# The Andropov File 5

Лев Переводчик Шкловский

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His shirt was ripped open and the big man was

sprawling across his legs so he couldn't move.

Then the knife came down and he felt the pain as the

sharp blade began to shave the skin from his body.

Kadinskov tried to scream, but no sound came.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

"Enough, Yevgeny, for the moment."

151

It was the woman's voice, and now her face was

directly above his. She was smiling, a leering smile.

"Go back in time, Joseph Kadinskov. There is a great

deal we want to know."

Jt was the last village on his route. There were two

small restaurants. While Nina checked them, Carter

scoured around until he found the only phone.

He thought he had it now, not all of it, but enough.

On the drive up the mountains between checking

delivery stops, Nina told Carter every detail of what her

brother had told her over the years.

Some of it Carter remembered himself, but there were

a few details Kadinskov had not mentioned that night in

Finland.

' 'Yes, she was definitely Spanish and the body was

going to Madrid and there was a medallion around

her neck a school or church. It had an engraving on

it ... we eventually translated it. It was from Our Lady

of Sorrows, in Cordona."

It took three tries and a lot of screaming before he

could get through to Mandetti in Rome.

"You found them?"

"I found the woman." Carter replied. "We're look-

ing for her brother now. Listen carefully. I want you to

go through Washington to Madrid the very highest

authority.

g 'I understand.

"There was a woman, young, twenty-two, maybe

twenty-three. She was Spanish, and worked for a

Spanish company or maybe the government in Moscow.

She died in an auto accident, possibly suicide, on or

about February eighth, nineteen eighty-four. Her body

would have been returned to Spain shortly after that.

Her home village was Cordona."


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, mneteen dy

about February et

would have been returned to Spain shortly after that.

Her home village was Cordona."

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NICK CARTER

"Okay, got it all. What do you need?"

"A name, Salvatore, I need a name. I'll contact you

as soon as I can get back to Palermo and the chopper."

He hung up and headed back for the car.

Carter knew that his first duty, now that he had the

key, was to get to Spain. But he couldn't stop now and

leave Nina alone, not until they found her brother.

She was waiting by the car.

' 'He was here about two and a half hours ago." She

shrugged. "This was his last stop, so he is probably

headed back to the house."

"All right. Hop in, let's go!"

Yevgeny emerged from the house using a towel to

wipe the blood from his hands.

"He is dead."

"Anything further?" Anya Chevola asked, flipping

away her cigarette.

"Nothing."

"No matter. We have enough. Get in!"

"The English couple?"

"Leave them. They know nothing that can harm us."

Yevgeny got in the car. Tilkoffstarted the engine, and

roared out of the courtyard and down the twisting road.

They were halfway out Of the mountains when Nina

suddenly cried out, "Wait!"

Carter slammed on the brakes and pulled the car as

far off the narrow road as he could. "What is it?"

' 'This is Wednesday, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Go back to that big Y in the road. On Monday,

Wednesday, and Friday, Joseph makes a special deliv

ery to a young English couple who lease the Dozi villa."

Carter had to maneuver back and forth several times

to get the car turned. Then it was a full five minutes

THE ANDROPOV FILE

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THE ANDROPOV FILE

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back to the fork. He turned off onto the high road, and

about a mile later Nina pointed.

"There, through those big gates."

Carter turned and rolled down the drive into a large,

cobbled courtyard.

' 'Is that Joseph's truck?"

"Yes," she replied with a sigh.

The Killmaster slipped from the car. Just as Nina was

emerging from the passenger side, he heard a soundi a

pounding from above. He looked up to see a man with a

gag in his mouth banging his head against a win-

dowpane.

Instantly. Carter filled his hand with the Luger and

pushed Nina back into the car. "Stay here and stay

He slammed the door and took off at a run across the

courtyard. The front door was ajar. He hit it and rolled.

coming up in a shooting crouch at the foot of a sweep-

ing stairway.

There wasn't a sound on the first floor. The only

sound in the house was the steady pounding coming

from above.

Cautiously, he went up the stairs to the second-floor

hallway. There were three doors on his right, two on the

left, all closed.

He guessed the last door on his right near the front of

the house, and glided forward, keeping his back to the

wall.

The door was locked, and he wasn't going to take the

time to use one of his master keys.

Carter stepped back and aimed a solid kick. It took

three before the lock gave and the door flew open.

Immediately. he assessed the situation. The wife was

bound and gagged, lying on a bed. She was out cold and

the side of her face was turning a nasty blue.

The husband was similarly hog-tied by the wrists and

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NICK CARTER

ankles, and also gagged. From the look of his face h

had taken a bit of a beating before they'd finally sub-

dued him.

Right now his eyes were wild with fear and focused o


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nd thCdoornew

ree

ore

Immediately. he assessed the situation. The wife was

bound and gagged, lying on a bed. She was out cold and

the side of her face was turning a nasty blue.

The husband was similarly hog-tied by the wrists and

154

NICK CARTER

ankles, and also gagged. From the look of his face h

had taken a bit of a beating before they'd finally sub-

dued him.

Right now his eyes were wild with fear and focused o

Carter's gun.

"It's okay," the Kiltmaster said in English, slippin

the Luger into its shoulder rig, "l'm a friendly."

He tensed his right forearm and the stiletto slid int

his hand. In seconds he had cut away the man's gag an

the cord binding his arms and legs.

"Oh, my God, it was frightful just frightful!"

If nothing else, the educated British accent tol

Carter who he was. Before Carter could speak, the man

bolted for his wife.

"Sabrina ."

Carter quickly cut her bonds and gag as her husban

checked her pulse and face.

"Thank God. she's all right."

"What happened ... quick," Carter growled.

"Three of them, a woman and two men. They cam

early this morning wanting to use the phone. They sai

they were lost ."

"That truck outside

"Oh, yes, Vito—he's the fish man. I heard him ar

rive, and then there were terrible screams. It sounded

if they were torturing the poor chap— "

Carter cut him off. "Where, what room?"

"The sitting room in the rear, I believe .. ."

He said more, but Carter didn't hear it. He w

already bolting for the stairs.

One look and he knew it was all over for Josep

Kadinskov. And the poor devil hadn't gone easy.

Behind him in the hall Carter heard the click of heel

He leaped for the windows and ripped one of a pair o

drapes from its rod. He scarcely had the body covere

by the time Nina appeared in the door.

"Nick, what is it? What happened?"


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"Nick, what is it? What happened?"

THE ANDROPOV FILE

155

He moved toward her, shielding the gruesome lump

on the floor from her eyes with his body. But at the last

second she slipped aside.

' 'I'm afraid so, Nina. It's Joseph."

Her mouth opened to scream but no sound emerged.

Suddenly she lurched forward. Carter caught her just

before she reached the body.

Then she did scream, and struggled to break free.

"No, he's not.. w"

"He is, Nina. They killed him."

Then the shock hit and the scream turned into

hysterical laughter.

Carter had seen it happen before, shock becoming

futility.

She stood there and laughed. At first her stomach

moved, rolled, then she gasped. Her laughter rang in the

room, coarse. loud, and she staggered from it.

It was wild, hysterical laughter, and it cut into

Carter's guts.

"Nina

She looked up at him and her eyes filled with tears.

Her mouth gaped like a raw wound and her body shud-

dered.

"Oh, God, God, God," she whispered, unable to

speak aloud.

"Nina, please e"

"Let me go!"

He did, and she lurched to a large, leather-covered

easy chair and sank into it. She sobbed convulsively

then. her shoulders shaking, eyes streaming.

Carter heard a sound and turned. It was the husband.

He stood in the doorway, his eyes on the draped mound

on the floor.

i 'Signore Stillati 2"

' 'Yes," Carter said.

"l'm a doctor. Is there anything I can do?"

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NICK CARTER

"Not for him," Carter said tersely. "This is his sister,

Sophia. Can you give her something?"


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then. her shoulders shaking, eyes streaming.

Carter heard a sound and turned. It was the husband.

He stood in the doorway, his eyes on the draped mound

on the floor.

i 'Signore Stillati 2"

' 'Yes," Carter said.

"l'm a doctor. Is there anything I can do?"

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NICK CARTER

"Not for him," Carter said tersely. "This is his sister,

Sophia. Can you give her something?"

' 'Of course."

He disappeared and was back in no time with a

hypodermic. Nina was still sobbing but she was docile.

your wife all right?"

"Shaken up, bruised," the man replied, sliding the

needle into Nina's arm. "but she'll be all right. What in

God's name is this all about? Some sort of vendetta?"

"You could say that," Carter answered. "Do you

have a phone?"

"Across the hall, on the wall in the kitchen."

Carter found it and dialed the hot-line numbe

Mandetti had given him for Palermo CID.

It was picked up on the first ring. He identifie

himself and quickly relayed the information, giving th

location of the villa. He also identified the killers an

gave the approximate time they had for a head start.

He was fairly sure they had had a plane or a fast boa

ready to ferry them to a safe place in North Africa, bu

it was worth a try.

When he was assured that there would be a team a

the villa in no time, he hung up.

Back in the other room, the wife had arrived. She sa

with Nina, cradling the woman in her arms. Her hus

band was just sliding the drape back over Joseph'

body.

Carter crouched beside him.

"Christ, they butchered him!"

"l know," Carter nodded, flipping his credential

case open. "The authorities will be here very soon. I'v

got to move, fast. Will you and your wife take care o

her until they arrive?"

' 'Of course."

Carter stood and moved to the two women.

"Why?" the wife asked, her arms still around Nin

rocking her.


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rter stoo an moved to the two women.

"Why?" the wife asked, her arms still around Nin

rocking her.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

157

"You really don't want to know." He took Nina's

face in his hand and tilted it up. Her eyes were already

becoming glassy from the injection. "Nina? Nina, it's

me, Nick.' t

She stared in silence.

' 'Nina, can you hear me? Do you understand?"

Slowly the eyes began to focus slightly. "Yes," she

whispered.

"I'm going after them, Nina. You'll be all right."

He didn't know whether she understood or not.

She just stared.

Carter could feel her eyes boring into him as he

walked out of the room.

Now the Andropov file took second place to the

woman and two men.


FIFTEEN

Carter got directions at San Pedro del Arroyo and left

the main highway. In no time the road along the Rio

Adaja became little more than a dirt track.

The land was harsh, mostly barren, and became more

so the higher he climbed. A huge, nearly white full

moon bathed the hills in an eerie glow.

He had moved fast, flying into Madrid and jumping

right into the waiting car. Hopefully he had moved

faster than they had, because he could move openly.

And then he saw the sign. It was four kilometers to

Cordona, about two and a half miles. His headlights

told him it was straight up.

The road was merely a dusty cart path now, with a

wall of rock to his right and a sheer drop-off to his left.

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NICK CARIER

Far below, he heard the waters of Rio Adaja rushing

down the mountain.

Suddenly he reached the of the road and started

down. Another few hundred yards and he slowed. H

could see the lights of the village and, as he drew nearer,

the buildings.

There was the usual plaza. with shops and

bar-cum-café or two. Low houses fanned out from

plaza up the opposite side of the mountain.

A gas station and garage was just ahead. It was

first building before entering the village

Carter pulled in.

' 'Gasolina, porfavor. "

The attendant moved around the car to the pum

and Carter followed. He leaned against the fender whil

the man pumped the gas, and stared off at the village.

White. pink, and blue houses were jammed togeth

on each side of narrow. centuries-old dirt streets. Eac

of them led into the small plaza. The plaza itself

dominated on one side by the cathedral.

'WPorfavor. sehor...

"The cathedral on the plaza. Would that be Our Lad

of Sorrows?"

"No, sehor. Our Lady of Sorrows is the convent, u

there."

Carter followed the man's pointing finger. High ato

the mountain he could see the imposing, rectangu

shape of a large building. A tall cross on its roof st

out starkly against the sky.

S 'How can I get up there?"

The man chuckled. replacing the gas cap. "Wal

senor, up many steps from the plaza. "

Carter gave him a large bill and he moved toward th

THE ANDROPOV FILE

161

station to make change. The Killmaster followed and

leaned over the grease-smeared counter.


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g.A tan cross on

out starkly against the sky.

S 'How can I get up there?"

The man chuckled. replacing the gas cap. "Wal

senor, up many steps from the plaza. "

Carter gave him a large bill and he moved toward th

THE ANDROPOV FILE

161

station to make change. The Killmaster followed and

leaned over the grease-smeared counter.

When the man counted out his change, Carter

reached forward and pushed it back to him.

"Tell me, has anyone else, a stranger, asked about the

convent tonight?"

"No."

Carter added yet another bill from the roll in his

pocket.

"Have you seen or sold gas to any other strangers

tonight?"

"Our village is small, out of the way, seåor. We get

few tourists here.

' 'A blond woman, tall, very beautiful. and two men,

one big, bigger than myself, the other short, pear-

shaped."

"No, senor, no one like that. I would remember. "

have something for a family in your village,

something of value."

/ 'A name, sehor?"

"The family Galadin."

' 'Ah, si, si, "he said, nodding. ' 'Senora Galadin lives

in the small white house just before the gate of Our

Lady of Sorrows. It is on your right as you climb."

"Muchas gracias. "Carter headed for the door.

"Senor ."

He turned. The man was grinning broadly.

"If your friends do come this way, should I tell them

where to find you?"

Carter returned to the counter, and this time peeled

"l would rather you didn't. I want to

off several bills.

surprise them Ennende?"

"Si. I understand, senor."

Carter drove on into the village. He found a tiny

street just off the plaza where several cars were parked,


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Carter drove on into the vülage. He found a tiny

street just off the plaza where several cars were parked,

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NICK CARTER

two wheels pulled up onto the narrow sidewalk, their

fenders nudging the buildings.

He checked the magazine in Wilhelmina, put two

spare clips in his pocket, and slipped a powerful

flashlight into his belt.

With the car locked, he angled back into the plaza

and walked around it until he spotted the stone steps

leading upward.

It was a long climb. Halfway up, he paused and lit a

cigarette. From where he was, he could see all of the vil-

lage, the gas station, and the road he had gone over. He

could also see the same road exit the other end of the vil-

lage.

He climbed again until he reached the end of the

houses. The small white one at the end to his right was

dark.

Carter decided to take a chance. He opened the

whitewashed gate and moved up the stone walk. He rap-

lightly on the door, and then again when there was

no answer.

"What do you want, senor?"

Carter whirled.

He was big, about Carter's size, with narrow hips and

beefy shoulders. A blue workshirt was rolled up tight

over thick biceps, one of which twitched as his fingers

drummed the hilt of a knife at his belt.

' 'I would like to talk to Senor and Senora Galadin."

The big man stepped forward a little, and Carter

could see his face. It was a rugged, handsome, square-

jawed face, with a sensitive mouth under a thick mus-

tache. Carter guessed him to be somewhere in his mid-

twenties. The eyes were fierce, but full of intelligence.

"There is no Senor Galadin. The old man died about

a year ago."

"Then I would like to speak with Senora Galadin."

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"The senora is at her evening prayers. What do you

want?"

The man's black eyes hadn't left Carter's for an in-

stant. He could almost feel the mistrust, or worse,

radiating from them.

"It is a private matter," Carter said, and started to

move around the man.

Suddenly a hand gripped his arm. It was like a vise,

and Carter had no doubt that if he tried to break away

he might get a knife in his ribs.

"Senora Galadin is an old woman, very sad. Why

would you, a stranger, come to our village to see her?

"I want no trouble."

' 'I take care of the old woman. You can tell me."

"I have to give her something," Carter said, gently

sliding his left hand up to his lapel.

Before the other man could move or draw his knife,

the snout of the Luger was under his chin.

"l told you, friend, I want no trouble," Carter

growled. "But I can handle it if it comes. Try and pull

that knife and I'll take off one of your ears."

Slowly the hand dropped from Carter's arm and the

other one moved away from the knife.

The black eyes gleamed. "I think you should leave

our village, senor. Otherwise, you might not see the

dawn."

' 'I want to speak with Senora Galadin about her

daughter. Now, tell me where she is."

' 'Angelina?"

"Yes."

"What of Angelina?" The voice was strangely low,

husky.

"You don't hear very well, friend. "

"Senora Galadin is in the chapel of the convent. She

spends hours there each evening."

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NICK CARTER

"Gracias. " Carter backed off. "Believe me, mean

her no harm."

The Killmaster left him standing there, and walked on

up the hill to the gates. They were old, rusted, and they

yawn


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husky.

"You don't hear very well, friend. "

"Senora Galadin is in the chapel of the convent. She

spends hours there each evening."

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NICK CARTER

"Gracias. " Carter backed off. "Believe me, mean

her no harm."

The Killmaster left him standing there, and walked on

up the hill to the gates. They were old, rusted, and they

yawned open.

He made his way through the gardens, livid with color

in the moonlight. to a pair of massive oak doors with

discolored bronze hinges.

Gently, Carter opened one of the doors and slipped

inside. His rubber-soled shoes made barely a sound as

he stepped across the stone floor and stood in the

shadow of a pillar.

She was a hunched figure in the first pew. Dressed all

in black in the dim church, she could scarcely be seen.

Carter could barely hear her whispering voice as she

prayed.

He stood watching her for several minutes. Then,

when she stood and approached the altar, he moved

back to the door. When he saw her light a candle and

kneel one last time, he slipped out the door.

She emerged a moment later. and Carter fell in step

beside her as she walked toward the gates.

' 'Senora Galadin ?

Silence, not even a glance.

' 'Senora Galadin, J am an American. I would like to

talk to you about your daughter, Angelina."

The woman stopped. Slowly she turned her sad,

wrinkled face and glazed eyes up to him.

"My daughter is dead. "

"Yes, I know. senora. That is what I want to talk to

you about. "

"My son Jesus is dead. My daughter Angelina is

dead, and my husband Roderigo is dead. "

She lowered her head and moved off. Carter caught

up to her.

"Sehora, if r could talk to you, I might be able to ease

your grief."


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THE ANDROPOV FILE

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"Go away."

"But, senora ."

"Go away."

Carter stopped. It was useless and he knew it. The

woman was a shell. Nothing he could say would make

her listen.

He lit a cigarette and looked out over the village and

the roads leading into it.

When would they come? It would probably be in

daylight. They wouldn't want to attract any attention

while they located the grave.

Did they know that he, Carter, knew everything they

did?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Either way, they would take the chance. The reward

was too great.

He crushed the cigarette underfoot and struck off

through the gardens around the huge old convent.

The cemetery was in the rear on a lower level. It was

surrounded by a low stone wall and, even in the

moonlight, he could see that it was well cared for.

He took out the flashlight and adjusted the shaded

lens down to a pinpoint.

It was a small village, consequently a small cemetery,

with each family plot clearly defined. Nevertheless, it

took nearly an hour to find the Galadin plot.

There was one large, black marble stone. Across the

top of it, in large beveled letters, Carter read:

GALADIN.

Underneath to the left and evenly spaced were two

names and the dates: Roderigo, Father: 1922-1985.

And just to the right: Jesus. Beloved Son: 195(M972.

Carter measured the remaining space on the right

with his fingers. There was space for two more names,

but the marble was blank.

"Did you find what you were looking for, senor?"

Carter whirled with the light, coming up out of his

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NICK CARTER

crouch. He was moving his right hand toward the

Luger, when the shaft of light fell across the shotgun.


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names and the dates: Roderigo, a er: 92iLi98 .

And just to the right: Jesus. Beloved Son: 195(M972.

Carter measured the remaining space on the right

with his fingers. There was space for two more names,

but the marble was blank.

"Did you find what you were looking for, senor?"

Carter whirled with the light, coming up out of his

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NICK CARTER

crouch. He was moving his right hand toward the

Luger, when the shaft of light fell across the shotgun.

It was the same tall young man. Only now he wasn't

alone. There were three others. They all had guns, and

they were all as stony-faced and dark-eyed as the first

one.

Carter moved his hands to the side. The three sur-

rounded him instantly. They took the Luger, his wallet,

and his credential case. Eventually, patting him down,

they found the stiletto.

"I'm looking for the grave of Angelina Galadin. She

is not buried here with her father and brother."

"You are an American?"

"Yes," Carter replied, watching the tall man scru-

tinize his credentials with the flashlight.

"Why do you come here looking for the grave o

Angelina Galadin?"

Carter looked at the four suspicious faces, and

returned to their leader.

"Who is asking?"

"My name is Luis Estabel. Angelina was to hav

been my bride. "

The air was heavy with the scent of cigars, musky

Spanish cigarettes, and beer. Somewhere in the rear a

youth strummed a guitar. The café owner, a plumpish

woman with laughing eyes, held court behind the bar.

The three friends, minus their guns now, sat on stool

at the bar. Now and then they glanced at the table in the

corner where Luis Estabel and Carter sat in shadow.

"So, you, too, feel that Angelina's death could n

have been a suicide?"

"I'm sure of it," Carter replied. "I think the Ru

sians involved had her killed because they needed

body, a foreigner's body, that could be shipped out o

the country. "

Estabel winced and lowered his face into his hands


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o y, a oreigner's body, that could be shipped out o

the country. "

Estabel winced and lowered his face into his hands.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

167

Carter remained silent, sipping his beer and Waiting.

When the face came back up, the eyes were alive with

fury. And the face had changed color. Now an angry

thread of crimson had crept under the olive skin.

"And they defiled her body?"

' 'Yes, but that is no matter now, Luis. The impor-

tant thing is that they want to do it again. They want to

come here and do it again."

The young man's brow furrowed, his expression one

of pain, anger, and disbelief. "They would dig her up to

regain this file they want so badly?"

Carter nodded. "Yes, they would." Here the Kill.

master leaned forward and placed his hand on the

younger man's shoulder. "If we let them."

' 'What can we do?"

' 'No, Luis, it's what I can do. But I could use the

help of you and a few of your friends. "

"Anything you want, it is yours. Tell me."

Carter lit a cigarette and slowly told the other man ex-

actly what help he would need. When he finished,

Estabel stood and walked to his friends. He exchanged

only a few words, and all three of them scattered.

Estabel returned to Carter at the table.

' 'The roads into the village will be watched every

minute from now on. "

"Good."

A stout woman, all in black with a bright bloom on

her cheeks and alive, piercing eyes under a head of shin-

ing white hair, entered the café. She paused for only a

moment and came to their table.

"This is my aunt," Estabel explained, rising until the

woman was seated. "Her name is Inez. She will help

us."

Carter leaned toward her. "Seåora," he said, "I want

you, tonight, to move Senora Galadin into your home.

Will you do that?"

"l will do whatever my nephew asks of me. "

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NICK CARTER

"Excellent. I want youto move into Senora Galadin's


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NICK CARTER

"Excellent. I want youto move into Senora Galadin's

house. Some time tomorrow, some people will come

asking for the location of your daughter's grave e"

Carter told her, in detail, how to act and what to say

When he was finished, she rose and left without a word.

Carter turned to Estabel. "Now, Luis, tell me. Whe

is Angelina buried?"

"In a small plot on mountain land I own above my

house. It is not far from the village. I will take yo

there. 'j

They walked out of the village and up into the hills

Estabel's house had two stories and was painted star

white.

He spoke as they passed it. "J built it for Angelina

and myself to live in. 1 live there myself now, with m

sister. "

It was another mile into the hills, and then they cam

to a grassy slope. The plot was small but well tended an

alive with flowers. The marker was large, black granite.

The moment they arrived, Estabel fell to one kn

and crossed himself. Over his shoulder, Carter read:

ANGELINA

BELOVED OF LUis

There were no dates.

It was all clear to Carter now. The death certificat

from Moscow had listed the cause of death as suicide

Angelina Galadin could not be buried in the consecrat

ground of the convent cemetery. Clever bastards

thought Carter angrily. The Russians had counted on a

out-of-the-way burial spot, away from the town.

Finally, Estabel stood and turned to Carter. ' 'Well

senor, have you seen enough?"

Carter looked around the rocky hillside, back at th

path they had climbed, and nodded.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

"it's perfect."

169

$ 'Senor, you have set out this elaborate plan. I have

gotten the others to help. i have agreed to never tell

another person in the world what you have told me.


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oestooa and turned to Cart

senor, have you seen enough?"

Carter looked around the rocky hillside, back at th

path they had climbed, and nodded.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

"it's perfect."

169

$ 'Senor, you have set out this elaborate plan. I have

gotten the others to help. i have agreed to never tell

another person in the world what you have told me.

Now, tell me the end of this elaborate scheme of

yours."

would think, Luis, that you would have figured

that out by now. I'm going to kill them. All three of

them."


SIXTEEN

It was nearly eight o'clock. Already the sun was high

and the small room, high in the convent, was hot.

It was a tiny room, not much larger than a walk-in

closet. A narrow bed took up most of the space. Until

an hour before, one of the nuns had been sleeping in the

She had left quietly, without question, when she was

asked.

It was a small village, the people tightly knit. Those

who didn't know what the tall, dark American was

doing in their village didn't ask.

The American was under the protection of Luis

Estabel.

Carter stood at the open window, a pair of powerful

binoculars to his eyes. Estabel was beside him, smoking.

staring Off into the distance.

171


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staring off into the distance.

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NICK CARTER

"This woman, Nina. What will become of her now?"

Estabel asked.

"I don't know," Carter replied. "She was very close

to her brother. And the way he died He let the last

few words trail off.

"These are very bad people who would do such a

thing to Angelina and to Nina's brother. You will tell

this Nina some day that her brother's death is

it was the tone in the man's voice that made Carter

drop the glasses and turn to stare. Estabel didn't look

over. He just continued to stare down at the village.

"Maybe you should tell her," Carter said.

Estabel smiled. "Perhaps."

For another half hour they stood silently. and then

they saw the car. It was a green Fiat sedan. When it

pulled into the gas station and the woman got out,

Carter had no doubts. Even from that distance her

and the sun glinting off the blond hair identified her.

• 'It's her,' • he growled.

"You are sure?"

"Positive."

"But where are the two men?"

s 'My guess is that they are in a café in the last "illage

down the road. Sheill probably find the grave and then

go back and get them."

Estabel shook his head. "You are a very smart man.

Sehor Nick. It is just as you said. I will send Manuel."

Carter heard his retreat down the stairs as he watched

the woman get back into the car. Just as she hit the

plaza. a youth on a motorcycle roared past her down the

road.

The car stopped at the foot of the stone Steps in the

plaza. and the woman got out. She opened the rear door

and filled her arms mth flowers.

Carter felt a chill as she got far enough up the s

for him to see her face clearly.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

173


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173

Anya Chevola, beautiful in a tailored white linen

summer dress.

He felt like a puppet master pulling her strings as she

moved through the gardens and then out of sight.

By the time Carter was down the hall and at a rear

window, she was in the cemetery. In daylight, it took

her only a few minutes to locate the Galadin family plot.

As she knelt and ran her hand over the stone, Carter

could read her thoughts from the way her face changed.

He knew when she had figured it out. She grabbed the

flowers and headed for the front of the convent. She

was halfway to the gate when Estabel came through it,

carrying a rake over his shoulder.

Carter could almost read their lips.

g 'Porfavor, sehor... "

"l have come to visit the grave of an old friend. but

cannot seem to find it. Could you tell me where in the

village the Galadin family lives?"

"Si, senorita. The Senora Galadin lives right there, in

that white house."

' Gracias. "

She almost ran through the gate and down the few

steps. Inez answered her knock at once.

They spoke, and then the Spanish woman stepped out

into the yard and pointed.

Anya Chevola nodded her thanks and hurried back

to her car. She was through the village in no time and

climbing up the tiny road that led to Estabel's home.

She drove past the lane and on into the hills.

Immediately, Carter knew her intent. She would

navigate around the tiny roads up there where she, the

car, and, much later, her two comrades could park un-

disturbed later that night.

Carter barely heard Luis Estabel's tread on the stairs

and then coming down the hall behind him. A few

seconds later he appeared at Carter's Side.

174

NICK CARTER

The man moved like a cat.

"Where is she? "

' 'Around the other side of the mountain," Cart

answered.

"Scouting?"


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car, and, much later, her two comrades could park un-

disturbed later that night.

Carter barely heard Luis Estabel's tread on the stairs

and then coming down the hall behind him. A few

seconds later he appeared at Carter's Side.

174

NICK CARTER

The man moved like a cat.

"Where is she? "

' 'Around the other side of the mountain," Cart

answered.

"Scouting?"

Carter nodded, keeping the glasses to his eyes. "She'

find a good place to stash the car. and then look for

trail up the mountain to the grave without being see

from the village.

"Manuel rode back to the village of San Lierdo on hi

motorcycle."

"I know. I saw him leave and pass her on the road

Look there she is."

For just an instant she was a white flash against th

sky, the flowers a blaze of color against her dress.

"She will be at the grave now," Estabel said tightly.

' 'Is there any road up there they could use to get out

in case I miss one of them?"

"No, not by car. By car they would have to come

back through the village. From there, if they didn'

come back through the village, they would have to wal

over the mountains. "

"There she is again," Carter growled, "going back t

the car."

"The river is about a hundred yards on that side

They could go that way, if they had a boat waiting."

"Any chance of that?" Carter asked.

Estabel shrugged. "A chance, yes, but slim."

"Have one of your friends check it out anyway. "

"I will do that."

They both fell silent, smoking, waiting, watching.

It was nearly a half hour before they saw the c

round the side of the mountain and head back down

Fifteen minutes later, she was through the village an

gone down the road to San Lierdo.

"That's it!" Carter said. 'SLet's go!"

Together they descended and walked through th


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er they descend and walked through the

THE ANDROPOV FILE

175

gardens to the gates. They passed three sisters of the

convent. The women neither spoke nor looked at them.

At the house of Senora Galadin. they stopped and

knocked. The door was opened at once by Inez, and

they slipped inside.

Without waiting to be asked, the woman spoke. "It

was as you said. She wondered why Angelina's name

was not on the tombstone in the convent cemetery."

"And you told her?"

"Yes," the woman nodded, smiling for the first time

since Carter had met her. "I told her with tears in my

eyes."

Estabel kissed her on both cheeks. "You should be in

the cinema, Tia Inez. She went right to the grave on the

mountain."

"What excuse did she give you, Senora Inez," Carter

asked, "for wanting to visit the grave?"

"She said that she had been a close friend of

Angelina's in Moscow, and since she was visiting in

Spain, she wanted to come to Cordona and pay her

respects. "

Inez puckered her lips, spit in her palm, and rubbed it

on her hip.

"My sentiments exactly," Carter growled. "Estabel,

let's climb the hill!"

For the next half hour they walked the mountain

above and below the grave. Estabel had already found

the place where Anya Chevola would park the car.

Carter had located a niche of high rocks where he could

conceal himself yet still see them at the grave and see the

car.

"This will be perfect."

They moved down the trail to the grave. The flowers

Anya had been carrying now rested on the mound at the

foot of the headstone.

"Bitch," Estabel hissed, and reached for them.

176

NICK CARTER

"No," Carter said. grabbing his arm. "Leave them."

The other man sighed. "Of course. am sorry."

Carter turned and pointed back toward the village.


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at me grave ana see

car.

"This will be perfect."

They moved down the trail to the grave. The flowers

Anya had been carrying now rested on the mound at the

foot of the headstone.

"Bitch," Estabel hissed, and reached for them.

176

NICK CARTER

"No," Carter said. grabbing his arm. "Leave them."

The other man sighed. "Of course. am sorry."

Carter turned and pointed back toward the village.

"Have your friends in two trucks, one on each road ou

Of the village. Tell them to use the flash signal when th

car has passed through. "

Estabel lit a cigarette and stared at the ground in deep

concentration. Carter did the same. The other man ob-

viously had something important to say, and Cart

knew he would say it when he had thought it out.

"Senor Nick "

"Yes?"

"l am like a cat in the night 8"

"No," Carter said.

"There are three of them and only one of you .. i"

"No, my friend," Carter said. resting his hand on th

other man's shoulder.

' •l must do this alone. Believe

me. blood on my hands means nothing. You, and your

friends, must do nothing and say nothing. What you do

not know you cannot answer for.

At last Estabel shrugged. "Very well."

"Now I must find a gully, deep, where I can bury

them. The river will take care of the car."

Suddenly, Estabel turned and faced Carter squarely

a wide grin on his face, his eyes alive with a new light.

6' That will not be necessary ... finding a grave."

"What do you mean?"

The Spaniard turned back to the mound at their feet

He dropped into a crouch and let his hand move in the

air over the grave.

"Why look for a grave, when one is ready-made?"

Carter blinked. "Good God, you mean yo

Estabel interrupted him. "All you have to do, Seno

Nick, is let them dig the grave deep enough before yo


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oennterruptedhimZ"All you have to do,

Nick, is let them dig the grave deep enough before yo

THE ANDROPOV FILE

177

make your move." The dark face was smiling even more

broadly when it again rolled up to face Carter.

The Killmaster spun on his heel and looked across to

the next mountain and the convent of Our Lady of Sor-

rows.

He closed his eyes and visualized the Galadin tomb-

stone in the cemetery. He saw his own hand stretched

out, measuring the space for the names.

When he turned back, Estabel was standing, still smil-

ing.

A slow smile crept across Carter's own lips. "You

mean • • i"

A shrug, and the dark eyes flicked heavenward. "My

Angelina was beautiful, and good. I do not think God

considers her a lost soul. I think He is happy she rests in

His hallowed ground."

A low whistle erupted from Carter's throat. "Who

knows," he asked, "besides yourself?"

"Senora Galadin knows, as well as my sister, my Tia

Inez, and the three you have met. They helped me move

her."

"And the priest?"

"Father Penares is an old man, a very old man. He

has lived his entire life in our little village. He has

known us all from birth. We are like his children and

can do no wrong."

' 'But does he know?"

"In his heart, I think he knows. And as long as the

Another shrug. "But now

name is not on the stone e"

you should sleep, Senor Nick. Tonight will be a long

night and you have much to do."

The two men moved down the hill and turned up the

lane to Estabel's house.

It was a nice house, simple, yet an estate when corn-

pared to others in the village. It was well maintained,

with a red tile roof, and the gardens surrounding it were

178

MCK CARTER

a delightful blaze of color.


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MCK CARTER

a delightful blaze of color.

Seeing it, Carter again thought of Nina. Poor I

Nina.

She would love this house, and this peaceful li

village.

"Senor Nick, one last question," Estabel asked

they entered the square, tiled entry hall.

"Yes?"

6' This thing that the woman and the two men cam

for—it must be very valuable, very important."

"It is, to some people."

Estabel grasped Carter's arm gently, halting him at

the foot of the stairs. ' 'Tell me, Senor Nick, is i

valuable to you?"

Carter did hesitate, though he really didn't need to

He had already thought out the problem and made up

his mind what to do. "No, Luis, it is not important t

me."

The Killmaster turned and walked up the stairs.

Jt would serve no real purpose. he thought. On

safely in Soviet hands, the Andropov file would sooth

a lot of fears. Without it, they would always fear. In

American hands. it would become merely another too

in a silent war that was already top-heavy with mea

ingless tools.

No, he thought, stretching out on the bed, it was bet

ter to let Angelina Galadin rest in peace.


SEVENTEEN

Carter cupped the bright tip of his cigarette and in•

haled deeply. For the hundredth time since sliding down

into the rocky crevice, he shifted positions to ease stif-

fening muscles.

A cloud cover had moved in since dusk, but it didn't

smell like rain. Now and then there would be a break in

the clouds and the moon would burst through for a few

seconds.

Mostly it was gray, an eerie half-night light.

He checked his watch. It was nearly two in the morn-

ing. Below him, the village was completely dark. On

the opposite mountain, one window was dimly lit on the

second floor. Now and then from the window on the

third floor, where they had stood that morning, he

could see the glow of a cigarette.

180

179

NICK CARTER


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NICK CARTER

That would be Estabel.

Suddenly the cigarette arced from the window and fell

into the gardens. A second later Carter saw a pinpoint

light from the flash, and then another.

They were coming.

Carter shifted his gaze to the road leading up from the

village.

It didn't take long.

They were moving at a snail's pace in the dim glow of

amber fog lights. Carter watched the lights until they

disappeared. Then he followed them by the sound of

their engine.

When the engine died. he moved just enough to see

the trail up from the rear road. At the same time, all he

had to do was swivel his head slightly and he had a com-

plete view of the gravesite.

It was another five minutes before he saw them, all

three of them, with the woman in the lead.

They were ail wearing dark clothing. Anya Chevola

had wrapped a dark scarf around her head to hide the

glow of her honey-colored hair.

They passed within ten feet of where Carter lay con-

cealed in the rocks, and dropped down to the level of the

grave. They were clearly outlined now, and Carter could

see that the two men carried shovels. The bigger one

also had a pickax.

The woman spoke. "When you have it, fill the grave

back in completely. Be sure there is no trace. I want it to

be just as though we were never here.'

' 'Da. Comrade Major."

"l will move the car back to the curve and watch the

road from there. Work fast!"

' 'Da, Comrade Major."

Major Anya Chevola moved back and down the trail.

Even before the sound of her footsteps died out in the

night, the two men had started digging. The larger one

attacked the mound with a vengeance. The short, fat

THE ANDROPOV FILE

one grunted from the exertion.

181


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a rom ere. or ast!'

' 'Da, Comrade Major."

Major Anya Chevola moved back and down the trail.

Even before the sound of her footsteps died out in the

night, the two men had started digging. The larger one

attacked the mound with a vengeance. The short, fat

THE ANDROPOV FILE

one grunted from the exertion.

181

With every muscle in his body tense, Carter waited.

Everything was ready. The silencer was securely at.

tached to the muzzle of the Luger. The stiletto was in its

chamois sheath on his right forearm. and the snap on

the piano-wire garrote at his belt was loose.

Now it was only waiting.

The flowers had been carefully removed to the side.

The two mounds of dirt at each end of the grave slowly

grew. Eventually the men stood in the hole up to their

hips. Now it was too small for both of them to work ef-

ficiently. They began to dig in shifts, the smaller man

shirking, the bigger man complaining.

The woman returned.

"How much longer?"

"Two, maybe three feet, Comrade Major."

"Faster!" she hissed. "Work faster!"

"Da, Comrade Major."

The woman went back down the hill.

Carter began to sweat. More and more of the big man

had disappeared into the hole.

He would have to move soon. The question was,

which way?

Carter was about to slide backward down the rocks

and go down the trail to take the woman, when the

break came.

"Yevgeny • • e"

"l have to piss."

"Then piss. The time it takes will be no loss. You use

a shovel like an old man dying."

The fat one whined something Carter couldn't make

out, and moved off through the rocks.

Silently, Carter slithered backward from his hiding

place and dropped to the soft earth between two huge

rocks.

He holstered the Luger and swiftly but quietly moved


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rocks.

He holstered the Luger and swiftly but quietly moved

182

NICK CARTER

in a wide arc around the rocks until he was below the

grave.

It wasn't difficult. He located the man by the sound

of his stream.

And then he saw him, his head and shoulders

silhouetted against the sky. Directly behind him there

was an alley between the rocks. Carter moved into it,

flipping the stiletto into his hand.

The crepe soles of his shoes made no sound as he

moved.

Five feet... three feet one foot

The Killmaster's left arm went around the other

man's throat. He jerked the head back and brought the

pencil-thin blade up in a sure, violent thrust.

The blade entered dead center in the throat. It severed

the windpipe and entered the brain.

There was no more than a low gurgle in the dead

man's throat as he slipped to the ground.

Carter pulled the stiletto free and wiped it on the

man's pants. Then he peeled off the coat and pulled it

on over his own shoulders. The narrow-brimmed hat he

placed on his head, and made his way silently back to

the gravesite.

The one called Yevgeny was up to his shoulders now

in the grave, and cursing. He barely glanced up over the

rim of the hole when Carter emerged from the rocks.

"How deep do they plant them in Spain?" he

growled. g 'I must be down at least six feet, and still

nothing!"

Carter held the Luger down at his side as he moved

over the open ground. He didn't bring it up until he was

at the foot of the grave.

It must have been the second sight, the pure instinct

Of the trained agent, that made Yevgeny look up at th

last instant.

He made no sound but swung the shovel in an arcing

blow at Carter's middle.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

183

The Killmaster kicked the shovel to the side with his


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THE ANDROPOV FILE

183

ne Killmaster kicked the shovel to the side with his

left foot and shot the man square in the face.

The big man's arms went wide with and he fell

back into the grave.

But Carter didn't stop.

He dropped to one knee, leveled the Luger on the

man's chest, and emptied the clip.

"For Joseph. you son of a bitch," he whispered.

When the hammer clicked on empty, he ejected the

clip and dropped it into the grave. As he scrambled

down the trail he put in a fresh clip and jacked a shell

into the chamber.

It was nearly a hundred yards down, and the trail was

winding. The car was to the left as he hit the bottom. He

could see the woman clearly in the driver's seat. A

cigarette was in her left hand. She jabbed the cigarette in

and out Of her lips as she drummed on the steering wheel

with the fingers of her right hand.

Carter hunched down in the coat as much as he could,

and walked directly for the car. Again he held the Luger

in his right hand just behind his hip.

Closer and closer he came.

Just then, a sliver of moon peeked from behind the

clouds. It streamed downy white across the windshield.

' 'Tilkoff, have you finished? Do you have it?"

Carter kept his eyes on her face, on her eyes in the

moonlight. Her lips were a tight slash of red with a rim

of white around them.

She was beautiful.

He wondered how such a beautiful person on the out-

side could be so rotten on the inside.

And then she knew.

She hit the starter and first gear at the same time. The

engine roared and the car bucked forward, its rear

wheels spinning on the soft, dusty track.

Just as the wheels caught, Carter fired. The slug hit

the windshield, shattering it.

184

NICK CARTER

But he had seen her duck, and knew that he'd missed.

He leaped to the side among the rocks and, as the car

sped past, emptied the clip into the rest of the windows.

Unable to see, she lost control at the curve. The right

fender hit the sheer rock. sending th


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e car bucked' forward'its rea

eng ne roa

an

wheels spinning on the soft, dusty track.

Just as the wheels caught, Carter fired. The slug hit

the windshield, shattering it.

184

NICK CARTER

But he had seen her duck, and knew that he'd missed.

He leaped to the side among the rocks and, as the car

sped past, emptied the clip into the rest of the windows.

Unable to see, she lost control at the curve. The right

fender hit the sheer rock, sending the car careening to

the left.

When it hit a tree full on, Carter was already running

for it, jamming his last full clip into the Luger's butt.

He was still thirty yards away when Anya rolled out

the passenger side.

The Killmaster saw two things at the same time: her

battered, bloody face where it had collided with the

steering wheel or the shattered windshield, and the

automatic in her hand.

She fired twice just as Carter rolled to his right into

the dirt. The slugs screamed off the rock wall behind

him, and he got off one shot that went wild before she

was up and running.

Neither of them said a word. There was no need for

words.

At the last minute. sitting in the car, she had seen

Carter's face beneath the hat brim.

She knew that he meant to kill her.

Carter ran after her. She was heading toward the

river. There was no use trying another shot. There were

too many rocks and trees, and she constantly darted

behind them as she ran.

Then she was gone momentarily. Carter heard the

rushing water, then saw the river. The moon was com-

pletely out from behind the clouds now. He slowed.

There was no sound, but he sensed that she was just

ahead of him, very near.

Then he saw her.

"It's over, Anya."

She turned and looked directly at Carter.

She was standing on the riverbank, grasping a low

waving branch. Other leafy branches tumbled over her

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t er eafy branches tumbled over her

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185

shoulders as she half crouched, watching first Carter,

then the rushing waters below.

"It's no good," Carter hissed. "You, wouldn't get a

hundred yards in that current."

Her hand came up from her side, holding the gun.

Her green eyes were filled with fear, and they fastened

on the Luger in Carter's hand.

"l should have killed you," she rasped. Her voice was

a hoarse whisper, and there was something of bright

satisfaction in it, of oddly unpleasant, wild relief.

"Shoot, Anya," Carter said. "Because, if you don't,

I will."

She fired, and the slug ripped bark from a tree just

above Carter's shoulder.

The Luger made a soft popping sound in his own

hand, and she fell to her knees.

She had both hands on the gun pressed to the

spreading crimson stain.

She looked up, her eyes wide. "You did it," she said

through sagging lips.

With an effort, she tried to raise the gun.

It was useless.

'*Good-bye, Major," Carter said, and fired twice

more."

Carter was patting the ground solid over the grave

when Luis Estabel climbed the hill and joined him.

"It is a pleasant night."

"It is now," Carter said, dropping the shovel, "Did

anyone hear the shots? "

"Perhaps," the young man shrugged. "No matter."

I 'The car?" Carter asked.

"In the river. It will never be found. You will go

now?"

"Yes."

Carter took a folded slip of paper from his pocket

and handed it to Estabel. On it was a crude map show-

186

NICK CARTER

ing the way from Palermo up into the hills, and a sm

house with a garden in the rear.

"She lives under the name of Sophia Stillati. thin


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' 'The car?" Carter ask

"In the river. It will never be found. You will go

now?"

"Yes."

Carter took a folded slip of paper from his pocket

and handed it to Estabel. On it was a crude map show-

186

NICK CARTER

ing the way from Palermo up into the hills, and a sm

house with a garden in the rear.

"She lives under the name of Sophia Stillati. I thin

you can tell her much better than I."

Estabel pocketed the paper without speaking. H

opened his arms, and the two men embraced.

"Will we ever see you again?" the young man mur

mured.

"No," Carter said. "It's better. All the dead can res

in peace now, and the living can get on with living. "

"Go with God, my friend. "

"Would that I could, Luis. Would that I could.

He walked down the hill and found his car. Acro

the plaza, he parked and climbed up the long flight o

stone steps and through the gates.

It wasn't really necessary, but he wanted one mor

look.

It was almost dawn now, with the grayness giving th

stones an eerie yet somehow peaceful glow.

He didn't stay long, a moment at most. And on th

way back, a stooped, black-clad figure stepped from th

shadows of the trees to block his way.

"Sehor .. .i'

' 'Senora Galadin.

Her gnarled hands tugged at his face as she lifted he

frail body to her toes.

"Gracias, senor. Muchas gracias. "

She kissed him on both cheeks, and, without anothe

word, turned and faded back into the shadows.