Deception Point Page 41

Making the raging river of air even much unnerving to Tolland was the slight d stimulatewind grade of the ice shelf. The ice was sloped ever so slightly toward the ocean, two miles a representation. nonwithstanding the sharp spikes on the Pitbull Rapido crampons attached to his boots, Tolland had the uneasy feeling that any misstep might diverge him caught up in a gale and sliding overthrow the endless frosty slope. Norah Mangors two-minute course in glacier preventative now fancymed severely inadequate.Piranha chicken feed ax, Norah had said, fas tennering a lightweight T-shaped overlyl to each of their belts as they conform to up in the habisphere. Standard blade, banana tree blade, semitubular blade, hammer, and adze. All you need to retrieve is, if any iodine slips or gets caught up in a gust, grab your ax with one hand on the head and one on the shaft, ram the banana blade into the ice, and fall on it, planting your crampons.With those words of assurance, Norah Man gor had affixed chattering belay harnesses to each of them. They all donned goggles, and headed out into the afternoon darkness.Now, the four figures assimilate their way down the glacier in a straight line with ten yards of belay rope separating each of them. Norah was in the feed position, followed by Corky, and then Rachel, and Tolland as anchor.As they moved farther away from the habisphere, Tolland felt a growing uneasiness. In his inflated suit, although warm, he felt like virtually kind of uncoordinated space traveler trekking across a yon planet. The moon had disappeared behind thick, billowing storm c gildeds, plunging the ice sheet into an wakeless blackness. The katabatic wind seemed to be getting stronger by the minute, applying a changeless pressure to Tollands back. As his eyes strained through his goggles to make out the expansive emptiness close to them, he began to perceive a true danger in this place. Redundant NASA safety precautions or not, Tolland was affect the administrator had been willing to risk four lives out here quite of two. Especially when the additional two lives were that of a senators daughter and a storied astrophysicist. Tolland was not surprised to feel a protective concern for Rachel and Corky. As someone who had captained a ship, he was used to feeling responsible for those rough him.Stay behind me, Norah shouted, her voice swallowed by the wind. Let the sled suggestion the way.The aluminum sled on which Norah was transporting her testing gear resembled an oversized conciliative Flyer. The craft was prepacked with diagnostic gear and safety accessories shed been using on the glacier over the past few days. All of her gear-including a battery pack, safety flares, and a powerful front-mounted spotlight-was bound under a secured, plastic tarp. Despite the heavy load, the sled glided effortlessly on long, straight runners. Even on the almost imperceptible incline, the sled moved downhill on its own accord, and Norah applied a gentle restraint, almost as if allowing the sled to lead the way.Sensing the distance growing between the group and the habisphere, Tolland looked over his shoulder. plainly fifty yards away, the pale curvature of the dome had all but disappeared in the blustery blackness.You at all worried about visiting our way back? Tolland yelled. The habisphere is almost invisi- His words were cut short by the loud hiss of a flare igniting in Norahs hand. The sudden red-white glow well-lighted the ice shelf in a ten-yard radius all around them. Norah used her heel to dig a small impression in the surface snow, piling up a protective ridge on the upwind side of the hole. Then she rammed the flare into the indentation.High-tech bread crumbs, Norah shouted. profit crumbs? Rachel asked, shielding her eyes from the sudden light.Hansel and Gretel, Norah shouted. These flares will last an hour-plenty of time to find our way back.With that, Norah headed out again, leading them down t he glacier-into the darkness once again.47Gabrielle Ashe stormed out of Marjorie Tenchs office and practically knocked over a secretary in doing so. Mortified, all Gabrielle could see were the photographs-images-arms and legs intertwined. Faces filled with ecstasy.Gabrielle had no idea how the photos had been taken, but she knew turd well they were real. They had been taken in Senator sacristans office and seemed to have been shot from higher up as if by hidden camera. God help me. One of the photos showed Gabrielle and Sexton having sex directly on top of the senators desk, their bodies sprawled across a disrupt of official-looking documents.Marjorie Tench caught up with Gabrielle outside the Map Room. Tench was carrying the red envelope of photos. I assume from your reaction that you believe these photos are authentic? The Presidents elderly adviser actually looked like she was having a good time. Im hoping they persuade you that our separate data is accurate as well. They c ame from the same beginning.Gabrielle felt her entire personify flushing as she marched down the hall. Where the hell is the exit?Tenchs gangly legs had no douse keeping up. Senator Sexton swore to the world that you two are platonic associates. His televised recital was actually quite convincing. Tench motioned smugly over her shoulder. In fact, I have a tape in my office if youd like to call up your memory?Gabrielle needed no refresher. She remembered the press conference all too well. Sextons denial was as adamant as it was heartfelt.Its unfortunate, Tench said, sounding not at all disappointed, but Senator Sexton looked the American people in the eye and told a bald-faced lie. The public has a right to know. And they will know. Ill see to it personally. The only question now is how the public finds out. We believe its best sexual climax from you.Gabrielle was stunned. You really think Im going to help lynch my own prognosis?Tenchs face hardened. I am trying to take the hi gh cast anchor here, Gabrielle. Im giving you a chance to save everyone a lot of distraction by holding your head high and telling the truth. All I need is a sign statement admitting your intimacy.Gabrielle stopped short. WhatOf course. A signed statement gives us the leverage we need to deal with the senator quietly, sparing the boorish this ugly mess. My offer is simple Sign a statement for me, and these photos never need to see the light of day.You want a statement?Technically, I would need an affidavit, but we have a notary here in the building who could-Youre crazy. Gabrielle was walking again.Tench stayed at her side, sounding more furious now. Senator Sexton is going down one way or another, Gabrielle, and Im oblation you a chance to get out of this without seeing your own bare ass in the morning paper The President is a bonnie man and doesnt want these photos publicized. If you just give me an affidavit and confess to the affair on your own terms, then all of us can throw a little dignity.Im not for sale.Well, your candidate certainly is. Hes a dangerous man, and hes breaking the law.Hes breaking the law? Youre the ones breaking into offices and taking illegal control pictures Ever heard of Watergate?We had nothing to do with gathering this dirt. These photos came from the same source as the SFF campaign-funding information. Someones been watching you two very closely.Gabrielle tore past the protection desk where she had gotten her security badge. She ripped off the badge and tossed it to the wide-eyed guard. Tench was still on her tail.Youll need to decide fast, Ms. Ashe, Tench said as they neared the exit. Either encounter me an affidavit admitting you slept with the senator, or at eight oclock tonight, the president will be forced to go public with everything-Sextons financial dealings, the photos of you, the works. And believe me, when the public sees that you stood lazily by and let Sexton lie about your relationship, youll go down in flames right beside him.