jamesclavell.noblehouse-第220章

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　〃Yes；　at　least　they　will　be　by　midnight。　We　bring　good　money　into　Hong　Kong　and　pay　our　bi…　〃
　〃Yes　and　create　nothing　but　curious　troubles。　Like　Major　Leonov；　like　Bakyan？〃
　〃You　mean　Metkin？〃　Suslev　glared　at　Boradinov　to　take　off　some　of　the　heat。　〃Did　you　know　any　Leonov？〃
　〃No；　rade　Captain；〃　Boradinov　stuttered。　〃We　didn't　know　anything。〃
　〃What　a　lot　of　cobblers！〃　Sinders　sighed。　〃Fortunately　Leonov　told　us　quite　a　lot　about　you　and　the　Ivanov　before　you　murdered　him。　Yes；　your　Major　Leonov　was　very　cooperative。〃　Suddenly　his　voice　became　a　whiplash。　〃First　Officer　Boradinov；　please　wait　outside！〃
　The　younger　man　was　on　his　feet　before　he　knew　it；　white…faced。　He　opened　the　door。　Outside　a　hostile　Chinese　SI　agent　motioned　him　to　a　chair；　closing　the　door　once　more。
　Sinders　put　his　pipe　aside；　took　out　a　package　of　cigarettes　and　leisurely　lit　one。　Rain　battered　the　windows。　Suslev　waited；　his　heart　grinding。　He　watched　his　enemy　from　under　his　bushy　eyebrows；　wondering　what　Roger　Crosse　had　for　him　that　was　so　urgent。　This　morning　when　the　secret　phone　had　rung　it　was　Arthur　asking　if　Suslev　would　meet　Roger　Crosse　around　eight　o'clock　tonight　at　Sinclair　Towers。　〃What's　so　urgent？　I　should　be　on　my　ship　and　mak…　〃
　〃I　don't　know。　Roger　said　it　was　urgent。　There　was　no　time　to　discuss　anything。　Did　you　see　Koronski？〃
　〃Yes。　Everything's　arranged。　Can　you　deliver？〃
　〃Oh　yes。　Long　before　midnight。〃
　〃Don't　fail。　Center's　counting　on　you　now；〃　he　had　added；　lying。　〃Tell　our　friend　it's　ordered。〃
　〃Excellent。　We　won't　fail。〃
　Suslev　had　heard　the　excitement。　Some　of　his　dread　had　left　him。　Now　it　was　returning。　He　did　not　like　being　here；　so　near　to　staying　permanently。　Sinders's　reputation　was　well　known　in　the　KGB：　dedicated；　smart　and　given　to　great　leaps　of　insight。　〃I'm　very　tired　of　these　questions；　Mr。　Sinders；〃　he　said；　astonished　that　the　head　of　MI…6　had　personally　e　to　Hong　Kong　and　could　appear　to　be　so　unimportant。　He　stood　up；　testing　him。　〃I'm　leaving。〃
　〃Tell　me　about　Sevrin。〃
　〃Severin？　What　is　Severin？　I　do　not　have　to　stay　to　answer　your　questions；　I　do　n…　〃
　〃I　agree；　rade　Captain；　normally；　but　one　of　your　men　has　been　caught　spying　and　our　American　friends　really　want　possession　of　you。〃
　〃Eh？〃
　〃Oh　yes　and　I'm　afraid　they're　not　as　patient　as　we　are。〃
　Suslev's　dread　swooped　back。　〃More　threats！　Why　threaten　me？〃　he　flustered。　〃We　are　law…abiding。　I'm　not　responsible　for　troubles！　I　demand　to　be　allowed　to　go　back　to　my　ship！　Now！〃
　Sinders　just　looked　at　him。　〃All　right。　Please　leave；〃　he　said　quietly。
　〃I　can　go？〃
　〃Yes；　yes　of　course。　Good　morning。〃
　Astonished；　Suslev　stared　at　him　a　moment；　then　turned　and　went　for　the　door。
　〃Of　course　we　will　certainly　leak　it　to　your　superiors　that　you　gave　us　Leonov。〃
　Suslev　stopped；　ashen。　〃What；　what　did　you　say？〃
　〃Leonov　told　us；　among　other　things；　that　you　encouraged　him　to　make　the　intercept。　Then　you　leaked　the　exchange。〃
　〃Lies　。。。　lies；〃　he　said；　suddenly　aghast　that　perhaps　Roger　Crosse　had　been　caught　as　Metkin　was　caught。
　〃Didn't　you　also　leak　to　North　Korean　agents　about　Bakyan？〃
　〃No；　no　I　did　not；〃　Suslev　stuttered；　enormously　relieved　to　discover　Sinders　was　kiting　him；　probably　without　any　real　information。　Some　of　his　confidence　returned。　〃That's　more　nonsense。　I　know　no　North　Koreans。〃
　〃I　believe　you；　but　I'm　sure　the　First　Directorate　won't。　Good　morning。〃
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　〃Tell　me　about　the　cable。〃
　〃I　know　nothing　about　it。　Your　superintendent　was　mistaken；　I　did　not　drop　it。〃
　〃Oh　but　you　did。　What　American？〃
　〃I　know　nothing　about　an　American。〃
　〃Tell　me　about　Sevrin。〃
　〃I　know　nothing　of　this　Severin。　What　is　it；　who　is　it？〃
　〃I'm　sure　you　know　your　superiors　in　the　KGB　are　impatient　with　leaks　and　very　untrusting。　If　you　manage　to　sail；　I　suggest　you；　your　first　officer；　your　ship　and　your　entire　crew　do　not　e　back　into　these　waters　again　…　〃
　〃You　threaten　me　again？　This　will　bee　an　international　incident。　I　will　inform　my　government　and　yours　an…　〃
　〃Yes；　and　so　will　we；　officially　and　privately。　Very　privately。〃　Sinders's　eyes　were　freezing　though　his　lips　wore　a　smile。
　〃I　。。。　I　can　go　now？〃
　〃Yes。　For　information。〃
　〃What？〃
　〃Who　is　the　American；　and　who　is　'Arthur'？〃
　〃I　don't　know　any　Arthur。　Arthur　who？〃
　〃I　will　wait　till　midnight。　If　you　sail　without　telling　me；　when　I　return　to　London　I　will　make　sure　information　gets　to　the　ears　of　your　naval　attaché　in　London　that　you　leaked　Leonov　whom　you　call　Metkin；　and　you　leaked　Bakyan　whom　you　call　Voranski　in　return　for　SI　favors。〃
　〃That's　lies；　all　lies；　you　know　it's　lies。〃
　〃Five　hundred　people　saw　you　at　the　racetrack　with　Superintendent　Crosse。　That's　when　you　gave　him　Metkin。〃
　〃All　lies。〃　Suslev　tried　to　hide　his　terror。
　Sinders　chuckled。　〃We'll　see；　won't　we？　Your　new　naval　attaché　in　London　will　clutch　at　any　straws　to　ingratiate　himself　with　his　superiors。　Eh？〃
　〃I　don't　understand；〃　Suslev　said；　understanding　very　well。　He　was　trapped。
　Sinders　leaned　forward　to　tap　out　his　pipe。　〃Listen　to　me　clearly；〃　he　said　with　absolute　finality。　〃I'll　swap　you　your　life　for　the　American　and　Arthur。〃
　〃I　don't　know　any　Arthur。〃
　〃This　will　be　a　secret　between　you　and　me　only。　I'll　tell　no　one。　I　give　you　my　word。〃
　〃I　know　no　Arthur。〃
　〃You　pinpoint　him　and　you're　safe。　You　and　I　are　professionals；　we　understand　barter　…　and　safety　…　and　an　occasional　private；　very　secret　deal。　You're　caught；　this　time；　so　you　have　to　deliver。　If　you　sail　without　telling　me　who　Arthur　is；　as　sure　as　God　made　little　apples　and　the　KGB　exists；　I　will　shop　you。〃　The　eyes　bored　into　him。　〃Good　morning；　rade　Captain。〃
　Suslev　got　up　and　left。　When　he　and　Boradinov　were　in　the　air　once　more；　in　the　reality　of　Hong　Kong；　both　began　to　breathe。　Silently　Suslev　led　the　way　across　the　street　to　the　nearest　bar。　He　ordered　two　double　vodkas。
　Suslev's　mind　was　ripped。　Kristos；　he　wanted　to　shout；　I'm　dead　if　I　do　and　dead　if　I　don't。　That　goddamned　cable！　If　I　finger　Banastasio　and　Arthur；　I　admit　I　know　Sevrin　and　I'm　in　their　power　forever。　And　if　I　don't；　my　life　will　surely　be　finished。　One　way　or　another　it　will　be　dangerous　to　return　home　now；　and　equally　dangerous　to　e　back。　One　way　or　another　now　I　need　those　AMG　files　or　Dunross；　or　both；　for　protection。　One　way　or　an…　〃rade　Cap…　〃
　He　whirled　on　Boradinov　and　cursed　him　in　Russian。　The　younger　man　whitened　and　stopped；　petrified。
　〃Vodka！　Two　more；〃　he　called。　〃Please。〃
　The　bar　girl　brought　them。　〃My　name　Sally；　what　your；　heya？〃
　〃Piss　off；〃　Boradinov　snarled。
　〃Dew　neh　loh　moh　on　your　piss　off；　heya？　You　Mr。　Pissoff？　I　no　like　your　face　Mr。　Pissoff　so　piss　off　without　swearings。〃　She　picked　up　the　vodka　bottle　and　prepared　to　carry　the　battle　forward。
　〃Apologize　to　her；〃　Suslev　snapped；　wanting　no　trouble；　not　sure　that　she　wasn't　a　plant；　the　bar　being　so　close　to　police　headquarters。
　Boradinov　was　shocked。　〃What？〃
　〃Apologize　to　her；　you　motherless　turd！〃
　〃Sorry；〃　Boradinov　muttered；　his　face　flushed。
　The　girl　laughed。　〃Hey；　big　man；　you　want　jig…jig？〃
　〃No；〃　Suslev　said。　〃Just　more　vodka。〃
　
　Crosse　got　out　of　the　police　car　and　hurried　through　the　light　rain　into　the　Struan　Building。　Behind　him　the　streets　were　crowded　with　umbrellas　and　snarled　traffic；　the　sidewalks　massed；　people　going　to　and　from　work；　Sunday　not　a　general　holiday。　On　the　twentieth　floor　he　got　out。
　〃Good　morning；　Superintendent　Crosse。　I'm　Sandra　Yi；　Mr。　Dunross's　secretary。　This　way　please。〃
　Crosse　followed　her　down　the　corridor；　his　eyes　noticing　her　chong…samed　rump。　She　opened　a　door　for　him。　He　went　in。
　〃Hello；　Edward；〃　he　said　to　Sinders。
　〃You're　early　too；　as　usual。〃　Sinders　was　sipping　a　beer。　〃Old　army　habit；　eh；　five　minutes　early's　on　time？〃　Behind　him　in　the　lavish　boardroom　was　a　well…stocked　bar。　And　coffee。
　〃Would　you　care　for　something；　sir？　Bloody　Marys　are　mixed；〃　Sandra　Yi　said。
　〃Thank　you；　just　coffee。　Black。〃
　She　served　him　and　went　out。
　〃How　did　it　go？〃　Crosse　asked。
　〃Our　visitor？　Fine；　just　fine。　I'd　say　his　sphincter's　out　of　whack。〃　Sinders　smiled。　〃I　taped　the　session。　You　can　listen　to　it　after　lunch。　Ah；　yes；　lunch。　Roger；　can　you　get　fish　and　chips　in　Hong　Kong？〃
　〃Certainly。　Fish　and　chips　it　is。〃　Crosse　stifled　a　yawn。　He　had　been　up　most　of　the　night　developing　and　printing　the　roll　of　film　he　had　taken　in　the　vault。　This　morning　he　had　read　and　reread　AMG's　real　pages　with　enormous　interest；　privately　agreeing　with　Dunross　that　the　tai…pan　had　been　perfectly　correct　to　be　so　circumspect。　AMG　gave　value　for　money　whatever　he　cost；　he　thought。　There's　no　doubt　these　files're　worth　a　fortune。
　The　gimbaled　clock　struck　the　hour　nicely。　Noon。　The　door　opened　and　Dunross　strode　in。　〃　'Morning。　Thanks　for　ing　here。〃
　Politely　the　other　two　got　up　and　shook　hands。
　〃More　coffee？〃
　〃No　thank　you；　Mr。　Dunross。〃
　As　Crosse　watched　closely　Dunross　took　a　sealed　envelope　out　of　his　pocket　and　offered　it　to　Sinders。　The　older　man　took　it；　weighing　it　in　his　hand。　Crosse　noticed　his　fingers　were　trembling　slightly。　〃Of　course　you've　read　the　contents；　Mr。　Dunross？〃
　〃Yes；　Mr。　Sinders。〃
　〃And？〃
　〃And　nothing。　See　for　yourself。〃
　Sinders　opened　the　envelope。　He　stared　at　the　first　page；　then　leafed　through　all　eleven　sheets。　From　where　Crosse　stood　he　could　not　see　what　was　on　the　pieces　of　paper。　Silently　Sinders　handed　him　the　top　one。　The　letters　and　numbers　and　symbols　of　the　code　were　meaningless。　〃Looks　like　they've　been　cut　from　something。〃　Crosse　looked　at　Dunross。　〃Eh？〃
　〃What　about　Brian？〃
　〃Where　did　you　get　them；　Ian？〃　Crosse　saw　Dunross's　eyes　change　a　little。
　〃I've　kept　my　side　of　the　trade；　are　you　going　to　keep　yours？〃
　Sinders　sat　down。　〃I　did　not　agree　to　a　trade；　Mr。　Dunross。　I　only　agreed　that　it　was　possible　that　your　request　might　be　plied　with。〃
　〃Then　you　won't　release　Brian　Kwok？〃
　〃It's　possible　that　he　will　be　where　you　want　him；　when　you　want　him。〃
　〃It　has　to　be　left　like　that？〃
　〃Sorry。〃
　There　was　a　long　silence。　The　tick　of　the　clock　filled　the　room。　Except　for　the　rain。　Another　squall　came　and　went。　Rain　had　been　falling　sporadically　since　this　morning。　Weather　reports　forecast　that　the　storm　would　be　over　soon　and　that　the　reservoirs；　for　all　the　rain；　were　hardly　touched。
　Dunross　said；　〃Will　you　give　me　the　odds？　Accurately。　Please？〃
　〃First　three　questions：　Did　you　cut　these　out　of　something　yourself？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃From　what　and　how？〃
　〃AMG　had　written　instructions。　I　was　to　use　a　cigarette　lighter　under　the　bottom　right　quadrant　of　some　pages　he'd　sent　…　it　was　an　innocuous　typed　report。　When　I　heated　the　pages　the　type　disappeared　and　what　you　see　was　left。　When　I'd　finished；　again　following　his　instructions；　I　cut　out　the　pertinent　pieces　and　destroyed　the　remainder。　And　his　letter。〃
　〃Have　you　kept　a　copy？〃
　〃Of　the　eleven　pieces？　Yes。〃
　〃I　must　ask　you　for　them。〃
　〃You　may　have　them　when　you　plete　the　bargain；〃　Dunross　said；　his　voice　pleasant。　〃Now；　what　are　the　odds？〃
　〃Please　give　me　the　copies。〃
　〃I　will；　when　you　plete。　Monday　at　sunset。〃
　Sinders's　eyes　were　even　colder。　〃The　copie