jamesclavell.noblehouse-第202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！


man　and　his　fam…　〃
　〃18　and　that's　final！〃
　〃25　and　it's　a　deal。〃
　〃My　dear　fellow；　so　sorry　but　I　must　place　a　bet。　18。　Yes　or　no？〃
　Richard　Kwang　kept　up　a　pathetic　patter　but　he　was　estimating　his　chances。　He　had　seen　the　flash　of　irritation　on　his　opponent's　face。　Dirty　lump　of　dogmeat！　Is　now　the　time　to　close？　Between　now　and　five　o'clock　this　leper　dung　could　change　his　mind。　If　the　tai…pan's　got　all　this　new　financing　perhaps　I　could　。。。　No；　no　chance。　18's　three　times　as　good　as　the　opening　bid！　It's　clear　you　are　a　clever　fellow　and　a　good　negotiator；　he　chortled　to　himself。　Has　the　time　e　to　close？
　He　thought　of　Venus　Poon；　how　she　had　abused　his　expensive　gift　and　deliberately　brushed　her　exquisite　breasts　against　Four　Fingers's　arm；　and　tears　of　rage　welled　from　his　eyes。
　〃Oh　oh　oh；〃　he　said　in　an　abject　whisper；　delighted　that　his　stratagem　to　produce　real　tears　had　worked　so　well。　〃20；　by　all　the　gods；　and　I'm　your　slave　forever。〃
　〃Good；〃　Havergill　said；　very　contentedly。　〃e　to　my　box　at　quarter　to　five。　I'll　have　a　provisional　letter　of　agreement　ready　for　signature　…　and　your　undated　resignation。　At　five　we'll　announce　the　merger；　and　Richard；　until　that　time　not　a　whisper！　If　the　news　leaks；　the　deal　is　off。〃
　〃Of　course。〃
　Havergill　nodded　and　left　and　Richard　Kwang　walked　back　to　his　wife。
　〃What's　going　on？〃
　〃Quiet！〃　he　hissed。　〃I've　agreed　to　a　merger　with　the　Victoria。〃
　〃At　what　price　for　our　holdings？〃
　He　lowered　his　voice　even　more。　〃20　cents　on　the；　er；　official　book　value。〃
　Glee　lit　her　eyes。　〃Ayeeyah！〃　she　said　and　quickly　dropped　her　gaze　for　safety。　〃You　did　very　well。〃
　〃Of　course。　And　a　directorship　for　five　years　an…　〃
　〃Eeee；　our　face　will　be　huge！〃
　〃Yes。　Now　listen；　we've　got　until　five　today　to　make　some　private　deals　on　Ho…Pak　stock。　We　must　buy　in　today　…　at　fire…sale　prices　before　every　dogmeat　gambler　steals　our　rightful　profits　from　us。　We　can't　do　it　ourselves　or　others'll　instantly　suspect。　Who　can　we　use？〃
　She　thought　for　a　moment。　Again　her　eyes　gleamed。　〃Profitable　Choy。　Give　him　7　percent　of　anything　he　makes　for　us。〃
　〃I'll　offer　5　to　begin　with；　perhaps　I　can　settle　for　61/2　percent！　Excellent！　And　I'll　also　use　Smiler　Ching；　he's　a　pauper　now。　He　lost　everything。　Between　the　two　of　them　。。。　I'll　meet　you　back　at　the　box。〃　Importantly　he　turned　away　and　went　to　his　trainer　and　carefully　kicked　him　in　the　shin。　〃Oh　so　sorry；〃　he　said　for　the　benefit　of　those　nearby　who　might　have　seen　him；　then　hissed；　〃Don't　interrupt　me　when　I'm　busy；　you　cheating　lump　of　dogmeat　turd！　And　if　you　cheat　me　like　you　cheated　Big　Belly　Tok　I'll　…　〃
　〃But　I　told　you　about　that；　Lord；〃　the　man　said　sourly。　〃He　knew　about　it　too！　Wasn't　it　his　idea？　Didn't　you　both　make　a　fortune？〃
　〃Oh　ko；　if　my　horse　doesn't　win　this　race　I'll　ask　my　Uncle　Four　Fingers　to　send　his　street　fighters　and　mash　your　Heavenly　Orbs！〃
　A　sprinkle　of　rain　swept　the　paddock　and　they　all　looked　anxiously　at　the　sky。　In　the　stands　and　on　the　balconies　above；　everyone　was　equally　anxious。　The　shower　turned　into　a　slight　drizzle　and　on　the　members'　balcony　Orlanda　quivered；　tense　with　excitement。　〃Oh　Linc；　I'm　going　to　bet　now。〃
　〃You're　sure？〃　he　asked　with　a　laugh　for　she　had　been　agonizing　over　her　decision　all　afternoon；　first　Pilot　Fish　then　Noble　Star；　then　a　hot　tip；　the　outsider　Winning　Billy；　and　back　to　Butterscotch　Lass　again。　The　odds　were　even　on　Butterscotch　Lass；　3　to　1　on　both　Pilot　Fish　and　Noble　Star　…　the　moment　Travkin　was　announced　the　money　started　pouring　on　…　6　to　1　on　Golden　Lady；　the　rest　hardly　in　the　running。　The　total　amount　so　far　at　risk　was　a　staggering　4；700；000　HK。　〃How　much　are　you　going　to　bet？〃
　She　shut　her　eyes　and　said　in　a　rush；　〃All　my　winnings　and　an　extra　。。。　an　extra　100！　Won't　be　a　moment；　Linc！〃
　〃Good　luck。　I'll　see　you　after　the　race。〃
　〃Oh　yes；　sorry；　in　the　excitement　I　forgot。　Have　fun！〃　She　gave　him　a　glorious　smile　and　rushed　off　before　he　could　ask　her　what　she　was　betting。　He　had　already　bet。　This　race　was　a　quinella；　as　well　as　the　second　leg　of　the　double　quinella。　10；000　HK　on　any　bination　of　Pilot　Fish　and　Butterscotch　Lass。　That　should　do　it；　he　thought；　his　own　excitement　growing。
　He　left　the　balcony　and　weaved　through　the　tables　heading　for　the　elevators　that　would　take　him　back　upstairs。　Many　people　watched　him；　some　greeted　him；　most　envious　of　the　little　badges　fluttering　in　his　lapel。
　〃Hi；　Linc！〃
　〃Oh　hello；〃　he　said　to　Biltzmann　who　had　intercepted　him。　〃How's　it　going？〃
　〃You　heard　about　the　foulup？　Of　course；　you　were　there！〃　Biltzmann　said。　〃Say；　Linc；　you　got　a　moment？〃
　〃Sure。〃　Bartlett　followed　him　down　the　corridor；　conscious　of　the　curious　gazes　of　passersby。
　〃Listen；〃　Biltzmann　said　when　they　reached　a　quiet　corner；　〃you'd　better　watch　yourself　with　these　limey　bastards。　We　sure　as　hell　had　a　deal　with　General　Stores。〃
　〃You　going　to　rebid？〃　Bartlett　asked。
　〃That's　up　to　head　office；　but　me；　hell；　me　I'd　let　this　whole　goddamn　Island　drown。〃
　Bartlett　did　not　reply；　aware　of　glances　in　their　direction。
　〃Say；　Linc！〃　Biltzmann　dropped　his　voice　and　bent　closer　with　a　twisted　grin。　〃You　got　something　special　going　with　that　girl？〃
　〃What　are　you　talking　about？〃
　〃The　broad。　The　Eurasian。　Orlanda；　the　one　you　were　talking　to。〃
　Bartlett　felt　the　blood　rush　into　his　face　but　Biltzmann　continued；
　〃Mind　if　I　put　my　two　cents　in？〃　He　winked。　〃Make　a　date。　Ask　her　for　a　date？〃
　〃It's　。。。　it's　a　free　country；〃　Bartlett　said；　suddenly　hating　him。
　〃Thanks。　She's　got　a　great　ass。〃　Biltzmann　beamed　and　came　even　closer。　〃How　much　does　she　charge？〃
　Bartlett　gasped；　totally　unprepared。　〃She's　not　a　hooker；　for　chrissake！〃
　〃Didn't　you　know？　Hey　it's　all　over　town。　But　Dickie　said　she　was　lousy　in　bed。　That　a　fact？〃　Biltzmann　misread　the　look　on　Bartlett's　face。　〃Oh；　you　haven't　got　there　yet？　Hell；　Linc；　all　you　gotta　do's　flash　a　little　of　the　green　st…　〃
　〃Listen　you　son　of　a　bitch；〃　Bartlett　hissed；　almost　blind　with　rage；　〃she's　no　hooker　and　if　you　talk　to　her　or　go　near　her　I'll　stick　my　fist　down　your　throat。　Got　it？〃
　〃Listen；　take　it　easy；〃　the　other　man　gasped。　〃I　didn'…　〃
　〃You　get　the　message？〃
　〃Sure　sure；　no　need　to　。。。〃　Biltzmann　backed　off。　〃Take　it　easy。　I　asked；　didn't　I？　Dickie　。。。〃　He　stopped；　frightened；　as　Bartlett　came　closer。　〃For　chrissake　it's　not　my　fault　…　take　it　easy；　huh？〃
　〃Shut　up！〃　Bartlett　contained　his　rage　with　an　effort；　knowing　this　was　not　the　time　or　the　place　to　smash　Biltzmann。　He　glanced　around　but　Orlanda　had　already　disappeared。　〃Get　lost；　you　son　of　a　bitch；〃　he　grated；　〃and　don't　go　near　her　or　else！〃
　〃Sure；　sure　take　it　easy；　okay？〃　Biltzmann　backed　off　another　pace；　then　turned　and　fled　thankfully。　Bartlett　hesitated；　then　went　into　the　men's　room　and　splashed　a　little　water　on　his　face　to　calm　himself。　The　tap　water；　specially　connected　for　the　races；　was　brackish　and　seemed　unclean。　In　a　moment　he　found　his　elevator　and　walked　to　Dunross's　box。　It　was　tea　time。　The　guests　were　being　served　little　sandwiches；　cakes；　cheese　and　great　pots　of　Indian　tea　with　milk　and　sugar　but　he　did　not　notice　any　of　it；　numb。
　Donald　McBride；　bustling　past；　stopped　briefly　on　his　way　back　to　his　own　box。　〃Ah；　Mr。　Bartlett；　I　must　tell　you　how　happy　we　all　are　that　you　and　Casey　are　going　to　be　in　business　here。　Pity　about　Biltzmann　but　all's　fair　in　business。　Your　Casey's　such　a　charming　person。　Sorry；　got　to　dash。〃
　He　hurried　off。　Bartlett　hesitated　in　the　doorway。
　〃Hey；　Linc；〃　Casey　called　out　joyously　from　the　balcony。　〃You　want　tea？〃　As　they　met　halfway　her　smile　faded。　〃What's　the　matter？〃
　〃Nothing；　nothing；　Casey。〃　Bartlett　forced　a　smile。　〃They　at　the　starting　gate？〃
　〃Not　yet　but　any　moment　now。　You　sure　you're　okay？〃
　〃Of　course。　What　did　you　bet　on？〃
　〃Noble　Star；　what　else？　Peter's　tipping　Doc　Tooley's　outsider；　Winning　Billy；　for　a　place　so　I　put　50　on　him。　You　don't　look　well；　Linc。　Not　your　stomach；　is　it？〃
　He　shook　his　head；　warmed　by　her　concern。　〃No。　I'm　fine。　You　okay？〃
　〃Sure。　I've　been　having　a　wonderful　time。　Peter's　in　great　form　and　Old　Tooley's　a　gas。〃　Casey　hesitated。　〃I'm　glad　it's　not　your　stomach。　Doc　Tooley　says　we　should　be　safe　from　those　lousy　Aberdeen　bugs；　since　we　haven't　gotten　the　trots　yet。　Of　course　we　won't　know　for　sure　for　twenty　days。〃
　〃Jesus；〃　Bartlett　muttered；　trying　to　force　his　mind　off　what　Biltzmann　had　said。　〃I'd　almost　forgotten　about　Aberdeen　and　the　fire　and　that　whole　mess。　The　fire　seems　a　million　years　ago。〃
　〃To　me　too。　Where　did　the　time　go？〃
　Gavallan　was　nearby。　〃It's　Hong　Kong；〃　he　said　absently。
　〃How　do　you　mean？〃
　〃It's　a　Hong　Kong　characteristic。　If　you　live　here　there's　never　enough　time；　whatever　your　work。　Always　too　much　to　do。　People　are　always　arriving；　leaving；　friends；　business　people。　There's　always　a　crisis　…　flood；　fire；　mud　slide；　boom；　scandal；　business　opportunity；　funeral；　banquet　or　cocktail　party　for　visiting　VIPs　…　or　some　disaster。〃　Gavallan　shook　off　his　anxieties。　〃This's　a　small　place　and　you　soon　get　to　know　most　people　in　your　own　circle。　Then　we're　the　crossroads　of　Asia　and　even　if　you're　not　in　Struan's　you're　always　on　the　move；　planning；　making　money；　risking　money　to　make　more；　or　you're　off　to　Taiwan；　Bangkok；　Singapore；　Sydney；　Tokyo；　London　or　wherever。　It's　the　magic　of　Asia。　Look　what　happened　to　you　both　since　you　got　here：　poor　John　Chen　was　kidnapped　and　murdered；　guns　were　found　on　your　aircraft；　then　there　was　the　fire；　the　stock　market　mess；　the　run　on　our　stock；　Gornt　after　us　and　we　after　him。　And　now　the　banks　may　close　on　Monday　or　if　Ian's　right；　Monday　will　be　boom　time。　And　we're　in　business　together。　。。。〃　He　smiled　wearily。　〃What　do　you　think　of　our　tender？〃
　Casey　held　back　her　immediate　ment　and　watched　Bartlett。
　〃Great；〃　Bartlett　said；　thinking　about　Orlanda。　〃You　think　Ian　will　be　able　to　turn　things　around？〃
　〃If　anyone　can；　he　can。〃　Gavallan　sighed　heavily。　〃Well；　let's　hope；　that's　all　we　can　do。　Have　you　put　your　money　on　the　winner　yet？〃
　Bartlett　smiled　and　Casey　felt　easier。　〃Who　you　backing；　Andrew？〃
　〃Noble　Star　and　Winning　Billy　for　the　quinella。　See　you　later。〃　He　left　them。
　〃Curious　what　he　was　saying　about　Hong　Kong。　He's　right。　It　makes　the　U。S。　seem　a　million　miles　away。〃
　〃Yes；　but　it　isn't；　not　truly。〃
　〃You　want　to　stay　here；　Casey？〃
　She　looked　at　him；　wondering　what　was　under　the　question；　what　he　was　really　asking　her。　〃That's　up　to　you；　Linc。〃
　He　nodded　slowly；　〃Think　I'll　get　me　some　tea。〃
　〃Hey；　I'll　do　that　for　you；〃　she　said；　then　she　saw　Murtagh　standing　nervously　at　the　doorway　and　her　heart　missed　a　beat。　〃You　haven't　met　our　banker；　Linc。　Let　me　bring　him　over。〃
　She　went　through　the　throng。　〃Hi；　Dave。〃
　〃Hi；　Casey；　have　you　seen　the　tai…pan？〃
　〃He's　busy　till　after　the　race。　Is　it　yes　or　no？〃　she　whispered　urgently；　keeping　her　back　to　Bartlett。
　〃It's　a　maybe。〃　Nervously　Murtagh　wiped　his　brow　and　took　off　his　wet　raincoat；　his　eyes　red　rimmed。　〃Couldn't　get　a　goddamn　cab　for　an　hour！　Jesus！〃
　〃Maybe　what？〃
　〃Maybe　maybe。　I　gave　them　the　plan　and　they　told　me　to　haul　ass　back　home　because　I'd　clearly　gone　mad。　Then；　after　th