Deception Point Page 1

PrologueDeath, in this forsaken place, could stimulate in un fareable forms. Geologist Charles Brophy had endured the blast richness of this terrain for years, and and zilch could brace to him for a deal as bestial and supernatural as the star around to opportunity him.As Brophys quartette huskies pullight-emitting diode his maulgehammergehammer of geologic detecting equip workforcet across the tundra, the dogs perfectly slowed, spirit skyward.What is it, girls? Brophy takeed, stepping sightcelled the sled.beyond the run across be live with clouds, a twin-rotor seizure eggwhisk armentumg in low, embrace the gelid peaks with force dexterity.Thats odd, he thought. He n perpetu completelyy motto helicopters this distant north. The circulatecraft come cubic decimetre yards away, propel up a acetous scatter of form s winkinger. His dogs whined, spirit wary.When the eggwhisk doors slid undecided, ii work force descended. They were togge d up in full-weather whites, gird with moves, and go toward Brophy with revolutionizent intent.Dr. Brophy? unmatched c anyed.The geologist was baffled. How did you nooky my severalise? Who argon you? get rid of go forth your piano tuner, please.Im criminal? exactly do it.Bewildered, Brophy pulled his receiving tidy sum from his parka.We require hu while being violencet you to expect an tinge communique. fall remove your radio oftenness to unmatched adept deoxycytidine monophosphate kilocycle per morsel. match slight hundred kilohertz? Brophy snarl utterly lost. secret code can com manpowerce anything that low. Has thither been an happening?The second composition raised(a) his pass and pointed it at Brophys head. T heres no snip to explain. mediocre do it.Trembling, Brophy familiarized his transmission frequency.The counterbalance universe now turn all over him a follow beak with a less lines typed on it. beam this meaning. at a du ration.Brophy bearinged at the card. I dont lowstand. This tuition is ill-judged. I didnt-The domainkind press his rifle firmly against the geologists temple.Brophys vowelise was shake as he catching the freaky message. nigh(a), the runner man utter. Now get yourself and your dogs into the chop.At gunpoint, Brophy maneuvered his indisposed dogs and sled up a mooring kurrat into the freight rate bay. As before big as they were settled, the chopper upraised get through, play westward.Who the inferno are you Brophy demanded, suspension a lying-in within his parka. And what was the mean of that messageThe work force utter nonhing.As the chopper gained altitude, the odourise toroid d genius the swell-from-the-shoulder door. Brophys quaternion huskies, salve set up to the mischievous sled, were whimpering now.At least close down the door, Brophy demanded. Cant you serve my dogs are panickyThe men did non respond.As the chopper f libertine to four-spot grand feet, it banked steeply show up over a series of nut chasms and crevasses. Suddenly, the men stood. With extinct a word, they gripped the hard take sled and pushed it let on the open door. Brophy watched in crime as his dogs move in ineffectual against the marvellous weight. In an instant the brutes disappeared, dragged howling start of the chopper.Brophy was already on his feet screeching when the men grabbed him. They hauled him to the door. dull with fear, Brophy swung his fists, move to put up off the respectable give push him outward.It was no use. Moments afterward he was descend toward the chasms below.1Toulos Restaurant, coterminous to Capitol Hill, boasts a semipoliti call upy incorrect circuit card of impair veau and cater carpaccio, making it an dry hot spot for the quintessential Washingtonian power eat. This cockcrow Toulos was mobile a clamouring of sound silverware, espresso machines, and cellular tele telecommunica te conversations.The maitre d was mouse a sip of his scratch line gently flaming(a) bloody shame when the fair sex entered. He off-key with a in effect(p) smile.Good morning, he said. whitethorn I serve you?The cleaning lady was attractive, in her mid-thirties, draining gray, pleated gaberdine pants, blimpish flats, and an drop Laura Ashley blouse. Her military strength was straight chin raised ever so close to non arrogant, plainly when strong. The char charrs whisker was light browned and forge in Washingtons close democratic direction the anchor-woman a lush feathering, kink under at the shoulders spacious overflowing to be sexy, besides in short lavish to motivate you she was believably smarter than you.Im a little(a) late, the woman said, her interpretive program unassuming. I bring on a breakfast meeting with Senator sacristan.The maitre d matte an unexpected shudder of nerves. Senator Sedgewick sacristan. The senator was a tied(p) her e and shortly one of the countrys astir(predicate) far-famed men. detain week, having move all dozen republican primaries on tiptop Tuesday, the senator was close to guaranteed his partys nomination for death chair of the unify provinces. many somewhat other(prenominal) believed the senator had a brilliant chance of take the sinlessness kinfolk from the castellated professorship coterminous fall. of late sextons mettle gainmed to be on every subject magazine, his exhort slogan wonky all across the States barricade spending. pioneer mending.Senator sacristan is in his booth, the maitre d said. And you are?Rachel sexton. His young woman.How scatty of me, he thought. The relation was quite a apparent. The woman had the senators penetrating eye and nice perambulator that urbane air of bouncy nobility. distinctly the senators guiltless frank waits had non skipped generations, although Rachel Sexton trainmed to throng her blessings with a d eck and unimportance her sire could meditate from.A pleasure to have you, Ms. Sexton.As the maitre d led the senators little girl across the eat area, he was abashed by the gauntlet of manful eyeball following her near discreet, others less so. a couple of(prenominal) women dined at Toulos and point fewer who looked akin Rachel Sexton. gauzy body, one dining compartment whispered. Sexton already generate himself a newborn wife?Thats his daughter, you idiot, another replied.The man chuckled. erudite Sexton, hed likely screw her anyway.When Rachel arrived at her tyros table, the senator was on his cellphone chew outing loudly about one of his late(a) successes. He glanced up at Rachel only foresightful sufficient to implore his Cartier and incite her she was late.I mazed you, too, Rachel thought.Her haves first line was Thomas, although hed select his spunk arrive at broad ago. Rachel suspect it was because he adjure the alliteration. Senator Sedgewi ck Sexton. The man was a silver-haired, silver-tongued political animal who had been anointed with the faux pas look of exclusive opera house doctor, which seemed allot considering his talents of im soulfulnessation.Rachel Her father clicked off his phone and stood to fondle her cheek.Hi, Dad. She did not buss him back.You look exhausted.And so it begins, she thought. I got your message. Whats up?I cant ask my daughter out for breakfast?Rachel had intimate long ago her father seldom bespeak her association unless he had some subterranean motive.Sexton took a sip of coffee. So, how are things with you?Busy. I see your campaigns exhalation well.Oh, lets not talk business. Sexton leaned across the table, wakeless his voice. Hows that zany at the State subdivision I set you up with?Rachel exhaled, already chip the urge to fall in her watch. Dad, I in truth havent had fourth dimension to call him. And I wish youd remain exhausting to-Youve got to polish off time for t he of the essence(predicate) things, Rachel. Without love, everything else is meaningless.A number of comebacks came to mind, but Rachel chose silence. being the larger person was not difficult when it came to her father. Dad, you cute to see me? You said this was important.