cc.iceberg-第27章

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lder　soiled　with　greasy　fingerprints。
　〃Ah　wasn't　kidding'　ya；　Major；　when　ah　said　it　was　too　dark　to　make　out　any　paint　markin's。　Near　as　ah　could　tell；　the　plane　had　never　been　touch　by　a　brush　or　spraygun。　The　aluminum　skin　was　…；Is　shiny　as　the　day　it　let　the　factory。〃
　
　Pitt　opened　the　folder　and　scanned　the　maintenance　report。　Cashman's　handwritin　left　much　to　be　desired；　but　there　was　no　mistaking　the　notation　under　AIRCRAFT　IDENTIFICATION：　Lorelei　Mark　V111…B1608。
　〃How　did　you　get　it？〃　Pitt　asked。
　〃pliments　of　a　limey　inspector　at　the　Lorelei　factory；〃　Cashman　answered；　sitting　on　a　corner　of　the　desk。　〃After　replacin'　the　seal　on　the　nose　gear；　ah　took　a　flashlight　and　checked　out　the　main　landin'　gear　for　damage　or　leakage；　and　there　it　was；　stuck　away　under　the　right　strut　as　pretty　as　you　please。　A　green　tag　sayin'　that　this　here　aircraft's　landin'　gear　had　been　examined　and　okayed　by　master　inspector　Clarence　Devonshire　of　Lorelei　Aircraft　Limited。　The　plane's　serial　number　was　typed　on　the　tag。〃
　
　Pitt　threw　the　folder　on　the　desk。　〃Sergeant　Cashman！〃　he　snapped。
　
　Stunned　at　the　brusque　tone；　Cashman　jumped　erect。　〃Sir？〃
　〃Your　squadron！〃
　〃Eighty…seventh　Air　Transport　Squadron；　sir。〃
　〃Good　enough。〃　Pitts　cold　expression　slowly　worked　into　a　huge　grin　and　he　slapped　Cashman　on　the　shoulder。　〃You're　absolutely　right；　Sam。　You　truly　made　my　day。〃
　〃Wish　ah　could　say　the　same；〃　Cashman　sighed；　visibly　relieved；　〃but　that's　twice　in　the　last　ten　minutes　ya　scared　the　crap　outta　me。　Why'd　ya　want　mah　squadron？〃
　〃So　I'd　know　where　to　send　a　case　of　Jack　Daniel's。　I　take　it　you　enjoy　good　whiskey？〃
　
　A　look　of　wonder　suddenly　came　over　Cashman's　face。　〃By　gawd；　Major；　you're　sumthin'　else。　Ya　know　that？〃
　〃I　try。〃　Already　Pitt　was　plotting　how　to　explain　a　case　of　expensive　whiskey　on　his　expense　account。
　
　What　the　hell；　screw　Sandecker；　he　thought；　the　tab　was　worth　the　consequences。　Screw；　the　word　bounded　out　of　his　mind　and　caused　him　to　remember　something。　He　reached　inside　his　pocket。
　〃By　the　way；　have　you　ever　seen　this　before？〃　He　handed　Cashman　the　screwdriver　he'd　found　on　the　black　Lorelei。
　〃Well；　waal；　fancy　that。　Believe　it　or　not；　Major；　this　here　screwtwister　is　mine。　Bought　it　through　the　catalog　of　a　tool　specialty　house　in　Chicago。　It's　the　only　one　of　its　kind　on　the　island。　Where'd　you　e　across　it？〃
　〃In　the　wreck。〃
　〃So　that's　where　it　went；〃　he　said　angry。　〃Those　dirty　bastards　stole　it。　Ah　should　a　known　they　were　up　to　sumthin'　illegal。　Ya　just　tell　me　when　their　trial　is；　and　ah'fl　be　happier　than　a　rejected　hog　at　a　packin'　plant　to　testify　against　them。〃
　〃Save　your　leave　time　for　a　wor…thwbhe　escapade。
　
　Your　friends　won't　be　showing　for　a　trial。　They　bought　the　farm。〃
　〃Killed　in　the　wreck？〃　It　was　more　statement　than　question。
　
　Pitt　nodded。
　〃Ah　suppose　ah　could　go　on　about　crime　not　payin'；　but　why　bother。
　
　If　they　had　it　ing'；　they　had　it　ing'。　That's　all　there　is　to　it。〃
　〃As　a　philosopher；　you　make　a　great　hydraulic　specialist；　Sam。〃　Pitt　shook　Cashman's　hand　once　more。
　〃Good…by　and　thank　you。　I'm　grateful　for　your　help。〃
　〃Glad　to　do　it；　Major。　Here；　keep　the　screwdriver　for　a　souvenir。
　
　Already　ordered　a　new　one；　so　won't　be　needin'　it。〃
　〃Thanks　again。〃　Pitt　shoved　the　screwdriver　back　in　his　pocket；　turned　and　left　the　office。
　
　Pitt　relaxed　in　the　cab　and　stuck　a　cigarette　between　his　lips　without　lighting　the　end。　Obtaining　the　mysterious　black　jet's　serial　number　had　been　a　shot　in　the　dark　that　paid　off　in　spades。　He　really　hadn't　expected　to　find　out　anything。　Staring　through　the　window　at　the　passing　green　pastures；　he　saw　nothing　with　his　eyes；　idly　wondering　if　the　plane　could　now　be　tied　directly　to　Rondheim。　This　was　still　worrying　over　the　possibility　when　b。　the　view　impression　that　the　countryside　looked　different　than　before。　The　fields　were　empty　of　cattle　and　ponies；　the　rolling　hills　flattened　into　a　vast　carpet　of　uneven　tundra。　He　swung　around　and　gazed　out　the　other　window；　the　sea　was　not　where　it　should　have　been；　instead；　it　lay　to　the　rear　of　the　cab；　slowly　disappearing　over　a　long；　low　rise　in　the　road。　He　leaned　over　the　front　seat。
　〃Do　you　have　a　date　with　the　farmer's　daughter　or　are　you　taking　the　scenic　route　to　run　up　the　meter？〃
　
　The　driver　applied　pressure　to　the　brake　and　slowed　the　cab；　stopping　at　the　side　of　the　road。　〃Privacy　is　the　word；　Major。　Merely　a　slight　detour　so　we　can　have　a　little　chat…〃　The　driver's　voice　froze　into　nothingness；　and　for　good　reason。　Pitt　had　jammed　the　tip　of　the　screwdriver　half　an　inch　into　the　cavity　of　his　ear'。
　〃Keep　your　hands　on　the　wheel　and　get　this　hack　back　on　the　road　to　Reykjavik；〃　Pitt　said　quietly；　〃or　your　right　ear　will　get　screwed　into　your　left。〃
　
　Pitt　watched　the　driver's　face　closely　in　the　rearview　mirror；　studying　the　blue　eyes；　knowing　they　would　signal　any　sudden　attempt　at　resistance。　No　shadow　of　an　expression　touched　the　boyish　features；　not　even　a　flicker　of　fear。　Then　slowly；　very　slowly；　the　face　in　the　mirror　began　to　smile；　the　smile　transforming　into　a　gentle　laugh。
　〃Major　Pitt；　you　are　a　very　suspicious　man。〃
　〃If　you　had　three　attempts　on　your　life　in　the　last　three　days；　you'd　develop　a　suspicious　nature　too。〃
　
　The　laugh　stopped　abruptly　and　the　bush　brows　bunched　together。　〃Three　attempts？　I'm　aware　of　only　two…〃　Pitt　cut　him　off　by　pushing　the　screwdriver　another　eighth　of　an　inch　deeper　into　his　ear；　〃You're　a　lucky　man；　friend。　I　could　try　and　make　you　contribute　a　few　choice　items　about　your　boss　and'　his　operation；　but　Russian　KGB…style　interrogation　is　way　out　of　my　line。
　
　Instead　of　Reykjavik；　suppose　you　drive　nice　and　easy　back　to　Keflavik；　only　this　time　to　the　United　States　Air　Force　side　of　the　field　where　you　can　join　a　couple　of　your　buddies　and　play　charades　with　National　Intelligence　agents。　You'll　like　them；　they're　experts　at　taking　wanflower　and　turning　him　into　a　babbling　life　of　the　party。
　〃That　might　prove　embarrassing。〃
　〃That's　your　problem。〃
　
　The　smile　was　back　in　the　rear…view　mirror。　〃Not　entirely；　Major。
　
　It　would；　indeed；　be　a　moment　worth　remembering　to　see　your　face　when　you　discover　you　brought　in　a　N。I。A。　agent　for　questioning。〃
　
　Pitts　pressure　on　the　screwdriver　didn't　relax。
　〃Very　second…rate；〃　he　said。　〃I'd　expect　a　better　story　from　a　high　school　freshman　caught　smoking　pot　in　the　boy's　room。〃
　〃Admiral　Sandecker　said　you　wouldn't　be　an　easy　man　to　talk　to。〃
　
　The　door　was　open　now　and　Pitt　had　the　opportunity　to　slam　it。　〃When　did　you　talk　to　the　admiral？〃
　〃In　his　office　at　NUMA　headquarters；　ten　minutes　after　mander　Koski　radioed　that　you　and　Dr。　Hunnewell　had　landed　safely；　aboard　the　Catawaba；　to　be　precise。〃
　
　The　door　stayed　open。　The　driver's　answer　tallied　with　what　Pitt　knew：　the　N。I。A。　had　not　contacted　Sandecker　since　he　had　arrived　in　Iceland。　Pitt　glanced　around　the　car。　There　was　no　sign　of　life；　no　sign　of　an　ambush　by　possible　acplices。　He　started　to　relax；　caught　himself；　and　then　clenched　the　screwdriver　until　his　fingers　ached。
　〃Okay；　be　my　guest；〃　Pitt　said　casually。　〃But　I　strongly　urge　you　to　make　your　pitch　without　so　much　as　a　tic。〃
　〃No　sweat；　Major。　Just　put　your　mind　at　ease　and　lift　my　cap。〃
　〃Lift　your　cap？〃　Pitt　repeated　blankly。　He　hesitated　a　moment；　then　slowly；　using　his　free　left　hand；　removed　The　driver's　cap。
　〃Inside；　taped　to　the　underside　of　the　top。〃　The　driver's　voice　was　soft；　yet　manding。　〃There　is　a　twenty…five　caliber　Colt　derringer。　Take　it　and　get　that　damned　screwdriver　out　of　my　ear。〃
　
　Still　using　one　hand；　Pitt　opened　the　breech　of　the　derringer；　rubbed　his　thumb　over　the　primers　of　the　two　tiny　cartridges　to　make　sure　the　chambers　were　loaded；　and　then　reclosed　the　breech　and　cocked　the　hammer。
　〃So　far；　so　good。　Now　ease　out　of　the　car　and　keep　your　hands　where　I　can　see　them。〃　He　loosened　his　grip　on　the　screwdriver　and　withdrew　it　from　the　driver's　ear　cavity。
　
　The　driver　slid　from　behind　the　wheel；　walked　to　the　front　of　the　car　and　propped　himself　lazily　against　a　fender。　He　lifted　his　right　hand　and　massaged　his　ear；　wincing。　〃A　clever　tactic；　Major。　It　didn't　e　out　of　any　book　I　know。〃
　〃You　should　read　more；〃　Pitt　said。　〃Ramming　an　icepick　through　the　eardrum　into　the　brain　of　an　unsuspecting　victim　is　an　old　trick　used　by　paid　killers　in　gang　wars　long　before　either　you　or　I　were　born。〃
　〃A　rather　painful　lesson　I'm　not　likely　to　forget。〃
　
　Pitt　got　out　and　pushed　the　front　door　of　the　car　open　to　its　stop　and　stood　behind　the　interior　panel；　using　it　for　a　shield；　the　gun　in　his　hand　trained　on　the　driver's　heart。　〃You　said　you　talked　to　Admiral　Sandecker　in　Washington。　Describe　him。　Size；　hair；　mannerisms；　layout　of　his　office…everything。〃
　
　The　driver　needed　no　further　coaxing。　He　talked　for　several　minutes　and　ended　up　by　mentioning　a　few　of　Sandecker's　pet　slang　terms；　〃Your　memory　is　good…nearly　letter…perfect。〃
　〃I　have　a　photographic　memory；　Major。　My　description　of　Admiral　Sandecker　could　have　easily　e　from　a　file。　Take　a　rundown　of　yourself　for　example：　Major　Dirk　Eric　Pitt。　Born　exactly　thirty…two　years；　four　months　and　twelve　days　ago　at　the　Hogg　Hospital　in　Newport　Beach；　California。　Mother's　name　Barbara；　father　George　Pitt；　senior　United　States　Senator　from　your　home　state。〃　The　driver　droned　on　as　if　he　might　have　been　repeating　a　memorized　spiel；　as　indeed　he　was。　〃No　sense　in　going　on　about　your　three　rows　of　bat　ribbons　which　you　never　wear　or　your　formidable　reputation　If　you　like；　I　can　give　you　a　plete　account't　of　your　actions　since　you　left　Washington。〃
　
　Pitt　waved　the　gun。　〃That　will　do。　I'm　impressed；　of　course；　Mr。…ah…〃
　〃Lillie。　Jerome　P。　Lillie　the　Fourth。　I'm　your　contact。〃
　〃Jerome　P。…〃　Pitt　made　a　good　try　but　couldn't　sul）press　an　incredulous　laugh。　〃You've　got　to　be　kidding…　〃　Lillie　gestured　helplessly。　〃Laugh　if　you　will；　Major；　but　the　Lillie　name　has　been　highly　esteemed　in　St。　Louis　for　nearly　a　hundred　years。〃
　
　Pitt　thought　for　a　moment。　Then　it　came　to　him。
　〃Lillie　Beer。　Of　course；　that's　it。　Lillie　Beer。　What's　the　slogan？　Brewed　for　the　gourmet's　table。〃
　〃Proof　that　it　pays　to　advertise；〃　Lillie　said。　〃I　take　it　you're　another　one　of　our　satisfied　customers？〃
　〃No。　I　prefer　Budweiser。〃
　〃I　can　see　you're　going　to　be　a　hard　man　to　get　along　with；〃　Lillie　moaned。
　〃Not　really。〃　Pitt　released　the　derringer's　hammer　and　threw　the　tiny　gun　to　Lillie。　〃Be　my　guest。　You　couldn't　possibly　be　one　of　the　bad　guys　and　e　up　with　a　story　that　wild。〃
　
　Lillie　fielded　the　gun。　〃Your　trust　is　warranted；　Major。　I　told　you　the　truth。〃
　〃You're　a　long　way　from　the　brewery；　or　is　that　another　story？〃
　〃Very　dull　and　very　time…consuming。　Some　other　time；　perhaps；　I'll　pour　out　my　biography　over　a　glass　of　Dad's　product。〃　He　calmly　retaped　the　gun　to　the　inside　of　his　cap　as　if　it　was　an　everyday　occurrence。　〃Now　then；　you　mentioned　a　third　attempt　on　your　life。〃
　〃You　offered　to　give　me　a　detailed；　hour…by…hour　account　of　my　actions　since　I　left　Washington。　You　tell　me。〃
　〃Nobody's　perfect；　Major。　I　lost　you　for　two　hours　today