Deception Point Page 41

Making the raging river of air even more unnerving to Tolland was the s cleared downwind grade of the shabu shelf. The ice was sloped ever so slightly toward the ocean, two miles remote. Despite the sharp spikes on the Pitbull Rapido crampons attached to his boots, Tolland had the uneasy feeling that any misstep might set forth him caught up in a gale and sliding down the endless icy slope. Norah Mangors two-minute course in glacier safety now seemed vulnerablely inadequate.Piranha Ice ax, Norah had said, mend a lightweight T-shaped tool to each of their belts as they suited up in the habisphere. Standard blade, banana blade, semitubular blade, hammer, and adze. All you need to remember is, if anyone 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 Mangor had affixed YAK belay harnesses to each of them. They all donned gogg les, and headed out into the afternoon sliminess.Now, the four figures made their way down the glacier in a straight line with ten yards of belay rope separating each of them. Norah was in the incline position, followed by Corky, 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 some kind of uncoordinated space traveler trekking across a distant planet. The moon had disappeared behind thick, billowing storm clouds, plunging the ice sheet into an impenetrable blackness. The katabatic wind seemed to be getting stronger by the minute, applying a unalterable pressure to Tollands back. As his eyes strained through his goggles to make out the expansive emptiness around them, he began to perceive a dependable danger in this place. Redundant NASA safety precautions or not, Tolland was surprised the administrator had been allowing to risk four lives out here instead of t wo. Especially when the redundant two lives were that of a senators daughter and a famous 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 around him.Stay behind me, Norah shouted, her voice swallowed by the wind. Let the sled lead the way.The aluminum sled on which Norah was transporting her examen gear resembled an oversized Flexible 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 combusts, 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. plane 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 t he distance growing between the group and the habisphere, Tolland looked over his shoulder. Only fifty yards away, the pale curvature of the dome had all however disappeared in the blustering(a) blackness.You at all worried about finding 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 illuminated the ice shelf in a ten-yard radius all around them. Norah used her heel to savvy 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.Bread 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 the glacier-into the darkness once again.47Gabrielle Ashe stormed out of Marjorie tench s 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 damn well they were real. They had been taken in Senator sextons office and seemed to have been shot from above 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 scatter 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 senior adviser actually looked like she was having a good time. Im hoping they persuade you that our other data is hi-fi as well. They came from the same source.Gabrielle felt her entire body flushing as she marched down the hall. Where the hell is the exit?Tenchs gangly legs had no trouble keeping up. Senator Sexton swore to the population that you two are platonic associates. His televised statement was actually quite convincing. Tench motioned smugly over her shoulder. In fact, I have a tape in my office if youd like to refresh 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 worldly concern 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 coming from you.Gabrielle was stunned. You really think Im going to help lynch my own expectation?Tenchs face hardened. I am trying to take the high ground here, Gabrielle. Im giving you a chance to save everyone a lot of embarrassment by holding yo ur head high and telling the truth. All I need is a signed statement admitting your affair.Gabrielle stopped short. WhatOf course. A signed statement gives us the leverage we need to deal with the senator quietly, sparing the country 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 angry now. Senator Sexton is going down one way or another, Gabrielle, and Im offering you a chance to get out of this without visual perception your own naked ass in the morning paper The President is a decent man and doesnt want these photos publicized. If you just give me an affidavit and admit to the affair on your own terms, then all of us can retain a little dignity.Im not for sale.Well, your candidate certainly is. Hes a dangerous man, and hes b reaking the law.Hes breaking the law? Youre the ones breaking into offices and taking illegal surveillance 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 security 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 ascertain fast, Ms. Ashe, Tench said as they neared the exit. Either bring 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 idly by and let Sexton lie about your relationship, youll go down in flames right beside him.