was clinical; there was no hope after all. But before he tried to kill and was killed, he would see Guiderone's face when he told him. "You said before that I was a liar, but you have no idea how extensive my lies were. You think you have the X-rays, don!t you?" "We know we have them." "So do others." "Really?" "Yes, really. Have you ever heard of an Alpha Twelve duplicating machine?
It's one of the finest pieces of equipment ever designed. It's the only copier made that can take an X-ray negative and turn out a positive print.
A print so defined it's acceptable as evidence in a court of law. I separated the four top X-rays off both the master sheets from Andover, made copies, and sent them to five different men in Washingtonl You're finished, you're through! They'll see to it." "And this has gone on long enough." Guiderone came around his desk.
"We're in the middle of a conference and you've taken up enough time." "I think you'd better listen!" "And I think you should walk over to that drape, and pull the cord. You will see our conference room, but those inside will not see you.... I'm sure I don't have to explain the technology. You've been so anxious to meet the Council of the Matarese, do so now. Not all are in attendance tonight, and not all are equal, but there's a fair gathering. Help yourself. Please." Bray crossed to the drapery, felt the cord, and pulled it downward. The curtains parted, showing a huge room with a long oval conference table around which were seated twenty-odd men. There were decanters of brandy in front of each place setting along with pads, pencils, and pitchers of water. The lighting came from crystal chandeliers, swelled by a yellowish glow from the far end of the room where a fire was blazing. It could have been the enormous dining hall of the Villa Matarese, described in such detail by a blind woman in the mountains above Porto Vecchio. Scofield nearly found himself looking for a balcony and a frightened girl of seventeen hiding in the shadows.
But his eyes were drawn to the forty-foot wall behind the table. Between two enormous tapestries linked at the top border, was a map of the world.
A man with a pointer in his hand was addressing the others from a small platform; all eyes were on him.
Tbe man was in the uniform of the United States Army. He was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"I see you recognize the general in front of the map." The Shepherd Boy's voice once more proved the blind woman's words: crueler than the wind.
"His presence I believe explains the death of Anthony Blackburn. Perhaps I should introduce you to a few of the others, in absentia.... In the center of the table, directly below the platform is the Secretary of State, next to him the Soviet Ambassador. Across from the Ambassador is the director of the Central Intelligence Agency; he seems to be having a side conversation with the Soviet Commissar for Planning and Development. One man you might be interested in is missing. He didn't belong, you see, but he telephoned the CIA after receiving a very strange telephone call routed through Lisbon. The President's chief advisor on foreign affairs. He's had an accident; his mail is being intercepted, the last X-rays no doubt in our hands by now.... Need I go on?" Guiderone started to pull the cord, shutting out the window.
Scofield put up his hand; the curtain arced before closing. He was not looking at the men at the table; the message was clear. He was looking at a guard stationed at a small recessed door to the right of the fireplace. The man stood at attention, his eyes forward. In his hand was a 30 caliber, magazine-loaded submachine gun.
Taleniekov had known about these betrayals at the highest levels. He had heard the words spoken by others as they had inserted the needles that further ebbed his life away.
His former enemy had tried to give him his last chance to live. His last chance.What were the words?
Pazhar... sigda pazhar! Zizhiganiye pazharl When the explosions begin, fire will follow.
He was not sure what be meant, but he knew it was the path he had to follow. They were the best there were. One trusted the only professional on earth who was one's equal.
And that meant exercising the control his equal would demand. No