inca.gold-第72部分

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ief　Customs　agent　of　the　region；　Curtis　Starger。
　　　　A　veteran　of　sixteen　years　with　the　service；　Starger　had　been　around　the　Horn　enough　times　to　have　seen　it　all。　He　was　a　trim；　handsome　man　with　sharp　features　and　blond　hair。　He　looked　more　like　an　aging　lifeguard　on　a　San　Diego　beach　than　a　hardened　agent　who　gazed　at　Matos　with　an　expression　that　could　scorch　asbestos。　After　the　introductions　were　made；　he　launched　his　attack。
　　　　〃I'll　skip　the　niceties；　Mr。　Matos。　On　matters　such　as　this　I'm　used　to　dealing　with　your　elite　law　enforcement　agents；　especially　Inspector　Granados　and　the　chief　of　your　Northern　Mexico　Investigative　Division；　Sefior　Rojas。　I　wish　you　would　explain；　sir；　why　a　midlevel　official　from　an　obscure　office　of　the　National　Affairs　Department　was　sent　to　brief　us　on　the　situation。　I　get　the　feeling　that　your　national　government　in　Mexico　City　is　as　much　in　the　dark　as　we　are。〃
　　　　Matos　made　a　helpless　gesture　with　his　hands。　His　eyes　never　blinked；　and　his　smile　remained　fixed。　If　he　felt　insulted；　it　didn't　show。　〃Inspector　Granados　is　working　on　a　case　in　Hermosillo　and　Sefior　Rojas　was　taken　ill。〃
　　　　〃Sorry　to　hear　it；〃　Starger　grunted　insincerely。
　　　　〃If　they　were　not　indisposed　or　on　duties　elsewhere；　I'm　certain　they　would　have　been　happy　to　consult　with　you。　I　share　your　frustration。　But　I　assure　you；　my　government　will　do　everything　in　its　power　to　cooperate　on　this　matter。〃
　　　　〃The　United　States　Attorney's　Office　has　reason　to　believe　that　three　men　going　under　the　names　of　Joseph　Zolar；　Charles　Oxley；　and　Cyrus　Sarason；　all　brothers；　are　conducting　a　massive　international　operation　dealing　in　stolen　art；　smuggled　artifacts；　and　art　forgery。　We　also　have　reason　to　believe　they　have　abducted　one　of　our　respected　congressional　legislators　and　an　official　of　our　most　prestigious　marine　science　agency。〃
　　　　Matos　smiled　blandly　behind　his　bureaucratic　defenses。　〃Utterly　ridiculous。　As　you　very　well　know；　gentlemen；　after　your　fruitless　raid　on　the　Zolars'　facilities　in　Texas；　their　reputation　remains　untarnished。〃
　　　　Gaskill　smiled　wryly　at　Ragsdale。　〃News　travels　fast。〃
　　　　〃These　men　you　seem　intent　on　persecuting　have　violated　no　laws　in　Mexico。　We　have　no　legal　cause　to　investigate　them。〃
　　　　〃What　are　you　doing　about　securing　the　release　of　Congresswoman　Smith　and　Deputy　Director　Gunn？〃
　　　　〃Our　finest　investigative　police　teams　are　working　on　the　case；〃　Matos　assured　him。　〃My　superiors　have　already　made　arrangements　to　pay　the　ransom　demands。　And　I　can　guarantee　it　is　only　a　question　of　a　few　hours　before　the　bandits　responsible　for　this　travesty　are　captured　and　your　people　rescued　unharmed。〃
　　　　〃Our　sources　claim　the　Zolars　are　the　criminals　who　are　responsible。〃
　　　　Matos　shook　his　head。　〃No；　no；　the　evidence　proves　a　gang　of　thieving　bandits　is　behind　the　abduction。〃
　　　　Pitt　joined　in　the　fray。　〃Speaking　of　abductions；　what　about　the　crew　of　the　ferryboat？　Where　did　they　disappear　to？〃
　　　　Matos　gazed　at　Pitt　contemptuously。　〃That　is　of　no　importance　here。　As　a　matter　of　record；　our　police　officials　have　four　signed　statements　naming　you　as　the　instigator　of　this　plot。〃
　　　　Resentment　surged　through　Pitt。　The　Zolars　had　cunningly　planned　every　contingency；　but　they　had　either　ignored　the　fact　the　crew　of　the　Alhambra　were　not　dead　or　Amaru　had　botched　the　job　and　lied。　Padilla　and　his　men　must　have　made　shore　and　been　put　under　wraps　by　the　local　police。
　　　　〃Were　your　investigators　as　thoughtful　in　providing　me　with　a　motive？〃　asked　Pitt。
　　　　〃Motives　do　not　concern　me；　Mr。　Pitt。　I　rely　on　evidence。　But　since　you　brought　it　up；　the　crew　claims　you　killed　Congresswoman　Smith　and　Rudi　Gunn　to　gain　the　location　of　the　treasure。〃
　　　　〃Your　police　officials　have　Alzheimer's　disease　if　they　swallow　that；〃　snapped　Giordino。
　　　　〃Evidence　is　evidence；〃　Matos　said　smoothly。　〃As　an　official　of　the　government　I　must　operate　within　strict　legal　parameters。〃
　　　　Pitt　took　the　ridiculous　accusation　in　stride　and　sneaked　in　from　the　side。　〃Tell　me；　Sefior　Matos；　what　percentage　of　the　gold　will　you　take　as　your　share？〃
　　　　〃Five〃　Matos　caught　himself　too　late。
　　　　〃Were　you　about　to　say　five　percent；　sir？〃　Starger　asked　softly。
　　　　Matos　tilted　his　head　and　shrugged。　〃I　was　about　to　say　nothing　of　the　sort。〃
　　　　〃I'd　say　your　superiors　have　turned　a　blind　eye　to　a　deep　conspiracy；〃　said　Sandecker。
　　　　〃There　is　no　conspiracy；　Admiral。　I'll　take　an　oath　on
　　　　〃What　you're　broadcasting；〃　said　Gaskill；　leaning　across　the　table；　〃is　that　officials　of　the　Sonoran　State　government　have　struck　a　deal　with　the　Zolars　to　keep　the　Peruvian　treasure。〃
　　　　Matos　lifted　a　hand。　〃The　Peruvians　have　no　legal　claim。　All　artifacts　found　on　Mexican　soil　belong　to　our　people〃

　　　　〃They　belong　to　the　people　of　Peru；〃　Shannon　interrupted；　her　face　flushed　with　anger。　〃If　your　government　had　any　sense　of　decency；　they　would　invite　the　Peruvians　to　at　least　share　in　it。〃
　　　　〃Affairs　between　nations　do　not　work　that　way；　Dr。　Kelsey；〃　replied　Matos。
　　　　〃How　would　you　like　it　if　Montezuma's　lost　golden　treasure　turned　up　in　the　Andes？〃
　　　　〃I'm　not　in　a　position　to　judge　outlandish　events；〃　Matos　answered　imperviously。　〃Besides；　rumors　of　the　treasure　are　greatly　exaggerated。　Its　true　value　is　really　of　little　consequence。〃
　　　　Shannon　looked　flabbergasted。　〃What　are　you　saying？　I　saw　Huascar's　treasure　with　my　own　eyes。　If　anything；　it's　far　more　substantial　than　anyone　thought。　I　put　its　potential　value　at　just　under　a　billion　dollars。〃
　　　　〃The　Zolars　are　respected　dealers　who　have　a　worldwide　reputation　for　accurately　appraising　art　and　antiquities。　Their　evaluation　of　the　treasure　does　not　exceed　thirty　million。〃
　　　　〃Mister；〃　Shannon　snapped　in　cold　fury；　〃I'll　match　my　credentials　against　theirs　any　day　of　the　week　in　appraising　artifacts　of　ancient　Peruvian　cultures。　I'll　put　it　to　you　in　plain　language。　The　Zolars　are　full　of　crap。〃
　　　　〃Your　word　against　theirs；〃　Matos　said　calmly。
　　　　〃For　a　small　treasure　trove；〃　said　Ragsdale；　〃they　appear　to　be　mounting　a　massive　recovery　effort。〃
　　　　〃Five　or　ten　laborers　to　carry　the　gold　out　of　the　cavern。　No　more。〃
　　　　〃Would　you　like　to　see　reconnaissance　satellite　photos　that　show　the　top　of　Cerro　el　Capirote　looking　like　an　anthill　with　an　army　of　men　and　helicopters　crawling　all　over　it？〃
　　　　Matos　sat　silently；　as　if　he　hadn't　heard　a　word。
　　　　〃And　the　Zolars'　payoff？〃　asked　Starger。　〃Are　you　allowing　them　to　remove　artifacts　from　the　country？〃
　　　　〃Their　efforts　on　behalf　of　the　people　of　Sonora　will　not　go　unappreciated。　They　will　be　pensated。〃
　　　　It　was　an　obvious　fish　story　and　nobody　in　the　room　bought　it。
　　　　Admiral　Sandecker　was　the　highest　American　official　in　the　room。　He　stared　at　Matos　and　gave　him　a　disarming　smile。　〃I　will　be　meeting　with　our　nation's　President　tomorrow　morning。　At　that　time　I　will　brief　him　on　the　alarming　events　occurring　in　our　neighbor　to　the　south；　and　inform　him　that　your　law　enforcement　officials　are　dragging　their　feet　on　the　investigation　and　throwing　up　a　smoke　screen　on　the　kidnapping　of　our　high…level　representatives。　I　need　not　remind　you；　Senor　Matos；　the　free　trade　agreement　is　ing　up　for　review　by　Congress。　When　our　representatives　are　informed　of　your　callous　treatment　of　one　of　their　colleagues；　and　how　you　cooperate　with　criminals　dealing　in　stolen　and　smuggled　art；　they　may　find　it　difficult　to　continue　our　mutual　trade　relations。　In　short；　senor；　your　President　wild　have　a　major　scandal　on　his　hands。〃
　　　　Matos's　eyes　behind　the　glasses　were　suddenly　stricken。　〃There　is　no　need　for　so　strong　a　response　over　a　minor　disagreement　between　our　two　countries。〃
　　　　Pitt　noticed　thin　beads　of　perspiration　on　the　Mexican　official's　head。　He　turned　to　his　boss　from　NUMA。　〃I'm　hardly　an　expert　on　executive　politics；　Admiral；　but　what　do　you　want　to　bet　the　President　of　Mexico　and　his　cabinet　have　not　been　informed　of　the　true　situation？〃
　　　　〃I　suspect　you'd　win；〃　said　Sandecker。　〃That　would　explain　why　we're　not　talking　to　a　major　player。〃
　　　　The　color　had　drained　from　Matos's　face；　and　he　looked　positively　sick。　〃You　misunderstand；　my　nation　stands　ready　to　cooperate　in　every　way　possible。〃
　　　　〃You　tell　your　superiors　in　the　National　Affairs　Department；〃　said　Pitt；　〃or　whoever　you　really　work　for；　that　they　aren't　as　smart　as　they　thought。〃
　　　　〃The　meeting　is　over；〃　said　Starger。　〃We'll　consider　our　options　and　inform　your　government　of　our　actions　this　time　tomorrow。〃
　　　　Matos　tried　to　retrieve　a　shred　of　dignity。　He　stared　balefully　and　when　he　spoke　his　voice　was　quieter。　〃I　must　warn　you　of　any　attempt　to　send　your　Special　Forces　into　Mexico〃

　　　　Sandecker　cut　him　off。　〃I'll　give　you　twenty…four　hours　to　send　Congresswoman　Smith　and　my　deputy　director；　Rudi　Gunn；　over　the　border　crossing　between　Mexicali　and　Calexico　unharmed。　One　minute　later　and　a　lot　of　people　will　get　hurt。〃
　　　　〃You　do　not　have　the　authority　to　make　threats。〃
　　　　〃Once　I　tell　my　President　your　security　forces　are　torturing　Smith　and　Gunn　for　state　secrets；　there　is　no　telling　how　he　will　react。〃
　　　　Matos　looked　horrified。　〃But　that　is　a　total　lie；　an　absurd　fabrication。〃
　　　　Sandecker　smiled　icily。　〃See；　I　know　how　to　invent　situations　too。〃
　　　　〃I　give　you　my　word
　　　　〃That　will　be　all；　Senor　Matos；〃　said　Starger。　〃Please　keep　my　office　apprised　of　any　further　incidents。〃
　　　　When　the　Mexican　official　left　the　conference　room；　he　looked　like　a　man　who　had　stood　by　and　watched　as　his　wife　ran　off　with　the　plumber　and　his　dog　was　run　over　by　a　milk　truck。　As　soon　as　he　was　gone；　Ragsdale；　who　had　sat　back　and　quietly　absorbed　the　conversation；　turned　to　Gaskill。
　　　　〃Well；　if　nothing　else；　they　don't　know　we　knocked　over　their　illegal　storage　facility。〃
　　　　〃Let's　hope　they　remain　in　the　dark　for　another　two　days。〃
　　　　〃Did　you　take　an　inventory　of　the　stolen　goods？〃　asked　Pitt。
　　　　〃The　quantity　was　so　great；　it　will　take　weeks　to　thoroughly　itemize　every　object。〃
　　　　〃Do　you　recall　seeing　any　Southwestern　Indian　religious　idols；　carved　from　cottonwood？〃
　　　　Gaskill　shook　his　head。　〃No；　nothing　like　that。〃
　　　　〃Please　let　me　know　if　you　do。　I　have　an　Indian　friend　who　would　like　them　back。〃
　　　　Ragsdale　nodded　at　Sandecker。　〃How　do　you　read　the　situation；　Admiral？〃　he　asked。
　　　　〃The　Zolars　have　promised　the　moon；〃　Sandecker　said。　〃I'm　beginning　to　believe　that　if　they　were　arrested；　half　the　citizenry　of　the　state　of　Sonora　would　rise　up　and　break　them　out　of　jail。〃
　　　　〃They'll　never　allow　Loren　and　Rudi　to　go　free　and　talk；〃　said　Pitt。
　　　　〃I　hate　to　be　the　one　to　mention　it；〃　Ragsdale　said　quietly；　〃but　they　could　already　be　dead。〃
　　　　Pitt　shook　his　head。　〃I　won't　let　myself　believe　that。〃
　　　　Sandecker　rose　and　began　working　off　his　frustration　by　pacing　the　floor。　〃Even　if　the　President　approves　a　clandestine　entry；　our　special　response　team　has　no　intelligence　to　guide　them　to　the　location　where　Loren　and　Rudi　are　held　captive。〃
　　　　〃I　have　an　idea　the　Zolars　are　holding　them　on　the　mountain；〃　said　Giordino。
　　　　Starger　nodded　in　agreement。　〃You　might　be　right。　The　hacienda　they　used　as　a　headquarters　to　conduct　the　treasure　search　appears　deserted。〃
　　　　Ragsdale　sighe