cc.iceberg-第29章

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　Lillie　leaned　forward。　〃Just　where　is　all　this　leading　to？〃
　〃To　two　gentlemen　named　Matajic　and　O'Riley。
　
　Both　deceased。〃
　〃You　think　I　knew　them？〃　Lillie　asked　curiously。
　〃Only　by　name。　I　see　little　reason　to　explain　who　they　were。　You　already　know。　Your　people　at　Smytheford　monitored　Matajic's　message　to　Sandecker　identic　lying　the　long…lost　Lax。　It　must　have　meant　little　to　your　intelligence　analysts　at　the　time；　but　their　electronic　ears　undoubtedly　pricked　up　when　they　received　the　pilot's　last　message　seconds　before　the　black　jet　blasted　all　three　men　into　the　sea。　At　this　point；　the　plot　thickens。
　
　Admiral　Sandecker　played　it　cagy　and　handed　the　Coast　Guard　a　phony　story　about　missing　equipment；　requesting　air…sea　search　in　the　area　NUMA's　plane　disappeared。　Nothing　was　found　。　。　。　or　at　least　nothing　was　reported。　The　Coast　Guard　struck　out；　but　the　N。I。A。　didn't…they　had　the　Lax　and　its　mysterious　crew　pinpointed　right　from　the　start。　Every　time　the　ship　radioed　its　home　base　in　Iceland；　the　Smytheford　puters　plotted　its　exact　position。　Now　the　experts　at　your　headquarters　in　Washington　began　to　smell　a　connection　between　the　lost　undersea　probe　and　the　mining　operations　takeover　in　South　America；　so　they　backtracked　and　traced　the　ship's　movements　up　and　down　the　Atlantic　Coast。　When　Sandecker　asked　for　the　same　information；　they　discreetly　waited　a　few　days　and　then；　fighting　to　keep　a　straight　face；　handed　him　a　previously　prepared　copy。〃
　〃This？〃
　〃Do　you　honestly　expect　me　to　admit　to　any　of…〃
　〃I　don't　much　give　a　damn　what　you　admit　to；〃　Pitt　said　wearily。　〃I'm　merely　pointing　out　a　few　facts　of　life。　Put　them　all　together　and　they　spell　the　name　of　the　man　you　have　under　surveillance　here　in　Iceland。〃
　〃How　do　you　know　it　isn't　a　woman？〃　Lillie　probed。
　〃Because　you've　reached　the　same　conclusions　I　have…Kirsti　Fyrie　may　control　Fyrie　Limited；　but　Oskar　Rondheim　controls　Kirsti　Fyrie。〃
　〃So　we're　back　to　Rondheim。〃
　〃Did　we　really　ever　leave？〃
　〃Clever；　clever　deduction；　Major　Pitt；〃　Lillie　murmured。
　〃Care　to　fill　in　any　gaps？〃
　〃Until　I　receive　orders　to　the　contrary；　I　can't　fully　brief　an　outsider　on　all　the　details　of　our　operation。〃　Lillie's　voice　carried　an　official　tone　that　didn't　quite　e　off。　〃I　can；　however；　acknowledge　your　conclusions。　You　are　quite　correct　in　everything　you've　said。　Yes；　the　N。I。A。　picked　up　Matajic's　message。　Yes；　we　tracked　the　Lax。　Yes；　we　feel　Rondheim　is　in　some　way　connected　with　the　mining　syndicate。　Beyond　that　there　is　little　I　can　officially　tell　you　that　you　don't　already　know。〃
　〃Since　we've　bee　such　close　friends；〃　Pitt　said；　grinning；　〃why　don't　you　call　me　Dirk？〃
　
　Lillie　was　gracious　in　defeat。　〃Have　it　your　way。
　
　But　don't　you　dare　call　me　Jerome…it's　Jerry。〃　He　held　out　his　hand。　〃Okay；　partner。　Don't　make　me　sorry　I　took　you　into　the　firm。〃
　
　Pitt　returned　the　grip。　〃Stick　with　the　kid　here　and　you'll　go　places。〃
　〃That's　what　I'm　afraid　of。〃　Lillie　sighed　and　gazed　over　the　barren　countryside　for　a　moment　as　if　weighing　the　turn　of　events。　Finally　he　broke　his　thoughts　and　looked　at　his　watch。　〃We'd　better　head　back　to　Reykjavik。　No　thanks　to　you；　I've　got　a　busy　night　ahead　of　me。〃
　〃What's　on　your　agenda？〃
　〃First；　I　want　to　contact　headquarters　as　soon　as　possible　and　pass　on　the　serial　number　of　the　black　jet。
　
　With　a　bit　of　luck　they　should　be　able　to　run　a　make　and　have　the　owner's　name　back　to　us　by　morning。　For　your　sake；　after　all　the　trouble　you　went　to；　I　hope　it　provides　an　important　lead。　Second；　I'm　going　to　poke　around　and　see　where　that　hydroplane　was　moored。
　
　Somebody　has　got　to　know　something。　You　can't　keep　a　craft　like　that　a　secret　on　an　island　this　small。　And　third；　the　two　scaled　replicas　of　South　American　capitol　buildings。　I'm　afraid　you　threw　us　a　weird　twist　when　you　fished　them　from　the　briny　deep。　They　must　have　a　functional　purpose。　They　may　be　vital　to　whoever　built　them；　or　they　may　not。　Just　to　play　safe；　I'd　better　request　Washington　to　fly　in　an　expert　on　miniatures　and　have　every　square　inch　of　those　models　thoroughly　examined。〃
　〃Efficient；　industrious；　professional。　Keep　it　up。　I　may　slowly　bee　impressed。〃
　〃I'll　try　to　do　my　best。〃　Lillie　said　sarcastically。
　〃Would　you　like　an　extra　hand？〃　Pitt　asked。　〃I'm　free　for　the　evening。〃
　
　Lillie　smiled　a　smile　that　made　Pitt　feel　a　twinge　of　uneasiness。　〃Your　plans　are　already　made；　Dirk。　I　wish　I　could　trade　places　with　you；　but　duty　calls。〃
　〃I'm　afraid　to　ask　what's　on　your　nasty　little　mind；〃　Pitt　said　dryly。
　〃A　party；　you　lucky　dog。　You're　going　to　a　poetry　reading　party。〃
　〃You've　got　to　be　kidding。〃
　〃No；　I'm　serious。　By　special　invitation　from　Oskar　Rondheim　himself。　Though　I　suspect　it　was　Miss　Fyrie's　idea。〃
　
　Pitts　eyebrows　came　together　over　his　penetrating　green　eyes。　〃How　do　you　know　this？　How　could　you　know　this？　No　invitation　arrived　before　you　picked　me　up　at　the　consulate。〃
　〃A　trade　secret。　We　do　manage　to　pull　a　rabbit　out　of　the　hat　occasionally。〃
　〃Okay；　I'll　concede　a　point　and　stick　a　gold　star　on　your　chart　for　the　day。〃　It　was　beginning　to　get　chilly　so　Pitt　rolled　up　his　window。　〃A　poetry　reading；〃　he　said　disgustedly。　〃God；　that　ought　to　be　a　winner。〃
　
　Chapter　13
　
　It　is　debated　among　Icelanders　whether　the　great　house；　sprawling　over　the　crest　of　the　highest　hill　above　Reykjavik；　is　even　more　elegant　than　the　President's　mansion　at　Bessastadir。　This　could　be　argued　until　both　structures　crumbled　to　dust；　mostly　because　there　is　no　real　case　for　parison。　The　President　of　Iceland's　residence　is　a　model　of　classic　simplicity；　while　Oskar　Rondheim's　modern　edifice　looked　as　if　it　had　been　spawned　by　the　unleashed　imagination　of　Frank　Lloyd　Wright。
　
　The　entire　block　in　front　of　the　ornate　grille　doors　was　lined　with　limousines　representing　every　expensive　auto　manufacturer　of　every　country：　Rous…Royce；　Lincoln；　Mercedes…Benz；　Cadillac。　Even　a　Russian…built　Zis　stood　temporarily　in　the　circular　driveway；　unloading　its　cargo　of　formally　dressed　passengers。
　
　Beyond　the　entryway；　eighty　to　ninety　guests　drifted　in　and　out　of　the　mairl　salon　and　the　terrace；　conversing　in　a　spectrum　of　different　languages。　The　sun；　which　had　been　hidden　off　and　on　by　a　stray　cloud；　shone　brightly　through　the　windows　even　though　it　was　just　past　nine　o'clock　in　the　evening。　At　the　far　end　of　the　great　salon；　Kirsti　Fyrie　and　Oskar　Rondheim　anchored　the　receining　line　under　a　massive　crest　bearing　the　red　albatross　and　greeted　each　arriving　guest。
　
　Kirsti　was　radiantly　beautiful；　gowned　in　white　silk　with　gold　trim；　her　blond　hair　elegantly　wound　Grecian　style。　Rondheim；　tall　and　hawklike；　towered　beside　her；　his　thin　lips　cracking　in　a　smile　only　when　politeness　required。　He　was　just　greeting　the　Russian　guests　and　smartly　steering　them　toward　a　long　table　set　with　even　rows　of　caviar　and　salmon　and　embellished　by　a　huge　silver　punch　bowl；　when　his　eyes　widened　a　fraction　and　the　forced　smile　froze。　Kirsti　stiffened　suddenly　as　the　murmur　of　the　guests　died　to　a　strange　stillness。
　
　Pitt　swept　into　the　room　with　all　the　flourish　of　a　matinee　idol　whose　grandiose　entrances　were　his　stockin…trade。　At　the　head　of　the　stairway　he　stopped　and　took　the　handle　of　a　lorgnette；　hanging　around　his　neck　by　a　small　gold　chain；　and　held　the　tiny　single　lens　up　to　his　right　eye　and　surveyed　the　startled　audience　who　unabashedly　stared　back　at　him。
　
　No　one　could　reOly　blame　them；　even　an　authority　on　etiquette。　Pitts　outfit　looked　like　a　cross　between　a　Louis　XI　court　costume　and　God　knew　what。　The　red　jacket　sported　ruffles　on　the　collar　and　sleeves　while　a　pair　of　brocaded　yellow　breeches　tapered　and　disappeared　into　the　red　suede　boots。　Around　his　waist　he　wore　a　brown　sHk　sash；　whose　tasseled　end　hung　to　within　inches　of　his　knees。　If　Pitt　had　been　searching　for　an　eye…shattering　effect；　he　achieved　his　purpose　with　honors。　After　building　the　scene　to　its　peak；　he　daintily　walked　down　the　stairway　and　approached　Kirsti　and　Rondheim。
　〃Good　evening；　Miss　Fyrie　。　。　。　Mr。　Rondheim。　How　good　of　you　to　invite　me。　Poetry　readings　are　absolutely　my　favorite　soirees。　I　wouldn't　miss　one　for　all　the　lace　in　China。〃
　
　She　gazed　at　Pitt；　fascinated；　her　lips　parted。　She　said　huskily：　〃Oskar　and　I　are　happy　you　could　e。〃
　〃Yes；　it's　good　to　see　you　again；　Major…〃　The　words　stuck　in　Rondheim's　throat　as　he　forgot　and　grasped　Pitts　dead…fish　handshake。
　
　Kirsti；　as　if　sensing　an　embarrassing　situation　in　the　making；　quickly　asked；　〃You're　not　wearing　your　uniform　tonight？〃
　
　Pitt　casually　swung　the　lorgnette　around　on　its　chain。　〃Heavens　no。　Uniforms　are　so　drab；　don't　you　think？　I　thought　it　would　be　amusing　if　I　came　in　mufti　this　evening　so　no　one　would　recognize　me。〃　He　laughed　loudly　at　his　own　left…handed　joke；　turning　every　head　within　hearing　distance。
　
　To　Pitts　extreme　pleasure；　Rondheim　visibly　forced　himself　to　smile　courteously。　〃We　had　hoped　Admiral　Sandecker　and　Miss　Royal　might　also　attend。〃
　〃Miss　Royal　wig　be　along　shortly；〃　Pitt　said；　staring　across　the　room　through　his　eyeglass。　〃But　I'm　afraid　the　admiral　isn't　feeling　well。　He　decided　to　retire　early。　Poor　fellow；　I　can't　blame　him　after　what　happened　this　afternoon。〃
　〃Nothing　serious；　I　hope。〃　Rondheim's　voice　betrayed　a　lack　of　concern　for　Sandecker's　health　that　was　as　obvious　as　his　sudden　interest　in　the　reason　behind　the　admiral's　incapacity。
　〃Fortunately；　no。　The　admiral　only　suffered　a　few　cuts　and　bruises。〃
　〃An　accident？〃　Kirsti　asked。
　〃Dreadful；　simply　dreadful；〃　Pitt　said　dramatically。　〃After　you　were　so　kind　to　offer　us　the　loan　of　a　boat；　we　cruised　to　the　south　side　of　the　island　where　I　sketched　the　coastline　while　the　admiral　fished。　About　one　o'clock　we　found　ourselves　enveloped　by　a　nasty　fog。
　
　Just　as　we　were　about　to　return　to　Reykjavik；　a　horrible　explosion　occurred　somewhere　in　the　mist。　The　blast　blew　out　the　windows　in　the　wheelhouse；　causing　a　few　small　cuts　about　the　admiral's　head。〃
　〃An　explosion？〃　Rondheim's　voice　was　low　and　hoarse。　〃Do　you　have　any　idea　as　to　the　cause？〃
　〃Afraid　I　haven't；〃　Pitt　said。　〃Couldn't　see　a　thing。
　
　We　investigated；　of　course；　but　with　visibility　no　more　than　twenty　feet；　we　found　nothing。〃
　
　Rondheim's　face　was　expressionless。　〃Very　strange。　You　are　sure　you　saw　nothing；　Major？〃
　〃Absolutely；〃　Pitt　said。　〃You're　probably　thinking　along　the　same　lines　as　Admiral　Sandecker。　A　ship　might　have　hit　an　old　World　War　Two　mine　or　possibly　a　fire　broke　out　and　touched　off　its　fuel　tanks。　We　notified　the　local　coastal　patrol。　They　have　nothing　to　do　now　but　wait　and　see　what　vessel　is　reported　as　missing。
　
　All　in　all　a　terrifying　experience…〃　Pitt　broke　off　as　Tidi　approached。　〃Ah；　Tidi；　here　you　are。〃
　
　Rondheim　turned　on　the　smile　again。　〃Miss　Royal。〃　He　bowed　and　kissed　her　hand。　〃Major　Pitt　has　been　telling　us　of　your　harrowing　experience　this　afternoon。〃
　
　The　bastard；　Pitt　thought。　He　can't　wait　to　pump　answers　out　of　her。　Tidi　looked　cute　and　frisky　in　a　blue　full…length　dress；　her　fawn　hair　falling　straight　and　natural　down　her　back。　Pitt　hung　his　arm　loosely　around　her