西利探长说：“这个公司过去表面上一直经营石油、建材、以及日用百货的进出口生意，暗地里有时也涉及一些黑道活动。最近一个时期，他们又开展了‘生命隧道’的业务，说是可以使人返老还童。不过，一般有理性的人是不会相信那些无聊的把戏的。从它的历史来看，这个公司的背景很复杂，在过去几年中，常有一些案子似乎与他们有关系，但是往往查到一半，线索就断了。刚才坠楼案的那名死者，就是三年前从该公司失踪的嫌疑犯，名叫……多米尼克·皮金。从现场的情况来看，和这个皮金在一起的还有一个女人，可是她却失踪了。”

Chapter 24 Joy Drinker （B）

Sealy Detective said: ‘The company seemingly manages import and export business of oil, building materials and daily provisions, on the surface during the past, secretly sometimes it involves some criminal activities. A recent period, they carried out a business The Tunnel of Life, maybe it can make the person rejuvenation. However, generally speaking, the rational people won't believe that the boring trick. From its history, the company's background is complex, in the past few years, always it has some cases seems to have relations with them, but often to look up to a half then clues broke. Just now the jump case, the dead of named Dominique Pigeon, the suspect was missing from the company three years ago. To see from the scene, there is a woman with him together, but she was missing.’

“他的女人一定很漂亮，也许与哪位影星很相像。”克拉克说。

“你是怎么知道的？”西利探长从口袋里拿出了那张照片说，“的确，她很漂亮。”

克拉克看了一眼之后，他说：“我明白了，这个皮金一定是个叛逃者，他想与这位如花似玉的女人远走高飞，可是他走得还不够远，还是被他们嗅出来了。现场还有什么情况？”

‘She must be a very beautiful woman, and maybe is similar with of which movie stars.’ Clark said.

‘How do you know?’ Sealy Detective from his pocket took out the picture and said, ‘Yes, she is very beautiful.’

After Clark glanced and he said: ‘I see, the Dominique Pigeon is a defector, he wanted to run away with the women who as beautiful as flowers and as jade, but he did not go far enough, or it was sniffed out by them. Also, what is the situation in the scene? ‘

“我还发现一个印着‘HP’字样的针剂小药瓶。”

“嗯，”克拉克扬起眉毛说，“我已经不是第一次听说这个东西了。”。他解释道：“这个‘HP’是一种致人冬眠的药物，他们在美国就是用这种东西将受害者冬眠，然后运走的；这会儿，你如果能到贝特·道格拉斯公司的冷库里去查一查，准能找到那个失踪的女人。”

‘I also found an injection of a **all bottle that stamped with the words “HP”.’

‘Well,’ Clark said with raising his eyebrows, ‘is not the first time I heard of this thing.’ He explained: ‘This HP is a kind of hibernation drugs on people, in the United States their victims were taking away with to use this kind of thing, now, if you can go to the Bethe Douglas Company of the freezer to check, could certain find the missing woman.’

“看来，这是一个跨越国界的大案了。”西利探长抓抓自己的脑袋说。

“不错，事态的发展已经证明了这一点。这个道格拉斯公司的头儿叫谢尔曼，学者出身，今年四十五岁，曾在哈佛大学读过书。他是丹麦裔美国人。我们对他的情况了解得不多。这是个重要的人物，对他需要进行每天二十四小时的跟踪。”

‘It seems that this is a major case of across national boundaries.’ Sealy Detective said and scratched at his head.

‘Yes, the development has proven this point. The head of Bethe Douglas Company called Sherman, scholar, 45 years old, read books at Harvard University. He is a Danish American. We don't know much about him. It's an important figure, to track of his need for 24 hours each day.’

“我知道这个人，”西利探长说，“你希望这件事由我们做？”

“是的，”克拉克点着头说。“你能不能设法让我的人打入‘生命隧道’?”

‘I know this man,’ Sealy Detective said, ‘do you wish us operation?’

‘Yes,’ Clark nodded and said. ‘Can you try to let my people into The Tunnel of Life ?’

“让你的人进入他们的内部？”西利探长在自己的记忆中快速地搜索了一阵子以后，他说，“乔伊，乔伊·德林克，她可能是个机会。乔伊·德林克是已故贩毒分子马库斯的胞妹。两年前，马库斯是贩毒集团的飞机驾驶员，负责驾驶小型飞机向佛罗里达州走私***；在一次行动中，他的飞机失事了，栽在礁石上，自己也因此丧了命。念及他无依无靠的妹妹，贩毒组织让乔伊进入了美时达国际游乐公司，后又转入了贝特·道格拉斯公司。乔伊与她的哥哥不同，她不赞成毒品，也反对她哥哥从事这种犯罪活动。我曾与她接触过，给我的印象是：良心未泯。椐我安插在道格拉斯的坐探告诉我，最近乔伊·德林克经常出差，只有在星期六、星期日才能在拿骚见到她。她是不是有可能到尼古拉斯岛去了呢？……对了，今天是星期日，她可能还在拿骚。”

‘Let your people into their inside?’ Sealy Detective in his memory to quickly search after a while he said, ‘Joy, Joy Drinker, she might be a chance. Joy.Drinker is the sister of Marcus the drug trafficker which has been dead. Two years ago, Marcus was the pilot of drug trafficking group, responsible for driving a **all plane to Florida to **uggle heroin, in an operation his plane crashed on rock, the oneself also died. As his sister friendless and helpless, drug trafficking organization made Joy to enter the France international Amusement Company, and then moved into the Bethe Douglas Company. Joy unlike her brother, she is not in favor of the drug, also opposed her brother engaged on this kind of crime. I had contact with her, gave me the impression that she is not lost a conscience. I install the agent in Douglas, who told me that Joy travels a lot recently, only on Saturday and Sunday to see her in Nassau. Is she likely to Nicholas island? By the way, today is Sunday, she may be in Nassau.’

“怎么找到她？”克拉克问。

“她的住所我去过，跟我来。”

他们告别了奥古斯丁局长，乘坐西利探长的小车来到蒙特雷街。

‘How do find her?’ Clark asked.

‘I have been to her home , coming with me.’

They said good-bye to the Director of Augustine, in the car of Sealy Detective came to Monterrey Street.

西利探长指着一家中国餐馆说：“乔伊的家离这儿不远，她是这家餐馆的常客。”

这是蒙特雷街上唯一的一家中国餐馆，名叫“遇仙楼”，外观装饰极具中国特色。门口的上方，镶砌着一个挑檐，伸出墙面足有一臂多长，店堂两侧的玻璃橱窗上贴着招揽生意的中英文字说明：

Sealy Detective said, pointing to a Chinese restaurant: ‘Joy's home is not far from here, and she was a frequent visitor to the restaurant.’

This is only a Chinese restaurant across the street of Monterrey, named "Fairy Meets Restaurant" the exterior decoration has the Chinese characteristic extremely. The top of the door, a cornice builds by laying bricks overhang out of the wall for one arm, on both sides of the hall are a glass window with some words that in both English and Chinese for drum up business:

正宗川菜 名师掌勺 一日得尝 终身难忘

京式面点 宫廷御膳 色香味形 香松酥软

西利探长对克拉克说：“我进去看一看。”

Authentic Sichuan food The famous chefs operating

One day have to taste lifetime unforgettable

Beijing’s type pastry palace imperial cuisine

Aroma form fragrant crispy tender

Sealy Detective to Clark said: ‘I go in and have a look.’

他推门而进，在二楼的隔间里果然发现了目标。这时候的乔伊和一个男人在一起享用中国套餐。西利探长假装正在寻找他人，巧妙地躲开了她的目光。一名侍者担心地看着这位左顾右盼的陌生人，生怕坏了他们的生意，连忙追在后面笑问：“先生，您想来点儿什么？”西利探长摆摆手只管自己走路，并不答理他。

He opened the door into, and the goal was found on the second floor of the compartment. Joy and a man together to enjoy the Chinese meal at that time. Sealy Detective pretended to be looking for others, and keeps out of her eyes subtly. A waiter anxiously was watching the stranger who glanced left and right, for fear that he interfered of the business, hurriedly chasing behind with a **ile to ask: ‘Sir, what would you like some?’ The inspector gave just to walk, and motioning with his hand didn't reply him.

西利探长走出餐馆回到小车里对克拉克说：“她和一个男的在里面。”

“你认识那个男的吗？”

“他叫什么不知道，好像也是贝特·道格拉斯公司的雇员。”

Sealy Detective went out of the restaurant back in the car to Clark said: ‘She and a man in it.’

‘Do you know that man?’

‘I don't know his name, as is an employee of the Bethe Douglas Company.’

“不要惊动那个男的。”

“好的，我们把车停在对面，在那里等她出来。”西利探长边说边动手，发动了汽车。小汽车在马路上划了一个圆弧，稳稳地停在餐馆门口的斜对面。

时间慢慢地过去了，埃米莉说：“我的肚子有些不舒服。”

‘Do not disturb the man.’

‘Okay, we parked the car on the other side, waiting for her out.’ Sealy Detective said to start the engine. The car drew a circle on the road, almost diagonally opposite the door firmly stopped outside the restaurant.

Time passed slowly, and Emily said: ‘My stomach is a little sick.’

克拉克从口袋里掏出一块巧克力对她说：“忍一忍吧，亲爱的，完事以后我一定在这儿请你吃一回中国菜。”

西利探长买了几个火腿三明治[1]，就算是当天的晚餐。

四十分钟以后，乔伊和那个男人终于出现在餐馆的门口。

Clark from his pocket took out piece of chocolate to her and said: ‘To endure for a while, dear, after drama at the end, I shall certainly invite you to eat Chinese food here.’

Sealy Detective bought some ham sandwich to be on the day of the dinner.

Forty minutes later, Joy and that man finally appeared in the doorway of the restaurant.

西利探长说：“他们出来了。”

大伙儿都瞪大了眼睛看着这两个人，只见他们慢慢地顺着大街向前走去，西利驾车远远地跟在后面。这对男女来到一座公寓楼，走了进去。

西利探长告诉克拉克，乔伊就住在这里。

Sealy Detective said: ‘They came out.’

They looked at the two guys all stare big eyes, and saw they walked slowly along the street, Sealy Detective driving the car behind them with a distance. The couple came to an apartment building, and went in.

Sealy Detective told to Clark that Joy lives right here.

克拉克等人坐在汽车里，一直等到天黑，乔伊身边的那个男人还没有离去。

西利说：“也许那个男的今天不会走了。”

克拉克这时显得十分烦躁，他咬咬牙齿说：“他妈的，如果到了十点，那个男的还不走的话，我们就上去。”

Clark and others waited in the car, when until it is dark, the man who on Joy’s side also did not leave.

Sealy Detective said: ‘Maybe the man will not go today.’

Clark at this point was very agitated, and he said to gnash: ‘Damn, if by ten o'clock the man also doesn't go, we will go up.’

“我担心事情会搞砸。”西利探长说。

“顾不了那么多，只能走一步看一步了，继续拖下去将失去一切机会，我们必须试一试。”

‘I worry that things will mess up.’ Sealy Detective said.

‘Not care so much, can only go one step at a time, continue to drag down will lose all opportunities, we have to give it a try.’

又过了一小时，埃米莉靠在克拉克的肩头，感到了他宽厚的身体散发出来的温暖。她想起了奥特明庄园的景色，那是一大片开阔的绿草地，郁郁葱葱。她曾经骑着马在那块草地上奔驰过。她想起了她的那匹枣红色的种马，那是她爷爷一年前送给她的生日礼物。她爱她的爷爷，她这会儿正在为他寻找答案呢。她斜着眼睛看了看乔伊的窗户，还是死一般的寂静。这时，她感到自己的体内有一种情感在涌动，她看了看克拉克，他仍是那副冷峻的面容，她靠得更紧了。

An hour passed, Emily on Clark's shoulder felt of his warm that from broad body to send out. She remembered the scenery of Luxury Villa Autumn estate where it is a large open green grass, lush. She used to ride the horse in the meadow. She thought of her jujube red of studhorse that it is a birthday present which her grandfather gave her a year ago. She loves her grandpa, she was to find the answer at the moment for him. She glanced at Joy's window, or a dead silence. At this time, she felt there is a surge of emotions in her body, she looked at the Clark who he is still a cold face, and she relied on more tightly.

“你怎么了？”克拉克问。

“我感到有些凉。”

克拉克脱下一件外套盖在埃米莉的身上。

‘What's the matter with you?’ Clark asked.

‘I feel a little cold.’

Clark took off a coat to give Emily for cover.

“你结婚了吗？”

“没有。”克拉克摇摇头说。

“我想，一定有人爱过你。”

‘Are you married?’

‘No.’ Clark said shook his head.

‘I think that someone must have loved you.’

“也许。”克拉克回过头来注视着埃米莉，他似乎有话要说。

这时，站在路边上的西利探长忽然快步朝小汽车走来。他俯身朝车里的人说：“那男的出来了。”果然，和乔伊一起吃饭的那个男人走出了公寓大门，在路边叫住一辆出租汽车离开了。

门铃丁冬丁冬地响起来，乔伊以为戈夫又回来了。“不是说，母亲生病了，今天晚上得去看看她吗？”她感到有些奇怪。

戈夫·巴克是贝特·道格拉斯公司的高级雇员，谢尔曼的重要门徒，现任一号“生命隧道”的主管。最近一个时期，他与乔伊的关系非同一般。

‘Maybe.’ Clark turned to gaze Emily, he seems to have something to say.

At this moment, standing on the side of the road of Sealy Detective, suddenly brisked to walk towards the car. He leaned toward the people in the car said: ‘The man came out.’ Sure enough, the man who had eaten together with Joy walked out of the apartment door, on the side of the road stopped a taxi and left.

The bell was rung with ding, and Joy thought Gove is back. ‘Not to say that, mother was ill, and has to see her tonight?’ She felt a little strange.

Gove Barker is a senior employee of Bethe Douglas Company, Sherman's important disciple, and the director of the first The Tunnel of Life. At recent period, his relationship unusual with Joy.

乔伊趿拉着拖鞋把门打开。然而，出现在门口的并不是戈夫，而是令人讨厌的西利探长和另外两个陌生人。她顿时明白了，西利下午在餐馆里正是冲着她来的。她把门关拢，只留下一条缝，不等西利开口，便嚷了起来：“请你别再来烦我，我哥哥的事早就结束了。”

“对不起，德林克小姐，我不是为了你哥哥的事，我们进去谈好吗？”西利说。

Joy pulled slippers opened the door. However, who appeared at the door is not Gove but nasty Sealy Detective and the other two strangers. She immediately understood, before of the afternoon in the restaurant Sealy Detective had looked just to her. She held the door closed just leaving only a little gap, before the Sealy Detective to speak, but shouted: ‘Please don't bother me, my brother’s matter already had ended.’

‘I'm sorry Miss Drinker, I'm not for things of your brother, let us go in to talk about?’ Sealy said.

注释：[1]三明治 —— 夹心面包的英文音译。