inca.gold-第17部分

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　　　　Pitt　had　been　wearing　the　amber　ring　he　had　taken　from　the　corpse　at　the　bottom　of　the　sacred　well　with　the　setting　unseen　under　his　finger。　He　slipped　it　off　and　handed　it　to　Shannon　without　speaking。
　　　　She　held　it　up　to　the　light　from　a　round　window；　staring　in　amazement　at　the　tiny　ancient　insect　imbedded　in　the　amber。　〃Where。　。　。　？〃　her　voice　trailed　off。
　　　　〃Whoever　posed　as　Doc　murdered　him　and　took　his　place。　You　accepted　the　imposter　because　there　was　no　reason　not　to。　The　possibility　of　foul　play　never　entered　your　mind。　The　killer's　only　mistake　was　forgetting　to　remove　the　ring　when　he　threw　Doc's　body　into　the　sinkhole。〃
　　　　〃You're　saying　Doc　was　murdered　before　I　left　the　States？〃　she　stated　in　bewilderment。
　　　　〃Only　a　day　or　two　after　he　arrived　at　the　campsite；〃　Pitt　explained。　〃Judging　from　the　condition　of　the　body；　he　must　have　been　under　water　for　more　than　a　month。〃
　　　　〃Strange　that　Miles　and　I　missed　seeing　him。〃
　　　　〃Not　so　strange。　You　descended　directly　in　front　of　the　passage　to　the　adjoining　cavern　and　were　sucked　in　almost　immediately。　I　reached　the　bottom　on　the　opposite　side　and　was　able　to　swim　a　search　grid；　looking　for　what　I　thought　would　be　two　fresh　bodies　before　the　surge　caught　me。　Instead；　I　found　Doc's　remains　and　the　bones　of　a　sixteenth…century　Spanish　soldier。〃
　　　　〃So　Doc　really　was　murdered；〃　she　said　as　a　look　of　horror　dawned　on　her　face。　〃Juan　Chaco　must　have　known；　because　he　was　the　liaison　for　our　project　and　was　working　with　Doc　before　we　arrived。　Is　it　possible　he　was　involved？〃
　　　　Pitt　nodded。　〃Up　to　his　eyeballs。　If　you　were　smuggling　ancient　treasures；　where　could　you　find　a　better　informant　and　front　man　than　an　internationally　respected　archaeological　expert　and　government　official？〃
　　　　〃Then　who　was　the　imposter？〃
　　　　〃Another　agent　of　the　Solpemachaco。　A　canny　operator　who　staged　a　masterful　performance　of　his　death；　with　Amaru's　help。　Perhaps　he's　one　of　the　men　at　the　top　of　the　organization　who　doesn't　mind　getting　his　hands　dirty。　We　may　never　know。〃
　　　　〃If　he　murdered　Doc；　he　deserves　to　be　hanged；〃　Shannon　said；　her　hazel　eyes　glinting　with　anger。
　　　　〃At　least　we'll　be　able　to　nail　Juan　Chaco　to　the　door　of　a　Peruvian　courthouse…〃　Pitt　suddenly　tensed　and　swung　toward　the　cockpit　as　Giordino　threw　the　helicopter　in　a　steeply　banked　circle。　〃What's　up？〃
　　　　〃A　gut　feeling；〃　Giordino　answered。　〃I　decided　to　run　a　three…sixty　to　check　our　tail。　Good　thing　I'm　sensitive　to　vibes。　We've　got　pany。〃
　　　　Pitt　pushed　himself　to　his　feet；　returned　to　the　cockpit　and；　favoring　his　leg；　eased　into　the　copilot's　seat。　〃Bandits　or　good　guys？〃　he　asked。
　　　　〃Our　pals　who　dropped　in　on　us　at　the　temple　didn't　fall　for　your　artful　dodge　to　Chiclayo。〃　Without　taking　his　hands　from　the　controls；　Giordino　nodded　out　of　the　windshield　to　his　left　at　a　helicopter　crossing　a　low　ridge　of　mountains　to　the　east。
　　　　〃They　must　have　guessed　our　course　and　overhauled　us　after　you　reduced　speed　to　conserve　fuel；〃　Pitt　surmised。
　　　　〃No　racks　mounting　air…to…air　rockets；〃　observed　Giordino。　〃They'll　have　to　shoot　us　down　with　rifles〃

　　　　A　burst　of　flame　and　a　puff　of　smoke　erupted　from　the　open　forward　passenger　door　of　the　pursuing　aircraft；　and　a　rocket　soared　through　the　sky；　passing　so　close　to　the　nose　of　the　helicopter　Pitt　and　Giordino　felt　they　could　have　reached　out　the　side　windows　and　touched　it。
　　　　〃Correction；〃　Pitt　called。　〃A　forty…millimeter　rocket　launcher。　The　same　one　they　used　against　the　temple。〃
　　　　Giordino　slammed　the　collective　pitch　into　an　abrupt　ascent　and　shoved　the　throttles　to　their　stops　in　an　attempt　to　throw　off　the　launcher　team's　aim。　〃Grab　your　rifle　and　keep　them　busy　until　I　can　reach　those　low　clouds　along　the　coast。〃
　　　　〃Tough　luck！〃　Pitt　shouted　over　the　shrill　whine　of　the　engines。　〃I　tossed　it　away；　and　my　Colt　is　empty。　Any　of　you　carry　a　gun　on　board？〃
　　　　Giordino　made　an　imperceptible　nod　as　he　hurled　the　chopper　in　another　violent　maneuver。　〃I　can't　speak　for　the　rest　of　them。　You'll　find　mine　wedged　in　a　corner　behind　the　cabin　bulkhead。〃
　　　　Pitt　took　a　radio　headset　that　was　hanging　on　the　arm　of　his　seat　and　clamped　it　over　his　ears。　Then　he　struggled　out　of　his　seat　and　clutched　both　sides　of　the　open　cockpit　door　with　his　hands　to　stay　on　his　feet　during　a　sharp　turn。　He　plugged　the　lead　from　the　headset　into　a　socket　mounted　on　the　bulkhead　and　hailed　Giordino。　〃Put　on　your　headset　so　we　can　coordinate　our　defense。〃
　　　　Giordino　didn't　answer　as　he　mashed　down　on　the　left　pedal　and　skidded　the　craft　around　in　a　flat　turn。　As　if　he　were　juggling；　he　balanced　his　movements　with　the　controls　while　slipping　the　headset　over　his　ears。　He　winced　and　involuntarily　ducked　as　another　rocket　tore　through　the　air　less　than　a　meter　under　the　belly　of　the　helicopter　and　exploded　in　an　orange　burst　of　flame　against　the　palisade　of　a　low　mountain。
　　　　Grabbing　whatever　handhold　was　within　reach；　Pitt　staggered　to　the　side　passenger　door；　undogged　the　latches；　and　slid　the　door　back　until　it　was　wide　open。　Shannon；　her　face　showing　more　concern　than　fear；　crawled　across　the　floor　with　a　cargo　rope　and　wrapped　one　end　around　Pitt's　waist　as　he　was　reaching　for　the　automatic　rifle　Giordino　had　used　to　knock　out　the　Peruvian　pilots。　Then　she　tied　the　opposite　end　to　a　longitudinal　strut。
　　　　〃Now　you　won't　fall　out；〃　she　exclaimed。
　　　　Pitt　smiled。　〃I　don't　deserve　you。〃　Then　he　was　lying　flat　on　his　stomach　aiming　the　rifle　out　the　door。　〃I'm　ready；　Al。　Give　me　a　clear　shot。〃
　　　　Giordino　fought　to　twist　the　helicopter　so　that　Pitt　would　face　the　blind　side　of　the　attackers。　Because　the　passenger　doors　were　positioned　on　the　same　side　of　both　helicopters；　the　Peruvian　pilot　was　faced　with　the　same　dilemma。　He　might　have　risked　opening　the　clamshell　doors　in　the　aft　end　to　allow　the　mercenary　rifleman　to　blast　away　with　an　open　line　of　fire；　but　that　would　have　slowed　his　airspeed　and　made　control　of　the　chopper　unwieldy。　Like　old　propeller…driven　warbirds　tangling　in　a　dogfight；　the　pilots　maneuvered　for　an　advantage；　hurling　their　aircraft　around　the　sky　in　a　series　of　acrobatics　never　intended　by　their　designers。
　　　　His　opponent　knew　his　stuff；　thought　Giordino；　with　the　respect　of　one　professional　for　another。　Outgunned　by　the　military　mercenaries；　he　felt　like　a　mouse　tormented　by　a　cat　before　being　a　quick　snack。　His　eyes　darted　from　the　instruments　to　his　nemesis；　then　down　at　the　ground　to　make　certain　he　didn't　pile　into　a　low　ridge　or　a　tree。　He　yanked　back　the　collective　and　broadened　the　pitch　of　the　rotor　blades　to　increase　their　bite　in　the　damp　air。　The　chopper　shot　upward　in　a　maneuver　matched　by　the　other　pilot。　But　then　Giordino　pushed　the　nose　down　and　mashed　his　foot　on　the　right　rudder　pedal；　accelerating　and　throwing　the　craft　on　its　side　under　his　attacker　and　giving　Pitt　a　straight　shot。
　　　　〃Now！〃　he　yelled　in　his　microphone。
　　　　Pitt　didn't　aim　at　the　pilots　in　the　cockpit；　he　sighted　at　the　engine　hump　below　the　rotor　and　squeezed　the　trigger。　The　gun　spat　twice　and　went　silent。
　　　　〃What's　wrong？〃　inquired　Giordino。　〃No　gunfire。　I　run　interference　to　the　goal　line　and　you　fumble　the　ball。〃
　　　　〃This　gun　had　only　two　rounds　in　it；〃　Pitt　snapped　back。
　　　　〃When　I　took　it　off　one　of　Amaru's　gunmen；　I　didn't　stop　to　count　the　shells。〃
　　　　Furious　with　frustration；　Pitt　jerked　out　the　clip　and　saw　it　was　empty。　〃Did　any　of　you　bring　a　gun　on　board？〃　he　shouted　to　Rodgers　and　the　petrified　students。
　　　　Rodgers；　tightly　strapped　in　a　seat　with　legs　braced　against　a　bulkhead　to　avoid　being　bounced　around　by　Giordino's　violent　tactics；　spread　his　hands。　〃We　left　them　behind　when　we　made　a　break　for　the　ship。〃
　　　　At　that　instant　a　rocket　burst　through　a　port　window；　flamed　across　the　width　of　the　fuselage；　and　exited　through　the　opposite　side　of　the　helicopter　without　bursting　or　injuring　anyone。　Designed　to　detonate　after　striking　armored　vehicles　or　fortified　bunkers；　the　rocket　failed　to　explode　after　striking　thin　aluminum　and　plastic。　If　one　hits　the　turbines；　Pitt　thought　uneasily；　it's　all　over。　He　stared　wildly　about　the　cabin；　saw　that　they　had　all　released　their　shoulder　harnesses　and　lay　huddled　on　the　floor　under　the　seats　as　if　the　canvas　webbing　and　small　tubular　supports　could　stop　a　forty…millimeter　tank…killing　rocket。　He　cursed　as　the　wildly　swaying　aircraft　threw　him　against　the　doorframe。
　　　　Shannon　saw　the　furious　look　on　Pitt's　face；　the　despair　as　he　flung　the　empty　rifle　out　the　open　door。　And　yet　she　stared　at　him　with　absolute　faith　in　her　eyes。　She　had　e　to　know　him　well　enough　in　the　past　twenty…four　hours　to　know　he　was　not　a　man　who　would　willingly　accept　defeat。
　　　　Pitt　caught　the　look　and　it　infuriated　him。　〃What　do　you　expect　me　to　do；〃　he　demanded；　〃leap　across　space　and　brain　them　with　the　jawbone　of　an　ass？　Or　maybe　they'll　go　away　if　I　throw　rocks　at　them…〃　Pitt　broke　off　as　his　eyes　fell　on　one　of　the　life　rafts。　He　broke　into　a　wild　grin。　〃Al；　you　hear　me？〃
　　　　〃I'm　a　little　busy　to　take　calls；〃　Giordino　answered　tensely。
　　　　〃Lay　this　antique　on　her　port　side　and　fly　above　them。〃
　　　　〃Whatever　you're　concocting；　make　it　quick　before　they　put　a　rocket　up　our　nose　or　we　run　out　of　fuel。〃
　　　　〃Back　by　popular　demand；〃　Pitt　said；　being　his　old　cheerful　self　again；　〃Mandrake　Pitt　and　his　deathdefying　magic　act。〃　He　unsnapped　the　buckles　on　the　tiedown　straps　holding　one　of　the　life　rafts　to　the　floor。　The　fluorescent　orange　raft　was　labeled　Twenty…Man　Flotation　Unit；　in　English；　and　weighed　over　45　kilograms　（100　pounds）。　Leaning　out　the　door　secured　by　the　rope　Shannon　had　tied　around　his　waist；　both　legs　and　feet　spread　and　set；　he　hoisted　the　uninflated　life　raft　onto　his　shoulder　and　waited。
　　　　Giordino　was　tiring。　Helicopters　require　constant　hands…on　concentration　just　to　stay　in　the　air；　because　they　are　made　up　of　a　thousand　opposing　forces　that　want　nothing　to　do　with　each　other。　The　general　rule　of　thumb　is　that　most　pilots　fly　solo　for　an　hour。　After　that；　they　turn　control　over　to　their　backup　or　copilot。　Giordino　had　been　behind　the　controls　for　an　hour　and　a　half；　was　denied　sleep　for　the　past　thirty…six　hours；　and　now　the　strain　of　throwing　the　aircraft　all　over　the　sky　was　rapidly　draining　what　strength　he　had　in　reserve。　For　almost　six　minutes；　an　eternity　in　a　dogfight；　he　had　prevented　his　adversary　from　gaining　a　brief　advantage　for　a　clear　shot　from　the　men　manning　the　rocket　launcher。
　　　　The　other　craft　passed　directly　across　Giordino's　vulnerable　glass…enclosed　cockpit。　For　a　brief　instant　in　time　he　could　clearly　see　the　Peruvian　pilot。　The　face　under　the　bat　flight　helmet　flashed　a　set　of　white　teeth　and　waved。　〃The　bastard　is　laughing　at　me；〃　Giordino　blurted　in　fury。
　　　　〃What　did　you　say？〃　came　Pitt。
　　　　〃Those　fornicating　baboons　think　this　is　funny；〃　Giordino　said　savagely。　He　knew　what　he　had　to　do。　He　had　noticed　an　almost　indiscernible　quirk　to　the　enemy　pilot's　flying　technique。　When　he　bent　left　there　was　no　hesitation；　but　he　was　a　fraction　of　a　second　slow　in　banking　right。　Giordino　feinted　left　and　abruptly　threw　the　nose　skyward　and　curled　right。　The　other　pilot　caught　the　feint　and　promptly　went　left　but　reacted