cc.iceberg-第43章

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　They　pulled　onto　the　Santa　Ana　Freeway　and　headed　north；　weaving　in　and　out　of　the　light　morning　traffic。　As　they　passed　the　Newport　Beach　tumor；　Pitt　couldn't　help　wondering　if　the　beautiful　redhead　he　had　met　on　the　beach　just　a　few　days　ago　would　still　be　there　waiting　at　the　New　'　Porter　Inn。
　
　Kippmann　produced　two　photographs　and　shoved　them　in　front　of　Pitt。　〃Here　are　the　men　we're　trying　to　save。〃
　
　Pitt　tapped　the　face　in　one　of　the　photos。　〃This　is　Pablo　Castile；　President　of　the　Dominican　Republic。〃
　
　Kippmann　nodded。　〃A　brilliant　economist　and　one　of　the　leading　members　of　the　Latin　American　right　Since　his　inauguration　he　has　begun　an　ambitious　program　of　reforms。　For　the　first　time　the　people　of　his　country　are　projecting　an　atmosphere　of　confidence　and　optimism。　Our　state　department　would　hate　like　hell　to　see　Kelly　screw　things　ut）　just　when　there's　hope　of　the　Dominican　Republic　being　economically　stable。〃
　
　Pitt　held　up　the　other　photo。　〃I　can't　place　him。〃
　
　Juan　De　Croix；〃　Kippmann　said。　〃A　highly　successful　doctor　of　East　Indian　ancestry。　Leader　of　the　People's　Progressive　Party…won　the　election　only　six　months　ago；　Now　President　of　French　Guiana。〃
　〃If　I　remember　my　current　events；　he's　got　problems。〃
　〃He's　got　problems；　all　right；〃　Kippmann　agreed。
　〃French　Guiana　is　less　prosperous　than　the　British　or　Dutch　Guianas。　A　movement　for　independence　developed　five　years　ago；　but　it　was　only　under　the　threat　of　a　revolution　that　the　French　permitted　a　new　constitution　and　a　general　election。　De　Croix；　of　course；　walked　off　with　the　votes　and　oroclaimed　total　independence。
　
　He's　got　an　uphill　battle。　His　country　suffers　from　tropical　diseases　of　every　type　and　from　chronic　shortages　of　domestic　food。　I　don't　envy　him；　no　one　does。〃
　〃De　Croix's　government　is　vulnerable；〃　…aid　Pitt　thoughtfully。　〃But　what　of　Catde's　cabinet；　aren't　his　ministers　strong　enough　to　survive　his　death？〃
　〃With　the　people；　maybe。　But　the　Dominican　army　isn't　too　faithful。　A　military　junta　would　no　doubt　take　over；　except　in　this　case　Kelly　has　obviously　bought　off　the　generals。〃
　〃How　is　it　both　of　these　men　are　at　the　same　place　at　the　same　time？〃
　〃If　you'd　read　the　papers；　you'd　know　the　leaders　of　the　Western　Hemisphere　have　just　finished　a　conference　in　San　Francisco　for　the　Alliance　of　Economic　and　Agricultural　Progress。　De　Croix；　Castile　and　several　other　Latin　leaders　are　doing　a　little　sightseeing　on　the　way　home。　it's　that　simple。〃
　
　Why　didn't　you　stop　them　from　entering　the　park？
　
　〃I　tried；　but　by　the　time　our　internal　security　forces　could　act；　it　was　too　late。　De　Croix　and　Castile　have　already　been　in　the　park　for　two　hours　and　both　refuse　to　leave。　We　can　only　keep　our　fingers　crossed　that　Rondheim's　killers　stick　to　their　time　schedule。〃
　〃Cutting　it　a　bit　fine；　aren't　you？〃　Pitt　said　slowly。
　
　Kippmann　shrugged　indifferently。　〃Some　things　YOU　can　Control；　others　you　can　only　stand　by　and　watch。〃
　
　The　car　turned　off　the　freeway　onto　Harbor　Boulevard　and　soon　pulled　up　to　the　employees'　gate；　and　while　the　driver　showed　his　credentials　and　asked　directions　from　the　guard；　Pitt　leaned　out　the　window　and　watched　the　monorail　train　pass　overhead。　they　were　at　the　north　end　of　the　park　and　all　he　could　see　over　the　landscaped　mounds　that　surrounded　the　buildings　was　the　top　half　of　the　Matterhorn　and　the　turrets　on　the　Fantasyland　castle。　The　gate　was　pushed　open　and　they　were　passed　in。
　
　By　the　time　Pitt　walked　down　the　underground　hallway　to　the　park　security　offices；　he　was　beginning　to　think　how　good　that　hospital　bed　in　Reykjavik　had　felt　and　wondered　how　soon　he　could　fall　into　a　replacement。　He　wasn't　sure　what　he　expected　to　find　in　the　park　security　offices　but　he　had　hardly　envisioned　what　he　stepped　into。
　
　The　main　conference　room　was　huge；　it　looked　like　a　scaled…down　version　of　the　war　room　at　the　Pentagon。　The　main　table　ran　for　at　least　fifty　feet　and　was　circled　by　over　twenty　people。　There　was　a　radio　in　one　corner　and　the　operator　was　busily　pointing　out　locations　to　a　marker　who　stood　on　a　ramp　beneath　a　map　that　must　have　stretched　ten　feet　high　and　covered　half　the　facing　wall。　Pitt　walked　slowly　around　the　table　and　stood　under　the　beautifully　contoured　and　painted　map　of　Disneyland。　He　was　studying　the　many　colored　lights　and　the　trail　of　blue　fluorescent　tape　the　marker　was　laying　throulh　the　park　traffic　areas　when　Kippmann　tapped　him　on　the　shoulder。
　〃Ready　to　go　to　work？〃
　〃My　body　is　still　running　on　Iceland　time。　It's　past　five　o'clock　there。　I　could　stand　a　little　bracer。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；　sir。〃　The　words　came　from　a　big　man；　a　tall　pipe…smoking　man　whose　eyes　stared　out　at　Pitt　from　behind　fashionable　rimless　glasses。　〃Alcohol　has　never　been　permitted　in　any　area　of　the　park　since　we　opened。　And　we　intend　to　keep　it　that　way。〃
　〃Sorry　about　that；〃　Pitt　said　good…naturedly。　He　looked　at　Kippmann　expectantly。
　
　Kippmann　took　the　cue。　〃Major　Dirk　Pitt；　allow　me　to　introduce　Mr。　Dan　Lazard；　Chief　of　Park　security。〃
　
　Lazard's　grip　was　firm。　〃Mr。　Kippmann　has　filled　me　in　concerning　your　injuries。　Do　you　think　you're　up　to　this？〃
　〃I　can　handle　it；〃　Pitt　said　somberly。　〃But　we'll　have　to　do　something　about　my　bandaged　profile…it's　a　bit　conspicuous。〃　Lazard's　eyes。
　
　A　glint　of　amusement　came　into　Lazard's　eye。
　〃Think　we　can　fix　it　so　no　one　will　notice　your　bandages…not　even　the　nurse　who　taped　them。〃
　
　Later　Pitt　stoed　in　front　of　the　full…length　mirror　and　struck　a　menacing　pose。　He　was　torn　between　uttering　laughter　or　a　stream　of　four…lettered　words　from　embarrassment　as　he　stared　at　the　life…sized　figure　of　the　Big　Bad　Wolf；　who　politely　stared　back　at　him。
　〃You've　got　to　admit；〃　Kippmann　said；　fighting　back　a　chuckle；　〃your　own　mother　wouldn't　recognize　you　in　that　rig。〃
　〃I　suppose　it　is　in　keeping　with　my　character；〃　Pitt　said。　He　removed　the　wolf's　head；　sat　down　in　a　chair　and　sighed。　〃How　much　time　have　we　left？〃
　〃Another　hour　and　forty　minutes　to　go　before　Kelly's　deadline。〃
　〃Don't　you　think　I　should　be　sent　in　the　game　now？　You're　not　leaving　me　much　time　to　spot　the　killers　。　。　。　if　I　can　spot　them。〃
　〃Between　my　men；　the　park　security　staff　and　agents　from　the　F。B。I　there　must　be　close　to　forty　people　concentrating　every　effort　on　stopping　the　assassination。　I'm　saving　you　for　when　we　e　down　to　the　wire。〃
　〃Scraping　the　bottom　of　the　barrel　for　a　last…ditch　attempt。〃　Pitt　leaned　back　and　relaxed。　〃I　can't　say　I　agree　with　your　tactics。〃
　〃You're　not　working　with　amateurs；　Major。　Every　one　of　those　people　out　there　are　pros。　Some　are　dressed　in　costumes　like　you；　some　are　walking　hand　in　hand　like　lovers　on　a　holiday；　some　are　playing　the　part　of　families　enjoying　the　rides；　others　have　taken　over　as　attendants。　We　even　have　men　stationed　on　roofs　and　in　the　dummy　second…story　offices　with　telescopes　and　binoculars。〃　Kippmann's　voice　was　soft；　but　it　carried　total　conviction。　〃The　killers　will　be　found　and　stopped　before　they　do　their　dirty　work。　The　odds　we've　stacked　against　Kelly　meeting　his　goal　and　deade　are　staggering。〃
　〃Tell　that　to　Oskar　Rondheim；〃　Pitt　said。　〃There's　the　flaw　that　knocks　the　hell　out　of　your　good　intentions…you　don't　know　your　adversary。〃
　
　The　silence　lay　heavy　in　the　small　room。　Kippmann　rubbed　his　palms　across　his　face；　then　shook　his　head　slowly；　as　if　he　were　about　to　do　something　he　intensely　disliked。　He　picked　up　the　ever…present　briefcase　and　handed　Pitt　a　folder　marked　simply　078…34。
　〃Granted；　I　haven't　met　him　face　to　face；　but　he　is　no　stranger　to　me。〃　Kippmann　read　from　the　folder。
　〃'Oskar　Rondheim；　alias　Max　Rolland；　alias　Hugo　von　Klausen；　alias　Chatford　Marazan；　real　name　Carzo　Butera；　born　in　Brooklyn；　New　York；　July　15；　1940。　I　could　go　on　for　hours　about　his　arrests；　his　convictions。
　
　He　was　pretty　big　along　the　New　York　waterfront。　Organized　the　fishermen's　union。　Got　muscled　out　by　the　syndicate　and　dropped　from　sight。　Over　the　past　few　years　we　kept　close　tabs　on　Mr。　Rondheim　and　his　albatross　industries。　We　finally　put　two　and　two　together　and　came　up　with　Carzo　Butera。〃
　
　A　sly　grin　crept　across　Pitts　face。　〃You've　made　your　point。　It　would　be　interesting　to　see　what　your　scandal　sheet　has　to　say　about　me。〃
　〃I　have　it　right　here；〃　Kippmann　said；　matching　Pitts　grin。　〃Care　to　see　it？〃
　〃No；　thanks。　It　couldn't　tell　me　anything　that　I　don't　already　know；〃　Pitt　said　flatly。　〃I　would　be　interested　though　in　seeing　what　you　have　on　Kirsti　Fyrie。〃
　
　Kippmann's　expression　went　blank　and　he　looked　as　if　he　had　been　shot。　〃I　was　hoping　you　wouldn't　get　around　to　her。〃
　〃You　have　her　file　also。〃　It　was　more　statement　than　question。
　〃Yes；〃　Kippmann　answered　briefly。　He　saw　there　was　no　way　out；　no　argument　that　would　stand。　He　sighed　with　uneasiness　and　handed　Pitt　rUe　number　883…57。
　
　Pitt　reached　out　and　took　the　folder。　For　ten　minutes　he　examined　the　contents；　leafing　very　slowly；　almost　reluctantly　from　documents　to　photos；　from　reports　to　letters。　Then　finally；　like　a　man　in　a　dream；　he　closed　the　folder　and　gave　it　back　to　Kippmann。
　〃I　can't　believe　it。　It's　ridiculous。　I　won't　believe　it。〃
　〃I'm　afraid　what　you　read　is　true；　all　of　it。〃　Kippmann's　voice　was　quiet；　even。
　
　Pitt　pulled　the　back　of　his　hand　across　his　eyes。
　〃Never；　never　in　a　thousand　years　would　I　have　His　voice　faded　away。
　〃It　threw　us　out　of　gear　too。　Our　first　hint　came　when　we　could　find　no　trace　of　her　on　New　Guinea。〃
　〃I　know。　I'd　already　pegged　her　for　a　phony　on　that　score。〃
　〃You　knew？　But　how？〃
　〃When　we　had　dinner　together　in　Reykjavik；　I　described　a　recipe　that　called　for　shark　meat　wrapped　in　a　seaweed　known　as　echidna。　Miss　Fyrie　accepted　it。
　
　Rather　strange　behavior　from　a　missionary　who　spent　years　in　the　jungles　of　New　Guinea；　don't　you　think？〃
　〃How　the　hell　should　I　know。〃　Kippmann　shrugged。　〃I　don't　have　the　vaguest　notion　as　to　what　an　echidna　is。〃
　〃An　echidna；〃　Pitt　said；　〃is　an　egg…laying　spiny　anteater。　A　mammal　very　mon　to　the　landscape　of　New　Guinea。〃
　〃I　can't　say　I　blame　her　for　missing　the　catch。〃
　〃How　would　you　react　if　I　said　I　was　going　to　barbecue　a　New　York　cut　steak　wrapped　in　porcupine　quills？〃
　〃I'd　say　something。〃
　〃You've　got　the　idea。〃
　
　Kippmann　stared　at　Pitt　with　an　admiring　look。
　〃What　put　you　on　to　her　in　the　first　place？　You　wouldn't　have　tricked　her　without　a　nudge；　without　a　suspicious　hint。〃
　〃Her　tan；〃　Pitt　answered。　〃It　was　shallow…not　burned　deep　like　one　acquired　after　years　and　months　spent　in　a　tropic　jungle。〃
　〃You；　sir；　are　very　observant；〃　Kippmann　murmured　thoughtfully。　〃But　why　。　。　。　why　bother　to　trip　up　someone　you　barely　knew？〃
　〃Partly　for　the　same　reason　I'm　standing　here　in　this　ridiculous　wolf　suit；〃　Pitt　said　grimly。　〃I　volunteered　for　your　little　manhunt　for　two　reasons。　One；　I've　got　a　score　to　even　with　Rondheim　and　Kelly；　no　more；　no　less。
　
　Second；　I'm　still　Special　Projects　Director　for　NUMA；　and　as　such；　my　primary　duty　is　to　obtain　the　plans　for　Fyrie's　undersea　mineral　probe。　That's　why　I　conned　Kirsti…she　knows　where　the　blueprints　are　hidden。　Boy　something　I　shouldn't　have；　it　g