Demille, Nelson - The Talbot Odyssey by Demille Nelson

Author:Demille, Nelson [Demille, Nelson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Political, Espionage
ISBN: 0446358584
Google: iS4aPUSRfnsC
Amazon: B000Q9IN5E
Publisher: Hachette Digital
Published: 1984-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

40

Abrams stood perfectly still. Strangely, the blood in his head stopped pounding, his heart slowed to a normal rate, and his breathing became regular. He felt the numbing fatigue of the long run lifting, and his senses became acute. He smelled the freshly dug earth, the sweaty bodies near him, and the faint fragrance of flowers. He saw clearly the fixed expressions on the faces of the six men around him, and the inscrutable expression of Peter Thorpe. The perspiration was cooling on his skin, and he was keenly aware of the shoulder holster on his chest. Somewhere, a bird sang in a distant tree. He stole a glance at Katherine and their eyes met for a brief second, just long enough to transmit assurances and confidence in each other.

Thorpe cleared his throat and said softly, “This looks a bit suspicious. If I were paranoid, I would say we were surrounded by men whose intentions are questionable.”

“I would say you were right.”

Katherine added, “I would say we should draw our guns.”

Thorpe looked at her. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a gun, but I assume Tony does.” He nodded toward the grave. “Perfect fox-hole. Ready?”

Abrams took Katherine’s arm in a restraining gesture, and looked down into the grave. “The law requires only six feet. This looks nearly eight. Good grave, lousy foxhole.”

Thorpe shot Abrams a look of unmistakable hatred. “Well, what do you suggest?”

“It’s your show, Pete. You call it.”

Thorpe regarded Abrams closely, then said, “Well, let’s just stay cool. They may only want to chat.”

“All six of them?”

Thorpe didn’t answer, but wiped his forehead with his sweatband.

The six men began moving simultaneously, as though they’d gotten a signal. They closed in around the grave, stopping only a few feet short of Abrams, Katherine, and Thorpe. They didn’t speak, or make any overt threatening movement.

Abrams glanced at Katherine. She looked deathly pale, but he had to admire her composure in the face of death. He looked at Thorpe, who appeared to be lost in thought. The reason for this grotesque standoff, Abrams knew, was that Thorpe was a man who kept all his options open. He did not intend to reveal himself until he was certain that this was not a trap, that the tables could not be somehow turned.

Thorpe’s eyes moved back and forth between Abrams and Katherine. He spoke curtly, “Well, Tony?”

Abrams understood the question. He took Katherine’s arm and spoke directly to Thorpe. “Yes, there is a car waiting to pick us up.”

Thorpe looked around. “I don’t see any car. I think they forgot you.”

“I think not.” Abrams tapped his pants pocket. “Radio tracking transmitter.” He added, “Helicopter close by.”

Thorpe glanced into the sky. “I don’t see a helicopter, either.”

Abrams stared at the six men and caught their eyes, one at a time. “Gentlemen, I’m leaving. I suggest you do the same.”

One man, who seemed to be the leader, was staring at Abrams’ NYPD sweat shirt. His eyes shifted to Thorpe.

Abrams held Katherine’s arm and they turned toward the drive and started walking away.

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