jherbert.sepulchre-第6部分

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　　They　were　in　yet　another　lift；　the　access　to　which　had　been　in　a　small　ante…chamber　next　door　to　the　chairman's　office；　and　were　rising　towards　the　twenty…second　floor。　Quinn…Reece　was　no　longer　with　them；　having　excused　himself　to　attend　another　meeting　elsewhere。
　　'Two　floor　buttons　only；'　remarked　Mather；　looking　at　the　panel　set　by　the　doors。
　　'This　is　a　private　lift　and　only　travels　between　the　eighteenth　and　twenty…second；'　Sir　Victor　explained。　'A　limited　number　of　employees　are　allowed　to　use　it。'
　　'And　the　twenty…third　and　fourth？'
　　'Living　quarters　and　machinery　rooms；　the　latter　being　at　the　very　top。'　What　price　a　sky…high　penthouse　in　the　heart　of　the　City？　Halloran　silently　mused。　And　whose　penthouse？　The　chairman's？　Maybe　the　target's；　if　he　really　was　that　important　to　the　Corporation。　There　were　a　lot　of　questions　still　hanging　in　the　air。
　　The　lift　walls　were　a　glossy　black；　the　occupants'　reflected　figures　like　shadowy　ghosts　around　them。　The　overhead　light　was　subdued；　and　it　would　have　been　easy　to　imagine　they　were　travelling　below　the　earth's　surface　rather　than　up　towards　the　clouds。
　　Movement　stopped；　a　subtle　sensation；　and　the　doors　parted。　The　corridor　beyond　was　as　gloomy　as　the　lift's　interior。
　　A　heavy…set　man　stood　opposite；　close　to　the　wall；　as　if　he　had　been　awaiting　their　arrival。　His　arms　were　folded　across　a　broad　chest　and　they　dropped　to　his　sides　in　a　token　gesture　of　attention　when　he　saw　the　chairman。
　　'He's　ready　for　us？'　asked　Sir　Victor；　stepping　from　the　lift　first　with　no　deference　to　Cora's　gender　or　courtesy　towards　his　guests。
　　The　man　nodded。　'He's　waiting。'　Just　a　hint　of　civility　in　his　voice；　his　accent　American。
　　From　his　thick…set　stature　and　how　unfortable　he　appeared　in　his　business　suit；　it　was　easy　for　Mather　and　Halloran　to　surmise　that　this　man　was　one　of　the　bodyguards。　His　hair　was　long；　incongruously　（considering　the　staid　suit）　tied　into　a　tail　behind。　Sullen　eyes　set　in　a　pudgy　face　flicked　over　the　visitors。　At　first；　Halloran　had　thought　the　man's　cheeks　were　unusually　ruddy；　but　when　he　moved　closer　he　realised　that　a　patchwork　of　thin；　livid　scars　emblazoned　both　sides　of　his　face。　Without　further　words　the　bodyguard　led　the　way　along　the　corridor；　keeping　at　least　six　feet　ahead　of　the　entourage。　The　walls　on　either　side　were　bare　and　dark　and　Halloran　brushed　fingers　against　one　side。　feeling　a　coarse　material：　the　covering　was　black　hessian。　It　was　unusually　cold　in　that　corridor；　yet　the　gloom　was　beginning　to　feel　stifling。
　　A　turn　to　the　right；　a　large　double…door　facing　them。　Its　surface；　like　the　lift　walls；　was　glossy　black；　and　for　one　startling　moment　Halloran　had　the　impression　of　apparitions　approaching　them。　As　the　bodyguard　leaned　forward；　extending　both　hands　to　grip　the　separate　doorhandles；　his　spectral　reflection　leaned　closer　as　if　to　snatch　him。　Both　sides　of　the　double…door　were　pushed　open；　the　bodyguard　standing　aside　to　allow　the　party　through。
　　The　room　was　huge　and　almost　blindingly　white。
　　'Wele　to　limbo；'　a　voice　said。
　　　
　　　
　　　6　FELIX　KLINE
　　
　　The　man　who　had　spoken　wasn't　what　Mather　or　Halloran　expected　at　all。
　　He　didn't　look　worth　￡50　million。　He　didn't　seem　like　someone　whom　a　multi…national；　first…league　corporation　could　possibly　be　dependent　upon。　He　looked　nothing　like　a　genius；　and　nothing　like　a　wizard。
　　He　was　something　of　a　disappointment。
　　At　first　their　eyes　had　been　stung　by　the　unexpected　dazzle；　the　abrupt　contrast　between　gloom　and　astonishing　brightness。　But　as　they　blinked　away　the　irritation；　they　were　gradually　able　to　take　in　their　new　surroundings。　There　were　no　windows；　and　there　was　no　furniture　apart　from　a　low；　moderate…sized　dais　in　the　centre　of　the　luminously　white　floor。　If　there　were　other　exits　around　the　room；　they　could　not　be　discerned　against　the　white　walls；　at　least　not　until　their　eyes　had　bee　accustomed　to　the　glare。　Even　the　high　ceiling　was　of　white　light。　The　whole　effect　was　of　vast　and　empty　space　which　served　to　make　the　figure　sitting　on　the　edge　of　the　dais　seem　even　more　insignificant。
　　He　was　wearing　jeans　and　a　blue　sweatshirt　chopped　off　at　the　elbows；　his　legs　stretched　out　before　him；　ankles　crossed；　his　hands　behind　him　and　flat　against　the　small　platform's　surface。　He　grinned　at　the　group　standing　in　the　doorway。
　　'The　sudden　change　wipes　your　mind　clean；　doesn't　it？'　he　said。　Then　he　laughed；　a　peculiar　high…pitched　giggle。　'That's　the　idea；　y'see。　A　blank　mind；　a　clean　slate；　a　white　sheet；　waiting　to　be　filled　with　images。　I　can　make　everything　black　if　you　prefer？'　He　looked　at　them　with　eager　expectancy。
　　'Not　just　now；　Felix；'　said　Sir　Victor　quickly。　'Not　if　you　don't　mind。　I　want　to　introduce　you　to　Mr　Mather　and　Mr　Halloran　from　Achilles'　Shield；　the　pany　I　discussed　with　you。'　The　man　addressed　as　Felix　stood　and　ambled　over　to　them；　hands　tucked　into　the　back　pockets　of　his　jeans。　He　was　well　below　average　height；　about　five…three；　his　shoulders　slightly　rounded　so　that　he　appeared　to　stoop。　His　age　could　have　been　anywhere　from　twenty…five　to　thirty…five。　His　curly　hair　was　dark　and　unkempt；　his　plexion　swarthy；　almost　yellowish。　And　his　eyes；　above　a　hooked　nose；　were　large　and　pitchy；　as　deep　and　shiny　as　oil　pools。
　　Let　me　guess；'　he　said；　grinning　again；　and　looking　over　their　heads。
　　There　was　something　odd　about　his　eyes　and　Halloran　couldn't　quite　figure　out　what。
　　He　stepped　before　them；　lowered　his　gaze。　'You；'　he　said；　stabbing　a　finger　at　Mather。　'You're　Mather。　You're　the　Organiser　…no；　no；　the　Planner；　that's　what　you're　called；　right？　Am　I　right？　Course　I'm　right。　Damn　right。　And　you　。　。　。'　He　faced　Halloran。
　　His　grin　dropped　away　for　an　instant。
　　The　grin　was　back；　but　humour　was　lacking。　'And　you　are　Halloran；'　he　said　more　slowly；　less　excitedly。　'The　Muscle。　No；　no；　not　just　that。　A　bit　more　than　that。　Shit；　you're　a　cold　bastard。'　Halloran　returned　his　stare　and　realised　what　was　bothering　him　about　the　smaller　man's　eyes。　The　pupils　were　unusually　enlarged。　With　all　the　dazzling　brightness　around　them；　they　should　have　been　almost　pin…points。　Smack？　Could　be。　He　seemed　hyped　up。
　　'This　is　Felix　Kline；'　Sir　Victor　interposed。　'The　person　you've　been　engaged　to　protect。'　If　Mather　was　surprised　he　didn't　show　it。　'I'm　very　pleased　to　meet　you；　Mr　Kline。'
　　'That　you　are；'　agreed　Kline。　'How　about　you；　Halloran？　You　pleased　to　meet　me？'
　　'You　might　grow　on　me；'　replied　Halloran。
　　The　girl　stepped　in　quickly。　'There　are　lots　of　arrangements　to　make；　Felix。　These　gentlemen　will　have　to　know　your　day…to…day　movements；　your　plans　in　advance；　how　best　their　people　can　cover　you　twenty…four　hours　a　day。'
　　'People？'　snapped　Kline。　'We　agreed　only　one。　Halloran's　it。'
　　'He'll　need　back…up；'　said　Mather；　beginning　to　get　annoyed　with　this　volatile　young　man。　'He　can't　keep　his　eyes　on　you　every　minute　of　the　day　and　night。　There　has　to　be　outside　protection。'　Kline　was　still　watching　Halloran。　'All　right。　You　take　care　of　that；　Cora…you　know　my　movements　better　than　I　do。　Give　the　details　to　Mather；　he's　the　brains。　I　want　to　be　alone　with　Halloran　for　a　while。　If　he's　going　to　be　my　constant　panion　we'd　better　get　to　know　each　other　a　little。　What　d'you　say；　Halloran？　D'you　have　a　first　name？'
　　'Liam。'
　　'Yeah？　I'll　call　you　Halloran。　It's　okay　for　you　to　call　me　Felix。'　He　smiled　then；　and　suddenly　looked　like　an　innocent。　He　turned　to　the　chairman　of　Magma。　'Listen；　Victor；　I　need　to　see　you　later　about　Bougainville。'
　　'Copper？'　asked　Sir　Victor。
　　'Uh　huh。　Think　so。　A　source　we　haven't　tapped　yet。'
　　'That's　good　news　if　you're　sure。'　Kline　was　irritated。　'I　can't　be　sure。　You　know　I　can't　be　sure！'
　　'No；　I'm　sorry；　of　course　not；'　the　chairman　appeased。　'We'll　discuss　it　later。　When　you're　ready。'
　　'Okay；　okay。　Now　leave　me　alone　with　Halloran。　We've　got　things　to　discuss。　You　e　back　when　you're　through；　Cora。'　They　left；　only　the　bodyguard　lingering　by　the　door。　Kline　snapped　his　fingers；　then　pointed；　and　the　heavy…set　man　followed　the　others；　closing　the　double…doors　behind　him。
　　'Mystified；　Halloran？'　said　Kline；　walking　backwards；　away　from　him；　towards　the　low　dais　at　the　room's　centre；　his　white　sneakers　squeaking　against　the　shiny　floor。　'Yeah；　I　bet　you　are。　How　e　a　little　creep　like　me　can　tell　a　big　wheel　like　Sir　Victor　what　or　what　not　to　do？'　He　hopped　onto　the　platform　and　stood　with　legs　apart；　thin　arms　folded　across　his　chest。
　　'I'd　be　interested　to　find　out；'　said　Halloran；　remaining　where　he　was。　His　voice　sounded　hollow　in　the　empty　space　around　them。
　　'Yeah；　and　I'd　be　interested　to　find　out　about　you。　You　bother　me；　Halloran；　and　I　don't　like　that。'　Halloran　shrugged。　'You　can　always　ask　for　someone　else。　There　are　plenty　of　good　operatives　at　Shield　who　could　take　my　place。　But　if　I　bother　you；　you　might　be　more　prepared　to　do　as　I　say。　It's　your　life　I'll　be　protecting；　remember。'
　　'Could　I　forget？'　He　dropped　to　the　floor　again　and　sat　on　the　dais'　edge；　elbows　on　knees；　his　body　hunched。　'You　got　questions　you　want　to　asks'　Halloran　walked　over　and　sat　next　to　him。　'Tell　me　exactly　what　you　do　for　Magma。　That'll　be　useful　for　beginners。'　Kline　laughed；　a　quick　explosive　sound。　'You　mean　the　old　boy　hasn't　told　you？　Probably　wanted　to　lead　you　into　it　gently。　Okay；　Halloran；　sit　there　and　listen…you're　about　to　be　educated。'　He　was　on　his　feet　again；　skittishly　pacing　up　and　down　before　his　one…man　audience。
　　'I　weled　you　to　limbo；　right？　Well；　that's　what　this　room　represents。　Nothingness。　A　void。　Nothing　to　distract；　nothing　at　all　to　interest。　Not　unless　I　do　this'　He　darted　towards　the　dais；　reached　for　something　behind　Halloran。　He　held　the　rectangular　object　in　one　hand　and　Halloran　saw　it　was　a　plain　white　remote　control　unit；　even　the　buttons　colourless　and　unmarked　so　that　it　had　been　almost　invisible　against　its　resting　place。　Kline　aimed　the　sensor　cells　and　thumbed　a　button。
　　The　room　was　instantly　plunged　into　total　darkness。
　　Halloran　moved　instinctively；　changing　his　position　on　the　dais；　going　to　his　left。　He　heard　a　dry　chuckle　fr