johngardner.rollofhonor-第23章

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let　them　find　it　in　the　car。　　It's　not　safe　by　any　means；　so　we　just　have　to　hope　nobody　goes　rooting　around。〃　He　seemed　to　give　the　situation　a　lot　of　thought。
　〃Well；　I　don't　fancy　trying　to　unlock　this；'　he　touched　the　disk。
　〃What's　on　it　is　big；　and　I　suspect　dangerous。　　I　just　hope　you're　right　…　that　the　disk　iSn't　missed；　and　that　nobody　goes　rooting　through　the　garage　and　tumbles　over　my　hoard　of　electronics。〃
　〃So　what　good's　it　going　to　do？　　You　want　me　to　try　and　get　it　out？〃　Bond　went　over　to　the　window；　where　the　chintz　curtains　had　been　drawn。　The　promised　supper　tray　was　on　a　table　near　by；　and　he　noticed　it　had　been　set　for　two　…　prawns　in　little　glasses；　cold　chicken　and　tongue；　salads；　bread　rolls；　a　bottle　of　wine。　　Did　anybody　get　hot　food　at　Endor　when　the　heat　was　on？　　he　wondered。　　He　still　clutched　the　disk　in　his　hand。　　Better　if　he　kept　it　close。　　Yet　there　were　so　few　hiding　places。　　In　the　end；　he　banked　on　there　being　no　search；　walked　over　to　the　wardrobe　and　pushed　it　among　his　clothes。　　The　whole　process　seemed　to　take　several　minutes　of　silence。
　〃There　are　friends；'　he　confided　at　last。　　〃Quite　near。　　I　would　have　thought　that　by　now　No；　you　don't　move　from　the　house。　　Nobody　tries　to　get　out　except　me。〃　Bond　turned；　and　dropped　quietly　into　a　chair；　signalling　she　should　also　sit。　　He　nodded　towards　the　wardrobe。
　not　taking　any　risks；　not　with　that。　　It's　like　a　time　bomb。
　〃We　just　sit；　and　wait　until　the　cavalry　arrive？〃　Cindy　was　perched　on　the　end　of　the　bed；　her　skirt　riding　up　to　show　a　slice　of　smooth；　tantalising　thigh。
　〃Something　like　that。〃　Bond　was　trying　to　reckon　how　much　time　they　might　have；　whether　the　team　with　their　cameras；　log　books　and　directional　microphones　had　advised　M　that　something　important　was　happening　at　Endor。　　Would　M　let　them　sweat　it　out？　　Possibly。　　The　cautious；　diplomatic　intriguer　had　waited　before；　almost　until　the　last　moment。
　〃I　want　an　educated　guess　from　you；　Cindy。　　You've　been　here　before　…　I　mean　when　they've　prepared　for　some　caper。
　She　had　been　at　Endor　before；　when　the　hard　men　had　e　and　spent　hours　training　down　in　the　converted　cellars。
　〃This　is　the　biggest　gathering　yet？〃　Since　she　had　been　here；　it　was。
　〃In　your　estimation；　Cindy；　what's　the　timing？　　How　long　have　we　got　before　things　start　to　roll？〃　In　his　mind　the　question　was　really；　how　long　have　I　got　before　they　ask　me　to　filch　the　EPOC　frequency？
　〃It　can　only　be　a　guess；　but　I'd　say　forty…eight　hours　maximum。〃
　〃And　your　little　playmate；　Peter？〃　She　sprang　to　Peter's　defence　like　a　sister；　often　at　loggerheads　with　her　brother；　but　always　ready　to　stand　up　for　him。　　〃Peter's　okay。　　He's　a　brilliant　worker；　dedicated　。
　〃Would　you　trust　him？　　Really　trust　him；　when　the　chips　are　down；　as　they　say？〃　She　gnawed　her　upper　lip。　　〃Only　in　a　real　emergency。
　Nothing　against　him。　　He　can't　stand　St。　John…Finnes　or　Dazzle。
　He's　been　looking　for　a　different　job。　　Says　this　place　is　too　claustrophobic　for　him。〃
　〃I　expect　it'll　be　even　more　claustrophobic　soon；'　Bond　said。　　〃I'd　say　you；　Peter　and　myself　are　destined　for　oblivion　…　particularly　you　and　Peter。　　Anybody　who　isn't　pletely　in　their　confidence。〃　Once　more　he　fell　silent；　his　mind　slicing　through　every　morsel　of　information。　　Jay　Autem　Holy　had　indicated　that　SPECTRE'S　current　ploy　was　destined　to　change　history。　　Afterwards；　they　would　not　want　anybody　around　who　could　name　names　or　draw　faces。
　Certainly　not　in　the　immediate　wake　of　whatever　they　planned。
　〃My　car；'　he　snapped　suddenly。
　〃The　Bentley？　　Yes？〃
　〃You　took　my　gear　from　the　boot。　　How？〃
　〃It　was　just　before　the　present　crowd　arrived。　　I　had　been　through　the　kitchens　and　spotted　a　whole　lot　of　food　being　loaded　into　the　two　big　deep　freezes。　　I　also　heard　Old　Bald　Eagle　on　the　telephone。　　I　knew　they　were　bringing　you　back。　　What　did　happen　by　the　way？　　They　said　you　were　in　hospital　Bond　brusquely　told　her　to　get　on　with　it。
　She　knew　the　car　had　been　driven　back　and　put　into　the　garage；　and　she　wondered　about　the　micro　and　drives　he　had　used　in　the　hotel。　　The　Bentley's　keys　were　left　in　a　security　cabinet　where　they　kept　all　the　car　keys。　　She　had　been　in　and　out　of　that　one　since　she　first　arrived　…　and　she　chose　her　moment。
　〃It　was　a　risk；　but　I　only　had　the　keys　out　for　five　minutes。
　Everyone　was　busy；　so　I　took　the　keys；　unloaded　the　boot；　and　stashed　the　stuff　in　the　garage。　　It's　not　really　safe；　but　it　seemed　to　be　the　only　way。　　Bad　enough　doing　that；　and　far　too　risky　to　attempt　getting　it　any　further　away。
　〃And　the　car　itself？　　Have　they　done　anything　with　it？
　Gone　over　it？〃　She　gave　her　angled　negative　head　shake。　　〃No　time。
　Not　enough　troops　either。　　Everyone's　been　up　to　their　eyes　here。〃
　〃The　keys？〃
　〃Jason　will　have　them。〃
　〃And　it's　still　there？　　In　the　garage？〃
　〃Far　as　I　know。　　Why？〃
　〃Can　we。　　。
　〃Forget　it；　James。　　There's　no　way　we　can　drive　out　of　here　in　one　piece。〃
　〃I　hope　to　be　going　officially。　　But　if　they　haven't　messed　about　with　it；　I　wouldn't　mind　spending　fifteen　minutes　in　that　car　now。　Possible？〃
　〃The　keys？　　How？　　Lord；　I　don't。
　〃Don't　worry　about　keys。　　Just　tell　me；　Cindy；　can　we　get　into　the　garage？〃
　〃Well；　I　can。　　She　explained　that　her　room　had　a　window　looking　out　on　the　garage　roof。　　〃You　just　drop　down；　and　there's　a　skylight。　　Opens　upwards。　　No　problem。〃
　〃And　security？〃
　〃Damn。　　Yes；　they've　got　a　couple　of　young　guys　out　front。〃　She　explained　the　layout。　　The　garage　itself　held　four　cars；　and　was；　in　effect；　an　extension　to　the　north　end　of　the　house。　　Her　room　was　on　the　corner；　just　above　the　flat　roof；　one　window　looking　down　on　the　garage；　two　more　to　the　front。
　〃And　these　guards？　　They're　out　front？　　Specifically　watching　the　garage？〃
　〃Just　general　duties。　　Keeping　an　eye　on　the　north　end。
　If　we　could　Wait　a　minute。　　If　my　curtains　aren't　drawn　they　can　see　straight　up　into　my　room。　　I　caught　one　lot　at　it　last　night。　　They　just　move　a　shade　further　down　the　drive　and　they　have　a　good　view。
　How　would　it　be　if　I　gave　them　a　peep　show？〃　Bond　smiled　for　the　first　time。　　〃Well；　I'd　appreciate　it。
　Cindy　leaned　back　on　the　bed。　　〃You；　James；　you　male　chauvinist　pig；　have　the　opportunity　to　appreciate　it　any　time　you　want。　　That's　an　offer。〃
　〃I'd　love　to　take　you　up　on　it；　Cindy。　　But　we　have　work　to　do。　　Let's　see　how　good　they've　been　with　my　luggage。
　He　went　over　to　the　weekend　case　and　dumped　it　on　the　bed　beside　the　girl；　then　knelt　to　examine　the　locks。
　After　a　few　seconds　he　nodded　and　took　out　the　black　gunmetal　pen　clipped　inside　his　pullover；　unscrewing　the　wrong　end　to　reveal　a　tiny　set　of　miniature　screwdriver　heads。　　These　were　threaded　at　their　blunt　ends；　the　threads　matching　a　small　hole　in　the　pen's　cap。
　No　traveller　should　be　without　one；'　Bond　said。　　He　smiled　and　selected　one　of　the　drivers；　screwing　it　into　place。
　Carefully　he　began　to　remove　the　tiny　screws　around　the　right　lock　of　his　case。　　They　turned　easily；　the　lock　ing　off　in　one　piece　to　reveal　a　small　oblong　cavity　containing　one　spare　set　of　keys　for　the　Mulsanne　Turbo；　which　he　slipped　into　his　pocket　before　replacing　the　lock　and　putting　away　the　miniature　tool　kit。
　The　plans　for　Cindy's　diversion　and　Bond's　crawl　from　her　window　were　quickly　arranged。
　〃The　diversion's　no　problem；'　she　said；　lowering　her　eyelids。
　〃I've　got　exceptional　quality　tart's　stuff　on　under　the　skirt。〃　She　gave　a　little　pout。　　〃I　thought　I　might　even　turn　you　on。
　She　described　her　room；　suggesting　that　she　should　enter　in　the　dark；　open　the　side　window　and　pull　those　curtains　before　switching　the　light　on。　　〃I'll　be　able　to　see　exactly　where　the　guards　have　placed　themselves。　　You'll　have　to　crawl　to　the　side　window　on　your　belly。〃　〃How　long　can　you　。　　。　　。　　well；　tantalise　them？〃　If　she　performed　the　full　act；　Cindy　said；　putting　on　a　throaty　voice；　she　could　keep　them　more　or　less　happy　for　about　half　an　hour。　　〃To　be　on　the　safe　side；　I　guess　you　d　better　reckon　on　ten　minutes；　give　or　take　five。
　He　gave　her　a　look　usually　reserved　for　the　more　cheeky　jumper　and　pearls　set　at　the　Regent's　Park　Headquarters；　checked　the　ASP；　and　said　the　sooner　they　got　on　with　it　the　better。　　Bond　knew　that；　if　Holy's　men　hadn't　yet　tampered　with　the　car；　it　would　certainly　be　given　a　going　over　before　they　let　him　out　…　if　they　let　him　out。
　Nobody　appeared　to　be　stirring　in　the　house。　　While　tiptoeing　across　the　landing；　they　saw　men　still　lounging　in　the　hall；　but　the　rest　was　quiet；　and　the　corridor　leading　to　Cindy's　room　at　the　far　end　of　the　house　was　in　darkness。　　Her　smooth　palm　touched　his；　their　fingers　interlocking　for　a　moment　as　she　guided　him　towards　her　door。
　She　was　young；　supple；　very　attractive　and　obviously　available　to　him　at　least。　　For　a　second　he　wondered；　not　for　the　first　time；　how　genuine　she　was。　　But　the　chance　to　doubt　had　long　since　passed。　　There　was　nobody　else　to　trust。
　Cindy　opened　her　door；　whispering；　〃Okay；　down　boy。〃　He　dropped　on　to　his　stomach；　beginning　to　wriggle　his　way　across　the　floor。　　Cindy　was　humming　to　herself　and　interspersing　the　low；　tuneful；　bluesy　sound　with　soft　ments。
　〃Nobody　at　the　side　m　closing　the　curtains　okay；　going　to　the　front　windows　。　　。　　。　　Yes　they're　down　there　。　　。　　。　　Right；　James；　get　cracking；　I'm　putting　the　lights　on　。　　。　　。〃　And　on　they　flooded；　with　Bond　halfway　across　the　floor；　moving　fast　towards　the　window；　where　the　curtains　billowed　and　sighed　like　a　sail。
　As　he　reached　it；　he　saw　her　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye；　standing　near　the　far　front　window；　hands　to　her　shirt；　swaying　slightly　as　she　sang　softly：　He　shakes　my　ashes；　freezes　my　griddle；　Churns　my　butter；　stokes　my　pillow　My　man　is　such　a　handyman　He　threads　my　needle；　gleans　my　wheat；　Heats　my　heater；　chops　my　meat；　My　man　is　such　a　handyman。
　The　last　words　were　barely　distinguishable　to　Bond；　who　was　already　out　of　the　window；　dropping　silently　on　to　the　garage　roof。　　He　had　a　copy　of　〃Queen'　Victoria　Spivey's　Handman；　recorded　in　the　1920s；　so　he　knew　what　that　was　all　about。
　Flat　against　the　root；　his　body　pressing　down　as　if　to　merge　with　the　lead　surface；　Bond　lay　silent；　letting　his　eyes　adjust　to　the　darkness。　Then　he　froze；　hearing　first　the　sound　of　feet　on　gravel；　then　the　voices。　　There　were；　as　Cindy　had　said；　two　of　them；　speaking　in　heavily　accented　English。　　One　made　a　hushing　sound。
　〃What？〃
　〃The　roof。　　Didn't　you　hear　it？〃
　〃What？〃
　〃Sounded　like　someone　on　the　garage　roof。
　Bond　willed　his　body　into　the　flat　surface；　pressing　down；　his　head　turned　away；　pulses　thudding　in　his　ears。
　〃On　the　roof？　　No。〃
　〃Move　back。　　Take　a　look。　　You　know　what　he　said　…　no　second　chances。〃　The　sound　of　feet　on　the　gravel　again。
　〃I　can't　see　any　〃You　think　we　should　go　and　。　　。
　Bond's　hand　inched　towards　the　ASP。
　〃There's　nobody　there。　　Might　have　been　a　cat　…　Hey；　Hans；　look　at　that。〃　The　scuffle　of　feet　could　be　heard　moving　back　off　the　gravel。
　Bond　turned　his　head；　and　saw　the　clear　silhouettes　of　The　Balloon　Game　the　two　guards　below；　in　front　of　the　house。　　They　were　close　to　one　another；　looking　up　like　a　pair　of　astronomers　studying　a　new　planet；　eyes　fixed　on　the