jherbert.sepulchre-第35部分

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　　Cora's　face　was　still　pale；　her　actions　skittish；　the　weekend　in　the　country　apparently　having　had　little　calming　effect；　Halloran　thought　wryly。　'Nothing's　turned　up　so　far。　Something'll　break　soon　though；　it　usually　does。　We'll　be　okay　so　long　as　we're　prepared。'　He　had　addressed　the　last　remarks　to　Kline；　but　the　psychic's　attention　was　averted；　he　was　watching　the　streets；　though　Halloran　had　the　feeling　his　client's　vision　was　directed　inwards。
　　The　Magma　Corporation's　headquarters　came　into　full　view；　and　Halloran　was　once　again　impressed　by　its　grandeur。　The　rain　had　intensified　the　lustre　of　its　bronze　surfaces；　the　deep　shade　of　the　windows　defining　and　enhancing　the　metal　sections　so　that　the　building's　plicated　structure　was　drawn　in　bold　and　deliberately　simple　lines。　The　curved　buttresses　and　various　levels　added　to　the　forcefulness　of　design；　a　formidable　edifice　amidst　staid　and　less　aggressive　architecture。
　　The　limousine　ahead　pulled　into　the　kerb　outside　the　main　entrance　and　Halloran　instructed　Palusinski　to　keep　moving　until　they　reached　the　garage　entrance　around　the　corner　in　a　narrow　side…street。　A　member　of　the　Shield　team　saw　their　approach　and　signalled　for　the　entrance　barrier　inside　the　building　to　be　lifted。　The　Granada　followed　the　Mercedes　down　the　ramp；　the　limousine　now　in　the　rear　of　the　convoy。　The　Pole　reversed　their　vehicle　into　a　bay　and　Halloran　stepped　out　immediately　it　came　to　a　halt。　He　quickly　went　around　to　Kline's　side；　right　hand　inside　his　jacket。　A　figure　was　already　limping　towards　them　as　Palusinski　opened　the　passenger　door　for　Kline；　and　Halloran　raised　a　hand　in　greeting。　Mather's　countenance　was　unusually　grim。
　　'A　word；　Liam；'　he　said　as　he　drew　near。
　　'Go　on　ahead　to　the　lift；'　Halloran　told　the　others。　'I'll　join　you　there。'　He　went　towards　Mather；　who　ushered　him　a　short　distance　away　so　that　they　would　not　be　overheard。
　　'How　have　things　been　at　your　end？'　the　Planner　said；　stopping　by　a　concrete　pillar。　At　the　top　of　the　ramp　the　Shield　operative　who　had　signalled　the　car's　approach　stood　with　his　back　to　them；　observing　the　street　outside。
　　'Not　good　as　far　as　security's　concerned；'　answered　Halloran。　'Neath　is　wide　open。'
　　'But　you've　had　no　more　trouble？'　He　hesitated　before　giving　a　shake　of　his　head。　'What's　wrong；　Charles？'
　　'It's　Dieter；　I'm　afraid。'　Mather　looked　down　at　his　cane；　unconsciously　tapping　it　twice　on　the　ground。　'His　body　was　recovered　not　more　than　an　hour　ago。'　Halloran　saw　the　others　were　walking　towards　the　lifts；　Monk　and　the　two　Arabs　following　close　behind。　The　two　operatives　from　the　Granada　were　standing　by　their　car；　waiting　for　further　instructions。　'What　happened？'　he　said　to　Mather。
　　'Shot　through　the　back　of　the　head。　Gerald　is　with　the　police　finding　out　a　bit　more　at　this　very　moment。　What　we　do　know　is　that　Dieter　was　tortured　before　being　killed。'
　　'Jesus；　Mary　。　。　。'　breathed　Halloran。　'Who？'　Mather　shrugged。　'I　haven't　a　clue；　Liam。　No　trademarks　that　we're　aware　of　as　yet。'
　　'Where　was　he　found？'
　　'Floating　in　the　Thames。　Whoever　did　it　didn't　even　bother　to　weigh　down　the　body。'
　　'Anything　to　do　with　this　operation？'
　　'We　can't　discount　that　factor。　If　there　is　any　logical　reason　for　his　murder；　and　providing　it　isn't　the　work　of　some　outraged　husband；　then　torture　obviously　suggests　information　was　being　sought。　Nevertheless；　it's　somewhat　drastic　to　go　to　such　lengths　just　to　gain　details　of　our　plans　for　Felix　Kline。　It's　reasonable　to　assume　that　any　would…be　kidnappers　have　sufficient　knowledge　of　their　target　without　resorting　to　that　kind　of　violence。　Another　theory　is　that　someone　with　a　grudge　from　Dieter's　past　hated　him　enough　to　inflict　such　injuries　before　ending　his　life。'
　　'There's　another　possibility；'　suggested　Halloran。　Kline　and　his　entourage　were　at　the　lifts　and　looking　round　to　see　what　was　delaying　him。　'It　could　be　a　way　of　warning　us　off。'
　　'From　protecting　Felix　Kline？'　He　nodded。　'It's　our　only　major　assignment　at　the　moment。'
　　'Hmn；　it's　a　thought；　I　suppose；'　voiced　Mather。　'Unlikely；　though。　In　the　event　of　a　successful　snatch；　kidnappers　would　rather　negotiate　with　K　&　R　people　than　the　authorities；　who're　invariably　against　payment　of　ransom　money。'　The　lift　doors　were　opening。　'We'd　better　join　the　others；'　said　Halloran。　'I　assume　we　keep　this　to　ourselves。'　Mather　limped　alongside　him；　the　group　ahead　beginning　to　enter　the　lift。　'No　need　to　cause　undue　anxiety　as　far　as　our　client　is　concerned。　We　may　have　to　issue　some　kind　of　public　statement　once　the　Press　gets　hold　of　the　story；　but　even　then　there's　no　reason　why　Dieter's　death　should　be　linked　with　the　Magma　contract。'　Halloran　signalled　the　two　Shield　bodyguards　to　wait　in　the　carpark；　and　stepped　ahead　of　Monk　and　the　Arabs　before　they　could　follow　their　employer　into　the　lift。　'Take　the　other　one；'　he　ordered　and　before　they　could　protest；　Kline　nodded　his　head　in　a　gesture　of　assent。
　　Mather　endeavoured　to　promote　conversation　during　the　swift　journey　to　the　eighteenth　floor；　but　the　psychic　refused　to　be　drawn　from　his　brooding　silence　and　Cora's　replies　were　perfunctory　although　polite。
　　Sir　Victor　Penlock　himself　was　waiting　to　greet　them　when　the　lift　doors　opened　again。　He　wore　a　navy…blue　double…breasted　blazer　over　a　fawn　turtle…neck　jumper；　sharply　pressed　beige　slacks　adding　to　the　casual　elegance。　Halloran　realised　that　Magma's　security　guard　in　the　booth　by　the　carpark　entrance　must　have　reported　Kline's　arrival。　It　seemed　unusual；　though；　that　the　chairman　of　such　a　vast　corporation　should　be　waiting　so　anxiously　for　one　of　his　own　employees。
　　'Sorry　to　have　dragged　you　back　to　town；　Felix；'　Sir　Victor　apologised；　'but　as　I　explained　over　the　phone；　the　situation　is　serious。'　Apparently　a　day　for　bad　tidings；　mused　Halloran　as　Kline　swept　by　Sir　Victor　with　barely　a　glance。　The　tall　chairman　nodded　towards　the　two　Shield　men　before　walking　after　the　psychic。　'Henry　is　waiting　for　us　in　my　office；'　they　heard　him　tell　Kline　as　they；　too；　followed　behind　along　the　mauve…carpeted　corridor。　As　they　passed　the　display　cabinets　set　in　the　walls　on　either　side；　Halloran　rubbed　a　hand　across　his　stubbled　chin　and　wondered　what　the　fuss　was　shout。　Kline　had　not　been　forthing　on　the　drive　up　to　London；　and　Cora　appeared　to　know　no　more　than　he；　himself。　Judging　by　the　gravity　of　Sir　Victor's　tone　and　by　the　fact　that　the　matter　could　not　be　fully　discussed　over　the　telephone；　the　cause　for　concern　was　not　only　serious　but　extremely　confidential；　too。　The　corridor　widened　into　the　broad　hallways　and　whereas　previously　he　had　heard　normal　office　hubbub　from　the　offices　to　his　left　and　right；　now　there　was　only　silence。　The　big　double…door　opposite　was　already　open　and　the　chairman　ushered　them　through。　Once　inside；　however；　he　asked　Mother　and　Halloran　to　wait　in　the　outer　office。
　　Then　Kline　spoke　up。　'No。　Halloran　can　listen　in　on　this。　But　not　Cora。'　Without　another　word　he　disappeared　into　Sir　Victor's　office。
　　The　chairman　raised　his　eyebrows　at　the　girl；　then　indicated　that　Halloran　should　follow　him。　He　went　after　Kline。
　　'Seems　you're　to　be　privileged；'　Mother　remarked　lightly。　'Well；　Miss　Redmile；shall　we　see　if　we　can　brew　up　some　tea　for　ourselves？　Perhaps　you'll　remain　on　guard　here；　Mr；　er；　Palusinski？'　The　Pole　sat　at　one　of　the　two　secretaries'　desks。　'I　will　keep　good　watch；'　he　assured　them　and　frowned；　his　eyes　narrowing　behind　his　spectacles；　as　he　regarded　the　puter　screen　on　the　desk　top。　'Such　knowledge　inside　this　tiny　window；'　he　said　distractedly。
　　Before　Halloran　went　through　to　the　main　office；　he　caught　C'orn's　surprised　expression；　she　was　obviously　bewildered　by　her　employer's　blunt　dismissal。　He　closed　the　door　behind　him；　curious　himself　about　Kline's　motive。
　　Quinn…Reece　glanced　up　briefly　from　the　papers　neatly　spread　on　a　low　table　in　front　of　him；　but　gave　no　sign　of　wele。　Kline　was　standing　with　his　back　to　the　room；　staring　out　of　the　huge　floor…to…ceiling　window；　the　rain　outside　stippling　the　glass。　Sir　Victor　vaguely　waved　towards　a　chair　and　Halloran　lowered　himself　into　it。　Kline　then　did　something　quite　unexpected：　he　whirled　around；　walked　across　to　the　chairman's　broad；　oak　desk　and　took　the　seat　behind　it。　He　looked　directly　at　Quinn…Reece　and　asked；　'How　is　it　possible？'　The　vice…chairman　cleared　his　throat　before　answering。　Obviously　we　have　a　leak　within　the　Corporation。'　Sir　Victor　sat　in　a　chair　close　to　his　own　desk　and　tugged　at　the　crease　in　his　trouser　leg。　'But　who？　How　could　such　information　be　divulged　so　quickly　unless　its　source　was　from　a　very　high　level。'　Halloran　shifted　in　his　seat；　puzzled　but　intrigued　by　the　conversation。
　　'That　isn't　necessarily　so；'　said　Quinn…Reece。　'Someone　in　the　field　team　could　be　selling　us　out。'
　　'You　mean　that　every　single　time　that　Consolidated　Ores　has　negotiated　exploration　rights　before　us　one　of　our　agents　in　that　particular　area　has　gone　over　to　them？'　Kline　spoke　as　though　the　notion　were　not　feasible。
　　'It's　hardly　likely；　is　it？'　Sir　Victor　agreed。　'The　betrayal　must　he　from　these　offices。'　Halloran　interrupted。　'Does　what　you're　discussing　have　any　bearing　on　my　pany's　assignment　for　Magma？'　As　Kline；　himself；　had　insisted　that　he　'listen　in'；　ii　was　a　reasonable　assumption　to　make。
　　Quinn…Reece's　reply　was　brusque。　'This　matter　doesn't　concern　Achilles'　Shield　in　any　way。　As　a　matter　of　fact；　I　don't　understand　why　your　presence　is　required　in　this　room。'
　　'I　invited　him；'　Kline　said　quietly。　He　was　staring　at　the　vice…chairman；　his　dark　eyes　unblinking；　and　Quinn…Reece　appeared　unfortable　under　his　gaze。　'Halloran　has　been　hired　to　protect　me；　and　this　morning　I　feel　in　particular　need　of　that　protection。　Strange　how　betrayal　can　leave　you　feeling　so　vulnerable。'
　　'You　can't　seriously　imagine　that　Consolidated　would　be　behind　an　attempted　kidnapping？'　the　astonished　Sir　Victor　protested。　'They　may　be　formidable　business　rivals；　and　admittedly　we've　fought　some　fierce　battles　with　them　in　the　past；　but　it's　always　been　purely　on　a　petitive　business　basis。　I　can't　honestly　believe　that　they　would　resort　to　any　kind