[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Of course I am! Aren't you?
I'm miserable and scared, but I'm not so desperate that I'm going to lose my
faculties. Oh, Daddy, I'm sorry. Don't look at me like that. I don't blame you
for checking this out. Go ahead, and don't worry about me.
Will you go with me?
I'd rather not. But if you want me to &
You can wait in the car.
It's not that. I'm not afraid of meeting someone I disagree with.
We'll go over there tomorrow, Rayford said, disappointed in her reaction but
no less determined to follow through, for her sake as much as his. If he was
right, he did not want to fail his own daughter.
CHAPTER TEN
CAMERON Williams convinced himself he should not call his and Dirk Burton's
mutual friend at Scotland Yard before leaving New York. With communications as
difficult as they had been for days and after the strange conversation with
Dirk's supervisor, Buck didn't want to risk someone listening in. The last
thing he wanted was to compromise his Scotland Yard contact's integrity.
Buck took both his real and his phony passport and visa a customary safety
precaution caught a late flight to London out of La Guardia Friday night, and
arrived at Heathrow Saturday morning. He checked into the Tavistock Hotel and
slept until mid afternoon. Then he set out to find the truth about Dirk's
death.
He started by calling Scotland Yard and asking for his friend Alan Tompkins, a
mid level operative. They were almost the same age, and Tompkins was a thin,
dark haired, and slightly rumpled investigator Buck had interviewed for a
story on
British terrorism.
They had taken to each other and even enjoyed an evening at a pub with Dirk.
Dirk, Alan, and Buck had become pals, and whenever Buck visited, the three got
together.
Now, by phone, he tried to communicate to Tompkins in such a way that Alan
would catch on quickly and not give away that they were friends in case the
line was tapped.
Mr. Tompkins, you don't know me, but my name is Cameron Williams of Global
Weekly. Before Alan could laugh and greet his friend, Buck quickly continued,
I'm here in London to do a story preliminary to the international monetary
conference at the United Nations.
Alan sounded suddenly serious. How can I help you, sir? What does that have
to do with Scotland Yard?
I'm having trouble locating my interview subject, and I suspect foul play.
And your subject?
His name is Burton. Dirk Burton. He works at the exchange.
Let me do some checking and call you back.
A few minutes later, Buck's phone rang.
Yes, Tompkins from the Yard. I wonder if you would be so kind as to come in
and see me.
Early on Saturday morning in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Rayford Steele phoned
the
New Hope Village Church again. This time a man answered the phone. Rayford
introduced himself as the husband of a former parishioner. I know you, sir,
the man said. We've met. I'm Bruce Barnes, the visitation pastor.
Oh, yes.
By former parishioner, I assume you're telling me that Irene is no longer
with us?
That's right, and our son.
Page 67
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Ray Jr., wasn't it?
Right.
You also had an older daughter, did you not, a non-attender?
Chloe.
And she ?
Is here with me. I was wondering what you all make of this how many people
have disappeared, are you still meeting, that kind of thing. I know you have a
service on Sundays and that you're offering this tape.
Well, you know just about everything then, Mr. Steele. Nearly every member
and regular attender of this church is gone. I am the only person on the staff
who remains. I have asked a few women to help out in the office. I have no
idea how many will show up Sunday, but it would be a privilege to see you
again.
I'm very interested in that tape.
I'd be happy to give you one in advance. It's what I will be discussing
Sunday morning.
I don't know how to ask this, Mr. Barnes.
Bruce.
Bruce. You'll be teaching or preaching or what?
Discussing. I will be playing the tape for any who have not heard it, and
then we will discuss it.
But you ... I mean, how do you account for the fact that you are still here?
Mr. Steele, there is only one explanation for that, and I would prefer to
discuss it with you in person. If I know when you might come by for the tape,
I'll be sure to be here.
Rayford told him he and perhaps Chloe would come by that afternoon.
Alan Tompkins waited just inside the vestibule at Scotland Yard. When Buck
arrived, Alan formally shook his hand and led him to a rundown compact, which
he drove quickly to a dark pub a few miles away. Let's not talk till we get
there, Alan said, continually checking his mirrors. I need to concentrate.
Buck had never seen his friend so agitated and, yes, scared.
The pair took pints of dark ale to a booth in a secluded corner, but Alan
never touched his. Buck, who hadn't eaten since the flight, switched his empty
mug for
Alan's full one and downed it, too. When the waitress came for the mugs, Buck
ordered a sandwich. Alan declined and Buck, knowing his limit, ordered a soda.
I know this will be like pouring petrol on a flame, Alan began, but I need
to tell you this is a nasty business and that you want to stay as far away
from it as you can.
Darn right you're fanning my flame, Buck said. What's going on. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl wyciskamy.pev.pl
Of course I am! Aren't you?
I'm miserable and scared, but I'm not so desperate that I'm going to lose my
faculties. Oh, Daddy, I'm sorry. Don't look at me like that. I don't blame you
for checking this out. Go ahead, and don't worry about me.
Will you go with me?
I'd rather not. But if you want me to &
You can wait in the car.
It's not that. I'm not afraid of meeting someone I disagree with.
We'll go over there tomorrow, Rayford said, disappointed in her reaction but
no less determined to follow through, for her sake as much as his. If he was
right, he did not want to fail his own daughter.
CHAPTER TEN
CAMERON Williams convinced himself he should not call his and Dirk Burton's
mutual friend at Scotland Yard before leaving New York. With communications as
difficult as they had been for days and after the strange conversation with
Dirk's supervisor, Buck didn't want to risk someone listening in. The last
thing he wanted was to compromise his Scotland Yard contact's integrity.
Buck took both his real and his phony passport and visa a customary safety
precaution caught a late flight to London out of La Guardia Friday night, and
arrived at Heathrow Saturday morning. He checked into the Tavistock Hotel and
slept until mid afternoon. Then he set out to find the truth about Dirk's
death.
He started by calling Scotland Yard and asking for his friend Alan Tompkins, a
mid level operative. They were almost the same age, and Tompkins was a thin,
dark haired, and slightly rumpled investigator Buck had interviewed for a
story on
British terrorism.
They had taken to each other and even enjoyed an evening at a pub with Dirk.
Dirk, Alan, and Buck had become pals, and whenever Buck visited, the three got
together.
Now, by phone, he tried to communicate to Tompkins in such a way that Alan
would catch on quickly and not give away that they were friends in case the
line was tapped.
Mr. Tompkins, you don't know me, but my name is Cameron Williams of Global
Weekly. Before Alan could laugh and greet his friend, Buck quickly continued,
I'm here in London to do a story preliminary to the international monetary
conference at the United Nations.
Alan sounded suddenly serious. How can I help you, sir? What does that have
to do with Scotland Yard?
I'm having trouble locating my interview subject, and I suspect foul play.
And your subject?
His name is Burton. Dirk Burton. He works at the exchange.
Let me do some checking and call you back.
A few minutes later, Buck's phone rang.
Yes, Tompkins from the Yard. I wonder if you would be so kind as to come in
and see me.
Early on Saturday morning in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Rayford Steele phoned
the
New Hope Village Church again. This time a man answered the phone. Rayford
introduced himself as the husband of a former parishioner. I know you, sir,
the man said. We've met. I'm Bruce Barnes, the visitation pastor.
Oh, yes.
By former parishioner, I assume you're telling me that Irene is no longer
with us?
That's right, and our son.
Page 67
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Ray Jr., wasn't it?
Right.
You also had an older daughter, did you not, a non-attender?
Chloe.
And she ?
Is here with me. I was wondering what you all make of this how many people
have disappeared, are you still meeting, that kind of thing. I know you have a
service on Sundays and that you're offering this tape.
Well, you know just about everything then, Mr. Steele. Nearly every member
and regular attender of this church is gone. I am the only person on the staff
who remains. I have asked a few women to help out in the office. I have no
idea how many will show up Sunday, but it would be a privilege to see you
again.
I'm very interested in that tape.
I'd be happy to give you one in advance. It's what I will be discussing
Sunday morning.
I don't know how to ask this, Mr. Barnes.
Bruce.
Bruce. You'll be teaching or preaching or what?
Discussing. I will be playing the tape for any who have not heard it, and
then we will discuss it.
But you ... I mean, how do you account for the fact that you are still here?
Mr. Steele, there is only one explanation for that, and I would prefer to
discuss it with you in person. If I know when you might come by for the tape,
I'll be sure to be here.
Rayford told him he and perhaps Chloe would come by that afternoon.
Alan Tompkins waited just inside the vestibule at Scotland Yard. When Buck
arrived, Alan formally shook his hand and led him to a rundown compact, which
he drove quickly to a dark pub a few miles away. Let's not talk till we get
there, Alan said, continually checking his mirrors. I need to concentrate.
Buck had never seen his friend so agitated and, yes, scared.
The pair took pints of dark ale to a booth in a secluded corner, but Alan
never touched his. Buck, who hadn't eaten since the flight, switched his empty
mug for
Alan's full one and downed it, too. When the waitress came for the mugs, Buck
ordered a sandwich. Alan declined and Buck, knowing his limit, ordered a soda.
I know this will be like pouring petrol on a flame, Alan began, but I need
to tell you this is a nasty business and that you want to stay as far away
from it as you can.
Darn right you're fanning my flame, Buck said. What's going on. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]