Countdown

Countdown Read Online Free PDF Page B

Book: Countdown Read Online Free PDF
Author: David Hagberg
we’ve got here. A valve chatters and a dozen alarms go off.”
    â€œYour team was called in?” she asked Potok, who had so far maintained a stony silence.
    â€œSOP,” Potok said. “We’re dealing with nuclear energy here, Doctor. It scares a lot of people.”
    â€œMe included,” she said.
    There was an awkward silence, which Hayes finally filled by stepping forward and glancing down at the blueprints spread out on the conference table. “We might just as well take a look at this supposed leak, then, all right?”
    Rosen and Potok exchanged a look, which Lorraine caught. Again she had the impression that they were hiding something. Perhaps something important.
    â€œYes, of course,” Dr. Avral said, and he stepped aside to let the engineer take over.
    For the next fifteen minutes Rosen went over in detail exactly what had happened the night when a steam line valve had supposedly popped loose. Lorraine stood back and pretended to study the diagrams while in actuality she was watching Potok and Dr. Avral. There was more here than met the eye. Potok was concerned and Dr. Avral was frightened.

    Â 
    Â 
    On the way back to Tel Aviv she told Hayes that she thought the Israelis were lying.
    â€œI don’t think so,” the Britisher said smugly. “That Rosen isn’t bad, for a Jew. He knows his engineering.”
    â€œThere was more than a simple steam leak,” Lorraine said.
    Hayes looked at her with renewed interest. “Are you going to put that in your report?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œOn what basis?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said softly. She looked up at him. “But I’m going to find out.”

3
    RAMSTEIN AIR FORCE BASE
    KURSHIN SAT IN THE officers club finishing the last of his steak. It was two in the afternoon. He’d taken a shower, changed into Allworth’s uniform, made a brief telephone call to town, and had his driver, a young airman, take him on a brief tour of the base before dropping him off at the club. He’d dismissed the young man, but kept the car.
    â€œColonel Allworth?” someone said at his elbow and Kurshin looked up, an automatic smile painted on his face.
    â€œYes?”

    â€œTom McCann. I’m your number two.”
    McCann was a youngish-looking man with a baby face and bright red hair. He was wearing a pair of tan slacks and a light blue pullover sweater. They shook hands and Kurshin motioned him to have a seat.
    â€œIs it captain?” Kurshin asked. He knew nothing about the man.
    â€œMajor.” McCann grinned. “The OD heard you were on base and called me. The old man will be up in Berlin until Monday so I thought I’d stop by and welcome you aboard.”
    â€œI appreciate that, Tom. As a matter of fact I was going to come snooping around myself as soon as I finished lunch.”
    â€œYou want to do some homework before you see the boss?”
    â€œSomething like that.” Kurshin thought the younger man’s expressions were boyish.
    â€œNo sweat, Colonel. Your clearance won’t be posted until Monday, but if you don’t mind tagging along with me on a visitor’s pass, I’ll give you the ten-cent tour.”
    Kurshin nodded. He pushed his plate away, finished the last of his beer, and looked McCann directly in the eye. “What if I was an impostor?” he asked with a straight face. “You’d give me the keys to the bank vault just like that?”
    McCann’s grin widened. “We got your package six weeks ago,” he said. “Including your photograph. If you’re an impostor, Colonel, then you’re Brad Allworth’s twin. Are you ready?”
    â€œJust have to make a quick phone call,” Kurshin said.
    Â 
    Ramstein was divided into four major sections. Near the main gate were base housing, the clubs, movie theaters, dining halls, hobby shops, class six liquor stores, and the commissary. On the
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