Steal The Sun(战争间谍)-第13部分

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getting　too　slow　for　even　this　job。”
“No；　no；”　said　the　man。　“I　am　not　too　slow。”　To　prove　his　words；　he　ran　three　shuffling　steps
across　the　room。　“See；　don　Refugio？　I　am　very　fast。”
Refugio　shrugged　and　turned　away。　“Stay　fast；　viejo。　I　have　no　other　jobs　for　a　cripple。”　Refugio
switched　to　English　for　the　benefit　of　the　two　foreigners。　“That　man　is　Ridgewalker。　He　used　to
be　an　Apache　and　a　smuggler。　Now　he　is　an　old　woman　with　no　knees。”
Masarek　looked　at　Refugio；　then　at　the　Indian　whom　age　had　robbed　of　quickness　and　pride。
“Send　them　all　away；”　he　said。　“I　won’t　discuss　business　in　the　presence　of　servants。”
Masarek’s　voice　was　hard；　his　body　relaxed。　Being　above　ground　had　regenerated　his
confidence。　Refugio　sent　his　men　away　with　three　curt　words　in　Spanish。　After　the　men　were
gone；　he　leaned　against　the　carved　door　until　it　clicked　into　place。　When　closed；　the　door
blended　into　a　wall　of　carved　panels　that　depicted　mountains　and　waterfalls　and　elegant　trees
bending　beneath　an　invisible　wind。
Vanessa　walked　to　a　heavily　curtained　window。　She　pulled　the　cloth　aside　slightly；　ignoring　the
two　men。　In　the　distance　she　could　see　the　buildings　of　Calexico　and　Mexicali；　a　single　entity　but
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for　the　geographic　accident　of　an　international　border　dividing　their　sprawl　into　two　unequal
cities。
Refugio　turned　to　Masarek。　“You　have　seen　my　houses　and　my　tunnel。　It　is　as　I　told　you　–　a　very
safe　way　to　take　something　across　the　border。　Well　worth　the　15；0001　will　charge　for　its　rent。”
“I　would　not　pay　you　that　much　if　the　tunnel　bypassed　hell；”　said　Masarek；　his　voice　colorless。
“You　are　also　buying　my　services　–　and　my　silence。”
“Both　have　yet　to　be　proved。”
“Perhaps　the　price　is　too　high；”　Refugio　conceded；　shrugging；　“but　you　have　not　told　me　what　it
is　you　want　done。　I　have　shared　with　you　the　secrets　of　my　work　and　you　have　shared　nothing。
So　my　price　is　high。　Offended　pride；　you　understand。”
“Your　price　is　ridiculous。”
Vanessa　listened　to　the　two　men　argue。　Refugio　oozed　reason；　while　Masarek　displayed　casual
contempt。　She　listened；　counting　the　houses　between　herself　and　the　outskirts　of　Calcxico。　When
she　had　counted　them　four　times；　the　men　were　no　closer　to　agreeing　than　when　she　had　started。
Vanessa　let　the　colorful　curtain　fall　back　into　place。　“Refugio。”
At　the　single　word　from　Vanessa；　both　men　stopped　arguing。　Refugio　turned　and　stared　at　the
white…skinned　woman　whose　voice　was　oddly　different。　When　she　spoke　again；　he　realized　that
her　speech　had　lost　its　intriguing　breathiness。
“Our　employers　are　willing　to　pay　you；　within　reason；　for　your　services。　Fifteen　thousand　dollars
is　not　within　reason。　Ten　is。　No；”　she　said　when　she　saw　Refugio　begin　to　speak。　“I’m　not
bargaining。　Ten　thousand　dollars　or　nothing　at　all。”
Refugio　knew　inflexibility　when　he　met　it。　He　hesitated；　then　nodded　a　curt　agreement。　Ten
thousand　was　three　thousand　more　than　he　would　have　settled　for。
“That’s　too　much　money；　of　course；”　said　Vanessa。　“In　return　for　it；　you　will　cooperate
completely　with　both　Masarek　and　me。　If　I　tell　you　to　do　something；　you　will　do　it　without
argument。”
Vanessa　waited；　measuring　the　proud　Mexican　with　a　single　glance。
“Yes；”　he　said　at　last。
“Good。　As　for　what　you　will　help　us　smuggle　–　and　yes；　steal　–　you　don’t　need　to　know　anything
beyond　what　Masarek　will　tell　you。”　Vanessa’s　smile　took　none　of　the　hardness　from　her　voice。
“Nor；”　she　continued　smoothly；　“do　you　need　to　know　our　real　names　or　anything　else　about
our　lives。　Any　man　you　send　after　us　will　be　fortunate　to　walk　away　as　well　as　your　tame
Apache。”
While　Vanessa　spoke；　she　produced　a　packet　of　money　from　her　purse。　With　a　deft　movement
of　her　hands　she　fanned　the　money；　twenty　100　bills。　Refugio　stared。
“If　you　agree　to　the　terms；”　continued　Vanessa；　“you　can　have　this　2；000　now。　If　you　don’t
agree；　you　may　keep　500。　You　may；　of　course；　try　to　take　the　rest；　and　then　Masarek　will　kill
you。　Do　we　have　a　bargain；　Se？or　Refugio？”
Vanessa’s　long　fingernail　traced　the　fan　of　bills；　making　them　rustle　seductively。　Refugio　smiled。
He　took　the　bills　with　a　swift　movement　that　surprised　Vanessa。
“You　are　una　bandida；”　Refugio　said　appreciatively。　“You　understand　how　to　get　what　you
want。　That　is　good。”
The　words　were　said　softly；　in　the　tones　of　a　man　speaking　to　a　lover。　Refugio’s　dark　eyes
looked　at　every　inch　of　Vanessa。　He　pocketed　the　bills　and　laughed　quietly。
“We’ll　do　well　together；　you　and　I；”　Refugio　said　in　a　warm　voice。　“Bandida。”
Refugio’s　caressing　laugh　and　eyes　repelled　Vanessa。　She　turned　aside　and　saw　Masarek’s　face。
To　anyone　who　did　not　know　him；　his　expression　had　not　changed；　but　Vanessa　knew　Masarek。
She　smiled；　hoping　she　would　be　nearby　when　Refugio　could　no　longer　laugh。
“Masarek；”　Vanessa　said　coolly；　“will　stay　with　you　from　now　on。　You’ll　leave　today　for　Hunters
Point。”　Her　eyes　narrowed。　“You’re　sure　that　Ho’s　truck　won’t　be　searched　at　the　gate？”
“My　cousins　say　it　is　an　open　secret。　The　truck　hasn’t　been　searched　for　more　than　a　year。”　He
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smiled。　“The　Navy　probably　knows　about　the　betting　slips　in　the　truck；　but　it’s　a　small　thing。
Soldiers　gamble。　If　not　with　Ho；　then　with　someone　else。”
Vanessa　hesitated；　then　nodded　curtly。　The　laundry　truck　was　an　unavoidable　risk。
“When　will　I　get　the　rest　of　my　money？”　asked　Refugio。
“In　the　tunnel；　after　you　return　from　San　Francisco。”
Refugio　nodded　slowly。　“Bueno。”
“Yes；”　said　Masarek；　“it　will　be　good。”　His　smile　was　calm；　predatory。　“Very　good。”
Juarez
40　Hours　Before　Trinity
“Momentito；”　said　Ana。　She　covered　the　telephone　receiver　with　her　palm　and　whispered　in
rapid　Japanese　to　Kestrel。　“Refugio　calls。　He　must　speak　Spanish　because　Masarek　is　there。”
Kestrel　set　aside　his　rice　bowl　and　watched　Ana　with　an　alertness　that　belied　his　lack　of　sleep。
“Cuidado；”　warned　Ana；　speaking　softly　yet　very　rapidly　into　the　phone。　“They　may　know　more
of　the　language　than　you　believe。”
Refugio’s　harsh　laugh　came　clearly　through　the　phone。　Then　he　spoke　so　quickly　that　even　a
Mexican　would　have　had　difficulty　understanding　him。　Ana　frowned；　concentrating。
“Momentito。”　Ana　covered　the　receiver　and　spoke　to　Kestrel　in　soft　Japanese；　bending　over
until　her　face　was　only　inches　from　his　ear。　“They　are　to　leave　immediately　for　a　place　called
Hunters　Point；　San　Francisco。　It’s　some　kind　of　a　military　base。　They　are　going　to　steal
something。　He　isn’t　happy　about　the　risk；　but　has　agreed　to　do　it　anyway　–　for　more　money；　of
course。”
“Yes；”　said　Kestrel　impatiently。　“But　what　is　he　going　to　steal？”
Before　Ana　could　ask　Refugio；　his　voice　came　loudly　through　the　telephone。　He　was　yelling　in
English　and　cursing　in　Spanish。
“My　men　are　Mexican；　pendejo！　If　I　speak　English　to　them　they　don’t　understand　me　when　I　ask
for　two　cars　with　California　license　plates。　But　someone　must　get　the　cars　because　you　won’t　let
me　leave　the　house。　It’s　too　bad　you　don’t　speak　Spanish　so　you　understand　what　I　say　to　my
men。　Qué　lástima；　cabrón！　You’ll　just　have　to　trust　me。　Or　maybe　you’d　rather　walk　to　San
Francisco　and　back？”
Refugio’s　voice　faded。　Ana　held　the　phone　to　her　ear；　then　shook　her　head　in　answer　to　Kestrel’s
silent　query。　Abruptly；　Refugio’s　voice　returned；　speaking　Spanish　in　a　normal　tone。
“What　are　you　going　to　steal　from　Hunters　Point？”　asked　Ana　quickly。　She　listened；　covered　the
receiver；　and　turned　back　to　whisper　to　Kestrel。　“He　doesn’t　know。　He’ll　take　two　of　his　men；
plus　Masarek　and　the　woman。　He　needs　two　cars　with　California　plates。　The　licenses　and　the　cars
have　to　be　legitimate。　After　Hunters　Point；　they’ll　switch　vehicles　and　drive　back　to　the　tunnel　in
the　second　car。”
Kestrel　frowned　harshly。　General　Arisue　had　ordered　him　to　stay　in　Juarez　until　his　orders　were
clarified。　Yet　Kestrel　was　fascinated　by　a　prize　that　was　worth　the　insane　risk　Masarek　was　taking
by　invading　an　American　naval　base。
“Ana。　Are　you　sure　Refugio　said　Hunters　Point？”
“Yes。”
Kestrel’s　frown　deepened。　Hunters　Point　was　one　of　America’s　major　Pacific　naval　depots；
debarkation　point　for　many　of　the　warships　that　harried　the　Imperial　Navy。
“When　will　he　be　at　Hunters　Point？”　asked　Kestrel。
Ana　spoke　rapidly；　listened；　then　turned　to　Kestrel。　“The　car　they’ll　use　after　Hunters　Point　has
to　be　in　Oakland　by　3　A。M。　on　the　16th；　so　he　assumes　that　the　theft　will　occur　before　then。”
The　16th。　Less　than　two　days　away。　If　he　had　to　stay　in　Juarez　because　of　the　test；　then　someone
would　have　to　go　to　Oakland　in　his　place。　He　could　not　trust　Refugio　to　deliver　the　weapon
unless　someone　was　there；　watching　him。　But　the　only　person　who　could　go　in　Kestrel’s　place
was　Ana。　Takagura　had　been　adamant　in　his　belief　that　Ana　was　the　only　other　person　he　could
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trust　with　the　Emperor’s　highest　secrets。
Yet　the　thought　of　sending　Ana　made　Kestrel　deeply　uneasy。　She　was　trained　only　for　the　safer
aspects　of　espionage；　translating　periodicals　and　enemy　documents　obtained　by　other　agents
who　risked　their　lives　to　steal　the　information。
“Can　Refugio　get　the　cars　or　does　he　need　Takagura’s　help？”　asked　Kestrel。
“The　cars　are　taken　care　of；”　said　Ana　after　a　moment。　She　added；　“They’re　paying　him　15；000
American　dollars。”
Kestrel　shrugged。　“Our　bargain　remains。　Three　times　what　they　pay　him；　I　will　pay。”
Ana’s　eyes　widened；　but　none　of　her　shock　showed　in　her　voice。　She　spoke　into　the　phone　and
then　listened。
“The　Englishwoman　will　meet　them　in　Oakland　after　the　theft　and　drive　back　with　them　to　the
tunnel。　She’s　more　than　just　Masarek’s　whore。　She　is　his　equal；　perhaps　his　superior。”
Kestrel’s　eyes　narrowed；　emphasizing　the　harsh　planes　of　his　face。　Ana　looked　away　quickly；　this
was　the　Kestrel　she　sensed　beneath　the　polite；　polished　exterior；　the　samurai　she　both　admired
and　feared。
“Where　will　she　meet　them？”　asked　Kestrel。
Ana　asked　Refugio；　waited；　then　translated　quickly。　“Oakland。　I　know　the　place　he　means。　On
the　waterfront。　Factories。　Cars　and　many　trucks。　A　few　more　won’t　be　noticed。”
“Tell　Refugio　not　to　kill　the　woman　when　he　kills　Masarek。　I　　if　I
can’t　meet　him　on　the　waterfront；　you　will。　You’ll　pick　up　him；　the　woman；　and　whatever　they
stole　and　bring　them　to　his　cousin’s　flower　shop。　When　I　get　there；　I’ll　give　him　15；000。　The
other　30；000　wil　be　paid　when　we’re　safe　in　Mexico。　Do　you　understand？”
Ana　nodded；　understanding　too　much　–　and　not　enough。　She　buried　her　unease　beneath　a　rush
of　Spanish。　Then　she　paused；　said　“Si”　and　hung　up。
Eyes　hooded；　body　perfectly　still；　Kestrel　sat　a　few　feet　away；　watching　her。　He　had　not　intended
to　involve　her　so　deeply　in　his　actions。　She　was　born　American；　not　Japanese；　and　was　alien　to
the　samurai　tradition。　He　doubted　that　she　had　ever　seen　more　than　her　monthly　blood。　He
hoped　she　would　not　be　there　when　Refugio　killed　Masarek。　He　hoped　she　would　not　have　to
see　those　agonizing　minutes　when　sweat　dulled　the　English　woman’s　bright　hair　and　the　woman
screamed　and　begged　until　finally　answers　tumbled　out　of　her　bleeding　lips；　words　and　sense　and
nonsense