“There’s nothing to understand but the factsMy...
“There’s nothing to understand but the factsMy allusions are compulsive attempts at false
eruditionIt’s called posttraumatic stress
“Of course, now you’re perfectly clear
Panov turned to the DCI with a nervous smile“It’s my turn to be sorry, PeterThis last day or so hasn’t exactly been representative of my normal life-style
“I don’t think it’s anybody’s,” concurred Holland“I’ve seen my share of rotten stuff, but
nothing like this, nothing that tampers with the mind
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“There’s no hurry, Mo,” added Conklin“Don’t press yourself; you’ve taken a lot of
punishmentIf you like, we can postpone the white ceramic chanel watch briefing for a few hours so you can rest, calm down
“Don’t be a damn fool, Alex!” protested the psychiatrist sharply“For the second time I’ve put
David’s life in jeopardyThe knowledge of that is far worse punishmentThere’s not a minute to
loseForget Langley, PeterTake me to one of your clinicsFree-floating, I want to get out
everything I can recall, consciously or unconsciouslyI’ll tell the doctors what to do
“You’ve got to be joking,” said Holland, staring at Panov
“I’m not joking for an instantYou both have to know what I know—whether I realize I know it
or notCan’t you understand that?”
The director again reached for the telephone and chanel costume jewelry pressed a single buttonIn the front seat,
beyond the glass partition, the driver picked up the phone recessed in the seat beside him“There’s
been a change of plans,” said Holland“Head for Sterile Five
The limousine slowed down, and at the next intersection turned right toward the rolling hills and
verdant fields of the Virginia hunt countryMorris Panov closed his eyes, as if in a trance or as a
man might do facing some appalling ordeal—his own execution perhapsAlex looked at Peter
Holland; they both glanced at Mo, then back at each otherWhatever Panov was doing, there was a
reason for itUntil they reached the gates of the estate that was omega aqua terra watch Sterile House Five thirty minutes
later, no one spoke
“DCI and company,” announced the driver to the guard wearing the uniform of a private
security firm, in reality a CIA proprietaryThe limousine proceeded down the long tree-lined
entrance
“Thanks,” said Mo, opening his eyes and blinking“As I’m sure you gathered, I’m trying to
clear my head and with any luck bring down my blood pressure
“You don’t have to do this,” insisted Holland
“Yes, I do,” said Panov“Maybe with time I could piece things together with a degree of clarity,
but I can’t now and we don’t have the time Mo turned to Conklin“How much can you tell me?”
“Peter knows gucci taske everythingFor the sake of that blood pressure of yours, I won’t fill you in on all
the details, but the bottom line is that David’s all rightAt least we haven’t heard otherwise
“Marie? The children?”
“On the island,” replied Alex, avoiding Holland’s eyes
“What about this Sterile Five?” asked Panov, now looking at Holland“I assume there’s a
specialist, or specialists, the kind I need
“In relays and around the clockYou probably know a few of them The long dark vehicle swung around the circular drive and stopped in front of
the stone steps of the pillared Georgian mansion that was the focal point of the estate“Let’s go,”
said Mo quietly, stepping vintage chanel jewelry out