The Cry of the Halidon Read Online Free PDF

you can’t chance it. It goes back to these ‘sensitive’ areas in Berlin, Washington, Paris, et cetera. Am I correct about that, too?”
    “You are.”
    “They must be goddamn sensitive.”
    “We believe they compromise an international cross-section of extraordinarily powerful men.”
    “In governments?”
    “Allied with major industries.”
    “For instance?”
    Hammond held Alex’s eyes with his own. His message was clear. “You understand that what I say is merely conjecture.”
    “All right. And my memory is short.”
    “Very well.” The Britisher got out of the chair and walked around it. His voice remained quiet, but there was no lack of precision. “Your own country: conceivably the Vice President of the United States or someone in his office and, certainly, unknown members of the Senate and the President’s cabinet. England: prominent figures in the House of Commons and undoubtedly various department directors at Inland Revenue. Germany: ranking
vorsitzen
in the Bundestag. France: elitist holdovers from the pre-Algerian Gaullists. Such men as I have described must exist relative to Warfield. The progress made by Dunstone would have been impossible without influence in such places. Of that we are certain.”
    “But you don’t know who, specifically.”
    “No.”
    “And you think, somehow, I can help you?”
    “We do, Mr. McAuliff.”
    “With all the resources you have, you come to me? I’ve been contracted for a Dunstone field survey, nothing else.”
    “The
second
Dunstone survey, Mr. McAuliff.”
    Alexander stared at the Englishman.
    “And you say that team is dead.”
    Hammond returned to his chair and sat down once more. “Yes, Mr. McAuliff. Which means Dunstone has an adversary. One that’s as deadly and powerful as Warfield’s forces. And we haven’t the slightest idea what it is, who they are. Only that it exists,
they
exist. We wish to make contact with those who want the same thing we do. We can guarantee the safety of your expedition. You are the key. Without you, we’re stymied. Without us, you and your people might well be in extreme jeopardy.”
    McAuliff shot out of the chair and stood above the British agent. He took several short, deep breaths and walked purposefully away from Hammond; then he aimlessly paced the Savoy room. The Englishman seemed to understand Alex’s action. He let the moment subside; he said nothing.
    “
Jesus!
You’re something, Hammond!” McAuliff returned to his chair, but he did not sit down. He reached for his drink on the windowsill, not so much for the whiskey as to hold the glass. “You come in here, build a case against Warfield by way of an economics lecture, and then calmly tell me that I’ve signed what amounts to my last contract if I don’t cooperate with you.”
    “That’s rather black and white, chap.”
    “That’s rather exactly what you just said! Suppose you’re mistaken?”
    “We’re not.”
    “You know goddamn well I can’t prove that either. If I go back to Warfield and tell him about this little informal chat, I’ll lose the contract the second I open my mouth. And the largest fee any surveyor was ever offered.”
    “May I ask the amount? Just academic interest.”
    McAuliff looked at Hammond. “What would you say to two million dollars?”
    “I’d say I’m surprised he didn’t offer three. Or four. Why not? You wouldn’t live to spend it.”
    Alex held the Englishman’s eyes. “Translated, that means if Dunstone’s enemies don’t kill me, Dunstone will?”
    “It’s what we believe. There’s no other logical conclusion. Once your work is finished.”
    “I see …” McAuliff walked slowly to the whiskey and poured deliberately, as if measuring. He did not offer anything to Hammond. “If I confront Warfield with what you’ve told me, you’re really saying that he’d …”
    “Kill you? Are those the words that stick, Mr. McAuliff?”
    “I don’t have much cause to employ those kind of words,