Chapter 12 Chapter Eight Confused

I think this is the way to go about this matter, Lao Zhan, the bureau wants me to tell you something, thank you for taking the trouble to watch for so long. It's nothing, but at the time I felt intuitively that this kid didn't look like a tourist here, Team Leader Owen said with a smile.It's a guy from Florida who embezzled more than 3 million public funds from a bank in Orlando. As a result, this kid desperately ran to the UK. Originally, he planned to go to Europe. He probably wanted to sneak to that small garden to get a grip on the local bank law. He didn’t expect him to get off the plane when he was changing planes in the UK, and went to the city for a walk, which made Team Leader Owen feel that something was wrong, so they were caught.I think next time this kind of thing happens again, we will let him stay in the famous store area for a while, and then arrest him after he spends some money on buying things. We must let him leave some road money, right? The commission is good.

Ha, that's a good idea, as the FBI operative closed the folder in his hand.It would be six o'clock in the afternoon London time, Dan.Murray leaned back comfortably in his chair and followed him with a sigh as another day passed.The window next to me is looking at the George Building across the street. In the twilight, the top of the building can no longer be seen very carefully. There should be guards patrolling it, just like every building here in Gross Square. There are people from the British police sent above.The location of the American embassy in London, from the outside, it can't look like a heavily guarded castle. Being threatened by terrorists, we have to be extra careful when it comes to security.In front of the embassy, ​​there are police officers from Scotland Yard. The North Audley Street on the left is a dead end, so the whole area is restricted. On the east side of the square, pedestrians and vehicles cannot be banned. However, the police also ingeniously placed a lot of large cement potted plants along the sidewalk next to the embassy. Look at the frame and secret method of the potted plants. I am afraid that it is not easy for a chariot to rush here. As for the ambassador Around the embassy building, concrete slopes were specially designed earlier to prevent suicide attacks such as car bombs. When entering the embassy, ​​behind the bulletproof glass door stood a heavily armed US Marine Corps guard. Carried in his waist was a real .357 Smith revolver.What kind of world is this?Thinking of this, Murray couldn't help but sigh again, what a world!It's all the fault of the terrorists.Working in a building that is as tightly guarded as the Maginot Line, Murray feels useless thinking about it. Every time he reads that across the street from his office, there may be a group of Iranian thugs or the Palestine Liberation Organization The murderer in Libya, or the murderer in Libya or that crazy terrorist organization, is holding the RPG｜7 rocket launcher in his hand, and there is an unknown fire in his heart. After joining the FBI, his life was already on the knife's edge. Danger has become commonplace for him. What he hates is that justice and axioms have disappeared. What he can't figure out is why there are people in this world who would easily kill others for different political opinions?But these people are not lunatics, their brains are very clear. Didn’t experts in behavioral psychology once say that these people are neither idiots nor lunatics, they are a kind of romantic believers?What an ironic term, for their own ideals, they can commit murder and arson at will, and achieve their own ideals by sacrificing others. Is this considered romantic belief?

Lao Zhan, do you still remember the good old days?All you have to do is deal with bank robbers, who aren't very nice guys, but they just run fast and have no interest in anything other than money. I have never encountered this kind of thing. In the early years, I worked in the anti-theft department of the bureau. I was busy dealing with the three hands on the street all day long. Later, I transferred directly to the homicide department, but what you said is also true. Look at the endless terrorist incidents today. Well, it really makes one have to miss the days of thieves, hooligans and drunken troublemakers. At that time, these people were more or less reasonable, and they all had the word law in their hearts, James.Team leader Owen poured himself another half glass of wine as he spoke.The British police are becoming more and more distressed. In the past, the street riots rarely heard gunshots. Today, the sound of machine guns and bomb explosions appear in the evening papers almost every day. They are all related to terrorists. Compared with the United States, London’s parks and roads have always been known for being polite and safe in the past, but now these seem to have become history. Going out on the street may feel the same as the people in Tel Aviv in Israel or Tehran in Iran. The word freedom from living in fear seems to be getting farther and farther away from them. London is becoming less and less like London. Thinking of it Here Owen felt an inexplicable sadness in his heart.

The phone on the desk rang, and Murray's secretary was off work outside, so he had to grab the phone by himself. Yes, it's me, Murray, oh hello, is that Bob?Yes, he is here, please wait a moment.Old Zhan, it's Bob.Hainan is looking for you, and he handed over the microphone while talking. I'm Owen, please speak.Lao Zhan took a sip of the Portuguese wine, and the glass was still in his hand, but he followed him, but suddenly put the glass heavily on the table, and then quickly waved to Murray for paper and pen. Where is the correct place?Well, you guys are already fine, fine!That's fine, I'll be right there.

what happened?Murray asked. It sounds like Dewy, the bomb expert in Northern Ireland, has been tipped off that there seems to be something wrong in the apartment on Tory Street. Tory Street?Isn't that just across the river from Tower of London Gaol? That's right, that's right there, I have to rush over there, Team Leader Owen said, standing up, and quickly grabbed his coat. You don't mind if I follow along? What is this nonsense?Old Dan, just old rules Just leave it alone, right?Don't worry!Speaking of Murray, he also put on the windbreaker, and at the same time, he subconsciously touched his left limb, which is the position of the holster of his revolver. These habitual movements were done in one go, and he seemed to have completely forgotten that he was in other countries.As for Team Leader Owen, he has never carried a gun on him. Murray has never been able to figure this out. As a policeman, how can he do without a gun?The two walked out of the office quickly, and trotted along the corridor to the elevator.Two minutes later, in the parking lot in the basement of the embassy, ​​there was the sound of two people leaving quickly. The other two plainclothes guards who came along with Team Leader Owen had already got into their own car vigilantly. Owen was in the car. The driver didn't say a word, started the car and left, and the plainclothes protection behind him also drove up.

As soon as the car drove onto the road, Owen turned on the police radio in the car, while Murray sat quietly in the back seat. Someone should have gone there first, right?Murray snorted. Well, that's right, Lao Bao brought another group of people, and they should have arrived before us.Dude, it must be Dee!I heard from Lao Bao that the informer gave the other party a very detailed account, so it should be unmistakable.Although Team Leader Owen still maintained his usual calmness slowly, Murray could hear the excitement in Old Zhan's heart, just like a child waking up on Christmas morning.

Where is the whistleblower from?Are the sources correct? The other party didn't leave his name, but he only knew it was a male accent. It is said that he saw some strange wires and a few small packages, and said that he was looking out of the window at that time. Ha, that's interesting, the voyeurs did the police a great favor. Maybe this guy didn't dare to let his wife know how he found out about it. It seems that the police should train more people like this.As he said that, Murray laughed, and he couldn't help shaking his head when he thought of this kind of fun. After work in London, the traffic is in disarray. Not to mention one car after another, the speed of driving is not much faster than walking. It is only five miles from the embassy to Tory Street. They stop and go all the way. It stopped, and it took a full twenty minutes.Owen listened to the police radio on the car all the way, and he could hear intermittently during the call that the General Administration was dispatching response personnel, and Lao Bao's group was also approaching their destination. Owen didn't say a word, he calmly said Listening to the conversation on the intercom, the clenched left hand lightly tapped the soft leather cushion on the door armrest.The car formation finally passed the Tower Bridge. After passing the bridge, the car quickly turned to the right. The driver pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped. There were already two police cars ahead.

The place where the suspect was located was an old three-story apartment. The dark brown brick walls were peeling off piece by piece of cement. It could be seen that the age was long ago. People living in this neighborhood were all working-class people. I went to a small piano bar, and there was a poster of today's special meal on the door of the bar. Seeing the tattered appearance of the poster, the bottom was already yellowed and half rolled up. Obviously, today's special meal on the top had been used up. It's been more than a month or two.A few guests in the bar, with beer glasses in their hands, squeezed their heads at the door, watching the commotion outside curiously. On the sidewalk across the street, there were also some curious passers-by, and the cars hadn't stopped yet. Owen opened the front door, and a plainclothes police detective was already waiting for him by the side of the road. He reported to the team leader, Hello, everything at the scene is under control, and the suspect has been arrested. He is in the room behind the top floor.

Owen nodded without saying a word. He quickly walked in the door and climbed up the stairs, and Murray followed behind him.There was also a police detective guarding the stairwell on the third floor; seeing that his subordinates were handling everything in an orderly manner, when he turned from the second floor to the third floor, a cold smile appeared on Owen's face. The operation is going well, report to the team leader, it is Bob.Hainan came up to meet him, and the suspect was inside. Marilyn.Dee was naked and stuck to the wall in the shape of a big character, a small puddle of water dripped where she stood, and there was a line of barefoot footprints in the bathroom next door to where she stood.

She was taking a bath in it just now, and Hainan's operator explained to the team leader that the pistol was still on the kitchen table, so he took her out without any effort. Did you find the policewoman? Yes, the report team leader has already called, and this meeting should have arrived. Well, delayed by the car on the road, Owen nodded and said, is she alone?Do you have any accomplices? Report to the team leader, no, we have searched carefully, and Hainan replied respectfully, she is here alone. The only chest of drawers in the old apartment is close to the corner, and the bottom drawer has been pulled out and opened. It will be placed in the drawer on the floor, and several strange things are clearly stuffed. It looked like plastic explosives, some of which were still wrapped with wires, and there were a few dry batteries and timers beside them. A police detective in the room had already spread out a notepad, and was writing down all the evidence at the scene. Another plainclothes man was busy taking photos of the room with a Nikon camera in his hand, and a third man from the police station was unpacking evidence collection bags; Once the registration is numbered and put into a special plastic bag, a few days later, when all the formalities are completed, there will be another terrorist trial hearing in Court No. 2 of the Judiciary Building.The few people in the room were busy with their own tasks, and no one had time to talk, but everyone had a satisfied smile on their faces except Marilyn.Apart from Duy, at this moment she was still drenched and shaking, with her legs crossed and nailed to the wall, beside her were two police detectives, each with a revolver in their hands, expressionlessly Looking at her, it seemed that the naked body in front of them was completely indifferent to them.

Murray stood at the door of the apartment and didn't go in. He did this so as not to hinder other people's work, but he paid attention to everything in the room.Team leader Owen's subordinates still insisted on doing things in an orderly manner, everything was done step by step, and the British police also had their own way of dealing with this kind of thing.The suspect in the house has been arrested, the entire apartment has been carefully inspected, all the evidence has been photographed and collected one by one, all procedures are in accordance with the rules in the textbook, it is simply a flawless exercise, Murray thought.He glanced at the female suspect who was still pinned to the wall. When he turned around, the British police would send a policewoman to conduct a full-body search on her behalf. There was no guarantee that she would not hide something dangerous on her body again. This kind of full-body inspection Maybe it would embarrass Miss Dewey who was in front of her, but Murray thought that if this kind of thing went to court in the future, the judge would definitely not object.Marilyn.Duy is a well-known bomb expert. It must have been at least three years since he first made his debut.Nine months ago, someone saw her leaving a bar in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and within a few minutes, there was an explosion there. No wonder none of the police detectives in the room felt any sympathy for her.A few minutes later, a police detective picked up the sheet from the bed and wrapped her from head to toe. During the whole process, Marilyn.Duy didn't say a word, and she didn't make any movements. I saw that she was breathing quite rapidly, but she insisted on not saying a word from the beginning to the end. What is this thing?A detective yelled, and he pulled out a suitcase from under the bed. After carefully checking that there were no wires connected or traps like bombs, the detective gently opened the suitcase.Unexpectedly, there was a large cosmetic box in the suitcase, and four wigs, which looked like cosmetic utensils carried by actors on stage. Good guy, this thing is probably the only one that can be used by me. When I finished talking, a plainclothes policewoman squeezed Murray by the door. She greeted Team Leader Owen and told the team leader, hello, the road is almost crowded. Sample. It's okay, go do your work, Owen smiled.At this juncture, as long as people come, it doesn't matter whether it is crowded or not. Come on, my dear, open my legs properly, you should know these rules, the policewoman took out her rubber gloves and was ready to start her work.Murray turned his face away and didn't continue to look down. This kind of thorough inspection step always made him uncomfortable when he thought about it.A few seconds later, he heard the squeak of rubber gloves being ripped off before he turned his head again. Another detective handed Deo a suit of clothes.Dan.Murray watched the female suspect put her clothes on her body expressionlessly, seeing her indifferent look, as if she was the only one in the room at this time, it was wrong, Murray thought, if she was the only one at this time, she would There should be a little bit of emotion. After she put on her clothes, a policeman in uniform took the handcuffs and handcuffed her, and then read to her a declaration that you have the right to remain silent. The content is similar to that of the American police. What is often said is roughly the same, and it is all based on the law.Dee still hadn't said a word, and the whole time she declared her legal rights, Marilyn.Du Yi just stared blankly at the policeman in front of her, with no expression on her face, and she couldn't even see any anger in her two dead fish-like eyes. Afterwards, she walked out the door silently with the policeman. . This girl is not simple, Murray thought to herself, although she was wet and did not wear any makeup, she was still pretty. It is a pity that she has a fair skin and figure. If she loses a few more pounds, she will lose It can even fit on a model's clothes rack. Maybe you will pass her by on the street, and you can't help but look back at her. If you are in a bar instead, she happens to be sitting next door. Virgo, maybe you will buy a glass of treats, but you would never have guessed that this good-looking woman in front of you has a two-pound high explosive hidden in her handbag, thank God!Thinking of this, Murray couldn't help shaking his head again. Fortunately, he has never seen such a thing in the United States. I don't know if the FBI will have a better way to deal with such a difficult problem in the United Kingdom.Although the FBI is well-organized and there are a large group of scientists and professionals behind it, Murray knows very well that violent terrorists are the most difficult group to deal with compared to ordinary crimes. In which country, if law enforcement officers encounter terrorists, it is like playing a waiting game. This kind of waiting and waiting is endless. You have to keep your full attention twenty-four hours, seven days, fifty-two weeks , just waiting for the other party to make mistakes, waiting for the other party to show their flaws, but the problem is that these guys are getting smarter and smarter. They're all getting smarter, but in their line of work, the violent ones always have the upper hand, because the initiative is always in their hands, the serve never changes sides, and the police are always forced to return pats. Servings of balls. How is it, Old Dan?Let's make a score and see how many points we can get for today's operation according to the FBI's standards?Team leader Owen said with a smile, with a hint of ridicule in his tone. Come on, old Zhan, stop doing this with me, Murray smiled and punched him on the shoulder.Things are roughly in place, and Owen's people are sorting out the evidence one by one. With all the stolen goods, it is obvious that after the case is handed over to the British prosecutors, no one will push it down.In my opinion, today's work is nothing to say, you know, old Zhan, without our set of bullshit rules such as illegal searches and seizure of evidence, everything is much easier for you, let alone ours There is also a large vote of judges who do not distinguish between right and wrong! After all the shots were taken, the photographer came over to say hello. That's great, Bob.Hainan responded, he is the person in charge of today's case. How did you get here so soon, old Bao?Murray felt curious, could it be that you took the subway or took the helicopter? That's right, why didn't I think of this method earlier, Bob laughed when he heard it, probably because our luck was better that way, we didn't encounter a few red lights, and the road conditions were not so crowded, so we got off the bus after crossing the bridge Exactly eleven minutes, but you guys are not too slow.It's also interesting to say that it was unbelievably easy to catch her just now. After knocking open the door, she was brought out in less than five seconds. The time is really confusing. You spent a long time, but you didn't get anything. But as long as you have the correct information, you can catch it without any effort. I can always come in now, right? Needless to say, hurry up and invite our big operators!Owen smiled and waved to him. After entering the house, Murray immediately walked to the opened drawer. The things in there were his interests. He was not an expert in explosive devices in the FBI.Owen came over to him, and they squatted down together. Looks like it's made in the Czech Republic?Murray murmured something. That's right, another police detective came over and answered the sentence, the explosives were made by the Skada factory in the Czech Republic, you can tell by the outsourcing, these are American products, the M|31 electronic ignition detonator of the California Explosives Factory, said Then he threw one to Murray, already sealed in an evidence plastic bag. damn it!This thing actually came here. This is the batch of goods lost in the hijacking a year and a half ago. It was supposed to be transported to Venezuela for mining, but before it arrived in Carajas, it was lost on the way. Someone fumbled it away, Murray explained, followed him to take a closer look at the piece of black thing he was holding in his hand, people who dig mines and dig wells like this thing the most, it is safe and reliable, and it is guaranteed that there will be no problems , No matter what the weather is, it is 100% effective, almost the same as the stuff used by the army artillery, a rare good stuff. Besides this time, where else has it appeared?Owen asked him. As far as I know, the loss of this batch of goods has happened three or four times in total. The problem is that this thing is only as big as a palm. If you are inexperienced, even if you get it, you may not know where it came from. .Once in a bank in Puerto Rico, another time in a police station in Peru that one has something to do with politics, and one maybe both have something to do with drug smuggling in South America Well, the funny thing is, until now, this stuff It's only ever been seen on the Atlantic side, and if I remember correctly, it's the first time it's crossed the line here.This thing has a factory batch number. The best way to identify it is to check the stolen freight bill. I will send the information back tonight, and I will know the result in an hour at most. Thanks, Old Dan. Dan.Murray counted. There are five packs of similar electronic detonators, and each pack is packed in one kilogram. As for the other detonators made in the Czech Republic, they are also good things commonly used in Eastern European bloc countries.The Czech Republic has always been quite advanced in the manufacture of explosives. Look at these things in the box, I am afraid that they are the same as those made by DuPont for the U.S. Army. In the apartment on the third floor of the building, if an electronic timer is added, dear Miss Dewey can pack five packs of treasures, and the electronic timer can even be set for a month before triggering, and then wait until they explode one by one. The eldest lady is probably already thousands of miles away. Obediently!Guys, you guys really saved a lot of lives tonight, well done!Murray raised his head and said to the surrounding detectives.In a small apartment, there is only a small square window facing the back. A pair of cheap plastic shutters are installed on the window sills.Murray looked around and thought to himself, how much is such an old apartment worth a month?I'm afraid it won't cost much, he thought.The roof has been exposed to the sun all afternoon, and the room is extremely hot and stuffy now. With the addition of a room full of people, the air is unbearably heavy. I will open a window to let the air in. No one objected, right? Good idea, sorry for your inconvenience, Old Dan.Team leader Owen responded to him. Let me do it, Mr. Murray, and one of Owen's gloved policemen came and drew the shutters, and opened the windows after him.The work of collecting evidence in the house has temporarily come to an end. Later, the police station will send a special person to collect the fingerprints left in the house, so the staff on the scene are all wearing gloves. This meeting is just to open a window. It won't destroy any fingerprints, right?Murray thought to himself, but he didn't express it, and let the other party go.With the windows open, the breeze instantly cools the interior. This is much better, thanks.Speaking of which, the FBI operative poked his probe out of the window, and then took a deep breath.He didn't care about the stuffiness in the house, the smell of diesel oil from the Thomas River outside. Huh?wrong! Murray intuitively felt that something was wrong.Something must have gone wrong there!But what is it?Thinking of this, he poked his head out of the window again.The left hand side looks like a building, maybe a warehouse.A large wall four stories high, apparently a warehouse, has no windows on the entire wall. As for the right side, it runs flat across the Thomas River. In the darkness, he can still vaguely see the Tower of London on the other side of the river. The shadow of the prison.That's it!Thinking of this in his heart, he turned to Owen, only to see that the latter was also staring at the window in a daze.The leader of Scotland Yard's C｜Thirteen team turned around and looked at Murray, with a surprised and bewildered expression on his face. How about it?Owen said to him. What was said on the secret call?Murray seemed to be muttering to himself. Owen tilted his head and said yes.Bob?Come over here. Yes, team leader, do you have an order? What did the other party say about the secret call?How is the tone of the other party?Speaking of which, Owen turned back and looked out of the window. He sounded like a Midlands accent, Midlands, I think it was kind of like, a man would be nice, a middle-aged accent He said he was looking out the window and saw the dynamite and the fuze Things like wires, the address given was this apartment, and it was all recorded on the tape. Murray poked his head out of the window again, and followed him to wipe the glass outside. His hands were covered with dust, and it seemed that it was definitely not the call from the window washer.Then he leaned on the edge of the window and looked around again. There is no fire escape in this apartment. Could it be that someone saw it on the top of the warehouse next door, maybe um, no!Team leader Owen immediately changed his words. From an angle from above, it is impossible to see the inside of the room, unless Duy spread all these things on the floor by the window, and the other party had to drag things down. It's a little strange to bend down and lie on your stomach. Could it be the guy who broke the door, maybe he knocked on the door, came in to see these weird things, so he slipped out and called the police, doing his duty as a good citizen?Murray squinted, but that didn't sound like much of a possibility. Owen shrugged, what he said was true, but it’s hard to say, maybe it’s the boyfriend she dumped in the past, who deliberately wanted to show her a lesson. I can judge from the situation in front of me. At least we haven’t been fooled. We have all the goods in our hands, at least we can take comfort in this.Old Dan, this bunch of nasty stuff isn't going to work anymore, I think we're on our way, I need you to send a fax to Washington, and besides, Bob, and everyone, well done today Yes, congratulations to everyone and thank you, we all have important things to do, so let's go our separate ways. James.Owen and Dan.The two of Murray walked out of the apartment without saying a word. On the street outside, several uniformed policemen were pulling a yellow cordon to stop a group of curious passers-by. I also rushed over, the club was turning on the lights for on-site interviews and reports, the area around the apartment was in chaos, and people and cars passing by on the street would inevitably stop to take a look at this curious man.There are three bars on this street, and the curious customers after work are discussing the accident in whispers. At the door of one of the bars, there is a middle-aged man with an inconspicuous appearance. A glass of absinthe, I saw him squeezed alone in the crowd, with no expression on his face, not even a hint of curiosity.Silently looking at the apartment scene on the other side of the street, he was trying to remember the faces of the police officers who had just walked out of the apartment in his mind.His name is Dennis.Curry. Lao Dan followed Owen and his party, the original car drove back to Scotland Yard headquarters, entered Owen's office, Dan.Murray immediately sent a fax to Washington, and neither of them discussed the strange incident at the apartment window any further. The FBI agent found an empty desk in the office of the C｜Thirteen Group and sat down, waiting for his Washington to call back. He ignored Owen. C｜The thirteenth team cracked a terrorist bomb case tonight. None of the soldiers were injured. Owen and his subordinates still have to rush to complete a lot of paperwork. In the morning, the team leader has to give a briefing on the case tonight. In addition, they have to hold a press conference at the press office on Fleet Street to formally Release the news of the case.Only this time, the London press must be happy to report this delightful news. On the first day of returning to school, the situation was much better than Ryan had expected.This semester, he took almost half of his sick leave. The history department of the school had to temporarily adjust the class schedule for his sudden absence, and at the same time hired an agent for him.Now that he finally came back, at least the dean of the department and Professor Bi Lin, who was taking his place, breathed a sigh of relief, but for Ren, coming back to work at this time is not too stressful, because he will be released soon. Christmas holiday is coming, almost all the students are not in school anymore, everyone is eagerly looking forward to this annual holiday, eager to go back to get together with relatives and friends, so the atmosphere in the school is quite loose , At the same time, they slaughtered West Point Lu Guan in this year's football. The whole school is still filled with the upsurge of victory. Even the first-year freshmen are full of joy on their faces. The fourth-year study cadres yelled at them, It seems that he doesn't care anymore.For Ryan himself, the first day of work was actually the day when he sorted out a table of letters and official documents. The unwinding and slow pace were just right for him to do this work in his own research room. .At 7:30 in the morning, he stepped into the office, and the guy was busy until the moment before he got off work in the afternoon, and most of the things he should do were already in order.Ren breathed a sigh of relief, this day was not in vain for his salary.It was five minutes to five, and he was busy doing the final proofreading of the final exam questions that had just been published, when a strong smell of cigar smoke came over him, followed by a familiar voice. Hey boy!Is this trip to the UK enough?It was Robbie who was leaning against the door.Lieutenant Commander Robert.Jackson smiled at him. Oh, it's you, Robbie.Come on, don't hurt anyone; it's some kind of vacation, come in.Oh, by the way, it's past sunset time, isn't it?It’s been a long time since we’ve been working on anchor lights. When the flag is lowered and the anchor lights are turned on at sunset, that’s the rule of the navy when the ship berths on the pier. Land units also use this time as their off-duty time, but for Ren and his good colleague Luo For example, there is a little secret between them that is little known. That's needless to say, otherwise how could he come over, said Jackson took off the white military cap on his head, followed into the room and put it on the bookcase next to him, and then he sat down on a leather sheet opposite Ren's desk. On the sofa, he let out a long breath. Ren put away the drafts of the final exam questions, stuffed them into a folder, and followed him to open the drawer and throw them in. After sunset, today's work will be considered as an end.Then he turned around on the chair and slid to the refrigerator in the corner of the research room. This was his and Robbie's secret.Lane's research room is a place for the two to have a drink after get off work.I saw him open the refrigerator, first took out a large PET bottle of Seven-up soda, then took out an empty bottle of Canadian ginger ale, turned back to the desk, and then went to the dark cabinet under the desk to find A bottle of Irish whiskey.Robbie at the side was not idle either. He got up and took two empty glasses from the small table by the door, and then put them in front of Jack. The rest was up to this half-baked bartender.Wren poured two parts of Irish whiskey into the empty ginger ale bottle, then added the same amount of 7-up soda, shook the bottle, and it was now the same color as ginger ale.There is such a rule in the Naval Academy, saying that no alcoholic beverages are allowed in the office. There is always such an empty ginger ale bottle in the house.But then again, the school's staff and officers' clubs are right next to the history building, and no one would mind the smell of alcohol coming from them.Jack first poured half a glass for Robbie, then poured a full glass into his own, followed him to pack up all the drinking utensils, leaving only the ginger beer bottle on the table. bring it on.Cheers, boy, and welcome back.Robbie raised his glass. That's right, it's better to go home.The two clinked glasses happily. Glad you're back, Jack, we were all worried at first.How about it?How is the arm?Jackson raised his glass and pointed to his left. It's all right now, there's nothing unusual about it at all, you didn't see my bartending action just now, it's just that when I first put on that ghost plaster, it was really horrible.The plaster was only knocked off last Friday at Hopkins School of Medicine, but I learned another thing this morning. In the long line of traffic on the way to work, one hand shifting gears and turning the steering wheel It's really not for people. Ha, that's right, Robbie laughed when he heard that, thank you for being able to drive in, boy. Ren also nodded with a smile.He met Jackson last March at a staff networking tea.Robert.Jackson was originally a pilot of the Naval Air Corps, and had an aircraft flight badge pinned to his left lapel.沒調到學校服務之前，羅比就在附近派特生河旁的海軍航空試驗中心幹試飛學校的教官，一天早上的例行帶飛任務裡，他駕駛的F｜十四雄貓式教練機出了點小問題，結果返場降落時傑克森帶著飛機迫降，折斷了機鼻之後，雖然停下了座機，他卻為了照顧前座的學官，沒留神折斷了自己右腿。腿傷迫使他停飛了六個來月，出院之後，海軍暫時派他到安娜夜里斯官校來任教，這會他在航空工程系幹，不過他自己卻並不滿意這種閒散的教書生活，老是聽見他嘟著嘴嚷嚷，開慣了戰機再調回學校，簡直就像是在搖槳划船似的，一點味道都沒。 傑克森的個子比雷恩矮上了一個頭，他的膚色也比雷恩黑上一些，阿拉巴馬州南部人的傑克森，老爸是浸信會的牧師，他是四個兄弟裡最小的一個，剛認識他的時候，傑克森右腿上還打著石膏，兩人閒聊了才沒幾句，傑克森一時興起，問雷恩願不願待他過幾天拆了石膏後，一塊玩劍道去。這種日本玩意雷恩從來沒碰過，他只在電視上有過那麼一點印象，好像是攻守雙方用木劍代替了用西洋劍，想起自己過去在陸戰隊服役時，也曾戴過拳擊手套上場比畫過那麼兩回，他以為劍道應該也沒什麼不同，因此慨然答應了對方的邀約，當時心裡打的主意是，憑自己高他一個頭的優勢，應該先天上會佔了點便宜，何況傑克森的腿還不太聽使喚，論起機動性來講，自己也應該比對方強，他沒想的卻是傑克森早曾經在劍道上下過一點功夫這也是他後來才曉得的直到穿戴整齊上了場，他才發覺貌不驚人的羅比竟然快如閃電不說，而且他那旺盛的攻擊力，簡直跟條響尾蛇一樣勇猛。等到傑克身上青一塊紫一塊的傷全都褪了以後，兩人也成了莫逆之交。 雷恩的研究室裡經常聞得到羅比的雪茄煙味，他也慢慢調教出羅比對愛爾蘭威士忌的品味，兩人慢慢地一起有了共同嗜好，平常沒事下了班後，傑克的研究室裡總聽得見杯觥交錯的笑聲。 學校裡有什麼新聞沒有？Ryan asked. 還不都是老樣子，成天跟那些娃兒們混，只是航空裡又來了幾個女學生，傑克森不經意地回答他。 所以你開始慢慢喜歡這份教學工作啦？ 那倒也不盡然，我這條腿是已經早就好了，充了這麼一年的電，就算是機械人的腿也該跑上他一跑，這幾個禮拜以來，我週末都又回派特生基地去轉一轉，好讓他們曉得自己飛行胸章還在，順便也指點一下試飛學官，哦！對了，你的事呢？當時可真是叫我們大家給嚇了一跳。 你是說摩爾街上挨的那一槍？ 還會有別的嗎，上頭打電話來學校裡問話的那一天，我正好在校長辦公室裡，校長秘書把電話給接了進來，老闆正跟我在沙發上談事情，因此他接了揚聲器回對方話，我這才曉得原來是聯邦調查局的人要查你的事，對方問我們這有沒有派了一位老師到倫敦去玩官兵捉強盜，我一聽是你，忙回答說沒錯，我認識那傻子，可是他們堅持要找你們系上的人來求證大概是也弄清楚你是什麼時候走的，和找那一家旅行社代買的機票可能是想弄清楚一點來龍去脈吧，不管怎麼說，當時學校正是吃午飯時候，大夥全都不在辦公室，你們系上也一個人都沒有，最後我一路找到了軍官俱樂部，才把老畢給拉了出來，校長也為了你的事忙著應付總部的電話，那天中午可把我們倆給整慘了，小子，你差一點誤了老闆的大事，他那天下午早快好了跟州長一塊打高爾夫球，可想而知他心裡的著急勁兒，談到這羅比笑了起來。 我自己那天也不好過，差點沒到鬼門關報到去啦。 事情可真的跟報上講的一樣嗎？那一陣我們在這兒天天看報，電視新聞裡也有你的消息， 傑克森點了點頭，跟著他往雷恩桌上的煙灰缸裡撣了撣手裡的雪茄，算你命大，小子，沒給打了包裝船運回來，那個滋味可就不一樣了。 得了，羅比，拜託你別再說啦，要是誰再在我面前提英雄這兩個字的話，我可要對他不客氣 hero?鬼的英雄啦！要是白人個個都像你這麼笨，咱們老家那兒的黑人就該多進口一些你這種料往非洲去，戰鬥機駕駛員出身的羅比誇張地搖起他的頭來，難道你一點常識也沒有，面對面的近身肉搏？門都沒，不是死就是傷，虧得你只打了石膏而已。 可是要是那天換了是你的話，我想你也一定會跟我一樣 才不咧，看在老天份上，怎麼你們陸戰隊個個都沒腦袋，是誰教你這種面對面拔槍比武的，你身上不掛彩才怪，那種幹法怎麼行，你怎麼可能保得了自己？我也會一樣？boy!You are right?我才不會呢！要是叫我來幹這種事，沒有機關砲和飛彈，你想我會幹？當然要幹，不過少了這兩樣東西絕不成，這就叫文明人的方法，絕不赤手空拳面對面的幹，說著傑克冷然一笑，只有這樣你才會安全。 那麼開飛機又怎麼說？開飛機迫降弄斷了腿又怎麼說？事先你那曉得會出這種意外？雷恩不以為然地頂了他一句。 沒錯，你說的也對，我是不得已才迫降的，而且也的確弄斷了自個的腿，不過，小子，你給我聽著，當我上了座機，手裡抓著F｜十四操縱桿，以一點五馬赫超音速在那上頭飛的時候，要是誰想給我一粒子彈送我回老家，哈！等著吧，兄弟！他要想平白送可沒那麼容易，他得先過得了我雄貓手下那一關。 雷恩聽了羅比的話沒再作聲，他搖了搖頭，傑克森說的一點沒錯，方才他這一席話的確有幾分道理。Robbie.傑克森可不是個膽小鬼，事實上，幹他們那一行的危險性，這個世界上恐怕也沒有幾種職業比得過航艦飛行員之外，他也是海軍頂尖的試飛駕駛員。 凱西和莎麗兩個怎麼樣？羅比一點也沒鬆口，雖然換了個話題，可是他臉上的表情卻更是嚴肅，本來禮拜天我們也打算去機場接你們的，可是臨時有事，得開了車趕到費城去。 還好就是，剛一開始，她們母女倆也的確夠受的了，還好她們撐過來了。 小子，虧得你還念過不少書，你到底有一點腦子沒有，你後頭還有家，還有老婆，還有孩子，怎麼能這麼莽撞，一點點大腦都不用，傑克森略帶責備地道出了重點，這種救人的好事還是交給專家們去幹吧，你只不過是個玩票的而已，那能冒這麼大的險，羅比這個個性說來也有趣，撇開公餘之暇的插科打諢不談，傑克清楚他得很，他是最小心謹慎的一號人了，雖然私底下他似乎玩世不恭，就像是大多數海軍飛行員一樣，什麼事他們都不放在眼裡，但是傑克森從不冒不必要的險，喜歡自稱英雄的海軍飛行員他見多了，結果倖存的卻沒幾個，身為航艦飛行員的他們，每個人都有失去併肩駕駛戰友的經驗，也許正因為這些慘痛的教訓吧，傑克心想，羅比才會這麼小心謹慎。認識羅比以來，他深深知道面前這個人，雖然他幹的是最危險的事業，可是他卻像所有成功的賭徒一樣，沒下注前他早就把事情仔細考慮過，因此他才會萬無一失。無論他要往什麼地方去，儘管他的人還沒到，他的腦袋可是早已經把那回事來回過好幾趟了。 事情都已經過去了，羅比，我知道自己犯了錯，相信我好了，這種事絕不會再發生第二次了。 行，記得你方才說的這句話。少了你，我以後下班還往哪喝酒去，是不是？好吧，忘了這件事吧。對了，英國的感覺怎麼樣，走了不少地方吧？ 我倒是沒得空到處逛，你曉得，大半時間都待在醫院床上，不過凱西倒是玩得還不錯，他們對她也照顧得無微不至，我想她大概把英國的每一座古堡都玩遍了而且我們也交了不少新朋友。 說的也是，換個胃口交幾個怪英國佬也不錯，說著羅比笑了起來，跟著他將手裡的雪茄屁股朝煙灰缸裡按了一按。傑克不太懂雪茄煙，不過傑克森抽的這一號倒是滿香的，瞧他成天叼著雪茄吞雲吐霧，也許傑克森將吞吐雪茄幻想成了駕駛飛機，至少那也能彌補一點他心裡的遺憾吧。也難怪英國佬會喜歡你，他們大概也沒看過你這號怪老美吧？ 他們才喜歡莎麗呢，小丫頭哄得大夥等著教她騎馬，傑克似乎略帶酸意的說。 哦，你是說王室他們那一家，他們人還不壞吧？ 你一定會喜歡他們的，他們人都不錯，雷恩說著喝了一口杯裡的酒。 傑克森笑了一笑，嗯，我想也是，好像威爾斯王子以前開過F｜四幽靈式戰機，所以他一定也有兩把刷子，至於他老爸嘛，好像愛丁堡公爵也幹過飛行員。對了，聽說你好像搭的是協和號回來的，怎麼樣？滋味還不錯吧？ 你這一講我倒想起來了，有個事正想問你，那飛機上怎麼還會這麼吵？我是說要是你弄了個快兩馬赫的超音速在上頭，應該噪音都被你給扔在飛機後頭去了才是。 傑克森聽了一臉無奈地搖起了頭，你想飛機是什麼材料做的？ 應該是鋁吧，或是鋁合金？ 這不就結了，難道你認為音速在金屬裡傳得會比空氣快？傑克森反問了他一句。 哦，說的也是，這我倒沒想到，照你這麼說，那是飛機自個身體傳來的聲音囉？ 當然，飛機本身就有不少噪音，像引擎啦、機件運件啦，比方講滑油幫浦、空壓機等等，會弄出聲音的玩意飛機裡多著呢。 嗯，聽你這麼一說我就明白了。雷恩終於滿意地點了點頭。 看來你還是不喜歡搭飛機，就連協和號也一樣？ 面前的雷恩竟然會對飛行有這種恐懼感，羅比想了不禁覺得好笑。 嗨，等一下，幹嘛你們每個人跟我提到搭飛機都是這種態度，我又沒做錯什麼事，耐著雷恩一臉不高興地抬頭盯著天花板。 也沒什麼，傑克，只是覺得有趣而已，全世界恐怕就只有你一個人害怕搭飛機了，沒有人聽了搭飛機會不興奮的。 嘿，老兄，我怕又怎麼樣？我還不是照樣搭飛機，我不是上了飛機綁了安全帶又回來了嗎？ 好吧，好吧，別生氣，我道歉就是。傑克森說著笑了笑。其實這也沒什麼大不了，可是只要一跟你談到搭飛機的事，好像你就特別敏感，弄個不好就翻臉幹嘛這個樣，你想朋友是幹嘛用的，別放在心上了，其實你幹得不錯，傑克，我都為你感到驕傲，不過看在老天的份上，最好仔細小心一點，好嗎？英雄二個字，不知道害死了多少人。 放心好啦，你的話我都記到了。 凱西怎樣，聽說她懷孕了，是真的？羅比換了話題。 嗯，沒錯，上個禮拜在醫院裡拆石膏時，聽說他們也給她做了檢查，百分之百確定。 哇，那太叫了，我看這件事值得我們再喝一杯我是說再乾一次，說著他伸過了杯子，雷恩將瓶子裡的酒分別又朝兩人杯裡再加了些，看樣子今天調的份還剛夠，羅比笑著說，那瓶酒恐怕也快光了吧。 說的也是，下回好像輪到該我買了。 我也不記得了，好久沒上你這過癮。羅比點了點頭，不過你說的算，怎麼輪也該你，跟著他又笑了起來。 聽說，上頭又準備調你回去了，有這回事嗎？ 沒錯，下禮拜一他們答應讓我再回去飛一趟F｜十四，提到這件事，傑克森就眉飛色舞起來，頂多明年夏天吧，應該就會調回去了。 知道會調到哪兒嗎？ 嗯，小子，你現在可正是在跟VF｜四一的XO講話呢，說著羅比仰起了脖子，一副不可一世狀。 VF｜四一的XO，他指的是航艦四一戰術中隊的副中隊長。雷恩聽了一笑，跟著也端起杯子跟羅比一碰杯，好傢伙！這個值得乾一杯，恭喜你了，羅比。 謝了，還不錯就是，想想看，我划了快七個月的槳啦，也該回老本行了，不然白拿了我的空勤加給，想了也過意不去。 是直接上航空母艦嗎？ 不會，可能會在東岸附近先待上一陣子，多半會在維吉尼亞的大西洋航空站吧，四一中隊現在正在尼米茲號航艦上，大概過了年以後，航艦就會回來進廠大修，艦上的飛行中隊也會暫時調到陸上，趁機作一些特別科目訓練，完了之後，我們可能會被調到甘迺迪號航艦去，每隔一陣子，航艦上的飛行中隊都會輪著往不同的船上調，這也算是任務訓練。天啊，傑克，想到回去再開飛機，我就渾身起雞皮疙瘩，你曉得我在這兒已經待得太久了。 說的也是，還真捨不得你走呢，少了你和雪西，我們又少了一處好地方去。 喔，別這麼娘娘腔好不好，明年夏天的事，還早著呢，至少上頭會叫我帶完這一學年的學生況且大西洋航空站離這兒也沒幾步路，你們只要想到了，隨時都可以下去看我們。God!你又不用搭飛機，傑克，別這個生離死別樣，你可以開了車過來的呀，傑克森說著笑了起來。 嗯，說的也是，說不定等凱西生了你才會走，等著聽孩子叫你叔叔吧。 好極了，就這麼決定，說著傑克森乾了杯裡的酒。 耶誕節呢，有什麼計畫沒有，不會又帶著雪西到處跑吧。 門都沒，就是想跑也跑不成了，從上個月開始，我每個禮拜放了假都得往派特生基地報到，一步一步的得重新再來過呢。 那敢情好，耶誕節晚上就過來咱們那一塊吃吧我們家就三個人。 哦，怎麼說？凱西她老爸不 不去了，雷恩說著搖了搖頭，一邊收拾起桌上剩下的東西。羅比聽了也搖起頭來。 喔，怎麼這個世界上就是有這種人，他們老是搞不懂自己活著到底為什麼，傑克森惋惜地說。 這個嘛人各有志，你也說不得他們，不過要是叫我成天腦袋上頂著錢跟著鈔票轉，那我可是不幹。 可是你不也在那裡打過轉，而且還小有斬獲？ 傑克聽了一笑，只是碰碰運氣玩兩把看看罷了，沒弄過股票以前總是好奇，弄了一陣子就覺得無趣，人要是成天只為那個活準會短命。 聽你這麼一說倒叫我想起了一件事，不知道你聽過沒有，波士頓附近有一家公司，好像他們也有股票上市，只怕這會這家公司就要發了。 oh?聽到股市方面的事，傑克忍不位豎起了耳朵。 是一家叫好樂威的公司吧，我想，專門負責設計戰鬥機上的電腦軟體，跟戰鬥系統有關他們發展出一種好東西，比原來我們用的解算系統還要快過三倍，空中攔截的時候，馬上就可以求算出攻擊資料來，好用的不得了，對面派特生試飛學校也裝了一套模擬器，雖然還只是試用期，不過據我曉得，海軍相當中意，只怕會買上它一大筆。 這種事很難講，好玩意競爭者都多得是，誰敢擔保一定買他們的貨。 傑克森站了起來過去取帽子，他邊笑著說，這倒也是實話，只是其中這一段外人都不曉得，試飛學校的總教官史蒂芬上校那天還在跟我聊這事，聽他說加州聖地牙哥的捍衛小子那兒就是海軍假想敵訓練基地，電影捍衛戰士也是在那兒拍的聽說比爾．梅現在正在那負責這件事我跟老梅以前共過事，同在一個飛行中隊裡據說老梅他們那已經試用過這玩意好幾個月了，聽老梅講它管用得不得了，尤其在空中攔截和纏鬥的時候，說是他已經做了建議，而五角大廈裡也預備動用一筆專款，就是為了要買下這套東西，好像說案子已經敲定了，總部航空組的戰術指揮部那兒，據說大老闆藍道中將自己也上機試過它，口碑相當不錯，我看哪，至多再隔個把月吧，這家小公司就有得發的了，想想看，整個海軍飛機的戰鬥系統全換裝下來的話，那可是一個大聖誕禮物呢，只是趕不上過耶誕節的時候給他們就是。羅比說著戴上帽，跟著又整了一整身上的衣服，所以啦，這家公司的股票一定會漲，目前倒還沒人知道這件事，今天早上我還看過報紙，他們公司的表現平平，也許你會有興趣吧，不妨自個一看。 And you?要是真如你所說的，要不要也插個花？ 謝了，海軍飛行員搖了搖頭，我對股票這種事一點興趣也沒，還是你比較合適，你不是偶爾也還進一、兩回場？人脈都還在吧？ 洗了手以後就很少再玩了，那玩意只能偶而為之。對了，羅比，你方才提的這一段不會屬於機密吧，傑克相當在意這種事。 我想應該不會，因為真正機密的事還在那套軟體的內容，整個案子只要牽涉到系統本身，外人可是誰都碰它不得其實也沒幾個人弄得懂那套門道，也許換了是老拐來還有可能，我對那玩意是一竅不通，搞得懂。這種怪玩意的人不是天才就是白癡，開飛機的我們不管數字，我們只管用就行了，說著傑克森先笑了起來，時候不早了，我得回去了，雪西今天晚還得參加她們團裡的預演。 謝了，羅比，回頭見。 什麼事都慢慢來，傑克。記得我的話。說著，羅比掩上了門轉身而去。傑克抱著腦袋往椅子後頭一靠，他靜靜地坐了一會，跟著臉上浮起一陣微笑，然後他站了起來，拿起今天報紙往手提箱裡一塞。 也罷，他自言自語著，就讓他瞧瞧吧，看看我是不是真如他說的，不曉得什麼叫作錢了。 雷恩套上西裝上衣走出研究室，沿著走廊下樓，步出了李海大樓，再順著人行道左轉過了校史紀念館。他的車就停在校史館旁邊的停車場上，那是一部出了廠五年的西德福斯公司VW野兔車，這一號小車子開在安娜波里斯鎮的小街小巷特別合適，像凱西開的保時捷，要是拿了來這兒用，恐怕會是英雄無用武之地。凱西是個天生駕車好手，她的作風也就像開保時捷九一一的樣子。每天來往巴爾帝摩醫院和家裡，對凱西來說，保時捷要比他這部野兔車管用得多。不過說來也氣人，他已經不曉得跟凱西抱怨過幾千次了，他們家一共就那麼兩個大人，卻得擁有三部汽車，那實在不是明智之舉。傑克的野兔車、凱西的保時捷、外加一部全家出外用的旅行車，真是浪費！凱西的回答總是勸他賣掉野兔車，然後開著旅行車上班，當然，這種建議她也未免太不盡情理，所以抱怨儘管抱怨，兩個人還是擁有三部車。野兔車的小汽油引擎一點就著，踩了踩油門之後，噪音似乎大了點，他得找個時間檢查一下消音器。打了方向燈之後，傑克開上了路，輕輕鬆鬆一個右轉只用右手就行像過去一樣駛上了馬里蘭大道，然後順著三號校門預備駛出校區。官校校區沒有正式圍牆，向河的北面不算，靠南這一邊就叫漠諾瓦街和金喬治街把校區跟鎮上隔了開來，人行道靠學校這一邊，矮矮的種了一道籬笆植物，大概有膝蓋那麼高，勉強算是圍牆了吧。其實再嚴的圍牆也防不住真正有心想要出去或是進來的人，傑克心想。小野兔車穿過了三號門，門口的陸戰隊上士朝他甩了一個五佰，雷恩一時沒會意過來警衛朝他敬禮這種事，以前他還從來沒見過，不過過去都是州政府派的警察就是。 要是說回國之後，雷恩有什麼事不能適應，那就要屬開車這回事了。不管是碰上紅綠燈或是上坡路，每回該換檔的時候，雷恩總得先將左手掙脫出三角巾，然後勉強伸過去按住方向盤，這樣他的右手才得空握住手排檔。偏巧這時候又正是下班時刻，路上的車子多如螞蟻，整個安娜波里斯鎮的公務人員怕不都在這個時候下了班，大夥人手一車一心準備回家歇著，因此停停走走的馬路上，雷恩可是反反覆覆地重覆著換檔動作。這輛小野兔車一共有五個檔，倒車檔還不算，一路這麼停停走走，出了校門才不過五個紅綠燈，他就已經開始埋怨自己當初為什麼不買部自動排檔的車了。也許買車的時候考慮的是省油吧可是比起自己現在這副手忙腳亂樣子來，一加侖汽油少跑它個兩哩又有什麼差別？想到這雷恩忍不住又笑了起來，話說回來，買車的時候誰又知道會有今天這個狀況。出了安娜波里斯鎮，他順著中央大道往東，一路朝契沙彼克灣方向而去，路況這會好得多了。過了鷹巢街後，他一個右轉，彼爾巖已經在望。 彼爾巖在安娜波里斯鎮市郊，鷹巢街也是一條死路，它的盡頭就在契沙彼克灣邊上。這一帶的地勢比其他地方都要高，從契沙彼克灣上頭坐渡輪往陸上看，凸出陸地的一大塊起碼五六十英尺高，所以地名叫彼爾巖。彼爾巖附近過去都是農場，靠灣的這一面鮮少有住家，雷恩的屋子在彼爾巖最後頭，孤零零的一棟房子，再往後頭走就是巖邊，這附近住家沒幾戶，除了右邊面陸方向有幾棟農舍之外，他最近的鄰居叫亞特．波瑪，是一位工程師，離他們家也有半哩路遠，中間還隔著一大片灌木叢和一道小溪。當初和凱西買下這棟房子，也是著眼在巖後頭那的風景，獨立一棟在岩上的家，後頭一片沙地大約有百十來呎寬，再過去就是可以眺望契沙彼克灣的巖邊，左鄰右舍隔得老遠的，住在這兒就彷彿遠離了塵囂的世外桃源。彼爾巖後頭說來也有趣，那塊地方竟然還有不少寶物，原來彼爾巖的地質構造特殊，向河的一面經常受海風侵襲，風化的岩石都成了細砂，每隔上一陣子，總是會有附近大學地質系的學生或是哪個博物館的工作人員，到他們家後頭的岩下尋寶挖礦，東翻西撿的曾經找到過鯊魚的牙齒化石聽說還是一副相當大的鯊魚牙齒，考古的人也曾經在岩下挖過！也許百萬年前這兒還都是大洋底下的某一處礁石吧。 彼爾巖的生活也並不全是樂事起碼就地質學的觀點來看，他們住的地方也含著一段隱憂。原來就因為那兒的地形特殊，後頭的礁岩經過長期風化，再加上海風和海水的不斷侵蝕，岩的盡頭已經有開始塌陷現象，岩後頭那片沙石爍上，踩著淨是鬆鬆軟軟的細沙，百十來呎寬的距離，成了凱西和傑克給女兒畫的禁地，他倆嚴格規定過小莎麗不可以獨自往那兒去有兩次她的小屁股上挨了巴掌為的也是孩子的安全。從地質保育的角度來看，州政府專家曾經跟雷恩和這附近的鄰居溝通過，來人建議他們還一帶鄰居在後頭靠岩邊的空地上多種些地葛，據說這種南方蔓藤類植物既容易長又能保持水土。那一陣大家也的確種了不少，這玩意還真靈，一點也不用你費心照顧，要不了兩個月它就爬滿了整個岩後頭空地，只是麻煩的事跟著又來了，這號植物的生命力實在太強，不知不覺它們就都往住家附近的樹裡這兒長，好像是攻城掠地似的，一群群地將樹都給包了起來。為了拯救附近的樹不致於叫這號蔓藤植物給包死了，每隔上一陣子，傑克還得利用假期背著除草機去救那些樹。不過一趟出門回來，碰上這個季節，這件事倒是暫時不用操心。 雷恩買下的這棟屋子佔地不小，兩層樓的洋房，一家三口住起來十分寬敞，屋子蓋的樣式也別緻，一半用的是磚另外一半用的卻是木質材料。聽房地產商說，過去這兒住的是位農場主人，木屋這一半大概是想用來停耕耘機的，只是瞧房子的地勢，出了馬路轉向車道還有一個小斜坡，往上走幾步才到他們家門口，顯然耕耘機也不容易開進這裡頭來，所以原來的屋主又將它裝潢改成了住家。雷恩緩緩駛下了馬路，一個右轉再換檔，爬上了自個門前的車道。近晚時分的彼爾巖上，景致已經有了濃厚的秋意，岩旁幾株長了瘤的老橡樹和附近不知名的一些落葉喬木這會都禿光了葉子，枝椏交錯地孤零零朝上舉著，海風陣陣襲來，望著屋子點起的燈，越發叫人感到一股家的暖意。駛上了門前小道之後，雷恩緩緩煞住了車，凱西已經先他回來了，她的保時捷和旅行車一塊停在車庫裡。可憐小野兔了，今天只得在外頭露宿一宿。 Daddy?是小莎麗尖叫著推門衝了出來，連件厚衣服也不曉得套。女兒一頭撲向他。 外頭太冷啦，應該穿件衣服再出來，傑克彎下腰親了親女兒。 不冷，爹地，我一點也不冷，果然她額上還冒的有汗呢。說著莎麗搶過了他的手提箱，一隻手費勁的拎著，領在前頭一搖一晃地登上了門前木階。 進了屋之後，雷恩脫下外套，順手掛在玄關旁的衣帽間。脫衣服的事跟開車一樣，單靠一隻手都不容易使喚，不過前者顯然比較沒那麼大壓力，事實上，雷恩已經開始慢慢地使用起左手來，就像他方才駕車換檔時一樣，他總趁機讓右手慢一點過來接方向盤，為的是趁早練習這左半邊，醫生也這麼說過，越早做復健運動越好，只是凱西卻千叮嚀萬交代他千萬別勉強扯，不然弄傷了韌帶可就麻煩大了，好在直到現在為止，他的左臂都沒再痛過，他也下了決心，一定要比醫生估計的日子更早一點讓自己這條左臂上工，不過這事他得瞞著凱西做，要是叫太太曉得了自己這麼急著用左臂，凱西準不會給他好臉色。想到凱西，他看見太太正楞在廚房裡，盯著餐桌發她的呆。 Hi!Honey? 哦，傑克，怎麼今天晚了一點？ 看樣子妳也才剛到，說著雷恩過去親了親太太。他正準備直起腰來時，凱西又拽著他自動湊上臉誇張地吸了吸鼻子，跟著她眉頭一皺。 是羅比？How is he? 還不錯我只小喝了兩杯而已。 嗯，心不在焉地應了一聲之後，凱西又過去打開冰箱翻了一翻，晚上你想吃點什麼？ 隨你怎麼做，只要有吃的就行，傑克兩手一攤。