　to　them。　You　pull　this　off　and　you'll　be　the　most　important　American　banker　in　Asia。〃
　Yes；　Casey　told　herself；　sick　with　hope；　and　I'll　have　extricated　Linc　from　Gornt's　trap。　I　know　I'm　right　about　Gornt。
　〃The　hell　you　are；　Casey！〃　Bartlett　had　said　angrily　this　morning；　the　first　time　in　their　life　together　he　had　ever　flared　at　her。
　〃It's　obvious；　Linc；〃　she　had　slammed　back。　〃I'm　not　trying　to　interfere　i…　〃
　〃The　hell　you're　not！〃
　〃You　brought　Orlanda　up；　I　didn't！　You're　going　overboard　about　…　about　her　great　cooking　and　great　dancing　and　great　outfit　and　great　pany！　All　I　said　was；　did　you　have　a　nice　time？〃
　〃Sure；　but　you　said　it　with　a　real　crappy　harpy　jealous　tone　and　I　know　you　meant：　I　hope　you　had　a　lousy　time！〃
　Linc　was　right；　Casey　thought　in　misery。　If　he　wants　to　be　out　all　night　that's　up　to　him。　I　should　have　buttoned　up　like　the　other　times　and　not　made　a　big　deal　of　it。　But　this　isn't　like　the　other　times。　He's　in　danger　and　won't　see　it！
　〃For　chrissake；　Linc；　that　woman's　after　your　money　and　power　and　that's　all！　How　long　have　you　known　her？　A　couple　of　days。　Where　did　you　meet　her？　Gornt！　She's　got　to　be　Gornt's　puppet！　That　guy's　as　smart　as　they　e！　I've　done　some　checking；　Linc；　her　apartment's　paid　by　him；　her　bills。　Sh…　〃
　〃She　told　me　all　that　and　all　about　him　and　her　and　that's　the　past！　You　can　forget　Orlanda！　Get　it？　Just　don't　bad…mouth　her　anymore。　Understand？〃
　〃Par…Con's　got　a　lot　riding　on　whether　it's　Struan's　or　Gornt　and　they'll　both　use　any　tactic　to　undermine　you　or　lay　you　open　to　att…　〃
　〃And　lay　the　operative　word？　C'mon；　Casey；　for　chrissake！　You've　never　been　jealous　before　…　admit　you're　fit　to　be　tied。　She's　everything　a　man　could　want　and　you're　。。。〃
　She　remembered　how　he　had　stopped　just　before　he'd　said　it。　Tears　filled　her　eyes。　He's　right；　goddamnit！　I'm　not。　I'm　a　goddamn　business　machine；　not　feminine　like　her；　not　an　easy　lay　and　not　interested　in　being　a　housewife；　at　least　not　yet；　and　I　could　never　do　what　she's　done。　Orlanda's　soft；　pliant；　golden；　a　great　cook；　he　says；　feminine；　great　body　great　legs　great　taste；　trained　and　beddable；　Jesus；　how　beddable。　And　with　no　thought　in　her　goddamn　head　but　how　to　catch　a　rich　husband。　The　Frenchwoman　was　right：　Linc's　a　patsy　for　any　no…account；　harpy；　Asian　gold　digger；　and　Orlanda's　the　cream　of　the　Hong　Kong　crop。
　Shit！
　But　whatever　Linc　says；　I'm　still　right　about　her　and　right　about　Gornt。
　Or　am　I？
　Let's　face　it；　I've　nothing　to　go　on　but　a　few　rumors；　and　my　own　intuition。　Orlanda's　got　me　on　the　run；　I'm　running　scared。　I　made　a　goddamn　mistake　letting　myself　go　at　Linc。　Remember　what　he　said　before　he　left　the　suite。　〃From　here　on　in　you　stay　the　hell　out　of　my　private　life！〃
　Oh　God！
　There　was　a　fine　wind　blowing　as　the　ferry　skittered　across　the　harbor；　engines　pounding；　sampans　and　other　boats　moving　nimbly　out　of　the　way；　the　sky　brooding　and　overcast。　Oblivious；　she　dabbed　her　tears　away；　took　out　her　mirror　and　checked　that　her　mascara　was　not　running。　A　huge　freighter　sounded　its　horn；　flags　fluttering；　and　moved　majestically　past；　but　she　did　not　see　it；　nor　the　immensity　of　the　nuclear　carrier　tied　up　alongside　the　Admiralty　Wharf；　Hong　Kong　side。　〃Get　hold　of　yourself；〃　she　muttered　in　misery　to　her　mirror　image。　〃Jesus；　you　look　forty。〃
　The　cramped　wooden　benches　were　crowded　and　she　shifted　unfortably；　jammed　between　other　passengers；　most　of　whom　were　Chinese；　though　here　and　there　were　camera…heavy　tourists　and　other　Europeans。　There　was　not　an　inch　of　free