Page 79 of Clive Cussler The Iron Storm
“He has led my brother astray and treats me…” Her face flushed with embarrassment. “I would rather not say what he thinks of me.”
“No need,” Bell assured her. “I think I understand. When the attack comes, you and Archie are going to be in real danger. You’ll be rushing to the area near large explosions with more possible at any time. You could even be killed. Do you think you can handle that?”
She gave her answer some thought before saying, “I have onlyever learned how to take, Mr. Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott are teaching me what it means to give back. It is important and it is what makes us human. If my fate is to die giving back, I can think of no better death.”
Bell nodded. “You already think like a Van Dorn.”
At eight, James Dashwood called from the armory. He had everything Bell requested, and the bombs were ready. Bell told him to sit tight. There was no need bringing high explosives into one of the city’s finest hotels just so they could all wait together.
At nine, Zane Grey called from a pay phone on Forty-First Street. The mechanic had finished tuning the boat and he and Grimm were ready. Bell got theAlice N.’s exact location and phoned Dashwood at the armory. He told him to take all their gear to the fishing boat and have Joe Marchetti wait with the men already there. He wanted Dashwood back in the office to ride shotgun with Archie as backup.
Just twenty minutes later came the call Bell dreaded, but which also shot a load of adrenaline through his system like he’d never felt before. Edie Tobin said without preamble, “The ship was spotted ten miles north of Eatons Neck by some oystermen who just got in.”
“What time?”
“Dawn.”
“That’s three hours ago.”
“Like I said, the oystermen just got back into port and dropped a nickel to me.”
Bell realized he wasn’t familiar with the location. “Remind me again where Eatons Neck is.”
“Long Island Sound in Huntington Bay.”
The news rocked Bell back on his heels. For whatever reason he’d always assumed that Rath would arrive in New York through the Verrazano Narrows. It was how shipping traditionally arrived andso he’d never considered any alternatives. Now that he knew the truth, it made some sense. There was far less boat traffic along the northern shores of Long Island, and if he and his men abandoned theSaarlandafter the attack rather than risk being hunted down, there were far fewer witnesses to the north than in the harbor proper. And Lord knew the guns on the battleship had the range to hit just about anywhere in the city from the top of the East River.
“We don’t have much time,” he said to Eddie. “Keep calling in updates as you get them, okay?”
“Will do, boss man.”
All morning, Bell had had secretaries calling in every agent on the books, including hotel detectives and guards not on duty. He needed manpower for the next phase. The bullpen was filled to almost overflowing, and the din of conversation was like a locomotive passing by. Bell climbed up onto one of the desks, placed two fingers in his mouth, and whistled around them so shrilly that the crowd instantly fell silent.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I just heard from Eddie. TheSaarlandwas spotted at dawn in Long Island Sound about forty miles from the East River. They should be within striking distance in another two hours or so. It’s time for you all to head out. Check the sheet by the door for your assignments. Each of you will stay close to one of the likely targets—but not too close in case they get lucky with their first salvo.” That drew a couple of grim chuckles.
“And not too far in case they’re lousy shots,” someone called from the back to more laughter.
Bell continued. “The moment you hear or see anything, call the office and tell us where. That will be James and Archie’s cue to head out and hunt Balka Rath. We have only one chance to get this rightor a lot of innocent people are going to die today. Now let’s go. On the jump.”
Bell took Archie and James Dashwood aside by the door to the outside hallway. “You watch yourselves. Once Hanna points out the correct truck, have her get out with cab fare back here. She doesn’t need to see your takedown if her brother might become a collateral kill.”
“I was already planning on it,” Archie said.
“That’s likely a lie, but I’ll let you get away with it. Good luck and happy hunting.” Bell shook both their hands and dashed out of the office.
The uniformed bellman on duty saw him striding through the lobby and recognized the look on Bell’s face. He didn’t bother holding the door but instead rushed out onto Forty-Second Street with his whistle to hail a taxi. The cab was at the curb just seconds after Bell exited the hotel.
“Thanks, Carmine,” Bell said as he ducked into the back of the idling Ford.
He gave the cabbie the address where theAlice N.was berthed and tried to clear his mind for the short ride. He had his own near-impossible mission to worry about. Archie and James were more than capable enough to deal with Balka Rath. But like any good leader, he hated ordering men into danger that he himself wouldn’t face.
The commercial marina at Fortieth Street was just a handful of slips, mostly small lightering boats to take cargo from wharf to wharf or out to a ship that hadn’t yet gotten a berth. He saw that Grimm had removed his boat’s masts. They both lay on the dock next to the fishing craft. There was no sign of Joe Marchetti or Grimm and Grey. He guessed they were below checking gear. Hepaid the cabbie and gave him an exorbitant tip rather than wait for change and rushed down to theAlice N.
“Ahoy, the boat,” he called as he jumped aboard. “Captain Grimm, we need to leave.”
The three men came up from the lounge.
“They here?” Zane asked.
