Digital Fortress Chapter 17

David Becker stepped out onto the scorching tile concourse of Plaza de Espana. out front him, El Ayunta miento-the ancient city council building-rose from the trees on a three-acre bed of bluish and white azulejo tiles. Its Arabic spires and carved facade gave the impression it had been intended much as a palace than a public office. Despite its muniment of military coups, fires, and public hangings, most tourists visited because the local brochures plugged it as the incline military headquarters in the movie house Lawrence of Arabia. It had been far cheaper for Columbia Pictures to film in Spain than in Egypt, and the Moorish influence on Sevilles architecture was affluent to convince moviegoers they were looking at Cairo.Becker reset his Seiko for local time 910 p.m.-still afternoon by local standards a proper Spaniard neer ate dinner before sunset, and the lazy Andalusian sun rarely surrendered the skies before ten.Even in the early-evening heat, Becker found himself wal king a loanblend the approximate range at a brisk clip. Strath more thans tone had sounded a lot more urgent this time than it had that morning. His new orders left no room for mistake Find the Canadian, get the ring. Do whatever is necessary, just get that ring.Becker wondered what could perchance be so important astir(predicate) a ring with letter all over it. Strathmore hadnt offered, and Becker hadnt asked. NSA, he apprehension. Never Say Anything.On the former(a) side of Avenida Isabela Catolica, the clinic was clearly visible-the universal symbol of a red cross in a white circle painted on the roof. The Guardia officeholder had dropped the Canadian off hours ago. Broken wrist, bumped head-no doubt the patient had been treated and fulfill by at once. Becker just hoped the clinic had discharge information-a local hotel or phone crook where the military personnel could be reached. With a little luck, Becker figured he could construe the Canadian, get the ring, and be on his way home without any more complications.Strathmore had told Becker, Use the ten thousand cash to buy the ring if you brace to. Ill reimburse you.Thats not necessary, Becker had replied. Hed intended to return the money anyway. He hadnt kaput(p) to Spain for money, hed gone for Susan. Commander Trevor Strathmore was Susans mentor and guardian. Susan owed him a lot a one-day errand was the least(prenominal) Becker could do. Unfortunately, things this morning hadnt gone quite as Becker had planned. Hed hoped to call Susan from the plane and explain everything. He considered having the pilot radio Strathmore so he could pass on a message but was hesitant to involve the deputy film director in his romantic problems.Three times Becker had tried to call Susan himself-first from a defunct cellular on board the jet, next from a return phone at the airport, then again from the morgue. Susan was not in. David wondered where she could be. Hed gotten her answering work but had not l eft a message what he wanted to say was not a message for an answering machine.As he approached the road, he spotted a phone booth near the common entrance. He jogged over, snatched up the receiver, and used his phone card to place the call. on that point was a long pause as the number connected. Finally it began to ring. answer on. Be there.After five rings the call connected.Hi. This is Susan Fletcher. Sorry Im not in right now, but if you leave your nameBecker listened to the message. Where is she? By now Susan would be panicked. He wondered if maybe shed gone to Stone Manor without him. at that place was a beep.Hi. Its David. He paused, unsure what to say. One of the things he hated about answering machines was that if you stopped to think, they cut you off. Sorry I didnt call, he blurted just in time. He wondered if he should tell her what was going on. He thought better of it. Call Commander Strathmore. Hell explain everything. Beckers heart was pounding. This is absurd, h e thought. I love you, he added quickly and hung up.Becker waited for some traffic to pass on Avenida Borbolla. He thought about how Susan undoubtedly would have assumed the bastinado it was unlike him not to call when hed promised to.Becker stepped out onto the four-lane boulevard. In and out, he whispered to himself. In and out. He was too preoccupied to see the man in wire-rim glasses watching from across the street.