Congreve raised his head. The man they called Doctor was still there, off to one side, putting a hypodermic into a red leather case. The doctor had asked him a lot of questions. But, hadn’t hurt him, oddly enough. He supposed that was coming now.
He’d been out, but now he returned to consciousness as easily and fully as if he’d been having a refreshing catnap. He tried to imagine what kind of amphetamine cocktail produced such startling clarity of thought? He was restrained to a kind of chaise-longue, made of bamboo but covered in some soft leather upholstery.
Top bent over him, looking into his eyes with a kindly solicitude that was mildly disconcerting.
“I’ve been reading your copy of the Code,” Top said, pulling up a chair from somewhere. “Fascinating.”
“Isn’t it,” Ambrose said, reclining his head and studying a piece of Brazilian folk art hanging on the wall. A face, with wildly distorted eyes. It was the only piece of art in the room.
“Dr. Khan says you’re not being very cooperative.”
“Where am I?”
“A reasonable question. You’re in the Black Jungle.”
“Those two by the door. Robots?”
“You’ve been reading too much science fiction, Inspector. Tell me. Where is Hawke now?”
“No idea.”
“You know what this is?”
“Voodoo doll.”
“Yes. But the needles don’t go in the doll.”
“Get that away from me.”
“This will hurt.”
“Good God.”
A searing pain starting at his foot rose the length of his leg and causing his major muscles to spasm.
“Next question. We’ll take it slowly, no more pinpricks or superficial burns. When you stole the book from the hospital, were you able to finish it? I promised your predecessor in this room, the late Madame Zimmermann, I’d ask.”
“No.”
“Safe answer. How far did you get in the book?”
“Far enough, you bloody maniac.”
“Now, now. That’s going to cost you. The doctor and I were happy to see you arrive. This way, we’ll know who to expect and when. And, if we need to make any last minute adjustments to our…plans. You see? Where is Hawke now? Where did he go after Key West?”
“Sod off.”
“There’s a special nerve here, just below the septum of the nose. Feel that?”
“Definitely.”
“Hawke’s vessel was picked up by our aerial drones patrolling off the north coast of Cuba. He outran two of our high-speed patrol boats. He was last seen headed south, southwest. I repeat the question, where is Hawke now?”
“Bugger yourself, Muhammad. That’s your style, is it not?”
“Doctor? Sorry, would you bring your bag over here? Thank you. Doctor Khan is an engineer but he also dabbles in human anatomy. He is here to ensure that you undergo the worst possible pain, consistent with your remaining alive until your public execution at sundown tomorrow. It will be an interesting challenge to his skills… and your fortitude.”
“There’s really nothing else I can say.”
“He’s a brave one, isn’t he Doctor? A sip of whisky, Inspector? Here, hold your head up. That’s it.”
“Good stuff. Macallan, with a bit of an aftertaste. What’d you put in it?”
“I ask the questions. I’m sure you’re accustomed to outwitting your opponents. That will not be the case tonight. I will ignore your promises as well as your pleas, so don’t waste your breath or my time. Now. Once you acquired this book from the Germans, you acquired certain knowledge. How much of this did you impart to your friend Hawke before we had you arrested?”
“Ah. I told him enough.”
“Doctor?”
“Oh, lord. Oh, god.”
“Tell me. Now!”
“He’s passed out,” Khan said, “let me revive him.”
“Welcome back,” Top said, “Let us continue. How much does Hawke know? Tell me now.”
“We’re losing him again. Hold this under his nose.”
“There are twelve major bones in your body, Congreve. It will be a delicate task to break each one in ascending order of importance, starting with this one. Ready? You may begin, Doctor.”
There was a loud crack and Congreve heaved upward, tearing at his restraints.
“Please, God…”
“Will you talk now?”
“Some kind of—some kind of attack on Washington…”
“Does Hawke know?”
“No.”
“DOES HAWKE KNOW?”
“Y-yes. I mean, no. He doesn’t. I—please God.”
“One more, if you please, Doctor? After the bones are broken, the doctor will inject you with a solution that cause you to go into convulsions. It will be…difficult for you.”
“NO! Please…”
“Does Alex Hawke know the primary target?”
“The…president.”
“Who else?”
“Government.”
“And when will this attack occur?”
“I don’t know.”
“I said when.”
“The…pro—the procession to the Capitol.”
“What about Bedouin?”
“Unmanned submarine. Inside the Tidal Basin.”
“Weapon?”
“Small nuclear device. 150 kiloton.”
Papa Top looked at Khan and nodded. The doctor lifted Congreve’s right hand and bent the fingers backward at an acute angle.
“How much of this does Hawke know?”
“All of it. None of it. Choose.”
“I repeat. How…much of this…does Hawke know? Hmm? How much?”
“Go fuck yourself.”
“Very good, Inspector. I think that will be all for tonight, unless the doctor has any further questions? No? Good. We’ll see you in the morning? Don’t try to sleep by the way. It will be useless given what’s in your veins.”
“Wait!”
“There’s more?”
“There’s a woman. In England. I want to say good-bye. Please. Pen and paper. While I can still write…”
Top stared down at him for a few seconds, then looked at Doctor Khan before answering him.
“The doctor says ‘no.’ He doesn’t believe you’re telling the truth about Hawke. I will ask once more. Did you communicate with your friend Alex Hawke after you’d decoded the letter in its entirety?”
