第18节

Thanks. It helped a lot."

'Is there any chance of you heading this way?"

'Can't say. We're warming up with a home state supply run. After that

I'm not sure what they've got lined up for us. The hire-wire from

CINC-TRAIN in charge of the welcome-back party hinted we might be given

another special assignment."

Mary-Ann looked concerned. 'Oh, gosh, I hope it's not -I' Hartmann cut

in. 'Honey - we just have to take what comes." He smiled. 'You're

looking great. This picture quality's very good."

'It is now it's tuned in properly. VID-COMM had no end of problems

trying to set up the link with Santa Fe."

'How long have you been online?"

'Not long." Mary-Ann smiled back at him. 'You're the first personal

call I've had. Up to now they've either been test transmissions from

VID-COMM or from HQ-PDIV.

How did you get my number?"

'Through a friend. Amazing as it seems, I still have a few."

I'm one of them."

'Oh, you're more than just a friend. You're something special Let's

hope the next time we meet there won't be a piece of glass and an ocean

of red grass between us."

Mary-Ann smiled wistfully as she recalled the comfortable intimacy of

their past encounters. 'Amen to that."

Then, on a more cheerful note she added: 'I'm so pleased for you,

Bill.

Every night I've prayed that somebody somewhere along the line would

have the good sense to realize you were innocent."

'Well, as you can see, your prayers have been answered..."

'And not only that, you're back in charge of The Lady.

How does it feel?"

'Like coming back from the dead,' said Hartmann.

Wallis and Malone rose from their chairs as Commander-General Karlstrom

entered his wood-panelled office. As the metal door of his personal

elevator closed behind him, a matching section of wood descended over

it, sealing it from view. Karlstrom skirted his desk and advanced,

right hand extended.

As senior operatives, holding the military rank of Commander, Wallis

and Malone had earned the right to warm handshakes and use of their

given names in meetings with the Operational Director. This relaxed

atmosphere (enjoyed by everyone with more than four years successful

service) did not permit them to address Karlstrom as 'Ben', but they

weren't required to include the word 'sir' every time they spoke, and

there was none of the jumping to attention or parade ground saluting

required from wet-backs fresh out of Rio Lobo.

'Don..."

'Morning, sir..."

Karlstrom turned to greet Malone. 'Matt! Glad you could make it.

Hope it wasn't a problem calling you in at such short notice."

'No, sir. I managed to cover it. Took off with four of the boys to

check our southern flank." He smiled. 'With so much air activity in

our sector, I thought we might have a wagon-train on our trail.

Provided I'm back by dawn tomorrow, there shouldn't be any problem."

'We've got enough as it is,' said Karlstrom. 'This particular

operation has become so complex I felt we should talk it over face to

face." Karlstrom waved them into their seats and settled into the

high-backed chair behind his desk. 'Don, uhh, before you give us your

sit-rep, where is Mr Brickman at this moment in time?"

'Still on the wagon-train, awaiting the outcome of this meeting. If he

gets a green on the.next phase of the operation he intends to head west

with his three horses towards the junction of the North and South

Platte Rivers in the hope of catching up with Cadillac and, uhh... ?"

Wallis' eyes questioned Malone.

'Don't worry, I'll be there. I don't know how good he is at following

trails but I reckon it'll take him at least four days. Karlstrom

nodded, then turned back to Wallis.

'Run us through what happened on the train."

'From when Brickman first came on the air?"

'Yes. I want Matt to have the whole picture so that he knows exactly

what we're up against."

Malone look