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DIRKPITT®ADVENTURESBYCLIVECUSSLERPOSEIDON’SARROW(withDirkCussler)CRESCENTDAWN(withDirkCussler)ARCTICDRIFT(withDirkCussler)TREASUREOFKHAN(withDirkCussler)BLACKWIND(withDirkCussler)TROJANODYSSEY
VALHALLARISING
ATLANTISFOUNDFLOODTIDE
SHOCKWAVE
INCAGOLD
SAHARADRAGON
TREASURECYCLOPS
DEEPSIXPACIFICVORTEX!
NIGHTPROBE!VIXEN03
SHOCKWAVE
RAISETHETITANIC!ICEBERGTHEMEDITERRANEANCAPER
FARGOADVENTURESBYCLIVE
CUSSLERWithThomasPerryTHETOMBS
WithGrantBlackwoodTHEKINGDOM
LOSTEMPIRE
SPARTANGOLD
ISAACBELLNOVELSBYCLIVECUSSLERTHESTRIKER(withJustinScott)THETHIEF(withJustinScott)THERACE(withJustinScott)THESPY(withJustinScott)THEWRECKER(withJustinScott)THECHASE
KURTAUSTINADVENTURESBYCLIVECUSSLERWithGrahamBrownTHESTORMDEVIL’SGATE
ZEROHOUR
WithPaulKemprecosMEDUSA
WHITEDEATH
THENAVIGATOR
FIREICEPOLARSHIFTBLUEGOLD
LOSTCITY
SERPENT
OREGONFILESADVENTURESBYCLIVECUSSLERWithJackDuBrulTHEJUNGLETHESILENTSEACORSAIR
PLAGUESHIPSKELETONCOAST
DARKWATCH
WithCraigDirgoGOLDENBUDDHA
SACREDSTONE
NONFICTIONBYCLIVECUSSLERBUILTFORADVENTURE:THECLASSIC
AUTOMOBILESOFCLIVECUSSLERAND
DIRKPITT®
WithCraigDirgoTHESEAHUNTERS
THESEAHUNTERSIICLIVECUSSLERANDDIRKPITTREVEALED
GHOSTSHIP
ANovelfromtheNUMA®Files
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ISBN978-0-718-17876-51.Austin,Kurt(Fictitiouscharacter)—Fiction.I.Brown,Graham,date.II.Title.
PS3553.U75Z4820142014008130813'.54—dc23
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductof
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Contents
ALSOBYCLIVECUSSLERTITLEPAGECOPYRIGHT
PROLOGUECHAPTERONECHAPTERTWOCHAPTERTHREECHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVECHAPTERSIXCHAPTERSEVENCHAPTEREIGHTCHAPTERNINECHAPTERTENCHAPTERELEVENCHAPTERTWELVECHAPTERTHIRTEENCHAPTERFOURTEENCHAPTERFIFTEENCHAPTERSIXTEENCHAPTERSEVENTEENCHAPTEREIGHTEEN
CHAPTERNINETEENCHAPTERTWENTYCHAPTERTWENTY-ONECHAPTERTWENTY-TWOCHAPTERTWENTY-THREECHAPTERTWENTY-FOURCHAPTERTWENTY-FIVECHAPTERTWENTY-SIXCHAPTERTWENTY-SEVENCHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHTCHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
CHAPTERTHIRTYCHAPTERTHIRTY-ONECHAPTERTHIRTY-TWOCHAPTERTHIRTY-THREECHAPTERTHIRTY-FOURCHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVECHAPTERTHIRTY-SIXCHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVENCHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHTCHAPTERTHIRTY-NINECHAPTERFORTYCHAPTERFORTY-ONECHAPTERFORTY-TWOCHAPTERFORTY-THREE
CHAPTERFORTY-FOURCHAPTERFORTY-FIVECHAPTERFORTY-SIXCHAPTERFORTY-SEVENCHAPTERFORTY-EIGHTCHAPTERFORTY-NINECHAPTERFIFTYCHAPTERFIFTY-ONECHAPTERFIFTY-TWOCHAPTERFIFTY-THREECHAPTERFIFTY-FOURCHAPTERFIFTY-FIVECHAPTERFIFTY-SIXCHAPTERFIFTY-SEVEN
July 25, 1909Durban, South Africa
Theyweredrivingintoavoid,orsoitseemedtoChiefInspectorRobertSwanoftheDurbanPoliceDepartment.
Onamoonlessnight,
beneathaskyasdarkasIndiaink,SwanrodeshotguninthecabofamotortruckasitrumbleddownadustytrackinthecountrysidenorthofDurban.TheheadlightsofthebigPackardcastyellowbeamsoflightthatflickeredandbouncedanddidlittletobrightenthepathahead.Ashestaredintothegloom,Swancouldseenomorethanfortyyardsoftheruttedpathatanyonetime.
“Howfartothisfarmhouse?”heasked,turningtowardathin,wirymannamedMorris,whowaswedgedinnexttothedriver.
Morrischeckedhiswatch,leanedtowardthedriver,andcheckedtheodometerofthetruck.Aftersomementalcalculations,heglanceddownatthemapheheld.“Weshouldbetheresoon,Inspector.Nomorethantenminutestogo,I’dsay.”
Thechiefinspectornoddedandgrabbedthedoorsillasthebumpyridecontinued.ThePackardwasknownasaThreeTon,thelatestfromAmericaandoneofthefirstmotorvehiclestobeownedbytheDurbanPoliceDepartment.Ithadcomeofftheboatwiththecustomizedcabandwindshield.Enterprisingworkmenfromthenewlyformedmotorpoolhadbuilta
frametocovertheflatbedandstretchedcanvasoverit,thoughnoonehaddoneanythingtomakeitmorecomfortable.
Asthetruckbouncedandlurchedovertheruttedbuggytrail,Swandecidedhewouldratherbeonhorseback.Butwhatthebigriglostincomfortitmadeupforinhaulingpower.InadditiontoSwan,Morris,andthedriver,eightconstablesrodeinback.
Swanleanedonthedoorsillandturnedtolookbehindhim.Foursetsofheadlightsfollowed.ThreecarsandanotherPackard.Alltold,SwanhadnearlyaquarteroftheDurbanpoliceforceridingwithhim.
“Areyousureweneedallthesemen?”Morrisasked.
Perhapsitwasabitmuch,Swanthought.Thenagain,thecriminalstheywereafter—agroupknowninthe
papersastheKlaarRiverGang—hadnumbersoftheirown.Rumorsputthembetweenthirtyandforty,dependingonwhomonebelieved.
Thoughthey’dbegunascommonhighwaymen,robbingothersandextortingthosewhotriedtomakeanhonestlivingdoingbusinessoutintheVeld,they’dgrownmorecunningandviolentinthelastsixmonths.
Farmhousesofthosewhorefusedtopayprotectionmoneywerebeingburnedtotheground.Minersandtravelersweredisappearingwithoutatrace.Thetruthcametolightwhenseveralofthegangwerecapturedtryingtorobabank.TheywerebroughtbacktoDurbanforinterrogationonlytoberescuedinabrazenattackthatleftthreepolicemendeadandfourotherswounded.
ItwasalinethatSwanwouldnotallowthemtocross.“I’mnotinterestedinafairfight,”heexplained.“NeedIremindyouwhathappenedtwodaysago?”
Morrisshookhishead,andSwanrappedhishandonthepartitionthatseparatedthecabfromthebackofthetruck.Apanelslidopenandthefaceofaburlymanappeared,allbutfillingthewindow.
“Arethemenready?”Swanasked.
“We’reready,Inspector.”“Good,”Swansaid.
“Remember,noprisonerstonight.”Themannoddedhisunderstanding,butthewordscaused
Morristoofferasidewaysglance.
“Youhaveaproblem?”Swanbarked.
“No,sir,”Morrissaid,lookingbackathismap.“It’s
justthat...we’realmostthere.Justoverthishill.”
Swanturnedhisattentionforwardonceagainandtookadeepbreath,readyinghimself.Almostimmediatelyhecaughtthescentofsmoke.Itwasdistinctinflavor,likeabonfire.
ThePackardcrestedthehillmomentslater,andthecoalblacknightwascleavedintwobyafrenziedorangeblazeonthefielddownbelow
them.Thefarmhousewasburningfromonesidetotheother,whirlsoffirecurlingarounditandreachingtowardtheheavens.
“Bloodyhell,”Swancursed.
Thevehiclesraceddownthehillandspreadout.Themen
pouredforthandtookuppositionssurroundingthehouse.Noonehitthem.Noonefired.
Morrisledasquadcloser.Theyapproachedfromupwind
anddartedintothelastsectionofthebarnthatwasn’tablaze.Severalhorseswererescued,buttheonlygangmemberstheyfoundwerealreadydead.Someofthemhalfburned,othersmerelyshotandlefttodie.
Therewasnohopeoffightingthefire.Theancientwoodandtheoil-basedpaint
crackledandburnedlikepetrol.ItputoutsuchheatthatSwan’smenweresoonforcedtobackofforbebroiledalive.
“Whathappened?”Swandemandedofhislieutenant.“Looksliketheyhaditoutamongthemselves,”Morrissaid.Swanconsideredthat.BeforethearrestsinDurban,rumorshadbeenswirlingthatsuggestedthegangwasfrayingattheseams.“How
manydead?”“We’vefoundfive.Some
oftheboysthinktheysawtwomoreinside,buttheycouldn’treach’em.”
Atthatmomentgunfirerangout.
SwanandMorrisdovebehindthePackardforcover.Fromshelteredpositions,someoftheofficersbegantoshootback,loosingstrayroundsintotheinferno.
Theshootingcontinued,
oddlytimedandstaccato,thoughSwansawnosignofbulletshittingnearby.
“Holdyourfire!”heshouted.“Butkeepyourheadsdown.”
“Butthey’reshootingatus,”oneofthemenshouted.
Swanshookhisheadevenasthepop-popofthegunfirecontinued.“It’sjustammunitiongoingoffintheblaze.”
Theorderwaspassed
around,shoutedfromonemantothenext.Despitehisowndirective,Swanstoodup,peeringoverthehoodofthetruck.
Bynowtheinfernohadenvelopedtheentirefarmhouse.TheremainingbeamslookedlikethebonesofagiantrestingonsomeNordicfuneralpyre.Theflamescurledaroundandthroughthem,burningwithastrangeintensity,brightwhite
andorangewithoccasionalflashesofgreenandblue.Itlookedlikehellitselfhadrisenupandconsumedthegangandtheirhideoutfromwithin.
AsSwanwatched,amassiveexplosionwentoffdeepinsidethestructure,blowingtheplaceintoafieryscrap.Swanwasthrownbackbytheforceoftheblast,landinghardonhisback,aschunksofdebrisrattled
againstthesidesofthePackard.
Momentsaftertheexplosion,burningconfettibeganfalling,aslittlescrapsofpaperfluttereddownbythethousands,leavingtrailsofsmokeandashagainsttheblacksky.Asthefragmentskissedtheground,theybegantosetfiresinthedrygrass.
Seeingthis,Swan’smenwentintoactionwithoutdelay,tampingouttheembers
topreventabrushfirefromsurroundingthem.
Swannoticedseveralfragmentslandingnearby.Herolledoverandstretchedforoneofthem,pattingitoutwithhishand.Tohissurprise,hesawnumbers,letters,andthesternfaceofKingGeorgestaringbackathim.
“Tenners,”Morrissaidexcitedly.“Ten-poundnotes.Thousandsofthem.”
Astherealizationspread
throughthemen,theyredoubledtheirefforts,runningaroundandgatheringupthecharredscrapswithagiddyenthusiasmtheyrarelyshowedforcollectingevidence.Someofthenoteswerebundledandnottoo
badlyburned.Otherswerelikeleavesinthefireplace,curled
andblackenedbeyondrecognition.
“Givesawholenew
meaningtothetermblowingtheloot,”Morrissaid.
Swanchuckled,buthewasn’treallylistening,histhoughts
wereelsewhere;studyingthefire,countingthebodies,working
thecaseasaninspector’smindshould.
Somethingwasnotright,notrightatall.
Atfirst,heputitdowntotheanticlimacticnatureofthe
evening.Theganghe’dcometomakewaronhaddonethejobfor
him.Thathecouldbuy.He’dseenitbefore.Criminalsoften
foughtoverthespoilsoftheircrimes,especiallywhentheywere
looselyaffiliatedandallbutleaderless,asthisgangwasrumoredtobe.
No,Swanthought,thiswassuspiciousonadeeper
level.Morrisseemedtonotice.“What’swrong?”
“Itmakesnosense,”Swanreplied.
“Whatpartofit?”“Thewholething,”Swan
said.“Theriskydaylightbankjob.
Theraidtogettheirmenout.Thegunfightinthestreet.”Morrisstaredathimblankly.“Idon’tfollowyou.”“Lookaround,”Swansuggested.“Judgingbythe
stormofburntcashrainingdown
onus,thesethugsweresittingona
smallfortune.”“Yes,”Morrisagreed.“So
what?”“Sowhyrobaheavily
defendedbankinbroaddaylightif
you’realreadyloadedtothegillswithcash?Whyriskshooting
upDurbantogetyour
matesoutonlytogunthemdownback
here?”MorrisstaredatSwanfor
alongmomentbeforenoddinghisagreement.“Ihavenoidea,”hesaid.“Butyou’reright.Itmakesnosenseatall.”
Thefirecontinuedtoburnwellintothemorninghours,onlydyingwhenthefarmhousewasconsumed.Theoperationendedwithout
casualtiesamongthepolice,andtheKlaarRiverGangwasneverheardfromagain.
Mostconsidereditastrokeofgoodfortune,butSwanwasneverconvinced.HeandMorriswoulddiscusstheeventsofthateveningforyears,wellintotheirretirement.Despitemanytheoriesandguessesastowhatreallywenton,itwasaquestiontheywouldneverbeabletoanswer.
July 27, 1909
170 miles West-Southwest of Durban
TheSSWaratahplowedthroughthewavesona
voyagefromDurbantoCapeTown,rollingnoticeablywiththegrowingswells.Darksmokefromcoal-firedboilersspilledfromhersinglefunnelandwasdrivenintheoppositedirectionbyacontrarywind.
Sittingaloneinthemainloungeofthefive-hundred-footsteamship,fifty-one-year-oldGavinBrèvardfeltthevesselrollponderouslytostarboard.Hewatchedthe
cupandsaucerinfrontofhimslidetowardtheedgeofthetable,slowlyatfirst,andthenpickingupspeedastheangleoftheship’srollincreased.Atthelastsecond,hegrabbedforthecup,preventingitfromslidingofftheedgeandclatteringtothefloor.
TheWaratahremainedatasharppitch,takingafulltwominutestorightherself,andBrèvardbegantoworryaboutthevesselhe’dbooked
passageon.Inapriorlife,he’dspent
tenyearsatseaaboardvarioussteamers.Onthoseshipstherecoilwasquicker,thekeelmoreadeptatrightingitself.Thisshipfelttop-heavytohim.Itmadehimwonderifsomethingwaswrong.
“Moretea,sir?”Deepinthought,Brèvard
barelynoticedthewaiterintheuniformoftheBlue
AnchorLine.Heheldoutthecuphe’d
savedfromdestruction.“Merci.”
Thewaitertoppeditoffandmovedon.Asheleft,anewfigurecameintotheroom,abroad-shoulderedmanofperhapsthirty,withreddishhairandaruddyface.HemadeadirectlineforBrèvard,takingaseatinthechairopposite.
“Johannes,”Brèvardsaid
ingreeting.“Gladtoseeyou’renottrappedinyourcabinliketheothers.”
Johanneslookedalittlegreen,butheseemedtobeholdingup.“Whyhaveyoucalledmehere?”
Brèvardtookasipofthetea.“I’vebeenthinking.AndI’vedecidedsomethingimportant.”
“Andwhatmightthatbe?”
“We’refarfromsafe.”
Johannessighedandlookedaway.Brèvardunderstood.Johannesthoughthimtobeaworrier.Afear-ladenman.ButBrèvardwasjusttryingtobecautious.He’dspentyearswithpeoplechasinghim,yearslivingunderthethreatofimprisonmentordeath.Hehadtothinkfivestepsaheadjusttoremainalive.Ithadtunedhismindtoahyperattentivestate.
“Ofcoursewe’resafe,”Johannesreplied.“We’veassumednewidentities.Weleftnotrail.Theothersarealldead,andthebarnhasbeenburnedtotheground.Onlyourfamilycontinueson.”
Brèvardtookanothersipoftea.“Whatifwe’vemissedsomething?”
“Itdoesn’tmatter,”Johannesinsisted.“We’rebeyondthereachoftheauthoritieshere.Thisshiphas
noradio.Wemightaswellbeonanislandsomewhere.”
Thatwastrue.Aslongastheshipwasatsea,theycouldrestandrelax.Butthejourneywouldendsoonenough.
“We’reonlysafeuntilwedockinCapeTown,”Brèvardpointedout.“Ifwehaven’tcoveredourtrailasperfectlyaswethink,wemayarrivetoagreetingofangrypolicemenorHisMajesty’stroops.”
Johannesdidnotreplyrightaway.Hewasthinking,soakingtheinformationin.“Whatdoyousuggest?”heaskedfinally.
“Wehavetomakethisjourneylastforever.”
“Andhowdowedothat?”
Brèvardwasspeakingmetaphorically.HeknewhehadtobemoreconcreteforJohannes.“Howmanygunsdowehave?”
“Fourpistolsandthreerifles.”
“Whatabouttheexplosives?”
“Twoofthecasesarestillfull,”Johannessaidwithascowl.“ThoughI’mnotsureitwaswisetobringthemaboard.”
“They’llbefine,”Brèvardinsisted.“Waketheothers,Ihaveaplan.It’stimewetookdestinyintoourownhands.”
CaptainJoshuaIlberystoodontheWaratah’sbridgedespiteitbeingtimeforthethirdwatchtotakeover.Theweatherconcernedhim.Thewindwasgustingtofiftyknots,anditwasblowingoppositetothetideandthecurrent.Thisoddcombinationwasbuildingthewavesintosharppyramids,unusuallyhighandsteep,likepilesofsandpushedtogetherfrombothdirections.
“Steadyon,now,”Ilberysaidtothehelmsman.“Adjustasneeded,wedon’twanttobebroadsided.”
“Aye,”thehelmsmansaid.
Ilberyliftedthebinoculars.Thelightwasfadingaseveningcameon,andhehopedthewindwouldsubsideinthenight.
Scanningthewhitecapsaheadofhim,Ilberyheardthebridgedooropen.Tohis
surprise,ashotrangout.Hedroppedthebinocularsandspuntoseethehelmsmanslumpingtothedeck,clutchinghisstomach.Beyondhimstoodagroupofpassengerswithweapons,oneofwhomwalkedoverandtookthehelm.
BeforeIlberycouldutterawordorgrabforaweapon,aruddy-facedpassengerslammedthebuttofanEnfieldrifleintohisgut.He
doubledoverandfellback,landingagainstthebulkhead.
Themanwho’dattackedhimaimedthebarreloftheEnfieldathisheart.Ilberynoticeditwasheldbyroughhands,morefittingonafarmerorrancherthanafirst-classpassenger.Helookedintotheman’seyesandsawnomercy.Hecouldn’tbesureofcourse,butIlberyhadlittledoubtthemanhewasfacinghadshotandkilled
before.“Whatisthemeaningof
this?”Ilberygrowled.Oneofthegroupstepped
towardhim.Hewasolderthantheothers,withgrayinghairatthetemples.Heworeafinersuitandcarriedhimselfwiththelooseeleganceofaleader.Ilberyrecognizedhimasoneofagroupwho’dcomeonboardinDurban.Brèvard,wasthename.GavinBrèvard.
“Idemandanexplanation,”Ilberysaid.
Brèvardsmirkedathim.“Ishouldhavethoughtitquiteobvious.We’recommandeeringthisship.You’regoingtosetanewcourseawayfromthecoastandthenbacktotheeast.We’renotgoingtoCapeTown.”
“Youcan’tbeserious,”Ilberysaid.“We’reinthemiddleofabadstretch.The
shipisbarelyrespondingasitis.Tomakeaturnnowwould—”
Gavinaimedthepistolataspothalfwaybetweenthecaptain’seyes.“I’veworkedonsteamersbefore,Captain.Enoughtoknowthatthisshipistop-heavyandperformingpoorly.Butshe’snotgoingtogoover,sostoplyingtome.”
“Thisshipwillsurelygotothebottom,”Ilberysaid.
“Givetheorder,”Brèvard
demanded,“orI’llblowaholeinyourskullandpilotthisshipmyself.”
Ilbery’seyesnarrowedtoslits.“Perhapsyoucannavigate,butwhatabouttherestoftheduties?Doyouandthislotintendtomantheshipyourselves?”
Brèvardsmiledwryly.He’dknownfromthestartthatthiswashisweakness,thechinkinhisarmor.Hehadeightotherswithhim,
threeofthemchildren.Evenifthey’dbeenadults,ninepeoplecouldn’tevenkeepthefiresstokedforlong,letaloneguardthepassengersandcrew,andpilottheshipatthesametime.
ButBrèvardwasusedtoplayingtheangles.Hiswholelifewasastudyingettingotherstodoashewished,eitheragainsttheirwillsorwithoutthemknowingtheyweredoinghisbidding.He’d
knownheneededleverage,andtheexplosivesinthetwocasesenabledhimtoturntheoddsinhisfavor.
“Bringintheprisoner,”hesaid.
Ilberywatchedasthebridgedoorwasopenedandanunkemptteenagerappeared.Thisonebroughtinamancoveredincoaldust.Bloodflowedfromabrokennoseandagashacrosshisforehead.
“Chief?”“I’msorry,Cap’n,”the
chiefsaid.“Theytrickedus.Theyusedchildrentodistractus.Andthentheyoverpoweredus.Threeoftheladsareshot.Butit’ssolouddowntherenoonehearduntilitwastoolate.”
“Whathavetheydone?”thecaptainasked,hiseyesgrowingwide.
“Dynamite,”thechiefsaid.“Adozensticksattached
toboilersthreeandfour.”IlberyturnedtoBrèvard.
“Areyouinsane?Youcan’tputexplosivesinanenvironmentlikethat.Theheat,theembers.Onesparkand—”
“Andwe’llallbeblowntokingdomcome,”Brèvardsaid,finishingthethoughtforhim.“Yes,I’mwellawareoftheconsequences.Thethingis,aropewaitsformeonshore,thekindthat
stretchesone’sneck.IfI’mgoingtodie,I’dratheritbequickandgloriousthanslowandpainful.Sodon’ttestme.Ihavethreeofmypeopledowntherewithrifleslikethesetomakesurenooneremovesthoseexplosives,atleastnotuntilIleavethisshipataportofmychoosing.Now,doasIsayandturnthisvesselawayfromthecoast.”
“Andthenwhat?”Ilberyasked.
“Whenwe’vereachedourdestination,we’lltakeafewofyourboats,aheapofsupplies,andeveryone’scashandjewelry,andwe’llleaveyourshipanddisappear.YouandyourcrewwillbefreetosailbacktoCapeTownwithafantasticstorytotelltheworld.”
Usingthebulkheadbehindhimforsupport,CaptainIlberyforcedhimselfupandstood.Hestaredat
Brèvardwithcontempt.Themanhadhimandbothknewit.
“Chief,”hesaidwithouttakinghiseyesoffthehijacker.“Takethehelmandturnusabout.”
Thechiefstaggeredtothewheelandpushedthehijackerasideanddidasordered.Therudderansweredthehelm,andtheSSWaratahbegantoturn.
“Gooddecision,”Brèvard
said.Ilberywonderedabout
that,butknewhehadnochoice.
Forhispart,Brèvardwaspleased.Hesatdowninachair,laidtherifleacrosshislap,andstudiedthecaptainclosely.Havingspenthislifetimemisleadingothers,frompolicementopowder-wiggedjudges,Brèvardhadlearnedthatsomemenwereeasiertoreadthanothers.The
honestonesweremoreobviousthantherest.
AsBrèvardstaredatthiscaptain,hepeggedhimasoneofthose.Amanwithprideandsmartsandagreatsenseofdutyforhispassengersandcrew.ThatsenseofdutycompelledhimtocomplywithBrèvard’sdemandsinordertoprotectthelivesofthoseonboard.Butitalsomadehimdangerous.
Evenasheacquiesced,
Ilberystoodtallandramrodstraight.Thoughheclutchedhisstomachfromtheblowhe’dtaken,hekeptafireburninginhiseyesthatbeatenmendidn’thave.Allofwhichsuggestedthecaptainwasnotreadytorelinquishhisshipjustyet.Acountermovewouldcome,soonerratherthanlater.
Brèvarddidn’tblamethecaptain.Quitefrankly,herespectedhim.Allthesame,
hemadeamentalnotetobeready.
SS Harlow - 10 milesahead of the Waratah
LikethecaptainoftheWaratah,thecaptainoftheHarlowwasonthebridge.Thirty-footwavesandfifty-knotwindsrequiredit.He
andhiscrewweremakingconstantcorrections,workinghardtokeeptheHarlowfromgoingoffcourse.They’devenpumpedinsomeextrawaterasballasttohelpreducetheroll.
Asthefirstofficerreenteredthebridgefollowinganinspectionrun,thecaptainlookedhisway.“Howarewefaring,numberone?”
“Shipshapefromstemto
stern,sir.”“Excellent,”thecaptain
said.Hesteppedtothebridgewingandglancedoutbehindthem.Thelightsofanothervesselcouldbeseenonthehorizon.Shewasseveralmilesastern,andmakingagreatdealofsmoke.
“Whatdoyoumakeofher?”thecaptainasked.“She’schangedcourse,outawayfromthecoast.”
“Couldbeaturntoget
moreclearancefromtheshoals,”thefirstofficersaid.“Orperhapsthewindandcurrentareforcingheroff.Anyideawhoitis?”
“Notsure,”thecaptainsaid.“ShemightbetheWaratah.”
Momentslater,apairofflashesonlysecondsapartlitoutfromthevessel’sapproximateposition.Theywerebrightwhiteandthenorange,butatthisrangethere
wasnosound,likewatchingdistantfireworks.Whentheyfaded,thehorizonwasdark.
Boththecaptainandfirstofficerblinkedandstaredintothatdarkness.
“Whatwasthat?”thefirstofficerasked.“Anexplosion?”
Thecaptainwasn’tsure.Hegrabbedforthebinocularsandtookamomenttotrainthemonthespot.Therewasnosignoffire,butacold
chillgrippedhisspineasherealizedthelightsofthemysteryshiphadvanishedaswell.
“Couldhavebeenflaresfromabrushfireontheshorebehindthem,”thefirstofficersuggested.“Orheatlightning.”
Thecaptaindidn’trespondandcontinuedtostarethroughthebinoculars,sweepingthefieldofview.Hehopedthefirstofficerwas
right,butiftheflashesoflighthadcomefromtheshoreorthesky,thenwhathadhappenedtotheship’slightsvisibleonlymomentsbefore?
Upondocking,bothmenwouldlearnthattheWaratahwasoverdueandmissing.She’dnevermadeportinCapeTown,norhadshereturnedtoDurbanormadelandfallanywhereelse.
InquicksuccessionboththeRoyalNavyandtheBlueAnchorLinewoulddispatchshipsinsearchoftheWaratah,buttheywouldreturnempty-handed.Nolifeboatswerefound.Nowreckage.Nodebris.Nobodiesfloatinginthewater.
Overtheyears,nauticalgroups,governmentorganizations,andtreasureseekerswouldsearchforthewreckofthemissingship.
Theywouldusesonar,magnetometers,andsatelliteimaging.TheywoulddispatchdiversandsubmarinesandROVstoscourvariouswrecksalongthecoast.Butitwasallinvain.Morethanacenturyafterherdisappearance,notasingletraceoftheWaratahhadeverbeenfound.
September 1987
Maputo Bay,Mozambique
Thesunwasfallingtowardthehorizonasanagingfifty-
foottrawlersailedintothebayfromtheopenwatersoftheMozambiqueChannel.ForCuotoZumbana,ithadbeenagoodday.Theholdofhisboatwasfilledwithfreshfish,nonetshadbeentornorlost,andtheoldmotorhadsurvivedyetanotherjourney—thoughitcontinuedtobelchgraysmoke.
Satisfiedwithlife,Zumbanaclosedhiseyesandturnedtowardthesun,letting
itbathetheweatheredfoldsofhisface.Therewaslittleheenjoyedmorethanthatgloriousfeeling.Suchpeaceitbroughthimthattheexcitedshoutsofhiscrewdidnotbreakhimfromitatfirst.
“Mashua,”oneshouted.Zumbanaopenedhis
eyes,squintingintheglareasthesunlightblazedoffthesealikeliquidfire.Blockingthelightwithhishand,hesawwhatthemenwerepointing
at,asmallwoodendinghybobbinginthechopofthelateafternoon.Itseemedtobeadrift,andtheredidn’tappeartobeanyoneonboard.
“Takeustoit,”heordered.Tofindasmallboathecouldsellwouldonlymakethedaybetter.Hewouldevensharesomeofthemoneywiththecrew.
Thetrawlerchangedcourse,andtheoldenginechuggedalittleharder.Soon,
theywereclosingthegap.Zumbana’sfacewrinkled.
Thesmallboatwasbadlyweatheredandlookedhastilypatched.Evenfromfiftyfeetawayhecouldseethatmuchofitwasrotted.
“Someonemusthavedumpeditjusttoberidofit,”oneofhiscrewmensaid.
“Theremightbesomethingofvalueonboard,”Zumbanasaid.“Takeusalongside.”
Thehelmsmandidasordered,andthetrawlereasedtoastopbesidethedilapidatedcraft.Astheybumpedit,anothercrewmanhoppedaboard.Zumbanathrewhimarope,andthetwoboatswerequicklytiedoffanddriftingtogether.
Fromhisposition,Zumbanasawemptycookingpotsandpilesofrags,certainlynothingofvalue,butasthecrewmanpulleda
moth-eatenblanketasideallthoughtsofmoneywerechasedfromhismind.
Ayoungwomanandtwoboyslaybeneaththeoldblanket.Theywereclearlydead.Theirfaceswerecoveredwithsoresfromthesunandtheirbodiesstiff.Theirclothingwastattered,andabloodstainedragwastiedtothewoman’sshoulder.Acloserlookrevealedscabbedwristsandanklesas
ifthethreeofthemhadoncebeenheldincuffsandrestraints.
Zumbanacrossedhimself.“Weshouldleaveit,”one
ofthecrewmensaid.“It’sabadomen,”another
added.“No.Wemustrespectthe
dead,”Zumbanareplied.“Especiallythosewhohavebeentakensoyoung.”
Themenlookedathimsuspiciouslybutdidasthey
wereordered.Witharopesecuredfortowing,theyturnedonceagainforshorewiththeolddouble-endedboattrailingoutbehindthem.
Zumbanamovedtothestern,wherehecouldkeepaneyeonthesmallcraft.Hisgazewentfromtheboattothehorizonbeyond.Hewonderedabouttheoccupantsofthesmallboat.Whowerethey?Wherehadtheycomefrom?What
dangerhadtheyescapedonlytodieontheopensea?Soyoung,hethought,consideringthethreebodies.Sofragile.
Theboatitselfwasanothermystery.Thetopplankintheboat’ssideseemedasifitmighthaveoncebeenpaintedwithaname,butitwasunreadablenow.Heworriediftheboatwouldmakeitintoport.Unlikeitsdeadpassengers,it
seemedancient.Certainlyitwasolderthanthethreeoccupants.Infact,itlookedtohimlikeitmightbelongtoanothereraalltogether.
March 2014
Indian Ocean
Aflashofbluelightningforkedacrossthehorizon.Forasecondortwoitlitupthe
graydarknesswhereseaandstormmet.KurtAustinstaredintothatdarknessfromtherearsectionofaSikorskyJayhawkasthebighelicoptershouldereditswaythroughbandsofpouringrain.Turbulenceshookthecraft,andthirty-footswellsrolledbeneaththem,theirtopsblownoffbythehowlingwind.
Asthelightningfaded,Kurtsawhisreflectiononthe
glass.Roughlyforty,withsilver-grayhair,Kurtwashandsomeintherightkindoflight.Astrongjawlineandpiercingblueeyessawtothat.Butlikeatruckthatspentitsdaysontheworksiteinsteadofinthegarage,hisfacecarriedthemilesinplainview.
Thelinesaroundhiseyeswereetchedalittledeeperthanmost.Acollectionoffadedscarsfromfistfights,
carcrashes,andotherincidentsmarkedhisbrowandjaw.Itwasthefaceofamanwhoseemedreadyforanything,determinedandunyielding,evenasthehelicopternearedthelimitsofitsrange.
HepressedtheintercomswitchandlookedaheadtowherehisfriendJoeZavalasatinthecopilot’sseat.“Anything?”
“Nothing,”Joecalled
back.KurtandJoeworkedfor
NUMA,theNationalUnderwaterMarineAgency,abranchoftheAmericangovernmentdedicatedtothestudyandpreservationofthesea.But,atthemoment,theywerepartofamakeshiftrescueteamcalledontoassistagroupofflounderingvesselsthathadbeencaughtinadebilitatingstorm.
Astheyflewon,theradio
crackledwithstaticandrapid-fireconversationsbetweentheSouthAfricanCoastGuardandthesmallgroupofrescuecraft.
“SapphireTwo,what’syourposition?”
“SapphireTwohascontactwiththeEndlessRoad.Sheappearstobedriftingbutwatertight.Fourcrewarevisible.Maneuveringintopositionforbasketrescue.”
“Rogerthat,SapphireTwo.SapphireThree,what’syourstatus?”
“Inboundwithrescues.Twoappeartohavehypothermia,thirdisstable.”
Thestormhadcomebarrelinginfromthesoutheast,gainingintensityasitapproachedtheCapeofGoodHope.Itsweptupseveralfreighters,includingathousand-footcontainership,andthenswungnorthandset
itssightsonagroupofyachtsandotherpleasurecraftinvolvedinafriendlyracefromDurbantoAustralia.
ThefuryofthestormanditssuddenarrivalhadtaxedtheSouthAfricanCoastGuardtothelimit.They’dcalledforanyableassistance,enlistingthehelpofaRoyalNavyfrigate,twoAmericansupplyships,andtheNUMAresearchvesselCondor.
Seventymileseastofthe
Condor,Kurt,Joe,andthepilotoftheJayhawkwerenearingtheGPScoordinatesthey’dbeengiven.Butthey’dyettospotathing.
“Weshouldbealmostontopofher,”Kurtsaid.
“Shemighthavegonedown,”thepilotreplied.
Kurtdidn’twanttoconsiderthat.Byastrangetwistoffate,heknewthefamilyontheyachttheywereattemptingtoassist.Atleast
heknewoneofthem.“Howmuchfuel?”“We’reBingointen
minutes.”Atthatpoint,they’dhave
onlyenoughfueltomakeitbacktotheCondorandwouldhavetoturnaroundorrisksplashingdownshortofhomeandneedingrescuethemselves.
“Stretchit,”Kurtsaid.“Theheadwindsare
killingus.”
“There’llbetailwindsonthewayhome,”Kurtinsisted.“Keepgoing.”
Thepilotclammedup,andKurtturnedhiseyesbacktothesea.
“Ihavesomething,”Joeshouted,holdingahandtohisheadset.“It’sweak,butIthinkit’stheiremergencybeacon.Turnrighttozerosevenzero.”
Thehelicopterbankedintotheturn,andseveral
minuteslaterKurtspiedthehullofahundred-sixty-footyachtlistingtooneside.Shewasstillafloatbutdownatthebow,andallbutawashinthewaves.
“Takeusin,”Kurtordered.
Heyankedopenthecargodoor,slidingitbackandlockingitinplace.Windandrainwhippedintothecabin.
Awinchsystemandfourhundredfeetofcablewould
allowthemtoliftsurvivorsonboard,buttheyhadnobasket,soKurtwouldhavetogodownandgrabthemhimself.Heclickedthecabletotheharnesshe’dpulledonpreviouslyandslidhimselftotheedge,feetdanglingovertheside.
“Iseenoone,”thepilotsaid.
“Theycouldbeclingingtotheside,”Kurtreplied.“Takeusaround.”
Kurtcouldfeeladrenalinesurgingthroughhisbody,muchasithadbeensincethedetailsofthedamagedcraftcameinfromtheSouthAfricanCoastGuardstation.
“VesselEthernetreportsheavyflooding,”theSouthAfricancontrollerhadinformedthem.“NUMAJayhawk,pleaseassist.Youareonlyrescueinrange.”
“ConfirmvesselID?”Kurthadasked,hardly
believingwhathe’dheard.“Ethernet,”thecontroller
advised.“OutofSanFrancisco.Sevenpersonsknowntobeaboard.IncludingBrianWestgate,hiswife,andtwochildren.”
BrianWestgatewasanInternetbillionaire.Hiswife,Sienna,wasanoldfriendofKurt’s.Yearsearlier,she’dbeentheloveofhislife.
ThemessagehadstunnedKurtinawayfewthingsever
did,buthewasthetypetorecoverquickly.Heblockedoutanythoughtsofthepastorfearsofnotreachingtheyachtintimeandfocusedonthetaskathand.
“Getthespotlighton,Joe!”
Asthehelicoptercircledtheflounderingvesselanddroppedtowardit,Kurtcouldseewavessweepingoverthehull.Theonlysavinggracewasthattheforward
superstructurewasbeingshelteredbytheaftsectionoftheship.
Joeturnedonthespotlight,andtherainbecameafieldofslashinglines.Theeffectwasblindingforamoment,butonceJoegottheangleright,Kurtcouldseethehullmoreclearly.Hecaughtaglimpseoforange.
“There!Nearthebridge.”Thepilotsawittoo.He
maneuveredthehelicopter
closer,asJoeunlatchedhimselfandcamebacktooperatethewinch.
“Thiscableisn’tdesignedtohoistpeople,”heremindedKurt.
“Ittowsasonararray,”Kurtsaid.
“Thefishonlyweighsninetypounds.”
“It’lldothejob,”Kurtsaid.“Now,releasethetension.”
Joehesitated,andonce
Kurthadlookeddownandgaugedtheirposition,hereachedupandpunchedthetensionerhimself.BeforeJoecouldstophim,he’ddroppedfromtheedgeofthehelicopter.
Holdingamasktohisfaceandpointinghisfeetstraightdown,Kurthitthewateratthetopofaswellandplungedthroughit.Foralongmoment,hewasbathedinthestrangemutedsilenceofthe
sea.Itwascalmingandpeaceful.
Andthenhesurfacedintothemaelstrom.
Theswellswerelikerollingmountains,anddropletsfromthetorrentialdownpourdancedonthesurfaceineverydirection.
Turningtotheflounderingyacht,Kurtbegankickinghardtowardit.
Reachingthevesselamidships,hestretchedfor
therail.Beforehecouldgetafirmgrip,atroughrolledby,andhedroppeddownalongthesideofthehull.Hefoughttostayinposition,untilthenextswellarrived.Itcarriedhimupwarduntilhewasevenwiththedeck.Thistimehequicklygrabbedtherailandpulledhimselfaboard.Heclamberedacrossthedeck,scarcelyavoidingbeingwashedoverboardbyanotherwave.
Hereachedthebridge,wherehefoundthewindowssmashedin.Theorangeflashhe’dassumedtobealifevestwasnowheretobeseen.
“Sienna!”heshouted.Itwasuselessagainstthewind.
Hepeeredinside.Severalfeetofwatersloshedaround.Forasecondhethoughthesawabody,butthepowerwasout,andinthedarknessitcouldhavebeenanything.Hegrabbedthehatchwaydoor
andyankeditopen,forcinghiswayin.
Thevesselgroanedominouslyasitwallowedinthestorm.EverythingaroundKurtseemedtobemoving.Heraisedhisarmandswitchedonawaterproofflashlightthatwasstrappedtoit.
Thebeamplayedonthewaterandflaredasitreflectedoffawallofglassbehindthebridge.Insome
cornerofhismind,Kurtrememberedreadingabouttheyacht’sdesign.Everywallintheupperdeckwasacrylic.Itwassupposedtomaketheinsideofthevesselseemmorespacious.Ifprivacywasneeded,theycouldbedarkenedwiththeflickofaswitch.
Anotherwavehittheshipandsherolledalittlefarther.Kurtfoundhimselfslidingtowardthatglasswallas
greenseawaterbeganpouringinthroughtheopenhatch.
Furniture,charts,lifevests,andotherkindsofdetritussloshedaroundhim.Kurtstoodandsteadiedhimself.Hisarmcameoutofthewater,andthelightplayedofftheglassonceagain.Foramoment,itflared,blindinghim,butasheadjustedhisaimhesawafaceontheotherside.Awoman’sfaceframedinwet
blondhair.Achildfloatedbesideher,atowheadedblondgirl,nomorethansixorperhapsseven.Hereyeswereopenbutunresponsive.
Kurtlungedtowardthemonlytocrashintoaglasspartition.
“Sienna!”heshouted.Therewasnoresponse.Thewaterwasrising
morerapidlynow.ItswirleduparoundKurt’schestasheslammedhisfistagainstthe
glassandthentriedtosmashitwithachairhefoundfloatingbesidehim.Thepartitionheldagainsttwosolidblows.AndasKurtrearedbackforathirdswing,theshiprolledfartherandthewaterreachedhisneck.
Theyachtwasgoingover.Hecouldfeelit.
Withoutwarning,theharnesssnappedtightaroundhim,andKurtfelthimselfbeingdraggedbackward.
“No!”heshouted,onlytoswallowamouthfulofwater.
Hewasbeingpulledbackwardagainstagreatcurrentfloodingintothebridge.Itwaslikebeingdraggedupwardthroughawaterfall.Forabriefinstant,hesawthefacesagain,andthenhismaskwasrippedoffandtheworldwentblurryandgreen.Thecablejerkedoncemore,pullinghimhardandslamminghisheadagainstthe
doorframeintheprocess.Dazedandbarely
conscious,Kurtsensedhe’dbeenpulledfree.Buthisprogresswasslowing.Somepartofhimknewthereason:Joeandthepilotmusthavemaneuveredthehelicoptertodraghimoutofthesinkingvessel.They’dmanagedtoyankhimclear,butthecablemusthavesnapped,perhapswhenhehitthebulkhead.
Hetriedtoswim,kicking
feebly,buthismindwascloudyandhismusclesweremostlyunresponsive.Insteadofrising,hewasbeingpulleddeeper,drawndownbythesuctionofthesinkingyacht.Hesawitbeneathhim,agrayblurretreatingfromthebeamofhislight.
Thinkingonlyofsurvival,heturnedhisgazeupward.Abovehim,Kurtsawaringofsilverylight.Andthen,feelingonlysimple
fascination,hewatcheditcloselikethepupilofavastdiscerningeye.
Withajolt,Kurtbolteduprightinhisbed.Hewasdrenchedinsweatandgaspingforair,andhisheartpoundedasifhe’djustrunupamountain.Foramoment,heheldstillandstaredintothedarkness,tryingtofreehimselffromthegraspofthe
nightmareandthepowerfulemotionsthatlingeredintheafterlifeofadream.
Theprocesswasalwaysthesame,aquickrealizationofwherehewasandthenabriefmomentofuncertaintyasifthemindwastorndecidingwhichworldwasrealityandwhichwasillusion.
Thunderrumbledoutside,accompaniedbyadimflashoflightningandthesoundof
therainpeltinghisdeck.Hewasathome,inhis
ownbedroom,intheboathouseheownedonthebanksofthePotomacRiver.Notdrowninginthefailedrescueattemptthathadtakenplacemonthsearlierandhalfaworldaway.
“Areyouallright?”asoothingfemalevoiceasked.
Kurtrecognizedthevoice.AnnaEricsson,askindasshewaspretty.Anatural
blondewithstrikinggreeneyes,thefairestofeyebrows,andaperfectlittlenosethatturnedupattheend.Forsomereason,hewishedshewassomewhereelseatthismoment.
“No,”Kurtsaid,throwingthecoversback.“I’mfarfromallright.”
Heclimbedoutofbedandwenttothewindow.
“It’sjustanightmare,”shesaid.“Repressed
memoriesworkingtheirwayout.”
Kurtcouldfeelhisheadpounding,notjustwithaheadachebutatthebackofhisskull,wherehe’dsustainedahairlinefractureasJoehadpulledhimfreeofthesinkingyacht.“They’renotrepressed,”hesaid.“Tobehonestwithyou,Iwishtheywere.”
Shewascalm.Notonetorespondtohisagitation.“Did
youseethem?”sheasked.Thundercrashedoutside,
andtherainrattledagainsttheArcadiadoorwithrenewedvigor.Kurtwonderediftherainhadtriggeredthenightmare.Thenagain,hedidn’tneedanythingtotriggerthem.Theyseemedtocomealmostnightly.
“Didyouseethemthistime?”sheaskedagain.
Kurtexhaledinfrustration,wavedheroff,
andmadehiswaytothewetbarinthelivingroom.Annafollowedsecondslater,wearingyogapantsandoneofhisT-shirts.Hecouldn’thelpbutadmirehowprettyshewas.Eveninthemiddleofthenight.Evenwithoutabitofmakeup.
Heswitchedonalight.Itpainedhiseyesforamomentbutallowedhimtopluckahalf-emptybottleofJackDaniel’soffthetray.He
noticedthathishandwasshaking.Hepouredhimselfadouble.
“Youknowitmeanssomething,”sheprodded.
Hegulpedsomeofthewhiskey.“Canwepleasekeepthepsychoanalyzingtoofficehours?”
Shewassupposedtobehistherapist.Intheaftermathoftheconcussion,he’dbeguntohavetremorsandotherissues.Thenightmarescame
first,thenmemoryproblemsandbarelysuppressedfeelingsofragethatthosewhoknewhimwererighttoconsideroutofcharacter.
Inresponse,NUMAhadassignedMs.Ericssontoactashistherapistandcounselor.Inafitofspiteagainstthosewhoweretryingtohelphim,Kurthadspentweeksplayingtheroleofacurmudgeon.Ithadn’tbeenenoughtowardheroff,andthetwohad
endedupseeingeachotheronamore-than-professionalbasis.
Kurtswiggedsomemorewhiskeyandwincedatthepain.Henoticedacontainerofaspirinbesidetheliquorbottlesandreachedforit.Howmanynightsthisweekhadherepeatedthissameroutine?Four?Five?Hetriedtoaddthemupbutcouldn’thonestlyrecall.Ithadbecomefartoocommon.
“Haveyoubeentoworklately?”shesaid,ploppingdownontheedgeofhiscouch.
Kurtshookhishead.“Ican’tgotoworkuntilyoufixme,remember?”
“You’renotbroken,Kurt.Butyouareinpain.Nomatterhowmuchyouwanttopretend.Yousufferedasevereconcussion,afracturedskull,andanemotionaltraumaallatthesametime.
Formonths,youdisplayedeverysymptomofatraumaticbraininjury.Andyou’recontinuingtohavesomeofthem.Beyondthat,you’reatextbookcaseofsurvivor’sguilt.”
“Ihavenothingtofeelguiltyabout,”heinsisted.“IdidthebestIcould.”
“Iknowthat,”shesaid.“Everyoneinvolvedknowsthat.Butyoudon’tbelieveit.”
Hedidn’tknowwhattobelieve.Literally.
“EvenBrianWestgateknowswhatyoutriedtodowasheroic.”
“BrianWestgate,”Kurtmutteredwithdisdain.
Shepickeduponthetoneinhisvoice,theonethatsignaledanuptickinhislevelofagitation,butshepushedanyway.
“Hestillwantstomeetwithyou,youknow.Shake
yourhand.Tellyouthanks.”Shepaused.“Haveyouevenreturnedhiscalls?”
Ofcoursehehadn’t.“I’vebeenalittlebusy.”
Shewasstudyinghim,noddingslightly.“That’sit,isn’tit?”
“What’sit?”“Youweresupposedto
marrySiennabutyoudroveheraway.Ifyouhadn’tdonethat,shewouldn’thavemetWestgate.NoWestgate,no
yacht.Noyacht,nostorm.Nostorm,nosinking.Andnofailedattempttorescueher.That’swhatyou’reblamingyourselffor.”
Survivor’sguiltwascomplicated.Kurtknewthis.Hehadfriendswho’dcomebackfromIraqandAfghanistan.They’ddoneheroicthings,moreheroicthananythinghe’ddone,andyettheyblamedthemselvesformuchofwhatwent
wrong.Hetookabreathand
lookedaway.Therewastoomuchtruthinwhatshe’dsaidforhimtoargue,butforreasonshewasn’twillingtoexplainitdidn’thelphimmuch.Heturnedhisattentionbacktotheaspirin,priedthetopoffthebottleandpoppedafewofthepillsintohismouth.Hechasedthemdownwithmorewhiskey.
Feelinghisheadachewas
nowbeingproperlytreated,heturnedbacktoAnnaandtriedtobemorecivil.“Whydoesitmatter?”heasked.“Whydoesitmattersomuchtoyou?”
“Becauseit’smyjob,”shesaid.“AndbecauselikeanidiotIchosetocareaboutyouasmorethanapatient.”
“No,”hesaid,correctingher.“WhydoesitmatterwhetherIseetheminthedreamornot?Youkeep
askingaboutthat.Whydoesthatmattertoyou?”
Shepausedandstaredupathim.Thelookwasamixofkindnessandfrustration.“Itdoesn’tmattertome,”shesaid.“Itmatterstoyou.”
Kurtstared.“Basedonwhatyou’ve
toldme,thedreamsareallthesame,”shepointedout.“Exceptinhalfofthem,youseethisblondCaucasianwomanandoneofher
children,whileintherestyouseenothingbutdebrisandemptylifejackets.Youcan’tevenbesurethewomanisSienna.Buteitherway,realorimagined,youcouldn’treachthem,theshipwentdown,and,unfortunately,they’regone.Endofstory.”
Shetiltedherheadabit.Alookofempathysettledonherface.“Totherestoftheworld,itdoesn’tmakeadifferencebecausethe
outcomeisthesame.Butthesealternatedreams—thesealternaterealities—theymustmattertoyouoryouwouldn’tkeephavingthem.Thesooneryoufigureoutwhy,thesooneryou’llbegintofeelbetter.”
Hecouldonlystare.Shewasclosertothetruththansheknew.
“Isee”wasallhecouldsay.
Shesighed.“Ishouldn’t
havecomeover,”shesaid,reachingforhersneakersandslippingthemon.“Forthatmatter,Ishouldn’thavekissedyou.ButI’mgladIdid.”
Shestoodupandgrabbedhercoatoffarackbythedoor.“I’mgoinghome,”shesaid.“Gobacktowork,Kurt.Itmightdoyousomegood.Infact,goseeWestgate.He’sactuallyinWashington.He’smakingsomebig
announcementtomorrowonthestepsoftheSmithsonian.He’sprobablynotthebastardyouthinkheis.Anditmightgiveyousomeclosure.”
Shepulledhercoaton,openedthedoortothesoundofrainonthedriveway,thensteppedthroughandshutitbehindher.Secondslater,theengineofherFordExplorerrumbledtolife,followedbythesoundofherbackingoutandupthehillontoRiver
Road.Kurtstaredattheempty
spaceforaminute.Withagulp,hefinishedthedrinkandwaveredonwhethertopourhimselfanother.Heputthetumblerdown.Itdidn’thelpmuchanyway.
Insteadofanotherdrink,hewalkedthroughthelivingroomandslidopentheArcadiadoorthatledoutontothedeck.Therainwasrelentless,beadinguponthe
freshlystainedwoodlikequicksilverinalabtray.Theriverwascoveredindancingdropletsjustliketheseainhisdream.
Whydiditmatter?Hewalkedtotherailing.
Astherainsoakedhim,itseemedtodrawsomeoftheagonyout.FartothelefthesawtheredtaillightsofAnna’sFordasshedroveoff.
Whydidhetryharderandhardertoseethetrutheach
timethedreamstarted?Heknewtheanswerto
thismystery,ithadcometohimweeksago,buthekeptittohimself.Hecouldn’ttellanyone,certainlynothistherapist.
Soakingwet,hesteppedbackinside,grabbedatoweltodryhishandsandface,anddroppedintothechairathisdesk.
Tossingthetowelaside,heflickedonthecomputer
andwaitedasthescreenlitup.Aftertypinginhismainpassword,heclickedaniconthatrequiredasecondpassword.Itbroughtupaseriesofencryptede-mails.
ThelatesthadbeensentbyaformerMossadagentwhomKurtknewthroughathirdparty.Moneyhadbeenwiredandreceived,andthemanagreedtoinvestigatearumor.
Thee-mailreadrather
matter-of-factly.Canneitherconfirmnor
denythepresenceofSiennaWestgateinMashhadorsurroundingarea.
MashhadwasacityinnorthernIran,suspectedofbeingtheheadquartersofanewtechnicalgroupworkingfortheIranianmilitary.Noonewascertainjustwhattheywereupto,buttheIranianswerebelievedtobedesperatelyupgradingtheir
cybersecurityandattackforce.EmbitteredthattheU.S.hadsomehowgottenavirusknownasStuxnetintotheirnuclear-processingfacilitiesandcausedathousandhigh-pricedcentrifugestospinoutofcontroluntiltheyexploded,theIranianswerenotonlylookingtoprotectthemselves,theywereplanningtohitback.
Partofthateffortseemed
toinvolveforeignerswho’dbeenspottedshufflinginandoutofMashhad,sometimesunderguard.
Kurtreadtherestofthee-mail.
Ongoodauthority,I’vebeeninformedthatthreeWesternpersons,twomale,onefemale,wereinMashhadforsometime.Theywerepresentforatleastnineteenandpossiblyasmanyasthirtydays.It’sunclearif
theseindividualswerecaptivesorpaidexperts.DescriptionofthefemalematchesMrs.Westgateinsizeandapproximateagebutnothaircolor.Nophotographsareavailable.Subjectdidnotappeartobeinjuredortofavoreitherhandindailyactivities.
ShewasseenarrivingandleavingthesuspecteddefensebuildinginnorthernMashhadunderlightsecurity.No
coercionwasevident.Nomistreatmentdetected.
Allthreeindividualswerespotteddepartingviasmallaircrafttwentyonedaysago.Noinformationhasbeenuncoveredtoaccuratelysuggestthedestinationofthataircraftorthecurrentwhereaboutsorwelfareofthepersonsonboard.
Kurtclosedthefile.Whydiditmatterwhathe
sawinthedreams?Because,
despiteallevidencetothecontrary,he’dbecomeconvincedthatSiennawasalive.Andifshewasalive,hecouldthinkofonlyonereasonshe’dbedoingworkfortheIranians:herchildren,TannerandElise.Someonehadtobeholdingthemhostageandusingthemasleverageagainsther.
Heknewitwasastretchoflogic,suppositionpileduponsupposition.
Consideringthefacts,itwasirrationalandunreasonable,andyethefeltitwitheveryfiberofhisbeing.Onlythedreamsmadehimdoubt.
Iftheemptysalonandtheabandonedyachtwerethetruememories,thenhehadreasontobelieve,tohope,andtotrusthisinstincts.
ButifhehadwitnessedSiennaandherdaughterdrown—
andwastrying
subconsciouslytorewritehismemoriesandreplacewhatheknewwithwhathewantedrealitytobe—thenhewasbalancingontheveryedgeofmadness,onemisstepfromtumblingintotheabyss.
June 2014
Western Madagascar
Thewomanonhorsebackmovedslowly,materializinglikeanapparitionthroughthe
shimmerofthemiddayheat.Youngandfit,inherlatetwenties,sheheldthereinsofaspottedAppaloosawithquietconfidenceasittrottedslowlyalongthesandattheedgeofamuddyriver.
Sheworeblackfromheadtotoe,stylishridingboots,andacaballero’swide-brimmedhattokeepherpaleskinfromthesun.
Sheguidedthehorseeffortlessly,passingthrougha
narrowsection,keepinghereyesonthewater’sedgeincaseanycrocodileswerelurking.Asthegorgewidenedout,shecameuponagroupofzebus—BrahmancattlewithsharpV-shapedhornsanddistinctivelyhumpedshoulders.
Thecattlewerepartofherfamily’sabundantwealth,asymbolofbothpowerandplenty,thoughlittlecarewasgiventothemthesedays.
Mostlytheywanderedunchecked,grazingonthevegetationthathadgrownduringMadagascar’swetseason.
Sheputthecattlebehindherandroundedabendintheriver.Itbroughthertoanareaofnaturalcarnage.Weeksofrainhadbroughtonheavyflooding,theworstthispartoftheislandhadeverseen.
Asthestreamsfunneledtogether,therushingtorrents
hadgrownstrongenoughtoscourouthugesectionsofthebanks,undercuttingthelandandtearingitawayinparking-lot-sizedchunks.Fallentreeshadbeensweptdownriverliketoothpicks;thosethatremainedlayinatangle,theirrootsupturned.
Fartheron,shecametoasectionofshorelinethathadoncebeenapeninsulastickingoutintoalargebendintheriver.Itwasnowan
island,cutofffromthelandandsurroundedonallsidesbythearmsoftherushingriver.
Shecheckedthehorsewithaslightmovementofthereinsandpaused.TheMozambiqueChannelspreadoutaheadofher,itsshimmeringwatersstretchingtothehorizon.ThreehundredmilesbeyondlaytheeasternshoreofAfrica.
She’dcometothisspot
oftenovertheyears.Itwasherfavoriteplaceontheisland,thoughforreasonsotherswouldfindodd.Aloneinthisdesolateplace,shefeltsomethingdifferent:acertainkindofsadnessthatshehidfromtheworld.Itseemedtobelongtoherlikenothingelseshepossessed.Itwaspartofher,anemotionshedidn’twanttolose.
Unfortunately,thingswerechanging.Eventswere
unfoldingbeyondhercontrol,andthatmelancholyfeelingwasbeingtornawaypiecebypiece,likethesmallislanderodinginthecenteroftheragingchannel.
Asshewatched,asectionofredclaythesizeofahousesloughedintothewaterfromthefrontoftheisland.Itsliddownatanangle,likeanicebergcalvingfromaglacier,andbegantodissolveasitcontactedthechurning
river.Initsplaceshenoticed
somethingodd.Notmoreclaybutdark,blackenedmetal.Flatandsmoothlikeawallmadeofiron.Thechurningwaterrushedpast,relentlesslyscouringthemudfromitandslowlyrevealingmoreandmore.Aseamappearedandthenanother.Shesawthatthewallwasactuallygreatplatesofrivetedsteel.
Achillsettledonherspine,asickfeelingrisinginherstomach.Fearandcuriositymixedinacocktailofemotions.Shefeltdrawntowhatshesawandafraidofitatthesametime.
Anurgetocrosstheriverandinvestigatecameoverherasifsomethingorsomeonewascallingtoher,asifshewerebeingaskedtocometotheaidofghoststrappedbeyondthatmetalwall.
Sheeasedthehorsetotheriver’sedgebuttheanimalbuckedandresisted.Thecurrentwasfartoostrong,thefootingtootreacherous.Onestepintoitandsheandthehorsewouldbecarriedawayaseasilyasthelargetrees.
Thehorseraiseditsheadandneighed.Somehow,theactbroughtthewomantohersenses.Shebackedoffandlookedtowardthesmallislandoncemore.
Shedidn’tknowwhatlaybeneaththereddishsoil.Andsuddenlyshedidn’twanttoknow.Sheonlywantedtoleave,togetoutofthere,beforethetruthwasrevealed.
Sheturnedthehorsesharply,pullingitsheadaround,andkickingherheelsintoitssides.
“Comeon,”shesaid.“Yah!”
Withawillingsurge,thehorsetookoff,galloping
away,headingbackinland,backtotheplantation,thepalacelikemansionandthelifesheknew.
Morestormcloudsweregatheringabovethehillsinthedistance.Anotherfloodwouldbecoming.Sheguessedaccuratelythatwhateverlayburiedunderthatislandwouldbegonebeforemorning.
SebastianBrèvardwaitedinthemainhallofhisopulentplantationhouse.Sixfeettall,trimandmuscularatforty-twoyearsofage,withsmootholiveskinanddarkhairthatrevealedhisancestraloriginsintheSouthofFrance,Brèvardwasahandsomemanintheprimeofhislife.Hishairwasthickanddarkasmahogany,hiseyeswerelightlycolored,almosthazel,andhesportedathinbeard
thatranalonghisjawline,trimmeddailybyapersonalbarber.Hecarriedhimselfwithanairofconfidence—somewouldsayarrogance—thatcamefromaprivilegedupbringingasmasterofthehouse.
Andwhilehelikedthefinerthingsinlife,heworenojewelry,saveforasinglegoldringgiventohimbyhisfather.
Thehousearoundhim
wasaminorpalace,builtinthebaroquestyleofeighteenth-centuryFrance.Thegrounds,arrangedinterracesontheslopeofthegreathill,containedstables,ornategardens,fountains,evenahedgemazethattookupseveralacresonthesecondterracejustbelowthemainhouse.
Thehouseitselfwasfilledwithsplendor.Ashewalkedthehall,hetrodsoftlyon
polishedItalianmarble.Doriccolumnsofgraniteroseoneithersideofthespace,whileextraordinaryworksofartlinedthewallsbetweenstatuesandintricatetapestries.
Likehishome,Sebastianwascladimpeccably.Heworeathree-buttonSavileRowsuitthatcostasmuchasasmallMercedes.Hisfeetwerecoveredinsilksocksandtwo-thousanddollar
crocodile-skinshoes.Completingtheensemblewasafive-hundred-dollarEtondressshirtwithFrenchcuffs,claspedtogetherbydiamond-studdedcufflinks.
Itwastruethathehadanimportantmeetinglaterthatafternoon,butheconsidereditaprivilegetodresslikeaking.Ithelpedthosewhomethimknowtheirstationinlife;itreassuredthosewhoworkedforhimthathispath
wasapathofsuccess.Neartheendofthehall,
twomenwhoresembledhimintheirfeatureswaited.Theywerehisbrothers,EganandLaurent.Theyknewoftheimportanceoftoday’smeeting.
“AreyoureallygoingtoentertainAcosta’smessenger?”Laurentasked.“Weshouldhavekilledhimforbetrayingus.”
Laurent,severalyears
youngerthanSebastian,wasalwaysreadyforafight,asifheknewnootherwaytodealwithconfrontation.DespiteSebastian’seffortstoteachhim,Laurenthadnevergraspedthatmanipulationwasmoreprofitableandusuallymoreeffectivethanconfrontation.
“Letmeworryaboutthat,”Sebastiansaid.“Youjustmakesureourdefensesarepreparedincasewehave
tofight.”Laurentnoddedand
movedaway.Indayspast,thetwohadclashed,butLaurenthadgivenwaytohisolderbrother’sleadershipcompletelynow.
“Whataboutalltheexplosivesinthearmory?”Eganasked.“SomeofthemunitionsthatAcostalefthereareunstable.”
“Ihaveusesforthem,”Sebastianexplained.
Ofthethreebrothers,Eganwastheyoungestandmostinterestedinpleasingothers.Sebastianconsidereditaweakness,but,then,Eganhadbeenonlyfourteenwhentheirfatherpassed.He’dnotlearnedfirsthandhowtobehard.
“I’llmakesuretogiveyouaninventory,”Egansaid,andleftbythemainhall.
Withthetwoofthemgone,thesoundofhigh-
heeledbootsclickingagainstthemarblefloorturnedSebastianaround.Comingdownthehalltowardhimwasthelitheformoftheyoungestmemberofthefamily.
Calistawasfifteenyearshisjuniorandasdifferentfromthebrothersasnightandday.Unlikethem,shedressedasacommoner.Thoughwithonlyhalfasmuchstyle,hethought.Todaysheworeblackfromheadtotoe,
includingacowboyhat,whichshetookoffandplacedontheheadofapricelessstatue.
Hershorthairwasdyedthecolorofcoal.Hernailswerepainteddarkly,andshe’ddonehereyeswithenoughmascarathatsheresembledaraccoon.
“Hello,Calista,”hesaid.“Wherehaveyoubeen?”“Outriding,”shesaid.
“Anddressedfora
funeral,Isee.”Sheputanarmaround
himprovocativelyandreacheduptosetaskewhisperfectlycenteredtie.“Isthatwhat’sontheagendatoday?”
Heglaredatheruntilshesteppedback.
Restraighteninghistie,hespokebluntly.“ItwillbeifAcostadoesnotreturnwhathe’stakenfromus.”
Sheperkedupatthat.“IsRenecominghere?”
“Yourpersonalinterestinhimbothersme,”Sebastianscoldedher.“He’sbeneathyou.”
“Sometimesacatplayswithamouse,”shereplied.“Sometimesshekillsit.Whatconcernisthatofyours?”
Calistawasalostchild.Shedidn’tbondwellwithpeople.Notthatsheavoidedhumanrelationships;onthecontrary,shewasalwaysenteringintoorleavingone.
Butfromtheirfatherondown,allherrelationshipswereamixofloveandhate,angerconstantlysetoffbyacrushingdevotionforallthethingsshecouldneverhave.
Andonceshepossessedthem,itchanged.Suddenandcruelindifferencewastheusualresponse,orevenadesiretocausepainandtormenttothatwhichshenowcontrolled.Howperfect,hemused,tohaveabeautiful
littlesociopathforasister.Itmadeheruseful.
“Rene’sdisobedienceismyconcern,”hetoldher.“He’sbetrayedus.”
Sheseemedreadytodefendherex-lover.“HetookthewomantoIranasyouasked,”shesaid.“She’sdonewhatweneededhertodo.TheTrojanhorseisinplace.Thetrapdoorlinkisactive.I’vecheckeditmyself.”
Brèvardsmiled.Calista
hadhercharms,oneofwhichwasherabilitywithcomputersandsystems.Atleasttheyhadthatincommon,forSebastianwasanaccomplishedprogrammerinhisownright.Butshecouldn’tseethebigpicturelikehedid.
“TheIraniansarejustonepartoftheplan,”heremindedher.“Givingthemaccessdoesusnogoodunlesssheisbackhereandinour
possessionattheappropriatetime.Unlesstheworldfearswhatwecando,theywillnotreactasweneedthemto.”
Shestaredathimandshrugged,hoppinguponafive-hundred-year-oldcredenzaandswingingherlegsbackandforthasifitwereasideboardfromasecondhandstore.“ThatpieceoncegracedNapoleon’ssummerretreat,”Sebastianchidedher.
Sheglancedattheantiquewoodwithitsperfectlycurvedlinesandornatefinish.“I’msurehedoesn’tneeditanymore.”
Sebastianfelthisangerbuildingbutheldback.
“Weshouldn’thavegivenhertoRene,”sheadded,suddenlybecomingthecold,darkversionofherselfagain.“WeshouldhavemadeadealwiththeIraniansourselves.”
Brèvardshookhishead.
“Reneisthefront.Hispresenceinsulatesandprotectsus.Wesethimupinbusinessforthatveryreason.Weneedtokeepthatinplace.Butheneedstobereinedin.”
“Thenwehavetofindawaytomotivatehim,”sheadded.“Isuggestviolence.Plentyofit.”
“Really?”hesaid.“WhyamInotsurprised?”
“It’sallheunderstands.”“Wearenotblunt
instrumentslikeRene,”heinsisted.“Wemustsucceedwithstyleandgrace.Moretothepoint,weareartists.Whenwetakewhatwe’reafter—”
“Iknow,”shesaid,cuttinghimoff,“noonemustknowitwasus.”
“No,”hecorrected.“Noonemustknowitwastaken.”
Thiswasapointhethoughthe’dhammeredhome.
Shesighed,tiredofhislectures.“YouwillnevergetthewomanbackfromReneuntilhe’safraid.Hemaybeabrute,butItellyouhelivesingreatfearandthat’swhyhelashesout.Youwantherback,youwillhavetotapintothatfear.”
Sebastianwassilentforamoment.“Youmightberight,”hesaid.“Cometomyoffice.Rene’smessengershouldbearrivinganyminute
now.”Twentyminuteslater,a
servantopenedthedoortoSebastian’soffice.“Aguesthasarrived,MonsieurBrèvard.HeclaimstospeakforMr.Acosta.”
“Didhecomealone?”“Hecamewiththreemen.
Theyareundoubtedlyarmed.”
“Showthemessengerin,”Sebastiansaid.
“Andtheothers,sir?”
“Offerthemadrinkfromourprivatestock.”
“Verygood,sir.”Theservantbowed
slightlyandbacktrackedthroughthedoubledoors.
Momentslater,astockymanintancargopantsandaloosefittingpoloshirtcamein.“MynameisKovack,”themansaid.HespokeEnglishwithanEasternEuropeanaccent.HemadeuneasyeyecontactwithSebastianand
glancednervouslybehindhimatCalista,whostoodwithherbackpressedflatagainstthewall.Shedidn’tacknowledgehimormoveorevenblink.
Sebastiangrinnedinwardly.Hisoddlittlesisterhadawayofunnervingeventhemosthardenedofguests.“WhereisRene?”
“He’shereandthere,”Kovacksaidflippantly.“Averybusyman.”
“Andwhyhashebroken
ouragreement?TheAmericanwomanwassupposedtobereturnedtousaftertheIranianexercisewasover.”
KovacktookaseatinoneofthechairsfrontingSebastian’sornatedeskandbegantoexplain.“Wehavediscoveredotherbuyersforherservices.”
“Who?”Sebastianasked.“I’mnotatlibertytotell
you.”
SebastianguessedtheChinesewereinvolved,andprobablytheRussians.Bothwereknowntobeinterestedincyberwarfareandusingcomputerhackingasaweapon.Perhapstherewereothers.Underdifferentcircumstances,hewouldhavesetupabiddingwarandsoldthewomanandtheotherstothehighestbidderjustasRenewasattemptingtodo.Butheneededherback.No
oneelsewoulddo.Nodoubtawareofthis,
Kovackshiftedinhisseat.HisnewpostureoozedsuperiorityandarroganceasifhewerereadytodictatetermsinBrèvard’sownhome.HiseyeseemedtocatchtheboxofCubancigarsonSebastian’sdesk.
“Thesearemostdelicious.”
“Youdon’teatthem,”Sebastianpointedly
explained.“Butifyoumeantheyhaveawonderfulflavor,then,yes,you’recorrect.”WithgreatcalmnessBrèvardpickeduptheboxandofferedittohisinsolentguest.“Whydon’tyoutryone?”
Kovackreachedoutandpluckedoneofthecigarsfromthebox.Inthenextinstant,Calistaappearedinthechairbesidehim.ShemovedquicklyandstartledKovack.Shedidn’tsitas
muchasperchonthearmrestwithherfeetonthecushion.
Shereacheddown,tookthecigarcutterfromSebastian’sdesk,andtoyedwithit.“Allowme,”shepurred.Inaswiftmove,shecutofftheendofKovack’scigar.
Sebastianalmostlaughed.Howshelovedthatlittleguillotine.
Kovackseemedtoenjoytheattention.Hesmiledand
broughtthecigaruptohisnose,breathinginthearoma.“Doyouhavealight?”
Sebastianreachedforawedge-shapedblockmadeofiridescentglass.Ithadsharpedgesandlookedvaguelyvolcanic.Itheldabutanelighter,partiallyrecessedinonesurface.“Obsidian,”Sebastiansaid.“FromMountEtna.”Inamomentthecigarwasalight.TherichflavoroftheCubantobaccowassoon
waftingthroughtheroom.Sebastianlethisguestenjoythesmokeforaminuteandthenspokeoncemore.
“Backtobusiness,”hesaid.“WhatexactlydoesRenewantfromme?”
“Hewantsyoutobid.Inrealmoney.”
Therewasasarcastictonetothecomment.
“Realmoney?”Sebastiansaid,hiseyebrowsgoingup.Kovacknodded.“He’s
arranginganewauction.Somepartieshavealreadybeenrejected.Theirbidsaretoolow.Ifyouwantherdeliveredbackhere,youwillhavetooutbidtheothersorMr.Acostawillhavenochoicebuttomovethemerchandisetotheplacewhereitbringsthehighestprofit.”
Despitehisegoandpride,Sebastianansweredquickly.“Done,”hesaid.Itwas
foolishtoquibblewhenbillionswereatstake.
“Idon’tthinkyouunderstand,”Kovacksaid,puffingonthecigar.“Therearemanybidders.Idoubtyouwillbeabletoaffordthegoingrate.”
Withthat,Kovackexhaledalargecloudofsmoke.Forabriefinstantitmadearing.
Sebastianfoundhisiregrowing.Mostlybecause
Kovackwasright.TherewasnowayhecouldoutbidtheChineseortheRussiansortheKoreans,whowerealsorumoredtowanttheknowledgethewomanpossessed.Acostaknewthis.Hewasflauntingitintheirfaces.
ItwasobviousthatAcostahadbrokenfromthemcompletelynow.Hedidn’tknowBrèvard’splan,couldn’tpossiblyexposeitor
threatentoduplicateit.Butthroughsimplegreed,andstupidity,hewasendangeringaschemethreeyearsinthemaking.Amasterpieceofalongcon.ThelongestofSebastianBrèvard’slife—andbyfarthemostprofitable,ifitworked.
Thetimefornegotiationshadended.Brèvardwouldnotbedrawnin.Hiswillwouldbeimposed.Hesmiledlikeawolfbaringitsteeth.
“YouhavelearnedmuchaboutcapitalismfromRene,”hesaid.“Icomplimentyou.”
Thetensioneasedabit.Kovackofferedaslightnodofthehead.
“Yourcigarseemstohavegoneout,”Sebastianadded.“Letmerelightitforyou.”
KovackleanedforwardandputahandonthedesktobalancehimselfasSebastianpickeduptheobsidianlighter
onceagain.Insteadofrelightingthe
cigar,SebastianstretchedouthisfreehandandclampedaviselikegripontoKovack’swrist.HeyankedthemanforwardasCalistaleaptfromherperch,landedbehindKovack,andshovedhischairforward.
Kovackwasslammedagainstthedesk,oneofhisarmspinnedbelowthedesktop,theotherstretched
andpulledtowardSebastiantothepointwhereitfeltasifitwouldberippedfromitssocket.Thecigarwaslonggone,fallenfromKovack’smouth,butSebastian’sfreehandstillcurledaroundtheheavylighter.
Kovackshiftedhisweight,tryingtogetinapositiontousehislegs,butCalistabroughtaletteropenerupagainsthisthroat,prickingtheskin.
Kovackstoppedstrugglinginstantly.
“Makehimmad,”shehissed,brushingKovack’searwithhersoftlips.“Iwanttoseewhathedoes.”
KovackwasunsureifthewordswereforhimorforSebastian.Needlesstosay,hedidnothing.
“Don’tlistentoher,”Sebastiansaidcalmly.“Shewillleadyouastray.Youwouldnotbethefirst.”
“What’sthisallabout?”Kovackshouted,panickedbywhatseemedlikeamadgamebetweenthetwoofthem.“We’retalkingbusiness.”
“Thisismywayofsendingamessage,”Sebastiansaid.“Onethatwillbeclearlyunderstood.”
“Callforyourmen,”CalistaadvisedKovack.“Perhapsthedrinkhasnotgonetotheirheadsyet.Perhapsthepoisonwasnotas
potentasintended.”“Poison?”Kovack’seyes
werealmostbulgingoutofhishead.Theydartedbackandforthuntilheforcedhimselftobestill.HefocusedonBrèvard.Thewomanwasinsane.
“Whatmessagedoyouwantmetodeliver?”heblurtedout.“Iwilltellhimanythingyouask.Iwilldeliveritpersonally.Youcantrustme,I’mRene’sright-
handman.”Sebastianwincedatthe
statement,anawkwardlookthatcrinkledtheedgesofhisweatheredface.“Anunfortunatechoiceofwordsonyourpart,”hesaid.
Withthat,hetensedfurther,raisedtheobsidianlighterandslammeditdownonKovack’soutstretchedwristlikeameatcleaver.
Abloodcurdlingscreamechoedthroughthepalace,
andKovackrockedbackward,releasedbyCalistaandfallingtothefloor.Helandedonhisback,cradlingthestumpofhiswristasbloodspurtedinalldirections.
ThedoubledoorsburstopenandthreeofSebastian’sservantsrushedin.
“Seetohim,”Sebastiansaid,tossingtheseveredhandatthewoundedman.
Theservantsdropped
downbesideKovackandwrappedhisarmquickly.Atourniquetwasapplied,andhewasdraggedout.
Sebastianglancedaround,studyingthebloodthatsoakedhisdeskandsuit.“Lookatthismess,”hesaidasifadrinkhadbeenspilled.
Moreservantscameinandimmediatelybegancleaning.SebastiantookoffhiscoatandwalkedthroughadoubleFrenchdooroutontoa
balcony.Calistafollowed.Thunderrumbledinthe
distanceasthelateststormpreparedtosoakwesternMadagascar.Hewasthinkinghe’dmadeamistake.Angerhadcausedthat.“Renewillnottrustyouafterthis,”hesaidtohissister.
“Renehasnevertrustedme,”shecorrected.“Buthelustsforme,andhethinksI’mplayingbothsides.”
“Thenyouwillgotohis
auction.”“Tobidonthewoman?”“Tostealherback,”
Sebastiansaidunequivocally.“Renewouldneveracceptourbid,evenbeforeallthis.He’sgoneintobusinessforhimself.Heknowsifhedeliveredhertous,wewouldkeepher.She’sourpropertyafterall.Andhewouldbepassinguptoomuchmoney.Thewayhespendsit,heneedsallhecanget.”
Asherbrotherspoke,Calistanodded,thoughsheseemedpreoccupiedwithKovack’sbloodonthebackofherhand.Shedippedherfingerinitanddrewlinesupalongherforearmasifitwerebodypaint.
“Areyoulisteningtome?”
“YouknowIam.”“Thentellmeifyou’reup
toit.”“Ofcourse,”shesaid,
lookingup.“ButReneisnofool.Hewillbewatching.AndifIstealwhatothersbidfor—theRussians,theChinese—theywillbecomeaproblemtoo.”
Brèvardwasnotworriedaboutenemies.Whenhewasdonewiththecon,hewoulddisappearlikeaghost,likesmokeinthewind.Anditwouldbeasifhe’dneverexistedinthefirstplace.
“Figureitout,”hesaid
bluntly.“You’resmarterthanhim.Smarterthanallofthem.Putthatdeviouslittlemindofyourstoworkandgetherbackbeforeeverythingwe’veplannedgoesupinflames.”
KurtAustinarrivedattheNUMAbuildingindowntownWashingtonunderanimpossiblybluesky.Heparkedinthegarage,madehiswaytothelobby,andtooktheelevatortotheninthfloor.Thereceptionistwassurprisedtoseehim.
“Goodmorning,”hesaidtoher,smilingandheadingdownthehall.
Hearrivedatthebullpennearhisofficewhereseveralothersweregatheredabout,sippingcoffeeandgettingreadytoputinagoodday’swork.
Theycaughtsightofhimandstopped.
“Ifevenoneofyouclapsorsays,‘Welcomeback,’I’llassignyoutoMcMurdo
stationinAntarcticaforthewinterandyouwon’tseedaylightforsixmonths.”
Knowingsmilescreptacrosstheirfaces,andafewnodscamehisway,buttheresponsewaslimitedtohissecretarysqueezinghisarmandsomeoneelseofferinghimacupofcoffee.
JoeZavalaarrived,filledwithenergyandsmilingashealmostalwaysdid.“Hey,”hecalledoutloudly,“lookwho
finallymadeitbacktowork.”Heseemedsurprisedby
thelimitedreactionfromtheothers.
“Goodluck,Joe,”someonesaid.“Dresswarm.”
“Don’tpackthesunblock,”anothercoworkeradvised.
Astheypassedhim,JoeturnedtoKurt.“Whatwasthatallabout?”
“Longstory,”Kurtsaid,surprisedathowgooditfelt
tobesurroundedbyfriendsagain.“HowareyouonthegeographyofAntarctica?”
“Whydoyouask?”“BecauseIhavetosend
youtherenoworloseallcredibilitywiththestaff.”
Joenarrowedhisgaze.Hecouldguesswhatthatmeant.“Consideringthatyouwouldn’tevenbehereifIhadn’tdoveintotheragingseatopullyououtafteryoursafetycablesnapped,I’dsay
we’reeven.”KurtwastheDirectorof
SpecialProjectswithinNUMA.Itmeantheandhiscrewcouldbeassignedtoanythinganytime,anywhere.JoeZavalawastheteam’sassistantdirector,afantasticengineerandoneofthemostresourcefulpeopleKurthadeverknown.HewasalsoKurt’sbestfriend.
“Goodpoint,”Kurtsaid,unlockingthedoortohis
officeandsteppinginside.“But,thenagain,ifyouhadn’tgottensoantsyandtriedtoreelmeinlikeaprizemarlin,Iwouldn’thavecrackedmynogginonthatsteeldoorframeandscrambledupallmyeggs.Thankstoyou,I’vespentthelastmonthsonashrink’scouch.”
JoefollowedKurtinandclosedthedoorbehindhim.“I’veseentheshrinkwhose
couchyou’vebeensharing.Youcanthankmelater.”
Kurtnodded.Therewasplentyoftruthtothattoo.Hesatdownathisdesk.Itwaspiledhighwithunopenedpackagesandunreadreports.Theinboxwasstackedtwofeethigh.
“Didn’tanyworkgetdonearoundherewhileIwasgone?”
“Sure,”Joesaid.“Wheredoyouthinkallthosereports
camefrom?”Kurtbegantoleaf
throughthings,mostofitdull.Maybehe’dbringthosefileshomeincasehehadtroublesleeping.Theyseemedboringenoughtoputhimrightout.
Hescannedthroughastackofmemosandotherpapersrequestinghispresenceatmeetingsthatwerelongover.Intothecircularfiletheywent.
Hebegantolookatthemail.Acoupletubesheldchartshe’drequestedmonthsago.Heopenedabox,findingaDVDinside.
“What’sthis?”Joeleanedforward.
“FromtheJayhawk’scamera,”Joesaid.“SouthAfricanreporterturneditintoanewsstory.Itshowssomeoftheaction.”
Kurtthoughtaboutwatchingthevideobut
decidedagainstit.Itcouldn’thelphimwiththequestionshehad.“ToobadIdidn’thaveacameraonmyshoulder,”hemuttered.
HeputtheDVDasideandwentthroughsomemoreinterofficemail.Finally,hegotdowntoanenvelopefromtheSouthAfricanCoastGuard.Hetoreitopentofindareportonthestormandtherescue.Hescanneditlikeonemightreadthesportspage,
lookingonlyforthehighlights.Hisattentionsharpenedwhenhecametosomethinghedidn’tknow.
Hesatupstraight,readingtheparagraphthreetimesjusttobesure.
HelookedatJoe.“BrianWestgatewaspickedupnineteenmilesfromwheretheEthernetwentdown?”
“Thenextday,”Joesaid.“Afterthestormpassed.Hewasinaninflatableraft.”
“Iwasundertheimpressionhewasfoundinalifejacket,bobbingupanddownlikeafighterpilotwhobailedout.”
“Thestorywaskindofspunthatway.Hedoveoutoftheraftandswamtothehelicopter.Whentheypickedhimup,theonlyvideotheyreleasedwasofhiminthewaterallalone.Probablyapublicitything.”
Kurtputthereportdown.
“Doesn’titstrikeyouoddthathewasinaraftbyhimselfwhilehiswifeandkidsweredrowning?”
“Hesaidhewastryingtogettheraftreadywhiletheyheldfastinthebridge.Asurgingwavecrashedontothedeckandtookhimandtheraftoverboard.Accordingtohisstory,hetriedlikecrazytopaddleback,butitwasimpossible.”
Kurtflickedonthe
computerandpulleduptheNUMAmappingsystem,zoominginontheeasterncoastofSouthAfrica.
Runninghisfingerbeneaththenumberslistedinthereport,hememorizedthelatitudeandlongitudewheretheEthernetfoundered.Hetypeditintothecomputerandtappedtheenterkey.Thecomputermarkedthespotwithabrightredtriangle.
Hedidthesameforthe
locationofWestgate’srecoveryandagreentriangleappeared.
“Nineteenmilesapart,”Kurtsaid.“Noway.”
“Itwasalmostthirtyhourslater,”Joepointedout.“Andthatwasahellofastorm.”
KurtknewwhatJoewasthinking,butitdidn’taddup.“Unlesshewasdriftingagainstthecurrentandthroughacrosswind,he
woundupinthewrongplace.”
KurtturnedthemonitoraroundsoJoecouldsee.LittlegrayarrowsdenotingtheprevailingcurrentranoppositetothedirectionWestgatehaddrifted.
“Heshouldhavewoundupsouthwestoftheyacht,notnortheast.”
Joestudieditdumbfounded.“Maybethestormcausedatemporary
shiftinthecurrent,”hesaid.“Ormaybethewindchangedasthestormpassed.”
“Notthismuch.”Joelookedatthemap
again.Heexhaled.“Okay.I’llbite.Whatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“Ihavenoidea,”Kurtsaid,standingup.“Whydon’twegoaskMr.Billionairehimself?He’sgotsomedogandponyshowgoingonattheSmithsonian.”
“Uhmmm...”Kurtglancedattheclock
andgrabbedhiskeys.“Comeon,wecancatchhimifwehurry.”
Joewashesitating.Hestoodupwithallthespeedofatreesloth.“Idon’tknowifthat’ssuchagoodidea.”
Kurtwasbeaming,almostmanic.Hethoughtitsoundedlikeagreatidea.Especiallythepartaboutitbeinginpublic.
“It’sfine,”hesaid,headingforthedoor.“Infact,mydoctorrecommendedit.It’sallpartofmyrecovery.”
Withthat,hesteppedthroughthedoor,hittingthelightswitchonthewayout.Hedidn’tturnaroundtoseeifJoewasfollowing.Hedidn’thaveto,hecouldhearJoerunningtocatchupwithhiminthehall.
ThestepsoftheoriginalSmithsonianofferedagrandbackdropforanyonewishingtomakeabigannouncement.BuiltofredsandstonefromMaryland,the“Castle,”astheoriginalbuildingwasnicknamed,hadaromanticandsturdyqualitytoit.It
lookedlikeafortfromtheCivilWarera,oreventhetypeofbuildingthatmighthavestoodinthe“rockets’redglare.”
ButtheSmithsoniannamewasalsorenownedforitsmissiontoteachandforitscelebrationofthemoderntechnology.ForamanlikeBrianWestgate—anInternetbillionairedescendedfromanold-moneyfamily—therewasprobablynomoreperfectspot
toshowcasehimselforhiscompany.
Acrowdhadbeguntoassembleunderthebrightbluesky,andWestgatefoundhisnervesgettingthebestofhim.Hesatinsidethebuilding,ensconcedinanofficejustdownthehallfromthemainentrance.Ashewaitedhisturntogoon,twohandlersprimpedandcheckedhimover.
Hewasaneasysubjectto
workon.Fifty-oneyearsold,fitandtrim,withouttheslightesthintofexcessinhisface,hehadwavyhair,highcheekbones,andatinycleftinhischin.Helookedmorelikeanewsanchorthanthecomputergeekhewasmadeouttobe.
Hissandyblondhairwasneverunruly,thoughayoungwomannamedKaramadesureitwascoiffedjustright.“Importantnottolooktoo
youngortooold,”shewhispered.
Atthesametime,anotherhandleradjustedtheAmericanflagpinonhislapelandmadesurethecreasesinhisnavybluesuitweresharpenoughtoslicebread.
Astheyfussedoverhim,DavidForrester,theCEOofWestgate’scompany,satacrossfromhim.
“FeellikeI’mrunningfor
office,”Westgategrumbled.Hewavedthehandlersoff.He’dhadenoughofthem.
“Maybeyoushould,”Forrestersaid.
“BekindofhardtosellPhalanxtoothergovernmentsifIwastheheadofourown,”Westgatereplied.
“Goodpoint,”Forrestersaid.“We’vealreadygotrequestsfromfiveEuropeancountries,alongwithBrazilandJapan.Everyonewants
theirdatasecured,andnothingcomesclosetoPhalanxintermsofensuringthat.”
“Maybeyoushouldgooutandgivethespeech.”
“DoIlooklikethefaceofthiscompany?”
Forresterwasalawyerwho’dspenttwodecadeswithaninvestmentbankingfirmandseveralyearsworkingforoneoftheFederalReservebanks.He
wasshortandsquat,likeanoldathletegonetoseed,butwithgreatstrengthhiddenbeneaththeslowlygrowinglayeroffat.Hehadajowlyface,thinninghair,andworerimlessglasses,behindwhichweresharpeyesthatdidnotmissatrick.Thin,almostcolorlesslipsgavehimastern,menacinglook.Thedisciplinarianyoudidnotmesswith.
“You’regivingawaya
millioncomputerstoAmerica’sschools,”Forresterpointedout.“AndyoujustsignedacontractwiththefederalgovernmenttoprotectAmericandatafromforeignsources.Theseareallgoodthings.Thisisyourchancetobragtoagratefulnation.TotellallAmericansthattheirdataissecure.”
“Itfeelswrong,”Westgatemoaned.
“Becauseofthesinking?”
Westgatenodded.“It’stoosoon.”
“It’sbeenmonths,”Forrestersaid.“That’saneternityinourtwenty-four-hournewscycle.Besides,thestockisupfifteenpercentsincetheaccident.Sympathybuying.”
“What’swrongwithyou?”Westgateblurtedout.“You’retalkingaboutmywifeandkids.Mydaughterandmyson.”
Forresterheldupahand.“I’msorry,”hesaid.
“Forgetit.”“Look,”Forrestersaid.
“Wasn’tthisSienna’sideainthefirstplace?Didn’tsheaskyouwhatgoodmoremoneywoulddoinyourbankaccount?Shewantedyoutostartgivingbackandhereyouare.WeallknowthePhalanxdesignandarchitecturewasSienna’sstrokeofbrilliance.It’sherlegacy.Aslongasthe
systemliveson,she’smadeamarkintheworldthatnoonecanerase.”
Westgatepursedhislips,unabletoeitheragreeordisagree.
Aknockatthedoortoldthemitwastimetogoonstage.
Bothmenstoodup.Westgatewalkedoutthedoorandontothestagetofairlyloudapplause.
Hebeganinearnest,
talkingalmosttooquickly.Butashehithisstride,hebegantoforgetaboutthecrowd,thecontracts,andevenDavidForrester,andhebegantotalkfromtheheart.
HespokeabouteducationandopportunityandthevastinvestmenthiscompanywasmakinginAmerica’sschools.Hespokeabouthowcomputersandtrainingmeantbetterjobsforsinglemothersandwhytechnologyand
educationmeantawayoutofpovertyandoffthegovernmentrolls.
Hedidn’tmentionthedealshiscompanyhadjustmadetoupgradesecurityforabasketoffederalagencies,didn’tmentionthemultibillion-dollarcontractswiththeDOD,SEC,theFed,andHomelandSecurity.Nordidhementionthesinkingorthelossofhisfamily.
Hedidn’thaveto.The
reportersinattendancebroughtupboththemomenthebegantakingquestions.
Atallwomaninareddresswentfirst.“WeunderstandyourcompanyhasjustbeenchosentoupgradeInternetsecurityformostbranchesofthefederalgovernment.Amillioncomputersisalargegift,butit’ssmallincomparisontoamultibilliondollarcontract.”
Westgatesmiled.He’d
beenpreppedwithexactlythesamequestion,phrasedexactlythesameway,thenightbefore.ItdawnedonhimthatForresterwasbehindit,mostlikelypayingthewomantoask,keepingthemessagepureandensuringthefaceofthecorporationstayedonmessage.
Westgateheldhissmilejustlongenoughforthecamerastosnapafewshots.
“Thecomputersarejust
thebeginning,”hesaid.“Thenextphaseistoopensecurelearningcentersinallthedowntroddenneighborhoods.Safeplaceswherechildrenandadultscanlearnforfree.Wedon’tjustwantdatatobesecure,wewantthepeopleusingittobesecure.
“Asforthebigcontract,”headded,“abilliondollarsayearissmallpotatoesifitpreventstwentybillionayearinthefts.Didyouknowthat
inthelastyearalone,anonymoushackersandstate-sponsoredgroupshavebreachedallegedlysecurenetworksattheFBI,theDepartmentofEnergy,theSocialSecurityAdministration,aswellasthedatastoragecentersatNASAandtheDefenseDepartment?
“Andthat’sjustthegovernmentbreaches.Everyday,companiesaroundtheworldareundersiegefrom
criminals,statesponsoredterrorists,andpurveyorsofcorporateespionage.ThePhalanxsystemmywifehelpeddevelopcreatesadifferentkindofsecuritywhenit’sinstalled.Itliterallythinksforitself,detectsthreatsusinglogic,notjustrandommatchingofcode.TheFedandtheDepartmentofDefensearethrilled.Andtherestofthecountrywillbetoo.”
Asmatteringoffollow-onquestionswereeasilyhandledbeforeareporterfromalocalTVstationaskedaboutSiennaandthechildren.Westgatepaused.Hetriedtocollecthimself,butwhenhespokehisvoicegenuinelycrackedandhecouldn’tquitegetthewordsout.
Itwasunplanned,andawkwardforhim,butfromthecornerofhiseyehesawForrestergrinning.Somepart
ofhimwantedtoapologizeanddeflectthequestion,buthepushedon,despiteasuddenpaininhistemplethatfeltlikethebeginningsofastroke.
“ApartofmethinksIshouldbeinmourning,”hesaid.“And,privately,Iam.Imissmywifeandchildren.Theywerethelightofmylife.ButSiennawouldbethefirsttosaydon’twallowingrieforself-pity.Shewasthe
firsttostandupandhelpothersevenwhenshewashurtingherself.Thisprogramwashers.I’dliketothinkit’sherlegacy.Onethatwillhelpprotectourcountryinwhathasbecomeanundeclaredwar.”
Ahushofrespectlingeredoverthecrowdbeforeafeweasierquestionscamehisway.Whenhefinished,theapplausewasloudandheartfelt.Bythetimehe
walkedoffthestage,BrianWestgatewasgladhe’ddecidedtopushthrough.
ForrestermethimonthestepsandthetwomadetheirwaybackintotheSmithsonian.
“Greatwork,”Forresterwhispered.
Theysteppedinsideandturneddownthehallwaytowardtheofficethey’dbeenallowedtouseasawaitingroom.Astheynearedthe
door,Westgatenoticedtwomenapproaching.
Oneofthemenlookedvaguelyfamiliar.Thesquarejaw,thebrightblueeyes,themaneofplatinum-grayhair.
“Ihaveaquestion,”themansaid.
“Nomorequestions,”Forresterreplied.
Westgatepausedatthedoor,eyeingtheman.Itdawnedonhimsuddenly.KurtAustin.Beforehegota
chancetosayanything,Austinspokeagain.
“Wherewereyou?”“Excuseme?”Westgate
said.Forrestersteppedbetween
thetwomen.“Isaidnomorequestions.”
ForrestermadethemistakeofputtinghishandsonAustinandsoonfoundhimselfspunaround,hisarmbentbackwardandhisfaceshovedintothewall.The
impactwassoabruptitcrackedthedrywall.
Pinnedagainstthewall,Forrestershoutedforsecurity.Apairofguardsattheendofthehallturnedslowlyandthenbegantorundownthepassagewaytowardthem.
Thesecondintruder,amanwithdarkhairanddeep-browneyes,triedtokeepthepeace.Hewasflashingsomekindofbadge.“We’rewiththegovernment,”hesaid.
“KurtAustin,JoeZavala.We’rewithNUMA.”
Itdidn’twork.EvenasAustinreleasedForrester,theplainclothesofficerspounced.Austindidn’tresist,andtheytookhimdownwithoutafight.HeseemedonlyfocusedonWestgate.
ThroughatangleofbodiesheshoutedatWestgate.“WherewereyouwhentheEthernetwentdown?”
“Thisisn’tnecessary,”Westgatesaid,tryingtointervene.
“Thehellitisn’t!”Forresterbellowed.“Arrestthissonofa—”
“Youwerenineteenmilesaway,”Austinshouted.“Nineteenmiles!”
“Shutup,”Forresterdemanded.
Amanappearedattheendofthehall,pulledoutacameraphone,andaimedit
theirway.“Turnthatcameraoff!”
Athirdofficerenteredthefray,pullingoutapairofcuffsandslappingthemoverAustin’swrists,whichwerenowbehindhisback.Austinwasn’tstrugglingabit,heseemedtoknowbetter,butwasstillstrainingtoseepastallthemenandlookWestgateintheeye.
“Lethimgo,”Westgateshouted,puttingahandtohis
temple.“ForGod’ssake,there’snoneedforthis!”
ThecopsyankedKurtup,haulinghimtohisfeet.
“Wehavetotakehimin,”oneoftheofficersexplained.“Anythinglikethishappens,wehavetorunthemin.”
“Himtoo,”Forresterinsisted,pointingtothedark-hairedman.
“WhatdidIdo?”Zavalaasked.
“Youcamewithhim,”
oneofthecopssaid.“Now,turnaround!”
“You’rehidingsomething,”Austininsistedastheybegantodraghimoff.
Forresterhadhadenough.Hecouldn’tgetthepolicetogagthismadman,buthecouldgethisownguyoutofthere.HegrabbedWestgatebythearmandhustledhimintotheoffice.
“Getthatcamera!”heyelledtoanassistant.“Idon’t
carehowyoudoit.”Westgatewastoostunned
todoanythingbutgowithForrester.Ashewaspulledintothewaitingroom,hecaughtsightofAustinshoutingathimonemoretime.
“Whathappenedonthatyacht,Westgate?Whatthehellhappenedoutthere?”
Thedoorslammed,theintrusionended,andForrestersatWestgateonthecouch.
“Areyouallright?”Westgateblinked.“Of
courseI’mallright.Didyouseesomeonehitme?”
“Youmaynotfeellikeyouwerehit,”Forrestergrowled.“Butifthattapegetsout,you,me,andtheentirecompanyaregoingtohaveaproblem.”
Westgatecouldhardlythink.Thepoundinginhisskullwasrelentless.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
Forresterdidn’texplainbutinsteadmovedtoamakeshiftbar,pouredadrink,andshoveditintoWestgate’shand.
“Here.”Westgatetookafewsips.
Hefeltconfusedanddizzy.Forrestersatdownand
pouredadrinkforhimself.Hechosetodomorethansip.“Thiscouldbeadisaster,”hemumbled.
Thedooropenedandthe
assistantcamein.Heheldthecameraphoneinquestion.
“Howmuch?”“TwentyK,”theassistant
said.Forresternodded.“Good,
takecareofit.Andgivetheguyajob,ifhe’lltakeit.Ahighlypaidspot.Idon’twanthimchanginghismind.”
TheassistantleftandWestgatelookedup.Hiswitswerereturningtohim,theachinginhisheadsubsiding.
“Doyouknowwhothatwas?”
“OfcourseIdo,”Forrestersaid.“AndI’mgonnahavehimlockedawayforassault,makingthreateningstatements,andanythingelseIcanthinkof.”
“Areyouinsane?”Westgatesnapped.“Thatmandovefromahelicopterinthemiddleofahurricanetotrytosavemeandmyfamily.You’regoingtoprosecute
him?How’sthatgoingtolook?”
Forresterexhaledinfrustration.Westgatecouldseehimthinking,comingtotheonlylogicalconclusion.Thecalculationswereeasy.
“Iwanttomeetwithhim,”Westgatesaid.
“Noway.”“Whynot?”“Because,”Forrestersaid.“Becausewhat?”Forresterhemmedand
hawedforasecond.“Becausehe’scrazy.FromwhatI’veheard,he’sbeenstruggling.Hewasinjuredintherescueandhasbeenonmedicalleave.He’slockedintosomeconspiracytheoryabouttheyachtnotreallysinkingoryourwifenotbeingonboardorsurvivingsomehow.Hethinksshe’sworkingfortheIranians.”
Westgatewasstunnedforamoment;hefeltdizzy.
“WorkingforIran?Areyoukiddingme?”
“Toldyouhewascrazy,”Forrestersaid.“Nowdoyouunderstandwhyyoucan’tmeetwithhim?”
“Whywouldhethinkthat?”
Forresterlookedaway.“Forgetit,Brian.It’snothing.”
“It’snotnothing,”Westgateinsisted.“Couldheberight?Isthereanypossible
way?”Forresterturnedandfixed
hisgazeonWestgate.“Don’tdothistoyourself.YouknowaswellasIdothatshedrowned.”
Westgatelookedaway,hismindspinning.Ofcourseheknewthat.Thequestionwas,whydidn’tAustin?Hewastheonewho’dseenher.“HowdoyouknowAustin’sbeenonleave?”
“Ikeepaneyeonthings,”
Forrestersaid.“That’smyjob.AndwhenIfirstgotthedetailsoftheincident,Istartedlookingintoit.”
“Andyoudidn’ttellme?”Forresterleanedtoward
Westgate,cradlingthedrinkinbothhands.Histonechanged.Therewasvenominit.“AndwhatwouldyouhavedoneifItoldyou?”
Westgatedidn’tanswer.“He’sadangertous.
Whateveraxhehastogrind,
weneedtokeephimfarawayfromyou.”
“Whywouldhehaveanaxtogrindwithme?”
“Comeon,Brian,”Forrestersaid,“don’tbesonaïve.Hewasengagedtoyourwifeyearsago.Theyweresupposedtogetmarriedthesamesummerthatyoutwomet.Ordidn’tshetellyouthat?”
Westgatetookthestatementforwhatitwas,a
barbtogethimriledupagainstAustin,toprodhimintogreen-lightingsomedirtytrick.Anditdidsting.Howcoulditnot?Butitwasn’tnews.
“You’dbesurprisedwhatSiennatoldmeaboutKurtAustin,”hesaid.“Thebiggestthingisthathe’sadecenthumanbeing.Asgoodastheycome.”
“Well,thatdecenthumanbeingcoulddestroythis
companywithonewrongword.”
WestgatesawfearlightupinForrester’seyes.Itwassomethinghe’dneverseenbefore.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
Forresterwasblunt.“Youdon’tknowthisbutwe’reteeteringonthebrinkoffinancialcollapse.WorkingonPhalanxtothedetrimentofallotherproductshasputusinadesperatespot.Sofar,
I’vemanagedtohidethiswithafewaccountingtricksIlearnedfrommyWallStreetdays,andsomerecentcashflowthat’stidingusover.”
Westgatecouldguesswherethemoneywascomingfrom.“Theyachtbelongedtothecompany,”hesaid.“Thefifty-fourmillionfromLloyd’s...that’swhat’stidingusover.You’reworriedthey’llstopthepayout.”
Forresterwavedasifhewaswayoff.“Thatwouldbetheleastofourproblems,”hesaid.“Sienna’sknowledgeistherealthreat.Shedesignedthesystem.Ifarumorthatshe’saliveandhidingoutsomewheregottraction...Canyouimagine?We’dbedeadinthewater.”
Westgatelookedaway.“Deadinthewater,”hewhispered.“Likemywifeandkids.”
“YouknowIdidn’tmeanthat...”
Westgatenodded.“WhatifAustin’sright?”
Forresternarrowedhisgaze,studyingWestgateasifsearchingforsomething.Heslidonehandintoapocketasiffishingforhiskeysandsettledbackonthecouch.“We’vetalkedaboutthisbefore,Brian.”
Westgatefelttheringinginhisheadonceagain.“Yes.
..Iguesswehavetalkedaboutthis...”
“Maybewe’dbettergooveritagain.”
Westgatefeltamigrainecomingon.Thepainwasscalding,theroomseemedtoobright.
“Whathappenedinthestorm?”Forresterasked.“Howdidyouendupontheraft?”
Westgatehesitated.Heknewwhattosay.Butthe
wordsstuckinhisthroat,andhetookanotherswigofthegintotryandfreeuphisvocalcords.
Strangely,Forresterbegantellinghimthestory.“Theyachtwastakingonwater.Youwerepreppingtheraft.Ahugewavehitandyougotsweptovertheside.”
Westgaterememberedthis.Hefeltthecoldofthesea.“Ialmostdrowned,”hesaid.
“That’sright,Brian.Youalmostdrowned.”
HelookedoveratForrester.Thepaininhisheadwasnowblurringhisvision.Soon,Forresterwasjustavoiceattheendofatunnel.“Youcouldn’tgetbacktothem.”
“Itried,”Westgatesaid.Hecouldfeelthepaininhisshouldersfromrowingwithallhismight.Hecouldtastethesaltonhislipsfromthe
sea,couldfeelhiseyesburning.“Theweatherwassobad...Intwentyminutes,Icouldn’tevenseetheship.Iheard...Iheard...”
“Youheardthehelicopter,”Forresterremindedhim.
“Buttheydidn’tseeme.”“Andbeforethat?”
Forresterasked.“Beforeyouwentoutonthedeck?”
Westgaterememberedsomething.Shouting.Chaos.
Itseemedtomakethepaininhisheadflareagain.Evenwithhiseyesshut,hesawascaldinglight.Herecalledsomethingaboutthepumps.Afailedhatch.HerememberedSiennaandtheirchildrenhuddledintheirlifejackets.Buttherewassomethingoddaboutthememory.Itwastoostill.Noonewasmoving.Noonewastalking.
Thevoiceinthefog
pressed,“Ineedananswer,Brian.Whathappenedonthatyachtbeforeyouweresweptoverboard?Canyoutellthestorywithouthelpthistime?”
Westgatefumbledforthewords.
“Brian?”Thetruth.Foronce,
Westgatemanagedtospeakit.“Iwish,”hesaid.“IwishtoGodIknew.”
AsWestgatesaidthesewords,thepainspikedto
unbearablelevels.Hisvisionfaded,hisworldshranktonothing.NothingexceptthesoundofDavidForrester’svoice.
“I’msorry,Brian.Butthat’snottheanswerI’mlookingfor.”
DirkPittwastheDirectorofNUMA,aposthe’dheldforseveralyearssincehismentorandfriend,AdmiralJamesSandecker,hadgoneontobeVicePresidentoftheUnitedStates.
Atsixfootthree,Pittwasleanandalittleonthelanky
side.Hisopalineeyesconveyedanintensityandasenseofmirthequallywell.Withthickdarkhair,broadshoulders,andasquarejaw,hecutastrikingfigure.Thatwasespeciallytruetonight,cladinatuxedo,freshlyshaved,anddousedwithasplashofmuskycologne.
Acharityballforwoundedmilitaryveteranswasontheagendafortheevening,acausePittwasglad
tobepartof.Hewouldgiveaspeech,presentanaward,andsubmitaprivatedonationanonymously.Fortherestofthenight,he’dmixandminglewithacrowdofinterestingpeople.Despiteallthat,Pittknewthetruestarofthenightwouldbehiswife,LorenSmith.
She’dchairedtheball,overseenthecommitteesandtheinvitations,andevenchosentheorchestra.With
herstrikingbeautyandeffortlesscharm,shewouldcaptivateallwhomsheencountered.Nodoubtshe’dlookresplendentinwhatevershewore,andmostoftheattendeesmightrememberPittonlyasthathandsomegentlemanwhostoodbesideher.Whichsuitedhimjustfine.
Theonlydrawbackwasdressingfortheevening.Theyweregoingtobelateif
Lorenwasn’treadysoon.Ratherthanbadgerher—
whichwouldonlyslowtheprocessfurther—hestoodcalmlyamongagroupofperfectlyrestoredantiquecars.Thevehicleswerepartofhiscollection.TheygracedthegroundflooroftheaircrafthangarhelivedinatWashingtonNationalAirport.
AsthecurrentDirectorofNUMA,andtheheadoftheSpecialProjectsDivision
priortothat,Pitthadbeenallaroundtheworldonvariousmissionsandexpeditions.Manyofthevehiclesinthehangarhadcomebackwithhimorweredeliveredshortlyafterwardbygratefulcolleaguesorthankfulgovernments.
Tothevictorwentthespoils.
Beforehecoulddecidewhichofthemagnificentvehiclestodrivetonight,the
intercomsystembuzzed.Pittglancedatamonitoronthewall.HesawthefaceofanoldfriendwithaneatlytrimmedVandykebeardstandingatthedoor.Twolargermenloomedbehindhim,nodoubtmembersoftheSecretService.
Pitttouchedabuttonthatreleasedthelocksonthesteeldoor.ItswungopenandtheVicePresidentoftheUnitedStateswalkedin.The
bodyguardstriedtofollow,butSandeckerwavedthemback.
“Atease,men,”hesaid.“Mr.VicePresident,”Pitt
said.“Iwasn’texpectingtoseeyouuntillateronthisevening.TowhatdoIowethepleasure?”
“Ithoughtyoumighthavesometimetotalkbeforetheevent,”Sandeckersaid.
Pittglancedupthespiralstaircasetotheapartment
above.NosignofLorenyet.“Ithinkwe’reontothethirdwardrobechange,”hesaid.“Youprobablyhaveatleastonemorebeforethebigreveal.”
Sandeckergrinned.“Iplayedtheodds.Youhaveanythinginthisjointtoquenchawearytraveler’sthirst?”
PittwalkedSandeckertothebarandfilledacoupleofshotglasseswithJohnnie
WalkerBlueLabelscotch.Afterhandingaglassto
theVicePresident,Pittopenedthequestioning.“Whydoesn’tthisseemlikeasocialcall?”
“BecauseI’mhereonbusiness,”Sandeckersaid.“Specifically,thatbusinessKurtpulledthismorningonBrianWestgate.”
Pittnodded.“I’vebeenfieldingsomeblowbackfromthatmyself.”
“Itdidn’tputNUMAinagoodlight.”
IftherewasanythingtogetSandeckerriledup,itwasbadpublicityforNUMA,theorganizationhe’dbuiltfromthegroundupandstillprotectedlikeanavengingangel.
“True,”Pittsaid.“ButIthinkKurt’searnedafreepassortwoatthispoint.”
Sandeckernarrowedhisgaze.“Isthatwhatyoutold
DavidForrester?Iheardhecalledyou.”
Pittgrinnedmischievouslyandtookasipofthescotch.“WhatItoldForrester,”hebegan,“shouldn’tberepeatedingoodcompany.Butthegistofitwentlikethis:IfhewasgoingtogoafterKurt,hewasgoingtohavetogetthroughmefirst.”
Sandeckergrinned.“Ishouldhaveguessed.Lucky
forKurt.”“Kurtscrewedup,”Pitt
admitted,“butI’mnotthrowinghimtothewolves.Ifitcomestoashovingmatch,I’vegothisrecordtostandon.That’sgoodenoughforme.”
Sandeckernodded.Therewasanunmistakablesenseofprideinhiseyes.“Iwouldn’thaveexpectedanythingelse.Loyalty’satwo-waystreetandKurt’sneverletusdown.
Soyou’llhavemysupport.Butthere’sabiggerissue.What’syourtakeonKurt’sstateofmind?”
Pittwasn’tsurehowtoanswer.Andhewasn’tusedtoSandeckerbeatingaroundthebush.“Whatareyougettingat?”
“Kurt’sbeencontactingforeignsources.Wiringmoneytopeoplewhomightworkwhatwecalltheshadysideofthestreet.”
This,Pittdidn’tknow.“Towhatend?”
“LookingforanysignthatSiennaWestgatemightsomehowbealive.”
Pitt’seyebrowswentup.“Areyousure?”
Sandeckernodded.Pittlookedoffintothe
hangar.Thatdidn’tsoundhealthy.Nor,honestly,diditsoundlikeKurt.Kurtwaspragmatic,notgiventoflightsoffancy.
“Everymanhashislimits,”Pittmused,consideringSandecker’soriginalquestion.“EvenyouandIhavebeenclosetooursatimeortwo.Isupposeit’spossibleKurt’sreachedhis.”
“Possibly,”Sandeckersaid.“Butinthiscase,there’satwist.TrentMacDonaldoveratCentralIntelligencehandedmeafiletoday.They’velookedatthesamephotosKurtreceivedandthey
can’truleoutthechancethatKurtmightbeontosomething.”
“‘Can’truleout’?Whatdoesthatmean?”
“Itmeanstheythinkhe’stiltingatwindmills,buttheycan’tproveit.”Fromhispocket,Sandeckerproducedathree-by-fiveglossy.ItshowedawomanwholookedsomewhatlikeSiennaWestgategettinginacarwithaburly-lookingbodyguard.
“ThiswastakeninBandarAbbas.”
Dirkstudiedtheimage.Itwasalittlegrainyfrombeingblownup.“Dotheyreallythinkit’sher?”
“Aone-in-fivechance,I’mtold.Notallthathigh.ButthepossibilityofamissingAmericanbeingchauffeuredaroundIrandoesn’tmakethegovernmenthappy.Especiallynotwhenshewastheguidingforce
behindPhalanx.”“Icanseewhythatwould
makepeoplenervous,”Pittsaid.“Whatdotheyplanondoingaboutit?”
“Well,there’stherub,”Sandeckersaid.“Despitemyefforts,theAgencyisreluctanttodomorethankeepaneyeonthings.Theyseeitasacatch-22.Ifthat’sher—andtheIranianstookher—that’sanactofwar.Andbelieveme,noone
wantstoopenthatcanofworms.Ontheotherhand,ifitisn’ther,theyriskexposingpreciousresourcesintheeffort.”
Dirkunderstoodthedilemma.Heglancedbackatthephoto.Thewomanwasmade-up,herhairpulledback,herclothesconservativebusinessstyle.Largesunglassesmadeitimpossibletoseehereyesorperformanytypeoffacialrecognition
analysis.“Shedoesn’tappeartobeunderanyduress.”
“That’sanotherconcern.”“Who’sthejugheadnext
toher?”“He’samystery,”
Sandeckersaid.“HegoesbythenameofAcosta.He’saminorplayerintheMiddleEastandAfrica.Weaponsmostly.Weknowhe’srungunsandothercontrabandfromtimetotime,buthe’snotabigname.”
Dirkhandedthephotoback.“SowhatdoesthishavetodowithKurt?”
“It’sbeenexpressedtomethat,shouldKurtAustinbeinterestedinpokingaroundalittle,nooneinapositionofpowerwouldbetooupsetaboutthematter.Aslongashediditinthecapacityofaprivatecitizen.”
Pittraisedaneyebrow.“Isee.”
“Healreadyshookthe
tree,”Sandeckernoted.“Ifheshakesalittleharder,whoknowswhatmightfallout.”
Pittwasn’tsurehelikedtheidea.“SotheywanttouseKurttosoundouttheedgesofthisdarklittlecave.Ifhefindssomething,we’realittlewiser.Andifhegetsburnedintheprocess,nothingstrategicgetslost.”
“That’slifeinthebigleagues,”Sandeckersaid.
“Idon’thaveaproblem
withthat,”Dirkreplied.“ButdidanyoneconsiderKurt’sconditioninallthis?I’mnotinterestedinsendingawoundedmanintothelion’sden.”
“NoramI,”theVPsaid.“Whichbringsusbacktomyoriginalquestion.Inyouropinion,isKurtAustinfitforduty?”
Theconversationhadcomefullcircle,andPittwaslefttoconsiderthequestion
onhisown.Sandeckerpulledathin
blackmemorystickfromhispocket.AtinygreenLEDontheendgloweddimly.“Encryptedfiles.TogetKurtonhisway.Butonlyifyouthinkhe’suptoit.”
PitttookthememorystickfromSandeckerwithoutcomment.Ashedid,thedoortotheupstairsapartmentopenedandLorenSmithsteppedout.Shewasdressed
inagolden-vanillaRalphLaurengownthathuggedherbodyperfectly.Herauburnhairwassweptoffherfaceanddrapedsoftlyoveroneshoulder.
“Congresswoman,”theVicePresidentsaid,“youlookradiant.Beautifulenoughtomakeupforthelunkyou’llbedraggingaroundwithyouallnight.”
“Thankyou,Mr.VicePresident,”shesaid.“Butone
lookatDirkandI’mquitesureI’llneedaclubtochaseawayalltheadmiringwomen.”
Sandecker’seyestwinkled.“Chaseafewofthemmyway.”Heleanedinandkissedheronthecheekandthenturnedtolethimselfout.“Seeyouattheparty.”
AsSandeckerleft,LorenslidherarmaroundDirkandthenpaused.Shecouldinstinctivelysensethe
tension.“What’swrong?”“Ihaveadifficult
decisiontomake,”hesaid.“You’veneverbeenone
tohavetroubledecidinganything.”“Thischoiceismorecomplicatedthanmost,”hesaid.“Hopeyou’renottoohungry.We’regoingtohavetomakeadetouronourwaytotheevent.”
KurtAustinwasbusypacking.Hefilledaduffelbagwithclothesandanythinghethoughtmightcomeinhandy.Astackofcashandvariouscreditcardswereready,alongwithhispassportandotherformsofID.
He’dwrittentwonotes.
OneforAnna,whichreadasacombinationapologyandthank-youletter.ThesecondwasforDirkPitt.ItcontainedhisresignationfromNUMA.Hehadn’texpectedtobehandingitoverinperson.
“WouldLorenliketocomein?”KurtaskedashemetPittatthedoor.
“She’dratherwetalkalone,”Pittsaid.“Besides,shelikesnothingbetterthantorearrangethepresetsonmy
carradiobuttons.It’soneofhersecretjoys.”
KurtnoddedandledDirktohisoffice.
“Goingsomewhere?”Kurtdidn’ttrytohideit.
“Iran.”“DidtheyopenaClub
MedthereIhaven’theardabout?”
Kurtshookhishead.“IhavereasontobelieveSienna’saliveandbeingheldinIran.Iknowsomeonein
Turkeywhocangetmeovertheborder.I’llfigureouttherestfromthere.”
Pittheldsteady.“Evenforyouthathastosoundlikethelongestoflongshots.”
“It’sastart,”Kurtsaid.Heopenedadrawer.InsidelayhisNUMAIDbadgeandkeycard.“I’msorryaboutwhathappenedtoday.Ihonestlydidn’tmeantoflyoffthehandle.ButI’mnotmyselfrightnow.”
Kurthesitatedforasecondandthentookthebadgeandcardandslidthemacrossthedesk.“Iknowyoustoodupforme.Itmeansalot.Idon’twanttoletyoudownagainordoanythingelsetoputNUMAinabadlight,butI’mnotgoingtochangemymind.”
Pitttookthebadgeandstudieditthoughtfullyforamoment.“Ididn’tcomeheretotalkyououtofit,actually.”
“Thenwhyareyouhere?”“Wonderedifyouwere
seeingpinkelephants.”Kurtfeltpensiveandfull
ofself-doubt.Hefeltlikeakidrunningawayfromhome,leavingafamilyhe’dbeenpartoffortenyears.DutytoNUMAhadalwayscomefirst,butthatwashalfthereasonhe’dlostSiennainthefirstplace.Ifshewasaliveandtrappedsomewhere,hecouldn’tputanythingbefore
thatrightnow.“Soareyou?”Pittasked.“I’mnotsure,”Kurtsaid.
“I’veneverbeenlesssureofanythinginmylife.ButIcan’twaitaroundherehopingtogetwell.Ihavememoriesthatmakenosense.IhavefeelingsthatseemtobeatoddswithwhatIknowtobefacts.IhavequestionsandIneedtogofindtheanswers.UntilIdo,I’mnotgoingtobeanygoodtoanyone.”
“Haveyouconsidereddivingthewreck?”
Kurtnodded.“Firstthoughtthatcametomind,buttheSouthAfricanCoastGuardscanneditwithsonar.Theyachtbrokeuponthewaytothebottom.She’ssittinginthree,maybefourmajorpieces.Chancesareanyoneinsidewouldhavebeensweptfree.Sothatwouldn’thelp.”
Pittnodded,givingKurt
theimpressionheknewthisalready.KurtsensedPittstudyinghim,evaluating.He’dhadenoughofthatoverthelastthreemonths.“YouthinkI’mcrazy?”
“Ithinkthatifsomeoneisawareofthepossibilityhemightbecrazy,”Pittbegan,“thenchancesarehe’snot.AndIhavereasontobelievethere’sapossibilityyoumightbeontosomething.”
Kurtdidn’tmovea
muscleasPittrelayedtheinformationSandeckerhadgivenhim.Helistenedintently,hangingoneveryword.Itdidn’tproveSiennawasalive,orevenmakeitsoundlikely,butiftheCIA’sanalyststhoughtthepossibilityexisted,itmadethatpartofKurt’squestseemmorerational.
“Changeyourflight,”Pittsuggested.“StartinDubai.”
“Whythere?”
PittslidthephotooutofhisbreastpocketandhandeditandthememorysticktoKurt.“ThisphotowastakeninBandarAbbas,straightacrossthegulffromDubai.”
Kurtstudiedthephoto.Themanlookedlikeathug,butthewoman—wasitSienna?Evenhecouldn’tbesure.“Idon’thaveanycontactsinDubai.”
“Ido,”Pittreplied.“CheckintotheExcelsior
Hotel.AmannamedMohammedElDinwillfindyou.Youcantrusthim.”
Kurtwasmomentarilyspeechless.He’dexpectedtobefired,orsuspended,orrakedoverthecoals.Instead,he’dfoundsupport.“Thankyou”wasallhecouldcomeupwith.
“Sinceyou’replayingspy,”Pittadded,“makesureyoudestroythephotoandtheflashdrivewhenyou’redone
studyingthem.”Kurtnoddedandthen
thoughtofonemorething.“TellJoenottofollowme.Idon’twanttodraghimintothis.Ialreadygothimarrestedbythecapitolpolice.They’veevenbannedhimfromtheAirandSpaceMuseum.Youknowhowmuchhelovesthatplace.”
Pitthesitated.“I’llfindsomethingforhimtodo,”hesaid.“Whendoyouthink
you’llbeback?”Itwasadifficultquestion.
Kurtcouldonlyansweritbyturningitaround.“IfLorenwereoutthere,orifyou’dknownSummerwasaliveallthoseyears,howlongwouldyouhavelookedforthem?”
“UntilIfoundthem,”Pittsaidtruthfully.
“That’swhenI’llbehome.”
PittgrinnedandslidtheIDbadgebackacrossthe
desktoKurt.“Putitinadrawer,”hesaid.“Noonequitsonmywatch.”
Kurtdidasordered,andthetwofriendsshookhands,arock-solidhandshakebetweenmencutfromthesamecloth.
Pittturnedtogobutstoppedinthedoorway.“Becareful,Kurt.Youknowthereisachanceyoumightnotlikewhatyoufind.”
Withthat,Pittslipped
throughthedooranddisappeared.Fiveminuteslater,KurtwasbackingoutofthedrivewayinhisblackJeepandheadingfortheairport.Unknowntohim,DirkPittandLorenSmithwerewatchingfromtheircarahundredyardsuptheroad.
“Sohe’sgoingoffhalf-cockedafterall,”Lorennoted.
“No,”Pittsaid,“he’sfullyloadedandgunningfor
bear.”Hestartedtheengineandputthecaringear.“Buthe’snotgoingalone.I’mgoingtoroundupJoeandtheTrouts.Atsomepoint,Kurtisgoingtoneedsomehelp.And,officiallyornot,we’regoingtobetherewhenhedoes.”
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
KurtAustinwatchedthroughbinocularsasrichdarksoilflewfromthehoovesofa
chestnutThoroughbredthatwasthunderingdownthetrackatMeydanRacecourse.Sevenotherhorsestrailed,butmostweresofarbackthatitseemedasiftheleaderwastheonlyhorseintherace.
Thousandscheered,othersgroaned.Kurtnotedthatthelongshotshadn’tstoodachance.
“Nothinghereiswhatitseems,”someonementioned.Thevoicewasanaged
whisper.Itcarriedwisdomandevenawarninginitstone.“Thatisthefirstthingyoumustunderstand.”
Kurtwatchedthehorsecrossthefinishline.Itsjockeystoodupinthestirrupsandslowlyeasedbackonthereins,allowingtheanimaltogentlyrunoffthespeed.
Withtheshowover,Kurtloweredthebinocularsandglancedatthemanwhowasspeaking.
MohammedElDinworeacrispwhitedishdasha,ashirtthatwentfromthenecktotheankles.Awhitegutra,orheadcloth,coveredhishair,keptinplacebyacheckeredband.Hisfacelookedsmallbeneaththecloth,hisshoulderswereslight.Kurtguessedhisagetobeseventyormore.
Kurtplacedthebinocularsdownontheedgeofthetable.“Areyoureferringtotherace
orsomethingelse?”Themansmiled.The
cornersofhiseyescrinkled.“Everything,”hesaid,andthenpointedtowardthetrack.“Thisraceisnotaracebutastagedsalespitch.Therearebuyersdownthere.Theleadhorseistheprize.Theotherjockeysarepaidtorunslower.Itmakesthevictoryseemmoreimpressivethanwhatthestopwatchactuallysays.Eventhesoilbeneath
theirhoovesisartificial;it’sactuallyasyntheticmixofsand,rubber,andwax.Allofitacarefullystageddeception,muchlikethecityitself.”
Kurtnoddedthoughtfully.Tryingtodistinguishbetweenfictionandrealityseemedtobearecurringthemeinhislife.
“Isitamirage,then?”Kurtasked.
“Inamannerof
speaking.”Kurtreachedtowarda
teapotmadeofhandblownglassandbandedwithasilverringinaswirlingArabicmotif.“Tea?”
“Please.”Hepouredtwoglasses,
oneforhimself,oneforhishost.
ElDinwasnowawealthybusinessmanbuthadoncebeenapurveyorofinformation.Rumorhadit,
he’dsoldinformationtoboththeU.S.andRussiabackduringtheColdWar,afactbothcountrieshadknown.Buthe’dnevercrossedlines,asfaraseithersidecoulddetermine.And,atanyrate,goodinformationwashardtofind,allofwhichputElDinintothecategoryofthedevilyouknowbeingbetterthanthedevilyoudon’t.
WhereElDinandDirkPittmetwasanyone’sguess,
butthemanhadspokenadmirablyofPittandPitthadsaidElDinwastrustworthy.ThatwasgoodenoughforKurt.
Placingthecarafedown,Kurtlookedbackoutacrosstheracetrack.“Sodidwemeetheretotalkabouttheficklenatureofreality?”heasked.“Orarewehereforsomethingmoreconcrete?”
ElDintookasipoftheapple-flavoredtea.“Dirksaid
youwereeager.Looktothepaddockwherethewinninghorseisbeingbrusheddown.”
Kurtpickedupthebinocularsagainandfocusedonthefarsideofthetrack.Hesawseveralmengatheredaroundthehorse.TwoweredressedinArabgarblikeElDin,theotherthreewereinsuitsdespitetheheat.
“WhoamIlookingat?”Kurtasked.
“Theonewithoutatie,”ElDinsaid.
“Whoishe?”“Hegoesbythename
ReneAcosta,butheisneitherPortuguesenorSpanish.HespeakspassableFrench,butnooneknowswhathisrealnameisorwherehecamefrom.”
KurtrecognizedthenamefromtheelectronicfilePitthadgivenhim.HezoomedinonAcosta.Itwasthesame
maninthephotoDirkhadshownhim.Hewasbroadandshort,thickfromfronttoback,withabarrelchestandatree-stumpneck.Hisnosewasflattenedlikeaboxerwho’dtakentoomanypunches.Abuzzedheadofshortgrayhaircoveredthesidesandbackofhisskull,thoughthefrontandtopweresmoothandshinyinthehotMiddleEasternsun.Kurtpeggedhisageatforty.
“Isheabuyeroraseller?”Kurtasked,takingaquicklookatthetwomenbehindAcosta.Bothweretaller,moresvelte,thoughpowerfullybuilt.Bythewaytheystood,Kurtguessedtheywerebodyguards.
“Both,”ElDinreplied.“Acostalikesthefinerthingsinlife.Hetradeslessworthyitemstogetthem.”
“Thebartersystem?”“Notexactly,”ElDin
said.“It’satriangletrade.Hewilldelivertheitemsunderhiscontroltoathirdpartyifthethirdpartypurchaseswhathedesiresanddeliversittohim.Averycomplicated,tax-freewayofliving.”
“Sohe’sasmuggler.”“Thatheis,”ElDinsaid.
“Andhehasanewlineofbusinessthatisrapidlyexpanding:thesmugglingofhumancargo,particularlyexpertsinadvanced
electronics.”“Areyousureofthis?”“Unfortunately,yes.”Kurtlookedbacktoward
thepaddock.“Hewantsthehorse.”
“Verybadly,”ElDinsaid.“Thatanimalwillbetheodds-onfavoritetowintheDubaiCupandaten-million-dollarpurse.Ifitdoesthat,itwillbeworthfiftymillionormoreasastud.”
“That’saheftyprice.
Acostamusthavesomethingbigtosell.”
ElDinnodded.“Andifit’syourmissingfriendhe’soffering,youcanbesuretherearemanyintheworldwhowouldpayhandsomelyforwhatsheknows.”
ItwasalmostmorethanKurtcouldhavehopedfor.HebrieflywonderedifSienna’sknowledgecouldbeworthmillionstotherightperson.Thenhestopped
doubting.PhalanxitselfwasworthbillionstoWestgate’scompany.IfshecouldgivetheIranianstheirownversion,theywouldbesecurebehindanelectronicwall,agoalthey’dsoughtforyears.Fiftymillionwasnothingforthatkindofsecurity.
“Anychanceyoucangetmeintooneofhismeetings?”
ElDinshookhishead.“No,”hesaid.“Myworkmakesitimpossible.”
KurtknewaboutElDin’s“work”fromtheCIAfilesonthememorystick.AsadfactwasthatmuchofDubai’sglitteringskylinehadbeenbuiltonthebacksofmodernslaves,foreignersbroughtfromIndiaandthePhilippineswithpromisesofwealth.Theywerenotslavesintheliteralsense,buttheywereoftenpaidfarlessthanwhattheywerepromisedandworkedtwiceashard.ElDin,
alongwithafewothers,hadbeenfightingtochangethat.“You’vemadeenemiestryingtoemancipatetheworkersinyourcountry.”
“AndI’mafraiditmakesmetoowellknowntogetyouaccesstoamanlikeAcosta.”
KurtadmiredElDin’sstand.“SohowdoIgetathim?Heseemstohaveplentyofsecurity.”
“Hehasayachtintheharbor,”ElDinexplained.
“ItsnameistheMassif.Perhapsamonumenttohisego.Hewillbehostingapartythenightaftertomorrowforallhisprospectivebuyersandsellers.Aslowcruiseisplannedupanddownthecoast.”
Kurtgrinned.“Alittlesightseeingtour.”
ElDinnodded.“Yes,exactly.Somethingtellsmeamanlikeyoumightfinda
waytoslipaboard.”
KurtreturnedtotheExcelsiorbywayoftheharbor.HegotagoodlookattheMassif,takingpictureswiththezoomlensonhis20-megapixelCanonDSLR.
Shewastoobigforanyofthemarinaslips,soshemooredoffshore.Herhull
wasdarkblue,hersuperstructurewhite.Forward,shehadasharpV-shapedbowwithalargeslotforaheavyanchorthatwascurrentlydeployed.Amidshipsweretheusualpendecks,ahigh-mountedflybridge,withahelipadonthestern,uponwhichasleekhelicopterwitharedlogosat.Forwardofthehelipad,wavesofheatdistortedtheairasexhaustfromthetwin
stacksvented.Thestackswereangledlikethetailfinsofsomehypersonicfighterplaneandpaintedwiththesamelogoasthehelicopter.
“Smugglingbusinessmustbeprettygood,”Kurtmutteredtohimself.
Hesauntereddownthewaterfront,playingthetourist,takingpicturesofotherboats,eventurningbacktowardDubaiandgettingafewshotsoftheskyline.
WhenhelookedbacktotheMassif,asmalllaunchwaspullinguptoherside.Hetookadozenphotosofthelaunch,catchingAcostaboardingalongwithablondwoman.Asshetookoffhersunglassestocleanoneofthelenses,Kurtzoomedinandfocused,snappingaclearshot.Eventhroughthelenshecouldn’thelpbutnoticeherdark,smokyeyes.AsKurtwatched,Acostatook
themysterywomanbythehandandwalkedtowardthebow.Oncetheymovedoutofsight,Kurtturnedhisattentiontothesecurityteam.Armedguardswereeasytoseepatrollingthedecksforeandaft.Hesawvideocamerasintheuppersuperstructure.Fromthere,heguessed,theycouldseetheentirelengthoftheupperdecksandanythingapproachingfromportor
starboard.Apairofspotlightsandtwinradardomessproutedfromthebridge,mostlikelyoneforweather,theotherfortraffic.
Allofwhichmeanttheshipwouldbedamn-nearimpossibletoapproachwhilemovingatsea.Thatlefttwooptions:comeinfromaboveorupfrombelow.Kurtrecalledparachutingontoamovingsupertankersomeyearsback.Ithadbeena
treacherousoperationeventhoughthevesselwasthesizeofseveralfootballfieldsandmovingslowly.Hedidn’tfancytheideaoftryingthesamethingonayachtone-fifththesizeandmovingthreetimesasfast.
Hismindmadeup,Kurtlefttheharborandcontinuedbacktothehotel,travelingonfootandfightingthestrangesensationofbeingwatchedorfollowedtheentiretime.He
changedcourseandstoppedafewtimes,scanningtheseaoffacesaroundhim,lookingforanyoneoranythingsuspicious.Atonepoint,amalewearingapatterneddishdashalookedawayandsteppedintothecrowdwithhaste.
Kurtstared,butthemandidn’treappear.
“Great,”hemuttered.Unhappywiththethought
thathispresenceinDubai
mighthavebeencompromised,Kurtcontinuedontothehotel,occasionallycheckingbehindhimbylookinginthereflectionsoftheglass-walledstoresalongtheboulevard.Hecaughtglimpsesofthemanseveraltimesbutpretendednottonotice.
Finallybackatthehotel,hecrossedthelobby,tooktheelevatortotheseventeenthfloor,andwaitedaroundthe
corner.Sureenough,theother
elevatorpingedmomentslater.
Heheardthedoorslideopenandsomeonewalkinghisway.Hopinghewasn’tabouttomugsometourist,Kurtwaitedforthemantoroundthecornerandthenlungedathim.Itwasthesameman,inthesamerobe.
Kurtslammedahandovertheman’smouth,shoved
himagainstthewall,andthenswungafisttowardthetarget’ssolarplexus.Tohissurprise,themanreactedalmostinstantly,archinghisbodyandtwistingtotheside.
Kurtcaughthimwithonlyaglancingblow,hisfisthammeringabsthatwerehardenedandreadytotaketheshot.ThemanknockedKurt’shandawayandputhisownhandsup.
“Easy,Kurt.It’sme!
Joe!”Therewasamomentof
incoherenceasKurt’smindputtwoandtwotogether,tryingtoreconcilehisfriend’svoicewiththeclotheshesawinfrontofhimandthefactthatJoeshouldhavebeenatleastseventhousandmilesfromthere.
AsifreadingKurt’smind,Joepulledoffthegray-coloredgutrathatwascoveringhalfhisface.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Kurtasked.
“Icametohelpyou.”Kurtdidn’tknowwhether
tobehappyorfurious.HeledJoetohisroomandrepeatedthequestion.
“I’vebeenfollowingyou,”Joesaid.“You’rehardtotrack,youknowthat?”
“Nottoohard,obviously.What’swiththedisguise?”
“Ididn’twantyoutonoticeme.”
“Inthatcase,yoursurveillancetechniqueneedsalittlework,”Kurtsaid.“Myadvice:Whenthemarkturnsaroundandlooksrightatyou,don’tduckoutoftheway.”
Joesmiled.“Dulynoted.”“Good,”Kurtsaid.“Now
thatwe’vegotthatstraight,you’regettingonaplaneandgettingoutofhere.Iappreciatethethought,butI’mnotdraggingyouintothis.Thisismyproblem,not
yours.”“Youcan’tsendme
home,”Joesaid.“Whynot?I’myour
boss.”“You’reonaleaveof
absence,”Joeremindedhim.“Technically,you’renotanybody’sbossatthemoment.”
“You’restillgoinghome.”
Joeshookhishead.“Sorry,amigo,nocando.”
Hereachedintoapocket,producedanenvelope,andhandeditovertoKurtwithahintofgleeinhiseyes.
AsKurtopenedit,Joefloppeddownonthecouch,puthisfeetup,andplacedhishandsbehindhisheadasifhewereplanningonstayingawhile.
InsidewasanoteinDirkPitt’shandwriting.Itcontainednoorders,onlyafewbriefwordsandaquote
fromRudyardKipling.
NowthisistheLawoftheJungle—asoldandastrueasthesky;
AndtheWolfthatshallkeepitmayprosper,buttheWolfthatshallbreakitmustdie.
Asthecreeperthatgirdlesthetree-trunktheLawrunnethforwardandback—
ForthestrengthofthePackistheWolf,andthe
strengthoftheWolfisthePack.
Weneedyoubackinonepiece,Kurt.Andyouneedourhelp.
Dirk
“What’sitsay?”Joeasked.“I’vebeendyingtoreadit.”KurtconsideredwhatDirkwastryingtotellhim.“ItsaysI’mstuckwithyou.Andluckytohavesuchgoodfriends.”“Muybueno,”Joe
said.“Anythinginthereaboutaraiseandmyrequestforhazardpay?”
“Afraidnot,”Kurtsaid,foldingupthenoteandslidingitintohispocket.HelookedoveratJoe.
Despitehisgrufftone,Kurtwasgladtoseehisbestfriend.
Joewasthekindoffriendwhoneverwavered,neverhedgedhisbets.Hewasallinatalltimes.Alwaystherefor
thosehecaredabout.Evenifthetaskwasgoingtobedifficult,KurtcouldcountonJoetogothedistance.
Justasimportant,Joewasamechanicalgenius.HebuiltandmaintainedmostofNUMA’sadvancedsubmersibles,ROVs,andotherexoticmechanicalequipment.Hisworkoncarswaslegendary:he’dmadeoneflyandanotherswim.He’deventurnedagolfcart
intoafive-hundred-horsepowerdragracer.“Maybeyoucanbeofassistanceafterall,”Kurtsaid.“IneedtofigureawayontoayachtcalledtheMassif.It’smooredintheharbor,guardedbytwenty-four-hoursecurityandfilledwitharmedthugs.AndIalmostforgot,Ihavetodothisallwithoutdisturbingaposhgatheringofpeoplewhomayormaynotbehardened
criminals.”Joelookedathimasif
he’dlosthismind.AlookKurthadgottenusedtooverthelastmonths.ButnomorethantensecondspassedbeforeJoeperkedup.
“Isupposeyoucan’tsneakonwiththecateringcrew.”“NotunlessIlearntospeakArabicinrecordtime,”Kurtsaid.“NorcanIapproachheronthesurface.Orexpecttogetaboardwhile
she’smoored.Ithinkourbestbetisfrombelowwhileshe’smoving.”
“You’llneedasubmarine.”
“Mythoughtsexactly.”“Kindofshortnotice,”
Joesaid.“Can’texactlybuildonefromscratch.”
“WhataboutsomethingIcanride?”
“Adiverpropulsionvehicle?”
Kurtnodded.“Canyou
buildmesomethingthatwillcatchayacht?”
“Sure,”Joesaid.“Butwheredowegettheparts?”“Funnyyoushouldask,”Kurtgrinned.“Ihaveanidea.”
Anhourlater,whileElDinwassecuringafishingboatthatwouldnotdrawmuchattention,KurtandJoewereattheairportlookingoverasprawlingparkinglotofdustycars.
“IfeellikeI’vediedand
gonetosupercarheaven,”Joesaid.“Oratleastpurgatory,”Kurtreplied.
Thecarsinfrontofthemwereexotics.Hundredsofthem.Lamborghinis,Maseratis,Bentleys.Ferrariswereasplentifulasminivansatakids’soccerfield.Theywerestoredlikeonemightexpecttofindlemonsandjunkersonanauctionlot,parkedsoclosethedoorsweretouching.Howlong
they’dbeenouttherewasanyone’sguess,butmostwerecoveredinsomuchsandanddustthatthecolorswerehardtomakeout.Thetireswereflatonmanyofthem,andallofthemwerebakinginthesun.
“SomewhereamannamedEnzoiscrying,”Joesaid.“NottomentionfivebrothersfromModena.”
“Therearethreeotherlotslikethis,”thesalesmanwho’d
takenthemtoseethedisplayadvised.
“Why?”Joeasked.“Foreignersindebtleave
themwhentheyrunoff.ThereisnobankruptcyinDubai.Prisonandpunishmentaredealtouttothosewhocannotsatisfytheirdebts.”
Kurtraisedaneyebrow.“We’llbesuretopayinadvance.”
“That’swise,”theman
said.“Whatisityouneed?”“Oneoftherarestofthe
rare,”Kurtsaid.“ThenewsedanfromTesla.”
Anhourlater,theirbankaccountsfiftygrandlighter,KurtandJoeweretakingthedustyTeslaapartinagarageprovidedbyMohammedElDin,whoarrivedthatafternoonwithatruckloadofsuppliesfromthenautical
scrapyard.Thereweresectionsoffiberglass,apairofwreckedJetSkis,andthepropsfromseveralhigh-poweredoutboardmotors.Twoofthemlookedhopelesslynicked-up,butthethirdwasfairlyclean.
“Thesewilldo,”Kurtsaid.
“Forwhat?”ElDinasked.“You’llsee,”hesaid.
“You’llsee.”
Twodayslater,asduskapproached,KurtandJoesatonthegunwaleofasmallfishingboatasitroseandfellonthegentlewavesofthePersianGulf.Thelong-nosedboathadasmallcabinattheback,twinoutboards,andheapsofnettingandstorage
containers—normallyfilledwithicetokeeptheday’scatchfresh.Tworodssproutedfromholdersatthestern,theirlinesstrungoutintothesea.“Yousureyouwanttodothis?”Joeasked.
“Yousureyouwanttohelpaguywhomighthavelostafewscrewsrecently?”
“Recently?”Joelaughed.“Thismaycomeasashocktoyou,amigo,butInever
thoughtyouwereplayingwithafulldecktobeginwith.”
Kurtcouldn’thelpbutlaugh.“Youknowyou’retheonlyonewhohasn’taskedmewhyI’mdoingthis.”
“That’sbecauseitdoesn’tmattertome,”Joesaidfirmly.“Youneedhelp.I’mhereforyou.”
Kurtnoddedandlookedbeyondthefishingpolestotheglitteringbuildingsof
Dubai,litupinshimmeringgoldandbronzetonesasthesunbegantosetbehindthem.Ignoringtheglitter,heloweredhisgazeandtrainedapowerfulspottingscopeontheburlyprofileofAcosta’sMassif.
“She’sthickallaround,”Kurtsaid.
MohammedElDinsteppedfromthesmallpilothouse.“LikeAcostahimself,no?”
Kurtsmiledandcontinuedtostudythevessel.“Howfastdoyouthinksheis?”
“Noidea,”ElDinsaid.“Idon’tdesignshipsforaliving.”
“I’dguessabouttwenty,twenty-fiveknotsmaximum,”Joeoffered.“Alotfasterthanwe’llbeinthisthing.”
“She’smakingsmoke,”ElDinsaid.“Theymustbegettingreadytoleave.”
Kurtagreed.“Timetoputthisplanintoaction.”
ElDinmovedtothedriver’sseatandturnedthekey.Thetwinoutboardssputteredtolifeamidacloudofbluishsmoke.
JoewenttothesternandbegantoreelinthefishinglinesasElDinnudgedthethrottlesoffidleandeasedtheboatforward.Hebroughtitaroundinawidesemicirclethatwouldtakethemtoward
thechannel.Kurtpulledoffhis
dishdashatorevealawetsuit.Hedroppedtothefloorandslidatarpfromwhatlookedlikeasmalltorpedowithhandles.
“Doyouthinkthiscontraptionofyourswillwork?”ElDinasked.
“Ofcourseit’llwork,”Joeinterjected.“Ibuiltmostofit.”
Withcare,KurtandJoe
hadtakenthebatteriesfromtheabandonedTeslaandmatedthemwithanelectricalmotorfromoneofthecar’swheels.Withalittleingenuitythey’dweldedthatmotortoapropellertakenfromaspeedboat.
Aftertestingthemotorandconfirmingtheirabilitytocontrolit,they’dwrappedtheentiredesigninathickplasticliningandthenconstructedawatertightbodyaroundit
withfiberglasssectionsfromtheruinedJetSkiandanothersmallcraft.High-strengthepoxysealedthejointsinamessyfashion,andacoatofdarkgraypainthadbeenaddedtomakethecontraptionlessvisible.
Itlookedlikeachild’sscienceprojectonsteroids.Kurtwouldstraddleit,controllingarudderatthetailwithhisfeet,andmanipulatingapairofdive
plainsviahandlebarswouldlethimguidethepropulsionunit.
“Iadmit,it’snotourmostaestheticallypleasingdesign,”Kurtsaid.“ButJoeandIwereonabudgetandalittlepressedfortime.”
“Atleastyougoontheoutside,”ElDinsaid,thenofferedalookthatsuggestedhemighthavemisspoken.“Youdositontheoutside,right?”
Kurtnodded.Withtheflickofarubber-bootedswitch,heactivatedthepower.AsetofLEDscameoninthemakeshiftcontrolunit.Hetwistedthethrottleandthepropellerspunwithinstantpower.Theelectricalmotor’swhiningandthedisplacedairweretheonlysounds.Butthepowerwasobviousandinstant.
“Ifyousurvivethis,”Joesaid,“Imightstartselling
theseonstreetcorners.”“Ithinkyou’llfindcash
flowtobeaproblem,”Kurtsaid,“consideringwetookallthepartsfromaneighty-thousanddollarcar.”
Astheoldfishingboatchuggedforward,ElDinaskedthenextquestion.“Howdoyouplantogetonboardonceyoucatchthem?”
“LikeSpiderman,”Kurtsaid.
Hemovedtoalocker,
openedit,andpulledoutfourmetallicobjects.Thefirsttwowereattachedtoatypeofwristbrace.Heslidthemoverhisforearmsandstrappedthemintoplace.Theylookedlikethegauntletswornbyknightsofold.Thenexttwowereattachedtokneebraces,likethosewornbyskierswho’dinjuredthemselves.Theywerebulkyandawkward,buttheystrappedontightly,fittingoverKurt’s
wetsuit.Kurtsmiled,proudofhis
ingenuity.Eachbracehadalithium-ionbatteryofitsownandapowerfulelectromagnetattachedtoit.Afteradjustingthebracesforcomfort,hepowereduptheoneonhisrightarmbytappingathumbswitchandheldhisarmoutoverametaltacklebox.Theboxlevitatedfromthedeckandstucktohisarmwithasuddenclang.
Despitepullingwithhisotherarm,Kurtcouldnotbreakthetackleboxloose.Heswitchedtheunitoffandtheboxdroppedbacktothedeck.“IftheMassifhasasteelhull,Ishouldbeabletoclimbrightuptheside.”
“Whatifshe’smadeoffiberglass?”ElDinasked.
“Inthatcase,”Kurtbegan,“I’llneedyoutopickmeupassoonaspossibleandtakemesomewhereIcan
drinkenoughtoforgetallmytroubles.”
JoeandElDinchuckledwhileKurtfinishedhispreparations.Inaminute,hewasreadytogo.Heslidasmalltransmitterintoawaterproofpocketdesignedtostashone’skeysinwhendivingandthenzippeditshut.Hestashedacompact9mmBerettapistolinasecondpocketandstrappedadivingknifearoundhiscalf.
“WhenIgetofftheyacht,I’llgetthetransmitterwet.Itwillautomaticallyactivate.Ithasaverydimlightthatyoushouldbeabletoseeifyou’rewithinthirtyfeet,butfartheroutyou’llhavetousethescannertohomeinonme.”
Joenoddedandheldupasmalldevicethatlookedlikeasmartphone.“Checkedandworking,”hesaid.
“Followatadistance,butkeepitcasual.AndifAcosta
opensupthrottles,don’ttrytokeepup,”Kurtadded.“Itmightlooksuspiciousifyoutailherallthewaydownthecoastathighspeed.”
“Thesewatersarefilledwithfishingboats,”ElDinsaid.
“Yes,butmostofthemareengagedinfishing,notchasingyachts.”
“Goodpoint.”Kurtnodded.“If
everythinggoesaccordingto
plan,I’llfindSiennaandgetherofftheboatwithoutthemevenknowingI’mthere.Inthatcase,waitforthemtomoveoffbeforeyouswoopinandgetus.”
“Whatifalldoesn’tgoaccordingtoplan?”Joeasked.
Kurtlookedathimaskance.
“Ionlyasksinceitneverhasbefore.”
Kurtshrugged.He
couldn’tdenyit.“Inthatcase,useyourbestjudgmentandadjusttothesituationasneeded,dependingonexigenciesandcircumstances.”
ElDinlookedperplexedbythatresponse.
“Hemeanswingit,”Joeexplained,“whichIassumeiswhatwe’llbedoingrightfromthestart.”
“You’rewisebeyondyouryears,”Kurtsaid.
“Ijustknowyoutoowell.”
Bynowtheywerenearingtheendofthehalf-mile-longchannel,theNoWakezonethatledoutoftheharborandintotheopenwater.Itwouldtaketheyachtsevenoreightminutestocoverthedistanceiftheyheldtotherules.
“Letmeoffhere,”Kurtsaid.“They’llprobablystartbendingthespeedlimitbeforetheypassthefinal
buoy.Idon’twanttomissmyride.”
“It’sshallowhere,”ElDinsaid.“Twentyfeet.”
“Shecan’tdrawmorethaneightornine,”Kurtreplied.“I’llwaitonthebottomandcatchonasshepassesby.”
ElDinslowedthevesselfurther,makingaslightturntoporttoshieldKurtfromview.
WithJoe’shelp,Kurt
liftedthetorpedo-shapedpropulsionunitandbalanceditonthetransom.Hegavethethumbs-up,pulleddownhismask,andbitintothesoftrubberofhisregulator.WithanodfromElDin,heandJoepushedtheDPVofftheedgeandithitthewaterandsubmergedlikeamodelsubmarine.Kurtslippedintothegulfrightbehindit.
Withtheweightofhisbelt,Kurtsankfasterthanthe
propulsionunit,whichhadonlyaslightnegativebuoyancy.Hereacheditquickly,guidedittoaspotinthesiltandthensettleddownontopofit,listeningtothesoundofthesmallfishingboattrundleaway.
Immersedinthewarmgulfwater,Kurtsoonheardnothingbuthisownbreathingastheairtraveledthroughthelines,intohislungs,andbackouttotherebreather.The
advantageofthissystemwasthatitleftnotrailofbubbles.Hedoubtedthecrewoftheyachtwouldbelookingforanythingsosimple—morelikely,they’dbepayingattentiontotheirdepthsounderandtheradarscope—buthewasn’ttakinganychances.
AsKurtwaitedonthebottomofthechannel,alow-frequencythrumtoldhimtheMassifwasapproaching.
Hegazeddownthechannel,lookingforanysignofher.ThefirstthinghespottedwasthefoamyV-shapedareaattheyacht’s
bow.Theleadingedgeoftheship’skeelsooncameintofocus.Itseemedtobegrindingtowardhim,pulverizingthewaterratherthanslicingthroughit.
Justashe’dsuspected,theyachtwasmovingfasterthantheallowedthreeknots.
Kurtchangedposition,settinghimselfuplikeamotorcyclecoponthehighwaygettingreadytochaseaspeeder.Hegoosed
thethrottleandthepropspun,stirringupthesedimentandeasinghimforward.Hebegantomove,tryingtotimehisintercept.
Itwouldbeatrickyapproach.Heneededtocomeupbesidetheyacht,closeenoughtobehiddenbythehull’soverhangbutnotsoclosehewouldgethimselfrunover.ThebestspotwouldbetheshelteredareajustbehindtheVofthebow
wave.Anyfartherforwardandhe’dbepushedawayfromtheshipwiththedisplacedwater;anyfartherbackandheriskedgettingcaughtinthestrongestpartoftheslipstreamandflungbackwardtowardthepropellers.
TheharmonicrumbleoftheyachtgrewcloserandKurtincreasedhisspeed.Aglanceovertheshouldertoldhimitwasbarrelingdownon
himtooquickly.Hetwistedthethrottlefarther,accelerated,andswungouttotheside.
Ashepassedsevenknots,Kurtrealizedanerrorinhisplan.TheforceofthewaterthreateningtopullhimofftheDPVwastentimeswhathe’dfeelridingamotorcycle.Alreadyitwaslikehangingoninaseventy-mile-per-hourwind.
Hepulledhimselfcloser
totheunit.Thewaterracedpast.Heturnedhisheadawkwardly.TheMassifwasstillgaining,thekeelmovingrelentlesslytowardhimlikeagreatbladethreateningtocuthiminhalf.Suddenlyhisgreatideaseemedlessthanbrilliant.
HegavetheDPVfullpowerandbegankeepingpacewiththechargingyacht.Almostimmediatelythepropulsionunitbegantoflash
awarninglight.That’swhatIgetfor
usingarepoleftattheairport.
Heglancedatthewarninglight,thenbackattheapproachinghull.Hedriftedcloser,feelingthepressureofthebowsurgeonhisshoulders.Thecloserhegot,themoreviolenttheridebecame.Thesoundalonewastremendous,likethenoiseofawaterfallandrushing
freighttraincombined.Itpoundedhisearsasthepressurewavehammeredagainsthisshoulders.Theblinkinglightonthepropulsionpackwentfromyellowtoorange.
Kurtdroppedback,passingunderthebowwave,andwasalmostswungoutofcontrol.Finallybehindthewave,heangledtowardthehullandbeganinchingupward.Ashebrokethe
surface,thedragontheDPVlessenedandhepickedupalittlespeed.
Heaccidentallybangedthehullonce,thrownsidewaysbyaneddy.Theimpactalmostsenthimspinningoutofcontrol,buthereestablishedhislineandtriedonceagaintomovecloser.Theorangelightwasblinkingnow,abouttoturnred.Thepowerbegantofade.
Inadesperateeffort,Kurt
swungtowardthehull,stretchedforward,andpushedofftheDPVwithhislegs.Helettheunitgo,clickedhisthumbswitches,andslammedintothemetalskinoftheyacht’shull.
Thepadsonhisforearmshitandlockedfirst.Thekneepadsfollowed,snappingintoplaceaninstantlater.
Hewason.Justabovethewaterline.Astowawayofthestrangestorder.
Helookedup.Asfarashecouldtell,noonehadseenhim.Norweretheylikelyto.TheV-shapedhullcurvedoutoverhim,wideningonthewayup.Tospothim,someonewouldhavetoleanoutovertheedgeatleasttwoorthreefeetandlookstraightdown.
Forafullminutehedidn’tmove,gatheringhisstrengthasthepowerfulmagneticfieldsheldhiminplace.
Whenhefeltready,heclickedtheleftthumbswitchandpulledhisleftarmaway.Hestretcheditforwardandclickedontotheboatonceagain.Anotherclickandhebroughthisrightlegup.
Leftarm,rightleg,rightarm,leftleg.Hemovedinthisfashion,slowandsteady.
Bytheshapeandfuryofthebowwavebeneathhim,Kurtcouldtelltheyachtwaspickingupspeed.Heguessed
theywerepassingfifteenknots,headingfortwenty.Hecontinuedtoclimb.Thehardpartwasover,hetoldhimself.
Atleastthefirsthardpart.
ThemaindeckoftheMassifheldasprawlingovalparlor,abouttwiceaslongasitwaswide.Floor-to-ceilingwindowscoveredthesides.Intricaterepeatingpatternsofwarm-huedinlaidwoodcoveredthewalls.Artdecofurnishingswrappedin
buttery-smoothItalianleatherweretastefullyarranged.Andtheentirespacewaslitbysoftrecessedlighting.
Atthecenterofthisroom,likethefunnelofawhirlpool,layacircularstaircase.Itswirleditswayintothelowerlevelsoftheyachtbeneathaskylighttwelvefeetindiameter.Theskylightallowednaturallighttoenterduringtheday,butatnightitactedasadarkmirror,
reflectingallthatwentonbelow.
Spreadabouttheparlorwerefifteenpeople,notcountingtheship’sstaff.Somewereadmiringtheartwork,othersdrankandspokeamongthemselves.
CalistaBrèvardenteredthisquietlyswirlinglandscapeinashimmeringblackcocktaildress.Hermakeupwasmorerestrainedthanusual,herdarkhair
hiddenbeneathawigofplatinumblondethatfelltohershouldersinthebackandgavehergracefulbangsthathaltedjustabovehereyesinthefront.
ShemovedslowlytowardagrandpianowhereReneAcostawasholdingcourt.
“Thebottomlineissimple,”AcostawastellingaChineseman.“Youwillbelockedoutandtheywillstillhaveaccesstoyourdeepest
secrets.”“Canthissystemreallybe
thatadvanced?”themanasked.“We’veheardtaleslikethisbefore.Allsystemshaveweaknesses.ItisonlyamatteroftimeuntilwepenetratethePhalanx.”
Acostashookhishead.“WouldtheUnitedStatesputallitseggsinonebasketifitdidn’tknowthatbasketwasabsolutelyuntouchable?”
“Perhapsthey’rewrong.”
Acostashrugged.“Perhaps,”hesaid.“Canyoureallyaffordtotakethatchance?”
TheChinesemanturnedandbegantodiscussthiswithtwoofhiscountrymen,andAcostaexcusedhimselfandtookCalistabythearm.
“Youhavethemrightwhereyouwantthem,”shesaid.“Imustadmityou’refarsmootherthanIexpected.”
“I’velearnedtobe
tactful,”hesaid.“Andmybrotherhas
learnedtobeabrute.”“Youcouldhavestopped
him,”Acostasaid.“PoorKovack.Hehastolearnhowtoshootandstabpeoplewithhisotherhandnow.Perhapsitwouldbebestifyouavoidhimforthetimebeing.”
“Idoubthe’llrecognizeme.”
“Andifhedoes?”“Thenhe’llfindthathe
gotofflucky.”Acostachuckled,andthey
movedtothebar.Thebartenderimmediatelypouredhimaglassoffifty-year-oldport.
“Andforthelady?”“Icewater,”shesaid.“Itrunsinherveins,”
Acostaadded.Thebartender
immediatelyfilledaleadcrystalglasswithicewater.Hewipedthesidewitha
napkinbeforehandingittoher.
“Youcouldhaveatleasttriedtolimitthedamage,”Acostasaid.
“Andshowmytruecolors?Idon’tthinkso.IfIprotectedKovack,mybrotherwouldhavebecomesuspicious.Hemaybeanyhow.Ifyoudon’treturnthewomantous,itwillbeall-outwarbetweenyoutwo.”
“Ionlyneedheralittlelonger,”Acostasaid.
“Notjusther,theothersaswell.Allthreeofthem.”
“Youdon’tunderstand,”Acostasaid.“Youhavenoideawhattheseforeignersarewillingtopay.Tenmillionforamonthofwork.Twentymillionforsixweeks.Canyouimagine?Shecan’tpossiblybeworthmoretoyourbrother.Holdhimback.TellhimIwillcuthiminon
thespoils.”“Hehasotherplans,”
Calistasaid.“Whatkindofplans?”“HowwouldIknow,”
Calistasaid.“Hetellsmeonlywhathewantsto.ButIpromise,theyareimportanttohim.Hesentmeheretotakeherfromyou.TheonlywayIcanstopthatisifyoudeliverhertomeasplannedandblametheIraniansforthedelay.”
AcostahesitatedandCalistanarrowedhergaze.Shesawsomethinginhiseyes.Itsaidhe’dalreadycrossedtheRubicon.“Whathaveyoudone,Rene?”
Hedidn’trespond,butthetensionwasobviousinatighteningofthemusclesinhisthickneck.
“Rene?”“She’snothere,”hesaid
finally.“IdeliveredhertoThanRanglastweek.He
wantstheothersaswell.”ThanRangwasaKorean
industrialist.Calista’smindracedtryingtofigureoutwhyhewouldneedorwanttheAmericanortheotherhackers.“Ifthat’sso,you’dbestretrieveher.”
“Ican’t,”hesaid.“ThanRangisnotamantobetrifledwith.I’dratherdealwithyourbrother’swraththanhis.”
Calistawonderedifhe
waslyingornot.“Sebastianwillnotwait,”shesaid.“Thewomanmustbedeliveredintomybrother’shandsbeforetheAmericansfinishtheirtrialrunwithPhalanxorthreeyearsofeffortwillberuined,thatmuchIknow.Andifthatoccurs,Sebastianwillnotrestuntilhemurdersyou.”
Asshespoke,Calistastaredatherformerloverwithunblinkingeyes.The
morenervousheappeared,themorejoyitbroughther.Anythingtoincreasehisagony.
“What’sdoneisdone,”hesaid.“Theonlyquestioniswhereyourloyaltiesrest.”
“My‘loyalties’?”“Yes,”hesaid.“Ifit
comestowar,whosesidewillyoubeon?”
Shetiltedherheadasifthequestionwassilly.Awickedsmilegrewonher
face.“Why,mydearRene,”shebegan,“I’llbeonmyownsideofcourse.Ithoughtyouwouldhavelearnedthatbynow.”
Sheputtheglassdownandturnedaway.
Hewatchedherwalkoff,headedforthespiralstaircase.Despiteaplantoremaincalm,hefoundhisemotionshadbecomeunbalanced,avolatilemixtureofangerandlustas
alwayswhereCalistawasconcerned.
Butthefactsweresimple.HecouldnotretrievetheAmericanwomanfromThanRang’sclutchesevenifhewantedto.Norcouldheforegotherevenuefromtransactionsinvolvingtheotherthreeexpertsheheld.Tokeepuphisextravagantlifestyleheneededmorecashandheneededitnow.
Hesnappedhisfingers
andtwoofhismenappeared.“Keepaneyeonher,”hesaid.“Idon’twanthercausinganytroubleorupsettingtheotherguests.”
Theynoddedandturnedtofollow.
Forherpart,Calistaexpectedtobefollowed.Shewalkedslowlytothecenteroftheroomandtookthespiralstaircasedowntotheaccommodationsdeck.Shetraveledtowardthestern,
whereasmallbutwarmlyappointedcabinwithasingleberthhadbeenreservedforher.
Sheopenedthedoorandheldit,pausinglongenoughtomakesureRene’smenspottedher.Theyslowedtheirpacebutkeptoncoming.Shewinkedatthemandthenduckedinsideandshutthedoor.
Theywouldlikelyguardheruntiltheauction.But
Renewouldwantherthere.Shewasamysteriouspresenceandadistraction.Thebidswouldbehigherbecauseofher.Thatwouldmakeiteasier.
Sheturnedtheradioonandstartedtheshower.Shefiguredthatwasenough.She’dalreadyswepttheroomforbugsandotherlisteningdevices.
Unzippingthecocktaildressandremovingthewig,
shequicklychangedintoanotheroutfitconsistingofdarkslacksandagraysilkshirt.Itwasfancyenoughthatshecouldpassforoneoftheguestsbututilitarianenoughtolethermovefreely.
Nextsheremovedafalsepanelfromhersuitcase,pulledoutasatellitephone,andsliditintoherpocket.AcompactBersa.380pistolcameoutnext.Itwasathin,nickel-platedautomatic,with
blackpolymergrips.Itcarriedsevenhollow-pointroundsinashortmagazineandonemoreinthechamber.Itwasatrustyweapon,accurate,withasmoothtriggerpull.Calistahadtakenoutseveraladversarieswithit.Asafinalprecautionsheslidafour-inchknifeintoathinscabbardaboveherankle.
Readyforaction,shemadeherwaytothecabin’s
largewindow.Itslidopenwithease.Sheglanceddownthenarrowgangwaythatranaroundtheedgeoftheyacht.Seeingnoone,sheclimbedthroughthewindowandontothedeck.Withsmoothprecision,sheslidtheglassshutandbeganwalkingtowardthebow.
ClingingtothesideoftheMassiflikeastubbornbarnacle,Kurtstudiedhisoptions.Theheavyyachtwasnowcruisingattwentyknots.Lightspillingfromthesuperstructurecastasubtleglowonthewatersflowingpast,butotherthanthathe
wasbathedindarkness.Sincehecouldn’tgoup
andovertherailwithoutbeingseen,Kurtmovedquicklytowardthestern.Heknewtherewereseveralhatchesthere,oneofwhichhadbeenwideopenshortlybeforedepartureasthecrewtookonsupplies.
Hemovedtowardit,travelinglikeacrab,untilhefoundit.Consideringhowcloseitlaytothewaterline,
Kurtwasn’tsurprisedtofinditbatteneddowntight.Helookedaround,noticedacrackoflightuphigheronthehullandfartheraft.
Hereacheditquickly,peekedaroundtheedge,and,seeingnooneinside,swungaroundanddroppedin.
Hewasinasmallworkspaceconnectedtotheengineroom.Itwascramped,hot,andloud.He’dcoveredafewfeetwhenafigurein
whitecoverallsappeared.Themanworeabulkyheadsettoprotecthishearingfromthewhiningenginesanddidn’tnoticeKurtorhearhimcoming.
Shockandconfusionregisteredonthecrewman’sfaceasKurtgothisattentionwiththeBerettaandwavedafingertodissuadehimfromtryinganything.Thatdone,Kurtpulledofftheheadset.
“YouspeakEnglish?”
Themannodded.“Arethereanyprisoners
onboardthisyacht?”Themanseemed
confusedbythequestion.“Prisoners?”
“Anyonebeingheldagainsttheirwill,”Kurtexplained.“I’mlookingforablondAmericanwoman.”
“No,”themansaid,shakinghishead.“Ijustruntheturbines.”
Itmadesense.Thepoor
guywasjustasailor.Buthehadtoknowhisship.
Kurtwalkedhimtoanelectricalschematicoftheship’swiringonwhichthedemarcationsforhallways,berths,andcommonareaswerelaidout.
“ReneAcosta,”Kurtsaid.“Whichcabinishis?”
Themanhesitated.Kurtpulledbackthe
hammerontheBeretta.“Firstcabin,”theman
said.“Accommodationsdeck,forward.”
Kurtstudiedthediagram.Bythelookofit,thatcabinwasthelargestontheship,itmadesenseitwasAcosta’s.
Kurtdraggedthemantoastorageroom,shovedhiminside,andtookoutasmallsyringe.Hejabbeditintotheman’sthighandwatchedashiseyesrolledquickly.Inasecondhewasoutcold.
“Sleeptight,”Kurtsaid,
tossingthesyringeaway.Inaminute,Kurthadthe
crewman’scoverallson.Theycoveredhiswetsuitandelectromechanicalgearbutnothishair.Hespottedaredskullcaponapegandaddedthattohisensemble.Withthecappulleddownsnuglyoverhissilverhair,Kurtheadeddownthehalltowardthebow,whereAcosta’scabinsatattheendofthecentralgangway.
Kurtfoundthedoorlockedandwasabletopryitopenusingaknife.Heslippedinsideandbeganhissearch.He’dbeentherealloffiveminuteswhenheheardahandonthedoorknob.
Withsurprisinggrace—consideringthebulkyequipmentandthelayershewaswearing—KurtmovedtothebathroomandcrouchedbehindthecurvedglassblockofAcosta’swalk-inshower.
ClutchingtheBerettaagain,hepreparedhimselfforafight.IfhewasluckyenoughtofindAcostaentering,he’dgetsomeanswersfromthemanhimself.
Thecabindooropenedbrieflyandthenlatchedsoftly.ToKurt’ssurprise,nolightscameon.MutedfootfallsontheplushcarpettraveledslowlyfromthemaindoortothedeskwhereKurt
hadbeenriflingthroughAcosta’sthings.
Thesqueakofachairtoldhimsomeonehadtakenaseat,buttheroomremaineddarkuntilitwaspartiallyilluminatedbyasoftblueglow,easilyrecognizableasthelightfromacomputerscreen.
Kurtheardtypingandthenfinallyawoman’svoice.“Rene,”thevoicesaidscornfully,“didyoureally
thinkmyownsecuritysystemwouldstopme.”
Itwasarhetoricalquestion.Therewasnoonetheretoanswer,andKurt’scuriositybegantogetthebetterofhim.
Hemovedtoanewspotwherehecouldsee.
ThewomanbehindAcosta’sdeskwastypingfuriously.“Damnyou,Rene,”shesaid,andthenpulledasatellitephonefromher
pocketandpunchedinanumber.
Kurtdidn’thearthegreetingveryclearlybutlistenedasaquickconversationtookplace.
“Wehaveaproblem,”shesaid.“They’renothere...Noneofthem.NottheAmerican,nottheothers.They’renotonboard.”
Apausefollowed.“Yes,I’msureofit,”the
womanreplied.“I’mreading
itonRene’scomputerrightnow.Ithoughthewaslying,butitlookslikehe’salreadyshippedthewomantoKorea,andpromisedtheotherthreetoThanRangaswell.Theauctionmustbearuse.EitherReneisshortofmoneyorhe’sliningupbuyersforthefuture.”
Anotherpause,moreprotractedthistime.
“No,Idon’tthinkthatwillwork...Well,Icould
putaguntohishead,butthatwon’tbringthemback.We’llhavetoliftthemfromThanRangourselves.Andthatwon’tbeeasy.”
Kurtstrainedtolisten,but,tryashemight,hecouldonlymakeoutthewoman’ssideoftheconversation.
“There’snootherway,”shesaid.“Withouther,noonewillbelievewecancrosstheairgap,breachtheAmericanWall,andbringthe
systemdown.”Kurthadnoideawhatshe
wastalkingabout,buthehungoneveryword.
“Ihavetogo,”shesaidfinally,tappingafewkeysandclosingtheprogram.“Otherwise,Renemighttrytojoinmeintheshower.”Shepaused,andthenadded,“You’reright,bytheway.I’mtoogoodforhim.”
Shehungup,turnedthecomputeroff,andsteppedout
frombehindthedesk.Kurtmovedaswell,
makinghiswaytotheedgeofthemaincabin.Inthelowlighthesawthewomanputanearupagainstthefrontdoor.Henoticedasmallpistolinherhand.“You’reforgettingsomething,”hewhispered.
Shewhirledaround,buthehadtheBerettaoutandready.Shesawitclearlyandfroze.
“Thatlaptopwasclosedwhenyoucamein.”
“Tossthegunoverthere,”Kurtsaid.
Hepointedtowardathickrugnearthebathroomdoor.Withashrugsheflippedthegungentlyinthegeneraldirection.Itlandedwithnomorethanasoftbump.
Kurtmotionedtowardone
ofthechairsacrossfromAcosta’sdesk.“Haveaseat.”
Shehesitatedforjustasecondandthenmovedtowardthechair,slidingontoitwitheffortlessgrace.Kurtnoticedadecidedlackofnervousnessinherposture.Shelookedcomfortable.Sheleanedbackandcrossedherlegsasifawaitingacocktailatsundown.
KeepingtheBerettaaimedather,Kurtmoved
behindthedeskandtappedthecomputerkeyboard.Thescreenlitup.Backtothepassword.
“You’vealreadybrokenintothisonce,”hesaid.“Caretotellmehow?”
“Whoareyou?”sheasked.Therewasnofearinhervoice,onlyasubtlecuriosity.Likesomeonewho’ddiscoveredanewplaything.
“Password,”Kurtsaid,
ignoringher.“Areyouathief?Amole
ofsomekind?”“Password.”“Calista,”shetoldhim,
“withaC.Asifyoucouldspellitanyotherway.”
Hetypedthename,alternatingglancesbetweenherandthekeyboard.
Thelockscreendissolvedandaspreadsheetappeared.Thewhitebackgroundwassobrightitcausedhispupilsto
constrict,makingitdifficulttoseebeyondthescreen.Hetappedthekeytolowerthescreen’sbrillianceuntilitwasasdimashecouldmakeit.
Thewomanhadn’tmoved,thoughshewasnowleaningforward,studyinghim.
“You’renotpartofthecrew,”shesaidcalmly.“Andyou’realittletooscruffytobeoneoftheguests.”
“Myinvitegotlostinthe
mail,”Kurtsaid.“Now,whatwereyoulookingfor?Andwhowereyoutalkingto?”
Hereyebrowswentup.“Howbadlydoyouwanttoknow?”
“Badlyenoughtoputabulletinyouifyoudon’ttellme.”
Shelaughed.“You’renotgoingtoshootme.Forone,itwouldmaketoomuchnoise.”
“Ihaveasilencer.”“I’mnogoodtoyou
dead,”shesaid,standingup.Kurtmethergaze.“Who
saidIwasgoingtokillyou?Akneeshotwoulddothetrick.”
“AndwhileIscreaminpain,”shesaid,slinkingforward,“willIbeabletotalkclearly?”
Kurtdidn’treply,andthewomanclimbedonthefaredgeofthedesk,stretchingoutonallfourslikeacat.Shereachedforthecomputer,
walkedherfingersontothekeyboard,andpressedF1andF4atthesametime.
Shelookedupathim,lickingherlips.“DoIgetanythingforcooperating?”
Kurtfeltasifhe’dlandedintheTwilightZone.Ifhedidn’tknowbetter,he’dhaveguessedthiswomanwaspropositioninghim.“Agoldstar,”Kurtsaid.
Heglancedatthescreen.Thespreadsheethadvanished
andadarkerscreenopenedup.Itshowedapairofcolumnsmadeupofboxes.Eachboxhadaphotographofsomethinginside,asparklingnewLearjetinone,asmallcacheofwhatappearedtobediamondsinthesecondbox.Acaptionunderneathitread“400caratstotal,allstonesVSorVVS.”Athirdboxindicatedtheracehorsehe’dseen,DesertRose.Numbersunderneatheachbox
indicatedsupplementalmoneycontributions.Apparently,thebusinesswasn’tascash-freeasElDinsuspected.
KurtassumedtheseboxescontainedbidsforwhateveritwasAcostawasselling.Kurtfollowedthelinesacrossthescreentothesecondcolumnofimages.Eachoftheseseemedtobeaworkofart.
Kurtnoticedavarietyofartisticstyles:cubist,
classical,andevensomeoldmasters.
“Rollthecursoroverthepaintings,”thewomansaid.“You’llgetadescriptionandabetterunderstanding.”
Withoneeyeonhisstrangelyhelpfulfriendandtheotheronthecomputer,Kurtdidasshesaid.
Thedescriptionswereodd.Kurtquicklyunderstoodwhy.
“‘Weaponsexpert,
knowntohaveworkedwiththeSyriangovernmentonchemicaldispersants,’”Kurtreadaloud.
Thenext“painting”wascaptioned“Guidancesystemengineer,familiarwithSovietandAmericandesigns.”
Thethirdhadnothingbutagroupofoddwords:“ZSumG,”“Montresor,”“Xeno9X9.”
“Thosearehackernames,”shesaid.“Handles.
That’swhat—orwhom—he’sselling.”
Kurtthoughtaboutwhatshe’dsaidonthephone.Hescrolleddown.Therewereadozenmoreboxeslabeledwithworksofart.HecheckedeveryboxbutfoundnosignofSiennaWestgate.
Helookedupjustintimetoseethewomanlungeforhisgun.
Shemovedquickly,butKurthadbeenexpectingit
soonerorlater.Hesnappedhisarmoutofreach,grabbedherwithhisotherhand,andthrewheroffthedesk.Shecameupswingingafour-inchdagger.Kurtsteppedoutofrangeandknockedoverametallicsculpturethatlookedvaguelyhuman.Itcrashedtothefloorasthewomanlungedforwardagain.
Withhisfreehand,Kurtcaughtherbythewristandtwistedherarmuntilshelet
gooftheknife.Heswunghertowardthewallandslammedherintoitandheldherthere.
Shestruggledforasecond.Tomakeherstopsquirming,hebroughtthesilencedpistoluponceagain.
“I’mnotinterestedinkillingyou,butIwillshootyouifyouputmeindanger.”
Herdarkhairhadfalleninfrontofherface.Herlipwasgashedandbleeding.Shestaredathim,hereyeswide.
Therewassomethinginthatlook,Kurtthought.Itwasrecognition.
“Iknowyou,”shesaidbreathlessly.“Whiteknight...Fearless...Imustsay,I’msurprisedtoseeyouhere.You’reabitearly,I’mafraid.”
Kurtkeptthepressureonher.Hewasn’tfallingforthedistraction.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,lady.I’veneverseenyou
beforeinmylife.”“Ididn’tsayyouhad.”“Whowereyouspeaking
toonthephone?”Shedidn’treply,butshe
ranhertongueacrossthebleedinglip,seemingtoenjoythetasteofherownbloodlikesomekindofvampireprincess.
“Iaskedyouaquestion.”“Kissme,”shewhispered.Kurtdidn’treply.“Eitherkissmeorshoot
me,”shesaid,“butIwillscreamifyoudon’tdooneortheother.”
“You’renotabouttoscream,”Kurtsaid.“YouwanttobediscoveredhereaboutasmuchasIdo.”
Kurthadn’tevenfinishedhisstatementwhenshetiltedherheadbackandshriekedatthetopofherlungs.
“Damn!”Kurtshouted,clampingahandoverhermouth.
Betweenthescreamingandthecommotion,hefigureditwastimetoshoveoff.Hereachedintoherpocket,grabbedthesatellitephoneshe’dused,andtuckeditintoapocketinhiscoveralls.
Beforehecoulddoanythingelse,thedoorflewopenandagroupofAcosta’smencamepilingin.TheytackledKurtandknockedthegunfromhishand.He
managedtothrowoneofthemoffandthenslammedthesecondguyontothedesk,butthethirdguycaughthiminthechinwithaknee.
Kurtwasknockedbackwardforaninstant,justlongenoughtoallowtheothersbackintothefight.Puncheslandedfromallsides.Unabletobreakfree,Kurtwasquicklysubdued.
Themenliftedhimtohisfeetandslammedhiminto
thesamewallhe’dheldthestrangewomanagainst.
ShewasbehindthemnowwithKurt’spistolinhand.“Threeagainstone,”shesaid.“That’shardlyfair.”
Withouthesitation,shebeganfiring,drillingholesinthemenwhorestrainedKurt.Theydroppedtothegroundallaroundhim.Andshekeptfiring,makingcertaintheyweredead.Withthethreemenlyingstillonthefloor,
shetossedthepistoltoKurt.“Betterrun,”shesaid
quickly.“There’splentymorewheretheycamefrom.”
Kurthadnotimetoconsiderthemadness.He’dlandedinthemiddleofsomethingstrange.Damnedstrange.
Helookedoutintothehall.Menwithgunswererunninghisway.Heshutthedoorandduckedbackintotheroom.
“Youshouldhavekissedme,”shesaid,raisinghereyebrows.
“Maybenexttime.”Heturnedandblasted
threeholesinthewindowandthendovethroughit,shatteringtheweakenedplateglassandlandingonthedeckoutside.
Hegotupquicklyandsprintedforthesternasanalarmbegantoblareoverhead.Gunshotsfollowed,
comingfromaboveandbehind,andbulletsricochetedoffthedeckallaroundhim.
Takingcover,Kurtpressedhimselfagainstthesuperstructure,changedoutthespentmagazine,firedafewshots,andthenscrambledbeneaththesteelbeamssupportingthehelipad.Hegazedup,lookingjealouslyattheshinyhelicopter.Realizingitcouldbeaproblemforhimlater,he
aimedforthecockpitandreeledoffahalfdozenshots,shatteringthesidewindow,drillingafewholesintheinstrumentpanelandafewmoreinthesheetmetalwherethefueltankwaslocated.Hewasn’tsureifhe’dhitanythingvital,butanypilotwouldhavetothinktwicebeforetakingthehelicopterforaspin.
Duckingbackintotheshadows,Kurtcheckedthe
clipinhisBeretta.Fourshellsleft.“Timetoabandonship,”hemuttered.
Thesoundofbootedfeetpoundingthestairwayfromaboveonlyreinforcedhisdecision.
Hefiredtwoshotstowardtheapproachingcrewmenandtookofffortherailing.Atthesameinstant,oneofAcosta’smencameracingaroundthecorner.Theycollidedliketwocarsatanintersection.
Kurthitthedeckandrolledover,lookingfortheBeretta,turnedbacktheotherwayandcameface-to-facewithaColt.45aimedathischest.Themanholdingithadwispyblondhair,paleeyes,andahollowfacethatlookedalmostskeletalinthedimlight.
“Handsup,”hesaid,inchingtowardKurtuntiltheweaponwasnomorethaneightinchesfromhisnose.
Kurtraisedhisarmsslowly.Themanrelaxedabitandusedhisfreehandtodepressasmallradioattachedtohiscollar.“ThisisCaleb,”themansaid.“Ihavetheintruder.Doyouwanttointerrogatehim?”
Asecondofstaticprecededthereply.“No,”amanKurtassumedwasAcostasaid.“Justshoothimandbringmehisbody.”
Asthewordscamefrom
Acosta’smouth,Kurthitthethumbswitchonhisleftwristguard.Thepowerfulmagnetcameoninstantly.ItdrewtheheavymetalguntothesidejustasCalebpulledthetrigger.Fireexplodedfromthebarrel,andthebullethitsixinchestotheleft,punchingaholeintheteakdeckinsteadofKurt’sskull.
CalebstaredindisbeliefastheColtstucktothemagnetonKurt’sleftarm.He
neversawKurt’srighthandballedintoafistandflyingtowardhisjaw.Theblowknockedhimsidewaysandsenthimsprawlingontothedeck.
Kurtsprangtohisfeetanddashedfortherailwithoutlookingback.Atafullrun,heputhishandsontherailandhurtledoverit.Heswungthroughtheair—holdingtherailforasplitsecondlongerthannecessary
—andthenhevanishedintothedark.
OnthebridgeoftheMassif,ReneAcostawaitedtohearthattheintruderwasdead.Tohissurprise,Caleb’svoicecameovertheradiosoundingangryandsomewhatpanicked.
“Theintruderhasgoneoverboard,”heshouted.“Irepeat,theintruderhas
escapedandgoneovertherail.”
Acostaliftedaradiotohismouth.“Itoldyoutoshoothim!”
“Idid,”Calebsaid.“Then,whathappened?”“Idon’tknow,”Caleb
said.“ButI’msureIhithim!”
Acostaburnedwithindignation,halfatCalebforsuchstupidity,halfattheintruderforhavingthe
insolencetocrashhisparty.Heglancedoveratthe
yacht’scaptainandmadeatwirlingmotionwithhishand.“Turnusaround.We’regoingtohaveahuntingparty.”
AtthatmomentKovackcamein,wavingforAcosta’sattentionwithhisbandaged,handlessarm.AsAcostalookedhisway,KovackslungCalistaontothedeck.ShelandedatAcosta’sfeet.
“Shewasfoundinyourcabin.”
“Mycabin?”Calistaspokeupwitha
snarl.“Theintruderbrokeintomycabinfirst,”sheinsisted.“Heputaguntomyheadanddraggedmeoutthewindowwhileyourineptfoolssnoozedoutsidemydoor.”
Acostaglaredather.Anotherlie.Therewasalwaysanotherliewaitingon
herlips.“Doyoureallyexpectme
tobelievethat?”heboomed.“You’redresseddifferentlythanyouwerebefore.Perhapswe’reseeingyourtruecolors.”
“Lookatme,”shesaid.Herfacewasbruised,thesplitlipswollenandwetwithblood.“DoesitlooklikeIwenttoyourcabinofmyownaccord?”
AcostaturnedtoKovack.
“Didyouoryourmenhither?”
“No,”Kovackinsisted.“Tellthemhowyou
foundus,”Calistaprodded.Kovackhesitated.“Well?”“Herscreamsalertedusto
hispresence,”Kovacksaid.“Ifitwasn’tforher,wewouldn’thaveknownhewasthere.”
BynowAcostacouldfeeltheshipleaningintotheturn.
Hehadbiggerissuestodealwith.“Lockherbackinhercabinandpostaguardoutsideherwindow,”heordered.“Andthenjoinmeondeckwithriflesandaspotlight.”
“Theguestsareconcerned,”anotheroneofAcosta’speoplementioned.
“Tellthemwe’regoingtohaveabitofsport,”hereplied.“Theintruderisinthewater.I’llgiveten
thousanddollarstowhoevergetsoffthekillingshot.”
FivemilesbehindtheMassif,JoeZavalastoodatthebowofthesmallfishingboat,tryingtokeepthespeedingyachtinsight.Atthispointhecouldtrackthewarmglowfromtheship’sinteriorlights.Butifshewentdark,theywouldhaveaproblem.
HeturnedtoElDin,whostoodatthehelm.“We’restill
fallingback.Can’tyougooseanymorespeedoutofthislobsterboat?”
“Patience,”ElDinsaid.“Remember,patiencemaybebitter,butitsresultissweet.”
JoecuthiseyesatElDin.“I’mnotinterestedinlearningpatience.Justkeepingthatyachtinsight.”
Withoutwarning,thetrackingscannerbegantochirp.“It’sthebeacon.He’sinthewater.”
“ThankAllah,”ElDinsaid.Heshovedthethrottlesfullontothestops,hopingformorespeedthantheboatpossessed.
“Whathappenedtoallthat‘patience’?”Joeasked.
“Iwasneververygoodatit,”ElDinsaid.“Besides,thetimeforpatienceisover.Nowisthetimeforaction.”
Joecouldnotagreemore.KurthadbeenaboardtheMassifforjustunderanhour,
butitfeltlikehalfthenight.Heplacedthescannerdownandraisedthespotter’sscopeuptohiseye.Almostimmediatelyhesawsomethinghedidn’tlike.
“Damn.”“Whatisit?”“Theyacht’sturning
broadside,”Joesaid.“They’recomingbackaround.”
TheMassifturnedinawidearc,sheddingvelocityas
itwent.Bythetimeitsrudderwasbackoncenter,thehugevesselwasmakingnomorethanfiveknots.
Standingonthebridge,AcostamarkedaspotontheGPSmapwherethestowawayhadgoneoverboard.
“Holdthisspeedandkeeptheshipstable,”heordered.“Iwantyoutomakeslowpassesbackandforththroughthisareauntilwespotandkill
theintruder.”“Yes,sir,”thecaptain
said.Hedidn’tbataneyeatthebrutalorder.
Withthatdone,Acostasteppedoutonthedeck.Calebwaitedthereholdingabolt-actionhunter’srifle.“Givemethat,”Acostasaid.“Youmightmissagain.”
Calebscowledandhandedtherifletohismaster.
Inadditiontohisownhand,Acostahadstationed
teamsofarmedmenatvariousspotsonthemaindeck.Twogroupsstoodamidships,oneoneachside.Twomoremenwaitedatthestern.
“Lightstofull,”Acostaordered.
AroundthemexteriorlightslitupthewatersofthePersianGulfinaswathtwohundredfeetwideandfivehundredfeetlong.Twospotlightsabovethebridge
cameonandwereaimedaheadandoutwardatforty-five-degreeanglesinordertocoverthemostwaterpossible.
“Thiswon’ttakelong,”Acostapromised,wrappingtherifle’sstraparoundhisforearm.
“Targetoffthestarboardbeam,”someoneshouted.
Acostawasontheportside.Hestrodebackthroughthebridgeandpushedout
throughthestarboarddoorjustashismenopenedfire.Ribbonsofwaterflewupwherethemenlacedbulletsintothefirezone.
Acostaraisedhisweaponandspottedthetargetquickly:aflashofwhiteclothing.Hefiredonce—adirecthit.Thecoverallsjerkedasthebulletfounditsmark,buttherewasnobloodoreventheslightestdefensivereaction.
Asthetargetdriftedcloser,Acostasawwhy.Thestolencoverallswereempty.Theyfloatedpastinatangle,slidinggentlyacrossthewaves.
Moreshotsrangout.“Holdyourfire!”Acosta
shouted.“There’snoonethere.Hemusthaveshedtheclothingandleftthembehindasadecoy.”
Theshootingceased,andAcostaturnedhisattention
backtowardtheinscrutablewaters,lookingforanysignofthemanwho’dcomeaboardhisyacht.
Afterseveralminuteswithnothingtosee,helosthispatience.“Takeusbackaround,”hebellowed.“Hehastobeoutheresomewhere.”
Infact,KurtwasmuchcloserthanAcostacouldhave
guessed.Hewasclingingtothesideoftheship,twentyfeetbelowthemaindeck,aboutsixfeetfromtherushingwater.
Ashe’dhurtledovertherailing,he’dheldonforasplitsecondlongerthannecessary,convertinghisoutwardanddownwardmotionintoaturningarc.Thetrajectoryhadslammedhimintothesideoftheyachtjustashe’dactivatedthe
magneticpadsonceagain.Ithadbeenanawkward,
jarringcrash,butthemagnetsdidn’tcare.Onceagainthey’ddonethetrick,lockinghimtothesteelhullandholdinghiminplace.
Fromthere,KurthadcrabbedhiswayforwardandparkedhimselfinaspotbelowtheMassif’sfour-tonanchor.
Aftertearingoffthewhitecoverallsandthrowingthem
intothesea,hewaitedpatientlyastheyachtreversedcourseandslowedtoacrawl.Asidefromsomestrainonhisarmsandlegs,Kurtwasquitecomfortable.Assumingthebatterypacksheldout,hecouldhanginthereforquitesometime.Andheintendedtodojustthat.
Soonerorlater,Acostawouldgiveup,dousethelights,andturnbackontohis
originalcourse.AtthatpointKurtwouldslipoffthesideandintothedarkness,treadingwateruntiltheyachtwasfarenoughawayforJoeandElDintocomegethim.
Afterthreerunsbackandforth,Kurtfiguredthetowelwasclosetobeingthrownin.Hegrinnedinthedarkathisowntacticalbrilliance,allbutreadytopathimselfontheback,whenhenoticedsomethinghehadn’t
expected.Speedingtowardthem,
justbarelyvisibleinthemoonlight,wasthesilhouetteofalong-nosedfishingboat.
“You’vegottobekiddingme,”Kurtwhispered.“Whatcantheypossiblybethinking?”
Andthenitdawnedonhim.Heglancedathisrightarmwherethekeypocketwas.Ithadbeentornopen,perhapsinthescufflewiththe
womanorevenwithAcosta’sthug.
Withnothingtokeepitsecure,thetransmitterhadeitherbeencaughtinthecoverallswhenKurtpulledthemofforhadsimplyfallenintotheseaasheclimbedaroundonthesideofthehull.Nodoubtitwasnowbobbinginthewatersomewhere,broadcastingamessagetohisfriendsandluringthemunwittinglytowardthe
monstrousyachtbristlingwithgun-totingthugs.
Astheyracedtowardthebeepingtransmitter,JoedividedhisattentionbetweentheyachtandthesectionofwaterwhereheexpectedtofindKurt.Therewasnomorethanaquartermileseparatingthetwo.
“Theymusthavemissed
him,”Joesaid.“Weneedtohurry.”“Whatiftheyspotus?”ElDinasked.
“I’dbesurprisediftheyhaven’tseenusalready,”Joesaid.
“Butwe’renotleavingKurtouttheretoberundownorshot.”“They’relituplikeyouraproverbialChristmastree,”ElDinsaid.“Maybethey’renotabletoseeusouthereinthedark.”“Let’shopeso.”
ElDinkeptthethrottlesopen,andJoedugintooneoftheboat’slockers.
“Whatareyoulookingfor?”
“I’mthinkingthisisgoingtobeoneofthosehigh-speedoperations.WeneedsomethingforKurttograbonto.”Hepulledoutacargonet.“Thisshoulddo.”
ElDinnodded.“Threehundredmeters,”hesaid,glancingatthescanner.
“Slowherdownabit,”Joesaid.
“Twohundred.”Joegrabbedaninfrared
scopeandscannedthewater.Thesurfaceofthegulfremaineddark.ButtheheatfromKurt’sbodyshouldhavestoodoutplainly.Hesawnothing.“Areweheadedforthetarget?”heasked.
“Deadahead,”ElDinsaid.
“Let’snotusetheword
dead.”“Onehundredmeters,”El
Dinsaid.“Threehundredtwenty-eightfeet,ifyoudon’tlikethemetricsystem.”Joeloweredthescopeandsquinted,lookingforanysignfromKurtalertingthemtohislocation.
“Fiftymeters,”ElDinsaid,backingoffthethrottles.Theyweresooncoasting,ElDincorrectingtheirheadingtoport.Thenoseoftheboat
slewedaround.“Weshouldberightontopofhim.”
Joefelthisnervestingling.Asthefishingboatsettledanditswakedissipated,thenightbecameawfullyquiet.
Heglancednervouslyattheyacht.Ittoowassittingidle,itsnosepointedthirtydegreesofflinefromthem.
Withtheirsmallboatinasimilarcondition,itfeltlikeastalematebetweenpredator
andprey.Theyacht,abigcatcrouchingonitshaunches;thesmallfishingboat,agazellereadytoboltatthecat’sslightesttwitch.Fornow,bothheldstillasstone,waitingfortheothertomakethefirstmove.
“Theyknowwe’relookingforhim,”Joesaid,whispering.
“They’rewaitingforustofindhim.Bereadytogo.”“Assoonaswehavehim,I’ll
headstraightfortheshore.”Joeraisedtheinfraredscopeandstudiedtheyacht.Hecouldclearlyseetheheatplumeemanatingfromitsangledstacks.
Thescopewasworking,sowhywasn’titpickingupKurt’sbodyheat?
Fearingtheworst,hegrabbedthescannerandstaredintheexactdirectionofthebeacon.Kurtwasn’tthere,butinthedarknessJoe
caughtsightofadimflash,toodimtobeseenfrommorethantwentyorthirtyfeetaway.
“There,”hesaid.ElDinnudgedthe
throttlesandthenbroughtthemback.
Theboatcoastedforwardontheimpulse,closingthegap.
Asthedimflashcameintorange,Joeusedafishingnet,stretchingovertheside.
Hescoopedafamiliar-lookingcylinderoutofthewater.
“IsthatwhatIthinkitis?”ElDinasked.
Joenodded.“Kurt’stransmitter.”
“Sowhereisthemanwho’ssupposedtobeattachedtoit?”Asuddenrumblefromtheyachtdrownedoutanyreply.Joeturnedtoseewaterchurningattheaftendofthebigvessel
andthebowoftheyachtswingingaroundrapidlyasifguidedbyabowthruster.Almostsimultaneouslythetwinspotlightsonthebridgeconvergedonthesmallfishingboatandtheseaaroundit.
Inquickorderthebehemothwaschargingtowardthem.“Go,”Joeshouted.
ElDingunnedthethrottlesandturnedaway
fromtheyacht,settingaheadingfortheshore.Asthechasebegan,Joesawabigproblemwiththeirplan.Theyachtwasstillacceleratingandalreadygainingonthem.
“Wecan’toutrunit,”heshouted.“Turntowardher.”“Areyousure?”
“Quickly,”Joeshouted.HewasamazedbythespeedoftheMassif’sacceleration.Itwasbearingdownonthemlikeathunderinggiant,eating
upthedistancerapidly.ElDinspunthewheelto
port.Theoutboardmotorspivotedintheircradlesandthenimblelittleboatcurledbacktowardthebigyacht.Joehadtoholdontokeepfrombeingtossedout.TheMassiftriedtomatchtheirturnbutwassimplyunabletochangedirectionfastenough.Thelittleboatracedbylessthanahundredfeetfromtheyacht.
GunfirerangoutandJoedoveforcover.Hegazedupatthesideoftheyachtasitsweptby.
“Wehaveaproblem,”hesaid.
“Ifyoumeangettingshotfullofholes,”ElDinsaid,“I’dhavetoagreewithyou.”
“Unfortunately,that’snottheproblemIwastalkingabout,”
Joesaid.“I’mafraidweneedtogetcloser.”
“Closer?Whywouldwewanttogetcloser?”
“BecauseKurtisclingingtothesideoftheirhull.”
Fromhisposition,thesideofthehull,Kurthadwatchedthefishingboatcoasttoastop.He’dfeltthesuddensurgeofpowerthroughthehulloftheMassifasthegasturbineenginescameonfullboreandhertwinscrewsbitintothewarmgulfwaters.
He’dhopedtheboatwithhisfriendsonboardwouldrunfortheshallows,butthey’dturnedandracedbacktowardhim,passinginclearview.
Thetwovesselswerenowcaughtinastalemate.Likeagrizzlybearbeingpesteredbyayappylittledog,thebigyachtcouldnotturnwiththesmallboat.Butifthefishingboattriedtoflee,theMassifwouldusehergreatspeedto
runthesmallboatdown.Whengunfirerangout,
Kurtknewhehadtogoontheoffensive.
Astheyachtleanedintoanotherturn,Kurtbeganaslowclimb.Hemovedstraightup,headingfortheanchorandthehawsehole,wherethechaincamethroughthehull.
Thehigheruphewent,themoreangledthebowbecame.Itwaslikeclimbing
aninvertedoverhang.Hehadtobecareful.Ifoneofthemagnetsslipped,hemightfallfromhisperchandhitthewaterinfrontoftheship’sbulk.Animageofhisbodygettingcrushedunderthekeelandthenshreddedbythepropellersattheaftendflashedthroughhismind.
Heshookitoff.“Ireallyhavetolearntothinkpositive,”hetoldhimself.
Hemadeittothe
hawsehole,squeezedthrough,andfoundhimselfontheforedeckjustastheyachtwhippedintoanotherturn.Withalleyestrackingtheirprey,noonesawhim.
“Toobadthisisn’ttheengineroom,”hemuttered,thinkingofallthedamagehecouldcausebackthere.“Butit’llhavetodo.”
Anotherburstofgunfirerangoutandthespotlightsswungaroundoverheaduntil
theypointeddownthestarboardquarter.
Kurtscrambledtowheretheanchorchainwaswrappedaroundalargecapstan.Afierce-lookingmetalhook,knownasadevil’sclaw,securedthechain.
Acheckofthecontrolpaneltoldhimitwasastandardtype.Heactivatedthepower,easedthechainback,andunhookedtheclaw.
Heconsidereddroppingtheanchoruntilitcaughttheseafloor.TheaveragedepthofthePersianGulfwasonlyahundredfiftyfeet,andtheyhadplentyofchainforthat.Buttheanchoritselfwasafluketype.Withtheyachttravelingatsuchahighrateofspeed,itwouldliterallyflyonceithitthewaterlikeakiteonthebreeze.
Evenifitdidreachtheseafloorandcatch,itwould
justripoutthecapstanandpullfreefromthehull.Andifittookthefulllengthofchain—towhatwasknownasthebitterend—itwouldn’tevendothat,asthelastlinkwasdesignedtobreakundersuchaload.
Despitetheconfusionitwouldcause,cosmeticdamagewouldn’thelphisfriendsmuch.Kurtmadesomequickmentalcalculationsandpressedthe
releasebutton.Thechainbegantoplayout,thefifty-poundlinkschatteringloudlyastheywent.
Thesoundreachedallthewaytothebridge,andawarninglightflashedonthecontrolpanel.
“Captain,”thehelmsmansaid.“We’relosingtheportanchor.”
ItwasAcostawhoreplied,pushingpastthecaptain.“Whatdoyou
mean?”“Someone’sreleasedit.”Theanchorhitthewater
withasplashandslammedagainstthehullintheslipstream.Theclangoftheimpactreverberatedthroughtheship.
“Theintruderisstillaboard!”Acostasaid.“That’swhywecouldn’tfindhim.Getaspotlightontheforedeck!”
Acostaracedtothe
stubbybridgewingandwatchedasthespotlightchangeditsaimandlituptheforedeck.“There!”heshouted,spottingashapeonthedeck.“Killhim!”
Twoofhismenopenedfire.Sparkslitoutaroundthemanontheforedeck.Butwiththedeckpitching,itwasn’taneasyshot.Noneofthebulletsfoundtheirmark,andtheintruderquicklyduckedbehindthebulkhead.
Acostaturnedtothecaptain.“Canyoustoptheanchorfromhere?”
“No,”thecaptainsaid.“He’sswitchedittomanual.But...”“Butwhat?”
Thecaptainhadaperplexedlookonhisface.“Forsomereason,he’sstoppedithimself.”
Theshipbeganslewingtoport,causedbythedragoftheanchoronthatside.Anothertremendousclang
rangoutastheanchorslammedagainstasideofthehullfartherback.
ThesoundwasenoughtosendshiversdownAcosta’sspine.Butthenextimpactwasworse.
Theanchorwasnowtrailingoutbehindthevessellikeastreameroutthesideofaspeedingcar,swingingbackandforthinthecurrent.Asitswunginonceagain,itwhippeditselfaroundthe
sternandcaughtoneofthepropellers.
Withbrutalefficiency,thefour-tonanchorsnappedoffthespinningblades.Aninstantlaterthechainfouledthepropellershaftandwaspulledtight.Itsnappedagainstthesideofthehulllikeaplumbline,shatteringwindowsandgougingadiagonalcreaseinthehull.
Thesuddenbrakingactiononthepropellershaft
destroyedthetransmission,andtheyachtlurchedandswoonedtotherightinresponse.
Acostaandtheotherswerethrownagainstthecontrolpanel.Thecaptainpulledbackonboththrottlesimmediately,andtheyachtbecamecontrollable.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Acostagrowled.
“Untilwecanslipthatanchoranddropittothe
bottomofthesea,wecan’tmoveatanythingfasterthanquarterspeed.Otherwise,weriskitswingingbackupanddestroyingtheotherproporpunchingaholeinthebottomofthehull.”
Acosta’seyesbulged,theveinsonhisneckpoppedout.HeturnedtoCaleb.“Getdownthere,killhim,andbringmehisbullet-riddledcarcass.”
“Iwill,”Calebshouted,
eagertoredeemhimself.Heracedfortheladderwithtwoothersfollowinghim.
“Ifyoudon’tsucceed,”Acostawarned,“don’tbothertocomeback!”
Fromthebackofthefishingboat,Joenoticedtheyachtlosingground.“They’reslowingdown,”heshouted.“Ithinkthey’rehavingsometrouble.”
“Canyoutellwhat’shappened?”ElDinasked,craninghisheadaroundforabetterlook.
“No,”Joesaid.“ButI’dbetKurthadsomethingtodowithit.”
Theyachtwasgoingoffcourse,nolongerfollowingthem.Thespotlightsseemedtobeshiningdownontheforedeck.
“Nowit’sourturn,”Joesaid.“Bringusaroundwide
andcomeatthemfrombehind.”
“Holdon,”ElDinsaid.Joegrabbedthetransom
andheldtightasthefishingboatmadeonemoresharpturn.
Ontheforedeck,Kurtcouldtellhisplanhadworked.Nowcamethehardpart:gettingoutalive.Eachtimehepokedhisheadoutfrombehindthe
bulkhead,asniperupnearthebridgetookapotshotathim.
Whathereallyneededwasawaytotakeoutthespotlights.ButtheBerettawaslonggone,andtheColthe’dwrestledawayfromCalebwiththehelpofthemagnetshadbeendislodgedandtumbledintotheseawhenhe’dcrashedbackintothesideofthehull.Aftertwomoreshotsrangout,hesawthehandleonthehatchway
begintoturn.Atthesamemoment,henoticedthefishingboatcomingalongside.Itwasnowornever.
Hetookoffrunning,stayingasclosetotheshelterofthebulkheadaspossible.Heracedpastthehatch,slamminghisshoulderintoitjustasitbegantoswingopen.Theheavydoorclosedonsomeone’sarmwithasickeningcrunch.
Kurtonlyheardafragmentofanagonizingscreamashelaunchedhimselfovertherailforasecondtime.Thistimehewentheadfirst,divingasfarfromthevesselaspossible.
Withperfectform,heknifedthroughthesurfaceandwentdeep.ThinlinesofbubblesprobedthedarknesslikearrowsasAcosta’smenshotathim.Theshotsmissed.Kickinghard,Kurtangled
awayfromtheyachtanddown.
Theyachtrumbledpast,theanchorchainstillfouledaroundthebentpropellershaft.
Whenthenoisepassed,Kurtbegantoswimhorizontally.Hekeptswimminguntilhislungsfeltasiftheymightburst,thensurfacedinthedarkandlookedback.
Theyachtwasalready
turning.Outaheadofithecouldseehisfriendscomingaround.
Hedidn’tbothertoyell—allthatwouldgethimwasamouthfulofwater—buthemadeeveryefforttokickhard,swimmingatananglethatwouldmakeiteasierforthemtogethim.
Asthesmallboatracedin,Kurtroseupandwaved.Theychangedcourseandboredownonhim,slowingat
theverylastsecond.“Grabthis!”Joeshouted,
throwingoutacargonet.Kurtgraspeditandbegan
topullhimselfforward.Hewasalmostatthetransomwhenthespotlightsfromtheyachtswungacrossthewaterandfoundthem.
Joehauledhimin,andElDinwastednotimeingunningthethrottles.
Thesmallcrafttookoffagainasaribbonofshells
skippedacrossthewater,firedbyCalebandhismatesfromthebowoftheyacht.
Splintersofwoodflewinalldirections.Kurtfeltabulletscrapehisarm.Butinsecondsthey’dpassedoutofthefirezoneandwerehightailingitintothedark.
Thewoundedyachtcouldnotkeepup.Thegapwidenedbythemoment,andafterafewminutestheyachtbegantoturnaway.
“Wemadeit,”ElDinsaid.
Lyingonthedeck,exhaustedandhalfsurprisedtobealive,Kurtlookedaroundathisrescuers.“Iseveryoneokay?”
ElDinnodded.Joeflashedathumbs-up.“We’refine,”Joesaid.“Whataboutyou?”
“Neverbetter,”Kurtsaid.“You’rebleeding,”ElDin
pointedout.
Kurtcheckedthewound.Itwassuperficial.Anothercreaseinthesheetmetal.“Cutmyselfshaving,”hejoked.“Havetobemorecareful.”
Joelaughed.HewasgladtoseeKurt’ssenseofhumorhadreturned.Ithadbeenmissingduringhisthreemonthsofrecovery.“How’ditgoontheyacht?Didyouenjoytheparty?”
“Notreallymykindof
people,”Kurtreplied.“ButIcan’tsayitwasboring.”
Kurtlookedback.Farbehindthem,thelightsoftheMassifwereblinkingoutonebyone.Shewasresumingheroriginalcourse,takingwhateversecretsKurthadfailedtopryfromherintothenight.
Questionsabouttheeveningreverberatedinhismind,beginningwiththeidentity—nottomentionthe
sanity—ofthedark-hairedwomanhe’druninto.
Hewonderedwhatshe’dmeantbythequipsshe’dthrownathim.Couldshereallyhaveseenhimsomewherebefore?Orwasitjustaploytodistracthim?Whatwasshedoingthereinthefirstplace?Whatcouldshepossiblymeanbysayinghewasearly?
InsomewaysheowedherforshootingAcosta’s
thugs.Ontheotherhand,theywouldn’thavefoundhimwithoutherscreaming.Hewonderedifshe’descapedtheyachtduringthecommotion.Moreimportant,hewonderedwhoshe’dbeentalkingtoonthephoneandwhattheywereupto.
“NoluckfindingSienna,”Joeguessed.
“Shewasn’tonboard,asfarasIcouldtell.”
“Anyideawhereshe
mightbe?”ElDinasked.“Notsure,”Kurtreplied.
“ButIoverheardaphonecallreferencingsomeonetheywerecalling‘theAmericanwoman.’Whoeversheis,itsoundslikeshe’sbeendeliveredintothehandsofaguynamedThanRang.”
“Who?”Joeasked.“Koreanindustrialist.
Probablysomewell-connectedguywhocouldcauselotsoftroubleifhe
wantedto.”“Whenhasthatever
stoppedus?”Joeasked,laughing.
“Never,”Kurtsaid.“Andit’snotgoingtothistimeeither.Butsomethingbiggerisgoingonhere.Somethingbiggerandmorecomplicatedthanasimpleabduction.”
“Anyideawhat?”“Nope,”Kurtsaid.“ButI
heardthemtalkingabout‘breachingtheAmerican
Wall.’Whateverthatmeans,weneedtostopitfromhappening.”
“ThanRangisastone-coldkiller,notthekindofmanyouwanttotanglewithonawhim.”
ThewordscamefromDirkPitt.TheywerespokenviaanencryptedlinkupthatendedinthedisplayscreenofJoe’scomputer.
“Notgoingoffonawhim,”Kurtsaid.“IfSiennaisoutthere,thisguyRanghasher.AndbasedonwhatIsawonthatcomputer,he’sgatheringupasmallstableoftopflighthackingtalent.”“Ibelieveyou,”Pittsaid.“Thequestionis,why?”
“What’shisbackground?”Kurtasked.“Maybethatwilltellussomething.”
“He’stheheadofaSouth
Koreanchaebol.Hiscorporationworksinmining,wastemanagement,andenergy.”
“Canyougiveussomedetails?”
“Thanwasbornin’49,rightbeforetheKoreanWar.Hisfamilyfortuneswerealreadyindecline,butbecausetheNorthravagedsomuchofSeoulandthesurroundingareawhentheyoccupiedit,thedeclineofthe
familybusinessesintensified.Atsomepoint,hisfathergotinvolvedwithunderworldelementstokeepthecashflowgoing.BythetimeThanwassixteen,thecompanydidmoresmugglingandlaunderingthananythingelse.Whenhisfatherdied,awarbrokeoutwithintheranks.Bythetimeitended,Thanhadmurderedallthosewhoopposedhim,wipedoutthecriminalswho’dfundedhim,
andkilledeveryfamilymemberwhodisagreedwithhisleadership.”
“Apalacecoup,”Joenoted.
“Andthensome,”Pittsaid.
“Whydidn’tthegovernmentgoafterhim?”
“Friendsinhighplaces,”Pittexplained.“MostpeopleforgetthatSouthKoreawasbasicallyamilitary-industrialdictatorshipfrom1951to
1979.Allemphasiswasongrowingtheeconomyanddoingsobyanymeansnecessary.TheyneededwealthtobuildamilitaryandprepareforthenextinvasionbytheNorth.Crimeshadawayofbeingforgivenorignorediftheycentralizedpower,broughtaboutorder,orincreasedindustrialproduction.”
“SoThanRangisaglorifiedstreetcriminal,”
Kurtsaid.“Butthatdoesn’ttelluswhathewantswithcomputerexperts.”
“Couldbeanynumberofthings,”Pittsaid.“Consideringthestructureofthechaebolandtheintensecompetitionintoday’sworld,I’dlaymymoneyoncorporateespionage.”
“Makessense,”Kurtsaid.“Butthestrangewomanandherbackersseemedtowantthesepeopleforsomething
else.ShetalkedaboutbreachingtheAmericanWall.Shealsomentionedsomethingcalledanairgap.Anyideawhatthosetermsmean?”
Pittlookedoffthescreen.“Hiram,youwanttotakethisone?”
HiramYaegercameintoview,longhairstillinaponytail,grannyglassesfirmlyinplace.
“Goodmorning,
gentlemen,”hesaid.“I’llgetrighttoit.ThetermAmericanWallhasbeenusedincyberspaceforthelastfewyears.Itreferstoanelaborateseriesoffirewallsanddefenseswe’vebuiltuptoprotecttheinformationinfrastructure.Thethingis,nooneissupposedtoknowaboutthem.ThesesystemsareoperatedexclusivelybytheNSA.Theycovergovernmentinstitutionsand
importantciviliancorporations.”
ThistookKurtbysurprise.“Ikeephearinghowvulnerableweare,”hesaid.“Areyousayingthisisn’tthecase?”
“Let’sputitthisway,”Hiramsaid.“We’renotasweakaswepretendtobe.Butthefactthatyourfriendwastalkingaboutbreachingthewallandbringingthesystemdownsuggeststhey’re
contemplatingsomethingmuchbiggeranddeeperthanyourstandardeverydayhacking.”
“She’snotmyfriend,”Kurtsaidtestily,“thoughshedidsavemylife.”
“Odd,that,”Pittsaid.“Trustme,thatwasn’tthe
onlyoddpart,”Kurtsaid.Pittlaughed.“HowmightSiennaand
Phalanxfitintoallthis?”Kurtasked.
Hiramwasblunt.“IfPhalanxworks,itwillreplacetheexistingwall.Ineffect,itwillbetheAmericanWall2.0.”
“Whataboutthesehackers?”Joeasked.“Anyideawhotheyare?”
“We’reworkingonit,”Hiramsaid.“Aidedandcomplicatedbythefactthathackershavetheirownnamingsubculture.”
“Thewomancalledthem
handles,”Kurtsaid.“Exactly,”Hiramreplied.
“They’remorethanjustrandomcallsigns;theymeansomething.It’sawayofgettingintouchwiththerightperson.Forexample,eventhoughXeno9X9soundslikearandomstringoflettersandnumbers,itactuallytellsusaboutthehacker’sskills.Xenomeaning‘foreign,’9X9beingsimilartotheoldradioterminology‘fivebyfive,’
meaning‘strongsignal,clearsignal.’MybestguessisthatXeno9X9issomeonewhocanhackacrossborderswithlittleproblem.”
Pittchimedin.“Basedonprodigiousamountsofresearch,webelievehe’saUkrainiannamedGoshun.Interestinglyenough,hewentmissingoverayearago.Theprevailingthoughtwasthathe’dgoneonthelambecausehisidentityhadbecome
known.Nowwe’rewonderingifAcostahadsomethingtodowithit.”
Kurtmadeamentalnoteofthat.“Whatabouttheothers?”
“WethinkZSumGisshortfor‘zerosumgame,’”Hiramsaid,“atermcommonlyusedineconomicandmarkettheories.Itmeansonesidecanprofitonlyiftheothersidelosesanequalamount.”
“Onewinner,oneloser,”Joesaid.“Nowayforawin-winoutcome.”
“Exactly,”Hiramsaid.“SoZSumGmightbea
financialhacker?”Kurtasked.
“That’sourthought,”Hiramsaid.“Basedontheevidence,ZSumGisbelievedtohavecrackedthesecurityofseveralmajorbanksinthelastfiveyears,stealingmillionsofcreditcard
numbers,identityprofiles,andbankaccountpins.Hethensoldthemtocriminalgroupsaroundtheworld.”
“Soundslikealovelyguy,”Joesaid.
“Orgal,”Hiramsaid.“We’renotsure.Whichbringsustothelastname:Montresor.”
“Whydoesthatsoundfamiliar?”Joeasked.
Kurthadbeenthinkingthesamething.Theanswer
hadcometohimthismorning.“Notkeepinguponyourrequiredreading,”hesaidtohisfriend.
“Iwaittilltheendofsummerbreak,”Joereplied.“AndthenIcramitallinatthelastminute.”
Kurtlaughedlightlyandthenspoke.“‘ThethousandinjuriesofFortunatoIhadborneasbestIcould,’”hesaid.“‘Butwhenheventureduponinsult,Ivowed
revenge.’”“‘TheCaskof
Amontillado,’”HiramexplainedtoJoe.“ThenamecomesfromtheEdgarAllanPoeclassic.”
“Soitcouldbeareferencetorevenge,”Joesuggested.
“Ortohidingthingswheretheycan’tbefound,”Kurtguessed,“thewayMontresorsealedFortunatointhewall.”
“OrhecouldbeItalianandlikeshisredwine,”Hiramsaid.
“MightwanttocheckonGiordino,”Kurtsuggested.
“Don’tthinkwehaven’t,”Pittsaid.“Turnsout,he’sstilltryingtomasterSpaceInvadersonhisCommodore64.Soit’sprobablynothim.”
Kurtsmiled,appreciatingthemomentoflevity,butthefogofwarhadnotlifted.“Sowehavenorealanswers,”he
said,“onlymorequestions.”“WhatabouttheMassif
?”Joeaskedhopefully.“Wetrackedheron
satellite,”Pittsaid.“She’sputintoBandarAbbasforrepairs.Probablyinneedofanewpropellershaft.Butsinceshe’sinIranianwaters,there’snotmuchwecandotogetalookather.”
“I’dguessallthebigshotsonboardarelonggonebynow,”Kurtsaid.
“Whichputsusbacktosquareone,”Pittadded,takingcenterstageagain.“Weknowthere’ssomekindofhackerdreamteamforsaleorrentoutthere,andatleasttwogroupsfightingoverthem.Butwedon’tknowwhy.Andwe’reprettycertainneithergrouparethekindofplayerswe’dliketobeatthemercyof.”
“Thenwehaveonlyonechoice,”Kurtsaid.“Toshort-
circuitboththreatssimultaneously.”
“Andhowdoyouproposetodothat?”Pittasked.
“WegotoSouthKoreaandgetthis‘Americanwoman’andtheotherhackersback.Aslongasthey’reinourhands,noonecanusethemagainstus.”
OnthetopflooroftheNUMAbuildinginWashington,DirkPittandHiramYaegersatononesideofthecommunicationsconsole.KurtandJoehadjustsignedoff.
Pittdecideditwastimetogetthetemperatureofthe
room.“Well,”hesaid,“whatdoyouthink?”
Acrossfromhim,outofsightandsilentduringthecall,satTrentMacDonaldoftheCIA,amannamedSuttonfromtheNSA,andtwoothersfromNUMA:Dr.ElliotSmith,who’dbecomeNUMA’schiefmedicalofficer,andAnnaEricsson.
Pittdidn’tlikespeakingtoKurtwiththeseobserverswatchingfromtheshadows
likesomekindofjudgingcommittee,butconsideringhowthestakeswererising,itneededtobedone.
Dr.Smithspokefirst.“Kurtlooksstable.Hisaffectisnormalandhe’snotreportinganysymptoms.”
“That’sgood,”Pittsaid.Smithgavea
noncommittalshrug.“Itis,exceptthatsymptomslikeKurt’sshouldn’tjustvanishbecausehegotawayfrom
Washington.”“I’vealwaysfound
leavingthisplacecuresafewills,”Yaegeradded,clearlyhopingKurtwasontheroadtorecovery.“Maybe,”Smithsaid,“butnotthekindKurthad.”Pittjumpedin.Hewantedconcretestatements,notvagueassertions.“Meaningwhat?”
“I’dsaywecanexpecthissymptomstoreturnatsomepoint.
Mostlikely,underamomentofextremeduress.”
“Ms.Ericsson?”Pittasked.
“Helookswelltome.Betterthanhedidwhenhewascoopedupbackhere.”
“Whatabouthisstory?”Suttonasked.
“Whataboutit?”Pittsaid.“Seemsalittleodd,don’t
youthink?Hegotonboardtheyacht,foundsomethingextremelyvague,was
attacked,andthenwasrescuedbythisstrangemysterywoman.Hesupposedlygothersatellitephonebutlostit.Gaveusapoordescription.Allthingswehavetotakeonfaith.”
“Youthinkhewasmakingthatup?”
“That’sjustit,”Suttonsaid.“Hewastheonlyonethere.Sowecan’tproveitonewayoranother.”
“Whataboutthecallshe
made?”Pittasked.“We’vebeentryingto
determineifthathappened,”Suttonadmitted.“Noluckyet.”
“Itcouldhavebeenforeignservice,”Hirampointedout,“someoneyoudon’thaveaccessto.”
“Wehaveaccesstoeveryone,”Suttonassuredhim.
“Trustme.”“Whataboutthenamesof
thosehackers?”Pittasked.“Hedidn’tjustpluckthemoutofthinair.”
Suttonshrugged.Hehadnocomebacktothat.
“Nowfortheelephantintheroom,”Pittsaid.“WeknowwhereSuttonstands.Hethinksthisisallonebigdelusion.ButwhatdoesitmeanifKurt’sactuallyontosomething?”
TrentMacDonaldwrunghishandsforasecond.Pitt
notedthattheCIArephadbeenawfullyquiet.
“Trent?”“Ifhe’sontosomething,if
SiennaWestgateisaliveandinthehandsofforeignnationalsorpersonsunknown,thenwemayhaveabiggerproblemthananyofusknow.Attheveryleast,weshouldletKurtcontinueandlookintothisThanRangcharacter.Withalittleprodding,Imightbeableto
pledgesomehelp.WehavealotmoreassetsontheKoreanPeninsulathanwedoinIran.”
Dirknoddedquietly.Hecouldn’trecallatimehe’dgottensomuchcooperationfromtheCIA.HewonderedifithadsomethingtodowithKurt’shistorythereor,forthatmatter,withSienna’s.Athoughtformedinhismind.“IsSiennaWestgatestillworkingfortheCIA?”
MacDonalddidnotreplyimmediately.“Inamannerofspeaking,”hesaidfinally.“SiennalegitimatelylefttheAgencyeightyearsago.Wedidn’twanttoloseherwhenshewentprivate,butwecouldn’tcompetewithaguylikeWestgateandallhehadtooffer.”
“Goon,”Pittsaid.“Shewasbrilliant,”
MacDonaldsaid,noddingtoHiram.“You’veseenher
work.”“Asavant,”Yaegersaid.
“AndImeanthatasthehighestcomplimentIcangive.”
“Exactly,”MacDonaldsaid.“SowemadeadealwithherandWestgate.Wegavethemthebeginningsofourmostadvancedtheoreticalsystemandaskedthemtobuilditintoanunbreakablebarrier.”
“Whichsheturnedinto
Phalanx,”Pittsaid.MacDonaldnodded.“Butyouneverexpected
ittogetoutofthebottle,”Yaegerpointedout.
“No,”MacDonaldsaid.“Andthatpossibilityisdauntingfortworeasons.One,we’regoingtolosealotofintelligence-gatheringabilityiftherestoftheworldco-optsPhalanxandkeepsusfrompryingintotheirsystems.Butthere’sabigger
worry,onewedon’tknowhowtoquantify.”
“Whichis?”“Weallbelievethat
Phalanxisunbreakable.We’veinstalleditoneverythingfromtheDODcomputernetworktotheSocialSecuritydatabase,butnooneknowsasmuchaboutitasSiennaWestgate.Shewastheleaddesigneroftheproject,shewastheonlyoneentrustedwiththetechnology
wegaveher,andshetookittenstepsbeyond.Thatmeanssheknowsitsweaknessesbetterthananyone.Shemightevenhavedesignedabackdoorintothesystemincasesheeverneededtouseit.Wehavenowayofknowing.”
Pittwasbeginningtounderstand.“AndPhalanxisnowprotectingtheentirefederalgovernment.”
MacDonaldnodded.Suttondidlikewise.
“MaybeweshouldpullPhalanxoffactiveduty,”Pittsuggested.
“It’sbeingconsidered,”Suttonsaid.“Butitwouldbeprematureandfoolishtodosobasedonwhatweknowatthispoint.Weneedproofonewayortheotherbeforeweact.”
MacDonaldsummedup.“Idon’tknowifshe’soutthereandinthehandsofourwould-beenemies,”hesaid.
“ButasmuchasIhatetosayit,I’dbealothappierknowingforcertainthatshe’dbeendraggedtothebottomoftheseaanddrowned.”
Ascoldasthestatementwas,Pittunderstoodthethought.“Thenwe’dbettergetateamdowntowhat’sleftofWestgate’ssunkenyacht,”hesaidbluntly.“It’salongshot,consideringtheconditionofthevessel.ButifwefindSienna’sbody,then
youguyscanresteasy.AndIcanbringKurthome.”
TheNUMAvesselCondorsatcalmlyonaglitteringseatwohundredmilesnortheastoftheSouthAfricanportcityofDurban.Thesunwashighaboveandtherewasn’tacloudinthesky.Theseawaslikeglass.
Withnoweatheronthe
horizonandtheautomatedstationsystemholdingtheCondoragainstthecurrentandkeepingheroverthepropercoordinates,therewaslittleactivityonthebridge.
Theaftdeckwasadifferentstory.Adozenmenandwomenwereclusteredaroundapairofdavitsastwinsubmersibleswerebeingreadiedforlaunch.
ThesubswerecalledScarabs,becausethey
resembledthebeetlesofEgyptianlegend.Insteadofnarrowandtube-shaped,likemostsubmersibles,theScarabswereflatandwide.Theyhadalargebulbousfront,madeentirelyofthree-inch-thickclearpolymer,andarearcompartmentthattaperedtoapoint,filledwithequipment,batterypacks,andballasttanks.Thrusterpodshousedinshorttubesoneithersideofthebodylooked
likestubbylegs,andapairoflargemechanicalarmsthatsproutedfrombeneaththenose,carryingsamplingprobesandgrabbingappendages,werereminiscentofabeetle’spincerlikeclaws.
ScarabOnewastheoldermodel,paintedinternationalorange,thecoloroflifejackets.ScarabTwowasbrightyellow,thecolorcommonlyassociatedwithexperimentalsubmersibles.It
hadcomefromthefactoryonlyamonthbefore,equippedwithmorepower,newer,longer-lastingbatteries,andanadvancedtouchscreencontrolsystem.
Standingonedeckabovethebusycrewmen,PaulTroutwatchedwithgreatinterestasthesubswerereadiedforoperations,thoughhehadnointentionofgoingdownineitherofthem.
Paulwasthesizeand
shapeofaprofessionalbasketballplayer,thoughevenhewouldadmitnotascoordinatedorathleticallygifted.WhathelackedinsportingskillsPaulmadeupforwithabrilliantmind.Agiftedgeologist,heandhiswife,Gamay,wereoftencalledontorunNUMA’smostimportantscientificstudies.Whileheexcelledingeology,GamayhadaPh.D.inmarinebiologyandhad
madeseveralimportantdiscoveriesofpreviouslyunknownspecies.
Paulrealizedthislatestmissionwouldnotoffersuchapositivefind.
“Hey,Paul,caretojoinme?”
TheshoutcamefromWilliam“Duke”Jennings,oneofNUMA’smostexperiencedsubmersiblepilots.
“Nothanks,”Paulsaid.“I
prefersomethingwithlotsofheadroom.Orevenaconvertible,butthat’snotgoingtoworkathousandfeetunder.”
“Goodpoint,”Dukesaid.Hisnexttargetwasoneofthemoreshapelywomenondeck.“Whataboutit,Elena?Roomfortwointhere.Can’tbeattheview.”
Bythat,everyoneknewDukewasreferringtohimself.Dukelookedlikea
surfer:youngandmuscular,withbronzedskinandamaneofblondhair.Evennow,hehadhisshirtoff.Hewashumorousandcockyandprettygoodateverythinghedidtobackitup.
“Nothanks,”Elenaresponded.“I’dratherbeinaphoneboothwithanamorousoctopus.”
Dukefeignedgraveinjury.“Whereareyougoingtofindaphonebooththese
days?”Asthecrewcontinued
working,thehatchswungopenbehindPaul.Gamaysteppedthrough,headedforhisside.
Fivefootten,withhairthecolorofredwine,andsmoothpaleskin,Gamaywasanathleteandinfantasticshape.Shehadasharpwitthatwasusuallyusedinjest,thoughyoudidn’twanttobeonherbadside,asshedidn’t
sufferfoolslightly.“Iseewe’realmost
ready,”shesaid.“Justabout,”Paulsaid.
“Thinkwe’regoingtofindanythingdownthere?”
“Idon’tknow,”Gamaysaid.“Butlookatthis.”
Shehandedhimaprintoutfromthemultibeamsonarscan.ItshowedtheEthernetlyingontheseaflooreighthundredfeetbelow.Theywerelucky.Theshiphad
landedonashelfthatstuckoutlikeasubmergedpeninsulainthedeeperwatersoftheMozambiqueChannel.Tenmilesineitherdirectionandshe’dbesittingunderfourthousandfeetofwater.
Paulnoticedsomethingmoresignificantalmostimmediately.“She’sinonepiece,”hesaid.“Kurtwastoldtheshiphadbrokenupintoseveralsectionsonthe
waydown.Noneofuseverquestionedit.”
“Iwonderwherehegothisinformation,”Gamayreplied.
“Orwhohadsenthimtheincorrectinformation,”Paulasked.
“ItalkedwithMs.Ericsson,”shesaid.“Ifthesubconsciouspartofhismindisrunningwithafantasyordelusion,itwilldoeverythingitcantokeepthestoryalive.
Knowingtheshipdidn’tbreakupwouldmeanthetaskofconfirmingthetruthwaseasilydonebysearchingher.”
“Thenitwaseasyforhimtotakethereportatfacevalue.Thedelusioncouldn’tallowthattohappen,”Paulguessed.
“I’mtoldit’sfairlycommon.”
Paulfeltaknotinhisstomach.Itwashardtofathomoneofthepeoplehe
admiredmostcouldbeoffhisgamesobadly.Itmadehimallthemoredeterminedthattheyshouldfindtheanswer.
“Let’sgetthisshowontheroad,”hesaid.
Gamaynoddedandmadeherwaytothestairs.“I’llbeinScarabOne.”
“I’llmonitoryoufromthecontrolroom,”Paulsaid.“Becareful.”
Hegaveherakissandlethergo.AsGamaymadeher
waydowntotheaftdeck,Paultookalonglookaround.Hesawnothingbutthepeacefulseainalldirections.Hopingitwouldstaythatway,hesteppedinside.
WithScarabOnereadytobehoisted,Gamayclimbedinandtookaseatontheright-handside.ToherleftsatElenaVasquez,thesubmersible’spilot.Elena
waspetite,withshortblackhairandamocha-coloredcomplexion.AformerNavydiver,shewasarecentadditiontoNUMA.
WhileElenadrovethesub,Gamaywouldhandletheunderseacommunicationsandoperatethemechanicalarms,whichwereoutfittedwithcuttingtools,includingacetylenetorchesandacircularsawwithadiamond-tippedcarbonsteelblade.It
couldcutthroughtwo-incharmorplatewithease.Attachedtotheotherarmwasasmallhydraulicwedge,somethingliketheJawsofLifethatparamedicsusedtopryopenmangledcarsonthehighway.
Theplanwassimple:Cutopenthesideofthehull,sendaremote“swimming”cameraintotheship,andlookforthebodies.
Gamayputonaheadset
andranthroughherchecklist.Elenadidthesamefromhercommandseat.
“Myboardisgreen,”Elenasaid.
“Minetoo,”Gamayreplied.Shespokeintotheheadset’smicrophone.“ScarabOnereadytogo.Putusinthewater.”
Thehydraulicsofthecranewentintoactionandtheeighttoncraftwasliftedfromthedeckandcarriedoverthe
sideoftheCondor.Withcarefulprecision,itwasloweredintothewaitingsea.
Aloudclankingsoundandthefeelingofthecraftsettlingtoldthemthesubmersiblehadbeenreleased.
“ScarabOne,you’reclearoftheboom.Turningyouovertocontrol.”
Withthat,Paul’svoicecameontheradio.“You’recleartodive.”
Secondslater,Duke’svoicecameovertheheadsetwithmockindignation.“You’recuttinginline,ScarabOne.Iwassupposedtogofirst.”“Yousnooze,youlose,”Gamayreplied.
Elenachuckled.“Girlsrule,boysdrool,”sheaddedovertheradio.“Deployingcommunicationsbeacon.Seeyouonthebottom.”
Withacalmhand,Elena
flickedthroughaseriesofswitches.Airbegantoventfromthesub’sballasttanks,andthegreenseawaterswirleduparoundtheclearcockpit,soonengulfingthem.
Elenaengagedthethrusters.Withincrediblesmoothness,theorangevehiclebeganthelongdive.Itwouldbenearlythirtyminutesbeforethebottomwouldbevisible.
Gamayswitchedthe
exteriorlightsonastheypassedtwohundredfeet.Atadepthofalmosteighthundredfeet,theseafloorcameintoview.
“ScarabOneonthefloor,”Gamaysaid.Herradiocallwastransmittedupafiber-opticcablenothickerthanamonofilamentfishinglinetoasmallbuoyatthesurface.ThebuoyhadanantennathatrelayedthesignaltotheCondor.
“Proceedingtothewrecksite.”
Momentslater,thewreckcameintoview.TheEthernetwassittingonitskeelinthesilt,almostperfectlyupright.Therewassomecrushingdamagenearthebowasshe’dclearlyhitnosefirst,butlittleelseseemeddamaged.
“Wehaveherinsight,”Gamayreplied.“Frontendlookslikeanaccordion,topsideexternalstructures
seemfine.Radarmastandantennasaremissing.But,otherthanthat,shelookslikeshe’sondisplayataboatshow.”
AstheycircledaroundtheportsideoftheEthernet,Gamaycaughtsightoflightsdroppingdownthroughtheblackwateronthestarboardside.“Duke,isthatyou?OrarewebeingvisitedbyUFOs?”“Youcanallrelax,”he
replied.“TheDukeisonthejob.”
Gamayrolledhereyes.“Gladyoucouldjoinus.We’llworktheportside,youworkthestarboard.Thatway,wekeepourcommlinesfromgettingtangled.”
“Rogerthat,”Dukereplied.
ElenaturnedtoGamay.“Wheredoyouwanttostart?”“Let’sgoinuptop,”Gamaysaid.“That’swhere
Westgatesaidhiswifeandkidswerewaiting.It’salsowhereKurtmayormaynothaveseenthem.”
Elenanoddedandrotatedthethrusters.TheScarabroseupalongthesideofthehull,movingslowlytowardtheshatteredwindowsofthebridge.
“Wecouldputthecamerainthroughthewindow,”Elenasuggested.
“Idon’tlikethelookof
allthatglass,”Gamaysaid.“Ifitcutsthewire,we’lllosetheswimmer.Let’spullthedooroff.”
Elenanoddedandoperatedthecontrolcolumnandthrustleverwiththeskillofafighterpilot.
Shefocusedoneofthespotlightsonthehatch.Itwasslightlyajar.WhenElenabroughttheScarabincloseenough,Gamaywasabletograspitwithoneofthesub’s
claws.Afewpullstoldheritwasstuck.
“We’regoingtohavetocutitloose,”shesaid.
Thesubbegandriftingback.
“We’recaughtinacrosscurrentswirlingoverthesuperstructure,”Elenaexplained.
“Canyoucompensate?”“Withease.”Astheyrepositioned,
Duke’svoicecameoverthe
radio.“Thissideisinfairlygoodshape.Nosignofdamagethatcouldn’tbeattributedtohittingthebottom.Continuinginspection.”
BynowElenahadrepositionedthesub,andGamaywasreadywiththecuttingtorch.
Withasnapandsizzle,theacetylenetorchflaredtolife.Astreamofbubblesflowedtowardthesurface.
Theycutthroughthehingesandgraspedthedoorwiththegripperhandle.Withalightpull,Gamaydrewtheheavysteeldoorbackandittoppledslowlyontothedeckwithamutedthump.
“Releasingcamera,”Gamaysaid.
InamomenttheScarab’slittleswimmingcamerawasheadinginsidethesunkenyacht.Ithaditsownspotlightandpowersourcebutwas
tetheredtotheScarabbyathinfiber-opticlinethroughwhichthecamerafeedwasrelayed.
“Thebridgeisfilledwithdebris,”shenoted.Shedirectedthecameratopanandscanandsoontheyhadathree-sixtyswathofeverythingonthebridge.Theglasswall—whichKurthadseen—wasstillinplace,thoughitwascoveredwithanetworkofcracks.
“LookslikeaPennsylvaniaroadmap,”shenoted.
Betweenthedamageandthethinfilmofslimethathadgrownuponit,theycouldnotseethroughit.
“Havetogoaround,”Gamaysaid.
Anopenhatchwaysuggestedapossibleroute,andGamaysentthecamerainthatdirection.
“Weirdthatallthe
hatchesareopen.”ThiscamefromPaul,whowasseeingthesamevideofeedastheywere.“Consideringthattheshipwasindistressandgoingdown,allthewatertightdoorsshouldhavebeenshut.”
AsGamaydirectedthesmallcameratowardthehatch,Dukechimedin.
“Gotsomethingoverhere,Condor.Seacocksfortheenginecoolingsystemappeartobeopen.”
“Iftheshipwastakingonwater,thoseshouldhavebeenclosedaswell,”Gamayreplied.
“Mythoughtsexactly,”Dukesaid.“Headingtothestern.”
Gamayguidedthecameraintothemainsalon.Shecouldn’tbringherselftohopethey’dfindadrownedwomanandherchildren.Notevenifitmeanttheendofthemystery.
“Scopingoutthesalonnow,”shesaid.
Likethebridge,themainsalonwasfilledwithdebris.Theheavieritemsremainedonthefloor.Thebuoyantitems—cushions,lifevests,plasticbottles,andbins—floatedaroundtheceiling.Shehadtoguidethecamerabeneaththem,likeflyingunderacloudlayer.
Fortunately,theyweredeepenoughthatlittlealgae
couldgrow,buttherewasplentyofsiltinthewater,courtesyoftheMozambiquecurrentandthe“snow”fallingfromabove.Anddespitethefactthatthecamera’sthrustersweretiny,theystirreditupwitheachmaneuver.
Dukecameonthelineagain.“Gotagapingholeatthesternend.”
“Impactorexplosion?”Paulaskedfromabove.
“I’dsayneither,”Dukereplied.“Theedgesaretoosharp.Italmostlookslikeanentireplateismissingfromthehull.I’lldeploythecameraandsendupsomeprettypics.”
Gamaylistenedtothechatterbutconcentratedonthetaskathand.Havingreachedthefarcorner,sheturnedthecameraaroundforanotherruntothefrontofthesalon.
“Goingidleforaminute,”shesaid.“Themaincabinisgettingcloudedbysilt.Ineedtoletitsettle.”
Asshewaitedforthewatertoclear,Duke’svoicecamebackovertheradio.“Somethingoddhere.I’veputthecamerainthroughtheholeonwhatI’mfairlycertainisdecknumbertwo.Shouldbeaftstaterooms.Instead,it’slikesomekindofequipmentbay.”
“Betterchecktheschematics,”Elenasaid.“KnowingDuke,he’scutintothewrongdeck.”
Gamaytappedthecomputerscreeninfrontofherandbroughtupthestructuraldrawingsoftheship.NUMAhaddownloadedthemfromthemanufacturer.Itshowedastoreroomabovethekeel,thencabinsondecktwo,thenaloungeatthetop.
“There’sacradlein
here,”Dukesaid.“It’sfairlystrongrigging.Clearlydesignedtosupportsomethingheavy.Iseeawatertightdooratthefarend.There’ssomethingwrittenonthedoor.Tryingtogetcloseenoughtoreadit.”
Stillwaitingforthesiltinthemaincabintosettle,GamayswitchedtothevideofeedfromDuke’scamera.ThelenswasfacingawayasDukeusedthethrustersto
blasttheslimefromthewatertightdoorhe’dfound.
Whenhespunthecamerabackaroundandpointedittowardthedoor,Gamaycouldseeagraybulkheadofheavysteel.Yellowchevronscutacrossitlikewarningsigns.Beneaththechevronsweretwowords.
“‘SurvivalPod,’”Gamaysaid,readingaloud.“Theshiphasbeenmodifiedsinceitleftthebuilder.”
“I’veheardaboutthose,”Elenasaid.“Justlikesomecelebritieshavepanicroomswheretheycanhidefromstalkersorthezombieapocalypse,someofthesebigwigshaveoutfittedtheirshipswith‘escapepods’and‘panicboats.’Theownersclimbin,sealthedoor,andejectfromthesinkingship.”
“Thatexplainsthesmoothoutlineofthehole,”Dukesaid.“Lookslikeapanelwas
blownoutwithexplosivebolts.”
Gamaynodded.“Oncethey’refree,thepodcaneitherfloatorsubmergeuptoahundredfeet.Deepenoughtokeepthemoutofthereachofpiratesorterrorists.Ortorideouttheworststormimaginable.Dependingonhowmanyoccupants,theymighthaveaweekofsuppliesandatleastadayortwoofoxygen.Theycallfor
helpwiththesamekindofbuoytransmitterwe’reusingandeitherCoastGuardorcontractedsecuritycompaniescomeinandscoopthemup.”
Paulbrokein.“Soiftheyachthadone,whydidn’tWestgateandhisfamilyuseit?”
“Maybehecouldn’tgettoit,”Dukesuggested.“Maybethelowerdeckswereflooded.”
“Someonegottoit,”Gamaypointedout.
“Maybesomeothercrewmembers.”
“Sowherearethey?”Elenaasked.
Gamayfeltachillonherneck.“Maybesomething’sgoingonhereafterall.”
“Hatetobeawetblanket,”Paulsaid,“butanynumberofthingscouldexplainthemissingpod,includingamalfunction,or
sometypeofautorelease.Supposetheshipgoesbeyondacertainstate,likebeingsubmerged?Let’snotgetourselvesallworkedupjustyet.”
“Myhusband,”Gamaysaid.“Thevoiceofreason.I’llmakesuretorepeatthosewordstoyounexttimeyourRedSoxareblowingaleadinthebottomoftheninth.”
“Aslongasit’snotagainsttheYankees.”
Gamaysmiledandswitchedbacktothefeedfromherowncamera.Thesilthadcleared.Shemadealastlapinthemainsalon,movingslowly,tryingnottomissanything.
Shewasabouttoexhalewhenshecaughtsightofahandfloatinglimplybeyondsomeroughlypiledfurniture.“Damn.”
“What’swrong?”Paulasked.
“IthinkI’vefoundsomeone.”
“Idon’tseeanythingonthescreen,”Paulsaid.
“Holdon,”shesaid.“Lookslikeeverythingthatwasn’tnailedortieddownslidforwardandtoonesideastheyachtsank.Ihavetomaneuveraroundapileofjunk.”
Withherheartracingmorethanshe’dcaretoadmit,Gamaybroughtthe
cameraaroundthepileoffurnitureandfocusedthesmallfloodlightuntiltheimageresolved.Andshecouldclearlyseeabody,bloatedbythewaterandtrappedbythepiledfurniture,comeintoview.
“Ihatetosayit,”Elenawhispered,“butthatmandidn’tdrown.”
“Nope,”Gamayagreed.“Bythelookofthings,henevergotthechance.”
Despitethedamagingeffectsofthesaltwater,threebulletholesinhischestwereclearlyvisible.
Eighthundredfeetabovethesunkenyacht,PaulstaredatacomputerscreenthatwasdisplayingtheviewfromGamay’scamera.
Thebulletwoundswereunmistakable.
Pressingabutton,hefrozetheimageande-mailed
itdirectlytoDirkPitt.Hepulledthefreestanding
microphoneclosertohismouth.“Keepsearching,”hesaid.“Bemeticulous.Thisisnolongerarecoverymission.It’snowacrimescene.”
Dukerepliedquickly.ThecallfromGamaywasalittlegarbled.
“Sayagain,ScarabOne?”ThistimePaulheardeven
less.Aburstofstaticcamefromthespeakerandthena
squeal,sharpenoughtohurthisears.
Paulclickedthetransmitbutton.“Gamay,doyouread?”
Hewaited.“Gamay?Elena?”Hecalledacrossthe
controlroomtoanothermemberoftheteam.“Oscar,doyouhavetheirtelemetry?”
Oscarwasflickingthroughscreensofhisown.“Nothing,”hesaid.“I’m
gettingasignalfromthebuoy,butnodatafromScarabOne.”
Paulgrabbedthemicrophoneagain.“Duke,doyoureadme?”
“Loudandclear.”“We’velosttelemetry
fromElenaandGamay.Itmightjustbethewire,butcanyougetoverthereandcheck?”
“Onmyway”cameDuke’sfirmreply.
Paultriednottoworry.ThefilamentlinkingthebuoytotheScarabwasextremelythin,andtheconnectorsoftenhadproblems,buthedidn’tlikelosingcontactwithhiswifewhentherewaseighthundredfeetofcrushingwaterbetweenthem.
Pauldrummedhisfingersonthedeskashewaited.Hetappedtherefreshkeyonthecomputer,hopingthedatafromGamay’ssubwouldpop
uponceagain.Itdidn’t.“Comeon,Duke,”he
whisperedtohimself.“Let’snotdawdle.”
Aflutterranthroughthescreen,andPaulhopedtheimagewasabouttoreappear.Instead,thescreenfrozeandwentblack.
“Whatintheworld...”Atthesametime,the
overheadlightswentdark.Allaround,thelittlegreenLEDsonthecomputertowers
andkeyboardswentout.AndPaulcouldhearthesoundoftheventilatingsystemshuttingdown.
Agroupofbattery-poweredemergencylightscameon.
“What’shappening?”Oscarcalledfromtheothersideoftheconsole.
Paullookedaround.Withoutthefansblowing,theairwentstill.Heclickedthemicrophonetransmitbuttona
fewtimes,buttonoavail.“Lookslikesomeoneforgottopaytheelectricbill.”
WiththeACunitsoff,itgotstuffyinthetinycontrolroomveryquickly.
Paulsteppedovertotheintercom,butittoowasdead.Hecrackedthedoor.Thegangwaywasdark.“Stayhere,”hesaidtoOscar.“I’mgoingtofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”
Paulslippedthroughthe
dooranddownthehall.Asidefromtheemergencylights,everycompartmentwasdark.Theengineswereoff.Theshipwasdeadinthewater.
Heclimbedaladderamidshipsandenteredthebridge.Onlythehelmsmanwasthere.
“What’sgoingon?”“Power’soutalloverthe
ship.”“Icanseethat,”Paulsaid.
“Doesanyoneknowwhy?”
“Cap’nwenttocheckwiththechief,”thehelmsmansaid.“Mainelectricalbuswentout.Followedbythebackup.Allsystemsaredead.”
Paulwasabouttoturnandheadforengineeringwhenhefeltasubtlevibrationtravelthroughthehull.Theenginesandauxiliarypowerunitwerecomingbackon.“Thankgoodnessforsmallfavors,”
hemuttered.Hewenttotheintercom.
Itwasstillout.Sowastheradio.Heflickedthelightswitch.Nothing.
AsPaulwonderedwhy,henoticedtheCondorwasbeginningtomove.Notjustholdingstationinthecurrentbutaccelerating.Hesteppedtothecommandconsole.Therewaspowerforthedisplay,butasthehelmsmantappedvariousiconsonthe
screennothinghappened.Theshipbegantoturn,
healingoverasiftherudderhadbeendeflectedallthewaytothestops.
“It’snotme,”thehelmsmaninsisted.Hewasholdingthesmallwheelthatcontrolledtherudderdeadcenter.
Theshipcontinuedtoaccelerate,straighteningoutandheadingduesouth.Theycontinuedtopickupspeed.In
amomenttheshipwasrunningflatout,racingacrosstheglassyseaandcuttingawhiteswathawayfromthetwosubmersiblesandthewreckbelow.
Awarninglightontheconsoleshowedthepropellerrpm’sreachingmaximumandgoingbeyond.“Youhavetoreducespeed,”Paulurged.
“I’mtrying,”thehelmsmansaid.“Nothing’sworking.”
Therpm’swerealreadythreepercentbeyondtheredline.“Whyisn’tthelimitercuttingin?”
Anothercrewmanjoinedthemonthebridgeandwenttothecircuitbreakerpanel.
“Hittheoverride,”Paulshouted.“Emergencystop.”
ThehelmsmandidasPaulordered.Heslammedhispalmontotheyellow-and-redemergencystopbuttonthatactedastheoverride.The
shipcontinuedtochargesouth.
ItdawnedonPaulthattheoverridewasjustanotherbuttontotellthecomputertostopdoingwhateveritwasdoing.Butifthesystemwasfaultyorhadbeencorrupted,therewasnoreasontoexpecttheoverridetobeworkingcorrectly.
Withtherpm’sstillclimbing,ashaftfailurewaspossible,orevenbearing
failureintheenginesthemselves.
“Keeptrying,”Paulsaid.“I’mheadedtotheengineroom.”FromherseatinthecockpitofScarabOne,GamaycontinuedtransmittingtotheCondor.“Paul,doyoureadme?Comein,Condor?”
Withnoluck,shetriedcontactingDukeinScarabTwo.“Duke,how’syourradio?”
Therewasnoresponse.But,secondslater,ScarabTwoappeared,risingoverthefarsideofthewrecklikethesuncomingup.Gamaysawthethrustersalignwiththebody,andtheyellowsubmersiblebegantocometheirway.Itmovedslowly,itslightsaimedoddlydownwardtowardthewreckinsteadofforward.
“Theradiomustbeout,”GamaysaidtoElena.
“I’llflashhim,”Elenasaid.
“Ibethe’sbeendreamingaboutthat,”Gamayjoked.
Elenasmiledandbegantotogglethelights,tappingoutaquickmessageinMorsecode:Radioout.ScarabTwocontinuedtheirway.Iteasedoverthesuperstructureofthesunkenyachtandbegandescendingtowardthem.Thelightsfinallycameupandfocusedonthem,butthere
wasnoflashedmessageinresponse.
Elenashieldedhereyes.“Thanksforblindingus,Duke.”
“He’scominginawfullyfast,”Gamaysaid.
“Toofast,”Elenasaid.Withaflickofherwrist,sheputthethrustersinreverseandtriedtobackoutoftheway,butDuke’ssubboredownonthematfullspeedandrammedthem,cockpitto
cockpit.Itwasaglancingblow,buttheywereknockedsidewaysjustthesame.Gamayfeltherselfthrownaboutintheseat.
“Whatiswrongwithhim?”Elenablurtedout,strugglingtogetcontrol.
Gamaylookedaround.Therewerenoleaksthatshecouldsee.Nocracks.TheScarabswerecertifiedtodepthsoftwothousandfeet—theirhullswereimmensely
strong—butthebumpercarexperiencewasoneshe’dratherhaveondrygroundinanamusementpark.
Shelookedoutthroughthecleardomeofthecockpit.ScarabTwowasturningaroundandcomingbacktheirway,movingevenfasterthistime.
“Something’snotright,”shesaid.
“Whatisit?”“Idon’tknow,”Gamay
said.“Go.Justgo!”Elenaslammedthe
throttlesforwardandpushedthecontrolcolumndownandtoport.TheyellowshapeofDuke’scraftracedoverheadandturnedbacktotheleft.
“Whatishedoing?”Elenaasked.“Hashelosthismind?”
“Ihavenoidea,”Gamaysaid.“Justkeepusmoving.”
“I’vegotthethrottlesfullopen,”Elenasaid.“But
Duke’sinanewerride,withupgradedthrustersandnewerbatteries.Ihatetosayitbutwe’reoutclassed.”
Gamaycouldseethatplainly.ThistimeDukesideswipedthemandtriedtoforcethemintothehulloftheEthernet.
Elenareversedthrustandtheorangesubmersibleslowed.Dukeshotpastonceagain.
“Nowwhat?”
“Takeusup.”“He’llcatchusifwetry
tosurface.”“Notalltheway,”Gamay
said.“Justovertotheothersideofthewreck.”
Elenatwistedthecontrolcolumnupwardandthethrusterspivotedintoaverticalposition.Thesubroseup,clearedthesuperstructure,andspedacrossit.Assoonastheyhittheotherside,Elenapushedthecolumnforward
andforcedthesubdownbehindtheyacht’sstern,tuckingthemintoaspotattherearsectionofthehull.
“Dousethelights!”Gamaysaid,flickingaseriesofswitchesonherside.
Elenareachedforwardandswitchedoffthemainfloodsandthesubwasplungedintoutterdarkness.Gamaysighed.“Now,holdyourbreath,”shesaid.“Andhopehedoesn’tfindus.”
Uponthesurface,ontheracingvessel,Pauldroppedontothemaindeckandsprintedaft.TheCondorwaschargingacrossthewaterlikeathree-thousand-tonspeedboat,allbutplaningacrossthesea.
Halfwaytotheengineroom,hefoundthecaptain,whowasrushingforwardtothebridge.
“WhatinthenameofPoseidonaretheydoingup
there?”thecaptainshouted.“It’snotthecrew,”Paul
said.“Something’swrongwiththesystem.”
“Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantoacceptashipcontrolledbycomputers,”thecaptainsaid.
“Wehavetogetbacktotheengineroom,”Paulsaid.“She’sover-revving.We’llblowoutthepropulsionunitsifwedon’tshutthemdown.”
Thecaptainturnedaround
andranwithPaultotheaftendoftheship.Theyduckedinsideandtookaladderdowntotheenginecompartment.Thenoisewasear-shatteringandverbalcommunicationwasallbutimpossible.
Theyfoundthechiefandanothermemberofthecrewtryingdesperatelytoslowtheenginesdown.Thecaptainmadeacuttingmotionacrosshisneck.
Thechiefshookhishead.
“Whataboutthefuelpumps?!”Paulshoutedatthetopofhislungs.
Theylookedathim.Heleanedcloser.“Fuel
pumps!Theremustbeanemergencyshutoffincaseoffire!”
Thechiefnoddedandwavedforthemtofollow.Likemanymodernships,theCondorwaspowerednotbyheavydieselenginesbutbyahigh-techgasturbinesystem.
Essentially,ajetengineconnectedtoheavyreductiongearingandthentothepropellershaftorshafts.
Astheyputabulkheadbetweenthemandtheturbines,thesoundlessenedjustenoughthatshoutedcommunicationscouldbeheard.
“Therearetwoturbines,”thechiefsaid.“Twofuelpumps.Climbthathalfladderandreachinbehindthe
gauges.Theredleverwillshutoffthefuel.I’llhandlethestarboardpump.Youtaketheport.”
Paulnoddedandwenttotheladder.Theshipwasshudderingandbuckingwiththespeed.Theheatfromtheturbineswaslikeablastfurnace.Withsweatpouringintohiseyes,Paulclimbedupandfoundtheinstrumentcluster.Henoticedtherpmindicatoratonehundred
thirty-ninepercent.Wellabovetheredline.
Withoutdelay,hespiedtheemergencyshutofflever,grabbedit,andyankeditdownhard.
Thefuelcutoutandtheturbineinstantlybeganarapiddeceleration.Itwasmorethanthereductiongearingcouldhandle.
Withaloudbangandtheshriekoftearingmetal,somethingmajorblewapart
inthesystem.Paulfoundhimselfdivingforthedeckandcoveringhisheadasshrapnelflewthroughthecompartment.
Thehurtlingmissilesofsteelcutapartseveralcablesandacoolantline.Steamcameblastingoutandfilledthecompartment.
Paullookedupasthecommotiondied.Hecouldfeeltheshipslowingevenasthecompartmentfilledwith
steam.Hegottohisfeet,drenchedinsweat,andmadehiswaybacktowherethecaptainandthechiefhadbeen.Thecaptainwasontheground,anasty-lookinggashonhislegbleedingbadly.
“Getmeup,”thecaptainordered,holdingthewound.“Ineedtoseeifwe’reallright.”
Paulhelpedthecaptaintohisfeet.Thechiefpushedthehatchesopentohelpclearthe
room.Theshipwascoasting.“We’redefinitelycoming
toastop,”Paulsaid.“Whathappened?”the
captainasked.“Somethingwentwrong
inthemastercontrolunit,”Paulsaid.“Itcamealiveonitsownandwouldn’trespond.We’redealingwithpeoplewhoknowhowtohackcomputers.Andthisshipisoneofthenewestin
thefleet.It’sbasicallyonebigcomputer.”
Thecaptainnoddedweakly,gettingwhiterbythesecond.“Ripoutallthecomputersandpullthecircuitbreakers.We’llrowthisship,ifwehaveto,butI’mnotlosingcontrolofmyvesselagain.”
Downbelow,GamayTroutgazedintothedarknessasthesuperstructureofthewreckbecameasilhouette,backlitbythefloodlightsofDuke’ssub.Itwasaneeriesightanditsentachilldownherspine.ShenoticedElena’shandsonthethrottle.
“Holdon,”shesaid.Fromthedarkness,
ScarabTwoappeared,cruisingovertheEthernetlikesomepredatoryfish.
“He’sfollowingourlastheading,”Elenanoted.
Gamaywatchedastheglowingorbsurroundingtheyellowsubcontinuedtotrackawayfromthem.Itwaslikewatchingaspaceshipcrosssomevoidinthedepthsofthegalaxy.Therewasnoframe
ofreference.Theseafloorwasblack,thewateraroundthemintothedistancewasblack.Directlyabovewasblack.Thoughitwasbroaddaylightatthesurfacewithacloudlesssky,nolightcouldpenetratethisdeep.
EventhelightsfromDuke’ssubmersiblefadedasheheadedintothedark.Afterseveralminutes,theytoovanished,swallowedupbythedepths.
“Wheredoyousupposehe’sgoing?”Elenaasked.
“Lookingforus,”Gamaybegan.“Why?Idon’tknow.Thisdoesn’tmakeanysense.”
“Somethingbigisgoingonhere,”Elenasaid.
“Seemsthatway.”“Ishouldhaveknown,”
Elenasaid.“WhentheSpecialProjectsDivisiongetsinvolved,it’susuallytrouble.Atleastthat’swhatthe
scuttlebuttis.”Gamaycouldnot
disagree.“Toomuchexcitementfor
me,”Elenasaid.“Metoo,”Gamayreplied.
“Metoo.”“Shallwesurface?”“Canyoudoitwithout
thelights?”“Withease.”Gamaytookonelastlook
intothedark.“Let’sgo.IwanttowarnPaulandthe
othersassoonaspossible.”Elenaaddedsomepower
andtheinteriordisplaylituptoshowthethrusterlevels.Sheeasedthemawayfromtheyachtandwasrotatingthethrusterswhenasetofblindinglightscameon,aimedrightintothecockpit.Thefourlightssurgedtowardthemliketheeyesofsomeunderseamonster.Ahideousscrapingsoundassaultedtheirearsasthegrapplingarmsof
Duke’sScarabclampedontothemlikegreatclaws.
Gamaygrabbedherowncontrolsandtriedtousethearmsoftheirsubmersibleindefense.
Butbeforeshecoulddomuch,Dukehadgraspedoneofthearmsandattackeditwiththerotarysaw.Itsnappedoffinseconds,andGamaywasleftfightingwithonlyonearm.“Usethetorch,”Elenashouted.
GamayignitedtheiracetylenetorchandbroughtitdownonDuke’scockpit,planningtoburnaholeinthebubblelikecanopy.Tohersurprise,shesawDuke’sfaceinthelightandhelookedterrified.HehelduphishandsevenashismachinecontinuedtoshovetheolderScarabbackward.
“It’snothim,”Gamayshouted.“He’snotincontrol.”
InsteadoftorchingaholeinthecockpitandkillingDuke,shemovedthearmtothesideandtriedtocutoffoneofhisthrusters.Atalmostthesameinstant,theywerepushedintothewreckandtheirownportthrusterwasbentandrenderedinoperative.
Duke’ssubnowhadatleasttwicetheirpower.
“He’spinningusdown,”Elenashouted.
“I’mtellingyou,it’snothim,”Gamayreplied.
SheextendedthetorchandbeganburningoffoneofDuke’sthrusters,butthecircularsawfromDuke’ssubshotforward.Itskippedupthecockpitglass,leavinganuglyscar,andbegangrindingontheirback.
Thehosestotheiracetylenetorchwereslicedthroughandthesubwasinstantlysurroundedbya
whirlwindofbubblesthatignited.FireengulfedbothScarabsastheybattledinthedeep.
Inthegarishillumination,GamaysawDukegetupfromhisseatwithablackcrescentwrenchinhishand.Hewasslammingitagainstthecomputerconsole,smashingthecontrolunit.Afterathirdorfourthhit,thelightsonhissubwentoutandtheturbulenceofthebattle
ceased.Thesubs,lockedtogether
andenvelopedinbubblesandflame,fellslowlytotheseafloor.Theyhitthesiltandwerestill.Amomentlater,theacetylenetankswerefullyventedandthefireburnedout.
Theworldbecameutterlydark.Gamayflickedafewswitches.
“Hecutourpowerlines,”Elenasaid.“Orhissubdid,”
sheadded,correctingherself.Gamayfoundaflashlight
andswitchediton.Amazingly,therewerenoleaksinthecabinyet.Shenarrowedthebeamandheldittothewindow.ItcastjustenoughlighttoseetheyellownoseofScarabTwo.
Usingtheflashlightlikeasemaphore,shetappedoutamessagetoDuke.Areyouallright?
Afewsecondslater,a
responsecame.Sorry,ladies,Idon’tknowwhathappened.
GamayrealizedwhatPaulhadalsodiscerneduponthesurface.They’dbeenhacked.Duke’snewersubwasthetarget.Itstouchscreencontrolsystemmadeitvulnerable,unliketheolderScarabwithitsmanualhydraulicsystems.
Itseemsyou’vebeenhacked,Gamayrepliedwiththelight.
AsDuke’sreplycamein,
Gamayreaditaloud.“‘Nothinglefttohacknow.I’vesmashedeverythinginsightandrippedoutallthewires...Don’tsupposethey’lltakethisoutofmypaycheck,doyou?’”
Gamaysmiled.AndElenashookherheadasshegrinned.
“Canwesurface?”GamayaskedElena.
“Wehavenopower,butwecanblowouttheballast
tanks,”shesaid.“Dukeshouldbeabletodothesame.”
Gamaynoddedandtappedoutthethought.
Therewasadelayinresponding,andtheycouldseeDukemovingaroundinthecockpit,usinghisflashlighttocheckreadingsonthefewanaloggaugesstillpresentinthenewScarab.Heseemedtospendalotoftimeattheaftwall.
“What’shechecking?”“Theemergencyair
valve,”Elenasaid,pointingtoagaugeandvalveinthesamespotontheirsub.
AfraidIwon’tbemakingthetrip,Dukesignaled.Seemsyou’vecutintomycompressedairtank.Notenoughlefttogainpositivebuoyancy.Yougalswillhavetogoupfirstandthencomebackandgetme.
Howmuchairdoyou
have?Fivehours’worth.Plus
what’sleftinthecabin.“Shouldbeplentyof
time,”Elenasaid.Gamayagreed.Allthey
hadtodowasgetacabledownhereandtheycouldusetheCondor’swinchtohaulDukebacktothesurface.
“GoodthingPauldidn’tjoinhim,”Gamaysaid.“He’dhavehalfasmuchair.”
“Andyou’dbetwiceas
worried.”Thatwastrue,though
GamaywasworriedenoughforDukeasitwas.Shetappedoutanewmessage.
We’regoingup.Hopeyoucanstandbeingrescuedbyacoupleofgirls.
IfitmeansIgettoseethesunlightagain,I’llwearawomen’slibT-shirtfortherestofthetrip.
“That,I’dliketosee,”Elenasaid,puttingherhand
onthereleasevalve.“Preparetoblowtanks.”
Goodluck,Gamaysignaled.
Youtoo.Withthat,Elenaturned
thevalve.Aturbulenthissingsoundfollowedashigh-pressureairforceditswayintotheballasttanks.Asthewaterwasforcedout,thesubmersibleslowlybegantorise.
Therewasabriefpause
andsomeoddmetallicclangsastheyuntangledfromDuke’ssub,andthentheywerefreeandascending.
AfewmoreflashesoflightfromDukecameforth.Ifyouspotawaiter,sendmedownadrink.
Gamaylaughedandturnedherattentionupward.Fornow,itremainedblackupabove,asdarkasanightwithoutanystarsormoon.Shecouldn’twaitforthefirst
hintofgrayishgreenthattoldherthesurfacewasnottoofaraway.
Aminutewentby.Andthenanother.Gamaybegantofeelalittledizzy.“IfeellikeI’minasensorydeprivationtank,”shesaid.
“Mythoughtsexactly,”Elenasaid.
Gamaydecidedtokeepherheadlevel.Lookingupwasmessingwithherinnerearandgivinghervertigo.
Sheglancedatherwatch.“Tenminutes.”
“Fifteenmoretogo,”Elenasaid.
Itwasasmoothrideuntilsuddenlytheywerejarredbyanimpact.Gamaywasthrownforwardandwhiplashedbackintoherseat.
“Whatwasthat?Didsomethinghitus?”
Elenawaslookingupasifthey’dcrashedintothebottomofaledgeorthehull
oftheCondororsomething.Gamaydidn’tthinkso.She’dfelttheimpactcomeupthroughherfeetandherlowerbacklikeitdidwhensheandPaulwentfour-wheeling.
Shepulledtheflashlightfromherpocketandflickeditbackon.Holdingitagainstthewindow,shesawcloudsofsiltandthenthefeaturelessgray-brownoftheseafloor.
“We’rebackonthe
bottom,”shesaid.Alightflashedonandoff,
perhapsthirtyyardsaway.Missedmethatmuch?Gamayreleasedherbelt
andclimbedhalfwayoutofherseat.Shetwistedaroundandheldtheflashlightagainsttherearsectionofthecanopy.ThinstreamsofbubbleswereflowingfromtheballasttanksontheScarab’sback.ItlookedlikesomeonehadopenedawholeboxofAlka-
Seltzer.“Youdon’tevenhaveto
tellme,”Elenasaid,“Ialreadyknow.Dukeholedourballasttankswiththatsaw.”
Gamaynodded,satbackdown,andswitchedthelightoff.“SomuchforDuke’spiñacolada.Andourquickridebackintothesunlight.”
“It’sworsethanthat,”Elenasaid.“Therearetwoofusinhere.Andwejust
ventedallourspareair.Bymycalculations,wehavelessthantwohoursleft.”
Inadarkenedroom,verysimilartotheCondor’scontrolcenter,SebastianBrèvardstaredatthepairofflat-screenmonitorsinfrontofhim.HegrinnedalmostmanaicallyinthecoldcomputerlightasCalistatappedawayatthekeyboard.
Shelookedup.“I’mafraidbothlinksaredead,dearbrother.”
“Yes,Icanseethat,”hesaid.“We’rereceivingnothingfromeithertheNUMAsubortheCondor.”
They’djustwatchedinlivingcolor—viaNUMA’sowncameras—asavirusofCalista’sdesignunleashedchaosintheNUMAoperation.Byhackingasimplenavigationupdate,
they’ddownloadedvirusesonboththeCondorandtheScarab.Thoseprogramsturnedcontrolofthecomputerizedvesselsovertoaremotelocation—inthiscase,theBrèvardlair.
OnlyScarabOnehadbeenimmune,becauseitsdesignwasolderandlessautomated.
Withtheskillofahunter,Calistahadusedthecontrolsatherfingertipstoturnoneof
theNUMAsubmersiblesintoakiller,seekingouttheotherandsmashingitagainstthehullofthewreck.Lastshe’dseen,theywerelockedinadeathstrugglewitheachother.Thenallhadgonedark.
“Well,you’vegottenwhatyouwanted,”shesaid.“They’vediscoveredthemissingsurvivalpod.They’llknowthetruthabouttheEthernet’ssinkingbeforetoolong.”
“Abouttime,”herbrothersaid.“Iwasbeginningtothinkthey’dnevergolookforit.”
“Perhapsweshouldn’thaveeditedthesonarscantoshowthevesselinruins.”
“Itwasnecessary,”Brèvardsaiddismissively.“OnceAustinbegantorecover,heimmediatelystartedlookingintoit.Hewouldhavemadeadivetheremonthsagoifwedidn’ttrick
him.Andthatwouldhavethrownourwholetimetableoff.”
Herbrotherandhistimetables.Everythinghadtobesocomplicated.“Won’ttheygoafterWestgatenow?”
“Notrightaway.Itwillonlyratchetupthesuspicion.Theywillbegintoinvestigatefromafar.Hopingnottoalerthim.”
“Andthen?”“Andthenwewillprod
themalongwithanotherclueattheappropriatetime.”
Onestepatatime,shethought.Buttherewasaproblem.“Wehavetoassumetheyknowthey’vebeenhacked,atthispoint.”
“Iwouldhopeso,”hesaid.“Weneedthemtounderstandjusthowvulnerabletheyare.Itwillgetthegearsturninginthemindsofthepowerful.Itwillbeginthechemicalreactionthat
leadstodoubtandconfusion,itwillcreateahiddensenseofpanicandaneedtodosomethingaboutit.Anything.That’showtheywork.Action.Reaction.Theywillnotsitstill.”“You’replantingaseed,”shesaid.
Henodded.“Onethatwillleadtothefloweringofourplan.”
Shepushedoutfromtheconsole,leanedbackinherchair,andputherfeetupon
thedesk.Thigh-highbootswithstilettoheelslandedonthedesktop,clippingthekeyboard.
“Iwishyouwouldbecareful,”hesaid.
Sheignoredhimasusual.“Nowwhat,”shesaid.“Acostaisgoingtotrade
thehackerstotheKorean,”hesaid.“YouandEganaretotakeagroupofthemenandmakecontactwithhim.Ifyoucanbargainforthem,then
bargain.Ifnot,letthedealgodownandswoopin.Mostlikely,theywillleadyourighttoSiennaWestgate.Bringherbacksowecanfinishthis.”
PaulTroutstoodonthedeckandwatchedastheCondor’scaptainwasairliftedintheship’shelicopter.ThesameonethatKurtandJoehadbeeninwhenthey’ddiscoveredtheEthernetsinkingthreemonthsbefore.
Thecaptainobjectedto
leaving,buttheship’sdoctorconfirmedthatamajorarteryhadbeennickedinhisleg.Hewasluckynottohavebledoutandheneededsurgeryquickly.
Havinglostsomuchblood,thecaptainwastooweaktoargue.“Takecareofmyship,”he’dsaidtoPaulasthey’dloadedhimonboard.
Asthehelicopterdisappearedtowardthewest,theCondor’schiefcameup
toPaul.“Iguessyou’reincommandnow.”
“Luckyme,”Paulsaid.“What’sourcondition?”
“Allsystemsareoff-line,”hesaid.“We’redeadinthewater.”
“Atleastwe’renotgoinganywhere,”Paulmuttered.
“Whatdoyouwanttodoaboutthesubs?”
Paulglancedathiswatch.“It’sbeenforty-fiveminutes.StandardNUMAprotocol
requiresunderwateroperationstobeabortedifcommunicationswiththesurfacevesselarelostandnotreestablishedwithinthirty.”
“I’vehadmenonwatch,”thechiefsaid.“Nosignofthemyet.”
Paulnodded,silentlyworried.“Canyougetoursystemsbackupandrunning?”
Thechieftookoffhiscapandscratchedathisscalp.
“Starboardenginesurvivedtheemergencyshutdown.Wecouldrestartit—butonlyifwebringthepropulsioncontrolunitandthemaincomputerbackonline.”
Paulshookhishead.“Findanotherway,”hesaid.“Nocomputers.”
“How?”“Idon’tknow,”Paulsaid.
“HowdoesMr.ScottalwaysgettheEnterpriserestartedwhenthedilithiumcrystals
fail?”Thechiefexhaledsharplyandheadedbacktotheengineroom,grumblingsomethingabouttheCondornotbeingaspaceship,butPaulwasconfidenthe’dfiguresomethingout.Inthemeantime,Paulturnedhisattentiontothesea.Hemadehiswaytotherail,broughtasetofbinocularstohiseyes,andscannedthewaterhimself.Therewasnosignofthesubmersibles.
TheScarabsshouldhavebeenonthesurfacebynow,firingofflocationflares.Thefactthattheyweren’tsuggestedaproblem.Hebroughtupahandheldradio,theonlyformofelectroniccommunicationleftontheship.
“Marcus,thisisPaul,”hesaid,callingtheengineerinchargeoftheCondor’ssubmersibles.
“Goahead,Paul.”
“TheScarabsareoverdue.Iwanttogolookforthem.Whatelsedowehaveonboard?”
“AsmallROVandtheADS.”
ADSstoodforatmosphericdivingsuit,madeofhard-platedmetal,andusedfortakingasingledivertogreatdepths.Theywereoftenwornbydiversworkingonpipelinesandoceaniccables.
ThemostfamousofthevariousADSdesignswerethebulkyJIMsuitsoftheeightiesandnineties.NUMA’sADSwasamoremoderndesign,stillbulkyandrobotic-looking,butitcamewithitsownthrusterpacklikeaNASAsuitdesignedforwalkinginspace.
“DoestheADShaveanykindofcomputerinterface?”Paulasked.
“No,”Marcusreplied.“Why?”
“Noreason,”Paulsaid.“Getitready.I’mgoingdown.”
Inside Scarab One
“Someonewillcome,”Gamaysaidwithdetermination.“Paulwon’tleaveusdownhere.”
Elenanoddedgrimlyandstaredintotheblack.“Idon’t
wanttodie,”shesaid.“Whodoes?”Gamay
replied.Elenasmiledatthat,butit
fadedquickly.Whatcouldbetaking
themsolong?Gamaywondered.Theyhadtoknowbythelackofcommunicationsthatsomethinghadgonewrong.Theyhadtohaveknownforatleasttwohours.
Toconserveair,they
hadn’tmovedandhadbarelyspoken.Butthesilencemadeittortureandtheminutesfeltlikehours.Gamaywasawareofeverylittlecreakandgroanandshenearlyjumpedoutofherskinwhenthehullreverberatedwithabang.
Lookingup,shesawamodicumoflightthroughthefrost.Excitedly,shereachedforwardandscrapeditoffwiththepalmofherhand.
Shesawnothingatfirst
andthenrecognizedtheCondor’sADS.
Shegrabbedtheflashlight,switchediton,andsignaledtothediverthattheywerealivebutfreezingandrunningoutofair.
Inresponse,thediverbegantotaponthehull.
Don’tworry.Savingyouisonmyhoneydolistfortoday.
“It’sPaul,”shesaidwithasighofrelief.
Hecontinuedtotap.Getreadytobereeledin.Youfirst,thenDuke.
Thankyou,shetappedout.Youaremyknightinshiningarmor.
Paulflashedhislightsafewtimesandmovedtotheside.OnlynowdidsheseetheROVbesidePaul,ahigh-strengthcablegrippedinoneclaw.Showingsurprisingdexterityforamanwithgiantmetalpincersforhands,Paul
hookedthecabletotheScarab’spickupbarandsteppedaway.
ThecablewenttautandtheScarabbegantoriseonceagain.Thistimeitcontinuedupward,hauledbythewinchforthirtysolidminutes,untilitbrokethesurfaceattheaftendoftheCondor.Thrilledtobeonthesurface,GamayandElenawerebothsurprisednottobeliftedaboardandinsteadonlysecuredtothesideofthe
ship.“What’sgoingon?”
Gamayaskedassheclimbedoutofthehatch.
“Technicaldifficulties,”thechiefreplied.“Sorryittookussolongtogetyoubutwe’vehadourownproblems.”
Gamaysmelledsmokeandnoticedthatportablegeneratorswererumblingbesidethewinchthathadjusthauledthemfromthe
seafloor.ThecablewasspoolingoutsothatitcouldbehookedtoDuke’sstrickensub.
“We’vehadtojerry-rigeverything,”thechiefsaid.“We’reoperatingononeengine,andthemenarecontrollingitbyhand.Ifitgetsanyworse,we’llbesewingthebedsheetsintoasail.”
SomethingtoldGamayitwouldn’tgetthatfar,butshe
wouldn’tleavethedeckuntilPaulsurfacedwithDuke’sScarabbesidehim.Ashecameup,smokebeganpouringfromtheventstotheengineroom,andtwoofthecrewcamestumblingoutthroughthesmoke.
“That’sit,Chief,”oneofthemsaid.“Thebearingshavegoneoutonthestarboardgearing.”
“Fire?”thechiefasked.“No,”thecrewmansaid,
“justsmoke.”Thechiefnodded.“Keep
aneyeonit.”Paulwasliftedaboard
momentslater.AshewasextricatedfromtheADS,hewasgiventhebadnews.
“Getontheradio,”hesaid.“Callforatow.”
“Rightaway,”thechiefsaid.
“And,Chief,”Pauladded.“Tellthemnottosendanythingfancy.Wewantthe
oldest,leastautomatedrustbucketofatugtheycanscroungeup.”
WithaplanthatwentnofurtherthangettingthemselvestoKorea,KurtandJoehadpackedquickly.Theirhost,MohammedElDin,gavethemalifttotheairportinhisarmoredlimousine,biddingthemfarewellinthetraditional
Arabstyle:withahugandakissoneachcheekandpartinggifts.
ToJoehegaveasmallhourglass.
“Thehourglassistohelpyoulearnpatience,”ElDinsaid.“Itdidn’tseemtohelpyou,”Joenoted.
“WhydoyouthinkI’mgettingridofit?”
Joelaughed,andElDin’sbeamingsmilecameoutagain.ElDinturnedtoKurt
nextandhandedhimasmallcase.
Openingit,Kurtfoundanantiquerevolver,knownasaColtSingleActionArmy.Itwasinexcellentcondition,chamberedforColt’s.45caliberrounds,sixofwhichwerelinedupinaneatrowbeneaththebarrel.Itwasthetypeofweaponagunfightermightcarry—infact,theSingleActionArmywasoftencalledtheGunthatWon
theWest.ItwasthestandardU.S.sidearmfrom1873until1892.
“Dirktoldmeyoucollectduelingpistols,”ElDinexplained.
“Thisisnotexactlyofthatera,butIthoughtyouwouldlikeit.Itwasgiventomygreat-great-grandfatherbyanAmericanwhohelpedmyfamilyescapefromBarbarypirates.”
“Ican’tacceptthis,”Kurt
said.“Ishouldbegivingyouagift.”
“Youmusttakeit,”ElDinsaid,“orIshallbeoffended.”
Kurtnoddedandofferedaslightbowofthanks.“It’sabeautifulweapon.Thankyou.”
AsmilecrinkledElDin’sweatheredface.“Maypeacebeuponyou,”hesaid.
“As-salamualaykum,”Kurtreplied.
WithElDin’sinfluence,KurtandJoebypassedsecurityandboardedtheirplane.
TheKoreanAirA380double-deckerwasspacious,whichwouldservethemwellonaflightthatwouldspanninehoursgatetogate.
Itwasalongtrip,andbythetimetheyreachedSeoul,thewholeworldhadchanged.TheblindingsunlightandheatofDubaiweregone,
replacedbyacold,mistyrain.Thenatureoftheirmissionevolvedaswell,thoughfortheminuteneitherKurtnorJoeweretoldhoworwhy.Butinsteadofarent-a-carandthenextstepintheirprivateer’sunderfundedjourney,theyweremetattheairportbythreemenindarksuitsandmackintoshovercoats.
StateDepartmentIDswereflashed.“Comewith
us,”theleaderofthegroupsaid.
Withlittlechoiceinthematter,KurtandJoecollectedtheirluggageandclimbedintothebackofavanwithdiplomaticplates.Ittookthemnorth.
AsthelightsofSeoulreceded,Joepointedouttheobvious.“Ifwe’regoingtotheconsulate,wemustbetakingthescenicroute.”
“We’renotgoingtothe
consulate,”Kurtreplied.Heknewwhothemenwere.Herecognizedtheirstyleandtheirtightlippedexpressions.Theywereemployeesofthecompany.“We’vebeenshanghaied,”hesaid,“andwe’renoteveninChina.”
ThevancontinuednorthforanotherfifteenminutesuntiltheywerenearingtheDemilitarizedZone.Withtherazor-wirefencesandguardpostsvisibleinthedistance,
thevanturnedeastanddrovethroughanunpopulatedareafilledwithtrees,hugesatellite-trackingarrays,andtowersbristlingwithstrangelookingantennas.Therewerenobuildingstobeseen.
Eventuallytheroadbegantodrop.Smoothconcretewallsroseuponeithersideuntilthevanwastravelinginachanneltwentyfeetdeep.Itcruisedbeneathanoverhang,
andthechannelbecameatunnellitwithorangelights.
SomewheredeepbeneaththerollinghillsofcentralKorea,theundergroundroadcurvedtightlyandcametoanend.Ahugesteeldooropenedandletthemintoaparkingarea.Theywereescortedfromthevanandledtoacommandcenter.
Inside,twomenweretalking.Bothlookedratherhaggardbutindifferentways.
ThefirstwasaKoreancolonelinmilitarydress,thesecondfigurewasanAmerican.HeremindedKurtofabusinessmanstayinglateattheofficetofinishabigproject.Heworeawhitedressshirtwithrolled-upsleevesandaloosenedredtie.Hisjacketrestedonthebackofthechairnexttohim.
“Isupposeyoutwoarewonderingwhyyou’rehereandnotattheRitz-Carlton,”
hesaid.“Actually,webookedthe
Hilton,”Kurtreplied,“thoughitdidn’tquitelooklikethisonthebrochure.”
Awearygrincameacrossthetable.“MynameisTimHale,”theAmericanreplied.“I’mtheCIAstationchieffortheDMZ.ThisisColonelHyun-MinLee,deputydirectorofsecurityfortheSouthKoreanNationalIntelligenceService.”
Allfourmenshookhandsandsatdown.
“Weknowwhoyou’relookingfor,”Haleexplained.“Weknowwhy.Andwewanttohelp.”
“Why?”Kurtasked.“What’schanged?”
“YourfriendsatNUMAdoveonthewreckoftheEthernet,”Halesaid.
“And?”“NosignofSienna
Westgateorherchildren.”
“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme,”Kurtsaid,“consideringtheshapeofthewreck.Whenavesselbreaksuponthewaydown—”
“That’stheinterestingpart,”Halesaid,cuttingKurtoff.“TheEthernetissittingonthebottominonesolidpiece.”
Kurtnarrowedhisgaze.Hesuddenlyfeltconfused.He’dseenthesonarscan.Theshiphadcomeapart.
Haleexplainedwhatthey’dlearned.“Thereportyousawwasdoctored.SomeonetappedintotheSouthAfricanCoastGuarddatabaseandchangedit.TheSACGsentyouwhattheythoughtwasalegitimatefile,butyousawwhatsomeonewantedyoutosee.”
“Why?”“Soyouwouldn’tdivethe
shipandfindwhatyourfriendsfound,”Halesaid.He
wentontoexplainthatthreebodieswererecoveredfromtheship:twomembersofWestgate’screwandhispersonalbodyguard.
HealsotoldKurtwhathadhappenedtotheCondorandthesubmersibles.“Tohackbothofthosesystemsandgainsuchcontrolisquiteafeat,”hesaid.“EspeciallyconsideringNUMAhasstringentsafeguardsinplace.”
“Obviously,notenough,”Kurtsaid.
“We’renotsurewhatis,thesedays,”Halereplied.
“Whichleadsustoyourmainsuspect,”Col.Leesaid.“Mr.ThanRang,headoftheDaeShanGroup,andamanwithmanysinisterconnectionstogeneralsinNorthKorea.”
Kurtsatdumbfounded.“AreyoutryingtotellmeThanRangisaNorthKorean
sleeperagent?”“No,”Leesaid,“theother
wayaround.ThanRangisinterestedintheinevitabledaywhenNorthandSouthfinallyembraceinreunification.HiscorporationhasspentyearsbuyingupancientdeedstolandintheNorth.Thedeedsareworthlessofcourse,butifunificationevercomesabout,hewillhavesomeamountofstandingtoclaimnearlyone-
thirdofthelandinNorthKorea.Tobolsterhisclaims,he’sspentyearscurryingfavorwiththegeneralsandotherswhofloatjustbelowtheleveloftheGloriousLeader,KimJong-un.Ifchangeevercomes,thesefriendsofhiswillbethefirsttobenefit,justastheardentdefendersofcommunismintheoldSovietUnionawardedthemselvesthevastmajorityofstate-runindustriesassoon
asthecountryturnedtocapitalism.”
“Whatdoeshegivethem?”Joeasked.
“Coldhardcash,high-techmachinery,andadvancedsoftware,”Leesaid.
“Andpossiblywell-knownprogrammersandhackers,”Haleadded.
“Inexchangefornearlyworthlessland?”Kurtasked.
“Muchofitliesaboveprovenreservesofminerals,”
Col.Leesaid.“AndThanRanghasalreadyshownaknackfortakingplayed-outminesandincreasingtheirproduction,inmanycasestorecordlevels.Hewouldnodoubtbeverysuccessfulifhisschemeevercametopass.”
Joeheldhisphoneup,bringingitclosetohismouthlikeapocketrecorder.“Notetoself:InvestretirementnestegginDaeShanGroup.”
“Iwouldn’tgothatfar,”Halesaid.“Wedon’tseeanythinghappeningforalong,longtime.”
Joebroughtthephonebackup.“Cancelnotetoself.”
Kurtlaughed.“Igetit.Youwantustodosomedirtywork.Thequestionis,canyougetmeintoNorthKorea?”
“No,”Halesaid.“Youwouldn’tlastfiveminutes
thereifwecould.”“Thenwhat?”“ThanRangishavingan
elegantreceptionforhisbusinesspartners,”Col.Leeexplained.“Therewillbewine,women,andsong,asyouAmericansliketosay.Mostimportant,therewillbeaguestarrivinganddeliveringaveryimportantpackage.Ibelieveyouknowtheman.Fortunately,hedoesn’tknowyou.Atleast
notbysight.”“Acosta,”Kurtsaidwith
disgust.“He’sbringingtheother
hackers,”Joeguessed.“Exactly,”Halesaid.“He
willexchangethemforalargesumofdiamondsandapaintingbyoneofthemasters.”
Kurt’smindwasrunningnow.“Forsuchanexchangetohappen,bothitemswouldneedtobeverified.”
Halesaid,“Acostaisn’tinterestedingettingafake,andThanRangisn’tinterestedindeliveringacoupleofdupestohisfriendsintheNorth.They’llbothneedexpertstomakesurethegoodsarebonafide.ThanRangwilluseseveraltechsfromhiscompanytogivetheprospectivehackersafinalexamofsorts.Mostlikely,they’llbegivenacomplexcodeandaskedtobreakit,
andthenperhapsasecondarytaskofinsertingaprogramthroughasophisticatedfirewall.Inthemeantime,Acostawillbeexaminingthepaintingandthat’swherewegetourchance.Yousee,Acostaholdshimselfoutasabig-timecollector,butheknowslessaboutartthanhepretends.Farless.Tomakesurehe’snotswindled,he’sarrangedforalegitimateexpertnamedSolanotogo
withhim.Forahealthyfee,Solanowillverifywhatisnodoubtastolenworkofarttobeginwith.It’sallaverysordidbusiness.”
“Whatdoyouwantustodo?”Kurtasked.
“Mr.ZavalaherewillposeasourfriendSolano,whohailsfromMadrid.They’rethesamebuild,almostthesameheight.Withalittlemakeupandsubtleliftsinhisshoes,Joewillbethe
spittingimageofthewaywardartexpert.”
“WhatifAcostafiguresitout?”
“Hewon’t,”Haleinsisted.“He’snevermetSolano.Onlytalkedtohimonthephone.Andthey’rearrivingseparately.Solanocomesintomorrow,Acostawillbeherethedayafter.”
Fortunatetiming,Kurtthought.Buttherewereproblems.“Whatabouthis
voice?Ifthey’vetalked,JoewillhavetosoundlikeSolano.”
“Accordingtohisfile,JoespeaksfluentSpanish.”
Joenodded.“Theonlyconcernisthat
thisisCatalanSpanish,”Halesaid.“Butwe’regoingtotakeSolanooutofcirculationbeforehemakesittohishotel,gethimtotalk,andallowJoetopracticehisvoice.”
Kurtdidn’tlikehisfriendtakingtherisk,butheknewtheyweren’tlikelytogetanotherchanceatthis.
“Shouldbeapieceofcake,”Joesaid.
“I’mgoinginwithhim,”Kurtinsisted.
“Ofcourseyouare,”Halesaid.“BecauseyourjobistoplaceatransmitterononeofthehackerswhileJoekeepsAcostaandtheothersbusy.”
Kurtnodded.That
soundedfair,butthenwhat?“Ithinkwecanallpicturetheoutcomeifwefail.Butwhathappensifwesucceed?Youcan’tgetthemoutoftheNorthanymorethanwecan.”
“Thethingis,”Halesaid,“we’renotsurewheretheyare.Anyofthem.NorthKoreahasacyberforceknownasUnit121.We’veconfirmedthatsomeofthemoperateinChina,othershavebeentrackedtositesin
Russia,andsometositesrighthereinSeoul.Youdon’thavetobeathometoattackacountrythesedays.YoucanlaunchyourstrikefromanywhereyoufindacomputerterminalandanInternetconnection.Iftheylike,thesepeoplecanwagewarintheirpajamas.”
Kurtunderstood,butsomethingwasmissing.HestudiedHale.BothheandCol.Leewererather
inscrutable.Maybeitwasthenatureoftheiroccupationsorthehangdogexpressionsthattoldhimthey’dbeenworkingtheangleslongandhardonthisone.Eitherway,somethingdidn’tquitefit.Kurtcouldn’tbegintoguesswhatitwas,buthehadafeelinghe’dfindoutattheworstpossibletime.
NUMA Vessel Condor,Southwestern IndianOcean
TheCondordriftedwiththecurrentallafternoon,andPaulTroutbegantofeellikeasailoronanoldgalleon,
caughtinthehorselatitudesandgoingnowhere.
Asduskapproached,theshipwasenvelopedindarkness.Thechiefandhismenriggedupanauxiliaryunitthatbroughtpowerbacktothedesalinizationandventilationsystems,butbecausetheunitwasrelativelysmallcomparedtotheneedoftheship,mostofthelightswerekeptoffandtheHVACprocessorswere
runatthelowestsettings.Asaresult,theinterioroftheshipwasasweatboxandthosewhodidn’thavetobeinsidecongregatedonvariouspartsofthedeck.
PaulconsideredhimselffortunatetobeonthebridgewingwithGamay.
“Whatabeautifulnight,”shesaid.
“Itreallyis,”hereplied.Therewasasoftsoutherlybreeze,justenoughtokeep
thehumidityfrombeingoppressive.
“Maybethere’ssomethingtobesaidfortheoldways,”sheadded.“Nohumofmachinery.Noannoyingcomputerstellingusanewmessagehasarrived.”
Sheputanarmaroundhiswaistandpulledcloser.“Iwouldn’tmindacandlelightdinner,ifyou’vegotnothingelseplanned.”
Paulcockedhisheadat
her.“Areyougettingromanticonme?”
Shehuffedandpushedhimaway.“Ifyouhavetoask,Imustbedoingitwrong.”
Hepulledherbacktohisside.“No,you’redoingfine,”hesaid.“Now,wherewerewe?”
“Toolate,”shesaid.“Themomenthaspassed.”
Ifitwasn’talreadygone,theappearanceofacrewman
sweatingthroughhisT-shirtsentitpackingforgood.“Sorrytointerruptbutwe’repickingupsomethingonradar.”
“Ithoughttheradarwasout?”Gamayreplied.
Paulshookhishead.“Consideringourpredicament,Ithoughtitwouldbewisetoknowwhat’sgoingonaroundus.Ihadthechiefpoweruptheshort-rangeunit.”
“Doyouwanttotakealook?”thecrewmanasked.
Paulnodded,andbothheandGamayenteredthesemidarkenedbridge.
“Anychanceit’sthetug?”Gamayasked.
“No,ma’am,”thecrewmanreplied.“Targetistotheeast.Tugwillbecominginfromthewest.Byourestimates,she’sagoodfourhoursaway.”
Paulsteppedovertothe
radarscope.“What’stherange?”
“Forty-sixmiles.That’sprettymuchthemaximumrangeofthesystemonthispowersetting.”
“What’shercourseandspeed?Maybewecanhailher?”
“That’sjustit,”thecrewmansaid,“shehasnocourseandspeed.Thetargethasbeenintermittent,appearinganddisappearing.
Forthelasthourtherewasnothingthereandwethoughtwhoeveritwashadmovedon,butthenitcamebackinthesamerelativeposition.”
“Butwe’redrifting,”Paulsaid.“Evenifshewassittingstill,herbearingshouldbechangingunlessshe’sdriftingaswell.”
“Oritcouldbeshadowingusattheverylimitofourradarcoverage,”thecrewmannotedominously.
“Hastobeaprettybigtargettoshowupthatfaroff,”Gamayadded.“Maybethey’rekeepingtheirdistance,hopingnottobeseen.”
Itwasallguesswork.Butconsideringwhatthey’dalreadybeenthrough,Paulwasnotinterestedingivinganyoneoranythingthebenefitofthedoubt.“When’sthehelicopterdueback?”
“That’sproblemnumber
two,”thecrewmansaid.“ThepilotreportedamechanicalfailureshortlyafterleavingDurban.They’vehadtoturnback.Thelastweheard,theyweretryingtoscroungeupasparepart.Buteveniftheyfoundonerightaway,wewon’thavethembackuntiltomorrowmorningattheearliest.”
“Andthetugisfourhoursoff?”
“Atleast.”
Paulsighed.Aloneonthedarkeningseaandbeingwatchedwasnotapositionhelikedbeingin.“ContactHQonthesatellitephone,”Paulsaid.“Tellthemwemighthavecompany.”
“Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddointhemeantime?”Gamayasked.
Paulwaspragmatic.“Eitherhopeit’snothingandenjoytheeveningorpreparetorepelborders.”
Gamayfoldedherarmsacrossherchestandofferedapout.“GuessI’llcancelmyplansforacandlelightdinnerandgoscourtheholdforafewrocksandaslingshot.”
AstheCondorcontinuedtodrift,duskgavewaytodarknessandthelonelyfeelingofisolation.Theship,normallyahubofactivity,wasquietasthecrewpreparedtofightifnecessary.Butthefearedbordersnevermaterialized,andPaulbegan
towonderifthey’dreadsuspiciousintentionsintoaharmlesssituation.
“Anychange?”heaskedtheradaroperatorashesteppedontothebridge.
“No,sir,”thecrewmanreplied.“Whoevertheyare,they’vedriftedalongwithusforthepastthreehours.”
Sensingthedangerhadpassed,especiallywiththetugonlyanhouraway,Paulhadanewidea.“Wehavea
high-speedlaunchonthisboat,don’twe?”
“AnFRC,”thecrewmanreplied.“Fastrescuecraft.”
“Good,”Paulsaid.“Haveitreadied.I’mgoingtotakeitoutandinvestigateourmysterycontact.”
“Notwithoutme,youwon’t,”avoiceinsistedfrombehindhim.
PaulturnedtoseeGamayinthedoorway.“Wouldn’tdreamofit,”hesaid.“Infact,
Ithinkweshouldmakeitadoubledate.BringDukeandElena.”
Shortlythereafter,thefourofthemwereaboardthequickestofCondor’smotorizedlaunches,asleekmachineconstructedbytheDutchSpecialMarineGroup.Indesign,thethirty-footboatlookedlikeapolicerivercruiseronsteroids,withahighbow,anopendeck,andacentralizedcontrolconsole
andnavigationmast.PoweredbyathroatyVolvowaterjet,itracedacrossthewavesatfortyknots.
PaulstoodatthebowwithGamaywhileDukehandledthecontrolsandElenapreparedaraftofweaponsobtainedfromtheCondor’sarmslockerjustincasetheywereneeded.
Navigatingfromdeadreckoning,Dukeofferedanupdate.“Weshouldbeclose
enoughtoseethetargetinafewminutes,”hesaid,“assumingshehasanysortofrunninglightson.”
Peeringthroughthedarkness,Paulnodded.Hesawnothingyet.
“What’sourplanwhenwearrive?”Gamayasked.
“Plan?”Paulasked.“Plan,”Gamayrepeated.
“Youknow,thatthingyoucomeupwithinadvancesoyoucanthrowitoutthe
windowwheneverythinggoeshaywire.”
“Ohyeah,”Paulsaid.“Ifigureweencirclethetargetand,shoulditbeathreat,talkthecaptainintosurrendering.”
Gamaysighed.“Yep,”shesaid,“thatwillgorightoutthewindow.”
Paulchuckledathiswife’sconcern.“Idon’tthinkwe’redealingwithanythinghostile,”hesaid.“Ithink
we’regoingtofindanothershipindistresslikeourown.”
“Thenwhydoweallhaveweapons?”Elenaasked.Sheheldapistol.TwoAR-15srestedonthedeck.PaulandGamaywouldcarrytherifles.
“Fortheinevitablemomentwhenmyguessturnsouttobewrong,”Pauldeadpanned.
AstheFRCracedonthroughthedarkness,theradiosquawkedwithabarely
audiblesignalasthechiefcalledthem.
“FRC,thisisCondor.You’vegoneoffthescope.We’renotreadingyoursignatureanymore.Basedoncourseandspeed,youshouldberoundingthirdandheadingforhome.”
Thetransmissionwascodedinsimpletermsincaseanyonewaslistening.“Roundingthird”toldPaultheywereaboutthreemiles
fromthetarget.Hegrabbedthemicrophone.“Areyouholdingusuporwavinguson?”
“Nosignofoutfieldersreadytothrowhome,”thechiefreplied.“Keeponrunning.”
“Wilco,”Paulsaid.Heputtheradiodown.“Coastisclear,”hetoldtheothers.
“Sothoughtthemouse,assheracedforthecheese,”saidGamay.
Paulreturnedtothebow,watchingandwaiting.
“Shemustberunningdark,”Gamaysaid,“orwe’dseeherlightsbynow.”
“Havetoagreewiththat,”Paulsaid.Helookedup.Thewaxingmoonwasthree-quartersfullandcastingafairamountoflightonthiscloudlessnight.Evenifthetargetwasrunningdark,theyshouldhavebeenabletoseeit.
“Duke,what’sourheading?”
“Zeroninefive,”Dukereplied.
“Itshouldberightinfrontofus.”
“Maybeit’saghost,”Elenasuggested.
“Aghost?”Paulsaid.Elenarolledhereyes.“On
theradar.Youknow,afalsereturn.”
Paulhadtoconsiderthatapossibilityandbeganto
wonderifthey’dmadethetripfornothing.Hepulledonasetofnightvisiongogglesandstareduntilhefinallysawanoutlinegrowingonthehorizon.Itwaslowandlongandjustbarelyjuttingabovethecalmsea.
“Deadahead,”hesaid.“Atlast.”
Thegraybulkofthetargetbegantogrowlarger,thoughitwashardtocalculatedistanceinthedark.
“Cutourspeed,”Paulsaid.“Giveustenknots.”
Theroaroftheenginedroppeddowntoaheavypurr,andthewindnoiselessenedastheFRCslowedappreciably.Itdidn’tappeartheyweredealingwithathreat.
PaulglancedatGamay.“Somuchforatrap,”hesaid.
“Famouslastwords.”Theymovedincloser,
andtheblackhulkinthe
darknessbeganblockingoutthehorizontoeithersideofthem.Paulestimatedthetargettobenearlyfivehundredfeetfromstemtostern.Therewerenosmokestacksorantennas,nodefinedareasofsuperstructure,thathecouldsee.Andthoughsomesectionswerehigherthanothers,therewasaroundedeffecttothem,morelikeariverbargepiledhighwith
coalorsomeotherbulkcommodity.
“Lookslikeabarge,”Paulsaid.
“What’sabargedoingallthewayouthere?”Elenaasked.
Nooneventuredaguess.“Takeusaroundtoport,”
Paulsaid.Dukecutthewheel,and
theFRCturnedrightandtraveleddownonesideofthevessel.Astheypassedthe
endofthederelict,Duketookthemupalongtheotherside.
“Roundedend,”Paulsaid.“Thisisthestern.”
“It’snotabarge,”Gamayadded,“it’saship.”
“Adark,deadship,”Elenasaid.
“Aghostship,”Gamayreplied.
EvenPaulhadtoadmittherewassomethingominousaboutthevessel,somethingthegrainygangrene-tinted
viewthroughthenightvisiongogglesonlyaddedto.Mistshroudingtheship,backlitbythestarsandtheslivermoon,gaveitaspectralaura.
“Ghostship,”Gamaywhispered.
Paulhadseenenough.HepulledoffthegogglesandwenttotheFRC’ssmallmast.Asarescueboat,theFRCwasequippedwitharowofpowerfullights.Paulswitchedthemainfloodon
andturnedittowardthetarget’shull.
Thegarishlightspreadacrossheavysteelplate,rustedandcorrodedasiftheshiphadbeendriftingforyears.Theship’sportholesappearedtobesealedshutandwereopaquewithatawnyscale.Alineofthemranjustabovethewaterline.
AsPaulpannedthelight,itrevealedtangledlinesrunningacrossthehull,
strandsofbrownandgreen.Ittookamomentforanyofthemtorealizewhattheywerelookingat.
Gamaywasfirst.“Vines,”shesaid.
Dukebroughtthethrottlebacktoidle,andPaulangledthespotlight,trackingatangledgroupofthevinesthatranupthesideofthehullpastwhatshouldhavebeenthesharpedgeofthemaindeckbutwhatwas,infact,an
erodingslopeoftancoloredsediment.
“Whatintheworld...”Upontop,thevinesran
everywherelikeivydrapinganoldstonewall.Dyinggrasses,weeds,andtangledscrubbrushgrewwherethesuperstructureshouldhavebeen.
Dukeshookhisheadatthesight.“I’vefoundsomestrangethingsfloatingoutatseabefore,butI’venever
seenanythinglikethis.”Theypassedthebow
withoutsightinganymarkings,andDukebroughtthembackamidships.
“IthinkweshouldgobacktotheCondor,”Gamaysaidabruptly.
Paulturned.“Aren’tyoucuriousaboutwhatwe’vefoundhere?”
“Ofcourse,”shesaid,“I’masintriguedasyouare.Butwecameheretoseeifthe
targetwasathreatoravesselinneedofourhelp.It’sobviouslyneither.Withthatestablished,weshouldgetbackhomebeforeanythingstrangeoccurs.”
Paulstudiedhiswife.“Notlikeyoutobethevoiceofreason,”hesaid.“Where’syoursenseofadventure?”
“Onthenightstandbackhomewithmycarkeys,”shesaid.
Helaughed.“We’ve
comethisfar.Mightaswellgoaboard.”
“Andhowdoyouproposewedothat?”sheasked.
Paullookedatherasifitwasobvious.“Tarzanstyleofcourse,”hesaid,pointingtothevines.
Withcalmprecision,Dukebroughtthelaunchupagainstthehullwhereathickgroupofcreepervineshung.Paulgrabbedthemandpulledwithallhismight.
“I’mgoingfirst,”hesaid.“Iftheseholdme,they’llcertainlyholdtherestof
you.”Usingtherimofa
portholeasafoothold,hewentup,climbinghandoverhand,likehewasgoingovertheobstaclecoursewallinbasictraining.Eventually,hemadeitupontothedeck,whichwascoveredwithsediment.
Gamaycameupnext,andElenafollowedrightbehindher.Dukeremainedonthelaunch.
“Feellikewe’vediscoveredadesertedisland,”Elenasaid.
“Let’shopeit’sdeserted,”Gamayadded.“I’dhatetofindheadhunterslivingaboard.”
Paullookedaround.Itreallyfeltasifthey’dmadelandfall.Therewasnothingman-madeinsight.Justafoliage-coveredmoundinthemiddleoftheIndianOcean.“Lookslikethisshipgot
caughtintheSargassoSea.”“Exceptthatthisisn’t
seaweed,”Gamaysaid.“Thefactthatshe’sstill
afloattellsmeshe’sbasicallywatertight,”Elenamentioned,“thoughshe’sridingawfullylowinthewater.”
Paulthoughtsoaswell.“Iwonderifallthisvegetationisweighingherdown.”
“Possibly,”Elenasaid.“Consideringthethicknessofthevegetationandthesoil,
it’sprobablymakinghertop-heavy.Hopefully,wedon’tgetanybigwaveswhilewe’reonboard.Ifshestartstoroll,she’llalmostcertainlygoover.”
ToPaul,thediscoveryoftheshipwasaboltofadrenaline.Hewantedtoknowwhatshipitwasandwhereithadcomefrom.HesteppedtotheedgeandshouteddowntoDuke.“Throwupthepaddles.I
thinkwecanusethem.”DukepulledtheFRC’s
emergencypaddlesfromalockerandtossedthemuponeatatime.Paulcaughtthem,handingonetoGamayandkeepingoneforhimself.
“Whatarewesupposedtodowiththese,”Gamayasked,“rowthisshipbacktocivilization?”
“Thatisnotapaddle,”Paulexplained,“it’sashovel.Andwearenotgoingtorow,
we’regoingtodig.Ifthisshipiswatertight,thatsuggestsallthemuckisontheoutside,leavingtheinteriorintact.We’regoingtofindahatchandgoinside.”
“AndIcan’tgetyoutoraketheleavesathome,”Gamaysaid.
“Notasmuchfun.”“Ilikeit,”Elenasaid.“See?”Paulsaid.“You’resupposedtobe
onmyside,”Gamaytold
Elena.“Girlpower,remember?”
“Sorry,”Elenasaid.“ThisbeatssittingaroundontheCondorinthedarkanddoingnothing.”
Withasmileofsatisfaction,GamayhandedElenathepaddle.“Thenyoucanhelphimdig.”
PaulchuckledandcalleddowntoDukeoncemore.“Stayclose.We’regoingonanaturewalk.”
“Willdo,”Dukereplied.Withhissenseof
curiositynearanall-timehigh,Paulledthepartythroughthefoliagetowardthehighestpointofthemounding,anareacompletelyentombedinthethickestofvines.Ifhewasright,themainpartoftheship’ssuperstructurewashiddenbeneathit.
Pushingbetweenapairofwildbushes,hestopped.
“Lookatthis,”hesaid,aiminghisflashlightintoatangleofleaves.
Ahugespider,thesizeofachild’shand,satinthemiddleofanornateweb.Ithadayellowcolortoitsbodyandwashardshelled,asopposedtosoftandfurrylikeatarantula.Nearby,asecondspiderofsimilarsizeandcolorrestedonanevenlargerweb.Theyfoundthreemoreinaten-footradius.
“Ewww,”Elenasaidquietly.“They’reabsolutelydisgusting.”
“Didyouhavetopointthemout?”Gamayasked.“NowIfeellikethey’realloverme.”Shewasturningawkwardly,tryingtoseeifanythingwasonherback.
Paulhadtolaugh.He’dalwaysfoundspidersinteresting,thoughevenhehadtoadmithewouldn’twanttheonestheywere
lookingatsneakingintohissleepingbag.
“Comeon,”Paulsaid.Hecontinuedforward,carefultoavoidthespidersandthethickerpartsofthescrub,andtheysoonarrivedataspotjustbelowthepeakofthemoundandnearthecenteroftheship’sbeam.
WithGamayprovidingtheillumination,PaulandElenabeganpullingoutthevinesandexcavatingthe
clumpysoil.Thepaddlesprovedtobefairlyeffectiveasshovels,andtheyweresoontunnelingataforty-five-degreeangle,gougingachanneldeepintothesoil,whenGamayputahandonPaul’sshoulder.
“Stop.”Helookedbackather.“IthoughtIheard
something.”“Youmeanbesidesmy
gruntingathavingtodoall
thework?”“I’mserious.”Paulgrippedtheshovel.
HeandElenastillcarriedsidearms,RugerSR9s,madeinPrescott,Arizona,butnooneseriouslythoughtthey’dbeneededoncetheydiscoveredtheradartargetwasanabandonedship.
Gamayusedthebeamofherlighttoscanthearea.Nothingappearedoutoftheordinary.
“Maybeit’sagiantspider,”Paulwhispered.“Mommaspidertoallthoselittlebabieswefound.”
Gamaygavehimalightsmackontheshoulder.“I’mserious.Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis.”
Besidethem,Elenaunlatchedtheholsterstraponhersidearmandputherhandonthegripofthepistollikeagunfightergettingreadytodraw.
Alightbreezerustledtheleavesaroundthemandfadedaway.Asitdid,Paulheardsomethingtoo.Itwaslowandraspy,likethesoundoflaboredbreathing.Itlastedfornomorethanafewsecondsandthenceased.Helookedaroundinthegrowthbutsawnothing.
“Youheardittoo,”Gamaysaid.“Didn’tyou?”
Moreliketheirmindswereplayingtricksonthem,
Paulthought.“Youtwoandyourghostship,”hesaid.“Let’snotgetalljumpy.”
Elenanoddedandtookherhandoffthepistolgrip.
“I’mgoingtokeepaneyeoutfordisembodiedspirits,”Gamaysaid.
Paulnodded,returningtotheworkathand.“Especiallyanythatmightbeinterestedindigging.”
Withrenewedvigor,hecontinuedtheexcavation.
Soonenough,thepaddlestrucksomethinghard.Brushingthedebrisaway,hespottedtherustedsteelplate.“We’vehitthewall,”hesaid.“Literally.”
Theywidenedoutthechannelandcameuponahatch.Attemptingtopryitopenwasuseless,buttheycontinuedtodiganduncoveredahalf-shatteredwindow.Clearingtheremainingglassaway,Paul
lookedinside.“Whatdoyousee?”“It’slikeacave,”Paul
said.“Thesilthasfilledmostoftheroom,butfartherinitseemstolessen.”
“I’msurpriseditisn’tfilledtothetop,”Elenasaid.
Paulwonderedaboutthat.“Maybethefoliageontheoutsidebecamemattedatsomepoint.Afterthat,itmighthaveactedlikeashell.Althoughitseemstohavelet
moisturein.Thesedimentlookssmoothandwet,packeddownlikesandonthebeachafterthetiderecedes.”
Ashepannedthebeamoftheflashlightaround,thelightseemedtobeswallowedup.Theywerecertainlylookingintoavoluminousspace.
Hesteppedback.“Whowantsthehonor?”
Elenashookherhead.Gamaydidthesame,gesturingtotheopening.
“Thiswasyouridea.”Beingaslargeashewas,
Pauldidnotenjoycrampedspaces.Itwasn’ttrueclaustrophobia,justapracticalsensethattightspaceswerenotsuitedforsomeonehissize.ButGamaywasright,itwashisidea.
Steppingbacktotheopening,hemadesuretherewerenoresidualshardsofglassinthesill,thenclimbedupandover.“Oncemoreinto
thebreach,”hesaid,togroansfromhisaudience.
Squeezingthroughthegap,Paulmadeitontothedampsediment.Thesoilwascompactedanddamp.
“Anyspiders?”Gamaycalledout.
“NotthatIcansee.”“Areyousure?”“Positive.”Withthatestablished,
Gamaycrawledinafterhim.ToPaul’ssurprise,Elena
camenext.“You’renotleavingmeoutthereonmyown,”shesaid.
Atfirst,theycouldonlycrawl.Thesedimentintheroomhadpiledupsohighthattheceilingwasonlythreeorfourfeetabovetheirheads.Astheymovedawayfromthewindow,thespacespreadoutandthesedimentslopeddownward.Inonesection,smallridgesprotruded.Paulmadehiswayovertothem
andstartedtolaugh.“What’ssofunny?”
Gamayasked.“Rememberthat
candlelightdinneryouwanted?”“TheoneInevergot?”
“Well,here’syourchance,”Paulsaid.Heworkedtheobjectoutofthesilt.Itwasarottingchair.“Ithinkwe’reintheship’sdiningroom.”
Gamaychuckled.
“Somehow,Iwashopingforalittlemoreambience.”
Theymoveddeeperintotheroom,travelingdowntheslopeoftheinvasivesedimentuntilitwasnomorethanathinlayeronthefloor.AsPaulstood,hefoundittobepackeddownhardandnomorethansixinchesdeep.
Gamaystoodupandwipedherpalmsonthefrontofherjeans.“NotgonnaneedamudbathnexttimeIgoto
thespa,”shesaid.“Whatnext,Ofearlessleader?”
Paullookedaround.“Let’sseeifwecanfigureoutwhatshipthisisandwhereshecamefrom.”
Theymoveddeeperintothehull,soonfindingthekitchenandastoreroom.
“Lookattheseovens,”Gamaysaid.“They’reancient.”
“Howold?”Paulasked.“Idon’tknow,”Gamay
replied.“Old.Likethestovemygrandmotherhadforever.”
Paultookalookatthestovesandsomeoftheotherequipment.Thedesignsbelongedtoanotherera.Hebegantofeelasifhe’dsteppedbackintime.
Hepulledopenacabinetanditwasstackedwithservingplates.Hepickedoneupandbeganscrapingofftheblackenedmold.Whenhe’d
clearedenoughofit,alogobecamevisibleinthecenter,astylizedanchorwithbarbedflukes,restingsideways.Itlookedfamiliar.
HeshowedittoGamay,whoshruggedandshookherhead.
“Thestoreroomsareempty,”Elenasaid,poppingintothekitchen.“Notacanofbeansleftbehind.”
Paulputtheservingplateback.“Let’sfindthebridge.”
Hetookasteptowardthedoorandstopped.Theharshbreathingsoundhadreturned.Itwasadeepsound,gutturalandmenacing.Thistimetheyallheardit.
Paulaimedhislightforthedoorwayassomethingshotforward.Aroarofsomekindechoedthroughthedarkasallthreeofthemdoveindifferentdirections.
PaulgrabbedGamayandpulledhertosafetyasashape
spuntowardthemandwhatfeltlikealogslammedPaulintheribs.Hetumbledandsprawledinthemud.Hisflashlightflewfromhishand,andtheroaringcontinued.
“Run!”heshouted.Elenaclambereduponto
thestovesasGamayhelpedPaulup.
Somethingslammedagainsttheold,cast-ironstoves,andtheimpactsenttheservingplatesPaulhad
discoveredsmashingtotheground.Aburstofgunfirerangout,bathingtheroominstaccatoflashesasElenafiredherRugerattheattacker.
BynowPaulandGamaywerescramblingoutthedoorandintothediningroom.IntheirhasteGamayslippedinthemuckandpulledPauldownwithher.Theytumbledtoastopagainstthefarwall.
Paul’slightwasgone,butGamayfoundhersandaimed
itbackatthedoortothekitchen.Amonsteremerged,chargingtowardthem.Atwelve-footcrocodilewithraggedteethandanuglybumpysnout.ItlungedjustasPaulpulledhisgunandfired,blastingseveralshotsstraightintothecreature’sgapingmouth.
GamayscreamedinPaul’sear,butthegunshotsdrownedheroutastheshellswentthroughtheupperjawof
theanimal,intothebrain,andouttheotherside.ThecreatureslammedintoPaul,crashingontohisabdomenandknockingthewindoutofhimlikeasackofconcretetossedfromthebackofatruck.Butitdidn’tbiteorthrash,itjustcollapsedonhim,twitchingandthenlyingthere.
ThelongsnoutandwhatremainedoftheheadlayrightonPaul’schest.Thestubby
forearmsandclawscontinuedgrippingPaul’slegsuntilthemusclesdied.Ofallthings,Paulnoticedhowbadlyitsbreathstank.
Realizingitwasdeadandthattheywerealive,Paulkickedoutfromunderthebeastandpusheditawaywithhisboot.Itspowerfultailtwitchedoncemorebeforegoingpermanentlystill.
ItwasonlynowthatPaulrealizedhewasleaning
againstGamay.Shewasbehindhim,onearmwrappedaroundhimtight,theotherholdingtheflashlightandaimingitatthedeadcreature.
“Elena?”Paulshouted.“Areyouokay?”
Shecameoutofthekitchen,hobblingandholdingherweaponup.“I’mokay.Twistedmyknee,butIcanwalk.”
PaulslidoffofGamayandmovedtotheside,
leaningagainstthewallasshewas.“Goodworkwiththeflashlight,”hesaid.“Areyouallright?”
Shenodded.“Andstrangelyenough,I’mnolongerafraidofspiders.”
Paullaughed.Amongallherotherwonderfulattributes,Gamay’sspiritandhumorweretwothathecouldneverresist.“Iloveyou,”hesaid.Hereachedoverandkissedher,muddyandall.
“Isupposewe’rehavingcrocodilefordinner,”shesaid.
“No,”Paulreplied.“Butonthebrightside,he’snothavinguseither.”
“Hewouldmakeanicepairofboots,”Elenasaid.“Andamatchinghandbag.”
Theyalllaughedatthat.“Wheredidhecome
from?”Paulwondered.“Hecouldn’thavebeeninhere.”
Gamaypointedthe
flashlightbacktowardtheentrance.Telltaleclawmarksandaslidingtrailfromthecreature’sbodywereeasytoseeinthemuck.“Itmusthavebeenlivingontheship,”shesaid.“Lookslikeitfollowedusin.”
“What’sacrocodiledoingonashiptobeginwith?”Elenaasked.“Nottomentionthehundred-acrewoodsoutthere.”
Paulhadbeenconsidering
thateversincethey’dfoundit.“IrememberKurtandJoetellingmeaboutasalvagejobtheydidonce.Theshiphadbeenagroundforseveralyears,beachednearaprotectedwildliferefugeonthecoastofBurma.NUMAagreedtohelpbecauseitwasleakingoilintothewater.Kurtsaidtheshiphadbecomepartofthelandbythetimetheygottoit.Coveredinweedsandfilled
withplantsandinsects.Theyliterallyhadtodigitfree.”
Helookedaround.“I’mguessingthisshiphadasimilarfate.”
“Youwouldn’tknowitfromtheweatherwe’vehadlately,buttherehavebeenbigstormsdownhereoverthelastfewmonths,”Elenasaid.
“Sothisshipmighthavebeenbeachedforawhileandthengottenpulledouttoseawithastormsurge,”Gamay
proposed.“Maybe,”Paulsaid.“And
thispoorcreaturewasprobablycaughtonboardwhenitwaspulledouttosea.”
“Whydidn’thejustdropbackintothewaterandswimtoshore?”Elenaasked.
“Maybethestormwastoobad,”Paulguessed.
Gamaylookedatthedeadanimal.Itwasbigincomparisontothethree
humansbutdidn’tappearoverlylargeforacrocodile.“Iknowsaltwatercrocodilescancrosslargesectionsofocean,butthisonelooksdifferenttome.Kindofskinny.Maybehe’sadifferentspecies.”
Paulnodded.Thatmadeasmuchsenseasanything.
Hestoodup,pullingclearofthemuckandhelpingGamaytoherfeet.Itwasthenthathenoticedthelarge
pictureframebehindthem.Thecanvasinsidewasblackfrommoldanddecay,andnothingcouldbeseenoftheartworkhiddenbeneath,butabrassplateaffixedtotheloweredgeoftheframeseemedtooffersometypeofinscription.
Reachingforward,Paulbegantorubtheplatewithhisthumb,scrapingyearsofdebrisaway.Evenasheworked,theplateremained
tarnishedanddark.Butbeforetoolongtherecessedmarkingsofanengravingbecamevisible.Hecontinuedscrapinguntilhecouldjustmakeoutthelastpartofaname.Threeletters:T-A-H.Despiterubbinghisfingersraw,hecouldn’tmakeoutanythingelse.
“Itcan’tbe,”hewhispered.
“Can’tbewhat?”Gamayasked.
Hethoughtabouttheadvancedageofthekitchenappliances,thedimensionsofthevesselasthey’destimatedthem,andthelogoontheservingplatehe’dfound.
“Youmayberight,”hesaidtoGamay.“Thismightbeaghostshipafterall.”
Gamaylookedathimsuspiciously.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Let’sgettothebridge,”Paulsaid.“Idon’twantto
jumptoanyconclusions.”Itwouldtakeanother
twentyminutesforthemtofindthebridge.Itwaseerie,standingthere,withmudsmashedupagainsttheship’swindows.Itwasasiftheshipitselfhadbeenburiedinsomegiganticgrave.
Paullookedthrougheverydrawerandcabinet.“Nocharts,nologbooks,nothingofvalue.”
“Justlikethestoreroom,”
Elenasaid.“Someonecleanedthisshipout.”
Finally,Paulfoundsomethingthatwastooheavytocarry:abellthesizeofalaundrybasket,lyingonitsside.Herolleditoveruntilhefoundanotherengraving.Thistimethecarvedmarkingsweredeeper,andoncehe’dscrapedthecorrosionandtarnishaway,Paulcouldseethelettersclearly.Anamewasengraved
onthesideofthebell,anameherecognized,anamethatallthosewho’deverstudiedshipwrecksknewquitewell.
“TheWaratah,”Paulsaidoutloud.“Ican’tbelieveit.ThisshipistheWaratah.”
HeshowedtheengravingtoGamay,whoseemedassurprisedashim.
“WhydoIknowthatname?”Elenaasked.
“Becauseit’sfamous,”Paulsaid.“TheSSWaratah,
oftheBlueAnchorLine,vanishedwiththecrewandpassengersin1909.ShewasbelievedtohavegonedowninastormsomewherebetweenDurbanandCapeTown.Nowreckagewaseverfound.NotsomuchasalifejacketorabuoywiththenameWaratahstenciledonit.”
Elenanarrowedhergazeatthetwoofthem.“You’resayingthisshipwe’reon,
coveredinmudandwrappedinvines,isactuallyahundred-year-oldderelictthat’ssupposedtobesittingonthebottomofthesea?”
Paulnodded.“Sittingonthebottomoftheseaalongwayfromhere.”
“Itoldyouthosestoveswereold,”Gamaysaid.
Paullaughedandconsideredtheirony.“Everyonewhoisanyoneinunderseaexplorationhas
searchedforthisshipatonetimeoranother.Treasurehunters,navalhistorians,adventurers.NUMAeventookastabatitwiththehelpofthisfamousauthorwhosenameescapesmeatthemoment.Wethoughtwe’dfoundit,butthewreckturnedouttobeadifferentshipcalledtheNailseaMeadow.”
“Nowondernoonecouldfindit,”Elenasaid.“Itneveractuallywentdown.”
“Whichbegsthequestion,”Gamaysaid,“wherehasshebeenhidingoutalltheseyears?Andsincesheseemstobeempty,whathappenedtoherpassengersandcrew?”
Incheon Airport, SouthKorea
ThepassengersofAirFranceFlight264fromParistoSeoulgatheredtheirthingsintheorderlybuteagerfashionofthosewho’dbeencooped
upinametaltubefortoolong,asiftheelevenhoursontheaircraftweremoreeasilyenduredthanthefiveminutesittooktounloadandescapeintotheterminal.
AnannouncementthattheJetwayhadmalfunctionedwasmetwithauniversalgroan.Buttheopeningofthereardoorsallowedfreshairintothecabin,andsoonthepassengerswerestreamingdownthestairsattherearof
theaircraft.Thisoddmethodof
emptyingtheaircraftmeantthatthepassengersintherearwentfirstwhilethoseinfirstclasshadtoenduretheinterminabledelay.
Intheveryfirstrow,inseat1A,ArturoSolanodidlittletohidehisdispleasure.TheonlysolacewasafewmoreminutesstaringattheshapelyAmericanwomanwhosatnexttohim.They’d
spokenalltoobrieflyduringtheflight,butastheotherfirst-classpassengersfiledoutsheturnedhisway.
Heknewthelook.Afewwordsaboutartandpartiesandmostwomenwentweakintheknees.Shewasgoingtoaskhimifshemightattendthepartyorperhapsevenmeetprivatelyfordinner.
Withamischievouseye,shewatchedthelastofthefirstclasspassengers
disappearthroughthecurtainandthensmiled.
“Iknowwhatyouwant,”hesaidinhisbestEnglish.
“Doyou?”shereplied.“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“I’d
bedelightedtoputyouontheguestlist.”
“I’mflattered,”shesaid,glancingforwardasthefrontcabindooropened.“Butsinceyouwon’tbegoing,there’snoneedformetoattend.”
Solanofeltamomentof
confusion.ItgrewdeeperasthreeKoreanmenindarksuitsappeared,enteringthroughthesupposedlybrokenJetway.Hestoodup,indignantandsuspicious,butthewomanjabbedhimwithsomething.Hefeltashockgothroughhisbodyandthenbecamerapidlydrowsy.Hefellintoherwaitingarmsandbegantodozeevenasshelaidhimdownonthecabinfloor.
Shortlybeforehepassedout,anothermanentered.Thismanworeawhitelinensuit,identicaltoSolano’sown.Hishairwascoiffedinthesamenouveaupompadourstyleandhisfacesportedagoatee.Infact,asthisnewarrivalstareddownathim,Solanofeltasifhemightbelookinginamirror.
“Who...are...you?”Solanomanagedtowhisper.“I’myou,”themanreplied.
Baffledandtoodrowsytoformanotherthought,Solanoclosedhiseyesandfellasleep.
TwooftheKoreanmendroppeddownbesidehimandpulledhimupright.Astheyfoldedhisunconsciousbodyintoacartdisguisedasacateringtrolley,thewomaninthebusinesssuittookJoebythearm.
“Timeforustoexit,”shesaid.“Acostasentadriverto
pickSolanoup.Sayaslittletohimaspossible.We’llgetSolanotalkingandgetyousomeaudiotolistentosoyoucanmimichisvoice.”
“Noproblem,”Joesaid.HegrabbedSolano’sbriefcaseandfollowedthewomantowardtheaftendoftheplane.
Minuteslater,hewasintheterminal,meetingwithAcosta’sdriver,whopickeduptherestofSolano’s
luggageandledhimtoawaitinglimo.
“Whathotel?”Joeasked,usingaccentedEnglish.
“ShillaHotel,”thedriverinsisted.“Fivestars.MonsieurAcostahassparednoexpenseandisveryexcitedtoseeyou.”
Joeonlynoddedandsatbackintheplushseatuntilthedrivershutthedoor.Hewasn’tconcerned.HeknewthattheCIAandtheSouth
Koreansecurityforceswerelisteningin.Theywouldtrackhimand,whentheywerecertainthecoastwasclear,theywouldcontacthim.Untilthentherewasnothingtodobutenjoytheride.
Milesaway,KurtAustinwaslessrelaxed.Whathadbegunasapersonalmissioninsearchofanswershadnowbecomeaninternational
operationthathadputhisbestfriendatthetipofthespear.
KurtspenthoursstudyingtheschematicsofThanRang’sskyscraper,wherethepartywouldbeheld.Thefifty-two-storyglass-and-steelbuildingwasamarvelofengineering.ItroselikeamonolithintheheartofSeoul.Elevenfloorsup,onesidewascutaway,andanornategardenandoutdoorterraceofferedsomeofthe
bestviewsinthecity.Kurtnoticedthatthe
gardenwasprotectedbyaglassatrium,therestbeingopentotheelements.Helearnedthattheelevatorsranthroughacentralcolumnandthattherewerestairwellsatallfourcorners.Hefoundthataccesscorridorsranbehindcertainwallsandthatthereweremanynarrowspaces,designedforpipesandelectricalconduits,that
hadentryandexitpointstoallowmaintenanceaccess.
HavinglearnedallhecouldaboutThanRang’sbuilding,heturnedtootherdistractions:lookingoverthephotoshe’dtakenofAcosta’syachtandzoominginonthefacesofthosewho’dbeencaughtinthesnapshots.
Acosta’sbulbousheadwasclearlyvisibleinseveralphotos,aswastheblondwomanAcostahadspokento
outonthedeck.AsKurtstudiedher
features,hebegantothinkshelookedfamiliar.Hercheekboneswerehigh.Hereyeswereadarkbrownandhereyebrowsdarkerstill.Shewasn’tablondeatall,hethought.
Hezoomedincloserandrealizedwhoitwas.“Awomanindisguise,”hesaid,recognizingthefaceofthemysteryintruderhe’dfought
withinAcosta’scabin.Hepluggedthecamera
intoacomputerterminal.Withafewkeystrokesheuploadedtheshot.Thatdone,hepickedupthephoneanddialedaWashingtonnumber.Thephonerangahalfdozentimesbeforeagrumpyvoiceanswered.
“Hello?”“Hiram,thisisKurt.”“IhopeI’mdreaming
this,”HiramYaegersaid.
“Doyouhaveanyideawhattimeitis?”
Kurthadalmostforgottenthefourteen-hourtimedifferentialfromSeoultoD.C.“I’vealwaysheardtimeisarelativeconcept,”hereplied.
“Notinthiscase,”Yaegergrumbled.“ButIassumeit’simportant.Whatdoyouneed?”
“I’msendingyouaphotoofaprettywoman.”
“Mywifemightnotappreciatethat.”
“Ithinkit’sthemysterywomanfromtheyacht.Only,she’swearingablondwig.It’saclearshotthroughthezoomlens.Maybeyoucanrunitthroughyourmagicalmachineandfigureoutwhosheis.Unlessthat’sbeyondwhatthesystemcanhandle.”
Yaegerscoffedatthenotion.“I’mhurtthatyouwouldevendoubtus,”he
replied.“Ourfacialrecognitiontechnologyhasadvancedbyleapsandboundsinthelastfewyears.Ifit’saclearshotandthere’sanyrecordofheranywhere,wecanfigureitout.YouthrowindinneratCitronandI’llgiveyouherpreferreddrink,alistofherlikesanddislikes,andwhereshewenttoschool.”
Kurtlaughed.HefiguredthebestwaytogetHiram
firedupwastochallengehim.“It’sadeal.IheardaboutthecomputervirusontheCondor,”Kurtsaid.“AreyousureMaxissecure?”
MaxwasthenameofHiram’sownsupercomputingsystem.Builtfromscratch,toHiram’sexactingspecifications,Maxwasundoubtedlyoneofthemostadvancedandpowerfulcomputersintheworld—andcertainlythemostunique.It
hadahighlevelofartificialintelligenceanditsown,distinctlyfemalepersonality.
“Areyoupurposelytryingtoannoyme?”Hiramsaid.“OfcourseMaxissecure.Ibuiltherfromthegroundupandprogrammedhermyself.Nooneelseintheworldhaseventhemostrudimentaryunderstandingofhersourcecode,and,withoutthat,amachinecan’tbecompromised.Infact,if
everybodybuilttheirowncomputersinsteadofbuyingthemofftheshelf,theworldwouldbeafarmoresecureplace.”
“Okay,fine,”Kurtsaid,notmeaningtodenigrateHiramorhismachine.“SoIdon’tneedtoprintthisoutandsenditFedEx?”
“No,”Hiramsaid.“JustusethesecurelinetheCIAhassetupforyou.I’vescannedtheirsoftwarewith
ours.It’sclear.”“Okay,”Kurtsaid.
“Sendingnow.Letmeknowwhatyoufindout.”
“Willdo.”Yaegerhungup,andKurt
hadnodoubtthattheinquisitivecomputergeniuswasalreadycrawlingoutofbedtogettheresearchgoingimmediately.Healmostfeltguilty,buthehadafeelingtimewasnotontheirside.
JoeZavalaarrivedatThanRang’sbuildinginalimo.HeworeatailoredwhitesuitandasilvertiestraightfromSolano’swardrobe.Kurttraveledwithhim,wearingamoretraditionalblacksuitandcarryingasmallbriefcasewiththetoolsofSolano’s
tradeandatransmitterheandJoehopedtosecureonthehackers.Asalast-minuteprecaution,Kurt’ssilverhairhadbeencutshortandtemporarilydyedblackincaseAcostahadanysurveillancefootageofhimfromtheyacht.
Steppingfromthelimo,theyweredirectedtoaprivateelevatorbyThanRang’ssecuritypersonnelandtookaquickrideuptothe
eleventhfloor,wheretheysteppedoutintoapartythatwasalreadyinfullswing.
SpreadoutacrossalargeballroomandspillingoutontotherooftopgardenwerehundredsofSouthKorea’smostpowerfulandinfluentialpeople.Industrialists,politicians,andcelebritiesmixedwithpoets,artists,andphilanthropists.Ambassadorsfromfivenationswerethere,alongwithdozensoftrade
representatives,includingagroupfromtheUnitedStates.
Tokickthefestivitiesintohighgear,ThanRangappearedonaraisedstageattheendoftheballroom.HeworeatraditionalKoreanoutfitknownasagongbok,whichwasanindigocoloredrobeofsilktiedatthewaistwithagraysashandfittedwithahighcollar.IntheancientdynastiesofKoreathegongbokwasthedressof
anoblemanoraking.IttoldKurtalotaboutwhoThanRangthoughthewas.
WhiletherewereafewothersdressedsimilartoThanRang,mostoftheguestsworeWesternclothing:suitsandtuxedosforthemen,allvarietyofbrightformalwearforthewomen.Itwasadizzyingkaleidoscopeofmovementandcolor.“WhendoyoumeetupwithAcosta?”Kurtasked.
“Hismessagesaidhe’dfindmewhenheneededmeandtoenjoythepartyuntilthen.”
KurtnoticedJoewasspeakingwithaheavyaccenteventhoughhewasusingEnglish.He’dbeenincharactersincetheyleftthehotelroom.Theactingclassesseemedtobepayingoff.
“Perhapsyou’dliketowaitinthegarden,sir?”Kurt
asked,speakinginthetoneofanassistant.
“Yes,”Joesaid,“IbelieveIwould.Let’senjoythecoolnightairforawhile.”
Theymadetheirwayoutsidetotheornategardenthatcoveredhalftheeleventh-floorrooftop.Itwaslitupbythousandsoftinylights,enoughtocompetewiththeglowofthecitybeyond.Theotherhalfofthebuildingroseanotherforty-
onestoriesintothenightbehindthem.
Outinthegardenitdidn’ttakelongforatrioofwomentocatchJoe’seye.Heflashedagrin,histeethaswhiteasthejackethewore.Thewomenrespondedwithsmilesoftheirown,andthetwoboldestofthembegantowalkhisway.
“Mustbethesuit,”Kurtwhispered.
“Idomakeitlookgood,”
Joereplied.“YoulooklikeMr.
Roarke,”Kurtsaid.“They’reprobablyhopingforatriptoFantasyIsland.”
“ThatwouldmakeyouTattoo,”Joewhispered.“Letmeknowifyouspotdeplane.”
Asthewomencameintorange,Joebegantoholdcourt,gettingtheirnamesandtheirstoriesanddiscussinghispositionintheworldof
art.Iftheyweren’talreadyweak-kneedfromJoe’slooksandcharm,hearingthathewasaninternationalartexpertwithabighaciendaonastretchofSpanishbeachmadethempositivelymelt.
Asoneofthemsippedthelastofhermartini,Joeaskedifshe’dlikeanother.
“I’dloveone,”shesaid.“SowouldI,”thesecond
womanadded.WithoutaglanceatKurt,
Joesenthimtothebar.“TwomartinisandaGinRickey,”hesaid,orderingSolano’sfavoritedrink.
Hisfriendwasenjoyingthis,andKurtcouldnotsomuchasgivehimtheevileye.Hewouldhavetofindawaytorepayhimlater.“Yes,Mr.Solano,”hesaid,“rightaway.Doyourequireanythingelse?”
“No,”Joerepliedwithalightsigh.“Iseemtohaveall
Ineedrighthere.”Kurthandedthebriefcase
overtoJoeandmadehiswaytowardthecenterofthegarden,whereacircularbarmadeofglassshimmeredwithelectricbluecolorwhereitwaslitfromwithin.
OneofthemanybartendersnoticedKurtimmediately.Asthemanwenttowork,Kurtstudiedthesurroundings,lookingforAcosta.Sofar,hehadn’tseen
him.Butconsideringthenumberofguests,thatwasnotasurprise.
Thebluemartinisarrived,madewithvodka,curaçao,andanounceofbitters.Shakenandpoured,theywerealmostidenticalincolortotheglowingbar.TheGinRickeywasanotherstory:thebartenderneededfreshlimes.
Ashewenttoretrievethem,Kurt’sgazesettledonacouplewho’deaseduptothe
bardirectlyoppositehim.Themanhedidn’trecognize,butthewoman’sfacewasunmistakableatthispoint.ItseemedthemysterywomanfromAcosta’syachthadaninvitetoThanRang’sparty.
Herhairwascopper-colorednowandarrowstraight.Itshonelikeanewpennybeneaththelightsandwascoiffedinanasymmetricalstylethatframedherfaceinawaythat
wasbothstrikingandyetwelldesignedtodisguiseherfeatures.
Despitethat,Kurthadnodoubtwhohewaslookingat.He’dstaredatthephotoofherintheblondwigforhoursaftersendingittoHiram.He’dburnedherfeaturesintohismind:theangleofhercheekbones,thenarrowbridgeofhernose,thearchofhereyebrows,andthelittlescarthatranthroughoneof
themlikeapart.Allthesethingswereeasytomakeout.
Henoticedherbottomlipseemedtobeswollen,almostbeestung.Consideringithadbeenbruisedandbleedingfourdaysprior,thatdidnotsurprisehim.Nordiditsurprisehimthatshewashere.Afterall,theywerechasingthesamething.
“Yourdrinks,sir.”Thebartenderhad
returned.
“Thankyou,”Kurtsaid.ItwasanopenbarbutKurtbelievedintipping.Hehandedoverafifty-thousand-wonnote.Theequivalentofaboutfortydollars.
Thebartendersmiledintently.“Thankyou,sir.”
“You’rewelcome,”Kurtsaid,liftingthesmalltrayonwhichthedrinkshadbeenplaced.“Usworking-classguysneedtosticktogether.”
Withthegraceofa
waiter,KurtcarriedthedrinksbacktoJoe,wherethewomencontinuedtohangonhiseveryword.Assoonasthedrinksweredistributed,JoehandedthebagtoKurt.
BeforeKurtcouldexplainthelatestcomplication,Acostaappeared.Hisarrivalwasenoughtoscatterthewomenlikespookeddoves.
Thepleasantrieswereexchangedsomewhatawkwardly.“MySpanishis
notsogood,”Acostamanaged.
“NormyFrench,”Joereplied.“PerhapsEnglishisbetter?”“Notbetter,”Acostagrumbled,“butcommon.”
AcostalaughedathisownjokeandthencontinuedtheconversationinaccentedEnglish.Joedidlikewise,doinghisbesttosoundlikeSolano.
“Areyouready?”Acostaasked.
“Wheneveryouare,”Joereplied.
Withthat,AcostaandhisbodyguardsledJoeandKurttoanotherelevatorguardedbyThanRang’smen.Astheyreachedthedoor,oneoftheguardspointedatKurtandshookhishead.“He’smyassistant,”Joesaid.
“Doyouneedhim?”Acostareplied.
“Ofcoursenot,”Joesaid.“Heissimplyheretocarry
thebags.”Joesnappedhisfingers
andmadeaGiveittomemotionwithhishand.Kurtdutifullyhandedthebriefcaseover.“Enjoythefestivities,”Joesaid.“I’llsignalyouwhenIreturn.”
Theelevatordooropened.AcostaandJoesteppedinside.Asthedoorshut,Kurtheardthebeginningsofaconversationcenteredonacollectionofworksbythe
artistDegas.HehopedJoe’scrashcourseintheworldofartwouldholdup.
Withlittletodobutwait,Kurtturnedandwentbacktothebar.HismainprioritynowwastoavoidbeingrecognizedbyoneofAcosta’sguardsorthemysterywomanfromtheyacht.Hedecidedthebestwaynottoaccidentallyrunintoherwastofollowherandkeepaneyeonherfroma
distance.Trackingherwasfairly
easy,astheshimmerofhercopperlocksstoodoutinacrowdofmostlyKoreanwomen.Avoidinghergazewasalittlemoredifficultashereyesseemedconstantlyonthemove.HeonlyhopedhissurveillancetechniquewasbetterthanJoe’s.
OntheelevatorridetothetopfloorofThanRang’sbuilding,JoecontinueddiscussingtheartofDegaswithAcosta,relayingfactsandanecdoteswithease.Bythetimetheyreachedthefifty-secondfloor,Acostaseemedimpressed.
Theelevatoropenedandletthemoutintoalargefoyer.Amanwithonehandmetthemthere.HewasCaucasian.
“Kovack,”Acostasaid.“ThisisArturoSolano.”
JoenoddedandKovackofferedhimabriefglance.“ThanRangiswaiting.”
“Excellent.”Together,thethreeof
themmadeashorttriptoThanRang’sprivateoffice.
ThanRangwasalreadythere,stilldressedinhisindigorobe,lookingoutoverthelightsofSeoulthroughthefloor-to-ceilingwindows.
“Wehavearrived,”Acostaannounced.“It’stimefortheexchange.”
ThanRangturned.“Assumingyourexpertspasstheirfinalexamination.”
Joeglancedaround.Theofficewassprawlingandincludedaconferenceroom
behindsmokedglass,buttheroomwasdark,andhesawnosignofthehackers.Wherevertheyweresequesteredtodotheirfinalexam,itwasn’tonthefifty-secondfloor.
“Theywillpasseverytestyoucandevise,”Acostainsisted.“OfthatIassureyou.”
“Thenyouwillhaveyourprize.”
ThanRangextendeda
handtowardthefarwall.There,guardedbytwoadditionalmen,wasasmalleasel.Atthecenteroftheeaselsatapaintingnotmuchlargerthanastandardsheetofpaper.Itwassurroundedbyagildedframeandbathedinasoftwarmlight.
“First,we’llrunourowntests,”Acostasaidconfidently.
“Asyouwish.”AcostaledJoetowardthe
easel.“I’msurethiswon’ttakelong.”
Joewenttosetup,buttheguardsdidn’tbudge.
“Doyoumind?”Joeasked.“Ineedsomeroomtowork.”
Theguardssteppedbackafewfeet.
Withsomeroomtobreathe,Joesethiscasedownandstudiedthepaintinginthelowlight.Fortunately,herecognizedit.Thepainting
wasaManet.ItwasknownastheChezTortoni.
Joeranthroughwhatheknewaboutitinhismind.Oiloncanvas,paintedbyManetoveraperiodofseveralyearsandfinishedsometimein1880.ItdepictedaFrenchgentlemanwithahightophatsittinginacaféthattheartisthimselfwasknowntofrequent.
Buttherewassomethingelse...
“Areyousurprisedtoseeitagain?”Acostaasked,allbutchortling.
Ofcourse,Joethought.He’dalmostforgotten.Ithadbeenstolen,alongwithadozenotherpiecesfromtheGardnerMuseuminBoston.Alltold,thevalueofthemissingartwassomewherearoundfivehundredmilliondollars.ThebioonSolanoindicatedhe’dbeenworkingattheGardnerwhenthetheft
happened.Joereactedcalmly.“Ifit’s
real,”hesaid.“I’veseenhalfadozenforgeriesofthispaintinginthelasttenyears,someofthemquitegood.I’llgetexcitedwhenIknowit’sthegenuinearticle.”
“Iassureyou,”ThanRangsaidfrombehindthem,“thisistherealthing.”
Joeshrugged,openedhisbriefcase,andremovedasmalldevicethatlookedlike
acamera.“Whatareyougoingto
dowiththat?”ThanRangasked.
“It’saninfraredscanner,”Joesaid.“Settotheproperfrequency,itwilllookbeneaththepainttoseeifotherimagesarepresent.”
ThanRanglookedalittlenervous,andJoewonderedwhatwouldhappenifanimageofMickeyMouseorBugsBunnyappearedwhen
heturnedonthescanner.Mostlikely,allhellwouldbreakloosebetweenThanRangandAcostaandtheirtwosetsofthugs.NotacrossfireJoewantedtobeinthemiddleof.
Heturnedthescanneronandstudiedthepainting.Fortunately,nocartoonsappeared,butseveralstraylineswereobvious.Thedesignlookedliketheoutlineofasmallbuilding.Joemade
afewnotesonapadandswitchedthescanneroff.“Well?”
“I’mnotdone,”Joesaid.“Lights,please.”
Theroomwasdarkened,andJoeusedanultravioletlighttotesttheshadesofwhitepigment.
“Iseenorepairstothiswork,”hesaid.“Nosignsthatnewpainthasbeenadded.Infact,thefluorescencelevelisrightontarget.Thepigments
matchthosefromthe1800s.”Thelightscamebackon,
andJoenoticedThanRanghadbeguntolookpleased.
“Whataboutthosestraymarks?”
“Fewknowthis,”Joesaid,makingupastoryhehopedcouldn’tbequicklyverified,“butManetpaintedthisworkoverthebeginningsofanother.Themarksbeneatharebelievedtobetheoutlineofacarriagehousein
Toulouse.”“Sothisistheauthentic
item?”“Oraperfectforgery,”
Joesaid.“Whatareyou
suggesting?”ThanRangblurtedout.
“Nothing,”Joesaid.“Buttellme,didyoustealthepainting?”
“Ofcoursenot.”“Thenyouboughtitfrom
themenorwomenwhodid,”
Joepointedout.“Bytheirverynature,thatmakesthemcriminals.Surelyyoudidn’ttakeitonfacevaluewhenyouhandedthemtheirpayment.”
TheKoreanbristledattheremark.“Iwouldnotbefoolishenoughtobuyafake.”
“Theremustbesomewaytotellforsure,”Acostasaid.
“Bringthelightsuptomaximum,”Joesaid.“One
thingthatcan’tbefakediswhat’scalledcraquelure.Asthepaintingages,theoilsdryoutandthepaintcracks.Basedontheageoftheworkandthetypeofpaintused,specificpatternswillappear.It’ssomewhatlikeanartisticfingerprint.”
Withthelightsup,Joeexaminedthesurfaceofthepainting.Fromwhathe’dbeentold,Frenchcraqueluretendedtoformincurving,
sweepinglines,whileItalianpaintingstendedtocrackinsquaresorlittlerectangularblocks,whichwaswhytheMonaLisalookedthewayitdidupclose.
ToJoe’schagrin,neitherpatternappearedontheManet.Therewereverticalcracks,andafewhorizontalones,butnothingthatlookedlikewhathe’dbeentaughttoexpect.Hepulledoutamagnifyingglasstogive
himselfasecondlook,andtobuyhimselfsometime.Butthemorehelooked,themoreconvincedhebecamehewaslookingatafake.
WhileJoeplayedartexpert,Kurttailedthemysterywomanfromtheyacht.Thelongerhefollowedher,themorehenoticedshewasmovinginadeliberatepattern.Outfromthebarandthenback,checkingaquadrantofthegardenata
time,andthenreportingbacktoherdate.
“She’slookingforsomething,”hesaidtohimself.
Hemovedincloserandmanagedtooverhearpartofherconversation.Themancalledher“Calista.”Sonowhehadaname,evenifitwasanalias.
Sheshookherheadatsomethingthemanaskedandthenspoke.“AcostaandThan
Rangarenowheretobeseen.Theymustbemakingtheexchangenow.Timetogetinposition.”
Themannodded.“Verywell,”hesaid.“Let’sbequick.”KurtturnedhisbackandeasedinbetweentwoKoreanbusinessmenwhowerehavingaspiriteddebate,noddinghisheadasifheagreedwithsomethingthatwasbeingsaid.Thebusinessmenlookedathim
oddly,thenwentbacktotheirconversation.
CalistaandherdatemovedpastKurtandseparated,headingoffindifferentdirections.KurtfollowedCalistaasshemadeherwayfromtheterraceintothecoveredpartoftheballroomanddownashorthall.Sheslippedthroughadoorwayanddisappearedasitclosedbehindher.Squinting,Kurtnoticedthe
signonthedoor.Theladies’room.
Helookedforaplacetolinger,butthehallwasadeadend.Insteadofgettingtooclose,heactuallymovedback,loiteringinaspotfromwhichhecouldwatchthehallinthereflectionofasmokedglasswindow.
Soonenough,thedoorswungopenagain.
Kurtkepthiseyesonthereflectionasshemadeher
waybacktowardthegarden.Shepassedhimwithoutaglance.ButKurtnoticedsomethingdifferentabouther.Herwalkhadchanged.Itwasmorerefined,lessbrisk.Thedressseemedtofitalittletighter,thefigureinsidewasalittlefuller.
Kurtcouldn’tseeherface,buthedidn’thaveto,heknewwhatheknew.Thewomanwho’dcomeoutoftherestroomwasnotthe
sameonewho’dgonein.
Onthefifty-secondfloor,Joestaredatthepainting,wonderingwhattodo.Ifhepronounceditafake,allhellwouldbreakloose.IfheclaimedittoberealanditwassomekindoftestsetupbyAcostaorevenThanRang,hiscoverwouldbeblown.
“Well?”ThanRangsaid.
“Whatisyourverdict?”Joestrokedthegoatee
thathadbeengluedtohisface.“It...it...”HeturnedtoAcostaandinfullcharactersaid,“Itbringsateartomyeyetoseesuchanoldfriendonceagain.NeverdidIthinkitwouldberecovered.”
ThanRangrelaxed.Acostasighed.
Joeexhaledalongwiththem.“Yes,”hesaid.“Icanassureyou,thisisthebona
fideworkofthemaster.Lookatthetouch.Lookatthedepth.Youarebothveryluckymen.”
“Verygood,”Acostasaid.HemotionedtothemanwithonehandandpointedtoJoe.“Payhim.”
AbriefcasewasproducedthatlookedexactlylikeSolano’s.“Thesecondhalfofyourfee.Onehundredthousandeuros,asweagreed.”
Joeopenedthecase,lookedoverthemoney,andthenshutitquickly.Unfortunately,evenashedidso,theone-handedmanwastakingthecaseJoehadbroughtinwithhimandcarryingitoffwiththetrackingdeviceinside.
“Mypen,”Joesaid.“It’sinthecase.”
AcostalaughedandslappedJoeontheback.“Youcanbuyawholefactory
ofpenswithwhatI’vepaidyou.”
Joechuckledinanefforttocoverhischagrin,butastheone-handedmanwasalreadydisappearingintoaconferenceroomhedecidednottodrawanymoreattentiontohimself.
“Enjoytheremainderoftheevening,”Acostasaid.“Perhapstheyoungwomenyouwereengagedwithearlierwillstillbeunattached
fortheevening.”“Onecanonlyhope,”Joe
said.ThanRanggestured
towardtheelevatorandJoewalkedthatway.Asthebellpingedandthedooropened,JoeheardThanRangspeakingtoAcosta.“Yourpeoplehavepassedthetest.Ourbusinessiscomplete.Getthemreadytomove.”
Joecouldn’tlingeranyfurther.Hesteppedintothe
elevatorandwaitedforthedoorstoclose.
Assoonastheelevatorbegantodescend,JoeactivatedthemicrotransmittertheCIAhadgivenhim,atinywaterproofdevicethatwasclippedtooneofhismolars.Hespokealmostsilentlywithoutmovinghismouth.
“Gotyourearson,buddy?”
AmomentofsilencerangoutbeforeKurtcameback.
“I’mhere,”Kurt’svoicereplied.
Thetinyspeakerresonatedagainstaboneinthejawthatconnectedtotheear.IttrulysoundedasifKurtwasinhishead.
“I’monmywaydown,”Joewhispered.
“Missionaccomplished?”“Notexactly,”Joesaid.“I
thinkwe’dbettermakeaquickexit,stageleft,right,center,itdoesn’tmatter.”
“What’stherush?”“Well,foronething,”Joe
said,“thepaintingisafake.I’mprettysureThanRangknows.AndifAcostarealizesitorThanRangbeginstothinkthatIknowandjustdidn’tspeakupyet...Well,let’sjustsayIwouldn’twanttobeinSolano’sshoesatthatpoint.”
“ExceptthatyouareinSolano’sshoes.”
“Exactly,”Joesaid.
“Beyondthat,theytookthecasewiththetransmitterinit.Gavemeamatchingonefilledwithcash.Butwithoutthetracer,wecan’tfinishthemissionanyway.”
“Notnecessarily,”Kurtsaid.“I’vefoundusaplanB.”
“PlanB?”“Theonepersoninthe
worldasinterestedinlocatingSiennaasweare.AndifI’mright,she’sjustgoinginto
action.”“Yourmysterywoman.”“Appearingasaredhead
todayandgoingbythenameofCalista.”
Theelevatorfinallyhittheeleventhfloorandstopped.Assoonasthedoorswereopen,Joesteppedout.“Let’smakethisquick.Whereareyou?”
“Gettingreadytosneakintotheladies’room.”
“Iknewyouwere
desperate,”Joesaid,“butthat’stakingitalittlefar,don’tyouthink?”
“Shewentinaminuteago,”Kurtwhispered.“Someoneelsecameoutwearingherclothes.IassumethatwastothrowoffThanRang’scameras.Butnooneelsehascomeoutyetatall.”
“Doyouthinkshewentoutawindoworsomething?”
“Orabackdoor,”Kurtsaid.“I’mabouttogoinand
findout.”“Makessense,”Joesaid.
“Onmyway.”BythetimeJoereached
therestroom,Kurthadpulledajanitor’scartinfrontofthebathroomdoorandduckedinside.Joefoundhimlookingforasecretpanel,knockingonthewallsandlisteningforahollowspot.Therewerenowindowsorbackdoorstospeakof.
“Whatabouttheairvent,”
Joesaid,studyingthelouveredmetalgratethatcoveredit.
“Peopledon’treallyclimbthroughairducts,”Kurtsaidfrominsideoneofthestalls.“Mostlybecausetheyaredesignedtocarryairandpeopleareheavierthanair.”
“Especiallyafterallthosehorsd’oeuvresattheparty.”
“Lookatthis,”Kurtsaid,wavingJoeintothestallandpointingtothefloor,wherea
finelayerofwhitedustlinedthepolishedgranitetile.
“Lookslikedrywalldust,”Joesaid.
“Mythoughtsexactly,”Kurtsaidashefoundaseamthathadbeenhastilycoveredbyaquick-dryingplaster—althoughitwasn’tdryyet.
Withalittleeffort,Kurtwasabletodighisfingersintotheseamandpullthepanelout.Itwasathree-by-three-footsquare.Justbig
enoughforsomeonetoclimbthrough.“Eithertheyhaveverylargemiceorshewentthroughhere.”
“Wheredoesitlead?”Joeasked.
Kurtputhisheadinside.“Isawtheseonthebuildingschematics.It’sacrawlspacebetweenthewalls.Lotsofpipesandelectricalwire.It’sdarktotherightside,butthere’sasliveroflightperhapsahundredfeetdown
ontheleft.Itlookslikethecrackbeneathadoor.”
“Canwefit?”Joeasked.“Onlyonewaytofind
out,”Kurtsaid,climbingin.Joelockedthebathroom
stalldoorandfollowedKurtintothecrawlspace.Hedidhisbesttoreplacethepaneloncehewasinsideandthenturned,immediatelybanginghisheadononeofthepipes.Theimpactreverberatedthroughthedark.
“Keepitdown,”Kurtwhispered.
“Ican’tseeanything,”Joesaid.
“Holdon.”AsJoewatched,abluish
whitelightfilledthespace,courtesyofthescreenonKurt’sphone.Itwasenoughtonavigatewith,andKurtbeganclamberingforward.Joefolloweduntiltheyreachedthespotwherethelightwasfilteringin.
“Inspectionpanel,”Kurtsaid.Asmallhandleinasquaremetaldoorpresenteditself,andKurtduckeddown,twistedthehandle,andeasedthedooropen.
“Whatdoyousee?”Joeasked.
“Backofficehallwayandafireescape.”
Kurtwedgedhisbroadshouldersthroughthenarrowdoorandoutintothehall.Joefollowed,squeezingthrough
andstraighteninguponcehewasfree.
Kurtglancedbackathim.“You’reamess.”
Joelookedathimself.Hisspotlesswhitejacketwassmudgedwithblackgreaseandswathsofgraydust.Hetookitoffandremovedhistie,stuffingthembackintothecrawlspacebeforeclosingthedoor.
“Iwasgettingtiredofthatmonkeysuitanyway,”he
said.“Whichwaynow?”“Goodquestion,”Kurt
said.“Notmuchshecandobackhere.Ifshewantstointerceptthehackers,she’llhavetobeatthemtowhatevermodeoftransportthey’regoingtobeusing.”
“There’sahelipadontheroof,”Joesaid.
“Andagarageunderneaththebuilding,”Kurtadded.
“Ifshewasgoingtotaketheelevator,shewouldn’t
havecomethisway,”Joesaid.
“Thatmeansshe’sonthestairs.”
Withoutdelay,Kurtmoveddownthehalltothefireescapeandeasedthedooropen.Likemostfireescapes,thestairsweremetal,descendinginarectangularzigzag.Evenbeforehewasfullyinside,Kurtcouldhearrapidlymovingfootfallsechoinginthespace.
HemovedtotheedgeoftherailasJoeslippedinsideandshutthedoor.Gazingdown,hespottedawoman’shandontherailmovingrapidlytowardthebasement.Butitwasnotalone—anotherhandtrailedhers.
Kurtsteppedbackandhelduptwofingers.Joenodded.Kurtpointedtotheirfeet.“Shoes,”hewhispered.
JoepulledhisshoesoffasKurtwasdoingthesame.“At
thisrate,I’mgonnabenakedbythetimewecatchuptoher.”
“Thatoughttoscareher,”Kurtreplied.“Nottomentioneveryoneelseinvolved.”
Leavingtheirshoesbehind,theybegantodescendintheirsocks,treadinglightlybutquickly,andstayingawayfromtheinsiderail,whereaquicklookupwardfromeitherofthetargetsmightgivethemaway.
Theywerepassingthesixthfloorandheadedforthefifthwhenthewomanandherfriendreachedthebottomfloor.Thedooratthebaseofthestairwellopened,andtheycouldheartheunmistakablesoundofagunwithasilenceronthebarrel.Threedartlikeshotswerefollowedbyadullthud,andthenanother.
“They’vetakensomeoneout,”Joewhispered.
Kurtstoopedandpeered
overtheedge.Whatlookedlikeapairofguardswasbeingdraggedintothestairwell.Calistaandthemantookseveralitemsfromthebodies,coveredthemhastilywithatarp,andthenwentoutthroughthedoorintothegarageonceagain.
“Whataretheyupto?”Joewonderedaloud.
Kurthadnoidea.Whenthedoorbangedshut,hestartedtomoveagain,racing
downthestairsasfastashecould.Hemadeittothebottomofthestairwellandpressedagainstthedoor,lookingthroughthewiresafetyglasswindow.Hesawthewomanclearlynow.Herhairwasshortandblackagain,andshewasdressedinauniformlikeoneofThanRang’sguards.
“She’sclimbingintothecabofaneighteen-wheeler,”Kurtsaid.
“Whataboutherfriend?”Kurtglancedaround.He
couldn’tseetheman,butthesoundofadoorslammingandaslightvibrationinthemirrorofasecondtrucksuggestedhe’dgotteninthesecondrig.Fornow,theyjustsattherewaiting.
“What’sthestoryonthoseguys?”Kurtasked,glancingbacktoJoe.
AsKurtwatchedthetrucks,Joemovedbackinto
therecessesofthestairwellwherethedeadmenwerecoveredbythetarp.“Ammunitionbeltsandemptyholsters,”Joesaid.“Radioclipsontheirbeltsareempty.I’dguessthesemenaresecurityspecialists,notdrivers.”
“Makessense,”Kurtsaid.“Somebodyhastorideshotgunonanoperationlikethis.Bythelooksofit,ourtwofriendshavesplitup,
takingtheplaceofthesetwo.They’reeachinadifferenttruck.”
“Guardingthecargoandwaitingforthedriverstoarrive,”Joesuggested.
“That’smyguess.”“Sonowwhat?”“Stowawaytime,”Kurt
said.“Wegetonboard,theyloaduptheotherhackersandhopefullytakeusrighttoSienna.”
“WhatifSiennaisbeing
heldinKimJong-un’spalace?”Joesaid.
“ThenwegetatourofNorthKorea,”Kurtsaid.
“NotsureIlikethatidea,”Joesaid.“Theydon’thavealotofMexicanfoodupthere,youknow.Ormuchfoodingeneral,forthatmatter.”
Kurtdidn’texactlyliketheideaofendingupintheHermitKingdomhimself.Buthedidn’tthinktheyweregoingthere.“Fromwhat
ColonelLeesaid,theborderisclosed.Evenifitwereopen,there’snowaytheseguysaredrivingacrosstheDMZinapairofbigrigswiththeDaeShanlogosplashedalloverthem.”
“Thatmakessense,”Joesaid.“I’dstillrathercallinthecavalry.”
“Westoptheseguysonthissideoftheborder,we’llneverfindSienna,”Kurtsaid.“Ididn’tcomethisfarto
showmyhandbeforethefinaldeal.Butifyouwanttostayhere,Iunderstand.”
Joeshookhishead,andwithagruntpulledoffthegoatee,completinghistransformationfromSolanobacktoZavala.“Andgobacktothepartyupstairs?Idon’tthinkso.Butifwe’renotgoingintotheso-calledDemocraticRepublicofNorthKorea,thenwherearewegoing?”
“ColonelLeesaidthecyberattacksweren’tdirectlytraceabletoNorthKorea,eventhoughthey’refairlycertainNorthKoreawasbehindthem.HesaidthisUnit121hadpeopleworkingallovertheworld:inChina,Japan,hiddenhereinSeoul.Ifthat’sthecase,thenwemightnotevenleavethecity.”
Joebrokeintoagrin.“Ilikethewayyouthink,”he
said.“I’msureyou’llturnouttobewrongasusual,butthere’ssomethingtobesaidforremainingpositiveuntilallhopeisactuallylost.”
Kurtglancedbackatthedeadmen,bloodalreadyoozingoutfromunderthebodies.“Thattarpwon’thidethemforlong,”hesaid,“whichmeansourfriendscan’tplayimpostorforanyextendedlengthoftime.Whateverthey’regoingtodo,
it’sgoingtohappenquick.”“Okay,let’sgo,”Joesaid.
“ButifweenduponthedocksatIncheonorgettingloadedontoa747,I’mdefinitelycallinginthecavalry.”
“Deal,”Kurtsaid.AsJoecoveredthebodies
oncemore,Kurteasedthedooropenandmovedoutofthestairwell.Theystoleintothegarageasquietlyasalleycats,makingsuretostayout
ofthemirrors’linesofsight.Whentheyreachedthebackofthefirsttrailer,KurtunlatchedthedoorandwavedJoeinside.AssoonasJoewasup,Kurtclimbedinandclosedthedoorgently.
BythetimeKurtturnedaround,Joehadhisphoneout,usingthelightfromthescreenasKurthaddoneinthecrawlspace.Hewasexaminingthecargo.
“Computers,”Joesaid.
“High-techservers,bythelookofthings.I’veseenracksofequipmentlikethisinHiram’sdatacenter.”
“We’reintherightplace,”Kurtsaid.“ThiscargomustbedestinedfortheNorthKoreanCyber-Force.”
Theysettledin,sittingdownandleaningagainstthewallofthetruck,hiddenbyalargestackofequipmentincaseanyoneopenedthedoorforaquicklook.
Ashorttimelater,thesoundsofactivitypickedupoutsidethevehicle.LoudvoicesspeakingKoreanwereinterspersedwithdirectionsinbrokenEnglish.Shortlythereafter,thebigrigshudderedastheenginecametolifeandthetruckbegantomove.Theyseemedtoinchtheirwaythroughthegarageslowlybeforeclimbingarampandthenaccelerating.
Afterseveralturnsthat
feltliketheywerenegotiatingcityblocks,thetruckbegantopickupspeed.Kurtpulledouthisphone,foundhehadastrongsignal,andswitchedittomapmode.Ittookamomenttolocatehiswhereaboutsandcalculatehisdirectionandspeed,butsoontherewasalittlebluedotonthemovingmap.
“Whereareweheaded?”Joeasked.
“Youdon’twantto
know,”hereplied.ToKurt’schagrin,theywereonthemainhighway,movingduenorth,headingdirectlytowardtheDMZ.
SebastianBrèvardsatontheverandaofhissprawlingbaroquepalace,overlookingtheOlympic-sizedswimmingpoolwhereheswammostmornings,asaservantdeliveredhisbreakfastofcrepesandfreshfruit.
Afterdeemingthemeal
acceptable,Sebastianwavedtheservantaway,onlytohaveLaurentappearsecondslater.
“Iassumeyouhavenews,”Sebastiansaid.
“Calistareportstheinfiltrationplanisunderway,”Laurentsaid.“Eganiswithher.”
Asplanned,Sebastianthought.“Makesuretheextractionteamisreadytopullheroutassoonasshe
signalsus.”“Alreadydone.”“Whatabouttheothers?”“Preparingtoeliminate
Acosta.”“Excellent,”Sebastian
said,grinning.“IonlyregretthatIwon’tbetheretoseehisfatfacewhentheydumphimintothesea.”
“Yes,itwouldhavebeennicetotakehimourselves,”Laurentsaid.
“Makesurethereisno
evidence,”hesaid.“Itwillserveuswelliftherestoftheworldthinkshe’sstillalive.”
“I’vealreadygiventhatorder,”Laurentsaid.
Sebastiantookasipoffreshpapayajuiceandgazedoutovertheshimmeringpooltothesprawlinghedgemazethatcoveredtenacresonalowerleveloftheproperty.Hisgrandfatherhadbuiltthehouseandthesurroundingwalls.Sebastian’sfatherhad
broughtinthefloweringplantsandbuiltthemaze.Areminder,heoftenhadsaid,thatthosewhodon’tknowthepathareliabletogetlost.
Brèvardknewthepathhemusttake.
Muchashisgreat-grandfatherhaddone,Sebastianintendedtocompletethejobofalifetimeanddisappear.Insomeways,hehatedtoleavethefamilyhome,butitwastheonlypath
thatledtoafuture.Tokeepthetreasurehe
plannedtotake,theworldwouldhavetobefooledintothinkingnothinghadbeenstoleninthefirstplace.Tosurvive,iftheyeverfigureditout,requiredasecondtrick:misdirection.Hewouldconvincetheworldthatthey’dkilledhimandendedthethreat.And,forgoodmeasure,he’dpointthefingeratsomeoneelseifthey
neededascapegoattohang.Inthatrole,hewouldcast
hisunstablelittlesisterandherex-loverAcosta.Theywouldplayitperfectly.
Heconsideredherfateforamoment,wonderedifheshouldfeelsomesenseofguilt,andthendismissedtheideaasifitwereabsurd.Muchlikethefamilyhome,shewouldsoonoutliveherusefulness.
DismissingLaurent,
Sebastianopenedalaptopbesidehimandtappedafewkeys.CalistahadsetituptomonitoractivityoftheNUMAcrewtotheirsouth,theonesinvestigatingthewreckoftheEthernet.Accordingtothelatestreport,theywereinthesamevicinity,nowgettingassistancefromaSouthAfricantugandsettingupasalvageeffortonaderelictthey’ddiscovered.
Curious,hetappedafewkeysandwasabletoretrievefromtheNUMAdatabaseseveralphotosoftheship.Tohissurprise,itwascoveredinfoliageandtawny-coloredsoil.Hescrolleddownuntilhefoundadesignation.Thediscoveryallbutsenthimintoshock.Thesalvageclaimlistedthederelict’snameastheSSWaratah.
Heputdownthesliceoforangehewaschewingon
andwipedhismouthwithanapkin,scanningtheNUMAfileformoreinformationontheship.Herdimensionsmatched.Thephotostakeninseveralpartsoftheshipdepictedoldequipmentandfittings.ApictureofservingtrayswiththeBlueAnchorlogointhemiddlewereunmistakable.Andanoff-coloredimageoftheship’sbellwiththenameandtheship’slaunchdateengraved
onitleftnodoubt.“Damn,”hesaid,tossing
thenapkindown.Brèvardfelthisthroat
constricting.Itwasasifunseenhandswerereachingoutfrombeyondthegravetochokehimandtopayhimbackforhisfamily’streacheryahundredyearsbefore.
Ashescannedtheremainingdetailsonthefile,herecalledhisfathertelling
himthestory,astorypasseddownfromonepatriarchtothenextthroughfourgenerations.Itwasalessonaboutpainanddanger.AtaleofescapingdeathandpassingitontootherssotheBrèvardfamilymightbepreserved.
Heknewofhisfamily’sescapefromSouthAfricawiththewolvesoftheDurbanpoliceontheirheels.Herememberedhearingoverandoveragainhowitwas
onlyruthlessnessthathadsavedthefamily,howshortlyafterthehijackingthecrewtriedvaliantlytotaketheshipback.Howthey’dbeenthwartedbecausehisgreat-grandfatherhadexpecteditandhadtakenhostageswhomhewaswillingtokill.
Intheaftermathoftheuprising,thepassengersandmostofthecrewwereputofftheshipinthelifeboats,leavingonlytwodouble-
endersforlaunchesandtwentycrewmenbehindtoruntheshipitself—afarmoremanageablenumber.
Asfatewouldhaveit,astormhadcomeupthenextday,astormsopowerfultheWaratahwasalmostcapsized,justasthenewspapersthoughtshehadbeen.Itseemedimpossiblethatanyofthelifeboatssurvivedthatgale,and,asitturnedout,notoneevermade
ittoshore.TheWaratah,ontheother
hand,wasdrivennorth,where,aidedbythestormsurge,shetraveledupthenarrowriverfartherthananyonecouldhaveexpected.Sheranagroundinameanderthatcouldn’tbeseenfromthecoastinanunpopulatedsectionofthecountry.Itwastherethatthelastmembersofthecrewwerekilled.
Overtheyears,theship
seemedtoburrowitselfintothesilt,sinkinglowerandlower,andsoonbeingenvelopedandcompletelycovered.
Sebastian’sfatherhadshownhimthehillbeneathwhichtheshipsat,and,yearslater,he’dseenpartoftheshipitselfafterawomantheBrèvardfamilywasholdinghadinadvertentlydiscoveredtheshipandtriedtoescape,alongwithtwoofher
children,usingoneoftheship’sremainingdilapidatedboats.
Toeveryone’ssurprise,thewoodenlaunchactuallystayedafloatlongenoughtoreachtheAfricancoast,butthewomanandherchildrenhaddiedfromexposurelongbeforetheyreachedsafety.
Sebastianhadalwaysconsidereditpoetic.Theywere,insomeways,thelastvictimsofadoomedship.But
thesuperstitiouspartofhimnowwonderedifthisancientshipcouldsomehowbeintheprocessofeveningthescore.
“Howisthispossible?”Sebastianwhisperedtonoone.
Hecouldonlyconcludethatthetorrentialrainsofthemonthpriorhadsomehowunearthedtheshipandpushedheroutintothechannel,andfromtherethecurrenthadtakenhersouth,
rightintothepathoftheNUMAteam.Buthowhadsheremainedafloat?Howhadshenotbrokenapartandsunktothewaterygravelongrumoredtobeherhomeafterahundredyearsofrottingaway?
Whateverthereason,itseemedkarma,therandomnatureoftheuniverse,haddealthimaterriblecardattheverymomenthewasgettingreadytoplayhishand.He
didn’tknowwhatevidenceofhisgreat-grandfather’sactionsmightremainontheWaratah,butitwaspossiblethatcluesleftonthatshipwouldrevealthefamily’streacheryorevenleadtheworldtohisdoorbeforehewasreadytoentertainthem.
HecalledforLaurentandwaited.Hehadtospeakcarefully.Nooneelseknewthesecretofthelostship.Noteventheotherfamily
members.“Whatdoyouneed,
brother?”Laurentaskeduponreturningtotheveranda.
“Gatherupyourpilotsandgetthehelicoptersready,”hesaid.“It’stimetoattackourfriendsatNUMAonceagainbeforetheybecometoocomplacent.”
“Youwantustoattackthemfromtheair?”Laurentasked.“IthoughtyouandCalistahadalreadysabotaged
themwiththecomputers.”“Wedid,”Brèvardsaid.
“Butinsteadofbeingtowedintoport,they’veremainedonstationandevenfoundthemselvesaderelicttosalvage.They’reprovingmoreresourcefulandpersistentthanIcaretoallow.Ineedthemdistractedfurther.Atthismoment,withtheirsalvageoperationunderway,theyseemtohavemadethemselvesvulnerable.”
“Wehaveafewtorpedoesinthearmory,”Laurentsaid.“AcostawasgoingtosellthemtotheSomalisbeforehebetrayedus.”
“Perfect,”Brèvardsaid.“Armthehelicopterswiththosetorpedoes.Iwantthatderelictsenttothebottom.Andwhileyou’reatit,makeafewstrafingrunsovertheothershipsintheirlittlefleet.”
“Youwantustoattack
thederelict?”Laurentsaid,soundingconfused.
Sebastianstared.Hecouldunderstandwhytheordersoundedodd.“Don’tquestionme,”hegrowled,“justdoasIorder.Trustme,Ihavemyreasons.”
Laurenthelduphishandsinanactofcontrition.“I’msorry,”hesaid.“IjustwantedtomakesureIunderstood.”
“Howsooncanyoulaunch?”Sebastianasked.
“Withinafewhours.”“Excellent,”Sebastian
said.AsLaurentdisappeared,
Brèvardturnedbacktohisbreakfastbutfoundhe’dlosthisappetite.Thelastthingheneededwastobeexposedbeforehewasreadytomove.
KurtandJoerodeinthebackofThanRang’stractortrailerasitcruisedalongSouthKoreanhighwayRoute3.Throughthewondersofmoderntechnology,Kurtcouldtracktheirprogressonhisphone.
“Stillheadingforthe
DMZ?”Joeasked.“Likeahomingpigeon,”
Kurtsaid.Forty-fivemilesfrom
Seoul,andnomorethanamilefromtheedgeoftheDMZ,theyfeltthetruckgeardown.Aseriesoftwistsandturnsmadeitfeelasifthey’dgoneoffthehighway.Atthesametime,Kurt’sreceptionwentoutanddidn’tcomeback.Wherevertheywere,itwasbeyondtherangeofthe
cellphonetowers.Heputthephoneaway
andglancedoveratJoe.“Youcanforgetaboutcallingthecavalry,we’velostoursignal.”
“Great,”Joemuttered.Kurteasedfromhisspot
andcrawledtothefarwallwhereapinprickoflightwascomingthroughaholeinthetruck’smetalskin.Hecozieduptoitandstaredthrough.
“Anysignssaying
‘WelcometoNorthKorea’?”Joeasked.
“Notyet,”Kurtsaid.“Mostlybrightlights,andaratherfunkysmell.”
Joesmelledittoo.“Itsmellslike...”
“Garbage,”Kurtsaid.“We’redrivingintoagiantlandfill.Iseeoverheadlightsanddumptrucksandbulldozersmashingeverythingdown.LookslikehalfofSeoul’strashisout
there.”“OneofThanRang’s
companies,”Joesaid,rememberingthebriefing.
Kurtnodded.“Youknowwhattheysay:Wherethere’smuck,there’sbrass.”
“Brass?”“Coins,”Kurtexplained.
“Dinero,bigbucks.”“Right,”Joereplied.
“Let’shopethatwherethere’smuck,there’scomputerexperts.”
“Betterherethanacrosstheborder,”Kurtadded,agreeingwithhisfriend.
Thetruckrumbledalong,movingslowerwitheachpassingmoment,eventuallylurchingtoastopwithahissofthebrakes.FromJoe’sperspective,theglarefromthearclightsilluminatingthelandfillwassuddenlycutoff.“We’vepulledinsideashedofsomekind.Maybealoadingbay.”
Kurtstretched,andmadesurehewasreadyforaction,asthetruckrumbledtoastopforasecondtime.Hegotinpositionbehindastackofcomputerpartsandmadesurehecouldn’tbeseenfromthereardoorofthetrailer.Joedidthesame.
Theywaitedinthedarkness,listeningtovoicesspeakingKorean,untilthesoundofaheavymechanicalgearingdrownedthemout.
AlmostimmediatelyKurtfeltthetruckmoving.Notforwardorbackwardbutdescending.
“WhyamIgettingasinkingfeeling?”Joewhispered.
“Becauseweare,”Kurtsaid.
Therateofdescentpickedupandthenseemedtoease,butKurtknewthatwasanillusion,likethefeelingofbeingmotionlessinan
airplanewhenoneisactuallymovingatsixhundredmilesperhour.Theywerestilldropping,butataconstantrate.Theirbodieshadjustgrownusedtoit.
Heglancedathiswatchandnotedthesecondhandmovingpasttwelve.Itmadeitallthewayaroundonceandhadalmostreachedthesixo’clockpositionwhenthedescentfinallyslowedandstopped.
“Ninetyseconds,”hewhispered.“Howfastdoyouthinkweweremoving?”
“Notallthatfast,”Joesaid,“maybetwoorthreefeetpersecond.”
Kurtmadeaquickcalculation.“Thatputsussomewherearoundtwohundredfeetbelowthesurface.”
Afterthesmoothridedown,thenextmovewasajoltasalargecranegrabbed
theshippingcontainerandlifteditoffthebackofthetruck.
KurtlookedoutthroughthepinholeandgaveJoetheplayby-play.“Abigoverheadcranehasus,bythelookofthings.Appearstobemovingustosomekindofplatform.”
Theybegantopivotasthecraneoperatormanipulatedthemintoaproperalignment.
“Icanseetheothertruck,”Kurtsaid.“And
Calista.She’sheadedforwhatI’dguessisthecontrolroom.”
Kurtwatchedherraponthedoorofthecontrolroomandwaitforthedoortobeopened.“Don’tdoit...”hewhispered.
Nooneheardhispsychicwarning.Thelockwasreleasedandthedoorpushedopen.Shehandedthefirstguardsometypeofmanifestand,ashelookedatit,she
calmlydrewhergunandopenedfire.Theshotswereaccurate,firedinrapidsuccession,butunhurriedandwithoutasenseofpanic.Shewascoldandefficient.
Atalmostthesameinstant,Calista’sfriendgrabbedtheotherdriverandbrokehisneckwithaquicktwistandasickeningcrack.Twomencamerunningfrombesidethecranetointervenebutwerequicklygunned
down.Theroomwentstill.“Whatabouttheother
driver?”Joewhispered.“He’sprobablydead,”
Kurtsuggested,figuringCalistawouldhavekilledhimbeforeshegotoutofthetruck.
“Thisgirlofyoursiscoldasice,”Joesaid.
“She’snotmygirl,”hesaid.
“Aretheycomingthisway?”
“No,”Kurtsaid.“They’regoingintothecontrolroom.”
Unawarethatshewasbeingwatched,Calistastrodeintothecontrolroomandimmediatelybeganworkingoneofthecomputers.Ittookonlythirtysecondsforhertobreakintothesystem.
Egan,herthirdbrother,duckedin.“Theloadingplatformissecured,”hesaid.
“Doesanyoneknowwe’rehere?”
“Igotthembeforetheycouldsoundthealarm,”Calistasaid.Sheranthroughthesecurityprotocolsandcheckedforanysignoftrouble.“We’refine.Getthehackersoutofthesecondvan.We’llescortthemthrough.”
“Howmanymenontheotherside?”Eganasked.
“Afullmillioninthe
NorthKoreanArmy,”shesaidwithasmile.
“YouknowwhatImean.”“Accordingtotheduty
rosterIwasabletopulluponthecomputer,theNorthKoreanstationismannedbyahundredtwenty.Mostofthemarerestrictedtothesurfacelevelandthetopsideloadingzone.Onlyfortyareclearedtoenterthelowerlevelsandtheycomprisetwoshifts,sowe’llbedealing
withnomorethantwentyatatime.”
“Thereareonlytwoofus,”hepointedout.
“Makesitinteresting,doesn’tit?”
Hestared.“Relax,”shesaid,
openingapackwiththreesilvercanistersthathadoddnumericmarkingsonthem.“Thiswilleventheodds.”
“Nervegas?”“Nothingsodangerous,”
sheexplained.“It’sanRPA,arapidparalyticagent.Freezesthecentralnervoussystemfortenminutesorso.Itwon’tknockthemoutorkillthem,butitwillmakethemeasytohit.Wetakethemaincontrolroombysurprise,thenpumpthisthroughthestation,andtherestwillbeeasy.”
“Dowehavegasmasks?”Calistaproducedtwo
smallfiltersthatlookedlikebulkierversionsofthemasks
surgeonswore.Theyfitoverthenoseandmouth.“Won’tneedthemforlong,”shesaid.“Thegasgoesinertaftersixtyseconds.”
“Westillhavetogetthroughthetunnelfirst.”
Atthatmomentamessageappearedonthescreen.ItwasinKorean.CalistascanneditwithahandhelddevicethattranslatedittoEnglish.
“Ourinvitation,”shesaid.
“They’reawaitingtransferofthehackers.Getthemoutofthetruckandintothetram.”
“Whathappenstothemwhenwefireoffthegas?”
“Theygetfrozeninplace,”Calistareplied,“whichwillkeepthemfromgettingintheway.”
Doneaskingquestions,EganleftthecontrolroomasCalistamadeonelastcheckofthesystemandpatchedcommandofthesystemtoa
remoteunitshe’dbroughtforjustthispurpose.
Fromthere,shemadeherwaytoatramthatsatattheentrancetoalongtunnel.Withanopentop,itlookedmorelikeanorecarthanthepassengertramsofamiliartomostairporttravelers.
SheclimbedinasEgandraggedthehackersfromtherearofthesecondtruck.
Xeno9X9,ZSumG,andMontresorwerepowerful
menintheunderworldofcomputingbutwerelessthanmagnificenttobeholdinreallife.Threescrawny,scruffy-lookingspecimens.Theirfaceswerepale,theireyessunken,andtheirarmsandlegsthinandspindly.Thereseemedlittleaboutthemtosuggestdangerortheabilitytobringdownnationsallaroundtheworld.Notoneofthemhadofferedanyresistancesincetheircapture,
thoughthatprobablyhadmoretodowiththesisters,wives,andchildrenbeingheldattheBrèvardcompoundthananysortofdocilenatures.
“Getin,”shegrowled.Theyclimbedontoatram
thatrestedjustinfrontoftheplatformonwhichthefirsttrailerhadbeendeposited.
WithEganinfront,Calistatooktherearseat,keepingthehackersbetween
them.Bytypingacodeintotheremote,sheactivatedtheequipment,andthesoundofapowerfulgeneratorspoolingupreachedeveryone’sears.Whenalightflashedgreenontheremote,shepressedthegoswitchandthetrambegantoacceleratedownthelonglightedtunnel.
“They’regone,”Kurtsaid.“Theytookoffdownsometunnel.Now’sourchance.”
Hemadehiswaytothedoorandunlatchedthepanelonthebackofthetrailer.Hoppingout,hetookaquicklookaround.Therewereonlydeadmenleftinthecontrol
room.DeadmenandblinkingcomputersthatCalistahadtamperedwith.Ifheguessedright,anyonewatchingtheroomfromaremotelocationwouldgetnothingbutareportthatsaidSituationnormal.
“We’dbetterarmourselves,”hesuggested,grabbingapistolfromoneofthedeadmen.Joecrouchedbyoneoftheotherbodiesanddidthesame.Thenthey
leftthecontrolroomtotakeaquicklookaround.
Thespacewashuge,thesizeofanaircrafthangar.Ononeside,thebigrigthathadhauledthemsataloneonanoctagonalplatform.Strippedofthecontainerthathadoncebeenonitsback,itlookedsmall,outofplace.
“Remindsmeofaturntableintherailroadyard,”Joesaid.Kurtagreed.Helookedup.Anempty
shaft,matchingthedimensionsandshapeoftheplatform,ranupwardintothedarkness.Thewallsoftheshaftwerenotched,andhugewheeledgearsthatmusthaveintersectedthesenotchessproutedfromfouroftheplatform’seightsides.
“I’dguessthosegearsmoveitupanddown,”Joesaid.“Likeaninclinerailway,onlyvertical.”
Kurthadtoagree.“That
explainshowwegotdownhere,butitdoesn’texplainwhy.”
Lookingfortheanswertothatquestion,hemovedtothehorizontaltunnel,theoneCalistaandherfriendhadvanisheddownonasilenttram.Itseemedtorunontoinfinity,coloredinbandsofwhiteandgraywheretheoverheadlightsandtheshadowsbetweenthemalternated.
“Whatdoyoumakeofallthis?”Joeasked.
“I’mnotsure,”Kurtadmitted,“butI’mgettingtheideathatThanRangisn’tquiteasneutralasColonelLeeandtheCIAseemtobelieve.”
“YouthinkthistunnelgoesundertheDMZ?”
“It’stheonlyconclusionthatmakesanysense,”Kurtsaid.“Foronething,we’rerightupagainsttheborder.
Foranother,theNorthhasbeendiggingtunnelsundertheDMZforyears.Ican’trememberhowmanyhavebeenfound,butthereareatleastthreeorfourmajorones.Mostweresmalleranddesignedforinfiltration,butsupposedlythelargestofthemwascapableofhandlingadivisionofmenandlightequipmentinanhourorso.FromthepicturesI’veseen,eventhathasnothingonthis
place.”Joenodded.“Ithoughtthe
Southwasalwayslisteningforsignsofmoretunneling.Shouldn’ttheyhaveheardthisthingbeingexcavated?”
“We’redirectlyunderalandfill,”Kurtpointedout.“Withallthosebulldozersmovingaround,nottomentionthecranes,thedumptrucks,andthecompactingequipment,thisplaceisaconstantsourceofnoise.I’m
guessingthatanystraysoundsdetectedfromthisareacouldeasilybewrittenoffascomingfromthelandfill.Beyondthat,we’redownhereprettydeep.Thathasatendencytomufflenoiseaswell.”
“Gottahandittothem,thelandfill’saperfectcover.Evengivesthemaplacetohideallthedirtandrocktheyhadtoexcavate.”
Kurtnoddedbutdidn’t
reply.Hewasgazingdownthelongtunnelandhadcaughtsightofmovement.Therewasnosoundlikeasubwaytrainscreechingdowntherails,butsomethingwasdefinitelyheadedtheirway.
“Takecover,”Kurtsaid.HeandJoecrouched
downandreadiedtheirgunsastheapproachingtargetcontinuedtoracetowardthem.Ithadnowheelsor
cables.Itsimplyseemedtobeflying.
“Maglev,”Joesaid,usingtheshorttermfor“magneticlevitation.”“Thatexplainsthehigh-voltagegenerators.”
“Anotherwaytokeeptheoperationquiet,”Kurtsaid.“It’salmostsilent.”
Thecarslowedrapidlythelasthundredyardsandwasalmostmotionlessasitexitedthetunnelandslidontoaplatformsimilartotheone
theirshippingcontainernowrestedon.Asthesoundofthehumminggeneratorwaned,thenewarrivaldroppedseveralinches,settlingontotheplatformwithasurprisinglydullthud.
Kurtwaitedbutnoonecameout.
“Emptycar?”Joeguessed.
Suspiciousofthewholescenario,Kurtcreptuptothesquarecartandlookedover
theedge.“Nopassengers,”hesaid.“Butit’snotempty.”
Hereachedinsideandscoopedupahandfulofthecargo.“Pellets,”hesaid.“Extremelylight.”
Joetookaquicklook,rubbingoneofthepelletsbetweenhisfingers.“Titanium,”hesaid.“Notfullyprocessedyetbuthalfwaythere.”
“IthinkIgetitnow,”Kurtsaid.
“Getwhat?”“ThanRang’splayed-out
minesthatareproducingthreetimeswhattheydidadecadebefore...HisalliancewiththeshadowyfiguresintheNorth...He’ssaltinghisownmines,”Kurtsaid.“Thegeneralssendhimhalf-processedtitaniumthatheshipstoaprocessorasiftheycamefromhisownmineandhesendsthemcomputerhackers,high-techsupplies,
andprobablyasteadydietofcoldhardcashinreturn.TheNorthKoreansgettechnologyandaccesstomarketstheUNsanctionspreventthemfromtouching,andThanRanggetscheaporeatfire-saleprices.”
Asifinresponsetothearrivaloftheore-bearingcar,aseriesofyellowlightsbegantoflasharoundthebaseoftheplatformonwhichtheshippingcontainerhadbeenplaced—theoneKurt
andJoehadbeenridinginwiththehigh-techservers.
“LasttraintoClarksville,”Kurtsaid.“Let’smakesurewe’reonit.”
HeandJoedashedfortheopendooroftheshippingcontainer,jumpinginsidejustastheplatformlevitatedupward.Kurtpulledthedoorshutandthecontainerbegantoacceleraterapidlyandsmoothly.Inseconds,theyweremovingfiftymilesan
hour,allwithouttheslightestsoundofmachineryoreventhegrindofwheelsontheroad.
“Sinceweseemtobeontheexpresstrainhere,”Joebegan,“Ishouldprobablyaskwhatwe’regoingtodowhenwegettotheotherside.”
“Myguess,we’lleitherbeenteringadeadzoneoranall-outfirefight,”Kurtsaid.
“Wecouldhavewaitedforthemtocomeback.”
“Whatiftheyplantotakeanotherwayout?”
“Yougotmethere,”Joesaid.
Itwasn’tlongbeforethebigcontainerbegantoslow.Asitsettledontothereceivingplatformatthefarend,itbecamecleartherewasnofirefightinprogress.AminuteofsilencerangintheirearsbeforeKurtdaredcrackthereardooropen.
Aquicklookrevealed
severaldeadsoldiersinNorthKoreanuniformsandnosignoffightingoralarmsinsight.
KurtandJoehoppedoutofthecontaineranddidaquicksurvey.Ninemendown.Nosignofreinforcements.Ruthlessandprecise.
Oddlyenough,thethreehackerslayontheirsidesinthetramthey’dcomeoverin.Theywerenotmovingbutdidn’tappeartohavebeen
shot.Joeshookoneofthembut
gotnoresponse.“Theylookdruggedtome,”hesaid.“They’restillbreathing.”
“Wecanfigurethatoutlater.”
Theyfollowedthetrailofbodiestoacorridor,wheretheyfoundanelevator.JoewasabouttopressthebuttonwhenKurtblockedhishand.“Let’snotannounceourarrival.”
Theypriedthedoorsopenandfoundanarrowelevatorshaft.Onthefarside,amaintenanceladdertraveledupashallow,recessedchannelthatwascarvedintothewall.
Kurtcountedfivefloorsbetweenthemandtheundersideoftheparkedelevatorcar.
“Whatdoyoubetthat’swhereourfriendsare?”Kurtasked.
“Soundslikeaplacetostart.Wecan’tsearchthiswholecomplex.”
Theymovedintotheelevatorshaftandbeganclimbingtheladder.Kurtwentfirst.Joebracedthedoortokeepitopen.Itgavethemalittlelighttoworkwithandwouldmakeforaquickergetawayiftheyhadtocomedowntheladderaswell.
Climbingquickly,they
passedthefirsttwofloors.Astheyclearedthethird,Kurtheardaclinkbeneathhimandthenadullmetallicclatterassomethingfelldowntheshafttotheconcretebelow.
HelookeddownandsawJoe,holdingonfordearlifewithonehandandclingingtoabrokenpartoftheladderwithanother.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Joehookedthebroken
sectionoftheladderontoone
oftherungsandclimbedpastit.“We’reinalotofdangerhere,Kurt.”
“Idon’tthinkanyoneheardthat.”
“I’mnotworriedabouttheguards,”Joesaid,“I’mworriedaboutNorthKoreanconstructionpractices.Haveyoulookedatthisconcrete?It’sflakingawaylikeaday-oldcroissant.I’mthinkingtheyusedwaytoomuchsand.Andthisrebar...It’sall
rustedandloose.”Asiftoemphasizethepoint,Joepulledononeofthebarsanditcamerightout.“Isaywemakethisquickbeforethewholeplacecavesinonus.”
Kurtsmiled.Hisfriendwasanengineerandaperfectionist.Hewouldneverallowsuchshoddyworkonhiswatch.
“I’llbesuretosendastronglywordedlettertoKimJong-unwhenwegethome,”
Kurtsaid.“‘Pleaseconstructyoursecretbaseswithbettermaterialssowedon’tgetinjuredwheninfiltratingthem.Otherwise,you’llbehearingfromourlawyers.’”
“I’msurethat’llspurhimtoaction,”Joesaid.
Bynowthey’dreachedtheelevatorcar.Kurtsqueezedbyitandclimbedontop.Hepriedopentheemergencyescapepanelanddroppedinasquietlyas
possible.Joefollowed.Thedoorwasalreadyopen.Theequivalentofaholdswitchwasinthelockedposition.
Twomorebodieslayinthehall,andforamomentthesilenceheld.ButasKurtsteppedforward,acommotionrangoutatthefarend.Multiplegunshots.Astungrenadegoingoff.AndthenreturnfirefromthesilencedpistolsofCalistaandherpartner.
Whatevertrickhadgottenthemthisfarwithoutresistancehadapparentlyfailedatthelastmoment.Alarmswerenowsoundingthroughoutthecomplex.
“Somuchforthepeaceandquiet,”Joesaid.
“Comeon,”Kurturged,runningforward,headedstraightforthesoundsofthebattle.
Pressinghimselfupagainstthewallbesideanopendoor,Kurtheardanothervolleyofgunfire,ashoutofpain,andthenasecondexplosionfromastungrenade.
Glancinginsidetheroom,hesawCalistalyingonherside,bloodstreamingfrom
herear.Herfriendwasfiringintoasmoke-filledroomwhenabulletknockedhimbackwardandasecondshellhithimdeadinthecenterofthechest.
OnthegroundbesidethemlaySiennaWestgate.
AspikeofadrenalinesurgedthroughKurt.Hecouldhardlybelievehiseyes.Shewasalive.Oratleastshehadbeen.Butnow...
AtrioofNorthKorean
soldiersrushedthroughthesmoke,andKurtinstinctivelyopenedfire,droppingthefirsttwoquicklyandwingingthethird,whodovebackthroughthesmoketoapositionofrelativesafety.
“Coverme,”KurtshoutedtoJoe.
JoeswungintopositionandunleashedahailofbulletsasKurtcrawledintotheroom,grabbedSienna,anddraggedherout.She
groanedashepulledherintothehallway.Atleastshewasalive.
Ashepulledheraroundthecorner,anewvolleyofreturnfirecamefromthedepthsoftheroom,pepperingthedoorframeandthewall.
Joesnappedoffafewmoreshots,andthelastsoldierdashedthroughthesmoketowardtherearoftheroomandoutintoastairwell.
“Somethingtellsmehe’ll
bebackwiththeposse,”Joeyelled.
“Let’snotwaitaroundtomeetthem,”Kurtsaid.“Gettheelevator.”
AsJoeranoff,KurtbegantopickSiennaup.
“Kurt?”Hervoicewashuskylikesomeonewhosethroatwasdry.
“Areyouokay?”Kurtasked.
“How?What?Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Shewasclearlydisoriented.“Longstory,”hesaid.“Canyouwalk?”
Shetriedtostandbutfell.“Mylegs,”shesaid.“Ican’tfeelthem.”
“Putyourarmaroundme,”hesaid.“Wehavetogetoutofhere.”
SiennadidasKurtasked,andhehelpedherdownthehalltothewaitingelevator.There,heleanedheragainstthewallandpointedtoJoe.
“Staywithhim.”“Why?”sheasked.
“Whereareyougoing?”“Toreturnafavor.”Joeshothimalook.
“Kurt,thisplaceisgoingtobecrawlingwithNorthKoreantroopsveryshortly.”
“Allthemorereason,”hesaid.
KurtletSiennagoandsteppedoutoftheelevator.
Joeflippedtheholdswitchbacktooperateand
pressedthebutton.“I’llsendthecarbackuponcewe’reout.”
Kurtnoddedandtookoffbackdownthehall.Siennadidn’ttakehereyesoffhimuntilthedoorsclosedbetweenthem.
Thesmokefromthefirefightandthestungrenadeshadfilledmostofthehallwaybynow.Theflashinglightsofthefireandsmokealarmsystemspulsed
throughthehaze.Kurtfoundtheroom
wherethefighthadtakenplaceanddiscoveredCalistabeginningtowakeupfromwhatheguessedwasastungrenadethatlandedtooclose.
Hedroppeddownbesideherandshookher.“Rememberme?”
LikeSienna,ittookCalistaasecondtorecognizehim.Whenshedid,shereachedforhergun,which
Kurtknockedoutofherhandandacrossthefloor.
“Youwouldn’tkillyourrescuer,wouldyou?”
Shelookedaround.“Egan...”
“Ifyoumeanyourdate,”Kurtsaid,“he’sdead.”
Thenewsbroughtlittlereactionfromher.Kurtbegantohelpherup.
“Wait,”shesaid.Shepulledoutasmallsilvercanister.“Throwitinthe
stairwell,it’llgiveusafewminutes.”Hedraggedherovertothedoorandcrackeditopen.ThesoundoffeetpoundingdownthemetalstairstoldhimtheNorthKoreanswereontheway.
“Twistthetop,”shesaid,nowstandingonherown.“Anddon’tbreathe.”
Hedidasshedirectedandtossedthecanisterontothelanding.Itskitteredtothewallandbeganhissingastwo
high-pressurejetsofgasburstforth.Kurtslammedthedoorandheardthesoundofmenfallingintheirtracksandtumblingdownthestairs.
“Don’tworry,they’renotdead,”shesaid.
“I’mmoreworriedaboutus,”hesaid.“Go.”
Shebegantomove,lurchingforwardunsteadily,butKurtwasn’tabouttogettooclose.
“Downthehall,”he
ordered.Withawalltolean
against,shemadebetterprogress,slammingherhandontotheelevatorcallbuttonassoonasshereachedit.
Thedoorsopenedandshefellinside.Kurtfollowedandstoodontheoppositesideofthecar,thepistolinhishand.Hepunchedthebottombuttonandtheelevatorbeganaslowcreakydescent.
Shelaughed.“Youreally
areawhiteknight,”shesaid.“Can’tresistadamselindistress.Evenonelikeme.”
“Don’tflatteryourself,”hesaid.“Youhaveanswers,that’sallIwantfromyou.Whoareyou?Whoareyouworkingfor?WhatdoyouwantwithSiennaandtheothers?”
Anexaggeratedpoutappearedonherlips.“Iwashopingforsomethingmorethanboringconversation.”
Theelevatorreachedthebottomfloorandthedoorsopened.
JoeandSiennastoodatwhatappearedtobethecontrolpanelforthemaglevtrain.ToKurt’ssurprise,thethreehackersfromthetramwereawakeandhelping.
“Canyouworkit?”JoelookedatKurtand
shookhishead.“It’sallGreektous,”hesaid.“AndbythatImeanKorean.”
Calistamadeherwayover.“MaybeIcanhelp.”
Kurtdidn’ttrustherbutevenshecouldn’tpossiblywanttostaywheretheywere.
Shestudiedthepanelandflickedthroughacoupleofscreens.“They’vecutthemainpowerfromupabove.Icanprobablyoverridetheircommand.”
Asshefiddledwiththecontrols,Kurtlookedoverabatteryofclosed-circuitTV
feeds.Oneshowedthehallwaywherethefirefighthadbeen.Anothercamerashowedthestairwell.Thereseemedtobeoneoneachfloor.Hecheckedthroughallofthem.Menwerepiledlikecordwoodoneachoftheupperlandings,butatthetoplevelanewgroupofsoldierswererushingin.Theyworegasmasks.
“Betterhurry.”“IthinkI’vegotit,”she
said.“Getinthetram.”Athercommand,the
threehackersbegantomove.JoehelpedSiennawhileKurtstoodbyCalista,waitingfortheinevitabletrick.
“Relax,”shesaid.“I’dratherspendtimeinaWesternprisonthanaNorthKoreanone.”
Sheflippedaswitchandthepowerpackcametolife.Thehumofelectricityandthewhineofhigh-voltage
generatorswereawelcomesoundtoeveryone.
“Getonboard,”Kurtsaid.“Weneedtotransfer
controltotheremote,”shesaid,reachingintoherpocketandgrabbingforsomething.
TheactbroughtaboutaquickjabfromKurt’spistol.“It’sjustaremotecontrol,”shesaid,pullingoutasmalldevicewithaglowingscreen.“We’regoingtoneedit,unlessyouwanttostay
behindandpressgo.”Hesnatchedthedevice
fromherandpushedhertowardthetram.Assoonastheywereallinit,hepressedtheflashinggreenbutton.Butinsteadofthetramaccelerating,alightningboltflashedinKurt’seyesandacrossthesynapsesofhisbrain.Awaveofpainshotthroughhisbodycombinedwiththesensationofdroppingfromagreatheight.
AidedbyapushfromCalista,hefellbackward,tumbledoverthesideofthecar,andwasunconsciousbythetimehehittheground.
“ItoldyouI’dbereadynexttimeIsawyou,”Calistawhispered.
Dumbfounded,JoewatchedKurtfall.Therewasnosound,noindicationanythinghadhappened,Kurtjustdroppingasifsomeonehadturnedoffaswitchinhis
brain.Siennascreamed,andJoe
instinctivelyjumpedoutofthecarandbegantopullKurtup.Kurtwasdeadweight,atwohundred-poundragdoll.
Behindhimtherewasacommotion.
“Sienna,”Calistasaid.Itwasn’tashoutbutascolding,thewayonemightaddressaninattentivechild.
Joeturnedaround.Siennawasaimingaweaponat
Calista.Goodwork,hethought.
Calistaobviouslyfeltotherwise.“Ifyoueverwanttoseeyourchildrenagain,you’llpointthatsomewhereelse.”
Slowly,asifinatrance,SiennaturnedtheweapononJoe.Notsogood,Joedecided.
Confidentshewasnowincontrol,CalistaaddressedJoedirectly.“Pickuptheremote
andtossittome,”shesaid.Joeshookhishead.“Please,”Sienna
managed,tearspouringdownherface.“Shehasmychildren.Shehasallourchildren.Ifwedon’tgoback,they’llbekilled.”
“Wecanrescuethem,”Joeinsisted.“Sheknowswheretheyare.Justgiveustwenty-fourhours.”
Siennawavered,butCalistapressedher.“IfI
don’tbringyoubackhomealive,”shebegan,“noneofyourrelativeswilllivetoseethemorning.”
SiennaretargetedJoe,morefirmlythistime.“I’msorry,”shesaid,“tomorrowwillbetoolate.Please,givemethetransmitter.”
Joeheldstill,butoneofthehackersintervened,climbingawkwardlyoutofthetramcarandgrabbingtheremotefromthefloorofthe
tunnel.Assoonashehaditinhishand,themanclimbedbackinthecarandgaveittoCalista,whotappedthescreenafewtimesandofferedJoeasatisfiedgrin.
“Aurevoir,”shesaidasthetrambegantoaccelerateaway.“Giveyourfriendmylovewhenhewakesup.”
Joewatchedthetrampickupspeedandvanishintothegloomofthetunnel.“Iknew
weshouldhavecalledthecavalry.”
HopingtowakeKurt,Joeshookhimtwicebutgotnothing.Kurtwascatatonic,exactlythewayhe’dbeenwhenJoepulledhimfromthewaterthreemonthsearlier.Theparallelwaseerie.AndJoebegantothinkperhapsitwasnotentirelycoincidental.
“Thisisbad,”hesaid.Itmayhavebeenthe
understatementofJoe’slife.
HewastrappedinasecretbaseonthewrongsideoftheDMZ,withanunconsciousfriend,a9mmpistolcarryingperhapsfiveshellsintheclip,andanangrybattalionofNorthKoreansoldiersbarrelingdownonthem.
“Bad”didnotbegintocoverit.
Withlittletimetowaste,JoeeasedKurttothegroundandbegantolookaroundforoptions.
First,heracedovertothepanelandcheckedthesecurityvideooncemore.ThefeedshowedmoreNorthKoreansoldierspickingtheir
waythroughthepilesofunconsciousmenwho’dmadetheinitialdescent.Countingupfromwherehewas,Joecouldseethatthenewtroopsintheirgasmaskshadreachedtheseventhfloorandwouldsoonreachthesixth,wherethebattlehadoccurred.Heguessedtheywouldclearthatfloorandtheonesbeneathitfirstbeforemakingtheirwaytothebottom,buttimewasnoton
hisside.Hestudiedthecontrol
panel,butitwasanincomprehensiblemessofKoreanandflashingicons.Nowayhewasgoingtobeabletodecipherthatintime.Helookedaround,desperatelyseekingamodeoftransportationthatdidn’trequireaphysicisttooperate.Inthedarkcornertohislefthesawsomethingthatmightfitthebill.
“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“Theorehadtogetdownheresomehow.”
There,sittingonaplatformliketheoneinThanRang’sundergroundbase,wasabigNorthKoreantractortrailer.Itwasabulkhaulerwithanopentop,morelikeadumptruckthanthemodernintermodalshippingcontainersThanRangwasusing.
Joerantothecab,
climbedin,andwasecstatictofindthekeysintheignition.“ThankGodfortheinternalcombustionengine,”hesaid,twistingthekeyandlisteningtothesweetsoundoftherumblingdieselcomingtolife.Forcingitintothelowestgear,JoemanagedtogetthetruckmovingandeaseditovertowhereKurtlayonthefloor.
Stoppingthetruckandjumpingout,Joepickedup
hisfriend,carriedhimtothepassenger’sside,andhauledhimontothetatteredvinyloftheoldbenchseatinthecabofthetruck.Ashesettled,Kurtbegantothrasharoundabit,almostasifhewastryingtoswim,butthenheslumpedagainsttheseatandwentquietonceagain.
Joeclimbedbackintothecabonthedriver’ssideandslammedthedoor.
“Don’tworry,amigo,”he
said,puttingthetruckingear.“Youjustenjoyyourpowernap.I’llgetusoutofhere.Andwhenyouwakeup,we’regoingtohavealongtalkaboutthekindofwomenyourescueandthekindyouleavebehind.Becauseclearlynoonehasexplainedthedifferencetoyouyet.”
AsJoespoke,hemaneuveredthesteeringwheelandmanagedtogetthebehemothofatruckpointing
downthemaglevtunneltowardfreedom.Pressingtheacceleratorbroughtaroarfromtheengineandbeganfillingthetunnelwiththickblackexhaust.Thetruckmovedforwardandwassoonpickingupspeed.
Hehadn’tgonetoofarwhengunshotsrangoutfrombehind.Fromthecaboftherig,allJoeheardwasthepingofricochetsbouncingoffthethickwallsofthetruckbed
andtheboomofatireexploding.
Tryingnottothinkaboutthedanger,Joekepthisfootonthethrottleandcontinuedtogainspeed.Betweentheunmuffleredexhaust,thenoiseofthebigenginereverberatingoffthewalls,andtheoldchassisbouncingandshakingonitsleafsprings,theridebacktothesouthcouldnothavebeenmoreoppositefromthe
smooth,quietrideinonthemaglevtram.
Joecycledthroughthegears,grindingeveryoneofthem.Hebegantolaugh,enjoyingthesoundandthefury.Ithadtobeahundredtwentydecibelsormore.Forthehellofit,hereachedupandpulledthebigrig’shorn,whichechoeddownthetunnelasitblared.
Soonenough,theywerepassingfortyandthenfifty
milesperhour.AheadJoesawaproblem.Everyhalfmileorsointhetunnelwasachokepoint,whereareenforcedconcreteringconstrictedthediameterofthetunnel.Asheclosedinonthefirstone,Joewasprettyconfidentthetruckwouldfit.Asitturnedout,hewaswrong.Atfiftymilesanhour,themetaltopofthetrailerclippedtheroof,blastingchunksofconcreteloose.It
soundedlikeabombhadgoneoff.
Thesecondchokepointwasevennarrower,butJoedidn’tslowdown.Moreconcretewasblastedfree.Thistimealargesectionofthetrailer’ssidewastornoff,clankingtothefloorandtumblingloudlyacrossit.
Inthemirror,Joesawtheremnantsofthetwistedbedstickingouttwofeettotheside.Itgavehimanidea.
Withoutslowingdown,heeasedovertothewalluntilthebentsectionofthetruckbedwasgrindingagainstit,gougingalineinthewall,sheddingsparks,andaddingtothedin.Eventually,themetaltorefurtheruntilthewholesidewasrippedoffanddraggingbehindthetruck.
JoeglancedatKurt.“Youmustreallybeoutcoldifthisisn’twakingyouup.”
Joepulledonthehorn
leveronceagainandheldit,lettingitblareuntilhisearswerehurting.Eventhenhekeptsoundingit.Hewantedtheworld,andparticularlytheSouthKoreanmilitary,toknowhewascoming.ThewayJoesawit,thatwastheironlyhope.
Sevenmilesaway,inalisteningpostmannedbytheSouthKoreanmilitary,a
youngprivatenamedJeongstudiedhermonitors.TheSouthKoreanshadplacedsounddetectionequipmentallalongtheDMZtolistenforanypossibleundergroundincursionbytheNorth.
Fromtimetotimetheydetectedoddsignals.Smallearthquakeshadbeenaproblem,andtheNorthKoreanatomicbombandotherundergrounddisturbanceshadsometimes
triggeredfalsereadings,butnothinglikewhatshewasgettingnow.Shecalledhersupervisorover.
“Listentothis.”Hemovedslowly,
appearingunconcerned.“Somethingmustbewrongwiththesystem.”
PrivateJeongshookherhead.“Ichecked,sir.Plus,we’redetectingthesoundatseveralstations.Thatisnotasignofmalfunction.”
“Letmehearit.”Hepluggedaheadsetinto
herconsoleandlistenedassheturnedupthesound.“Trucks,”hesaid.“Heavytrucks.”Therewasalsoagrindingnoisethatsoundedlikemetaltanktrucks.
Thecomputeragreed,assessingthevibrationasmultipleheavyvehiclesmovingathighspeed.
Suddenlyalarmed,thesupervisorpickedupthe
phoneandcheckedwithamajorinthepost’soperationsbunker.Hetoldthemajorwhathewashearingandthenreceivedmoredisturbingnews.“Wearewitnessingsudden,franticactivityamongNorthKoreanunitsjustontheothersideoftheDMZ.”
“Where?”Thecoordinatesrelayed
tohimwerealarming.NorthKoreanunitswereonthe
move,neartheveryspotwherethesubterraneannoisehadoriginated.
“Calculateitsdirectionandspeed,”thesupervisorordered.
“Alreadydone,”PrivateJeongsaid.
“Showme.”Shetappedabuttonand
thesignal’spathappearedonthecomputerscreen.ItledstraightfromasuspectedbaseintheNorthtoacommercial
siteonthesouthernsideoftheDMZ.
“Whatisthatplace?”thesupervisorasked.
PrivateJeongwaschecking.“Landfill,”shereplied.“DaeShanLandfillNumberFour.”
Thesupervisorputtwoandtwotogether.Hecouldnotbelievewhathewasseeing.Hecalledthemajorbackandgavehisassessment.“Confirmedlarge-scale
subterraneanincursionunderway.EntrypointmustbeinoraroundtheDaeShanlandfill.Recommenddefenseconditionone.Immediatealert!”
RacingbeneaththeDMZ,Joehadnoideawhatforceshe’dsetinmotion,buthehopeditwouldmeanawarmwelcomeinsteadofafirefightthroughagroupofarmedthugsloyal
toThanRang.Asheenteredthelast
thirdofthepassageway,thegraderampedupjustabitandthetruckbegantoslow.Insteadofthelightattheendofthetunnel,hesawthedarknessofThanRang’sundergroundtransportationcenter.Therewasnosignofanyresistanceawaitinghim,norwerethereSouthKoreansoldiers,whichforthemomentwasprobablyagood
thing.Itwasadifferentstory
behindhim.Vehicleswereheadingtheirway,catchingupquickly.Basedonthesilence,heguessedtheywererunningonthemaglevsystem.
Asoneofthetramsracedupbesidehim,Joespunthewheeltotherightandknockedthetramoffthecenterlineofitsmagnetictrack.Deprivedofitssupport,
thetramcrashedtothegroundamidashowerofsparks.
Gunshotsrangoutfromthesecondvehiclethatwasalsoclosinginfromdirectlybehind.Onceagainthebulkofthebigtruckprotectedthem.
ThistimeJoesimplystompedonthebrakes.Thebigrigskiddedtoastopamidashreikofsquealingtiresandacloudofbluesmoke.
Unabletoadjustitsspeedasquickly,thesecondtramrear-endedthetruckwithjarringimpact.
Theirpursuersnowsuccessfullydealtwith,Joeputthetruckbackingearandbegantoaccelerate,workingthroughthegearsandheadingintothehomestretch.Thetrucklaboredontheslightupwardgradeandchuggedintotheloadingbayattheendofthetunnel,bumping
theorecarfilledwiththetitaniumpellets,whichdumpedoutandspreadallacrossthefloor.
Asthesoundofathousandmarblesrollinginalldirectionsceased,Joepeekedoutofthetruck.Therewasnoonetheretogreetthem.Noangrybruteswithdrawnweapons.NosignofCalistaandthehackers.Andstillnosoldiers.
Joelookedbackdownthe
tunnel.TheNorthKoreanshadgivenupthechase.Hecouldseethemrunningtheotherway.Heguessedtheywerenotinterestedingettingcaughtonthewrongsideoftheborder.
JoelookedoveratKurt.“Wemadeit,”hesaid.“Andjustlikethelasttime,youmissedthewholething.”
JoeconsideredlookingforastairwellbutwasnotinterestedinluggingKurtup
twentyflights.Instead,hedroveoverandparkednexttotheoctagonalplatformthey’doriginallydescendedon.
Heparkedthetruck,pulledKurtfromthepassenger’sside,andfoundthecontrols.Withtheflickofaswitch,heengagedthepowersystemandmovedthecontrolleverupwardfromtheneutralposition.Theinclinegearingcametolifeandbegantoturn,andthe
platformbegantoriseslowly.Astheywentup,Joe
pulledouthisphone,hopinghewouldgetasignalbeforetheyreachedthetop.Nosuchluck.Infact,thephonewasactingweirdasifitwasbeingjammed.Whentheslowlyrisingplatformfinallyreachedthesurface,Joefoundoutwhy.
ThirtyKoreansoldierswerewaitingforhimwithweaponsdrawn.Humvees
with.50calibermachinegunswerearrangedinasemicirclearoundthem.Aspotlightsnappedon,blindingJoe.ShoutsthatneedednotranslationtoldJoetoputuphishands,whichhehadalreadydone.
Apairofsoldiersrushedoverandforcedhimtohisknees.
“I’manAmerican,”Joesaid.
ToJoe’sright,another
soldierhadarifleaimedatKurt.
“He’sinjured!”Joeshouted.“Heneedsadoctor.”
Moreshoutscamehisway.
“We’reAmerican,”Joereplied.“We’reonyourside.We’reoperatingundercover.ForColonelLeeoftheNationalIntelligenceService.”
Noresponse.“CIA,”Joeshouted,
hopingtheyknewtheacronym.
Withthespotlightonhisface,theycouldclearlyseethathewasnotKorean.Aquickdiscussionwasheld,andJoeandKurtwerecuffed,throwninthebackofoneoftheHumvees,anddrivenoff.
Astheypulledoutofthewarehouse,Joegotafirsthandlookattheeffectivenessofhisplan.SouthKoreanhelicopters,
armedwithmissilesandspotlights,werecirclingthelandfill.SeveralotherswerepatrollingdownthelineoftheDMZ,lookingforinvadingtroopsorinfiltrationunitsoftheNorthKoreanArmy.
Inadditiontothehelicopters,soldierswereeverywhere.Andastheytooktheroadout,JoesawAbramstanksmovingintoposition,whileaflightofF-16sflashed
overheadinfullafterburner.Joelookedforthelights
ofSeoul,butthecityhadgonedarkinresponsetotheexpectedinvasion.
“Hmm,”Joewhisperedtohimself.“Maybethatplanofmineworkedalittletoowell.”
Theyweretakentoamilitarybaseandquicklyseparated,Kurtwhiskedofftotheinfirmary,Joetoaninterrogationroom.Fortwo
hours,JoewassubjecttocontinuousinterrogationbyofficersoftheSouthKoreanmilitary.Hetoldthemallthesamething,andheaskedrepeatedlyaboutKurt.HegotnowhereuntilCol.LeeandTimHalearrived.
Theywerelivid.“Youtwomustbe
insane,”Halesaid,“followingthemintoNorthKorea.”
“Wewerefollowingthelead,”Joesaid.“Whatdid
youwantustodo?Justletthemgo?”
“Maybeyoushouldhave,”Halesaid.
“Youknowthiswillcalmdown,”Joesaid.“It’saminorincursion.Andlet’snotforgetwhobuiltthedamnedtunnel.”
“Iwasn’ttalkingaboutthepoliticalsituation,”Halesaid,“IwasreferringtoKurt.”
“Why?What’s
happened?”Joesaid,concerned.
“He’sinacoma,”Haleexplained.“Thedoctorscan’tsaywhen—orif—he’sgoingtocomeoutofit.”
Indian Ocean, 1230hours local time
SeventhousandmilesandsixtimezonesfromKorea,asmallflotillaofshipswasintheprocessoflinkingthemselvestogetherwith
heavysteelcables.Overthecourseofaday,
twooceangoingtugshadarrivedfromSouthAfrica.TheDrakensberghadreachedtheCondorandtowedittowheretheWaratahlaydriftinginthecurrent,whileasecondtug,knownastheSedgewick,hadarrivedsixhourslaterandwaspreparingtorunlinestothefoliage-encrustedhulkoftheoldship.
Butbeforeshecouldbeputundertow,aninspectionhadtobemade.AtPaul’sdirection,asalvagecrewhadgoneaboard,splittingintothreegroups.Themaincontingentbeganclearingtheaccumulatedgrowthandsedimentfromtheship’shull,hopingtomakeherlighterinthewaterandlesstop-heavy.Astheyexcavatedupabove,theCondor’schiefengineerwentdownintothelower
recessesoftheshiptochecktheintegrityofthehullandinternalbulkheads.Astheyworkedontheinside,Dukeandanotherdiverwerefinishingupasurveyofthehull’sexteriorbelowthewaterline.
TheradiocackledatPaul’sside.“Paul,thisisthechief.”Paulputtheradiotohismouth.“What’stheword?”“Theengineeringspacesareprettygunkedup.
Atleasttwofeetofsludgedownhere.Andinsome
placesseveralfeetofwater.”Thatdidn’tsound
promising.“Canyoufindtheleak?”“Noleaks,”thechiefreportedhappily.“It’sfreshwater.Rainwater,ifyouwantmetoguess,mustbeleakinginsomewhere.Butifyouaskme,thehullitselfissound.”“That’sgoodnews,”Paulsaid.“Whatabout
corrosion?”“Ithinkwe’refine,”the
chiefsaid.“Tobehonest,theoldgalisingreatconditionforashipthat’spassedthecenturymark.”
“Anyideawhy?”Paulasked.“Sheshouldhaverustedtopiecesyearsago.”
“Ithinkit’sthesediment,”thechiefsaid.“It’sverydense,morelikeclay.Itsealssotightlyitblocksoutmostoftheoxygen.
Lessoxygenmeanslessrust,lessrustmeansastronghull.”
“Soundsgood,”Paulsaid.Hewonderedhowtheexteriorlooked.“Duke,areyoufinishedwithyoursurvey?”
Duke’svoicecamebackafteraslightdelay.“Affirmative,”hesaid.
“How’sshelookingbelowthewaterline?”
“Theplatingisingreat
shape,”Dukereplied.“Ifthechiefisright,thenI’dguesstheexteriorwassealedupwithmudalmostfromthemomentshewentaground.”
Paulwasgladtohearthat.“Goodnewsallaround.”“OkayifweheadbacktoCondorforsomelunchanddryclothes?”Dukehadbeeninthewaterforthreehoursalready.“You’veearnedit,”Paulsaid.
“Rogerthat.Dukeout.”
Paulturnedhisattentionbacktotheinterior.“Whatdoyouthink,Chief?Arewegoingtomakeitin?”
NUMAhadplanstobringtheWaratahintoDurbantwodayshence.Shewouldn’tmakeCapeTown—herofficialdestinationwhenshe’dvanished—butifshereachedDurban,itwouldbeatriumphanthomecoming.
“Wehaveagoodchance,”thechiefreplied.
“Theonlyrealdangeristhatshewasobviouslysittingagroundsomewhereforalongtime.Ashipisn’tsupposedtobeoutofthewaterandrestingallitsweightonthebottomlikethat.Wecanalreadyseesomedeformityintheplatingunderneath.”“Isthatgoingtobeaproblem?”
“Iwouldn’twanttorideoutastormonher,”thechief
said.“Butiftheweatherstaysnice,Ithinkwe’llbeokay.”
“Goodwork,”Paulsaid.“Checkinwithmewhenyougettopside.”
“Wilco,”thechiefsaid.“Goingtorecheckthesternandmakesurewe’renottakingonwaterthroughthepropellershafttube.”
Paulclippedtheradiobackonhisbelt,grabbedashovel,andjoinedthecrewinclearingthedeck.
Meanwhile,GamayandElenaexploredtheinterioroftheship,hopingtoshedsomelightonthemystery.Adedicatedsearchofthebridge,captain’squarters,andotherofficialspacesgavelittleaway.Thelogbooksweregone,alongwiththevastmajorityofpersonalpossessions.
“Let’scheckthepassengercabins,”Gamaysuggested.
ElenanoddedandfollowedGamaydeeperintotheship.Theydescendedthemainstairway,encrustedwithblackmoldandlayersofgunk,arrivedatthemainpassengerlevelandenteredahallasdarkasanymineshaft.Withonlytheirflashlightsforillumination,thetwowomenmovedslowly.
Downhere,themustyodorwasalmostoverpowering,asthefloor,
ceiling,andwallswerecoveredinthesamegunkasthestairwell.Thesoundofwaterdrippingaddedtothecavelikeatmosphere.
“Kindofcreepydownhere,”Elenasaid.
“Onthatweagree,”Gamaysaid.
Fromabovetheyheardoccasionalclangingandthedisembodiedechoofthedeckcrew’svoicesastheyshoutedtooneanother,buttheywere
mutedanddistantlikevoicesfromthepast.
“Doyoubelieveinghosts?”Elenaasked.
“No,”Gamaysaid.“Andneitherdoyou.”
Elenachuckled.“Well,ifIdid,thisiswhereI’dexpecttofindone.Allthosepeoplelostandneverfound.I’veheardthatangryspiritsclingtothelastplacetheywerealive.Hauntingit.Waitingforsomeonetofindthemand
setthemfree.”WithElenagoingon
aboutghosts,Gamayfelttheprickleofgoosebumpsonherskin.“I’lltakeaghostoveranothercrocodileanyday,”shesaid.
Ittookawhilebutthey’dsooncheckedthrougheveryoneofthefirst-classcabins.
“Noticesomething?”Gamayasked.
“Noclothing.Noluggage,”Elenasaid.
“Andnojewelry,”Gamaysaid.They’dbeenworkingonthetheorythattheshipranagroundsomewhereandthepassengersandcrewdiedwaitingforrescue.Butthefactthatthey’dfoundonlyoneoftheship’slifeboatssuggestedsomethingelse.
“Iftheyabandonedship,”Gamaysaid,“they’dhavehadtoleavetheirsteamertrunksbehind.Butstrandsofpearlsanddiamond-studded
braceletsareeasiertocarry.”“I’dbringmine,”Elena
agreed.“Butwhyleaveashipthatwasobviouslynotsinking?”
“Noidea,”Gamayadmittedastheymadetheirwaybacktothemainstairwell.
“Shouldwegodownonemorelevel?”Elenaasked.
Gamaynodded.“Attheriskofsoundinglikemyhusband,let’skeepgoing
untilwegettothebottomofthis.”
Downtheywent,checkingthesmallercabinsthatlayonthenextdeck.
“Crewstations,”Elenanoted,studyingthecrampedcabinarrangements.
“Orsteerage,”Gamaysaid.“TheWaratahwasdesignedtocarryalotofimmigrantpassengers.Fortunately,shewasn’tloadedtothegillswhenshe
leftDurban.”Theysearched
persistently.Butbeyondtheeverydayitemsfromanothercenturythatwouldgenerategreathistoricalinterest,therewaslittletoexplainwhatmighthavehappened.
ThatbegantochangewhenGamayforcedopenthenextdoor.
Thespacewaslargerbutnolesscramped.Gamayofferedaguess,basedonthe
lookofthebedsandstoragecabinets.“Ship’sinfirmary.”
Shesteppedintothecompartmentandwentright.Elenafannedouttotheleft.They’dgoneseveralpaceswhenElenaletoutagasp.
GamayspunaroundandfoundElenaaimingherlightataskullwithdesiccatedskinstretchedacrossit,atangleofwispygrayhairontopandthebristlesofwhathadoncebeenathickhandlebar
mustacheontheupperlip.Anotherbodyrestedbesideit.
Gamaycrouchedbesidethemforacloserlook.Themanworeauniform.“He’sacrewman,”shesaid.“Oratleasthewas.”
Asmallbadgeseemedtoindicatehemighthavebeenaforemanintheengineroom,perhapsinchargeofkeepingtheboilersstoked.Aholeinhisshirtledtoaholeinthetornanddriedskin.Gamay
begantogetasickfeeling.Thesamefeelingshe’dhadupondiscoveringthebodyontheEthernet.
Shecheckedtheotherbody.Itwasshirtlessandtheskinwasmoredecayed.Shecouldn’ttellwhathadhappenedtothisman,butasshesteppedawayherfoothitastainlesssteeltinrestingbesidehim.Somethingclinked.
Gamaypickedupthetin,
priedoffthetop,anddumpedtheobjectsoutontothepalmofherhand.Thefirstwasflattenedandmushroomedoutatoneend.Thesecondwasinrelativelygoodshape.
“Bullets,”Elenasaid.Gamaynodded.“Taken
fromthesemen,I’dbet,eithertotryandsavethemoraftertheydied.”
Withoutspeakinganotherword,theyfinishedtheirsurveyoftheinfirmary,
discoveringthreeadditionalbodiesintherearsection,oneofwhichwasstrappedtoabed.Aclipboardwithancientyellowedpaperstillattachedtoithadfallenfromthepegonthefootboard.Gamaypickeditup.Shecouldn’tmakeoutanythingonthetopsheet.Thesecondpagewasinbettershape.Andasthelighthitthepaperatjusttherightangle,onesmallnotationbecamereadable.
“‘Timeofdeath,’”shesaid.Thehourwasobscured,butthedatenexttoitwaslegible.“‘August1,1909.’”
ThesignificancedawnedonElenaquickly.“FivedaysaftertheWaratahwentmissing.”
Gamaynodded.They’dfoundtheirfirstrealclue.“WeneedtogotellPaul.”
PaulwasbusywiththedeckcrewwhenGamayandElenacameuptohim.
“We’vefoundsomething,”Gamaytoldhimbreathlessly.
Paulputhisshovelasideasshebegantoexplain,handingthemushroomedleadslugstoPaulasshefinished.
“Nopassengers,nolifeboats,nologbooks,”Paulwhispered,goingoverthefacts,“butseveralcrewmendeadinthesickbayandatleastonerecoveringfrombulletwoundsseveraldays
aftertheshipvanished.”“Couldtherehave
possiblybeenamutiny?”Elenaasked.
“Thisisn’ttheHMSBounty,”Gamaysaid.“Itwasacruiseship.Nooneherehadbeenpress-gangedintowork.Thesailorswereprofessionals.Workingonherwasafairlycovetedjob.”
Thatleftonlyoneanswer.“Thenithadtobepiracy,”Paulsaid.
“Whichwouldexplainagreatdeal,”Gamayreplied,“includingourpresentlocation.”
Paulnodded.TheywereoverthreehundredmilesnortheastoftheWaratah’slastreportedposition.GiventhatthecurrentinMozambiqueChannelflowednorthtosouthandthenaroundtheCape,shecouldn’thavedriftedtotheircurrentlocationunlessherresting
placehadbeenevenfartherupthecoast,evenfartherfromwheresheshouldhavebeen.
“Tobehonest,”Paulsaid,“I’vebeenthinkingitmighthavebeenpiracyforawhile.Ican’tcomeupwithanyotherreasonforhertowindupthisfarfromwheresheshouldhavebeen.”
Gamaynodded.“Butifyouwereapirateandyou’djusttakenalargeshipfora
prize,thefirstthingyou’ddoissailitintheoppositedirection,outoftheshippinglanes,awayfromwhereanyonewouldlook.”
“ExplainswhythesearchandrescuevesselsfromtheRoyalNavyandtheBlueAnchorLineneverfoundhereither,”Paulsaid.“Theywerelookinginthewrongplace.”
Elenachimedinwithasummation.“Soagroupofpiratesboardtheship,take
controlofher,andturnhernorth,knowingitwillbedaysbeforeasearchevenbegins.Bythattimetheculpritscanbehundredsofmilesfromthedangerzone.”
“Musthavebeeneasytodisappearbackthen,”Gamaynoted.“Radiosweren’tinuseonshipsyet.Andtheairplanehadonlybeeninventedsixyearsprior,whichmeanttheywerefewandfarbetweenandofrelativelyshortrange.
Certainlynotsuitedforlongmissionsouttosealookingformissingships.”
“Itwasadifferenttime,”Paulsaid,“evencomparedtotenyearslater.”
Paulfoundhimselfintriguedbythemystery,whichseemedtogrowdeeperandmorecomplexbythemoment.“Sowheredidsheendup?”hewonderedaloud.
“Consideringthecurrentinthissectionoftheworld,it
couldbeanywherefromheretoSomalia,”Elenasaid.
“That’strue,”Gamaysaid.“ButI’vecomeupwithanideahowwemightnarrowitdown.Strangelyenough,itbeginswithtakingacloserlookatthosespiders.”
Paulraisedaneyebrow.“Youreallyarecured.”
“Onlytemporarily,”shesaid.“Youstillhavetokillthemformeathome.”
“Isetthemfreeoutthe
backdoor,”Paulsaid.Gamayshookherhead.
“Ofcourseyoudo.”“Sowhat’stheplan?”he
asked.“Beforewetossallthe
foliage,insects,anddebrisovertheside,weshouldtakesamplesofeverything.Theseeds,thebugs,thespiders.Weshouldevenhavesomeoneexaminewhat’sleftofourcrocodilianfriendbeforeElenaturnshimintoa
handbag.“Ifwecandetermine
whatkindofplantsandbugswe’redealingwith,wemightbeabletousethatinformationtonarrowdownwheretheshiphasbeenalltheseyears.”
ItsoundedlikeagreatideatoPaul.“You’retheexpertandthegardenerofthefamily,”hesaid.
“I’llhelp,”Elenasaid.“EspeciallyifitmeansIdon’t
havetogodownbelowagain.”
Paullaughed.“I’lltellthecrewtostopexcavatinguntilyoutwohavecollectedyoursamples.I’msurethey’llenjoythebreak.”
Paulwalkedovertothedeckcrewandgavethemthegoodnews.HewasgettingreadytoradiotheirfindingstotheCondorwhenthesoundofahelicopterapproachingbecameaudible.
Paullookedwest,expectingtoseetheCondor’sJayhawkfinallyreturningfromDurban,butinsteadthesoundcamefromthenorth,wheretwoblackdotsweredescendingfromahigheraltitudeandcomingdirectlytowardthem.Theywerestaggered,withthefirstoneperhapsamileinfrontofitspartner.
Suspicious,Paultookoutapairofcompactbinoculars
andfocusedonthenearestofthetwocraft.Itwasdarkgreenincolor,clearlymilitary,andcarryingordnanceinpodsoneitherside.
FlashescaughtPaul’seye,likesunlightreflectingoffthecanopy,butitwasn’tthesun.Ribbonsofwaterflewuponatracktowardthebowoftheship.Theheavythunkingsoundof.50calibershellstearingthroughmetal
followed.“Hitthedeck,”Paul
shouted,steppingawayfromtherailanddivingbehindthepilesofdirtasiftheyweresandbags.
Theothercrewmendovetothegroundaroundhim,andPaulcaughtsightofGamayandElenaracinghisway.
“What’shappening?”Gamayshouted.
Thefirsthelicopter
thunderedoverhead,headingtothesouthandbankingintoaright-handturn.
“Notsure,”Paulsaid.“ButI’mbeginningtothinksomeonedoesn’tlikeusverymuch.”
Helookedupandtrainedthebinocularsonthesecondhelicopter,cominginlowandslow.Itwasoveramileawayandlessthanahundredfeetabovethewaterwhenitreleaseditspayload.
PaulhadbeenonheightenedalertsincetheincidentsduringthediveontheEthernet,butevenheneededamomenttoprocesswhathewasseeing.Thepayloadswerelongandthin.Theyhitthewaterwithtinysplashesandthenvanished,leavingonlythintrailsofbubblesstretchingoutbehindthemtomarktheircourse.Itwascleartoseethattheyweretrackingstraightforthe
Waratah.“Torpedoes,”hesaid.“Torpedoes?”Gamay
soundedasshockedashewas.
“Comingrightatus,”headdedandthenturnedtothecrew.“Everyoneoff!Abandonship!”
Paul’surgentwarningreverberatedacrossthedeck.Thecrewmen,whohadrecentlyscrambledforcover,gotbackontheirfeetandchargedtowardtheropeladdersthatledtothelaunchesbelow.
“Go,”Paulsaid,helping
peopleovertheedge.“Quickly.”
Astheyscampereddowntheladders,Paulglancedaround.Thehelicopterswereswingingaround,strafingthetugsfirstandthentheCondor.Atthesametime,thetorpedoesthey’ddroppedweretrackingslowlyinbound.
ThetorpedoeswererunningtowardtheWaratahatjustoverthirtyknots,and
withamilebetweenthem,itgavethecrewnearlytwofullminutestoabandonshipandmoveoutofharm’sway.Itwasjustslowenoughthatsomethingextraordinarybegantohappen.
Inthedistance,theredhulloftheFRCflashedintothepicture,racingatfullspeedanddroppinginbehindthechargingtorpedoes.
Paulgrabbedtheradio.“Duke,whatonearthareyou
doing?”“Interceptingthe
torpedoes,”Dukereplied.“Seemslikeanawfulshametoletthatoldrustbucketgodownnow.Especiallywhenshe’sjustrecentlyreturnedfrombeyondlikethis.”
PaulwatchedasElenawentoverthesideanddowntheladder.Gamaywasnext.Butthechiefwasstilldownbelow.
“You’redamnrightitis,”
Paulsaidintotheradio.“Dowhatyoucan.”
DukehadbeenhalfwaybacktotheCondorwhenthehelicoptersappearedandlaunchedtheirattack.Hesawthestrafingrunandwatchedthetorpedoesdrop,realizingquicklythattheWaratah,forwhateverreason,wasthetarget.
Insteadofcontinuingon
towardtheCondor,DukehadslammedthethrottlesforwardandspuntheFRC’swheeluntilitwastrackingbacktowardtheoldderelict.Hisfirstthoughtwasthathemightbeneededtohelpgetthecrewofftheship,eitherbeforeorafteritwasstruck.Butasthespeedylittleboatracedtowardthehulkoftheoldliner,itquicklycameacrossthetrailofbubblesfromoneofthetorpedoes
and,inthatmoment,Dukecameupwithadifferentplan.
“Pullthegunsoutoftheweaponslocker,”heshoutedtotheotherdivers.
AheadofthemthebroadflankoftheWaratahloomed,growinglargerinhissightwitheachpassingsecond,buttheyweregainingrapidlyonthesecondtorpedo.
“Don’thitthewarhead,”Dukeshoutedtohisgunners.“We’llbeblowntopieces.
Hittheproporthemotororthefins.Wejustneedtogetitoffcourse.”
Themennoddedandswitchedoffthesafetiesontheirweapons.Theyhadonlyhandgunstoworkwith.ButifDukegottheminclose,itwouldbeenough.
Skippingacrossthesurfaceatfullspeed,theycameupalongsidethetorpedo.Itwasalightgraycolorbeneaththewater,
runningatadepthoffivefeet.
“Takeitout,”Dukeshouted,matchingthetorpedo’sspeed.
Thediversbeganfiring,drillingholesinthewaterwiththeRugerpistols.Dukewouldhavegivenayear’spayforarifle,buttwooftherifleswereontheWaratahwithPaulandtherestwerebackontheCondor.
Despitebothweapons
beingemptiedatthetarget,thetorpedocontinuedonundeterred.Itwasnomorethanthirtysecondsfromimpact.
“It’stoodeep,”oneofthegunnerssaid.
“Reload,”Dukeshouted.“I’mgoingtotrysomething.”
Hegunnedthethrottleandcrossedinfrontofthetorpedoandthenbackoveritagain.Bythethirdpasshecouldseethetorpedobucking
upanddownlikeaJetSkicrossingthebowwaveofapassingcabincruiser.Itnoseddownandthencameup,breachingthesurfacemomentarily.Atthatmomentthediversopenedfire,plunkingtherearcasingwithseveraldirectshots.Whateverthey’dhit,thetorpedodoveoutofcontrol,twistingtotherightandspiralingdown.
Dukecutthewheeltotheleftandhadcovereda
hundredyardswhentherewasaflashbeneaththewater.Aconcussionwavehitnextandaballofwhitewatererupted,blastingupintotheairandrainingdowninawidecircle.
“Onedown,onetogo,”Dukeshouted,turningbacktotheright,lookingfortheothertorpedotrail.
“It’stoofarahead,”oneofthediversshouted.
“I’mnotgivingup,”Duke
insisted.ButevenashegottheFRCbackontrack,hecouldseeitwastoolate.TheywereracingheadlongtowardtheWaratah’sstern.Thespacebetweenthemwouldbeusedupfasterthantheycouldhopetocatchthefleeingtorpedo.
“Duke,peeloff!”cameashoutovertheradio.“That’sanorder.”
Dukefollowedthecommandandcuttotheleft
astwostreamsofgunfirecamefromthedeckoftheoldship.
PaulandGamaywerestandingattherail,firingdownattheincomingtorpedowiththetwoAR-15rifles.Atarangeofahundredfeet,oneofthemhitthewarheadjustright.Anewshockwaveeruptedandacolumnofwaterexplodedupwardfromthesurfaceofthesealikeageyser.Heatandflame
chasedthewater,burningsomeofittosteaminmidair.
UponWaratah’sdeck,PaulandGamaywerethrownbackwardbytheshockwave.Theylandedtogetheramidapileofweedsthatthedeckcrewhadyettoclear.
Paulopenedhiseyesasmistfromthetorpedo’sexplosiondrifteddownonthem.Hisearswereringing.HeglancedoveratGamay,sawthatshewasallright,and
sighedwithrelief.“Prettygoodshooting,ifIdosaysomyself.”
Gamayproppedherselfupononeelbowandstaredathim.“Howdoyouknowitwasn’tmyshotthatdidthetrick?”
“Youwerewideleft,”hesaid.“Icouldtellfromthestart.Windcorrection.”
“Thosewereyourbulletsgoingleft,”sheinsisted.
Paullaughedandgotto
hisfeet.Helookedaroundfortheattackinghelicopters,hopingtheywouldn’tmakeanotherrun.Thankfully,theywereheadingbacktothenorth.
Theyleftbehindtwopatchesofchurningwater,asmokingtug,andabewilderedgroupofpeoplewhowonderedwhatcouldbesoimportantaboutaderelictshipthatsomeonewouldwanttosinkit.
Paulfoundtheradiothathadbeenknockedfromhisbelt.Hepickeditupandmadesureitwasworking.“Thanksforthehelp,Duke.Youmustbehalfcrazy,butit’smuchappreciated.”
“You’rewelcome,Paul,sorryIcouldn’tgetthemboth.Niceshooting,bytheway.”
“Thanks,”PaulandGamaysaidinunisonandthenglancedateachother.
DukesignaledthathewasheadingbacktotheCondorandPaulacknowledgedthemessagebeforereachingouttotheCondor.
“Condor,thisisPaul,”hesaid.“Ineedadamageandcasualtyreport.”
“Mostlycosmetic,”thevoicereplied.“Twocrewwereinjuredbyshrapnel.Anotherseemstohaveanastybumpfromdivingintoabulkhead.Butnomajor
injuriesorfatalities.”“Soundslikewegotoff
lucky,”Paulreplied.“Contactthetugsandgetmeareport.IseealotofsmokecomingfromtheDrakensberg.”
“Rogerthat,”thecrewmansaid.
“AndgetintouchwithHQ,”Pauladded.“Weneedsomeprotectionouthere.Ihaven’tthefoggiestideawhysomeonewouldtrytosinkanoldderelictlikethis,but
there’snodenyingthat’swhattheywantedtodo.Untilwefigureoutwhotheyareandwhattheywant,wecan’tputitpastthemtotryagain.”
AstheCondorsignedoff,thechiefcalledinfromdownbelow.“Whattheheckisgoingonupthere?”
“Believeornot,wealmostgottorpedoed,”Paulexplained.“Torpedoed?”
“Irealizeitmakesnosense,”Paulsaid.“Justtrust
me.Itwasclosebutweseemtohavesurvivedintact.”
Therewasalongpausebeforethechiefradioedback.“Maybenot,”hesaidgrimly.“Theshockwavemusthavebuckledtheoldplating.We’vegotwatercomingindownhere.”
Thechief’smessagewasgrimnewstoPaul.
“Wemayhavewonthebattlebutlostthewar,”Gamaysaid,givingwordstoPaul’sthoughts.
“I’mgoingdownbelow,”Paulsaid,handingtheradiotoGamay.“Getintouchwith
Condorandthetugs.Weneedpumps.Weneeddiverswithsalvagegear.Ifthere’sabuckledplate,theycanweldapatchoverit.”
“Areyoucrazy?”shesaid.“It’samiraclethisshipisstillafloatasitis.”
“Ican’texplain,”Paulsaid,“butI’vegrownattachedtothisshipandI’mnotgivingupontheoldgalyet.Notafterallshe’sbeenthrough.”
“Whoareyou?”Gamayasked.“AndwhathaveyoudonewithmysensibleNewEnglandhusband?”
Paulgaveheraquickkiss,tookherflashlight,andranforthestairs.HeheardhercallingovertotheCondorasheraceddownintothedark.
Fourflightsdown,hecouldalreadyhearthesoundofwatercomingin.Itwasapowerfulrushingnoiseasifa
firehydranthadbeenbustedwideopen.
Ashereachedthebottomlanding,Paul’sfeetplungedcalfdeepintowater.
“Chief,whereareyou?”heshouted.
“Aftbulkhead!”avoiceshoutedfromdownthehall.“Hurry!”Paulchargedtowardthestern,pasttheboilersandcoalbunkers,totheoldengineroom.Hesawlightcomingfromaladderwell
thatdescendedintotheaftbilge,whichwasthelowestsectionoftheshipwhereallthebilgewatercollected.Beneathitlayonlythecoldsea.
AsPaulplayedhislightaround,hespottedwaterblastinginthrougharupturedseaminthehullplating.Itcoursedthroughthecompartmentinanangry,foamingstream,beforeswirlingdowntheladderlike
itwasagiganticdrain.Thewaterlevelwasrisingwithalarmingspeed.
“Wecan’tstopthis,”Paulsaid,suddenlyshockedbacktoreality.“Wehavetogetoutofhere.”
“Ican’t,”thechiefsaid.“I’mtrapped.”
Paulsawnothingholdingthechiefinplace.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Mylegsarestuckinthesediment,”thechiefshouted.
“Theshockwavefromtheexplosionliquefiedthemuck.WhenIdroppeddownheretotakealook,Isunkknee-deepintoit.Itmightaswellbequicksand.”
Paulsteppedontotheladder,grabbedthechief’shand,andpulledwithallhismight.Thechiefremainedstuckrightwherehewas.Paulaimedtheflashlightdownintothewater.Thechiefwasindeedsunkupto
hisknees.Paulsteppeddown
anotherrungasthewaterswirledaroundhimandpoundedhisshoulders.Hangingontight,hegotintoapositionwherehecouldusemoreleverage,grabbedunderthechief’sarm,andpulledagain.Itwasnouse.
“Wiggleyourfeet.”“Ican’t,”thechiefsaid.
“It’slikethey’restuckinconcrete.”Bynowthewater
wasuptothechief’swaistandrisingfast.
Paulsteppedback.Heneededsomethingtodigthechiefoutwith.Shiningthelightaround,hecaughtsightofametalpipewithabarbedend.Itmighthavebeenapickerbarusedbythefiremenontheoldshiptorakethecoalswith.Itwouldhavetodo.
Hegrabbedthepickerbar,camebacktothewell,
handedthechiefhisflashlight,andjabbedthebarintothesedimentnearthechief’slegs.Shovelingatfirstandthenstirring,hebegantodislodgethemuck.
“It’sworking,”thechiefsaid.“Keepgoing.”
Paulcouldhardlysee.Heworkedvigorouslyasthewaterreachedthechief’schestandthenhisneck.Thechieftiltedhisheadtokeephisnoseandmouthabovethe
water.Paulkeptdiggingandthe
chiefbegantocomefree,pullingontherungsoftheladderanddrawinghimselfup.
Onelegcamefreeandthentheother,minusaboot.ThechiefwentuptheladderandPaulfollowed.Thelastsixinchesofthebilgefilledrapidly,andsoonthemainengineroombeganflooding.
Exhaustedfromthe
struggle,thetwomenstumbledforthebulkhead.Bythetimetheyreachedit,waterwaspouringoverthesilllikeaminiatureversionofNiagaraFalls.
“Thinkit’llhold?”Paulasked,lookingatthehundred-yearoldversionofawatertightdoor.
“Onlyonewaytofindout.”
Paulgrabbedthedoorandtriedtoforceitshut,buta
centuryofcorrosionpreventeditfrommovingmuch.Puttinghisshoulderintoit,Paulmanagedtomoveithalfwaytoaclosedpositionbeforeitseizedonceagain.
Steppingback,hetooktheironpickerbarandbangedonthehinges,tryingtoknockthecorrosionoff.Afewflakeswereallhemanagedtoclear.Puttingthebardownagain,heandthechiefgotbehindthedoorand
leanedinto.Itclosedthreequartersandthenalmostflush,buttheweightofthewaterpouringthroughwastoomuchanditpushedthemback.“It’snouse,”thechiefsaid.
“Onemoretry,”Paulsaid.Fromthecornerofhiseyehesawafigurecomerunningdownthestairsbehindthem.Someassistanceatlast.“Helpus!”
Withthewatersurging
throughwaist-highatthispoint,Paulleanedintothedooronemoretime.Hefeltthechiefpushingwithallhismightandthenfeltapowerfulshovefrombehindasthecrewmanwho’dcometohelpreachedthem.
Betweenthethreeofthemtheyovercametheforceoftherushingwater.Thedoorclangedshut,andPaulwrenchedthewheelovertolockittight.
Thesealwaslessthanperfect,afteralltheseyears,andwatersprayedthrougharoundtheedgesinseveralplaces,butitcouldbemeasuredingallonsperminute.Pumpscouldhandlethat,atleastaslongasthedoorheld.
Paulcollapsedontothefloorandlookedatthechief,whowassmilingfromeartoear.“Justanotherdayattheoffice,”
thechiefsaid.“ThinkI’mreadyfora
dayoff,”Paulreplied.Heturnedtothankthecrewmanforcomingtotheiraidbuttherewasnoonethere.Helookedaroundinalldirections,butevenaftergrabbingtheflashlightfromthechiefhesawnothingbutthedarkhall.Theywerealone.
“Didyoubringanyoneelsedownhere?”Paulasked.
Thechiefshookhishead.“Everyoneelsewenttopsidebeforetheattack.Why?”
Paulgazeddownthehalltothestairwell.Henowrealizedthatinthedarkitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtoseesomeonestandingthere.Buthedistinctlyrememberedabroadshoulderedmanwithamustache.
Hedecidedhismindwasplayingtricksonhim.“No
reason,”hesaidfinally.“Justmakingsure.Let’sgetuptopincasethisdoorgivesway.”
Paulgrabbedthepickerbar,climbedtohisfeet,andhelpedthechiefupoffthedeck.Wearily,theysloggedtheirwaytowardthestairwellandclimbedupintothedaylight.Inthehourthatfollowed,pumpsfromtheCondorandoneofthetugswerebroughtin.Thewatertightdoorswerebraced
andreinforcedinsidetheship,whilethesalvagediversquicklyfoundtherupturedseamandweldedapatchjoboverit.Theshipwasstillleaking,anditwasanyone’sguessifthehullwouldholdout,butasthetowgotunderwayandtheshipsbegantomovetheydidsounderthewatchfuleyeoftheSouthAfricanAirForce,whichsentfighteraircraftandarmedhelicoptersoverheadina
seriesofrevolvingsweeps.Aseveningcameon,the
smallflotillametthefirstshipinwhatwouldprovetobeasubstantialhonorguard.Withinthehour,twoadditionalwarshipsjoinedit,followedbyadedicatedrepairvesselreadytolendahand.
ItseemedthathavingenduredtheWaratah’slossoncealready,theSouthAfricangovernmentwas
determinednottoletanythinghappentoheragain.
Withaprotectiveforcearoundthem,Paulbegantofeelmoreatease.HefoundGamayondeck,placingsamplesofmanydifferentthingsintoplasticbaggies,labelingthem,andzippingthemshut.
Shehadherhairtiedback,apencilbehindoneear,andhermoststudiouslookfirmlyinplace.
Paulsatdownbesideher.“Almostdone?”
“Withthecollectionpart,”shesaid,placingthesamplesintoaplasticcooler.“I’mflyingbacktoDurbantomeetwithabiologistregardingthesesamples.Wanttocome?”
“I’dloveto,”Paulsaid,“butIwanttomakesurethisshipreachesport.”
“I’dsayyou’vedoneenough,”Gamayreplied,“but
I’veseenthatlookbefore.”“Thejobisnotdoneuntil
it’sdone,”hesaid.“I’llbetheretoseeyou
arrive,”shesaid,placingthelidonthecontainerandlockingitdown.
Hesmiled,thinkingbacktoallthetimesoneofthemhadwaitedonshorefortheothertocomehome.Itwasalwaysanenjoyablereunion.
Shestoodandpickedupthecooler.Paulgrabbeda
secondcoolerandtheybeganwalkingtothestern,wherealaunchwaitedtowhiskherovertotheCondorandthemilitaryhelicopterwaitingtoflyhertoDurban.
“Doyoubelieveinghosts?”heasked.
Shelaughedatthequestion.“Notreally.Why?”
“Noreason,”hesaid.“Justchecking.”
They’dreachedtheladder,whereacrewman
helpedlowerdownthecontainers.
“I’llbereadyforthatcandlelightdinnerbythetimeImakeport,”Paulsaid.
“I’llmakeusareservation,”shesaid.
Paulhuggedandkissedherandthenstoodbackassheclimbeddowntheropeladdertoawaitingboat.
AsthelaunchpeeledoffandmadefortheCondor,Pauldecidedhewasaman
withalottolookforwardtooverthenextfewdays—dinnerwithGamay,bringingtheWaratahintoportafterahundredandfiveyears,and,ifGamaywasright,somenewinsightintowheretheshiphadbeenhidingalltheseyears.AttheBrèvardlair,thefamilymournedthepassingofEganwithasomberceremony,counterbalancedbythefactthatAcostathetraitorhadbeenkilledandthe
hackersreturnedtotheirrightfulowners.
Withoutdelay,Sebastianputthemtowork.UsingtheirownskillsandtheoffensivecapabilitiesofPhalanx,theyweresoonhackingintotheAmericanDepartmentofDefense,theEuropeanairtrafficcontrolsystem,andvariousotherentities,withtheintentionofwreakinghavoc.
“Isallthisreally
necessary?”Calistaasked.“Weneedasmokescreen
forourtrueplans,”hesaid.“Alittlecarnagewilldonicely.”
Calistanoddedandwalkedtothefrontofthecontrolroom,wherethefloor-to-ceilingwindowslookedoutovertheOlympic-sizedswimmingpool.Apoolwhereshe’dlearnedtodive.Wheresheandtheothershadtrainedforthemissionto
attacktheEthernet.Thinkingaboutthat
moment,hermindwanderedtoKurtAustin.Sinceencounteringhimthere,she’dhackedintothemedicalfilesNUMAwaskeepingonhimandlearnedofhisrelationshipwithSienna.
Shewonderedwhatwouldpossessamantorisklifeandlimbforawomanhecouldneverhave.Awomanwhoserescuewouldonly
resultinhimlosingheragain,ashedeliveredherbacktoanotherman’sarms.
EitherSiennawasthetypeofwomanwhoinspiredsuchloveorshewasfortunateenoughtohaveencounteredamanwhosesenseofdutywasmoreimportantthanhisownselfpreservation.Ineithercase,Calistafoundherselfjealous.Shehadneverknownsuchamanandprobably
neverwould.“GetLaurentuphere,”Sebastiansaid,breakinghertrainofthought.“Weneedtomakesureallhismenarebroughtbacktothecompoundandreadytofight.Eventheoneswe’vesimplyhiredforlocaljobs.”
“Expectingcompany?”“Notrightaway,”
Sebastiansaid,“butsoonenough.Whentheydocome,wemustbecertainthattheybleed.Theymustfinditas
difficultaspossibletoovercomeourdefensesortheywon’ttrulybelievethey’vewon.”
Sheunderstood.Itwasallpartofthegame.
Durban, South Africa
GamayarrivedinDurbanandfoundherselfsomethingofalocalattraction.ThediscoveryoftheWaratahwasbeingkeptsecretuntiltheshipwasbroughtsafelyinto
SouthAfricanwaters.Buttherumorhadbeguntospread.AndhearingthatamemberoftheNUMAteamhadbeenflowninwithsamplesofsomethingthatsheneededexamined,shewasmetwithanexcitedresponse.
SeveralexpertsflewinontheirowndimeandconvenedwithherattheUniversityofDurban-Westvillecampus.Theyquicklysetupshop,examiningthesamplesofthe
insects,deadrodents,andvariousseedsandplantsdiscoveredontheWaratah.
Whiletheyworked,Gamaytooktheopportunitytovisitthelibraryandfoundamicrofilmmachine,whereshecouldperusetheoldnewspapersprintedatthetimeoftheWaratah’sdisappearance.
“Areyousureyoudon’twanttouseacomputer?”oneofthelibrariansasked.“All
ofthisisonline.”“Thankyoubutno,”
Gamaysaid.“I’vehadquiteenoughofcomputersforawhile.”
Leftalone,shereadarticleafterarticle.Itwasaneducationintoadifferenttime.She’dgrownsousedtotoday’sworld,whereplanecrashesandmishapsofanykindwerecoveredliveandtheinformationdistributedandverifiedalmostinstantly,
thatitwasoddreadingaboutthedisappearance.Initially,theshipwasjustthoughttobeoverdue,acommonoccurrence.Evendaysandweekslater,therewerearticlessuggestingthattheWaratahmightyetarriveorthatthesearchvesselswouldencounterherandtowherin.Estimatesofhowlongherfoodsupplieswouldholdoutwereofferedasreasonnottopanic.
Butthenhopefadedandtherealitysetin.Speculationandrumorbegantorunrampant.ThestormofJuly27thwasconsideredthelikelyculprit.ThestatementsofamannamedClaudeSawyerbecameafocalpoint.HewasthesolepassengerboundforCapeTownwhodecidedtodisembarktheshipinDurban.Hesentatelegramtohiswifethatread,inpart,“ThoughtWaratahtop-heavy.
LandedDurban.”Mr.Sawyeralsoclaimed
tohavehadadreamshortlybeforetheshipreachedDurbaninwhichaknightcryingtheship’snamecamechargingthroughthewaveswithaswordraisedhigh.AftergettingoffinDurban,heclaimedtohavehadanotherdreaminwhichtheWaratahwasswampedbyamassivewave,capsized,andvanishedfromsight.
AdifferenttheorywasespousedbyCaptainFirthofthesteamerMarere.HebelievedtheWaratahtoobigandstrongtobetakenbyaroguewaveandthoughtitmorelikelythatshe’dlostapropellerorrudderandwasadriftinthecurrent,beingslowlyhauledpasttheCapeofGoodHopeandoutintotheAtlanticOcean.
FirthwascertaintheWaratahwouldbefound,
muchlikeasimilarvessel,theSSWaikato,whichbrokeapropellershaftonthewaytoAucklandanddriftedforsixfullweeksbeforeeventuallybeingdiscovered.SomespeculatedshewoulddriftallthewaytoSouthAmerica.
AsGamayreadthenewspapersover,shefoundherattentionturningtootherstoriesoftheday:newsofthestorm,politicalarguments,
andadsforproducts,includingonethattoutedsmokingasacureforthecommoncold.
Moststriking,shereadalongdispatchabouttheDurbanpolicebattlingagroupofcriminalsknownastheKlaarRiverGang.Afteranexplosionandaconflagrationthatburnedupafortuneinpapercurrency,itwasfinallydeterminedthatthenoteswereactuallynear-
perfectforgeries.WhilemostoftheKlaarRiverGanghadindeedperished,RobertSwan,chiefinspectoroftheDurbanpolice,fearedtheleadershadescapedandwouldresurface.
“Mayyouliveininterestingtimes,”Gamaywhisperedtoherself.
“Excuseme,”avoicesaidfrombehindher.“AreyouGamayTrout?”
Sheturnedtoseeaman
wearinganavybluesuitandanopen-necked,button-downwhiteshirt.Heofferedhishand.“MynameisJacobFredricks.I’veheardarumorthatyoumighthavediscoveredtheSSWaratah.Isthattrue?”
Gamayhesitated.“IworkedwithNUMA
onanexpeditionlookingfortheshipyearsago,”themanexplained.“Unfortunately,wecameupempty.”
Sherecalledthename.Andthoughshewasn’tsureifthismanwaswhohesaidhewas,shedoubtedtherewasmuchdangertoherortheshipanymore.Asthetruthwasobviouslyleakingoutfromseveralsources,shedecidedtotellhimwhatsheknew.
Theyspentthenexttwohoursdiscussingtheship’svanishingandthetimeFredricksthoughthe’dfound
it,onlytolearnhe’ddiscoveredaWorldWarTwocargoshiptorpedoedbytheGermans.
“I’malmostrelievedtoknowtheshiphasbeenbeachedsomewhereallthistime,”hetoldher.“Makesnotfindingheronthebottomalittleeasiertotake.”
Gamaysmiledandtoldhimabouttheincidentsthathadoccurredsincethediscovery.Fredricksseemed
surprisedbywhatheheardbutmentionedthatoddtheoriesandoccurrenceshadalwayssurroundedtheship.
“Apsychiconceheldthatthey’dmadelandandstartedanewcivilization,”heexplained.
“Closertothetruththanwemighthaveguessed,”Gamaysaid,thoughitwasprettyclearthatthepassengersnevermadeland.
“Oneofthestrangest
storiestookplacein1987,”hesaid.
“Whenyouthoughtyou’dfoundthewreck?”sheasked.
“No,thatwasyearslater,”hesaid.“Backin’87anold,double-endlifeboatwasfoundadriftoffthecoastofMaputoBay,Mozambique.Bysomefisherman,ifIrecall.Therewerethreepeopleinit.Awomanandtwoboys.Thewomanhadaslightbulletwound,butit
wasnotfatal.Unfortunately,dehydrationwas...forallthreeofthem.Theywereidentifiedaspartofafamilythathadbeenabductedyearsbefore.Authoritiesthoughtthey’descapedfromsomewhereupthecoast.Somaliawastheprimesuspect.Itwasaprettylawlessplaceevenbackthen.”
“Soundsterrible,”shesaid.“Butwhatdoesthat
havetodowiththeWaratah?”
“Theoldlifeboattheywereinwasrottedhalftothecore.Ithadbeenhastilypatchedandsealedwithhouseholditemsandwouldn’thavelastedmuchlonger,haditnotbeenfound.Severalexpertsinsisteditwasadesignusedandbuiltfrom1904to1939.Yearslater,someonedidacomputeranalysisofthephotostaken
thenandclaimedtodiscovertheremnantsofletteringstillvisibleonthehighestplank,basicallybecausethelayersofpainthadlimitedtheerosion.Itrulycan’trememberhowtheydidit,butinthephotothewritingcouldhavebeeninterpretedtospellWaratah.”
Gamaysatback,stunned.“You’rejoking.”
Heshookhishead.“Atthetime,everyoneassumedit
wasahoax.Likethatalienautopsyvideo.Butnow,afterwhatyou’vefound,thereisapossibilityitmightbetrue.
“AndthentherewastheKlaarRiverGang,”hesaid,movingontoanewsubject.
“Iwasjustreadingaboutthem,”shesaid.
“Somethinktheybribedtheirwayaboardtheship,”hetoldher.
“Really?”“Yes.Andthendrowned
whenitwentdown.”“Exceptthatitdidn’tgo
down,”Gamaynoted.“Couldthisganghavehijackedtheship?”
“FromwhatI’veread,theywereruthless,”hetoldher.“Iftheshipwastakenover,theywouldhavebeenjustthekindofpeopletodoit.”
Gamayfoundhermindswirling.Shewantedtoinvestigateeverythingthis
manhadtoldher.Butbeforeshecoulddoanything,herphonebuzzed.Atextmessagerequestedthatshereturntothelaboratory,wherethesampleswerebeinganalyzed.
“Ihavetogo,”shesaid.“IwouldlovetotalkmorewhenIhavesometime.”
“AnythingforNUMA,”hesaid,handingherabusinesscardandshakingherhand.
Gamayleftthelibraryandreturnedquicklytothelab.Thebiologistwho’dledtheteamsummarizedtheresults.
“Haveyoubeenabletogiveussomeideaofwheretheshipmighthavebeen?”sheasked.
“You’reinluck,Ms.Trout,”thebiologisttoldher.“You’vefoundseveralspeciesthatexistinonlyoneplaceonEarth.”
Heshowedherthe
skeletonofasmallanimalthatoneofPaul’sdeckhandshaddugupduringtheexcavation.Shethoughtitlookeduniquewhenshewasputtingtheremainsintheplasticcase.
“Whatisit?”sheasked.“Afossa,”hesaid,
showingherapictureoftheanimal.
“Itlookslikeacrossbetweenacatandakangaroo,”shesaid,looking
atthepicture.“It’sactuallyatypeof
mongoose,”hereplied.Nextheshowedheralargemoth—ithadbeenjustemergingfromacocoonwhenElenahadspottedit.Neitherofthemcouldbelievehowlargeitwas.
“Thisisamoonmoth,”thebiologistsaid,beforemovingovertothespidersthey’dfoundonthefirstnight.“Goldenorb-weaver
spider,”heexplained.“Whiletherearemanyspecieslikethisaroundtheworld,whatwefoundinitswebisunique.”Hepointedtoaninsect,onethathadbeenwrappedupinspidersilk.“Giraffeweevil,”heexplained,handingheramagnifyingglass.
Shefocusedhervision.Thelittlebuglookedfairlynormalexceptforalong,skinnyneckandheadthat
stuckoutfromitsbodylikeanextensionattachmentonavacuumcleaner.
Shecouldn’tbelievethey’dgottensolucky.Shefiguredthebadnewswascomingnext.“Letmeguess.Somalia?”
“No,”hesaid.“Muchcloser.ThewestcoastofMadagascar.”
“Madagascar?”sherepeated.
Henodded.“Yousee,the
islandofMadagascarbrokeofffromAfricaahundredsixtymillionyearsago,”heexplained.“Indiawasstillattachedtoitatthetime.But,eightymillionyearsago,Indiaitselfwastornloosebyplatetectonics.
“Asthethreelandmasseswerepulledfartherandfartherapart,animalsandplantsleftonMadagascarevolveddifferentlyfromthoseintherestoftheworld.
AswithAustralia,therearehundredsofspeciesthatcallonlyMadagascarhome.You’vediscoveredthreeofthemonyourfloatingwreck.Whichtellsusitwasparkedthereforquiteawhilebeforeitfloatedbackouttosea.”
“Andthecrocodile?”sheasked.
“PlentyoftheminMadagascar,”hesaid.
Gamaynodded.Theevidencewasclear.The
WaratahhadspenthertimeagroundonthewesternshoresofMadagascar.Theonlyquestionsnowwerewhere,andwhysomeonewasinterestedinsinkingher.
KurtAustinfelthimselffalling,droppingweightless,intothedarkness,hisnervestinglingatthesensation.Heplungedintothewaterandthecoldstingopenedhiseyes.Suddenlyhecouldsee.Murkybluesurroundedhim,buttherewaslightupabove
andthestrangesightofwavestopplingfrombeneathastheyrolledoverhim.
Hekickedforthesurfaceandcameoutintoastorm.Winddrivenrainlashedthesea,andswellsthesizeofrailroadcarsbuoyedhimupandthendroppedhimdownonceagain.Theyacht,theEthernet,wasaheadofhim.Siennaandherfamilywereonit.
Hekickedtowarditand
pulledhimselfaboardasawavebroughthimuponthedeckthatwasnearlyawashinthestorm.Strugglingtowardthebridge,shoutingforSienna,hefoundhimselfpushingthroughthemainhatchonlytobeclubbedinthebackoftheheadandslammedtothefloor.
Theimpactatthebackofhisskullnearlyknockedhimunconscious;hewaswoozyanddazed.Thenextthinghe
knew,someonewasslamminghimagainstthebulkheadandtryingtochokehim.
“Wherethehelldidhecomefrom?”avoiceshoutedfromtheothersideofthebridge.
“There’sarescuecopteroutside,”themanholdinghimcalledback.
Kurtknockedtheman’shandfromhisthroat,butthemanflunghimdownandput
himinaheadlock.Notonetolosemany
fights,Kurtwasawareofweaknessinhislimbsthatmusthavecomefromtheinitialblowtothebackofhishead.Havingbeenconcussedseveraltimesinhislife,Kurtrecognizedthesymptoms.Theringingintheears,tunnelvision,dizziness.Theblowshouldhaveputhimout,mighthaveevenkilledhim.But,thenagain,Kurthas
alwaysbeenahardhead.Helookedup,tryingto
assessthesituation.Themanatthefarendhadawomanbythearm.
“Sienna?”Kurtsaidweakly.
Shelookedoverathim.“Kurt?”shesaid.
Shetriedtopullfreeandreachforhim,butthemanyankedherbackandhandedherofftoasubordinate.“Gethertotheescapepod.Her
husbandandthechildrenarealreadythere.”
Siennastruggledagainstthembutcouldnotbreakfree.Asshewasdraggedintotheship,Kurtcouldhearhershoutinghisname.Hetriedtostand,buthisassailantwastooheavyforKurttoovercomeinhiscurrentstate.
“Whatabouttherestofus?”
“We’llbejoiningherassoonaswegetridofthis
one.”ThemandroppeddownbesideKurt,flippedopenaknife,andwentforthecablethatattachedKurttotheharness.
Kurtheardthehelicopterthroughthestormandsawthespotlightprobingaround.Itspurredthedimrealizationthathewouldn’tsurviveifthesemencutthecableconnectinghimtoit.
Hesnappedfree,kickedthemanwiththeknife,and
lungedforthedooronlytobetackledagain.
“Killhim.”Themancockedthe
hammeronthepistol,butKurtspunandkickedtheman’sknee.Theweapondischarged,hittingtheclearceramicwall.Thewalldidn’tshatter,butcracksspreadacrossitlikeveins.BeforeKurtcouldmakeasecondmoveabootcaughthiminthechin,andthemanholding
himpressedhimdownintothewater,tryingtodrownhim.
Despiteeveryeffort,Kurtcouldnotpushhardenoughtoriseup.
“Wait!”Theordercamefroma
femalevoice.ThemanpulledKurtfromthewaterandheldhimthere.
“Wecanusehim,”thewomansaid.
Ashewasallowedto
breathe,Kurtstaredatthewoman.Herecognizedher.Theshortdarkhair,wetandmattedtoherhead.Thehighcheekbones.Heknewhersomehow.Hernamewas...Calista.
“He’lltelltheworldaboutus,”themansaid,objecting.
“Someonehasto,”shesaidcryptically.“Youidiotshavekilledthecaptainandthecrew.Weplannedonusingthemforthatpurpose.”
“Wedidn’texpectthemtofight.”
ShedroppeddownbesideKurtandopenedasmallcase.Kurtcouldfeeltheyachtrollingintheswells.Itwasindangerofgoingover.Almostunconscious,Kurtfoughttostayawake.Hisstrengthwasgone.Hismindcloudingover.
Thewomanproducedasyringeandjabbeditinhisneck.Kurt’sminddrifted
further.Shemovedclosetohis
faceandhelditinbothhands.“Youcameaboardtheyacht,”shesaid,hervoiceadistantecho.“YousawSiennabeyondthiswall.”
Sheturnedhisheadtowardit.Thecrackscaughthiseye.“Shewasfloatingfacedown.Herhairwaswet,wavinglikeseagrass.”
Kurtstaredattheglasswall.Theglareofaflashlight
reflectedoffit,blindinghim.Whenitwasgone,hecouldseethroughtheglass.Theroomwashalffilledwithwater.Thecushionsandpapersfloatedinmuck.
Siennawasthere,hesawher.Helungedtowardheronlytobangintotheglass.
“Shedrowned,”thevoicetoldhim.“Alongwithherdaughter.Suchaprettychild.Suchashame.”
Kurtcouldseeit
happening.Thelittlegirlinherdress,atowheadedblonde.Hersmallfingerswerestillcurledaroundhermother’shand.HerememberedhearingthathernamewasElise.
“Hereyesareopen,”thewomansaid.
Kurtwincedattheimage.Hetriedagaintogettothembutwasthrownbacktothedeck.
“Theyachtissinking,”
thevoicetoldhim.“Fillingwithwater.Breaktheglass!It’syouronlyhope.”
Kurtslammedhisfistintotheglasswallbutitwasnouse.Hecouldn’tbreakthrough.
“Youtriedtosmashitwiththechairbuttheglasswouldnotfall.Instead,youdid.”
Hewaspushedontohisback.
“Theyachtisrollingover.
You’verunoutoftime.”“No!”“They’repullingyou
out!”“No,”Kurtshouted.He
felthimselfbeingdrawnbackward.Hismaskwasrippedoff.Andthenthebackofhisheadslammedagainstsomethingonceagain.
Butinsteadoffindinghimselfoutinthesea,herealized,throughthehazeinhismind,thathewasstillon
thebridge.Hesawthewomanand
theotherswalkingaway.Heheardherspeakingtosomeonebyradio.“Opentheseacocks.Sinkthisship.Andlet’sgetoutofhere.”
“Whathappenswhenhestartstoremember?”anotherofthemsaid.
“Hewon’t,”sheinsisted.“Notuntilwelethim.”
Kurtlosttrackofthemandtriedtomove.Hehadto
getoutofthere,hehadtoescape.Hetriedtostand,buthisarmsfeltasiftheyweremadeoflead.Hislegswereuseless.
Thewaterbeganrushingawayfromhim.Theshipwasrolling.Suddenlytheharnesspulledtautaroundhim,dragginghimtowardthedoor.Itpulledhimfreeandthensnappedwithaloudtwang.
Hedroppedbackintothe
sea.Dazedandbarely
conscious,hetriedtokickforthesurfacebutknewhewasgoingdeeper,pulleddownbysuctionfromthesinkingyacht.Theflashlightonhisarmpointeddownward,andKurtsawtheblurryoutlineoftheyachtdisappearingintothedarknessbelow.
Heturnedhisgazeupward,caughtaglimpseofthesilverylight,andthen
watchedthedarknessclosearoundit.Everythingwentblack.Untilahandgrabbedhimandpulledhimabovethewaves.
Kurtwokeupquietly.Unlikealltheothernightshe’dwokenfromthememory/nightmare,thistimehereturnedtoconsciousnessinastateofpeace.Hecouldhearasoftbeepingandthesoundofaventilatingduct.Heopenedhiseyesslowly
andfoundhimselfbathedinblazinglight.
Hewasnotathomebutinahospital,withawhiteceiling,walls,andfloor.Hispupils,dilatedbysomemedication,werelettinginvastamountsoflightthatturnedthedimlylitroomintoablazingsolarium.
Heraisedahandtoblocktheglare,buttheIVlinetapedtothecrookofhisarmmadeitawkward.Helethis
armfallandnoticedapulsemeterattachedtohisfinger,whichwasinturnconnectedtothemonitoremittingthesoftbeepingsound.
Heguessedthatmeanthewasalive.
Lookingthroughtheglare,hesawafigureacrosstheway.ItwasJoe,sittinginachair,onthefarsideofthesmallroom.
Joelookedlikehe’dbeenupforever.Threedaysof
stubblecoveredhisface,darkcirclesrestedbeneathhiseyes.Hehadacupofcoffeeinonehandandacomicbookacrosshisknee.
“Didn’tknowyouwereaMangaguy,”Kurtsaid.
Joelookedup,awarmsmilecuttingthroughthehaggardlook.“Ijustlookatthepictures,”hesaid.“Especiallywhenthewordsareinaforeignlanguage.AsfarasIcantell,thisone’s
aboutanorphanrobotwhobefriendsaboyandgirlwithmutantpowerswhohaveapenchantforsamuraiswordsandcupcakes...ThoughIcouldbewrongaboutthat.”
AsJoeheldthecomicup,KurtcouldseethesurrealdrawingsandtheKoreanletteringinbrightred.“Sometimespicturesdon’ttellthewholestory,”hesaid,thinkingabouthisownexperience.“WhatamIdoing
inahospital?”“Don’tyouremember?
Yourgirlfriendtrickedyouintozappingyourself.”
“‘Zappingmyself’?”“Inthetunnelunderthe
DMZ.”IttookKurtaminuteto
recalltheextracurricularactivitiesbeneaththeDMZ,butthankfullyhedid.Heevenrememberedfallingafterpressingthebuttononthescreenofthewoman’s
remote.“Consideringthequalityofcare,”hesaid,“I’mgoingtoassumewe’reintheSouth.How’dwegetbackhere?”
“Wemadearunfortheborder,Zavalastyle,”Joesaid.“Basically,Isavedyou...onceagain.Andyoumissedthewholething...onceagain.”
“I’lltakeyourwordforit,”Kurtsaid.Hiseyesightwasreturningtonormal.
“HowlonghaveIbeenout?”“Threedays,”Joesaid.“Threedays?”Joenodded.“Theydid
someminorbrainsurgeryonyou,”heexplained.“Ipointedouttothemthatanybrainsurgeryonyouwouldhavetobeminor,buttheydidn’tgetthejoke.Lostintranslation,Iguess.”
Kurtchuckled.“You’vebeenwaitingformetowakeupjustsoyoucouldsaythat,
haven’tyou?”“Prettymuch,”Joesaid.
HeputdownthecomicbookandslidhischairovertoKurt,presentinghimwithaclearplasticvial.InsidewasatinymetalfragmenthalfthesizeofaTicTac.Amicrochip.
“Whatisit?”“Simpledevice,”Joesaid.
“Itemitsanelectronicsignalthatshortcircuitsyourbraineverytimetheyexposeittoa
certainfrequency.Thedoctorssaythey’vetriedsimilarsystemsonpatientswithParkinson’stocontroltremors.Oronpeoplewho’veexperiencedemotionaltrauma,inanefforttorewiretherecollectionandreducetheemotionalpain.”
Kurtlookedatthechip.HewonderedifitsremovalhadallowedhismemorytoclearorifthejoltCalistahadgivenhimwassopowerful
thatithadsomehowoverriddenthefalsememory.
“Accordingtothedocs,thelittlethinghastobetriggeredbyatransmitter,”Joeadded.“Hearingthat,Dirksentateamtosweepyourhouse.Theyfoundatransmitterhiddeninyourgarage.”
Kurtconsideredallthetroublethetinychiphadcausedhim.“That’swhythenightmaresstoppedonceI
leftD.C.And,I’massuming,whyIcanrememberbeingontheyachtnow.Ievenrememberyoupullingmeoutofthewater.”
“Thatalonehastobeworthallthetrouble,”Joesaid.
KurtnoddedandtoldJoethememorieshe’dfinallyrecalled.“Someofit’sstillfuzzy,”headded,“butCalistawasdefinitelythere.TheyhadSienna.Theyhadher
husbandandherchildren,whichmakesmewonderwhathe’sdoingbackintheStates.”
“Youmean...”“Imeanifthey’reforcing
hertodosomethingbyholdingthechildrenhostage,whataretheyforcinghimtodo?”
“Youdidn’thearitfromme,”Joesaid,“butI’mtoldtheCIAisalreadywonderingthesamething.Supposedly
Westgate’sabouttogetthechancetoexplainhimselfinperson.”
Kurtconsideredthatprogress.Hesatupandpulledthepulsemeteroffofhisfinger,causingthemonitortoflatline.Analarmsounded,bringinganurse.Sheshutoffthechirping,checkedKurt’svitals,andcalledareportintothenursingstation.
Assheleft,newvisitors
arrived:HalefromtheCIAwithhisever-presentpartner,Col.Lee.
“You’reluckytobeinahospital,”Halesaid,“andnotinaNorthKoreanprisoncamp.”
“Oroneofours,forthatmatter,”Col.Leeadded.“YoutwoalmostcausedasecondKoreanWar.”
“Technically,”Joesaid,“thefirstoneneveractuallyended.Therewasnopeace
treaty,onlyacease-fire.Soitwouldreallybeacontinuationofthefirstwar.”
“Youthinkthisisfunny?”Col.Leeasked.
“No,”Joesaid.“ButIthinkthefactthatKurtandIdiscoveredathreattoSouthKoreansecurityintheformofasecrettunnelfromtheNorthhastocountforsomething.”
HalegaveCol.LeealookthatsaidHehasapoint.
“You’rebothverylucky,”Col.Leesaid.“Luckyyoudidn’tendupdeadorinaNorthKoreangulag.LuckythatKimJongunisdenyinganysuchtunnelexistsandclaimingtheseareallimperialistliesratherthanadmittingtwodozenofhismenwerekilledintheskirmish.Luckythatcalmerheadsprevailed.It’stakenthreedaysforthesidestocalmdown.Buttensionsare
almostbacktonormal.”Kurtwasgladtohear
that.“Maybewewenttoofar,”hesaid.“We’lldefinitelybemorecarefulnexttime.”
“Sorry,Kurt,butthere’snotgoingtobeanexttime,”Halesaid.Thewordsweredeliveredwithatingeofregret,evensadness.
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Kurtsaid.“We’veprovedSiennaisalive.We
knowthesepeoplehaveherandtheotherhackersonthatlist.Wehavetogoafterthembeforetheydosomethingterrible.”
“Thetrail’sgonecold,”Haleexplained.“Therearenoleadslefttofollow.ThanRangislockedupinamaximumsecurityprison,surroundedbyguardsandlawyers,andhe’snottalkingtoanyone.Yourmysterywomanandthehackershave
vanishedwithoutatrace.”“WhataboutAcosta?”
Kurtsaid.“Hetookourtrackingdevice.Youshouldbeabletoactivateitandfindhim.”
“Wetriedthat,”Halesaid.“Noluck.”
“Thiscountryisapeninsula,”Kurtpointedout.“Consideringtheroadblocktothenorth,itmightaswellbeanisland.Theycan’tjustdriveoffintothesunset,
especiallywhenthey’resupposedtobeundersurveillance.”
“We’rewatchingtheairportsandallthemajorharbors,”Halesaid,“butwe’veseennothingsofar.”
Acostawouldn’tbefoolenoughtobookacommercialflight.Thereweretoomanyotherwaystogetout.HundredsofmerchantvesselssteaminginandoutofKoreanportseveryday.
Beyondthat,therewerethousandsofsmallwatercraftorprivatelyownedjets.
“Andevenifsomethingdoesturnup,”Haleadded,“itwon’tbeyourjobtofollowup.”
Kurtnarrowedhisgaze,allbutburningholesinHalewithhiseyes.
“I’vebeenonthephonewithyourbossbackinD.C.,”Halesaid.“HeagreeswithmethatNUMA’s
involvementinthissituationhasrunitscourseandisnowatanend.Ifanyotherleadsdosurface,they’llbefolloweduponbyCentralIntelligenceorSpecialForcespersonnelunderthedirectionoftheNSA.”
Kurtknewthesoundofadismissalwhenheheardit.Itsuckedtheairrightoutofhim.HeglancedoveratJoe.
“IspokewithDirktoo,”Joesaid.“Hewantedyouto
know,‘It’stimetoletthisgo.’”
Kurtleanedbackagainstthebed.IftherewasanemptierfeelingonEarth,Kurthadn’tfeltit.They’dbeensoclose.He’dfinallyfoundSienna.He’dactuallyhadherinhisarms.Nowshewasgone...again.
“Thedoctorsinsistyou’rereadytobedischarged,”Halesaid.“We’regoingtomoveyouimmediately,sincewe
havereasontobelievethatThanRangorevenAcostamayhaveagentshangingaroundwho’dliketokillyouboth.You’llbeflownoutofhereatduskonamilitaryC-17headedforGuam.Fromthere,it’sontoHawaiiandsomeR&R.Enjoyit,ifyoucan.”
Kurtdidn’trespond,andHalestraightenedupandmadehiswaytowardthedoor.Hestoppedtoofferone
morecommentbeforeheleft.“I’llgiveyouthis,Kurt.Youputononehellofashow.”
Asduskfell,KurtandJoeweredriventoanAmericanairbaseandabattleship-grayC-17thatsatonthetarmac,illuminatedbyaseriesoffloodlights.
Theyenteredfromthetailramp,clearedbyaloadingofficer,whowasbusy
strappingdownaHumveeandsomeothertarpcoveredequipment,andwereofferedseatsnearthefront.
Kurtdroppedintohisseat,dejectedandexhausted.Joeofferedafewjokestocheerhimup,butKurtdidn’thaveitinhim.Hesatinsilenceandstaredstraightaheadasthehugefour-enginetransporttaxiedandthentookoffintothedarksky.
Astheyclimbedto
altitude,Joefellasleep,butKurtfoundhecouldn’tclosehiseyes.Herackedhisbrainforonemoreavenuetoexplore,onetinythingtheymighthavemissedthatcouldleadthemtoSienna,theotherhackers,andwhoeverwasbehindaplotthatKurtwascertainhadn’ttrulybeguntounfoldyet.
Tryashemight,hecameupempty.Andasthedroneoftheenginesandthechillof
thecabinnumbedhim,hestoodandwalkedtowardthefront,stoppingtostarethroughthesmallwindowintheaircraftdoor.
Theskywasdarkupahead,butwithalineoflightonthehorizon.Silverlining,Kurtthought,howironic.Asdrainedashewas,ittookKurtaminutetorealizethatthereshouldnotbeasilverliningupahead.IftheywereheadedtoGuam,theywould
beflyingintotheteethofthenight.They’donlybeenairborneafewhoursand,despitethetimezonechange,itcouldn’tbeanywhereneardawnyet.
Helookedbackward.Theskybehindthemwaspitch-black.“We’regoingthewrongway,”hesaidtohimself.
Beforehecouldhazardaguessastowhy,thecockpitdooropenedandafamiliar
figuresteppedout.“Hiram?”Kurtsaid.SeeingHiramYaeger
outsideoftheNUMAbuildingwaslikerunningintothehighschoolprincipaloutonthetownsomewhere.Itwasoff-keysomehow.AddingtothateffectwasHiram’sclothing:insteadofhistrademarkT-shirtandjeans,Yaegerwaszippedupinanolivedrabmilitaryflightsuit,withhisponytailtucked
upintoanAirForceballcappulleddowntightoverthetopofhishead.
“Areyouundercover?”Kurtasked,halfjoking.
“Inaway,Iam,”Yaegerreplied.“Dirkwantedmetobriefyouinperson.”
“Briefmeaboutwhat?”“Themission.”Kurtpaused.“Ithought
therewasnomission,”hesaid.“Infact,TimHalegavemethedistinctimpression
thatifIpusheditanyfurther,Imightendupinastockadesomewhere.”
Hiramlaughed.“Haleisactuallyratherfondofyou,fromwhatIhear.Hewasveryimpressedwitheverythingyoutwoaccomplishedinsuchashorttime.”
“Sowhythecoldshoulder?”
“ItwasforColonelLee’sbenefit,”Yaegersaid.“And
anyoneelsewhomighthavebeenlistening,forthatmatter.WethinktheKoreanSecuritydatabasehasbeenhacked.Andwe’renottoosureaboutourownortheDOD’s.Sowefiguredwe’dlayoutastoryforColonelLeetoenterintohissystemwhileIcameherewithhandwrittennotestogetyouuptodate.”
“Handwritten?Thatmusthavebeenhardforyou,”Kurtjoked.
“Youhavenoidea,”Yaegerreplied.“Mightaswellbeusingaslideruleoranabacus.”
Kurtlaughed,happytoseeafriendlyfaceinanunexpectedplaceforthesecondtimeinasmanyweeks.“Sowhattidingsdoyoubring,Omessengeroftherealm?”
Yaegerwavedatapairofseatsthatfacedeachother.KurttookoneseatasHiram
satacrossfromhimandzippedtheflightsuitdownfarenoughtopulloutamanilafolderhehadtuckedinside.“AnawfullothashappenedwhileyouwerenappinginthatKoreanhospital.”
“Goodorbad?”“Alittleofboth,”Hiram
said.“AssoonasJoepositivelyidentifiedSiennaWestgateamongthegroupofpeoplethathadbeensmuggledoutofNorthKorea,
theadministrationwentintooverdrive.BrianWestgatewascalledintoexplainhimself.InthemiddleofatiradeabouthowPhalanxwasunbreakable—evenifsomeonehadSiennaintheirclutches—hesufferedamentalbreakdownofsomekindandwhatwethoughtwasastroke.Turnsouthe’dbeengiventhesametreatmentasyou.Theypulledachipfromhisoccipitallobe.
AteamfromtheFBIfoundprescriptiondrugsinhishousethathadbeentamperedwithandlacedwithmemory-inhibitingcompounds.He’srecoveringandunderguardforhisownprotection.”
“Doesherememberanything?”Kurtasked.
“Notmuch.Seemstheyworkedhismindoverworsethanyours.”
Kurtsatback.He’dharboredanaturaldislikeof
theInternetbillionaireeversincehe’dlearnedofSienna’sengagementtohim.Andfromthebeginningofthismystery,he’dbeencertainWestgatehadsomepartinit.FindingoutthatWestgatehadbeengiventhesameroughtreatmentandhadbeenusedasapawninsomebiggerschemeputKurtintheoddplaceoffeelinghe’dmisjudgedtheman.Hecouldonlyimaginewhatwasgoing
throughWestgate’smindatthispoint.
“Theypulledhimfromtheyacht,”Kurtsaid,rememberingwhathe’dheard.“Aftertheyescapedinthatpodandthestormhadpassed,theyputhiminthatraftandwaitedforsomeonetofindhim.”
Yaegernodded.“Seemslikely,”hesaid.“Thethingis,withbothBrianWestgateandSiennacompromised,it’s
becomeobvioustoeveryonethatPhalanxcannotbereliedupontoprotectthecomputersystemsandnetworksit’sbeentaskedwithguarding.”
“What’sbeingdoneaboutit?”
Yaegersighed.“Everythingthatcanbe,”hesaid.“AcrasheffortisunderwaytopullPhalanxandreplaceitwithalternatesystems.Inaddition,othersecuritymeasuresarebeing
strengthenedandreviewed.Somesystemsarebeingdisconnectedfromthegridentirely.”
“Astepintherightdirection,”Kurtsaid.“ButwhenthepeoplebehindthismessrealizethatSiennaisnolongerusefultothem,neithershenorherchildrenaregoingtolastverylong.”
“No,”Yaegeragreed.“Themostlikelyoutcomehasthembeingkilled.Thegroup
behindallthiswillsimplystartover.Whatevertheirultimategoalis,they’vespentconsiderabletimeandenergytryingtobringittolife.Nothingwe’veseensuggeststheywouldgiveup.”
“Anyideawhatthey’reupto?”
“We’vedetectedamassiveincreaseinhackingattemptsbutnoclearpattern,”Yaegersaid.“Wethinkthey’retryingtodisguise
theirtrueobjective.”“Whichmeanswehaveto
findthem,”Kurturged.“Theonlywaythisendsisifwestopitatthesource.”
Yaegernodded.“Andthatbringsmetowhyyou’rehereandflyingwestwiththenightinsteadofeasttoGuam.Wehaveanewlead.And,strangelyenough,you’retheonewhogaveittous.”
Ashespoke,Yaegerpulledanotherphotograph
fromthefilefolder.Kurthadseenitbefore.Itwasthepicturehe’dtakenofCalistaonthedeckofAcosta’syacht.
“Maxhasfinishedthefacialrecognitionanalysisonyourmysterywoman.”
“Anyhits?”“Notatfirst,”Yaeger
replied.“Wecheckedthroughthecivilizedworld’sDMVbureaus,passport-issuingorganizations,andcourt
archives.EvenInterpol.Nomatchingphotographicrecordofthiswomanexists.SoIaskedMaxtoscanallpubliclyavailableimagesandseeifwecouldfindacounterpart.”
“Theremustbebillionsofphotosoutthere,”Kurtsaid.
“Trillions,”Hiramsaid.“Manytrillionswhenyouincludevideoimages.EvenforMaxitwasabigtask.Tookthreefulldays.And
whenshefinallycameupwithananswer,Ialmostaskedherifshewasjoking.”
“Ididn’tknowcomputerscouldjoke,”Kurtsaid.
“Maxhasbeenknowntopullaprankortwo.Butthistimeshewasserious.”
Hiramproducedanotherphoto,thisonecopiedfromanoldthree-by-fiveglossy.Itshowedahandsomecoupleintheirthirties.Gatheredaroundthemwerethreechildren,two
boysandagirl,wholookedtobetheyoungestchild.Judgingbytheclothes,thephotohadprobablybeentakeninthemid-eighties.
“Nice-lookingfamily,”Kurtsaid.“Whoarethey?”
“Thewoman’snameisAbigailBanister,”Hiramsaid.“Shewasatelecommunicationsexpert.”
Kurtstudiedher.Asidefromtheclothes,thewomancouldhavebeenCalista’s
twin.“Themanisher
husband,”Hiramcontinued,“StewartBanister.Hewasasatelliteguidancespecialist.They’reEnglish.TheydisappearedwhileonsafariinZimbabwetwenty-eightyearsago.Atthetime,therewassomesuspicionthatthey’ddefectedtotheEasternbloc.ItseemsBritishIntelligencehadalow-levelalertonthembecauseofcertainpolitical
beliefsandsomeoldfriendsthey’dmadebackintheircollegeyears.Though,forreasonsthatwillbecomecleartoyoushortly,theworldsoonlearnedthatsuchwasnotthecase.”
Kurthadanideawherethiswasgoing.“ThewomanlooksjustlikeCalista.Andthelittlegirl...”
“AccordingtoMax,herfacialstructureshowsaneightyninepercentcorrelation
withthoseofthewomanyouknowasCalista.Oncewedidacomputerizedageprogression,usingherownfeaturesandthoseofhersiblingsandparents,weendupwithaninety-sixpercentcorrelation.Forallintentsandpurposes,itmightaswellbeafingerprintmatch.”
“You’resayingthelittlegirlisCalista?”
Yaegernodded.Kurthadgreatrespectfor
whatHiramandMaxcoulddo—certainlythey’dpulledoffnearmiraclesbefore—butthisseemedlikeashotinthedark.“Isthereanywaywecanprovewhatyou’resuggesting?”
“Wealreadyhave,”Yaegersaid.
“How?”“DNAanalysis.”Kurtraisedaneyebrow.
“Where’dwegetherDNAfrom?”
“Fromyou,”Yaegersaid.“YouhadCalista’sbloodalloveryou,nottomentionafewstrandsofblackhaircaughtinthebuttonsofyourcoat.JoepointeditouttooneoftheCIAtechswhenhegottothehospital.Theyweresmartenoughtosavethesamples.We’vesincematchedCalista’sDNAwithsurvivingrelativesoftheBanisterfamily.”
“Sothegirlinthispicture
isCalista,”Kurtsaid.“HerrealnameisOlivia,”
Yaegersaid.Theylookedsonormal.
“AreyoutellingmethesemiddleclasssuburbanitesleftEngland,fakedtheirdisappearance,andstartedsomekindofinternationalcrimefamily?”
“No,”Hiramsaid.“Therealstoryismuchsadderthanthat.AsItoldyou,theydisappearedwhileon
vacation.ThefatherresurfacedsixmonthslaterwhenhewasshottodeathinBangkok.Hishandswerebound,hisfacewasbruised,andhewasclearlytryingtoescapefromsomeonewhenhewasgunneddown.Theresponsiblepartywasneverfound.Ayearafterthat,thebodiesofthemotherandthetwoboyswerediscovered.”
“Where?”“Inadilapidatedlifeboat
driftingoffthecoastofMozambique.”
Hirampassedanotherphotoover,thisoneofthelifeboatasitwasdiscovered.Thethreebodieswerecovered,buttherewereseveralcontainersattheirsides.Hereandthere,Kurtsawpatchestotherottingwoodenboatandapairofmakeshiftoars.Inonecornerwasabrokensplintofwoodandatatteredboltofcloth
thatmighthavebeenusedasamastandsail.
“Theydiedofdehydration,”Hiramexplained.
“Nowaterinthosecontainers?”Kurtasked.
“Perhapsatfirst,”Yaegersaid.“Butifthat’swhattheyheld,itwasn’tenough.Basedontheconditionofthebodies,thecoronerguessedthey’dbeenintheboatforatleasttwoweeks,maybethree.
Notenoughwaterforthreepeopleforthatmuchtime.Notevenifthosecontainerswerefilledtothebrim.”
Kurtlookedbackatthephotoofthesmilingfamilyandguessedatthesequence.“Somehow,Calistagotleftbehind.Maybetheyknewtherewasn’tenoughwaterforfourandwerehopingthreecouldmakeit.”
“Whoknows,”Hiramsaid.“Theonlythingwe’re
sureofisthatthesmilinglittlegirlinthatpicturehasbeenwithwhoevertookherforalmostthreedecades.”
“Shedoesn’tknow,doesshe?”
“Shemayremembersomeofit,”Hiramcautioned.“Shewouldhavebeenfourwhentheywereabducted,fivegoingonsixwhenhermotherandbrothersmadewhatwecanonlyassumewasadesperateattempttoescape.
Butconsideringwhatwe’velearnedaboutpeopleincaptivity,it’shighlyprobablethatwhatevermemoriesshehadofthesituationhavebeensuppressed.BetweenStockholmsyndromeandthehumandesiretosurvive,themindcanbebentintoacceptingeventhestrangestofthings.Inhercase,asayoungchild,itwouldprobablyhavebeenassimpleasjustmakingherpartofa
newfamily.”Kurtconsideredtheirony.
“She’sgonefromabducteetoabductor.”
“Shewouldn’tbethefirst.”
Kurtnodded.Lookingatthephoto,hefeltsorryforthelittlegirlwho’dbecomeCalista.Buthismainconcernwasthemadnesssheandherpartnerswerenowspreadingovertheworld.
“Sothisisabreakforus,”
hesaid.“Ifwefindthepeoplewhotookher,wefindthemastermindbehindallthis.”
“Exactlyourthinking,”Hiramsaid.“Whichleadsustoaleapoffaith.Takealookattheoldlifeboatinthepicture.Canyoumakeoutthenamestenciledontheupperplank?”
Kurtsquinted.Hecouldseeadiscoloration,butthatwasit.Heshookhishead.
“Here’sanenhanced
photo.”Kurttookthenew
printout.Computeraugmentationhadmadethenamemorelegible.Kurtreadittwicetobesure,andthenathirdtime.“Iknowyouwouldn’tbejokingatatimelikethis,butareyoucertain?”
Hiramnodded.“TheWaratah?”Kurt
said.“TheBlueAnchorLine’sWaratahthatvanishedin1909?”
“Oneandthesame,”Hiramsaid.“BetweenSt.JulianPerlmutter’svastnumberofrecordsonthesubjectandaSouthAfricanwhospentyearslookingfortheWaratah,we’veconfirmedthatshehadtwodouble-endersofexactlythistypeamonghercomplementofauxiliarycraftandlifeboats.”
Kurtstaredatthenameonthephoto.Itcertainlylooked
correct.Butitseemedimpossible.“It’sgottobeamistake,”
hesaid.“Logicwouldtellyou
that,”Hiramagreed,“exceptthatIknowsomethingyoudon’t.TheWaratahneverwentdown.”Withthat,Hirampulledoutanotherphotograph.OnitKurtsawaderelictvesselcoveredinsediment,corrosion,andwhatKurtguessedtobe
vegetation.Shedidn’thavemuchshapetoher.
“IpresenttheSSWaratah,”Hiramsaid.“DiscoveredbyPaulandGamayTrout,threedaysago,adriftinthesouthernreachesoftheIndianOcean.”
Kurtlookedatthephoto.HerealizedthatHiramwouldn’tbejokingaboutsuchathing,notatthispoint,butitboggledhismindandhehadtomakesure.“You’re
serious?”Yaegernodded.“Howisitpossible?”Hiramexplainedtheir
theoryabouthowthesedimentshewasburiedinstuntedthecorrosiononherhull,andwhatGamayandElenafoundinhersickbay.
“We’reoperatingonatheorythataviolentgrouptookovertheship,”hecontinued,“andsailedhernorth.”
“Anyideawhereshe
endedup?”Hiramnodded.“Thewest
coastofMadagascar,”hesaid,thenfollowedupbyexplaininghowGamayhadledthemtothatanswer,passingyetanotherphotofromthefiletoKurt.
Twosatelliteimageswereprintedonthephotosidebyside.Theyshowedamuddyriversnakingandturning.
“Beforeandafter,”Yaegerexplained.“The
pictureontheleftistwomonthsold.Thepictureontherightwastakenlastweek.”
Kurt’seyeswentrighttoahighlightedsectionwherethechannelbentninetydegreesandthenranouttothesea.Intheolderphotographtherewasalargeobstruction,likeahillorsandbar,thatseemedtoforcethebend.Inthenewerphotothehillwasgone,theriver
hadcarvedoutanewcourse,andthechannelhadwidenedandstraightenedsubstantially.
“Torrentialrainslastmonthscouredanewroutetothesea,”Hiramsaid.“Theytookeverythingintheirpathalongwiththem,includingthehulloftheSSWaratah.Thehillinquestionmatchesherdimensionsalmostperfectly.”
Kurtrubbedthestubble
onhischin.“SotheWaratahwashijackedandstashedinthisriver,notlostatsealikeeveryonethought.Eightyyearspass,andtheBanisters,beingheldcaptive,discoveredher,patcheduponeofherlifeboats,andtriedtosailtosafety,leavingfive-year-oldOliviabehind.Theydon’tmakeit.Thehijackerskeeptheyounggirlandslowlyindoctrinateher.Alltheseyearslater,wehave
Calistatodealwith.”Hiramnodded.“You’d
havemadeagooddetective,”hesaid.And,withthat,hepresentedonelastpieceofthepuzzle.Thistimetheimagedepictedalargeplantation-styleestate,completewithhedgesshapedintoacomplexmaze,terracedgardens,alargepool,andvariousotherstructures.Arowofsatellitedishessproutedalongonesideofthemainbuilding,
whileahelipadwithamoderate-sizedhangarlayontheother.Kurtcouldseethetailsoftwomilitary-lookinghelicoptersstickingoutofthehangar.
Thepropertywassprawling,andthegroundsbeyondthewallslookedlikepastureland.Kurtcouldseelivestockroamingfree.Attheverytopofthepropertywasajaggedbluffofweatheredgraystone.Itrantheentire
widthofthephoto.“Thiscompoundisfive
milesupriverfromthespotwheretheWaratahwashidden.It’sownedbyamysteriousbutpowerfulmannamedSebastianBrèvard.ForfourgenerationstheBrèvardnamehasbeenconnectedwithvarioustypesofcriminalactivity.Moneylaundering,bankfraud,traffickinginweaponsandstolengoods.Butstrangely,
thereisnorecordoftheirexistencebefore1910,whentheypurchasedthislargetractofland.”
“I’mguessingdocumentswerefairlyscarcebackthen,”Kurtsaid.“EspeciallyinMadagascar.”
“You’dbesurprised,”Hiramsaid.“Thefactis,from1897to1960,theislandwaspartoftheFrenchempire.Inthelandpurchaserecordsfiledwiththecolonial
governor’soffice,theBrèvardfamilyclaimemigrationfromFrance.Andadistantlevelofnobility.However,thecoatofarmstheylayclaimtoismadeup.IthasnotrueheraldicprovenanceintheannalsofFrenchsociety.NoristhereanyrecordofawealthyFrenchfamilybearingtheBrèvardnameleavingFranceforwarmerpasturesduringthattime.”
KurtsawwhatHiramwasgettingat.“SothisfalsebandofnoblesappearoutofnowheresixmonthsaftertheWaratahgoesmissingandtheybuythelandonwhichtheshipishidden,presumablytokeepitthatway.”
“Notjustthelandwheretheshipwashidden,”Hiramcorrected,“butamile-wideswathallthewayfromthewater’sedgeuptothis
impassableoutcroppingofgranite.”
“IthinkIcanguesswherethemoneycamefrom,”Kurtsaid.“Jewels,gold,andcashstolenfromthepassengersandcrewoftheWaratah.”
“Ourthoughtsexactly,”Hiramsaid.“Supplemented,wenowthink,byastackofcounterfeitnotesthatwereconsideredamongthebesteverproducedduringthatera.”
Kurtsatbackandconsideredtheimplications.ItseemedlikelythatSienna’skidnapperswerethesamegroupofthugswho’dabductedanddestroyedtheBanisterfamilythirtyyearsbefore.Beyondthat,theevidencesuggestedtheyweredescendedfromagroupthatpiratedtheWaratahbackin1909.
Insteadofanger,Kurtfeltonlyacolddeterminationto
putanendtotheirdestruction.“Iguesstheapplereallydoesn’tfallfarfromthetree,”hesaid.“Anyideawhotheyreallyare?Wheretheycamefrom?”
“It’sallspeculation,”Yaegersaid,“butabandofcriminalsknownastheKlaarRiverGanghadbeenterrorizingDurbanthroughthewinterof1908andintothesummerof1909.Recordsshowthatthegangfractured
inapowerstruggleandturnedonitselfjustasDurbanpolicewereabouttoroundthemup.Mostofthememberswerekilled,butseveralhigh-rankingassociateswereneveraccountedfor.Despiteinitiallythinkingtheganghadbeenwipedout,thechiefinspectoroftheDurbanpolicesooncametotheconclusionthattheleadersoftheganghadescapedandhad
killedtheotherstocovertheirtracks.Hestatedpubliclythatheexpectedthemtosurfaceagain,buttheyneverdid.Laterinhislifehebecameenamoredwiththeideathatthey’dmadetheirwayaboardtheWaratahandperishedwhenitwentdown.”
“Whatmadehimthinkthat?”
“Timing,forone,”Yaegersaid.“They’dvanishedtwodaysbeforetheWaratah
sailed.Buttherewasanotherreasonaswell.Counterfeitten-poundnoteseventuallysurfacedintheBlueAnchorLine’spayroll,veryhardtodistinguishfromtherealthing.Itwasassumedthatsometicketshadbeenpurchasedwiththenotesandthat’showtheygotintotheoffice’scashbox.Similarnotes,andburnedfragments,werefoundatthegang’shideout.”
Kurtthoughthesawthelineofreasoningclearlyatlast.“SotheleadersfaketheirdeathsandslipaboardtheWaratah,payingforpassagewithforgednotes,onlytovanishwiththeship.Eventhosewhoguesswheretheymighthavegonethinkthat’stheendofit,karmacatchingupwiththegangorsomegrandcosmicrebalancingofthescalesofjustice.Noonerealizesthey’vehijackedthe
ship,takenittoMadagascar,andhiddenitonthisriver.Theyusethewealthstolenfromthepassengersandtheirownforgedbanknotestobuyanewlife.Butinsteadofgoingstraight,theyslowlyturnbacktowhattheyknow:crime.Andeverygenerationsincehasfollowedthepattern.”
“That’saboutthesizeofit,”Hiramsaid.
“Ifwe’reevenhalfright,I
thinkit’stimeweputanendtoit,”Kurtsaid.“AnychancewehavetheDeltaForceorateamofNavySEALsstandingby?”
“Afraidnot,”Hiramsaid.“Astrikeforceisbeingreadied.Believeme,noonebackhomeishappywithwhat’sgoingonorwiththepossibilitythatsuchaprominentAmericanisbeingusedandheldbyagroupasunsavoryasthisbunch.But
therearelogisticalproblems.”“Suchas?”“Forone,wehaveno
proof,”Hiramsaid.“Beyondthat,evenifourtheoryiscorrect,wecan’tbesurethatthecyberattacksareemanatingfromthiscompoundorthatSiennaandtheothersarethere.IfwetipourhandandaskforhelpfromthegovernmentofMadagascar,we’lllosetheonlyadvantagewehave
going:theelementofsurprise.”
“Youneedbootsonthegroundtogetyouproof,”Kurtsaid.
Hiramnoddedsolemnly.“That’swhereyouandJoecomein.It’sstrictlyvolunteeratthispoint,butwe’llbecrossingoverMadagascarinafewhours.ThatputsyouandJoefourhourscloserthanthenext-bestoption.”
“YouknowI’mgame,”
Kurtsaid.“AndI’msureSleepingBeautybacktherewon’twanttomissoutonallthefun.Butwhathappensoncewegetproof?Assumingwecanfindit.”
“Callitinandsittight,”Hiramsaid.“SpecialForceswilldotherest.”
Kurtlikedthatidea.Buttherewasoneconcern.“WhatiftheBrèvardsknowthatSpecialForcesisbeingreadied?They’vebeenone
stepaheadofusallalong.”“Notthistime,”Hiram
said.“Likemytripoutheretoseeyou,allordersandlogisticsconnectedtothisoperationarebeingdrafteduponold-fashionedtypewritersandhand-carriedtothecommandersinquestion.TheBrèvardscantapallthecomputerstheywant,buttheywon’tfindwhatisn’tthere.Andiftheydolook,whatthey’lldiscoveris
misinformation.“Rightnow,theNUMA
database,theAirForcedatabase,andeventheinternationalairtrafficcontrolsystem,showthisplanewingingitswaytoGuam.Ordersputtingyoubackonmedicalleavehavealreadybeensetinmotion,whileJoe’sbeingreassignedtoawhale-watchingmissionoffthecoastofVenezuela.Inthemeantime,aCIAthreat
assessmenthaslabeledAcostaastheprimesuspect,puttinghiminleaguewiththeIraniancyberforceandNorthKorea’sUnit121.”
Kurtgrinned.“That’snotbad.IfthisBrèvardguyistakingapeekintooursystems,he’sprobablyfeelingawfullygoodabouthimselfrightnow.Wemightevencatchhimflat-footed.”
“Wemightatthat,”Hiramsaid.
Kurtstoodup,stretched,andglancedbacktowardJoe.“I’llgowakeJoe.Ithinkwe’llneedsomecoffee.”
SebastianBrèvard,hisbrotherLaurent,andhis“sister”Calistastoodinthecontrolroomsurroundedbycomputers,discussingthesituation.
“I’vebroughtallthemenin,”Laurentsaid.“Wehaveatotaloffiftyatthispoint.But
they’resittingaroundwithnothingtodo.Whendoyouexpectthisattacktooccur?”
“Soonerorlater,”Sebastianexplained.“I’mmonitoringtheirmostimportantchannels.Wehavenothingtoworryaboutatthemoment.”
“Inthemeantime,we’respendingafortuneonthesehiredguns,”Laurentsaid.“I’msureourregularswouldhavedonejustfine.”
Sebastiandismissedhisbrother’swhining.“Itdoesn’tmatter,”hesaid.“Apittance,comparedtowhatwe’llcontrol.”
“Idon’tseewhywehavetodrawthemin,”Calistasaid.
Sebastianglancedtowardherashesatathisownworkstation.“HowmanytimeshaveItoldyou,dearsister,aconisneveraboutconvincingyourmarktodo
anyparticularthing.Theymustconvincethemselvestotakeaction,firmintheirbeliefthatitwastheirideaallalong.”
“That,Iunderstand,”shesaid.“Butwhybringthemhere?”
“Tomakethisworktheymustattackwithvengeanceandretributionintheireyes.Thecarnageandannihilationitbringswillmaketheworldthinkwe’redead.Itwillmake
themthinkthissordidchapterintheirpitifullivesisoverandthethreateffectivelyneutralized.Onlythenwillwebetrulyhiddenandabletoactwithimpunity.ItoldyouIwouldgiveusanewlife,onewherenooneislookingforus,andIshall.”
Forthefirsttimeshecouldremember,hemovedclosertoher.Insteadofthesternolderbrother,therewassomethingmoreinhiseyes.It
madeheruncomfortableinawayshewasusedtomakingothersuncomfortable.
“Whataboutthehostages?”sheasked,pullingback.
Helookedatherwithdisappointment.“Forthesecondtimeinasmanyweeksyouseemconcernedwithsomethingotherthanourfamily.Areyoufeelingallright?”
“Ijustneedtoknow,”she
snapped.“Theycanidentifyus,”
Sebastianexplained.“Topreventthat,theywillbedestroyedintheconflagration.Theirquartersarelinedwithnapalm,muchliketheexplosivesthatlineourhome.Whentheattackcomesandthefirefightbegins,Iwilldetonatethechargesandthewholeplacewillgoupinflames.Makesureyou’reonthehelicopter
withmewhenitdoes.”Shesmiled,theslightly
sadisticsmilehewasmoreusedto.“Ofcourse,dearbrother.WhereelsewouldIbe?”
“Good,”hesaid.“Now,bringSiennaWestgatetome.Ihaveatleastonelastjobforher.”
Calistanoddedandleft.Withthedoorshuttight,LaurentreengagedSebastian.
“She’sgettingsoft,”he
said.“Well,”Sebastiansaid,
“it’stobeexpected.She’snotreallyoneofus,isshe?”
Laurentsmiled.BothheandSebastianhadenjoyedtauntingherwhenshewasachild;ithadbeenagame.Theybothknewwhoandwhatshewas.Theyweresurprisedbywhatshebecame,howstronglysheboughtintothefamily.Inmanywaysshe’dalways
seemedintentonprovingherselfasifsheknewdeepdowninsidethatshedidn’tbelong.
“YouknowherpurposeaswellasIdo,”Sebastiancontinued.“Theywillfindherbodyandthatoftwoothersinthedownedhelicopter.Burnedperhaps,butconsideringthejewelsandtreasuresthey’lldiscoveronboard,therewillbenochoicebuttoassumeitisthe
threeofus.YouandIwillescapeinthetunnelanddestroyitbehindus.Ihaveriggedtheexplosivestogooffinanacceptableprogression.Theouterbuildingsfirst,thenthewingsofthemansion.Andfinallythecontrolroomandthetunnel.Itwillgiveusextratimetoescape.”
SiennaWestgatesatwithher
childreninaone-storywindowlesslodgethatwasthecommunalprisonofthehostagesandtheirfamilymembers.
Inanefforttoshieldherchildrenfromanymorepain,Sienna’striptoIranandthenKoreahadbeencalledavacation.She’dpromisedthemshewouldcomebackquickly,thoughsheobviouslyhadnocontroloverwhenorifshewouldreturn.Andthe
feelingofherchildren’stearshadremainedwithherallduringherabsence.
Herarrivalbackatthecompoundwasmetwithsmilesandkisses,andshewrappedherarmsaroundthemsotightlythatshealmostsqueezedtheairoutofthem.Butafterabriefmomentofeuphoria,Siennabegantofallintoapitofdespair.Shecouldseethatconstantfearandstresshad
alreadytakenitstollonthem.Elisehadbecome
withdrawnandquiet,theoppositeofheroutgoingnature.Herfacelookedpaleandgauntasifsheweren’tbeingfedorwasunwillingtoeat.Tannerwasworse.Hehadafeverandinsectbitesalloverhislegs.Hequicklybecamedemandingandangry.Hewantedhisfather.Hewantedtogohome.Hehateditthere.
Siennahatedittoo,buttherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.She’dgivenintohercaptorsanddoneeverythingthey’dasked—everythinganyofthemhadasked—alltokeepthechildrensafeandbuythemsometime.Butnowherspiritwasbeginningtoweaken.
Videoshe’dseenofherhusbandtalkingtothepressasifsheandthekidshaddrownedwasconfusingand
dishearteningtoher.Heknewshe’dbeenabducted.Hewasthere.He’dseenitwithhisowneyes.Sheonlyhopeditwasaruseandthatrescuewouldeventuallycome,butshenowdoubtedit.EspeciallyafterwhatsheallowedtohappentoKurtandhisfriendinKorea.
Seeingthemappearoutofnowherehadbeenlikeadream.ButwhenCalistahadgainedtheupperhand,Sienna
hadnochoicebuttoobeyher.Heronlysolacewasthat,
givenanotherchance,shewouldmakethesamechoice.Shecouldn’tfacelifeknowingshe’dchosenfreedomandleftherchildrenbehind.Iftheyweregoingtodie,shewasn’tgoingtoletthemfaceitalone.
Thedoortotheroomopened.Everyonelookedup.TwoofBrèvard’smenstoodthere.Calistawaswiththem.
“Sienna,”shesaid.Siennastood,buther
childrenrefusedtoletgo,clingingtoherhands,grippingherfingers.
“Don’tgo,”Elisecried.“It’sokay,”shesaid,“I’ll
berightback.”“Mommy!”Tannerwas
screaming.Siennadroppeddownto
theirlevelandsqueezedthemtogether.Tannerbrokeoutintears;Eliselookedalmost
numbatthispoint.“I’llberightback,”shetoldthem.“Takecareofeachother.”
AsSiennastood,anotherwoman,whowasmarriedtothehackernamedMontresor,cametoherassistance.“Iwatchthemforyou,”shesaid.
Iftherewasonepositivetothiscommunalprison,itwasthattheyweren’talone.“Thankyou.”
Siennaleftwiththe
guardsandfollowedastheyledheralongthepathwayfromwhathadoncebeentheservants’quartersanduptothemainhouse.
SiennaglaredatCalista.“Youmusthaveaheartofstone.”
“IfIhaveaheartatall,”Calistarepliedproudly.
Siennadutifullyclimbedthestepsthatledtothemaincompoundandfromtherewasledthroughthesecurity
doorstothecontrolroom.Shebegantofeelsickassheapproached,knowingthatSebastianBrèvardwouldbewaitingontheotherside,readytoorderhertouseherskillsandtheoffensivecapabilitiesofPhalanxagainstanewtarget,ashe’ddoneeachnightsinceherreturn.
Adaywouldcomewhenheaskedhertodosomethingtrulyevilandshewouldhave
todecidebetweenherchildren’slivesandthelivesofcountlessothers.Shealmostprayedhewouldshootherbeforethen.
“Tonight’stargetsarethepowerplantsinCalifornia,”Sebastiansaid.“We’llstartwiththeregularones.Ijustwantalargerollingblackout.Thinkofallthecoalandnaturalgasthatwillbesaved.”
Siennasatattheconsole
asorderedandbegantowork.She’dlongcontemplatedhidingamessageinthecodeshewassupposedtosend.Someonesmartenoughontheothersidemightfindit,evenifitslippedunderthenosesofSebastianandCalista.Buttheonlymessageofanyvaluewouldbetotelltheworldwhereshewasandthatwassomethingshedidn’tknow.
Consideringtheclimate,
thestrangebirdcallssheheardatnight,andsomeoddtreesshe’dseeninthedistance,shefiguredtheyweresomewhereinAfrica.Butthatdidn’texactlynarrowitdown.
Shesettledinanddidasshewastold.Fornow,thatwasallshecoulddo.
Atthatverymoment,fivehundredmilesnorthof
Madagascar,theUSSBataan,anamphibiousassaultshipsometimesreferredtoasahelicoptercarrier,wassteamingatflankspeedtothesouth.Shewasriggedforbattle,blackedoutandoperatingunderstrictradiosilence.Butwhileshecouldnottransmit,shewascapableofreceivingmessages.
Lateonthesecondwatch,amemberofthecommunicationscrew
overheardseveralpuzzlingmessagesandreportedthemtotheofficerincharge.
Theofficerlookedatthemessagesandthenattheradioman.“What’stheproblem,Charlie?”
“It’stheseintercepts,sir.Someoneisusingourcallsign.They’retransmittingandreceivinguncodedmessagesandgivingoutouroldlocation.”
Thecommunications
supervisorstudiedthetransmissionsheet.“Yep,”hesaid.“Looksthatway.”
Withoutanotherword,hehandedthesheetbacktotheradiomanandturnedhisattentiontoothermatters.Theradiomanstaredathimdumbfounded.
“Youhaveaposttoman,sailor.”
“Yes,sir,”theradiomansaid,turningandheadingbacktohisconsole.
Somethingwasobviouslygoingon,buthavingseenthelookonhissuperior’sface,Charlieknewbetterthantoask.
Meanwhile,downonthehangardeckoftheship,aswarmofmechanicsandtechniciansworkedonagroupofUH-60BlackHawkhelicopters,makingsureallfivewereinperfectshapeforthemission.
Inanearbyreadyroom,
forty-sixMarines,comprisingtwoForceReconplatoons,weregettingbriefedontheislandcompoundtheywereabouttoattack.
“Wegoinundercoverofdarkness,”LieutenantBrookstoldthemen.“Securetheperimeterandthensearchthegroundsandbuildingswiththefollowingobjectives.First,torescueMs.Westgateandherchildren.Second,torescueanyothercivilians
foundonthesite.Third,tocapturetheindividualsresponsible.Fourth,togatheranyintelligenceregardingtheiractivitiesorassociates.”
“Arewegoinginasfriendlies?”someoneasked.
“Negative,”Brooksreplied.“Wehavenotbeeninvitedandwewillnotbeoverstayingourwelcome.Fromwheelsdowntodeparture,wehavenomorethanfortyminutes.Sodon’t
getlostinthehedges.”Awaveoflaughterwent
aroundtheroom.“Howmanydefendersare
welikelytoencounter?”“Basedonthetwo
bunkhousesandthesizeofthemainstructure,itcouldbeanywherefromthirtytofifty.Butnotallofthosewillbearmedcombatants.Honestly,itshouldbeawalkinthepark.Justbereadyincaseitisn’t.”
Thirtyminuteslater,theForceReconMarineswereupontheflightdeckandboardingtheBlackHawks.Along,gruelingstretchawaitedthem,fourhoursofflighttimethatincludedrefuelingthehelicoptersfromatankeraircraftapproximatelyonehundredmilesfromthetarget.
Assumingtheywentinandgotoutinfortyminutes,thetotaltripwouldbeeight
hours.Atleastthejourneyhomewouldbeshorterastheshipwouldbenearlytwohundredmilescloserbythetimetheyreachedit.
WiththepilotsgoingthroughtheirpreflightchecksandtheMarinesboardingthehelicoptersandstowingtheirweapons,thecompanycommandermadehiswayover.HespokebrieflywithLt.Brooks.
“Wehavethegreenlight
tolaunch,butyouwon’tgetattackauthorizationuntilwehaveconfirmationthatMs.Westgateandherchildrenareon-site.”
“Understood,”Brookssaid.“Anyideahoworwhenwe’regoingtogetthat?”
Thecommandercheckedhiswatch.“Atwo-manteamwillbemakingaLAPESinsertionseveralmilesfromthecompound.Theyshouldbeonthegroundanytime
now.They’llhaveawaystogobeforethey’reon-site,butIwouldexpectagoorno-godecisionshortlyafteryourefuel.”
Brooksnodded.“LAPESinsertion?Who’dtheysuckerintopullingthatduty?”
“AcoupleofguysfromNUMA.”
Brooksstaredatthecommanderblanklyforamoment.“NUMA?Aren’ttheyabunchofmarine
biologistsorsomething?”“They’resomething,all
right,”thecommandersaidwithastrangelookonhisface.“Anyway,I’mtoldtheseguysaregood.”
“Right,sir,”Brookssaidwithdisdaininhisvoice.“I’llexpectourcovertobeblownandtobelookingformorehostagesordeadbodieswhenweland.”
Thecommanderdidn’trespond,buthesharedthe
assessment.“Crackopentheoperationsfileonceyougetairborne.TherearephotosoftheNUMApersonnelinside.Makesureyou’refamiliar.Don’twanttoshootthemiftheyhappentosurvive.Goodluck.”
Brooksofferedasalute,receivedonebackfromthecommander,andthenclimbedaboardtheleadBlackHawk.
Astherotorsabovehim
begantoturn,hewonderedwhatkindofoceanographerormarinebiologistwouldbeupforsuchastuntorhowsuchapersonwouldevenhavetheskillstoperformwhattheywerebeingaskedtodo.Withashrugofhisshoulders,Brooksdecidedtheyhadtobehalfcrazy,whoevertheywere.Atleasttheyhadguts,he’dgivethemthat.
HadtheyoverheardLt.Brooks’scandidassessmentoftheirmentalhealth,KurtandJoemighthaveagreedwithhim.Consideringtheoddsalone,theywereatleast“halfcrazy.”
Fortunately,themilitaryhadbroughtalongafew
itemsthatwouldeventheoddsabit.
KurtandJoewerechangingintocombatgearthatwasfarmoreexoticthananythingKurthadeverheardof.Theclothinglookedmorelikeatwo-piecewetsuitthanstandardfatigues.Itfitsnuglyandhadsomecompressiontoit,bulgingonlywherearmoredKevlarpadscoveredthechest,thighs,andforearms.
“FeellikeI’msuitingupforsomefuturisticsport,”Joesaidashepulledthegarmenttight.
Kurtlaughedashepulledhisownsuitonandranhishandsovertheouterlayer.“Oddtexture,”hesaid.“Itfeelslikesandpaper.”
AnAirForcestaffsergeantnamedConnorsexplainedtheclothing.“Thesearewhatwecallinfiltrationsuits,”hesaid.
“TheguyscallthemChameleonCamo,becauseofthewaytheywork.Therearetwenty-ninethousandmicrosensorssewnintotheexterior.Theydetectambientlightinalldirectionsandchangethecolorofthesuittomatchwhatisbehindandaroundyou.Trythemout.”
Kurtfoundasmallswitchandclickedittotheonposition.Thenwentoverandstoodbythewallofthe
aircraft.Thesuitchangedalmostinstantlyfromadarknavybluetobattleshipgray.Wherehisrightlegcrossedinfrontofablackseat,thesuitturnedblack.Andwhereayellowcablecrossedbehindhim,amatchingyellowstripcrossedfromhisshoulder.
Hewasn’texactlyinvisible,butitlookedlikehe’dbeenpaintedovertomatchthewall.Onlyhisfaceandhandswereobviousand
theywouldbecoveredbyglovesandahoodoncehewason-site.
“That’sincredible,”Joemuttered.
“Ifyouthinktheyworkwellinsideabrightlylitaircraft,”thesergeantsaid,“waittillyougetontheground.Ifyoutwoaren’tcareful,you’lllosetrackofeachotherfromtenfeetaway.”
“Whataboutinfrared?”
Kurtsaid.“Thesuithasacooling
unit,”Connorssaid.“Itwillcounteractyourbodyheatforaboutthirtyminutesonceyouswitchiton.Afterthat,theexteriorofthesuitwillstarttowarmupandyou’lllosebothyourthermalprotectionandyourchameleonlikepowers.Fromthatpointonyou’rejustwearingexpensivebodyarmor.AndImeanrealexpensive.Eachofthesesuits
costsmorethanyouguysmakeinayear.”
Kurtswitchedhissuitoffandwatcheditreturntoadarkbluecolorinthetimeittakesalightbulbtodim.Fromtherethesergeantledthemovertoanequipmenttablethathadbeenfoldeddownfromthewallofthecavernousaircraft.
“You’llbreathethroughthese,”hesaid,pickinguptwodevicesthatlookedmuch
likedivers’regulators.“What’swrongwiththe
airontheground?”Joeasked.
“Wecan’thaveyourbreathgivingyouaway.”
Kurtchuckled.“Itoldyougoeasyontheonions.”
“WhatcanIsay?”Joereplied.“Ilikealittleflavor.”
“It’snottheodor,”Connorsexplained,“it’stheheat.Breathingoutventsalotofhotairintotheworld,easy
tospotonathermalscope.Nosensecoveringtherestofyouinacoolsuitifyou’regoingtowalkaroundwithaplumeofninety-eightpoint-six-degreevaporcomingfromyournoseormouth.”
Hepointedtoaleveronthefrontoftheregulators.“Twistthiswhenyou’rereadytogodark.Fromthenontheregulatorwillmixcoldairwitheveryoutgoingbreath,effectivelycoolingit
totheambientairtemperatureandneutralizingthedanger.”
“Howlongwillitlast?”“Aslongasyour
compressedairholdsout.Dependsonyourlevelofexertion.Thetankissmallsoyou’relookingatfifteen,maybetwentyminutestops.Makesureyou’rethroughtheouterlayerofsecuritybythen.”
BothKurtandJoenodded.
Nextcametheweaponsandguidanceequipment.Firstoff,thesergeantstrappedagauntlettoKurt’sarm.Ithadacurved,low-lightscreenonit.“StandardGPS,movingmapdisplay,”hesaid.“Itwillilluminatewithlessthanonecandlepower.You’llbeabletoreaditwithyournightvisiongoggleson,butnooneelsewill.Remember,thisismilitaryGPS,soit’sgoodto
withinthreefeet.”Fromtheretheymovedto
ariflerack.Connorshandedthem
matchingweapons.OnceagaintheywerelikenothingKurthadeverfired.Consideringhowmuchheknewaboutguns,thatwassurprising.
“Arethesephasers?”Joeasked.“I’vealwayswantedone.”
Connorschuckled.
“Electromagneticrailguns,”hesaid.“Completelysilent.Accurateuptoathousandyards.Theyfireferrousprojectiles—inotherwords,thebulletsaremadeofiron,notlead,sothey’remorelethalintermsofpenetratinganythingtheyencounter.Also,sincetheydon’trequiregunpowder,yourstandard-sizedmagazinecarriesfiftyprojectiles.Youhaveasecondmagazineinyour
packs.”Kurtheldtheweaponup,
testingtheweightandfeel.Ithadalongbarrelandwasdefinitelynose-heavy.
“Howdoesitwork?”Joeasked.
“Superconductingmagnetsalongthebarrelandahigh-potencybatterypack.Pullthetriggerandtheyacceleratetheprojectilestoathousandfeetpersecondintheblinkofaneye.”
Joenoddedapprovingly.“Whyaretheretwo
triggers?”Kurtasked.“Sincetheyarealready
equippedwithasubstantialpowersource,someonegotthegreatideatoaddalong-rangeTasertothebottomrail.Thelowertriggerfiresit.Youcanhitsomeoneaccuratelyuptofiftyfeetorsimplyholdthetipofthebarrelagainstthemandgiveahalfpulltozapthem
manually.”“Sowedon’thavetokill
everythingwesee,”Joementioned.
Thesergeantnodded.Aredlightwentonatthe
farendoftheaircraftandtheycouldfeeltheplanebeginarathersteepdescent.
“We’reapproachingthedropzone,”thesergeantsaid.“Anyquestions?”
Joeraisedahand.“Yousaid‘dropzone,’butwedon’t
seemtohaveparachutes.”“Youwon’tneedthem,”
Connorssaid.“You’llbegoingoutintheHummer.”
“Doesitfly?”“Nope.Butitcanbeput
onapalletandtossedoutthebackfromanaltitudeofnomorethantwentyfeet.”
JoeturnedtoKurt.“Yousaidwe’dbeusingparachutes.”
“LAPES,”Kurtsaid.“Lowaltitudeparachute
extractionsystem.It’sallrightthereintheacronym.”
Joeshrugged,securedhisweapon,andmadehiswaytowardtheHumvee.“Whynot?I’mopentonewthings,differentexperiences,novelwaysofriskingmyneckinthenameofscience,whynottrydrivinganSUVoffanairplanemovingatahundredfiftyknots?Somebody’sgottodoit.”
BothKurtandthe
sergeantlaughed.“Goodluck,”Connors
said.Kurtnodded.“Youwant
ustobringyouanythingback?T-shirt?Postcard?Pukashellnecklace?”
Thesergeantgrinned.“Ipreferashotglassthatsays‘Wecame,wesaw,weconquered.’”
Kurtreturnedthesmile.“I’llseewhatIcando.”
Thirtyminuteslater,KurtandJoesatbeltedintoaHumveethatwassecuredtoasturdywoodenpalletandaharnessthatwoulddeploytwolargedroguechutes.Joewasharnessedinatthewheel,thoughhewouldn’tactuallydoanydrivingduringtheinsertion,asthedangerofthewheelsturningsidewaysandgettingrippedoffwasfartoogreat.Instead,theHumveewouldusethepalletbeneath
itasasledwhiletheparachutestrailingoutbehindthemwouldbothslowthevehicledownandkeepthemfromnosingover.
Kurtmadeonelastcheckofhisequipment.Outofanabundanceofcautionandacertainsenseofnostalgia,hehadaddedanadditionalweapontohisarsenal.HiddeninhispackwastheColtrevolverthatMohammedElDinhadgivenhim.He
doubtedhe’dneedit.Butiftherecentpasthadtaughtthemanything,itwasthatmoderntechnologywasvulnerabletotamperingorfailingatpreciselythewrongmoment.Thatbeingthecase,havingabackupweaponfromabygoneeradidn’tsoundallthatbad.Hekeptitzippedupinafrontpocketthatrandiagonallyacrossthevest.
Forlesslogicalreasons
he’dbroughtthepicturesofCalista’sfamilyandthelifeboattheyattemptedtoescapein.Aftersearchingforthetruthsopainfullyhimself,somepartofhimthoughtshedeservedtoknowhers.
ThelightonthewallturnedyellowandSergeantConnorspressedaswitchthatopenedtherampatthetailendoftheC-17.
Theyweredescendingthroughtwothousandfeet
intoutterdarkness.Theseawasbelowthemforamomentandthensandastheyflewoverthebeach.
Astheyflewlowerandslower,thehowloftheairstreamwhippingpasttheopendoortookonadifferenttone.Withfullflapsanditsgeardown,theC-17couldmoveincrediblyslowlyforsuchahugemachine.Butthewaketurbulencecausedbyflyingatahighangleof
attackinsucha“dirty”conditioncreatedabuffetingandwhiningsoundthatseemedtotrailbehindtheplaneasifbansheeswerechasingit.
Onthemap,thedropzonewaslabeledAntsalovaAirport.Joeseemedconcernedaboutthat.“Youthinkthepeopleatthisairportaregoingtobesurprisedwhenwedropoutoftheskyanddriveoffwithout
stoppingatcustoms?”“It’snotmuchofan
airport,”Kurtsaid,“moreofadirtstripwithagrasshutatthefarend.We’reonlycomingherebecauseweneedaflatsurfacetoslideon.Buttherearenoplanes.Norental-cardesks.Nowhitecourtesytelephone.”
“NoAdmiralsClub?”Joesaid,lookingperturbed.Kurtshookhishead.“Sorry,buddy.”
Joesighed.“Ireallyhavetotalktomytravelagent.Thistripisgettingworseallthetime.”
AsKurtandJoewaitedforthelighttogogreen,thepilotsupfrontwereeasingthehugeaircraftdownoverthetrees.Acrosswindcomingdownofftheslopeoftheislandwasmakingitdifficultandtheywereactuallyflyingsideways,atacticpilotscallcrabbing.
Theproblemwasthattheycouldn’tdroptheHumveeinthatalignmentoritwouldlandsidewaysandflip,killingtheoccupantsinstantly.
Thecopilotwasontheinstrumentswhilethepilotflewwithnightvisiongoggleson.
“NinetyfeetAGL,”thecopilotsaid.
“Can’tgetanyloweruntilthetreesclear,”thepilotreplied.
“Weshouldbeoverthesiteinten...nine...eight...”
Thetreesfinallydroppedawayfromunderthemandthepilotsawthedirtstripstretchingoutbeforehiminalongthinline.HecorrectedtotheleftandbroughttheC-17almosttothesurface,stompingontheruddertostraightenthehugebirdout.
TheC-17wasnowthirtyfeetoffthedirtstrip,
screamingatfullpowerandheadedforthetreesfivethousandfeetahead.
Inachairbehindthemtheloadmasterhitaswitch,changingthejumplightintherearoftheaircraftfromyellowtogreen.“Releasethepayload,”hesaidintotheintercom.
Forwhatseemedlikeaninterminablelengthoftimebutwas,infact,onlyafewseconds,nothinghappened
exceptthetreesaheadloominglarger.Thenthepilotfelttheplaneriseasthefive-thousand-poundpayloadwaspulledouttheback.
Atalmostthesameinstant,Sgt.Connors’svoicecameovertheintercom.“They’reaway.Payloadclear.Irepeat,payloadclear.”
Inasynchronizedmove,thepilotjammedthethrottlestofullasthecopilotretractedthegeartoreducetheplane’s
dragcoefficient.“Positiverate,”the
copilotcalledout,seeingthealtimeterbegintomove.
Thepilotheardbutdidnotreply.Thedirtstripwasonlyamilelong.Thetreesatthefarendwerenomorethanafewhundredyardsaway.Itwasaverytightwindow.
“Climb,baby,climb,”hewhisperedtotheplane.
Withitsenginesscreaminganditsnose
pointedskyward,thegargantuanaircraftclawedforaltitude.Itcrossedtheendofthedirtstripandpulledjustclearofthetrees,closeenoughthatthemechanicswhoinspectedherlaterwouldfindstreaksofgreenchlorophyllallacrosstheundersideofthefuselage.
Clearofthedanger,thepilotleveledoff,pickedupairspeed,andthenturnedtothesouthwest.Inshortorder,
theywereoutovertheMozambiqueChannel.Onlynowdidthepilotconsiderthefateofthementhey’djustdropped,wonderingiftheywouldliveoutthenight.
Fortheirpart,KurtandJoehadwonderediftheywouldsurvivethedropitself.Itfeltasiftheplanewasmaneuveringdesperatelythelastthirtysecondsorso.As
thelightwentgreen,Connorshadpressedareddeploybuttonandshouted“Go,”orsomethingalongthoselines.
NeitherKurtnorJoetrulyheardhimasthesoundofthedroguechutesdeployingandthesuddenwhiplashofbeingpulledbackwardoutoftheaircraftsnappedtheirheadsforwardandcommandedalltheirattention.
TheHumveewasyankedoutoftheaircraftandinfree
fallforalloftwoseconds.Kurtdistinctlyrememberedthesightoftheaircraftpullingupandbankingtotherightasthevehicleskiddedacrossthedirtonthepalletlikeatobogganoutofcontrolonanicyslope.Thefirstsensationwaslikeskippinglikeastoneonalake.Andthentheydeceleratedasthepalletmaintainedcontactwiththepackeddirtoftherunway.Thelastfortyorfiftyfeet
seemedsmoother.Andthensuddenlytheylurchedtoastop.
UpaheadtheC-17justbarelyclearedthetrees,andKurtwascertainhesawbrieffiresinthetreetopswheretheheatoftheenginessingedthem.
Atthatmomentjustbeingalivewasathrill.KurtlookedoveratJoeandsawhimgrinningfromeartoear.“Okay,I’ddothatagain,”he
saidgiddily.“I’devenpayforanotherride.”
Kurthadtoagree,butdutycalled.Heopenedthedoorandreleasedthelockthatconnectedthemtotheparachuteandanotherlockthatheldthemtothepallet.Joeperformedthesametaskonthedriver’ssideandthenclimbedbackinside,turnedthekey,andbroughttheHumvee’s6.2-literfuel-injecteddieseltolife.
Inamomenttheywerespeedingacrossthelasthundredyardsoftherunwayandontoadirtroadthatledthemsouth.
“Hopeyou’vegotthemapready,”Joesaid,“’causeI’mnotfromaroundhere.”
“Juststayonthisroad,”Kurtsaid.“We’vegotsevenmilestogo.”
Withtheirinfiltrationsuitsswitchedoffandwell-wornrobescoveringthem,KurtandJoeracedalongthedirtroadintheHumvee.Thelandscapeflyingpastinthedarkwashardtosee,butthissectionofMadagascarwasmadeupofwidegrassy
fields,occasionalcopsesofsmalltrees,andplentyofsky.
Sofar,theyhadn’tpassedasinglehutoranothervehicle.Joeletoffthegastonegotiateabendinthedirtroadandtheybegantodriftsidewaysastheruttedgroundgavewaybeneaththem.Butwithaslightpunchofthethrottle,theknobbytiresbitalittledeeperintothesoilandthefour-wheeldriveHumveesnappedbackintoastraight
lineandcontinuedforward.Kurtwasinthe
passenger’sseat,holdingontotherollbarwithonehandandcheckingtheGPSwithhisother.“Youalwaysdrivelikethis?”
“Youshouldseemeatrushhour.”
“SomethingtellsmeI’drathernot.”
“FirsttimeI’veeverbeenlateforameetingandnotendedupintraffic,”Joesaid.
“ThissectionofMadagascarisprettysparselypopulated,”Kurtsaid.“Accordingtothemap,thebiggesttowninafiftymileradiusisaplacecalledMasoarivoandit’sonlyeightthousandpeople.”
“Luckyforus,”Joesaid.“Doubtwe’llseeanothercarouthere.”
Kurtagreed,butlivestockwasanotherstory.Insectionswheretherainwaterhad
pooled,they’dpassedgrazingcattleandsheep.“Watchoutforcows,”hesaid.“AsIrecall,youhitoneintheAzoresandhadtofightforthetown’shonoraspartofyourcommunityservice.”
“Iwasexonerated,”Joeinsisted.“Acourtinquiryruledthecowtobeatfaultandfinedherforgrazingwithoutalicense.”
“Wedon’thavetimetogotocourt,”Kurtreplied,
laughingatthememory,“nordowehaveareplacementfrontendhandy.Sojustbecareful.”
Joepromisedhewoulddojustthatastheyracedontoastraightawayandhestompedthegaspedaltotheflooronceagain.
AmileandahalffromtheBrèvardpropertytheyslowed.Inplaceofblazingheadlights,JoeandKurtpulledontheirnightvision
goggles.TheHumveebecameagrowlingbeastofthenight,hiddeninthedarkness.
“Icanseethefenceupahead,”Kurtsaid.“Pullofftheroadhere.Wecanhidethevehiclebehindthosetrees.”
JoeallowedtheHummertoslowonitsown,hemanhandledthewheelandtookthemoffthedirtroadandontothesoftgroundwith
itswaist-highgrasses.Theycametoastop
behindsomelow-lyingbrushandthewidetrunkofastrange-lookingtreethatgrewstraightuplikeaconcretepillar.Theonlybranchesonthetreesproutedseventyfeetaboveattheverytop.Itlookedmorelikeagiantstalkofbroccolithanatree.Severalmoreoftheoddtreesgrewcloseby.
“IfeellikeI’minaDr.
Seussbook,”Joesaid.“Baobabtrees,”Kurtsaid.“Treeslikethiswon’t
giveusalotofcover.”“Weshouldn’tneedit
withthesuits,”Kurtrepliedashepulledofftheoversizecottontunicandrolleditintoaball.
AsJoedidthesame,Kurtremovedthenightvisiongogglesandclippedthebreathingregulatorontoanotchattheshoulder.The
smalltankofcompressedairthatwouldbeusedtocoolhisbreathwasstrappedtohisside.
Hescannedthefence.Itwasrustedoldbarbwire,alreadybrokeninplaces.Therewasnosignofanythingmoremodernprotectingthelandatthispoint,butKurtdidn’twanttochanceit.
“AccordingtotheGPS,it’sabouthalfamilefrom
heretothecompound,overthislowdirgeandthenupalongslope,”Kurtsaid.“Weneedtocoverthatgroundinnomorethantenminutes.That’llgiveusfifteenminutesofthermalinvisibilityoncewereachthecompoundwalls.”
Joenoddedandslippedthesatphoneintoazipperedpocketoftheinfiltrationsuit.Intoanotherpocketheslidtheextraclipfortherailgun.
“Ifigurewetravelaslightaspossibleandleavetherestofthisstuffbehind.”
“Couldn’tagreemore,”Kurtsaid.“Let’sgo.”
Theyswitchedontheirsuits,pulledthehoodsovertheirheads,andreadjustedthenightvisiongoggles.Kurttookpointcrossingtheroad,headingintothetallgrassontheothersideandmovingquicklytoabreakinthefence.
Joefollowed,stayingclose.“I’llgivethemthis,thesesuitsworkasadvertised,”hesaid.“I’mtenfeetbehindyouandreallyhavetoworkjusttoseeyou.Eventhroughthesegogglesyou’remoreofashadowthananythingelse.”
“I’mgoingtoheadstraightforthepointonthisridge,”Kurtsaid.“Stickclose.Ifyougetlost,givemeabirdcallorsomething.”
“TheonlybirdcallsIknowareWoodyWoodpeckerandDaffyDuck.”
“That’sdespicable,”Kurtsaid,lispingthewordsinhisbestimitationofthecartoonduck.“Let’sgo.”
Withthat,Kurtwasoff.Joefollowed,findinghecouldtrackKurtmoreeasilybythesoundofhisfeetscuffingthroughthebrushandgrassandoverthedusty
soilofthehigherridge.Theycamedowntheothersideoftheridgeandontoaslopingfieldthatranallthewayuptothegraniteformationsbehindthecompound.Atthebaseofthoserocksthelightsoftheplantationhousewereclearlyvisible.
Kurtcheckedhiswatch.“Wehavethirtyminutestoconfirmthatthehostagesarethereandradioin.AnylaterandtheMarineswillbe
turningaround.”JoenoddedandKurt
begantomoveagain.Theycouldn’trunfullout,butabriskjogwoulddothetrick.Halfwayuptheyencounteredasmallheardofzebu,thehornedcattleseemingskittishattheapproachofsomethingtheycouldsmellbutnotsee.
Theyprickeduptheirears,gruntingandmakingstrangegurglingnoisesdeepintheirthroats.Afewof
themshuffledoff,unnervedbytheintrusion,butKurtandJoewerelongpastthembythatpoint,justshadowsmovingthroughthedark.
Ashecontinueduptheslope,Kurtfelttheacheinhisshoulderfromthebulletwoundandtheweightoftheheavyrailgun.Heignoreditandcontinuedon.
Three-quartersofthewayuptheslopetheycamewithinsightofthecompoundwalls.
AquietwhistlegotJoe’sattention.Theyhuddledtogether.
“Whatdoyouthink?”Kurtasked.
“Thewalllooksrough,unfinished.”
“Probablyhardtogetstonemasonsouthere.”
“Frontgatehascameras,”Joesaid,studyingthelayout.“Can’tseeanyothers.”
Kurtglancedalongthedirtroadthatleduptothe
gate.“Ifapizzadeliveryguycamebyrightaboutnow,thatwouldbeideal.Butconsideringthatisn’tlikelytohappen,Isayweclimbthewall.”
“Icanseeaspotovertherewhereatreeisgrowingupbesidethewall,”Joesaid.
“Tooinviting,”Kurtreplied.“Let’sjustuseourhandsandfeet.”
JoenoddedagainandKurtbegantomove,heading
fartherupslope.Joefollowed,andthetwometupagainatthebaseofthestonewall.Inamomenttheywereoverthetopandinside,andthefirstthingtheycametowasthemazeofmanicuredhedges.
Unlikethegentleslopeofthehilloutsidethewalls,thegroundsinsidehadbeenexcavatedandflattened.Theentirecompoundwasbuiltonaseriesofterraces,withthelowestbythefrontgate,then
twointermediatelevelscontainingthehedgemazeandtheothersmallbuildings,andfinallythemainhouseinallitsgrandeursittinguponthehighestofthefourterraces.
Unliketherestofthegrounds,thehousewaswelllit.Kurtstudiedwhathecouldfromwherehewas.Apairofguardsmilledaroundthemainentrance.Atleastoneothermanstoodnearthe
farside.“Notexactlygirdedfor
battle,”Kurtsaid.“Yousaythatlikeit’sa
badthing.”“Justnotusedtosomuch
goingourway.”Kurtduckeddownbehind
thehedgeandopenedtheflapthatcoveredtheGPStrackingunitstrappedtohisrightarm.Indullgrayandblacktones,itdisplayedthegroundsaroundthem.Therewere
threebuildingsonthelowestterracethatwereconsideredpossibilities.AccordingtoHiramYaeger,menwhoappearedtobearmedhadbeenseengoinginandoutofallthree.
“Wehavetogettotheothersideofthismaze,”Kurtsaid.
“Doweriskgoingthroughit?”Joeasked.“Thehedgesareatleastsixfeethigh.They’llhelpkeepus
hidden.”Kurtwasabouttosayyes,
consideringthathehadanoverheaddiagramofthemazedisplayedonhisarm,butashenavigatedthelabyrinthinhismindhediscoveredonesalientfeature:therewasonlyonewayinandonewayout.
“Bettergoaround,”Kurtsaid.“Themazehasnootherwayout.It’sabigcirclethatdoublesbackaroundandonly
takesyoubacktowhereyoustarted.Consideringhowthisundertakinghasfeltfromdayone,I’dsayI’vehadaboutenoughofthat.”
Joelaughed.“Westillhaveeightminutesofchameleontime.”
Kurtmotionedtotheright.“Aroundthatside.Stayclosetothehedge.Weshouldcomeacrossabuildingthatlookskindoflikeashed.”
ThistimeJoeledtheway
anditwasKurt’sturntomarvelathowrapidlyhevanished,likeaghostinthefog.Kurtmovedquicklytokeepup,andonthefarsideofthehedgehecameuponJoe.
Theshedlikebuildingwasrightinfrontofthem.Kurtwasjustabouttostepforwardwhenadooropenedandspilledsomelightontothegrounds.Kurtfrozeastwomencameout,allowingthe
doortobangshutbehindthem.
Leaningagainstthebuilding,oneofthemlitacigarette.Thetipbrightenedtoanorange-redhueasheinhaled.Afterreleasingapuffofsmoke,heturnedtotheotherman.“I’mtellingyou,Laurentisontherampage.Don’tgethimangryrightnoworquestionhim.IaskedhimaboutAcostaandhetoldmetobackoff.”
“Acostaisagutlesstraitor,”theothermansaid.“HesoldusoutononeofSebastian’sdeals.Markmyword,we’regoingtobeatwarwithhimsoon.Nexttimeyoumakeadelivery,youwatchyourback.”
“It’smorethanthat,”thesmokingmansaidbetweendragsonthecigarette.“Sebastianisedgy.Ithinkhe’slosingit.BeenspendingtoomuchtimewithCalista.”
Bothofthemlaughedatthat.“Whocares?”theothermansaid.“Wejustgotpaid.Now,finishthatsmokeandgetbackinthegamesoIcantakeyourmoney.”
Themanwiththecigarettelaughed.“Sure,”hesaid.“Setmeupadrink,I’llbethereinaminute.”
Thefirstguywentbackinsidewhilethesecondmansmokedforamomentlongerbeforetossingthecigaretteto
thegroundandcrushingitoutwithhisboot.Ashefinishedgrindingitintothedirthelookedup,staringalmostdirectlyatKurt.Helingeredinthatposeforamomentthewayahuntingdogmightfreezeasitpointedtowardasounditsmastercouldn’thear.
Kurtheldperfectlystill.Hiddenintheshadowsatadistanceoffortyfeet,hedoubtedthemancouldsee
him.Allthesame,hefirmedhisgripontherailgunandslidhisglovedfingerontothetrigger.
Thesmokerheldhisplaceforanothersecondandthenheturned,grabbedthedoorhandle,andsteppedbackinside.
“Coverme,”Kurtwhispered.Hemovedquicklytowardthedoorandplacedhisearbesideit.Heheardthesoundofaradioandvoices.
Toomanyvoices.Theywereloudandboisterousand,asnearashecouldtell,allmale.Itsoundedlikealockerroominside.
Convincedtheprisonerswerenotpresent,hemovedbacktowhereJoewaited.
“Dowehavetherightaddress?”Joeasked.
“Notunlessyou’relookingforafratparty.Ithinkthisisabunkhouseofsomekind.Brèvard’smenare
blowingoffsomesteam.”Joelookedaround.“So
wheretonext?”Kurtglanceddownatthe
screenonhisarm.Thenextbuildingwasahundredyardsoff.Closertothewallofthethirdterrace.“Justuptheroad,”Kurtsaid.“Followme,ifyoucan.”
“Betterbequick,”Joesaid.“Weturnbackintopumpkinsinlessthanfiveminutes.”
MovingpastthebuildingthathousedBrèvard’smen,KurtandJoesnuckontoanotherpath.Thenextbuildingwasmuchlikethefirst,low-lyingandratherplain,withoutanywindows,butitwasguarded.Twomenatthedoor,onesittinginachairwithhisfeetproppeduponabucket,theotherstandingwitharifleoverhisshoulder.
Themainproblemwasa
pairofexposedbulbsonablackwireabovetheentrance.Thesuitswouldnotkeepthemhiddeninthatkindofglare.
“Thishasgottobeit,”Kurtsaid.“I’mgoingtoworkmywayaroundbackandfindthepowerline.Getinposition.WhenIcutit,taketheclosestguyoutwithyourTaser.Bythetimethesecondguyfiguresoutwhat’shappened,I’llbeonhim.”
“Soundslikeaplan.”AsJoemovedtoanew
position,Kurtdoubledbackandwentaroundthefarsideofthebuilding.Movingquicklyandquietly,hearrivedonthefarsideofthestructureandbeganlookingforthepowercable.Hefoundaspotwhereaburiedlinecameoutofthegroundandranupthewall,heldinplacebyrustedclamps.Pullingouthisrubber-handledknife,
Kurtsawedthroughtheinsulationandthenwithaquickcutseveredthecable.
Asthelightspillingfromthefrontofthebuildingflickeredanddied,Kurtracedforthecorner.HecamearounditjustasJoehitthestandingguardwithhisTaser.Themanwentstiffasaboardbutmadenosound,andallKurtheardwastherapidclickingandsnappingsoundthattheTasermadeasit
electrifiedtheman’sbodyandtriggeredhismusclesintoarigidstate.
Realizingthatsomethingwaswrong,theguardinthechairgrabbedforhisrifle,butKurtwasonhimbeforehecouldbringittobear.Heclampedonehandovertheman’smouthandyankedhimbackward,bringingtheblackcarbonsteelbladeoftheknifeupagainsttheman’sthroat.
“Youmakeasound,it’ll
beyourlast,”hewarnedtheman.
Theguardwentstillandthennodded,hissenseofshockgrowingasJoeappearedundertheoverhanglikeaspectermaterializingfromanotherdimension.AsJoedroppeddownonthegroundtotrussuptheotherguard,hismovementswereablurasthearmorcontinuouslychangedbothitscolorandtexture.Kurt
noticedthemanhe’dcapturedscrunchinghiseyesshutandthenlookingawayasifhewerehallucinating.
“Youpeopleareholdingsomefriendsofours,”hewhisperedtohiscaptive.“Aretheyhere?Inthisbuilding?”
Theguardnodded.KurtglancedatJoe.
“Checkthedoor.”Joewasalreadyinthe
process.“Lockedtight.”
“Keys,”Kurtdemanded.Theguardreacheda
shakinghandintohisbreastpocketandpulledoutaringwithtwokeysonit.
Joetooktheringandwenttowork,findingtwobolts,oneforeachkey.Havingunlockedthedoor,hecrackeditopen.“It’sdark,Idon’tseeanyone.”
“Imusthavecutthepowertotheentirebuilding,”Kurtsaid,pullingtheguardto
hisfeet.AsJoepulledthedoor
open,Kurtpushedtheguardthroughfirstincasesomeoneattacked.Fortunately,thatdidn’thappen.
Lookingaround,Kurtsawadozenpeoplehuddledinthefarcornerofthedarkenedroom.Theywerehidingbehindapileofmattresses,asmalltable,andseveralchairs.Hecountedthreemen,threewomen,andseven
childrenofvariousages.TheyseemedasfrightenedofhimandJoeastheguardshadbeen.Afterwhatthey’dbeenthrough,Kurtdidn’tblamethem.
“It’sallright,”hesaid,“we’reheretohelpyou.We’regettingyououtofhere.”
Theyseemedtooafraidtorespond,soKurtflippeduphisgogglesandpulledoutaflashlight,shiningitonthem.
Hedidn’trecognizemostofthegroup,buttwoofthegrimy-facedchildrenlookedlikeSienna’ssonanddaughter.
“You’reTanner,right?”Theboynodded.“Andyou’reElise?”Thegirlwastooafraidto
sayanything.Shejuststoodthere,grippingthehemofhershirt.
“It’sokay,”Kurtsaid,brushingherhairback.
“We’retakingyouhome.Where’syourmom?”
Elisejuststaredathim,butTannerpointedattheguards.“Theytookher.”
Kurtlookedattheguardonhisknees.
“Where’sSiennaWestgate?”
“Idon’tknow,”theguysaid.“Theytookheruptothemainhouse,butIdon’tknowwhere.”
Oneoftheotheradults
cameforward.Helookedfamiliar.“IsawyouinthetunnelinKorea,”Kurtsaid.
HisEnglishwasvaguelyEuropean.KurtguessedthatSpanish,Portuguese,orevenItalianwashisfirstlanguage.
“You’reMontresor,”Kurtsaid,usinghishackername.
Themannoddedagain.“MyrealnameisDiego.Iknowwheretheytookher.Themanwhorunsthings,Sebastian,hehasacontrol
roomonthetopfloor.Hewatcheseverythingfromthere,Ithink.Directlybelowhimisanetworkedseriesofhigh-endprocessorsandcomputers.Whentheytookmeuptothehousetowork,thatiswheretheykeptme.”
“Whatdidtheyhaveyoudo?”Kurtasked.
“Ihackintoasystemandeditprograms.Icreatehiddendoorwaysandwhatwecallhidesorblinds.”
“Thosearehuntingterms,”Kurtsaid.“Whatdotheymeanintheprogrammingworld?”
Themanpausedasifthinkingofawaytoexplainit.“They’relikeblackholesintowhichwecanhideavirus.Eventhemostadvancedantivirussoftwarewillnotfindit.Andthenatalaterdate,weactivatethecode.”
“Andwhatdoesthecode
do?”Kurtasked.“Ijustcreatetheblind,”
Montresorsaid.“Othersbuildthevirus.”
“Andwhatdoesthevirususuallydo?”
“Takescontrolofthesystem,”hesaid.“Forcesittodosomethingitisnotsupposedtodo.”
Montresor,Kurtthoughttohimself.Howperfectahandleforsomeonewhohidesthingsinalabyrinth
wheretheywillneverbefound.
“Whatkindofsystemsdidyouhack?Pentagon?CIA?”
Montresorshookhishead.“Bankingsystemsmostly.Accountingprograms.Transferprotocols.”
Kurt’smindraced.Banksandagangdescendedfrombankrobbersandcounterfeiters.Hewondered
iftherecouldbeaconnectionandthendecidedthiswasnotthetimetofindout.AllthatmatteredwasstoppingtheBrèvardfamily,whatevertheyweredoing.
HeturnedtoJoe.“Callitin,”hesaid.“I’mgoingtofindSienna.”
“Ishouldgowithyou,”Joesaid.
“No,”Kurtsaid,“staywiththem.They’regoingtoneedyoutoleadthemout
whentheMarinescomeoverthewall.”
AboardtheleadBlackHawk,code-namedDragonOne,Lt.Brooksstudiedhismenasthestriketeamcontinuedinbound.Someofthementalkedandjoked,somecheckedtheirweaponsandgearrepeatedlyinsomekindofritual,andothershadfaces
ofstone.Differentpersonalitiesgotreadyforbattleindifferentways,butonelooktoldBrookstheywereready.
Sofar,they’dcomethreehundredmilessouth,metupwiththetankeraircraft,andcompletedthetrickynighttimerefuelingoperationwithoutincident.Fromthatpointthey’dturnedsoutheastandwerenowtrackingforthecoast,travelinginformation,
atahundredthirtyknotsamerefiftyfeetabovethesurfaceoftheMozambiqueChannel.
“We’llbecrossingintoMadagascarairspaceinsevenminutes,”thepilotinformedhim.
“AnywordfromtheBataan?”
“Nothingyet,”thepilotsaid.“Ifwedon’tgetfinalauthorizationbythetimewehitthatlimit,I’llhaveno
choicebuttoabort.”Brooksunderstood.He
wasinchargeofthemission,butthosewerethestandingorders.“Throttlebackabit,”hesuggested.“Andtakeusparalleltothelineforawhile.”“Sir?”
“It’llsaveussomefuel,”Brookssaid,“andit’llgivethosemarinebiologistsalittlemoretimetomakecontact.”“Youreallythinkthey’regoingtopullthisoff?”the
pilotaskedskeptically.“I’mnotsure,”Brooks
said,“butI’dhatetobeheadedhomeiftheycallforhelp.”
Thepilotnoddedhisagreement,madeaquickradiocalltotheotherhelicopters,andthenbankedtotherightandbeganreducingspeed.TheotherBlackHawksmatchedhim,andtheheadlongracetowardthecoastbecameamore
leisurelyflightparalleltoit.Therewaslittledangerofthembeingpickeduponradar—Madagascarhadonlyaprimitivenetwork.Fuelandtimewerebiggerconcerns.
“Okay,Lieutenant,”thepilotsaid,“we’vedialeditdowntotheeconomysetting.Butwecan’tdothisfortoolong.”Asitturnedout,theydidn’thaveto.Fifteenminuteslater,asignalcameoverthesatellitedownlink.
“Dragonleader,thisisCourthouse.Doyoucopy?”
CourthousewastheBataan’scodename.Brookspressedthetransmitswitch.“Courthouse,thisisDragonleader,goahead.”
“Youareclearedtotheobjective.Currenttargetstatusisgreen.Friendlieshavebeenidentified.Totaloffifteen,possiblysixteen.Theirlocationwillbemarkedbyagreenflareandsmoke.Other
buildingsarebelievedtoholduptotwentyhostiles.Lightweaponsareindicated.”
AsurgeofadrenalinepumpedthroughBrooksandheglancedatthepilotandtowardthecoastlikearefereesignalingfirstdown.Thepilottookthehint,turnedinboundonceagain,andbroughttheBlackHawkbackuptofullspeed.
“Rogerthat,Courthouse.Wearetwominutesfrom
continentaldivideandinboundtothetarget.Willcontactyouonourwayhome.”
AsthemissiondirectorfromtheBataansignedoff,Brooksconsideredthestateofthings.Inaworldthathadgrownusedtowatchingtheirmilitaryoperationsplayoutinrealtime,thisonewasbeingblackedout.TherewasnofeedbeingbroadcasttotheSituationRoomintheWhite
House,nogroupofgeneralsandpoliticianswatchingtheplay-by-playasifitwereamovieorabiggame.Withthewholegovernmentunsurewhichsystemswerestillsecureandwhichhadbeenhacked,noonewastakingachance.Thepowersthatbewouldwaitinsilence.Eventually,they’dreceiveasimplephonecallfromtheBataan’scommandertellingthemifthemissionhad
succeededorfailed.
AstheMarinestrikeforceturnedinbound,KurtmadehiswayaroundthesideoftheBrèvardpalace.Lightsaimedupatthestructuremeantthelasttenfeetorsowouldexposehimnomatterhowtheinfiltrationsuitattemptedtocompensate.Insteadofcrossingthroughthem,heswungwide,passedan
Olympic-sizedswimmingpool,andmadehiswayaroundtheback.Therehefoundanoverhangingveranda.
Usingachairtoboosthimselfup,heclamberedontothedeckandsprintedforward.Hemanagedtoforcethedoorandslipinside.
Thankfulthathe’dsetoffnoalarmsystemintheprocess,hemovedintothehallandfoundhimself
surroundedbyframedworksofart,intricatetapestries,andstatuesthatlookedasiftheymightbelonginamuseum.
Heneededtofindastairwellthatledupwardandbegantomovedownthehall,stoppingatthesoundoffootfallscominghiswayfromanadjacentcorridor.
HebacktrackedandtookcoverbehindastatueofsomeGreekherowithalaurelleafonhisheadandpressed
himselfasfarintotheshadowsaspossibleuntilthefigurepassedby.
ItwasCalista.Shewasspeakingintoaradio,givingordersaboutsomething.SheneversawKurtorevenlookedinhisdirection.Asshereachedthefarendofthehall,shedisappearedintoaroom.
Inahouseofmanyrooms,Kurtknewhe’dbehard-pressedtofindtheright
oneintime.ButseeingCalistapassbybroughtanewideatomind.Checkingthehallinbothdirectionsandseeingnooneelsecoming,hemovedfrombehindthestatueandbacktracked,headingtowardtheroomCalistahadjustentered.
Calistawasreadytoleave.Overtheyearsshe’dbeguntofeelclaustrophobicinthefamilyhome,asensationthathadonlygottenworseoverthepastfewmonths.Grabbingasmallbackpackfromashelfinhercloset,shebegantopack.
Everthepragmatist,shedidn’tcarefortheclothesorthejewels.Heritemsofimportancewerethosethatwouldbeuseful:passportsinseveralnames,bundlesofcashinafewdifferentcurrencies,aknife,apistol,andthreesparemagazines.Theoneitemofsentimentalvalueshehadwasanecklacewithadiamondringhangingfromitthathadbelongedtotheirmother.Sebastianhad
givenittoher.Sheeyedthenecklacefor
amomentandthenplaceditintoasidepocketandzippedthepocketshut.Nothingelseintheopulentmansionmatteredtoher.Itwasallfake.Theartwork,tapestries,andtheantiquefurniturewerenothingbutgoodforgeries.That’swhattheirfamilydid.Theygavelifetolies.
Abouttheonlythingshewouldmisswerethehorses.
Asshethoughtaboutherfavorite,ahorsenamedTana,whichmeant“sunshine”inMalagasy,itdawnedonherthatSebastianmighthaveriggedthestablestoexplodelikeeverythingelseinthecompound.
Thisstruckherascruel.Humankindwasfairlyworthlessinhereyes,butanimals,intheirinnocence,weresomethingelse.Theyhadnoschemesordesires
otherthantopleasetheirmastersandreceivetheirrewardsintheformoffoodandshelterandattention.
Shezippedthebagshutanddecidedtohikedowntothestableandturntheanimalsout.Therewasnoreasonforthemtoburntodeath.
Throwingthepackoveroneshoulder,sheleftthebedroom,enteredhersittingroom,andtrackedstraightfor
thedoor.Assheapproachedthedoor,shenoticeditwasclosedbutnotshut.Thatwasmorethanodd,sheneverleftthedoorunlatched.
Sheputherhandinthebag,grabbingforherpistol.
“Sorry,Calista,”avoicesaidfrombehindher.“I’mafraidit’sgameover.”
Shefrozeinhertracks.Thetimbreofthevoicewaseasilyrecognizable,aswasthecalmandcertaindelivery
ofthewords.ShehadnodoubtthatKurtAustinwasstandingbehindher.
“Tossthebagonthefloorandturnaroundslowly,”hesaid.
Shelethershoulderssagandflippedthebackpackintoacorner.Pivotingslowly,shefoundKurtsittinginahigh-backedVictorianchair,aimingalethal-lookingrifleinherdirection.
“Ibelievewe’vedonethis
before,”shesaid.“Wehave,”Kurtreplied,
standingup.“Andwe’regoingtokeepdoingituntilwegetitright.”
Shestudiedhimforamoment.Helookedoutofplacewithallthearmor.Lesshandsome,lessunique.Asifhe’dreadhermind,hepulledoffthehood.
“Howonearthdidyougetinhere?”sheasked.“Wehavecameras,guards,motion
sensors.”“Nothing’sfoolproof,”
Kurtsaid.Thatmuchwascertain.
“Youcan’texpecttogetoutalive,”shesaid.“We’rereadyforyou.We’vebeenwaitingforyoutomakeamove.”
Hiseyebrowswentup.“Really?”hesaid.“Becauseitdoesn’tlookthatwaytome.Yourmenatthefrontgatearehalfasleep.Theganginthebunkhousearecelebrating
likeit’sBastilleDay.Andwe’vealreadyfoundthehostageswhiletakingouttwoofyourguards.Allwithouttheslightestpeepfromtherestofyou.”
“Thereareatleastfiftymenhereloyaltomybrothersandme.You’reoverwhelminglyoutnumbered.”
“Fornow,”hesaidsmugly.
Shepursedherlips.So
therewerereinforcementscoming.Andcomingsoon.Herbrotherwassittingaroundfoolishlythinkingtheywerenotindangeryet.Herfeelingsweretorn.Silentlyshecursedhimforhisarroganceevenasshewishedshecouldwarnhim.
“Ifyou’vealreadywon,thenwhatdoyouwantfromme?”sheasked.“Answersperhaps?Areyoustilltryingtofigureoutwhathappened
toyouontheEthernet?”Hesmiledather.Itwasa
grinbothendearingandproud.“Toolateforthat,”hesaid.“Iknowwhathappened.Enoughofitanyway.ItallcamebackoncetheydebuggedmeinKorea.”
Sheshiftedherweight.“Thenyouknowifitwasn’tforme,you’dhavebeenkilledandburiedatseainthehullofthatyachtjustlikealltheothersweencountered.”
“Consideringthatyoucausedthedangerinthefirstplace,thatdoesn’treallycarryalotofweightwithme.Ontheotherhand,”headded,“Idohaveanewfoundappreciationfortheimportanceofrememberingthepastaccurately,thankstoyou.Thatbeingthecase,IthoughtI’dreturnthefavor.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”sheasked,growingtiredoftheconversation.
Hestudiedherwiththoseice-blueeyes,takingherin,measuringher.Finally,heunzippedadiagonalpocketontherightsightofhisvestandpulledfromitafoldedsheetofpaper.Heplaceditdownonthesmallstandbetweenthechairs,smootheditflat,andthenpulledaway.
“Takealook”wasallhesaid.
Shehesitatedandthensteppedcautiouslyforward,
reachingforthepaperlikesomeonemightreachforadangerousanimal,keepingasmuchdistancebetweenherbodyandtheprintedsheetaspossible.
Shetiltedthepagetocatchthelightandgavetheimageaquickonce-over.“Whatisthissupposedtobe?”
“It’safamily,”hesaid.“Believeornot,it’syourfamily.Yourrealfamily.”
Shelookedupathimsuspiciously.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
Shenoticedhewaswatchingherwithasortofdetached,almostprofessoriallook.
“TheBrèvardsaren’tyourfamily,Calista,thepeopleinthephotographare.Thewoman’snameisAbigail.Shewasyourmother.HerfriendscalledherAbby.Theman’snameisStewart,he
wasyourfather.ThetwoboysareNathanandZack—orIshouldsay,theywerenamedNathanandZack.”
Forreasonsshecouldn’tpinpoint,shebegantofeelsick.“Youexpectmetobelievethis?”
“Lookatthewoman.Lookatherface.Youtwocouldbetwins.”
Shewasn’tblind,shesawthelikeness.Itwasnonsense.“Youthinkyoucantrick
me?”Hedidn’tblink.“It’snot
atrick.Yourmotherwasatelecommunicationsexpert,yourfatherworkedonsatelliteguidance.Theywerebothveryintelligentpeople,brilliantintheirunderstandingsofmathandscience.Justlikeyou,I’mguessing.TheyhadagoodlifeinsuburbanEngland.Unfortunately,theBrèvardfamilycamealong,tookthem
fromtheworld,andmadethemdisappear,thesamewayyoukidnappedSiennaandherchildren.TheywerebarteredforandusedforwhattheyknewthesameexactwayyouandSebastianandtherestofthissickfamilyhaveusedthepeopleyou’reholdinghostage.”
Shewasshakingherhead,filledwithrage,akindofrageshewashavingahardtimecontrolling.Itwasunlike
her—shewascold,emotionless.Whyshouldthismakehersoangry?shewondered.Ofcoursehewouldlie.Ofcoursehewouldtrysomethingtoconfuseher.Butwhy,ifheandhisfriendswereallbutassuredofvictoryintheirownminds,wouldhebother?
Shefeltanurgetochargehim,toputherhandsaroundhisthroatandchokethelifeoutofhimifshecould.Even
ifheshotherinresponse,atleastshewouldn’thavetolistentoanymoreofthis.
Shelungedforhim.“You’realiar,”shescreamed.
Sheslammedonefistintohischest,whereituselesslystruckthebodyarmor,andreachedforhisfacewithherotherhand,intentonclawingouthiseyes.Buthewastooquickandtoostrong.Hecaughtherarmandstopped
it.Hespunheraroundandfoldedherarmsacrossherchest,holdingherfrombehind.
“I’mnotlying,”hesaid.“I’mnottryingtohurtyou.Butyoushouldknowthetruth.”
“Idon’twanttoknow!”“Believeme,youdo,”he
said.“BecausethesepeoplearebetterthantheBrèvards.Thesepeoplelovedlife,theydidn’tabuseanddestroyit,
andyou’reoneofthem.”Shecontinuedtothrash
andtriedtoslamandelbowhim,butitwasnouse.
“Iknowwhatkindofhellitistowonderwhat’srealandwhatisn’t,”hesaidquietly.“Iknowwhatyou’regoingthroughrightnow.Iliveditformonths,butyou’vehaditworse,you’veliveditallyourlife.Icanonlyimaginewhatit’sdonetoyou.”
“It’sdonenothing,”sheinsisted,tryingdesperatelytokickhimandpullfree.
Heturnedheraroundandlookedintohereyes.“Yourfatherwaskilledtryingtoescapehiscaptors,”hesaid.“Hewasgunneddowninbroaddaylightbyamanwhowasneverfound.He’dbeengaggedandbeaten.He’dbeentortured.”
“Stopit!”“Yourmotherand
brothersfaredworse.They’dfoundalifeboatonashiphalfburiedinthesand,buttheydidn’thaveenoughwater.Theydiedfromdehydration,driftingontheoceanahundredmilesfromhere.”
Shefroze.“Whatdidyousay?”
“Theydiedatsea,”herepeated,“onalifeboathalfguttedwithrot.We’reprettycertaintheyfounditonanoldshipthatwasburiedinthe
riverseveralmilesfromhere.”
Animageflashedinhermind,itstrucklikeaboltoflightning.Abriefglimpseoftherivetsonthedarkmetalplating,therushingriver,thesedimentbeingscouredaway.“Aship,”shewhispered.“Anoldironship?”
Asecondboltoflightningstruck.Itwasnight.Therewasonlyasliverofmoonlighttoseewith.A
womanhadherbythewrist,leadinghertowardthehill.Twoboysweredraggingasmallwoodenboatfromacavethey’dexcavatedinthesand.
“It’salie,”sheprotested.“It’sthetruth,”hesaid.
“Yourtruth.”She’dceasedstruggling
now,hermindadrift.Hecontinuedtoholdhertight,perhapsbecausehecouldn’ttrusther.Butasherlegs
begantoshake,shefelthewasholdingherup,keepingherfrombucklingrightthenandthere.
Thememoriescontinuedtocome.Menchasingthem.Agunshotrippedthroughoneofthecontainers.Thewaterwasspillingout.Disaster.
“There’snotenoughwater,”Calistaspokealoud.
Moregunshots.Thewomanfell.
“Theyshother,”Calista
saidtonoone.“Shewaswounded,”Kurt
repliedsoftly.“Butitwassuperficial.”
“Shefelldownthehill.”Inhermind,Calistaheard
thewomanshout.“Olivia!”Calistafeltonlyfear—
terrible,swirlingfear.“Mum!”oneoftheboys
hadyelled.“Olivia,hurry!”Moregunshotssounded
andthewomanturnedandran.Calistajuststoodthereonthehill,whiledownbelow,hermotherandbrotherspushedthesmallboatoutintothewater.Shesawthemclimbonboardandpaddleintothedarkness,movingswiftlywiththecurrent.Shefeltthemenrushbyher,watchedastheyscrambleddownthebank,andlistenedastheyfiredagainandagainintothedark.
Butsheneverflinched.Shejuststoodthereandstareduntileventuallytheshootingceasedandoneofthemencameuptoherandtookherhand.
“Iletthemgowithoutme,”shesaidtoKurt.
Shewassobbing,droppingtotheground.Kurteasedherdowngently.
“Therewasn’tenoughwater,”hetoldher.“Notenoughforthree.Certainly
notenoughforfour.”Shewassobbingand
shakingandthensuddenlyangryagain.“Youhavenoright!Norightto...”
Theinsanityofwhatshewassayingcutheroffbeforeshe’dfinished.
“TheBrèvardfamilystoleyourlife,”hesaid.“Maybetheyrealizedhowsharpyoualreadywere.Maybetheyknewtheycouldmoldyouintooneofthem.Maybethey
plannedtokillyouandjustnevergotaroundtoit.But,whatevertheirreasons,theystoleyourlife.Theystolethelivesofyourfamilyandwethinkmanyothers.Andifyouletthem,they’llstealthelivesofSiennaandherchildrenandeveryoneelsethey’reholdinginthatoversizeQuonsethuthalfwaydownthehill.”
Shenoticedhekeptsaying“Sebastian”orthe
“Brèvardfamily,”butsheknewherpartinit.Forasecondshewantedtoscreamout,toyellathim,“ThisiswhoIam,”toclaimitandownitandtellhimtogotohell,butthedesirefaded.Andtearsreturneduncontrollably.
Whyshouldn’thernameandmemoriesbefalse?Everythingelsearoundherwasalie.
Asshecried,Kurtmovedtoaspotinfrontofherand
gentlywipedthetearsfromherface.
“HelpmegettoSiennabeforetheMarinesarrive,”hesaid.“Sebastianisgoingtolosetonight.ButIdon’twanthimusingherasashieldorkillingherinafitofspitewhenherealizesit’soverforhim.”
Shelookedupathim.Therewaskindnessanddeterminationinthatface.Thewhiteknight,she
thought.Hereallywas.“It’snotoverforhim,”
shesaid.“Itwillbesoon.”“No,youdon’t
understand,”shereplied.“Youmaybeearly,butheknewaresponsewouldbecoming.He’sgotsomenastysurpriseswaitingforyourfriends.Andhe’sgotaplanofescapelockedandloaded.”
“Hecouldn’tknowwewouldbecoming.”
“Notyou,butheknewsomeonewouldbe,”shesaid.“He’swaitingforit.Whileourmenarefightingwithyourforces,he’llblowthisplacetokingdomcome.Thehackingyou’reseeingnowwillendandhe’lldisappear—we’lldisappear—andthewholeworldwillassumewe’redead.”
“Sohistorydoesrepeatitself,”Kurtsaid.“Wehavetostophim.Andwehaveto
stopwhateverhehasplanned.Willyouhelpmeornot?”
Shelookedathimthroughthetears.
“I’lltrustyou,”hesaid.“Whywouldyou?”“Callitinstinct,”hesaid,
offeringherahand.Shehesitated.Hertrue
desirewastoremainthereonthefloor,toliethereuntilthefirescameandconsumedher.Afateshe’dneverbeenmorecertainshedeserved.
“Awisemanoncetoldme,‘Wearewhowedecidetobe,’”hesaid.“Youhaveachoice.YoucanbeCalistaBrèvardoryoucanreclaimyourhumanityasOliviaBanister.”
Thenamesseemedtofiresomethinginher,butitwasn’twhathemighthaveexpected.Oliviawasafrightenedchild,Calistawasunafraid.Calistawasasurvivor,aninstrumentof
power.Andnow,shethought,aninstrumentofretribution.ShetookKurt’shandandstood.
“No,”shesaid,“thisiswhoIam.I’llhelpyoufindSienna.Butdon’tgetbetweenmeandSebastian.BecauseI’mgoingtokillhimforwhatheandhisfamilyhavedone.Ifyoutrytostopme,I’llkillyoutoo.”
“Yourchoice,”Kurtsaid.“Eitherway,let’smove.We
don’thavemuchtime.”
WithCalistaleadingtheway,thetwoofthemstrodethehalls.ThoughKurthadprofessedtrustinher,hewasn’tabouttogiveheraweapon.Hejustneededhertogethimpastthegoonswhowouldbeguardingthecontrolroom.Oratleastclose
enoughsohecouldeliminatethem.
“Thisway,”shesaid,turningdownthehallwayontheright.Atthatmomentanalarmbegantoscream.
Kurtheldstill,wonderingifshe’dtriggeredsomething.“Itwasn’tme,”shesaid,apparentlyguessinghisthoughts.Thesoundofautomaticgunfireoutsidethebuildingreverberatedthroughthehallfollowedbythe
unmistakablesoundofhelicopterspassingoverhead.TheMarineshadarrivedandnotunnoticed.Thesoundofarocketscreamingthroughtheairwasfollowedbyanexplosionandaflashoflightthroughthewindowsatthefarendofthehall.“Weneedtohurry,”Kurtsaid.HeandCalistabegantorun.
TheywerealmosttotheendwhenoneofSebastian’s
mencamerunningtheoppositeway.“Calista,”heshouted.“We’rebeingattacked.Nooneisansweringatthepenand...”
JustthenhesawKurtandquicklyguessedthathewaspartoftheassault.Heswungasubmachinegunaroundandfired.
Kurtsawitcoming,pushedCalistaoutoftheway,anddovetothepolishedfloor.Asshellsrippedinto
theplasterbehindhim,heaimedtherifleandsqueezedthetriggeralmostsimultaneously.Therailgunspataswarmoflethalironprojectilesthatrippedintotheman,takinghimoffhisfeetandknockinghimover.Helandedonhisback,butthemusclesinhishandmusthavecontractedinaspasmbecausethesubmachineguncontinuedtofire,sprayingalineofbulletsalongthewall
andupintotheceiling,shatteringtwoofthemirrorsandblastingapartasuitofarmor.
“Somuchfortheelementofsurprise,”Kurtsaid.Hegotup,helpedCalistatoherfeetonceagain,andtookoffdownthehall.
Atthatverymoment,Lt.BrooksandthemembersoftheForceReconplatoonwere
thinkingtheexactsamething.They’dcomeinfromthecoast,flyingalongthedeck,blackedoutandwatchingforanysignthey’dbeendetectedorpaintedbythesweepofaradarbeam.
Allsignspointedtoacleanentry.Andthenthey’dcrossedthewallofthesprawlingcompoundandslowedtoahoversothestriketeamscouldbeginafastrappeltotheground.But
evenastheropeswentout,they’dbeguntotakedirectfire,notfromanyhumantargetsonthegroundbutfromremotelyoperatedweapons.
Fromatleastthreespotsinthegarden,twin.50calibermachinegunshadrisenfromsmallmaintenancesheds.Theyweretrackingandturningandfiringonthehelicopters.OneoftheBlackHawkswasalreadysmoking
andpullingawaywhenBrooksgavetheordertotherestofthem.“Pullback,”heshouted.“Takeevasiveaction.”
Thepilotturnedthecraftawayfromthefireandbegantomoveout,butthehorriblerattlingsoundofshellsrippingthroughthefuselagetoldBrooksitwastoolate.Shrapnelandbitsofthecabinwereblastedaboutlikeconfetti.Bloodsplatteredon
thewallofthefuselageasatleastonemantookahit.
Atthesametime,thehelicopterlurchedtotheside,andBrookssawthatthepilothadalsobeenwounded.Theywerespinningandgoingdown.
Thecopilottookcontrolandtriedtorightthecraft,buttheyhitthegroundwithacrunch.TheBlackHawkrolledoveronitsside,forcingtheenormousrotorblades
intothegroundandshatteringthemintoathousandpieces.
“Go!Go!Go!”Brooksshouted,pushingonemanoutthroughthedoorandthengrabbingthewoundedpilotandscramblingtosafety.
TheBlackHawk’screwandthetwelveMarineswereclearofthehelicopterwhenitexploded.Threemenwereinjured,aswellasthepilot,andamissionthatwassupposedtobeawalkinthe
parkhadsuddenlyturnedintoadesperatefight.
Thementookcoverneararockwallandsetupadefensiveperimeter.BrookssawtheotherBlackHawksfleeingtosafety.Itlookedasiftheywouldallclearthedangerzonewhenamissilelaunchedfromanotherdilapidatedshed.
Thefierytailoftherocketwaseasytotrack—itracedsouthafterthehelicopterand
illuminateditinaballofflame.
“Damn!”Brookscursed.“We’vebeensetup.”
Bynowmenwerestreamingfromthebarracks,andsmallarmsfirewaswhistlingpastoverhead.
Brooksgrabbedtheradioandcalledout,“DragonleadertoDragonteam.Stayclearofthefirezone.Irepeat,stayclearofthefirezone.Compoundismoreheavily
defendedthananticipated.Missilesandheavy-caliberweapons.”
“DragonThreeclear,”acallcameback.
“DragonFouralsoclear.”
ThatmeantBlackHawkTwohadtakenthemissile.Brookshadnowayofdeterminingifanyonehadsurvivedtheexplosion.
Brookspressedthetalkswitch.“DragonFive,what’s
yourposition?”DragonFivewasthe
sparehelicopterbroughtinprimarilytohaulthehostagesout,butitalsocarriedtwoNavymedics.
“We’restillatpointalpha.Doyouneedus?”
“Negative,”Brookssaid.“RemainthereuntilIcontactyou.”
“We’renotgoingtoleaveyoudownthere,Lieutenant.”
“YouwillifIorderyou
to,”Brooksreplied.“StayclearuntilItellyouotherwise.”
Puttingtheradiodown,Brookslookedaroundathismen.Threeofthemwereinjured.Thatleftnine,plusthecopilot,whohadtodomorethanflyatthispoint.
“Jones,”Brookscalledtooneofthemen.“Getyoursquadtothesouth.Makesurenooneflanksus.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Dalton,Garcia,you’rewithme.We’vegottofindthosegunsandthatmissilebatteryandtake’emout.”
“Yes,sir,”themenrepliedinunison.
Underacoveringfire,thethreemenmovedout,racingfiftyyardstothenorthandthenscamperingupthewallontothenextterrace.
Astheunexpectedbattle
ragedallaroundthecompound,Joeremainedwiththehostages.Hecouldtellbythedinoftheexplosionsandthevolumeofgunfirethatsomethinghadgonewrong.
“Everyonegetonthefloor,”hesaid.“Flipthosetablesoverandpileupthosemattresses.”
Almostoncue,gunfirerippedthroughthetopofthebuilding.Joehitthedeckalongwitheveryoneelse.
Prayerscouldbeheardinthreedifferentlanguages.Thesoundofchildrenwhimperingneedednotranslation.
“Ithoughtwewereleaving?”someoneasked.
“SodidI,”Joemuttered.Wonderingwhathadgone
wrong,Joecrawledtothedoorandpusheditopenacrack.Flameslituptheskyatthebottomofthehill.
Heheardthesoundsofthehelicoptersmaneuvering
inthedistanceandthereportoftheheavymachineguns.Overtheheadset,heheardBrookscallingoutthatthey’dbeenshotdownandwarningtheothersaway.Acrosstheterracehesawtwoseparategroupsofmenrushingdownthehillandfiringwildly.Betweenthesemenandthemenfromthebarracks,theMarinesfromthedownedhelicopterwouldsoonbebadlyoutnumbered.
Joeknewhishelpwasneeded,butifheleftthehutthehostageswouldbeutterlyaloneanddefenseless.
Hestudiedtheactionamomentlonger.Itwasallgoingondownthehillfromwheretheywere,withthesoundsofanotherbattleragingatthemainhouse.Buttohisright,outtothesouth,allwasquiet.
“Timetogo,”hesaid.“Don’twanttomissthebus.”
Hebeganwavingthemuptothedoor,pointingtotheright,whereitwasdarkandquiet.“There’sawallaboutseventyyardsaway.Gettoit,climboverit,andkeepgoing.Don’tstopuntilyou’reatleastathousandyardsfromhereandyou’vefoundsomekindofshelter.Aditch,somebushes,astandofthoseweirdtrees,anythingthatcanhideyou.”
HehandedMontresorthegreenflare.“Ifyouseeany
helicoptersoverhead,lightthisandholditup.They’llknowyou’rethehostagesandnotenemycombatants.”
AsMontresorandtheothersgatheredaroundthedoor,Joetookanotherlookoutside.
“Whataboutmymom?”TannerWestgateasked.“Kurtwillfindher,”Joesaid.“Youcancountonthat.”ThelittlefacesstreakedwithtearsclutchedatJoe’sheart.
Wheneachoftheyoungchildrenwasholdinghandswithanadult,Joesnuckforward,madesurethepathwasclear,andthenwavedthemout.
Heledthemabouthalfway,andwhenhewascertaintheywereclearofthefirefighthepointedtowardthewall.“Go,”hesaid,urgingthemforward,“getoverthatwallanddon’tlookback.”
Astheprisonersscrambledintothedarkness,Joeturnedbacktowardthesoundsofengagement.Gazingdownthehill,hecouldseethefirefightinallitsnighttimeiridescentglory.FromthetracerfireitwasclearthatLt.BrooksandhismenweregettingshottopiecesfromthreesidesasthirtyorfortyofBrèvard’smenslowlyclosedinaroundthem.
Joebegantomoveforward.“Unbelievable,”hewhispered.“AllthistimeI’vebeenwaitingtocallinthecavalryanditturnsoutIamthecavalry.”
Withthatthoughtinmind,hepressedforward,unsureofwhat,ifanything,hemightachieve.
Asthechaosoutsidegrew,KurtandCalistafoundthemselvesinarunningbattlewiththerestofBrèvard’smen.They’dmadeitdownonehall,withKurtlayingdownasuppressingfiretokeepthosebehindthematbay,onlytorunsmackintoa
secondgroupcomingtheotherway.
Now,halfwaytothecontrolroom,theywerecaughtincrossfire,withshotscomingatthemfrombothendsofthehall.
“Getbehindme,”KurtsaidtoCalistaashereturnedfire.“Youshouldhavegivenmeagun,”shesaid.
“Ihadmyreasons,”Kurtsaid.
“Howdothosereasons
soundnow?”“Notasgoodastheydid
backthen,”headmitted.Withlittlecoverbeyondanoldwoodencredenza,Kurthadtokeepupasteadyrateoffiretokeeptheirenemiesback.Abluedigitalcounteronthetopoftheguntoldhimthestatusofhisammo.Ithitzeroratherquicklyandhechangedclips.
Realizingtheyhadtogetoutofthisbattlebeforeheusedupthesecondclip,he
beganshootingoutthelightsonebyoneuntilthecentralsectionofthehallwasbathedinshadows.Inresponse,theirattackershitthemainswitchanddousedtherestofthehallindarkness,whichonlyhelpedhisplan.
Kurtretreatedalongthewall,foundadoor,andkickeditopen.
“Getinside,”hesaid.Calistadidasorderedas
morebulletsskippedoffthe
marblefloor.Hopingtotrickthetwogroupsintoshootingeachother,Kurtfiredahalfdozenshotsalongonelengthofthehallandthenloosedafewmorebacktheotherway.
Assoonashe’dfinished,hesteppedbackwardandshutthedoor.Asitclosed,heheardvolleysbeingfiredfrombothsides.Foralittlewhileatleasttheywouldhavetroubledistinguishingbetweentheirownshotsand
Kurt’s,butheknewallhe’ddonewasbuyhimandCalistasometime.
AsKurtplottedtheirnextmove,Calistawasbusyshovingalargecouchupagainstthedoorandwedgingthearmunderthehandle.
“Notabadidea,”hesaid.“Howlongdoyouthink
wehave?”sheasked,pullingadresseragainstthecouch.
“They’llfigureoutprettyquicklythatI’mnolonger
firingatthem,”hesaid.“Butit’lltakeaminuteortwobeforetheygetupthecouragetorushdownthehall.”
“Andthenwhat?”BeforeKurtcould
answer,thescreamofarocketsoundedoutsidethebuilding.AsKurtturned,hesawthewhiteflareofanothermissilerippingitswayintothenight.
“Sebastian,”Calistasaid.
“Alwaysanothertrickuphissleeve.ThoseareAcosta’s.Hewasthearmsdealer.”
Kurtmadeaquickbutgrimassessment.“Wehavetostopthis.Ornoneofuswillleaveherealive.”
“Wehavetogettothecontrolroom,”shesaid.“It’salloperatedfromthere.”
Theywouldnevermakeitbychargingdownthehall,notevenwiththerailgunblazingandtheKevlararmor
toprotectthemostvitalpartsofKurt’sbody.Therehadtobeanotherway.
“Whatelseisonthisfloor?”heasked.
“Nothing,”shesaid,“justmoreroomslikethis.Asifweweregoingtoholdcourtsomeday.”
Anideacametohim.“Itjustmightwork,”hesaidtohimself.
Hemoveduptothewall,feltalongit,andthenbegan
topunchholesintheplasterboardwithhisfist.Itwasfairlystandard,awood-and-drywallconstruction.Hefoundthestudsandthensteppedbackandwithmeasuredprecisionpointedtherailgunatasectionofwall,blastingaverticallineofeightshotsfromtoptobottom.
“Whatareyoudoing?”sheasked.
“Iprefertostayin
adjoiningrooms,”hesaid.Witharunofseveralsteps,hecrashedintotheperforatedsectionofthewall,smashingthroughitwithhisshoulderandplowingintothespacenextdoor.
Calistafollowed.And,inquicksuccession,theyhaddonethesametothenextthreerooms.
Hadhebeenusingastandardrifle,Kurtmighthaveexpectedtheteamsof
menoutsidetohearhim,buttherailgunmadenosound.Theonlynoisewastheprojectilesflyingthroughtheplaster,asoundthatremindedKurtofanoverzealouslibrarianenergeticallyusingathree-holepunch.
“Thisisthelastroom,”Calistasaid.
Kurtcheckedtherailgun.Thecounteronthetoptoldhimhehadtenshellsleft.Tenshells.Justincase,he
unzippedthediagonalpocketacrosshischestthatheldtheoldColtrevolver.
Hopingtherewouldbenomoreresistance,hemovedtothedoor,pulleditopenacrack,andlookedbackdownthehall.TheirenemieshadconvergedonthedoortotheroomheandCalistahadenteredandweretryingtobreakitdown.
“Getready,”hesaid.Asthemendownthehall
blastedtheirwaythroughthebarricadeshe’dbuiltandforcedtheirwayintotheroom,Kurtpulledhisowndoorwideanddashedquietlyacrossthehallandontothestairwell.Calistawasrightbehindhim.
“Twolevelsup,”shesaid.Kurtraceduptheflight,
movingsoquicklythathewasskippingstairs.
Ashenearedthefinalturn,atrioofmencame
rushingdownintheotherdirection.Kurthadnochoice.Hepulledthetrigger.Theironshellswentrightthroughthefirstmanandintothesecond,cuttingthembothdown.Theyfellbackward,knockingthethirdmantothefloor,whoopenedfirewithhisUzisubmachinegun.
SeveralshellshitKurt’schestplate,knockinghimbackward.Hewasfairlycertainthatatleastoneshell
hitCalistabecauseshescreamedandtumbleddownthestairs.
Lyingonhisback,KurthitthelowertriggerandsenttheprongsoftheTaserblastingintotheman’sneck.Hesnappedintoapronepositionastheelectricitysurgedthroughhisbodyandhebegantoshake.
Kurtheldthetriggerandkepttheelectricityflowingashegottohisfeet,ran
forward,andkickedthemaninthefacelikehewastryingtopuntafootballoutofthestadium.Theman’sheadsnappedbackandhelaystill.
Withthesituationinhand,KurtgrabbedtheUzianddroppedbacktowhereCalistahadfallen.
“You’vebeenhit.”“Myleg,”shesaid.Kurtpulledheruponto
thelanding.She’dtakenabullettothethigh.Itwas
bleeding,butnotenoughtosuggestithadhitanartery.Hetookoffherbeltandwrappeditaroundherlegasatourniquet.
“Ithinkit’sbroken,”shesaid.Shetriedtostand,butevenwithhishelpshecouldn’tputanyweightonit.
“Justgo,”shesaid.“They’llbecomingupheresoonenough.You’llneedmetowatchyourback.”
Kurthesitatedandthen
handedhertheUzi.Hefiguredshe’dearneditatthispoint.
“Don’tlethimlive,”shesaid.“Hehasnoright.”
Withoutanswering,Kurtproppedherupagainstthewall,whereshe’dhavesomecoverandagoodangletofireatanyonewhocameherway.
“Don’tgoanywhere,”hesaid.“I’llbebackforyou.”
“That’swhattheyallsay,”shereplied.
Heturnedandracedupthestairs,finallyarrivingattheupperlanding.Asolid-steeldoorblockedhim.Itwasboltedshut.
Kurtcheckedhisammo.Sevenshellsleft.Hehopeditwouldbeenough.
Steppingback,heopenedfireonthelock.Theironprojectilestoreitapartlikearmor-piercingrounds.ThedoorburstopenundertheonslaughtandKurtrushedin.
Hesawtwoguards,tookoneofthemout,andthendoveforcoverastheotheronestartedfiring.
Scramblingacrossthefloorasthemanunleashedahailofshells,Kurtrolledandfiredback.ThelethalshotblastedthroughoneofSebastian’scomputersandkilledthelastofSebastian’sbodyguardsinstantly.
KurtstoodandlookedforSienna.Hespottedheratthe
backoftheroom.Sebastianhadherupagainsthisbodyandwasholdinganickel-platedautomatictohertemple.
Fromwherehestood,Joehadtheadvantageofelevationandcouldbothseeandhearthebattleragingonthecompound’sbottomtwoterraces.OvertheheadsetheheardLt.Brooksdirectinghismen,probingforaweaknessandbeingpushedback.
Acrossthedarklawnshecouldseetheburninghelicopterandredstreamsoftracerfireconvergingontheareaarounditfromthreedirections.
Hepressedthetalkswitchonhisheadset.“Dragonleader,thisisZavala,”hesaid.“You’rebeingsurrounded.Suggestyouabandonpositionandmovedownthehill.”
Pressedupagainsttherockwallforcover,Lt.Brooksheardthecallandsatdumbfoundedforasecond.NoneofhismenwerenamedZavala.Thenitdawnedonhim.Oneoftheoceanographerswentbythatname.
“Zavala,wecannotpullback,wehavefivemenwounded,twocritical.There’snocoverlowerdown.Ifwedon’tholdthiswall,
we’redead.”Aburstofstaticgaveway
tothesmooth-soundingvoiceoftheoceanographer.“I’llswingaroundandtrytorelievethepressureonyourrightflank.”
Thatwouldcertainlyhelp.ButthereweretoomanyofBrèvard’smenthereforonemantotakeonevenifhetookthembysurprise.
“Negative,”Brookssaid.“You’dbefacingtwenty
hostiles.Ifyoureallywanttohelp,takeoutthosefifty-calibergunsandthatmissilesite.Ouronlychanceistogettherestofthemenontheground,buttheycan’tgetwithinamileofusaslongasthosethingsareactive.”
AdelaythatseemedlikeforevermadeBrooksfearZavalahadbeentakenout,butthenhisvoicecamethroughloudandclear.“I’llseewhatIcando.”
Brooksfiredoverthetopofthewallandduckedassomeincomingshellsblastedchunksoutofthetopofit.
LanceCorporalWilliamDaltonscrambledoverandreinforcedtheposition.“What’stheword,Lieutenant?”
“Helpmightbeontheway,”Brooksreplied,“thoughwe’renevergoingtoliveitdownifwegetsavedbyamarinebiologist.”
“Atleastthewordmarineisinthetitle,”Daltonreplied.
“Goodpoint,”Brookssaid,snappingoffashotandduckingonceagain.“Goodpoint.”
Movinginacrouch,Joemadehiswaytowardwhatheassumedwasthemissilesite.Buthecameacrossthetwin.50calibermachinegunsfirst.
Hesawthemtracklefttoright,asiflookingforthehelicoptersinthedistance.Puttingtherailguntohisshoulder,heblastedapartthepivotingtripodmechanismtheyweremountedon.Hydraulicfluidspewedeverywhereandthegunsfrozeinplace.“Onefifty-caliberweapondown,”hesaid.
“Good,”Lt.Brooksreplied.“Seeifyoucanget
thatmissilelauncher.”“Ican’tseeit,”Joesaid.“Higherup,”Brooks
said.“Myguesswouldbethecenterofthathedgemaze.”
Joelookedaround.Hecouldseethewallofhedges,buthehadnowaytoreachtheentrance.Andconsideringthecomplexityofthemaze,hedoubtedhecouldmakeitquicklytothecenter.
Therattlingsoundofthesecond.50caliberweapon
gotJoe’sattentionandhehadanotheridea.
Zeroinginonthesound,hecutthroughanornamentalgardenfilledwithstrangefloweringbushes.Onthefarsidehesawthesecondmachine-gunemplacement.Heracedtowardit,butinsteadoftrackingoneofthehelicoptersinthedistantsky,thegunswhirledaroundtowardhimandthebarrelsbegantodepress.
Joefiguredhe’drunoutofcoolantandwasnowgivingoffaheatsignature,buthewascommittedandcontinuedhischarge,divingatthebaseofthetripodandslidingintoitasthegunsbeganhammeringaway,tearingupthegroundbehindhim.
WithJoeclingingtothebaseofthetripod,theclamoringstoppedbutthegunscontinuedswinging
fromsidetoside,hopelesslytryingtofindapositionfromwhichtofireathim.Itwasnouse,Joewasintoocloseandsafelybeneaththeirmaximumangleofdepression.
Withanodtowhoeverdesignedthesystem,Joeconsideredhisoptions.Insteadofdestroyingthemechanismthataimedandfiredtheguns,hebegantakingitapart.
Bothmachinegunsbeganhammeringaway,tearingupthegroundbehindJoe,buthewasbeneaththeirmaximumangleofdepression.Hecrawledforwardandmadeittothetripod.Insteadofdestroyingthemechanismthatspunandaimedtheweapons,heeasedupnexttoitandbeganrippingoutwires.
Eventually,theweaponsstoppedrotating.
Puttingtherailgundown,Joepulledouthisknifeandbeganstrippingthewires.Soonenough,hehadahalfdozenwiresstrippedtothecopper.
“Zavala?”theradiocackled.
“I’mworkingonit,”Joesaid.
“Whateveryou’regoingtodo,you’dbettermakeitquick.”
Tryingoutdifferent
combinationsofwiresbypressingthemtogether,Joegottheplatformtoturninaherky-jerkymotionuntilitwaspointedbackupatthecenterofthehedgemaze.
Nexthemanagedtoelevatetheguns.Nowhejustneededthemtofire.Helookedtowardthetriggerassembly.TheweaponsthemselveswerestandardM2.50calibermachineguns.Nothingexotic,butthe
triggerswerecoveredbyametalhousing.
Usingthebackoftherailgunasaclub,Joebrokethehousingfreeandgotaccesstothetriggers.Asimplehydraulicclamphadbeensetuptopullthetriggersremotely.Joedidn’thavetimetofiddlewiththat,soheputhishandsaroundthetriggermechanismandsqueezed.
Bothweaponsbeganto
spitlead.EveryfourthshellwasatracerandfromthoseJoecouldseehisaimwasalittlehigh.Heforcedthebarrelsdownafractionandbegantofireagain.Thistimetheshellsfoundthemark,tearingintothemissilebatteryandshreddingit.Onemissileexploded,anotherlaunchedandflewoutwardbeforequicklynosingoverandthuddingintothepasturelandbeyondthewalls.
JoewasstillfiringwhenheheardBrookscallingtheotherhelicopters.“ThisisDragonleader,theLZisclear.Repeat,theLZisclear.”
“DragonThreeinbound,”camethefirstcall.
“DragonFourinbound.”Withhelpontheway,Joe
droppedbacktotheground,pickeduptherailgun,andwaitedfortheMarinestoarrive.
Inthecontrolroomonthetopfloorofthemainhouseastandoffensued.KurthadraisedthedeadlyrailgunandzeroedinonSebastianBrèvard’shead,butSebastianhadpulledhimselfbehindSiennaandcockedthehammerontheshiny
automaticthatwaspressedagainsthertemple.
Consideringtheaccuracyofhisweapon,KurtwascertainhecouldkillSebastianwithasingleshot,butthenervesofthebodyhavestrangewaysofreactingtothedeathofthemind.IfKurtshothim,Sebastianmightgolimpinstantaneously,orhishandmightjustaseasilytwitch,pullingthehairtriggerofthepistolandkilling
Sienna.ThefactthatKurthad
onlyoneshellleftintherailgunwasalsoaconcern.
“Kurt,”Siennacried,“I’msosorry.Thisisallmyfault.”
HelookedSiennaintheeye,willinghertobecalm.“It’sgoingtobeallright,”hepromised.“He’sgoingtoletyougo.”
“AmI?”Sebastiansaid.“Sothatyoucankillme?Idon’tthinkso.”
“I’mnotinterestedinkillingyou,”Kurtinsisted.“Thereareplentyofotherslinedupforthattask.IfAcostadoesn’tgetyou,theNorthKoreanswill—orevenThanRang,ifheevergetsoutofprison.Deadoralive,you’reirrelevanttomeatthispoint.Yourplansareruined.Whateverschemeyou’vebeenhatchinghereisgoingupinflamesaswespeak.”
“Isthatso?”Sebastian
replied,hiseyebrowsarchedinanexaggeratedlookofsurprise.“Because—asidefromyourearlyarrival—thingsaregoingexactlyasI’veintended.”
Kurtstared,notinterestedinabanalconversationwiththeman,buthewaswillingtohaveoneifitledSebastiantomakeamistake.
“Youexpectmetobelievethisisallpartofsomemasterplan?”
“Come,now,”Sebastiancontinued.“Surelyyou’verealizedthatwecouldhavekilledyouonWestgate’syacht.Thediscoveryofthebodiesonthewreckshouldhavetoldyouthat.Haveyouevenaskedyourselfwhyyouwerespared?”
Kurthadbeenconsideringthatquestionforawhile.“Youweretryingtokeepthekidnappingasecret,”hesaid.“Youwantedmetotellthe
worldthatSiennadrowned.Thatway,therewouldbenoinvestigation.”
“ThenwhydidwesendyoupicturesofSiennainIran?”Sebastianasked.“Whyleadyoutotherealizationthatshewasaliveafterall?”
Kurtcouldn’tguess.Infact,hedidn’tbelieveawordofit.Buthewasrunningoutoftime.Thebattleoutsideappearedtobegoingbadly,andthesoundofgunfireon
thelandingtoldhimCalistawastryingtoholdtheline.
“Catgotyourtongue?”Sebastianasked.“ThenI’lltellyou.Weneededyoutogettheballrolling.Tobegintheprocessofreevaluationamongyoursmugleaders.Toplantaseedofdoubt.”
“Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyouhadinmind,”Kurtsaid,“it’sover.Youmayhavebeenaheadofusatthestart,butwe’vebeenontoyou
sinceKorea.Ourpeopleareshuttingdownthevulnerablenetworksatthisverymoment.Whentheworldopensupforbusinessinthemorning,Phalanxwillbegone.It’sbeingrippedoutofeverysystemitwaseverinstalledon.”
AbroadsmilecreptoverSebastian’sface.Therewasnofalsitytoit.Nordidheappeartobesmilinginthefaceofdefeat.Indeed,it
lookedtoKurtasifhe’djustdeliveredSebastiansomegloriousnews.
“Ofcoursetheyare,”Sebastiansaid.“WhichisexactlywhatI’vebeenwaitingfor.”
“You’relying,”Kurtsaid.“AmI?”Sebastian
replied.“AskyourlovelyfriendhereifPhalanxhasbeencompromised.”
Kurtrefusedtoplayalong,soSebastianturnedhis
attentiontoSienna.“Tellhim!”“He’stellingthetruth,”
shesaid.“It’sstillsecure.Becauseofthewayitsartificialintelligenceprotocolswork,Phalanxcan’tbehacked.Notevenbyme.”
Kurtnarrowedhisgaze.TearswerestreamingdownSienna’sface.“Thenwhygothroughallthis?”
Sebastiananswered.“BecauseI’vespentthree
yearsperfectingthegreatestcriminalactofalltime,”heboasted,“andthesuddenappearanceofPhalanxnearlyruineditforme.Now,thankstoyou,theWestgates,andanabundanceofcaution,yourleadersareremovingitforme.”
Kurtsawitnow.“Andreplacingitwiththeoldsystems,”hesaid.“Systemsyoualreadyknowhowtohack.”
Sebastianlookedlikeamanwhothoughthimselfageniusorevenagod.Hismachinesandhismenwerewinningthebattleoutside,andthebestmindsinthesecuritybusinesshaddeliveredtohimtheonethinghecouldn’tgetforhimself.They’dtakendowntheimpenetrablewallofPhalanxandreplaceditwithwhatmusthavebeenaveritabletunnelthatledrightto
whateverhewasafter.“You’regoingtorobthe
world’sbanks,”Kurtsaid,rememberingwhatMontresorhadworkedon.
“Nothingsocrassastheft,”Sebastianreplied.“I’manartist.Mycrimewillhavemuchmorestyle.”
“Whatcrime?”Kurtdemanded.“Whatareyouafter?”
“It’stheFed,”Siennacriedout.“He’splanted
virusesintheFederalReservebanks.”
“Shutup,”Sebastianshoutedashetriedtokeepherfromtalkingbycompressingherwindpipewithhisforearm.
TheactcausedKurttomoveandalmostfire,butSebastianmovedaswell,effectivelykeepingherbetweenthem.
“TheFed?”Kurtrepeated.“Youcan’trobthe
Fed.That’sevenmorefoolishthanrobbingaregularbank.”
“IfIwasgoingtoburglarizeit,”Sebastianreplied,hiswordslacedwithprideandvenom.
Kurtdecidedtoprodhim.Maybe,justmaybe,Sebastian’segowaslikethoseofmanycriminals,secretlyeagerfortheworldtoknowhowbrillianttheywere.Certainly,hewouldn’tbethefirsttoboastaboutandclaim
hiscrime.“Ifyou’renotgoingto
robtheFed,thenwhatareyouafter?Iassumeyou’renotgoingtomakeadeposit.”
“Actually,”Sebastiansaid,“inawayIam.”
Kurtheldsilent.“Doyouhaveanyidea
howtheFedcreatesmoney?”Sebastianasked.
“Printingpress,”Kurtsaid,thinkingoftheBrèvard’sfamilyhistory.
“Toaminorextent,”Sebastianacknowledged.“Buttheyhavemoreefficientways,themostusefulofwhichistheredemptionofbonds.Whentheydecidethatinvestorsorbondholdersdeservetoberepaid,theysimplygotoacomputer,typeinsomenumbers,anddollarsmagicallyappearinthebondholders’accountsastheirnotesarecanceled.”
Sebastiangrinned.“I’m
notgoingtorobtheFed,”heinsisted.“I’mgoingtousetheirownprogramstocreateaseriesofbondsoutofthinairandsimultaneouslycreatedollarstosatisfytheredemptionofthosebonds.Therewillbenomoneymissing.Nolossestoexplainortrace.ThebalancesheetoftheFedwillstandexactlyasitdoesnow.Onesideequalingtheother.Liabilitiesequalingreserves.We’renot
stealingmoney.We’recreatingit.”
“DoyouhaveanyideahowtheFedcreatesmoney?”Sebastianasked.“Whentheydecidethatinvestorsandbondholdersdeservetoberepaid,theydon’tgotoFortKnox,boxupsomegold,andshipitoutinthemailliketheymighthavedonebackinthedaysofthegoldstandard.Theysimplygotoacomputer,typeinsome
numbers,anddollarsappearintheaccountsofthosebondholdersastheirnotesarecanceled.I’mnotgoingtorobtheFed,”headded.“I’mgoingtousetheirprogramstocreateaseriesofbondsoutofthinairandsimultaneouslycreatedollarstosatisfytheredemptionofthosebonds.”
AsSebastianspoke,hiseyeswerewild.“Therewillbenomoneymissing,”hecontinued,“nolossesto
explainortrace.ThebalancesheetoftheFederalReservewillstandexactlyasitdoesnow.Onesideequalingtheother.Liabilitiesequalingreserves.We’renotstealingmoney.We’recreatingit.”
“Ofcourse,”Kurtsaid.Itmadesense.“You’reacounterfeiter.Likeyourancestors.Justslightlymoremodern.”
“Soyouknowaboutthem?”
“TheKlaarRiverGang,”Kurtsaid.
Sebastianreactedtothenamebutnotwithshame.Heseemedalmostproudtoadmitit.“Mygreat-grandfatherwasabrilliantman,”hesaid.“Thenoteshecreatedwereperfect.Theycouldn’tbedifferentiatedfromtherealthing.Notuntiltimeaffectedthedyes.Sohehadtodisappear.Andhedid.Evenwiththeworldlookingfor
him,hedisappearedwithoutatrace.”
“BymurderingovertwohundredpeopleontheWaratah?”Kurtreplied.“You’renotartists.You’rethugsandkillers.”
“Iseeyou’veputthepuzzletogether,”SebastianacknowledgedasifhewerecomplimentingKurt.“Allthemorereasonformetoleave.”
“Youcan’thonestlythinkyou’regoingtopullthisoff,”
Kurtsaid.“Therearechecksandbalancesinthesystem,auditorsandwatchdogs.”
SebastiandraggedSiennaupastep.“Areyouthatnaïve?Thereareliterallybillionsoftransactionseveryday.Trillionsofdollarschangehandsinamonth’stime.Doyouthinkit’salltalliedupbyhordesofaccountantswithgreenvisorsabovetheireyes,toilingawayinthegovernment’sback
officesomewhere?Computerprogramsdothosechecksandauditsyouspokeof.Andguesswhocontrolsthoseprogramsnow?Ido.Thedatatheyspitoutwillsatisfythefewhumansthatevenbothertolookpastthetopandbottomlines,Icanassureyouofthat.”
SebastiandraggedSiennaupanotherstep.
“Youcan’tknowthatforcertain,”Kurtsaid.
“I’mfairlyconfidentatthispoint,”Sebastiansaid.“Andshouldyourgovernmenteventuallycatchon,theywillfindthathundredsofbillionsofdollarshavebeencreatedanddisbursedtothousandsofcompaniesandstrawmenofmycreation.They’lldiscoverhalfthetrailevaporatesandtheotherhalfleadstopoliticalelectionfundsinAmericaandotherspots
aroundtheworld.They’llfindbillionshavebeenroutedthroughChina,Iran,NorthKorea.Andthey’llbefacedwithaterribledilemma:admitthetruthandshaketheworld’sconfidenceinthemightydollar,inalllikelihoodcrashingtheinternationalfinancialsystem,orletitgo,fixtheholeinthewallquietly,andchalkituptoexperience.”
Kurthadtoadmitthat
Sebastianwasprobablyright.“Theymightnotannounceittotheworld,buttheywillhuntyoudown.”
“TheywillthinkI’mdead,”Sebastiansaid,draggingSiennaupthefinalstepandpullinghertowardanalcoveinthefarreachesoftheroom.
Kurtcouldseeanothersteelsecuritydoorhingedtothealcovewall.HecouldnotallowSebastiantodrag
Siennathroughit.Hisposturestiffened.“TakeanotherstepandI’llkillyou,”
hesaid,“regardlessofwhatelsehappens.”
SebastianstudiedKurtfrombehindSienna.Bynowhe’dtuckedinsoclosethatonlyhisrighteyecouldseepasthertoKurtandhismenacingglare.Andyetevenwiththatlimitedview,hehadnodoubtthatAustinwouldfire.He’dlostthiswomantoo
manytimesalready.Heseemedunwillingtoloseheragain.
ItleftSebastianonlyonechoice.WithSiennaheldtightagainsthim,hereachedacrossherbodyandpulledatinyremoteunitfromhispocket.
ToKurtitlookedalotliketheoneCalistahadusedinthetunnelbeneaththeDMZ.“Ifyou’replanningonzappingme,you’realittle
late,I’vebeendeloused.”“It’snotforyou,”
Sebastiansaid.“It’sforher.”Withthat,Sebastian
whisperedtoSienna,“I’llmakeyouadeal.ThesamedealI’vebeenmakingyouallalong.Yourlifeorthelivesofyourchildren.Whichwillitbe?”
Hepressedakeyontheglasslikescreenoftheremoteandafireballeruptedinthecenterofthecourtyard.Itwas
soimmenseitshatteredthewindowsbehindKurtandblastedsplintersofglassacrosstheroom.
Kurtstoodhisgroundastheshardspeltedhim.
“Thatwasthearmory,”SebastiangloatedtoSienna.“Ifyouresistanyfurther,orifhetriestostopme,Iwillobliteratetheprisonersintheirquartersandyourchildrenwillburn.”Ablindplayifevertherewasone,
Kurtthought.Neitheroneofthemknewiftheprisonerswereinthehut.Itwasentirelypossiblethattheywerestayingputandtakingcoverthere,asthebattleragedoutside.ItwasalsopossiblethatJoehadledthemaway.
“Letmego,”SiennacriedtoKurt,hereyesfilledwithtears.
“He’llkillyou,”Kurtreplied.“He’llkillthem
eitherway.”“Please!”shebegged.Atthatmomentafigure
crawledthroughthemaindoor,apitifulfigure,slitheringontheground.“Brother,”itcriedout.“Dearbrother.”
Calista’sappearancewasjustenoughofasurprisetodistractSebastian.Hebegantoglanceherwaybeforecatchinghimself.Thepistolinhishandcameawayfrom
Sienna’sheadforaninstantand,inthatblinkofaneye,Kurtsqueezedthetriggerandfired.
Theironprojectilefromtherailgunhitthenickel-platedhandgunataspeedoftwothousandfeetpersecond,impactingitjustaheadofthebreach.
Theblowshatteredthepistolasitshammerfellandstruckthebulletinthechamber.Thegunpowderin
the9mmcartridgeignitedandtheleadshellbeganitsjourneyforward.ButtheframeofthepistolhadbeenmangledbyKurt’sshotandinsteadofbeingexhaustedoutthroughthemouthofthebarrel,thebulletblewtheweaponapart.
AtthemomentoftheexplosionitwasalreadyoutofSebastian’shand,havingbeentornfreeandhurledhalfwaytotherearofthe
alcove.TheimpactbrokeSebastian’swrist,andshrapnelfromtheexplodinggunflewinalldirections,cuttinghisfaceandnecklikeclawsofsomeenragedanimal.
Inablindfury,SebastianflungSiennatowardKurt,grabbedthedoor,andtriedtoswingitshut.
Kurtwasalreadytossingtherailgunasideandreachingintotheopenpocketofhis
armoredvestfortheColt.HepushedSiennaoutofthewayanddrewtherevolverlikeagunfighterintheOldWest,extendingittowardSebastian,cockingthehammer,andpullingthetriggerinoneswiftmotion.
Theboomingreportoftheold.45calibershellechoedacrosstheroomasfireeruptedfromthebarrelandacloudofsmokeburstfromeithersideofthecylinder.
TheheavyshellgrazedtheslammingsteeldoorandcaughtSebastianjusttotherightofhiscenterofmass.Hewasthrownbackwardasifhe’dbeenkickedbyahorse.Heslammedagainstthebackofthealcoveandfellonhissideasthedoorbangedshut,cuttinghimofffromKurt’sview.
Kurtrushedforwardandtriedthehandle.Thedoorhadlatchedbutwasn’tlocked.He
swungitopen,readytofireagain,butrealizedinstantlythathedidn’tneedto.Sebastianlaydeadagainstthewall.
TheremotedroppedfromSebastian’sgraspandKurtrelaxedforaninstantonlytoseeonthesmallscreenwhatlookedlikeasecondhandsweepinginaredarctowardthetwelveo’clockposition.
“Run,”Kurtshouted,dashingtoSienna’ssideand
pullingheruptoherfeet.Theexplosionsbeganin
thedistance.First,theprisoners’quarters,thenthebarracks,andthenthetwohelicoptersinthehangar.
KurthadhelpedSiennaupandnowdidthesameforCalista.
Heturnedforthedoor,butitwastoolate.Aseriesofexplosionsshookthemainhouse,blastingonesectionafteranotherandheading
towardthemlikearumblingfreighttrain.
Realizingtherewasnootherwayout,KurtshovedSiennatowardtheshatteredwindowsandtheverandabeyond.
“Jump!”heshouted.Siennaleaptwithout
questionandKurtpropelledhimselfandCalistaovertheledgehalfasecondlater.Ashefellthroughtheair,hefelttheexplosionsclosingin.
Sectionsofthemansiontotheirrightandleftwereblownapartsimultaneously.Thecontrolroomfollowedaninstantlater,eruptinginafierydetonationjustasKurt,Sienna,andCalistacrashedintothedeependofSebastian’sOlympic-sizedswimmingpool.
Kurtfelthislegscrunchintothebottomofthetwelve-footdeeppoolandlookedup.Seenthroughthe
kaleidoscopiclensoftheswirlingwater,thedistortedtonguesofflamewerealmostbeautiful.
Ahailstormofdebrisfollowed,includingsplatteringsofnapalmthatburnedonthesurfaceofthewater,andchunksofthestonefromthehousethatcrasheddownaroundthemlikemeteors.
KurtgrabbedSiennatopreventherfromsurfacingas
asecondwaveoffirestreakedabovethemandretreated.
Hecouldhaveremaineddownthereforanotherminuteorso,butCalistawasstrugglingtopullfree.Hedoubtedshe’dbeenreadyforthedive.Hegrippedhertightandpushedoffthebottom,anglingawayfromthehouseandbreakingthesurfaceasthelastsmatteringoffragmentsdroppedfromthe
heavens.Treadingwaterand
helpingCalistakeepherheadabovethesurface,Kurtturnedinaslowcircleandsawthathalftheworldwasonfire.Thetopfloorsofthemansionhadbeenblownoff,whilethelowerfloorswereconsumedinflames.Wavesofheatassaultedhim,temperedonlybythecoolnessofthewater.
“Thatway,”Kurtsaid,
pointingtowardthefarendofthepool.
Siennabegantoswim,andKurtrolledoverontohisback,draggingCalistainarescueswimmer’sstroke.Whenitbecameshallowenoughtoputhisfeetdown,hedid,andfromtheretheywadedtothewall.
Astheyclimbedout,Kurtheardthesoundofpeopleapproaching.Hecockedtheoldpistolandreadiedhimself
foronemorefight,butafriendlyshoutstoppedhimfromfiring.
“Easythere,cowboy,”JoeZavalasaidasheemergedfromthedark.
AsKurtloweredthepistol,severalMarinescameintoview,movinginbehindJoe.
“Kurt,thisisLieutenantBrooks,”Joesaid.“LieutenantBrooks,IpresentKurtAustin.”
BrooksflashedagrinatKurtandthenseemedtorecognizeCalista.Heraisedhisweapon.
“It’sokay,”Kurtsaid,holdingoutahand.
“Butshe’soneofthem,”Brooksinsisted.
“No,”Kurtsaid.“Asitturnsout,she’snotoneofthemafterall.”
Brooksmadeaquickdecision.Heloweredhisweaponandclickedhisradio.
“GettheSARCuphere,”hesaid,referringtotheNavymedic,twoofwhomhadlandedinDragonFive.“We’vegotanotherwoundedplayer.”
Evenbeforethemedicarrived,BrooksdroppeddownbesideCalistaandbeganworkingonherwounds.
“Whataboutmychildren?”Siennaasked.“Andtheothers?”
“Safeandsound,”Joesaid.“Isentthemforicecreamassoonasthebattlegotunderway.”
Brookschimedin.“TheymadeitoverthewallandmetupwithacoupleoftheguysfromDragonThree.”
“Wherearetheynow?”“DragonFourswoopedin
andpickedthemup,”Brookssaid.“They’realreadyontheirwaybacktotheBataan.”
Hearingthat,Sienna’swholeposturesoftenedinawaveofrelief.Herchestheaved,andshebegantocryagain.Butthistimetheyweretearsofjoy.
Kurtsmiled.“SoI’mguessingwewon?”
“Wedid,”Joesaid.“Whileyouweretakingamidnightdipwithtwobeautifulwomen,therestofuswereworkinghardtoturnthetideofbattle.”
“Gladtohearit,”Kurtsaid.“Andhowarethe‘restofus’goingtogetoutofhere?Weseemtobealittleshortonhelicopters.”
“DragonThreewillmaxoutandtakethewounded,”Brookssaid.“Therestofuswillheadforthecoast.Madagascarhasaprettylimitedmilitary—andweseemtobemilesfromanywhereimportant—butIdon’twanttorunintoany
well-meaningmembersoftheneighborhoodwatch.”
Kurtnodded.“Arewewalking?”
“No,”Brookssaid.“Mymenhaverescuedabunchofhorsesfromthestablesonthelowerterrace.We’llberiding.”
Atthat,Calistalookedup.“I’llride,”shesaid.
Brooksshookhishead.“You’reinnoshapetoride,ma’am.You’llgoonthe
helicopter.”Shestiffenedherback
andpulledfreefromhisgrasp.“IsaidI’llride.Besides,you’llneedsomeonetoshowyoutheway.”“Ithinkwecanfindtheoceanonourown,”Brooksinsisted.
“Trustme,”Kurtsaid,“there’snopointarguingwithher.”
Brooksshrugged.“Suityourself.”
Afewminuteslater,the
grouparrivedatthestables.ThelastoftheBlackHawkssatinthepasturecloseby.
SiennahuggedKurttightly.“Ioweyoueverything,”shewhisperedinhisear.“Mylife,myfamily.HowcanIeverrepayyou?”
“Justgolive,”Kurtsaid.“AndtellyourhusbandI’msorryforslugginghiminthejaw.”
Shegazedathimwithalookofconfusion.
“Longstory,”hesaid.“Knowingwhathe’sbeenthrough,I’mhopinghewon’tevenrememberit.”
Shenodded,begantocryagain,andsmiledthroughthetears.Shehuggedhimtightlyoncemoreandthenwentaboardthehelicopter.
Asthehelicopterpoweredupandliftedoff,Kurtfoundhiswayintothestables.Calistawasalreadyonherhorse,andtheotherswere
mountingup.Kurtclimbedonasturdy-
lookinganimalandtookthereins.
“Lookatme,”Joesaid,“Ireallyamthecavalry.NowI’mevenridingahorse.”
OnlyKurtlaughed.Nooneelsegotthejoke.
Theyrodefromthestablessinglefile,traveleddownthemainpathandoutontotheopenplainwiththeBrèvardpalaceand
Sebastian’smaddreamsburningtoashesonthehillbehindthem.
KurtnoticedthatCalistaneverlookedback.Instead,sheledthemtoapathshe’dwornintothesoilovertheyears.
Onlynowdidsherealizewhyshe’dalwaysreturnedtothatstrangehillwheretheshiphadbeenburied.Onlynowdidsherememberherrealbrotherstalkingabouta
lifeboat.AndthenSebastianasayoungmanwithEganandLaurent,workingdowntheretocoverwhathermotherandbrothershadexcavated.
Twohourslater,theycameoutontotheshore,whereawidebeachmetslow-rollingsurf.There,Lt.Brooksorderedthegrouptoahalt,madearadiocall,andlitalow-lightbeacon.
Afterashortwait,apair
ofhigh-speedcollapsibleboatscameracinginfromthedark,mannedbycrewsoftwoincamouflageandfacepaint.Theyenteredtheshallowsandcoastedtoastopjusttheothersideofthelowbreakers.
“Someonecallforawatertaxi?”oneofthecamouflagedmenasked.
WiththeMarineswatchingtheshoreinbothdirections,Kurthelped
Calistadownfromherhorse.Shewaspaleandcold.Sherubbedtheblazeonthehorse’snoseandwhisperedsomethingaboutrunningfree.Thehorsetookoff,gallopingdowntheshore,andCalistaallbutcollapsed.Kurtpickedherup,cradlingherinhisarmsandcarryingherintothesurfasshewrappedherhandsaroundhisneckandheldon.
“Ishouldhaveleftfromheretwenty-sevenyearsago,”
shewhispered.“Betterlatethannever,”
Kurtsaid.Hecarriedhertothe
nearestboatandloweredhergentlyintoit.Heclimbedinafterher,andJoefollowedsuit,astheMarinestookspotsinthesecondboat.Momentslater,theywerecuttingthroughthesurfandracingouttosea.
OnlyCalistawassurprisedwhenagreatblack
shaperoseupthroughthewaterandallowedtheboatstoslideupontoitsback.
Agroupofsailorshelpedthemoutoftheboatsanddirectedthemtoadeckhatch.Calistawastakentotheinfirmarywhiletheship’scommandershookhandswithKurtandJoe.
“WelcomeaboardtheUSSOhio,”hesaid.“IhearyouguysworkforDirkPittatJimSandecker’soldoutfit,
NUMA.”Theynoddedinunison.“Bothmenaskedmeto
giveyoutheirregards,”thecommandersaid.“Planonbriefingthemtomorrowmorning.Whichisinanhourandfortyminutes,bytheway.”
“Justourluck,”Kurtsaid.“Atleastyouspentthree
dayssnoozinginKorea,”Joesaid.“ImaginehowIfeel.”
Kurtlaughed.“I’lldothe
briefing,”hesaid,“butIneedtogetasecuremessagethroughbeforewesubmerge.Wouldthatbepossible?”
“Sure,”thecommanderreplied.“Whatdoyouwantittosay?”
“It’scomplicated,”Kurtbegan.“Basically,Ineedsomeonetodeclareabankholidaytomorrow.Andmaybefortherestoftheweek.Justincase.”
InthelasthoursofthatnighttheSSWaratahfinallyreturnedhome.Somehadwantedtodelayherarrivaluntilmorning,butPaulwouldhavenoneofit.Hethoughtthevenerableoldshiphadbeenawaylongenough.
Nudgedforwardbythe
Sedgewick,shecameintotheharborvirtuallyalone.Butassheapproachedthedock,Paulnoticedasighthewouldrememberfortherestofhislife.ItseemedasifhalfofDurbanhadcomeout,andthousandsstoodquietlyinthedarkwithcandlesintheirhands.Theylinedbothsidesoftheinletandthedock.
Hesawnocameraflashes,andtherewerenodignitarieswaitingtogive
speeches.Allthatwouldcomelater.Fortonight,thepeopleofSouthAfricawerewelcomingthisshiphome.
TheWaratahbumpedthedockandwastiedup.AhighrankingofficeroftheSouthAfricanNavycameaboardandPaulrelinquishedcommandoftheship.Fromthatmomenton,hethoughtonlyoffindingGamayandwrappinghisarmsaroundher.
Truetoherword,shewaswaitingforhimatthebottomofthegangway.Theyembracedandbeganwalkingthedock.Paulhadneverinhislifeseensomanycards,flowers,andwreaths.
Hestoppedbesideapicturethatlookedfamiliartohim.Intheblack-and-whiteportraithesawaburlymanwithahandlebarmustache.Hisnamewaswrittenbelow,aswashisposition,fireman,
onboardtheWaratah,assignedtotheaftboiler.
Paulstilldidn’tbelieveinghosts,buthewonderediftheymightexistafterall.
Handinhand,heandGamaywalkedtherestofthedockwithoutsayingasingleword.
ThedetailsofKurt’smessageexplainedwhatheknewaboutBrèvard’sscheme.AndwhenthePresidentandthechairmanoftheFedwereinformed,athree-daymoratoriumonallFedactivitywasdeclared.
Meanwhile,Montresor,
SiennaWestgate,andtheotherhackerswillinglyexplainedwhatthey’ddone,andbeenforcedtodo,revealingtheviruses,blinds,andtrapdoorsthey’dplantedonebyoneuntilallthevariousdangerswereuncoveredandneutralized.
AftertwelvehoursonboardtheOhio,Kurt,Joe,andCalistaweretransferredtoashipboundforDurban.Atthesametime,Lt.Brooks
andtheotherMarineswerepickedupandflownbacktotheBataanafterpromisingnevertomakefunofoceanographersagain.
UpontheirapproachintotheDurbanharbor,KurtandJoemarveledatthesightoftheWaratah,backhomeafteralltheseyears.Untoldthousandsofbouquetslinedthedockinfrontofher,andapropercleaningandrestorationwasalreadyunder
way.Planswerebeingmadetoturnpartoftheshipintoamuseumandtherestintoafloatingmemorialtothetwohundredelevenpassengersandcrewwhovanishedoveracenturyago.
Ajournaldiscoveredinthesickbaygavesomeclosuretothemystery.Though,sadly,thedescendantshadtolivewiththeknowledgethatthosewhoweren’tkilledintheoriginal
hijackingwereabandonedinlifeboatstoperishatseainthesubsequentstorm.Amemorialservicewithfullhonorswasbeingplanned.
Astheybumpedthedock,Kurtlookedaroundforfriendlyfaces.“IthoughtPaulandGamayweregoingtobehere,”hementionedtoJoe.
“Igotamessagefromthem,”Joesaid.“They’reonadoubledatewithDukeandElena.Somethingabout
goingtoashootinggallerytoprove,onceandforall,whosavedtheWaratah.”
Kurtshrugged.Themessagemadenosensetohim.ThoughPaulandGamayweren’ttheretogreetthem,someoneelsewas.Anattractivewomaninawhitedressthatcontrastednicelywithhercinnamon-coloredtan.Shestoodonthepierbelow,wavingandshoutinguptoJoe.
“Didn’tknowyouhadfriendsintheseparts,”Kurtsaid,thoughJoeseemedtohaveafriendineveryport.
“She’sthereporterwhodidthestoryonhowIrescuedyoufromthemawoftheangrysea,”Joeexplained.“Wehititoffwhileyouwererecuperating.”
“Well,ifanyone’searnedsomeR&Raroundhere,it’syou.SeeyoubackinD.C.”
Joenodded,sauntered
downthegangway,andleftwiththeyoungwoman.
Asothersmadetheirwayofftheship,KurtturnedtoCalista.She’dbeguntorecoverfromherinjuriesbutlookedmoredrawnthanever.
“What’sgoingtohappentome?”sheasked.“AmIgoingtoprison?”
Kurttookadeepbreath.“Alotofpeoplehavequestionsforyou,”headmitted.“TheFBI,Interpol,
ScotlandYard.Buttherearesignificantextenuatingcircumstancesinyourcase.Beyondthat,youhelpeduswhenitcounted,andyou’vealreadyprovidedusefulinformationabouttheotherconspirators.”
Sheperkedupalittlebitandlookeddownatherlegs.Acastcoveredthelowerhalfofherleftlegwhileatrackingbraceletonherrightankleremindedherthatshe
wasn’tfree.TheSouthAfricanpoliceandtheBritishconsulateintendedtokeeptrackofheruntiltheydecidedherfate.She’dbeentoldsomeonewouldbewithheratalltimesand,indeed,amemberoftheDurbanpoliceforcewaswaitingatthebottomofthegangway.
Itcertainlydidn’tlooklikeshewasgoingtohavealotoffreedomanytimesoon.SheturnedbacktoKurt.
“Willyoucomevisitmeintheklink?I’msureI’llbeinsolitarymostofthetime.”
Helaughed.“Absolutely,”hepromised.“I’llbringyouacakewithafileinit.”
Sheraisedaneyebrow.“It’stheleastIcoulddo,”
headded.“AsfarasI’mconcerned,you’repartofthepacknow.”
Shelookedathimstrangely.“‘Partofthe
pack’?”Hedidn’tbothertryingto
explain.“Whenyougetsomedowntime,readKipling’sTheJungleBook.It’llmakemoresenseafterthat.”
Shenoddedandturnedbacktothepier,watchingasagroupofpeoplefiledoutthroughthedoorsofthepassengerembarkationbuildingandstoodtogether,waiting.Thegroupseemedtobethreegenerations.A
couplewithgrayhair,threepeopleintheirthirtiesorforties,andseveralchildren.
“Idon’tknowifIcandothis,”shesaid.
“Thesepeopleareyourfamily,”Kurtsaid,“yourrealfamily.They’veflownallthewayfromEnglandtomeetyou.”
“Whataretheygoingtothinkofme?”sheasked.“WhatamIgoingtotellthem?I’vedoneterrible
things.”“They’regoingtoseeyou
astheprodigaldaughter,”Kurtsaid.“They’regoingtofindinyoutherewardforthehopetheykeptalivealltheseyears.They’regoingtotellyoustoriesaboutyourmotherandfather.Tobehonest,ifit’sanythinglikemyfamilyreunions,you’llbeluckytogetawordinedgewise.”
Sheappreciatedwhathewassaying,butthefearwas
overwhelming.“Ican’t,”shesaid,shakingherhead.
“Calistacan’t,”Kurtreplied,“butOliviacan.Rememberhowyousetyourhorsefree?SetCalistafreetoo.It’stimetolethergo.”
Shetookadeepbreath,obviouslytryingtosteelherselfagainstthewavesofemotion.Sheturnedtowardhimandchangedthesubject.“Youreallyshouldhavekissedme,”shesaid.“Back
onAcosta’syacht.Itwouldhavesavedusawholelotoftrouble.”
Kurtlaugheddeeplyandasmilecametohisface,givinghimdimplesandwrinklingthesun-kissedskinaroundhiseyes.“Ihighlydoubtakissfrommeisgoingtochangeanyone’slife.”
“Wouldhavebeennicetofindout,”shesaid.
Hecontinuedtosmileandthenslowlyleanedtoward
her.Slidinghishandacrosshercheekandcuppingherface,hepulledhergentlytowardhimandtheirlipsmetsoftlyinalingeringkiss.
Whentheyparted,shewassmilingbroadly.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“Thatwasprettygood.”
Kurtlaughedagain.“Goseeyourfamily,”hesaid.“They’vebeenwaitingforthirtyyears.”
Shenodded,lookedat
himonelasttime,andthenwashelpeddownthegangwaybyaship’sofficer.TheconstablefromtheDurbanpoliceforcemetthemandledhertowardthefamilyshe’dneverknown.
Twenty-sixhourslater,KurtwaspassingthroughcustomsinthemainterminalatWashington’sDullesInternationalAirport.He’d
lostalltrackoftime,butitwasdarkoutside.Andconsideringhowdesertedtheterminalwas,ithadtobelateatnightorveryearlyinthemorning.Infact,theonlypeoplehesawweremembersofthecleaningcrew.
Kurtmovedslowlytowardbaggageclaim,pausingwhenhesawagatheringofairportpolicenearoneofthesecuritydoors.Outsideonthetarmac,
severalvehicleswithflashingredandbluelightswereparkedinacirclearoundaprivatejetthatsatwithitsdooropenanditsstairsdown.
CuriositygavewaytosurprisewhenherecognizedDavidForresterbeingescortedintotheterminalbytwoagentsinwindbreakerswithFBIwrittenonthebacks.
“Well,I’llbedamned,”Kurtsaid.
AtthesoundofKurt’svoicetheagentsandtheprisonerlookedup.
“Excuseme,sir,you’llhavetostepback,”saidoneoftheagents.
“It’sallright,”anothervoiceinterjected.
Kurtdidn’trecognizethespeaker,butthemanobviouslyknewhim.Heintroducedhimself.“TrentMacDonaldoutofLangley.”
Kurtrecognizedthe
name,recallingthatMacDonaldwasthefirstpersonattheCIAtoshareanyinformationregardingSienna’spossiblesurvival.
Theyshookhands.“Thanksforyourhelp,”Kurtsaid.“Caughtyourselfquiteafish,bythelookofthings.”
“Notasbigastheoneyoubagged,”MacDonaldadmitted,“butwe’rehappy.Wepassedtheinformationyourfriendgaveustothe
FBI.Fortunately,theywereabletograbForresterbeforehetookoffforacountrywithnoextraditiontreaty.”
OnemorepointinCalista’sfavor,Kurtthought.“Sowhatpartdidheplayinallofthis?”
“ForresterwasBrèvard’sinsideman,”MacDonaldexplained.“Allthefinancialmaneuveringranthroughhim.Heusedhiscontactstoplantthecomputervirusesat
theFederalReserve,compromisingthemainsystemandtheaccountingprotocols.Healsosetupanetworkofshellcorporationsthatwouldhavemadeitvirtuallyimpossibletotrackthemoneyonceitwasmoved.”
Kurtwasn’tsurprised.“Andifthat’snotenough,
he’sbeencontrollingWestgate,”MacDonaldadded,“withanimplantin
Westgate’sbrain,makingsurehedidn’tremembertoomuchtoosoon.”
ThatputanewlightontheconfrontationattheSmithsonian.“IknewthisguywasasnakefromthemomentImethim,”Kurtsaid.
“Firstimpressions,”MacDonaldsaid.
KurtnoddedandlookedpastForresteroutthewindow,wherehecouldsee
FBIagentsclearingtheplane,lookingforevidence.Astheyworked,thefirstsignofdaylightappeared,andthehighcloudswerebrushedwiththeslightesthintofpink.Apparently,itwasmorningafterall.
KurtlookedbackatForrester,whoglaredbackathimwithoutatraceofremorse.“Mightwanttoenjoythesunrise,”Kurtsaidcoldly.“You’renotgoingto
seemanymorewhereyou’regoing.”
AtwitchranacrossForrester’scheek,butthatwashisonlyresponse.Itwasenough.
KurtturnedbacktoTrentMacDonald,shookhandsonceagain,andthencontinuedonhisway.
Helefttheterminalandstoodatthecurb,wonderingjusthowlonghe’dhavetowaitfortheshuttletolong-
termparking.Beforehecouldhazardaguess,hespottedafamiliar-lookingblackJeepcominghisway.HisJeep.Itpulledupandstoppedrightinfrontofhim.
Asthedriver’sdooropened,AnnaEricsson’sprettyface,flaxenblondhair,andbeamingsmilepoppedupovertheroof.
“DidyoutakeupautotheftwhileIwasgone?”Kurtasked.
Shelaughed.“Withallyourmemoryproblems,Ithoughtyoumighthaveahardtimefindingyourcarintheparkinglotwhenyougotback.”
Kurtpretendedtobehurt,buthehonestlycouldn’trememberdrivingtotheairporttwoweeksearlier.“Youmightbeontosomething,”hesaid,andthenadded,“SorryforhowIbehaved.Iwasn’texactly
myself.”“Irealizethat,”shesaid.
“Icrossedalinetoo.Anyinterestinstartingover?”
“Nothingwouldmakemehappier,”hesaid.
Shejumpeddown,camearoundtheJeep,andofferedherhand.“Hi,”shesaidasifmeetinghimforthefirsttime.“I’mAnnaEricsson.I’mapsychiatrist.AndI’mnotallowedtodatemypatients.”
Heshookherhand.“Kurt
Austin.Fortunately,Inolongerneedashrink.”Heopenedthepassengerdoorforherandasked,“MindifIdrive?”
Shesettledintothepassenger’sseatasKurtmadehiswaytothedriver’ssideandgotbehindthewheel.
“Whereto?”heasked.“Somewherewecanlook
outattheriver,”shesaidcoyly.
Heshutthedoor,putthe
Jeepingear,andpulledawayfromthecurb,smiling.“Iknowjusttheplace,”hesaid.“Andthebestpartis,we’llbetheonlyguests.”