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ALSOBYCLIVECUSSLER
DIRKPITT®ADVENTURESPoseidon’sArrow(withDirkCussler)CrescentDawn(withDirkCussler)ArcticDrift(withDirkCussler)TreasureofKhan(withDirkCussler)BlackWind(withDirkCussler)TrojanOdysseyValhallaRisingAtlantisFoundFloodTideShockWave
IncaGoldSaharaDragonTreasureCyclopsDeepSixPacificVortex!NightProbe!Vixen03RaisetheTitanic!IcebergTheMediterraneanCaper
FARGOADVENTURESTheEyeofHeaven(withRussellBlake)TheMayanSecrets(withThomasPerry)
TheTombs(withThomasPerry)TheKingdom(withGrantBlackwood)LostEmpire(withGrantBlackwood)SpartanGold(withGrantBlackwood)
ISAACBELLNOVELSTheBootlegger(withJustinScott)TheStriker(withJustinScott)TheThief(withJustinScott)TheRace(withJustinScott)TheSpy(withJustinScott)TheWrecker(withJustinScott)TheChase
KURTAUSTINADVENTURESGhostShip(withGrahamBrown)
ZeroHour(withGrahamBrown)TheStorm(withGrahamBrown)Devil’sGate(withGrahamBrown)Medusa(withPaulKemprecos)TheNavigator(withPaulKemprecos)PolarShift(withPaulKemprecos)LostCity(withPaulKemprecos)WhiteDeath(withPaulKemprecos)FireIce(withPaulKemprecos)BlueGold(withPaulKemprecos)Serpent(withPaulKemprecos)
OREGONFILESADVENTURESMirage(withJackDuBrul)TheJungle(withJackDuBrul)TheSilentSea(withJackDuBrul)
Corsair(withJackDuBrul)PlagueShip(withJackDuBrul)SkeletonCoast(withJackDuBrul)DarkWatch(withJackDuBrul)SacredStone(withCraigDirgo)GoldenBuddha(withCraigDirgo)
NONFICTIONBuiltforAdventure:TheClassicAutomobilesofCliveCusslerandDirkPittTheSeaHunters(withCraigDirgo)TheSeaHuntersII(withCraigDirgo)CliveCusslerandDirkPittRevealed(withCraigDirgo)
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ENDPAPERANDINTERIORILLUSTRATIONSBYROLAND
DAHLQUIST
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductof
theauthors’imaginationsorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactual
persons,livingordead,businesses,companies,events,orlocalesisentirely
coincidental.
Version_1
CONTENTSALSOBYCLIVECUSSLERTITLEPAGECOPYRIGHTMAPPROLOGUE|PURSUED
PARTI|MYSTICCURRENTChapter1Chapter2
Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10
PARTII|AZTLÁNChapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14
Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24Chapter25Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28
Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31
PARTIII|CUBALIBREChapter32Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40
Chapter41Chapter42Chapter43Chapter44Chapter45Chapter46Chapter47Chapter48Chapter49Chapter50Chapter51Chapter52Chapter53Chapter54
Chapter55Chapter56Chapter57Chapter58Chapter59Chapter60Chapter61Chapter62Chapter63Chapter64Chapter65Chapter66Chapter67Chapter68
Chapter69Chapter70Chapter71Chapter72Chapter73Chapter74Chapter75Chapter76Chapter77
EPILOGUE|PUERTOGRANDEChapter78Chapter79
Chapter80Chapter81Chapter82Chapter83Chapter84
S
FEBRUARY15,1898
weatfloweddowntheexhaustedman’sface,cascadinginheavy
dropsoffhisunshaven
cheeks.Pullingapairofthickwoodenoarstowardhischest,hetiltedhisheadandrubbedasoiledsleeveacrosshisforehead.Heignoredthepaininhislimbsandresumedaslowbutsteadystroke.
Theexertionalonedidn’taccountforhisperspiration,nordidthemuggytropicalclimate.Thesunhadbarelyclearedthehorizon,andthestillairhangingoverHavanaHarborwascoolanddamp.It
wasthestrainofpursuitthatkepthispulserapid.Withvacanteyes,hestaredacrossthewater,gesturingwithhisheadtothemanbehindhimintheboat.
IthadbeennearlytwoweekssincetheSpanishmilitiafirsttriedtoappropriatehisdiscovery,forcinghimtoflee.Threeofhiscomradeshadalreadydieddefendingtherelic.TheSpaniardshadnoqualms
aboutkillingandwouldgladlymurderhimtogetwhattheywanted.Hewouldhavebeenkilledalready,exceptforachanceencounterwitharagtagbandofarmedCubanrebels,whoprovidedhimsafepassagetotheoutskirtsofHavana.
Heglancedoverhisshoulderatapairofwarshipsmooredneartheharbor’scommercialanchorage.“Alestribor,”herasped.
“Totheright.”“Sí,”repliedthesquat
Cubanseatedbehind,wieldinghisownsetofoars.Hewassimilarlyattiredintornandsoiledclothes,hisfaceshadedbyaweatheredstrawhat.
Together,theymaneuveredtheleakylongboattowardthemodernsteelwarships.Theoldmanscouredtheharborforthreats,butheseemedtohavefinally
eludedhispursuers.Asafehavenwaswithinhisgrasp.
Theyrowedslowlypastthesmallerwarship,whichcarriedaSpanishflaghungfromitssternmast,andapproachedthesecondvessel.Anarmoredcruiser,itfeaturedtwingunturretsthatprotrudedawkwardlyovereithersiderail.Thedeckandtopsideswerepaintedastrawyellow,offsetagainstacleanwhitehull.Withlanternsstill
aglowinthedawn’slight,theshipsparkledlikeanamberdiamond.
Severalsentriespatrolledforeandaft,watchingovertheshipinahighstateofreadiness.Anofficerinadarkuniformappearedonasuperstructurewalkwayandeyedtheapproachinglongboat.
Heraisedamegaphone.“Haltandstateyourbusiness.”
“I’mDr.EllsworthBoydofYaleUniversity,”theoldmansaidinashakyvoice.“TheAmericanConsulateinHavanahasarrangedformyrefugeaboardyourvessel.”
“Standby,please.”Theofficerdisappeared
intothebridge.Afewminuteslater,heappearedondeckwithseveralsailors.Aropeladderwasloweredoverthesideandthelongboatwavedtoapproach.Whenthe
boatscrapedagainstthewarship’shull,Boydstoodandthrewalinetooneofthesailors.
“Ihaveacratethatmustaccompanyme.Itisveryimportant.”
Boydkickedawaysomepalmfrondsthatconcealedathickwoodencratelodgedbetweenthebenches.Asthesailorsloweredadditionalropes,Boydsurveyedthesurroundingwaters.Satisfied
astotheirsafety,Boydandhisassistantsecuredtheropestothecrateandwatchedasitwashoistedaboard.
“Thatwillhavetoremainondeck,”theofficersaidasapairofsailorsmuscledtheheavyboxtoaventilatorandtieditdown.
Boydhandedhisrowingpartneragoldcoin,shookhandsinfarewell,thenclimbeduptheropeladder.Justnorthoffifty,Boydwas
instrappingconditionforhisageandacclimatedtothehumidityofthetropicsfromworkingintheCaribbeaneachwinterseason.Buthewasnolongeryoung,afacthewasloathtoaccept.Heignoredthenaggingpainsinhisjointsandtheconstantfatiguehecouldn’tseemtoshakeasheclimbedontothedeck.
“I’mLieutenantHolman,”theofficersaid.“We’vebeen
expectingyou,Dr.Boyd.Letmeshowyoutoaguestcabin,whereyoucangetcleanedup.Duetosecurityconcerns,I’llhavetoaskthatyouremainconfinedtoyourcabin.I’llbehappytoarrangeatouroftheshiplater,ifyoulike,andwe’llseeifwecangetyouonthecaptain’sscheduletoday.”
Boydextendedahand.“Thankyou,Lieutenant.I’mgratefulforyourhospitality.”
Holmanshookhishandwithafirmgrip.“Onbehalfofthecaptainandcrew,IwelcomeyouaboardthebattlecruiserUSSMaine.”
AlighteveningtradewindnudgedtheMaineabouthermooringuntilherbluntbowpointedtowardtheheartofHavana.Theship’ssentrieswerethankfulforthebreeze,
whichalleviatedtherankodoroftheharbor’spollutedwaters.
TheeveningbreezealsocarriedthenighttimemelodyofHavana’sstreets—thehonky-tonkmusicfromitsharbor-frontbars,thelaughingvoicesofpedestriansonthenearbyMalecón,andtheclankofhorseandwagonsmaneuveringthroughthenarrowboulevards.The
vibrantsoundswereapainfulremindertotheMaine’senlistedsailorsthattheyhadbeendeniedallshoreleaveinthethreeweekssincetheyhadarrived.TheshiphadbeendispatchedtoprotecttheAmericanConsulateafterariotbySpanishloyalists,angryattheU.S.supportofCubanrebelsbattlingtheoppressiveSpanishregime.
Boyd’scabindoorshudderedunderaloudknock
andheopenedittofindLieutenantHolman,dressedinarazor-crispblueuniformthatseemedtodefythehumidity.
Holmangaveaslightbow.“Thecaptainwelcomesyouracceptancetodinewithhimthisevening.”
“Thankyou,Lieutenant.Pleaseleadon.”
AwarmbathandalongafternoonnaphadrejuvenatedBoyd.Hewalked
withtheconfidentgaitofamanwhohadbeatentheodds.Hestillworehisfieldclothes,nowfreshlylaundered,towhichhehadaddedadinnerjacketborrowedfromHolman.Hetuggeduncomfortablyatthesleeves,severalinchestooshortforhisganglyarms.
Theymadetheirwaytoasmallofficers’messneartheaftdeck.Inthecenteroftheroom,alinen-coveredtable
gleamingwithwhitechinaandsilverwarewasoccupiedbytheMaine’scaptain.
CharlesSigsbeewasastudiousmanwithareasonedmind,wellrespectedintheNavyforhisleadershipqualities.Sportingroundspectaclesandabushymustache,heresembledabankclerkmorethanaship’scaptain.HeroseandgreetedBoydwithanimpatientgazeasHolmanmadethe
introductions.Thethreemensatdownat
thetableandastewardappeared,servingaconsommé.Boydignoredasmalldogthatclungtothecaptain’sside.
SigsbeeturnedtoBoyd.“IhopeyoufindyouraccommodationsaboardtheMainesatisfactory.”
“Morethanadequate,”Boydsaid.“Iamthankfulforyourcourtesyinallowingme
aboardonshortnotice.Ican’ttellyouhowbeautifultheMainelookedwhenIfirstsightedherthismorning.”
“I’mafraidwe’renotconfiguredforcomfortorguests,”Sigsbeesaid.“WhileourpresenceinHavanaistoaffectthetransportofAmericansatrisk,localeventsseemedtohavecalmedsinceourarrival.Imustsay,Iwassurprisedatreceivingacommuniquéfrom
theHavanaConsulaskingthatyoubewelcomedaboardfortransitbacktotheUnitedStates—withnaryanexplanation.”
Boydsighed.“ThelocalConsulisafamilyfriendfromVirginiawhowaskindenoughtointervene.However,itisnoexaggerationtosaymylifewasingravedanger.”
“LieutenantHolmantellsmeyouareananthropologist
fromYaleUniversity.”“Yes,Ispecializeinthe
nativeCaribbeancultures.IjustcompletedawinterfieldschoolinJamaicaandmadeanunplanneddetourtoCuba.”
Thestewardclearedawaytheiremptysoupbowlsandreturnedwithplatesofbroiledfish.“Thecratethatwebroughtaboard,”Holmansaid,“itwasfromyourexcavation?”
Boydnodded.“Perhaps,”Sigsbeesaid,
“you’dcaretoshowusthisartifactafterdinnerandexplainitssignificance.”
Boydtensed.“Iwouldratherwaituntilwegettosea,”hesaidinalowvoice.
“HowdidyoucometoarriveinHavana?”Holmanasked.
“IleftMontegoBayonthesteamerOrionafortnightago,boundforNewYork.
Butshortlyafterwedeparted,thevesseldevelopedboilerproblems.WewereforcedtolimpintoCárdenas,wherethepassengerswereoffloaded.Weweretoldwewouldbedelayedatleastthreeweekswhiletheshipwasrepaired.IdecidedtocomeoverlandtoHavanainthehopeofcatchingapacketboattoKeyWest.Thenthetroublebegan.”
Hetookasipofwater,and
SigsbeeandHolmanwaitedforhimtocontinue.
“ItwastheSpaniard,Rodriguez,”Boydsaid,hiseyesbulginginanger.
“Rodriguez?”Holmansaid.
“AnarcheologistfromMadrid.HehappenedtobeinJamaicaandvisitedourcamp.Someonemusthavetippedhimofftomydiscovery,astherehewas,travelingaboardtheOrion,watchingmyevery
move.Itwasnocoincidence.”Hisvoicequivered.“Ihavenoproof,butsomehowhemusthavedisabledthevessel.”
Thecaptainfrowned.“SowhathappenedwhenyoulandedinCárdenas?”
“Iwastravelingwithtwostudentsandmyfieldassistant,RoyBurns.WepurchasedamuleandwagoninCárdenasandloadedthecrateandourbelongings.We
setoffforHavanathenextday,butwhilebivouackedthatnightwewereattacked.”
Hiseyesglazedinadistantstareatthepainfulmemories.
“Agroupofarmedmenonhorsebackassaultedus.TheyroughedupBurnsandmeprettygoodandtookthewagon.Thenoneofmystudentswentafterthemwithaknife.Thefiendsranhimthroughwithamachete,thenhackeduphisclassmate.
Theydidn’thaveachance.”“ThesewereSpanish
soldiers?”Sigsbeeasked.Boydshrugged.“They
werearmedandworeuniforms,buttheyseemedtobesomesortofinsurgentoutfit.Theiruniformshadnoinsignia.”
“ProbablyWeylerites,”Holmansaid.TheextremistfactionremainedloyaltoSpanishGovernorGeneralValerianoWeyler,whohad
recentlydepartedCubaafterabrutalreignsubjugatingCubanrebels.
“Perhaps,”Boydsaid.“Theywerewellequippedbutappearedtobeirregulars.WefoundtheywerecampedinavillagecalledPicadura.BurnsandIweredeterminedtorecovertheartifactandfollowedthemtotheircamp.Burnsstartedafiretodistractthem,whileIscatteredtheirhorsesandretookthewagon.
Burnscaughtabulletinthechest.Ihadtoleavehim...”Hisvoicetrailedoffinbitterness.
“Idrovethewagonhardthroughthenight,barelyescapingtheirpursuit.Atdawn,Ihidthewagoninthejungleandforagedforfoodformeandthemule.Ieludedtheirpatrolsforthreedays,travelingonlyatnightontrailsIhopedwouldleadtoHavana.”
“Remarkablethatyouavoidedcapture,”Sigsbeesaid.
“Ultimately,Ididn’t.”Boydshookhishead.“Theyfoundmeonthefourthday.Themulegavemeawaywithhisbraying.Itwasjustasmallpatrol,fourmen.Theypushedmeupagainstthewagonandhadtheirriflesraisedwhenavolleysoundedfromthejungle.TheSpaniardsfelltotheground,
cutdowntoaman.ItwasabandofCubanrebels,whohappenedtobecampednearbyandheardtheruckus.”
“Theydidn’ttrytotakethecrate?”Holmanasked.
“TheywereonlyinterestedinthedeadSpaniards’weapons.Theytreatedmelikeacompadre,seeing,Isuppose,thatIwasanadversaryoftheSpanish.TheystuckwithmeuntiltheedgeofHavana.”
“I’mtoldtheCubanrebels,whileuntrained,aretoughfighters,”Sigsbeesaid.
“Icanattesttothat,”Boydsaid.“Aftertheirpatrolwaskilled,theremainingSpanishcontingentconsolidatedforcesandcameafteruswithavengeance.Therebelsconstantlypepperedandharassedthem,slowingtheiradvances.WhenwereachedHavana’soutskirts,theCubansdispersed,butoneof
themcontactedtheconsulateonmybehalf.Theirbestfighterguidedmetothewaterfront,acquiredalongboat,andhelpedmereachtheMaine.”
Sigsbeesmiled.“Fortuitousassistance.”
“TheCubanrebelsshowgreathatredtotheSpaniardsandappreciatethearmedassistanceourcountryisgivingthem.Theypleadedformoreweapons.”
“Dulynoted.”“Captain,”Boydsaid,
“howsoonwillyoubedepartingHavana?”
“Ican’tsay,butwe’vebeenonstationforthreeweeks,andthelocalunrestappearstohavesubsided.WehaveacommitmentinNewOrleanslaterthismonth,whichIbelievewillstillbehonored.Ianticipateordersdirectingourdeparturewithinthenextfewdays.”
Boydnodded.“Forourwell-being,Ihopeitissoon.”
Holmanlaughed.“Dr.Boyd,youneedn’tworry.There’snotasaferplaceinHavanathanontheMaine.”
Afterdinner,Boydsmokedacigarwiththeofficersonthequarterdeck,thenreturnedtohiscabin.Anagginguneasinessgnawedathisthoughts.Hewouldn’tfeelsafeuntiltheshipleftthewatersofHavanaHarborfar
offitsstern.Somewhereinhismind,heheardthevoicesofRoyBurnsandhisdeadstudentscryingawarningfromtheheavens.
Unabletosleep,heclimbedtothemaindeck,drawinginadeepbreathofthedampnightair.Somewherenearthebridge,heheardthechimesofabellsignalingthetimeathalfpastnine.Acrosstheharbor,revelersweregettingajump
ontheirMardiGrascelebration.Boydignoredthesoundsandstaredovertherailatthecalmblackwatersbelow.
Asmallskiffapproachedthebattleship,elicitingasharpwarningfromtheofficerofthedeck.Theboat’sloneoccupant,araggedfisherman,wavedahalf-emptybottleofrumattheofficerandshoutedaslurredresponsebefore
turningthesmallboataway.Boydwatcheditangle
aroundtheMaine’sbow,thenheardametallicclinkinthewater.Asmallcrateorraftwasbangingagainstthehull.Thewoodenobjectskitteredalongtheshipasifself-propelled.Boydlookedatit,thenrealizeditwasbeingtowedbythefishingskiff.
Aknottightenedinhisstomach.Helookeduptothebridgeandyelledatthe
officeronwatch.“Officerofthedeck!Officerofthedeck!”
Amuffledbangseemedtooriginatebeneaththeship,andasmallgeyserofwatersprayednearthebow.Boydfelttwobeatsofhisheart,thentherewasatitanicexplosion.
TheYaleprofessorwasflungagainstabulkheadasthefronthalfoftheshiperuptedlikeanangry
volcano.Steel,smoke,andflamesshothighintothesky,carryingthemangledbodiesofdozensofcrewmen.Boydshookoffapaininhisshoulderasarainofdebrishammeredthedeckaroundhim.Theship’sforwardcrow’snestappearedfromnowhereandcollapsedinaheapalongsidehim.
Risingtohisfeet,Boydinstinctivelystaggeredforwardacrossthelisting
deck.Hisearsrang,drowningoutthecriesofsailorstrappedbelowdecks.Allthatmatteredwastherelic.Undertheredglowofaninfernoburningamidships,hestaggeredtowardit.Somehowthecratehadescapeddamageandwaslyingsecureneartheremainsofacrumpledventilator.
Afast-approachingside-wheelercaughthiseye.Thesteam-poweredboatdrewalongsidethesinking
battleship,turningbrisklyandslappingagainstitshull.Withoutmakingasound,atrioofmenindarkclothingleapedaboard.
BoydthoughttheywerepartofarescuepartyuntiloneoftheMaine’ssailors,amachinistwhohadbeenstandingwatch,limpedacrosstheirpath,hissingeduniformsmoking.Oneoftheboarderslungedatthesailor,drivingabluntknifeintohissideand
tossinghiscrumpledbodyovertherail.
Boydwastooshockedtoreact.Then,hismindprocessedthemeaning.Theboardersweren’ttheretolendaid;theywereRodriguez’smen.Theyhadcomefortheartifact.
Thearcheologistlimpedbacktothecrateandspuntofacetheattackers.Atwistedshovel,flungupfromoneofthecoalbunkers,teetered
againstabulkhead.Boydgrabbedit.
Thefirstattackerbrandishedabloodyknifethatglistenedunderthelightofthespreadingflames.
Boydswungtheshovel.Theintrudertriedtostep
back,butthewaternowswirlingathisfeetslowedhismovement.Boydtaggedhimacrosshischeekbone.Theattackergruntedandfelltohisknees,buthistwo
companionsbehinddidn’tfalter.TheyrushedBoydbeforehecouldswingagain,knockingtheshovelaside.Aheavypistolappearedinthehandsofoneofthemenandhefiredpoint-blankatBoyd.
Thebulletstruckhisleftshoulder.Thearcheologistfellback,andthetwomenelbowedpasthimandloosenedtheropesthatsecuredthecrate.
“No!”Boydshoutedas
theybegandraggingthecrateacrossthesinkingdeck.
Heregainedhisfeetandsloshedafterthemonweakeninglegs.Theboardersignoredhimandhoistedthecrateoverthesideandintothearmsofseveralmeninthelighter.Oneworealow-brimmedhattohidehisface,butBoydknewitwasRodriguez.
Woozyfromlossofblood,Boydsaggedagainstthe
nearestman.Theboarder,ashortmanwithcoldblackeyes,grabbedBoyd’sarm.ButbeforehecouldshoveBoydaside,hisfacefellblank.Afaintshadowcrossedhisface,andhisgazeshotupward.
Aninstantlater,theborderdisappearedunderthetoweringmassofoneoftheMaine’stwinfunnels,whichhadfracturedatitsbaseandcollapsedlikeahewn
redwood.Whiletheattackerwasflattened,Boydwasonlyclippedbythefunnel.Buthisleggotcaughtunderthemass,pinninghimtothenowawashdeck.
Hestruggledtobreakfree,buttheweightwastoogreat.Heldunderwater,hefoughtforair,pokinghisheadabovetherisingwaterandgaspinggreatbreathsashepulledathistrappedleg.
Beneathhim,hefeltthe
shiplurchasthekeelsoughttheharborfloor.Astheforwardfireslickedattheship’sammunitionmagazines,sporadicshotszingedaroundhim.Thenthebowbeganaslowdescenttothebottom.
Feelingthevesselbegintoplunge,Boydstrainedforonelastbreath.Hisfinalvisionwasoftheside-wheeler,thestolencratewedgedonitsaftdeck,steamingrapidly
towardtheharborentrance.ThentheMainedragged
himdownintotheblackeneddepths.
T
1
JUNE2016
hesquatwoodenfishingboathadbeenpaintedadandy
combinationofperiwinkle
andlemon.Whenthecolorswerefresh,theyhadlentthevesselanairofhappytranquility.Butthatwasalmosttwodecadesago.Theweatheringofsunandseahadbeatenoutallsemblanceofvibrancy,leavingtheboatlookingpaleandanemicagainsttheominoussea.
ThetwoJamaicanfishermenworkingtheJavinagavelittlethoughttoherdilapidatedexterior.Their
onlyconcernwaswhetherthesmokyenginewouldpropelthembacktotheirislandhomebeforetheleaksinthehulloverranthebilgepump.
“Quickwiththebaitwhilethetunaarestillbiting.”Theeldermanstoodatthesternwhilemanuallydeployingalonglineovertheside.Nearhisfeet,apairoflargesilverfishfloppedangrilyaboutthedeck.
“Notyouworry,Uncle
Desmond.”Theyoungermanpickedupsomesmallchunksofmackerelandslappedthemontoastringofrustyhand-forgedhooks.“Thesunislow,sothefishstillbiteonthebank.”
“Itain’tthesunthat’swaitingforthebait.”Desmondgrabbedtheremainsofthebaitedlineanddroppeditovertheside,tyingofftheendtoacleatonthegunwale.Hesteppedtoward
thewheelhousetoengagethethrottlebutstoppedandcockedhisear.Adeeprumble,likerollingthunder,soundedovertheboat’solddieselmotor.
“Whatisit,Uncle?”Desmondshookhishead.
Henoticedadarkcircleofwaterformingofftheportbeam.
TheJavinacreakedandgroanedfromtheinvisiblehandofasubmergedshock
wave.Afrothyballofwhitewatereruptedashortdistanceaway,sprayingadozenfeetintotheair.Itwasfollowedbyabubblingconcentricwavethatseemedtoriseoffthesurface.Thewaveexpanded,encompassingthefishingboatandliftingitintothesky.Desmondgrabbedthewheelforbalance.
Hisnephewstaggeredtohisside,hiseyesagape.“Whatisit?”
“Somethingunderwater.”Desmondgrippedthewheelwithwhiteknucklesastheboatheeledfartooneside.
Thevesselhungonthevergeofflipping,thenrighteditselfasthewavesubsided.TheJavinasettledbacktoacalmsurfaceasthewavedissipatedinacircularpathofboilingfroth.
“Thatwascrazy,”hisnephewsaid,scratchinghishead.“What’shappeningway
outhere?”ThesmallboatwasmorethantwentymilesfromJamaica,theisland’scoastlinenotquitevisibleonthehorizon.
Desmondshruggedasheturnedtheboatawayfromtherecedingeruption’sepicenter.Hemotionedoffthebow.“Thoseshipsahead.Theymustbesearchingforoil.”
AmilefromtheJavina,alargeexplorationshiptailedahigh-ridingoceanbargedown
current.Anorangecrewboatmotoredslightlyaheadoftheship.AllthreewereheadedfortheJavina—or,moreprecisely,thepointoftheunderwaterexplosion.
“Uncle,whosaystheycancomeblastingthroughourwaters?”
Desmondsmiled.“Theygotaboatthatbig,theycangoanywheretheywant.”
Asthesmallarmadadrewcloser,thewatersaroundthe
Javinabecamedottedwithwhitebitsofflotsamarisingfromthedeep.Theywerebitsofdeadfishandseacreatures,mangledbytheexplosion.
“Thetuna!”thenephewcried.“Theykillourtuna.”
“Wefindmoresomeplaceelse.”Desmondeyedtheexplorationshipbearingdownonthem.“Ithinkitbestweleavethebanknow.”
“NotbeforeIgivethemapieceofmymind.”
Thenephewreachedoverandspunthewheelhardtoport,drivingtheJavinatowardthebigship.Thebluecrewboatnotedthecoursechangeandspedover,pullingalongsideafewminuteslater.Thetwobrown-skinnedmeninthecrewboatdidn’tappearJamaican,whichwasconfirmedwhentheyspokeinoddlyaccentedEnglish.
“Youmustleavethisareanow,”theboat’spilot
ordered.“Thisisourfishing
grounds,”thenephewsaid.“Lookaround.Youkillallourfish.Youoweusforthefishwelose.”
ThecrewboatpilotstaredattheJamaicanswithnohintofsympathy.Pullingatransmittertohislips,heplacedabriefcalltotheship.Withoutanotherwordtothefishermen,hegunnedthemotoranddrovethecrew
boataway.Themassiveblackhulkof
theexplorationshiparrivedashorttimelater,toweringovertheJavina.Undaunted,thefishermenyelledtheircomplaintstothecrewmenscurryingabouttheship’sdecks.
Nonepaidanyattentiontothedilapidatedboatbobbingbeneaththemuntiltwomensteppedtotherail.Dressedinlightkhakifatigues,they
studiedtheJavinamomentarily,thenraisedcompactassaultriflestotheirshoulders.
Desmondrammedthethrottleaheadandspunthewheelhardoverasheheardtwoquickthumps.Hisnephewstaredfrozenasapairof40mmgrenades,firedfromlaunchersaffixedtotheassaultrifles,slammedontotheopendeckandbouncedabouthisfeet.
Thewheelhousevaporizedintoabrightredfireball.SmokeandflamesclimbedintothewarmCaribbeanskyastheJavinawallowedonherbrokenkeel.Thepale-blue-and-yellowfishingboatwascharredblackasshesettledquicklybythebow.
Foramoment,sheseemedtohesitate,andthentheoldvesselrolledinafaintfarewellanddisappearedunderthewaves.
M
2
JULY2016
arkRamseyallowedhimselfaslightgrin.He
couldhardlycontainhissense
ofeuphoriaashespedpastthegrandstand.Thegrittysmellofgasolineandburntrubbertickledhisnostrils,whilethecheersofatracksidecrowdwerejustaudibleovertheroarofhismotorcar.Itwasn’tjustthesensationofracingonanopentrackthatgavehimjoy.ItwashisleadingpositionwithtwolapstogothatthrilledthewealthyCanadianindustrialist.
Drivinga1928BugattiType35GrandPrixracerinavintage-classovalrace,hehadbeentheodds-onfavorite.ThelightandnimbleFrenchblueBugatti,withitsiconichorseshoe-shapedradiator,hadbeenoneofthemostsuccessfulracingmarquesofitsday.Ramsey’ssuperchargedstraight-eightenginegavehimahealthyboostagainstthecompetition.
Hehadquicklyseparated
himselffromthefieldofassortedoldcars,saveforadarkgreenBentleythattailedseverallengthsbehind.TheheavyBritishcar,carryinganopenfour-seatLeMansbody,wasnomatchfortheBugattithroughtheOldDominionSpeedway’sbankedturns.
Ramseyknewhewashomefree.Easingoutofthesecondturn,heflooredtheaccelerator,roaringdownthemainstraightawayand
lappingaStutzBearcat.Awhiteflagcaughthiseye,wavedbythestarteratopaflagstand,signalingthefinallap.Ramseyallowedhimselfasidewaysglanceatthecrowd,notnoticingthatthepursuingBentleyhadcreptcloser.
Brakinganddownshiftingwiththeracer’sheel-and-toefootmaneuver,heguidedtheBugattiinalowarcthroughthenextturn.Theheftier
Bentleywasforcedtofollowhigher,losingpreciousdistance.Butcomingoutoftheturn,theBentleycutasharplineontothebackstretchandletoutabellow.EquippedwithaRootessupercharger,whichprotrudedfromthefrontcrankcaselikeasilverbatteringram,theBentleyhowledasitsdrivermashedtheacceleratorbeforeupshifting.
Ramseyglancedatadash-mountedmirror.ThemorepowerfulBentleyhadclosedwithintwolengths,itsimposingbluntradiatorfillingtheimage.Heheldtheacceleratordownthroughthebackstretchaslongashecould,brakinglateandhard,beforethrowingtheBugattiintothefinalturn.
Behindhim,theBentleyfellbackasitsdriverbrakedearlierandenteredtheturn
wide.ItstiressquealedastheyfoughtforgripwhilechasingtheBugattithroughtheturn.TheBentley’sdriverwasnoslouch.Hewasdrivingthebigdemonatitslimit.
RamseytightenedhisgriponthewheelandmuscledtheBugattithroughthecurve.Hisownlatebrakinghadsenthimonanawkwardlinethroughtheturn.Trailinghisownbrakestoholdhisturn,
hewasangeredtohearthewailofthe“Blower”Bentleyacceleratingfrombehindhim.
TheBentleywashighonthetrack,butitsdriverhadaligneditswheelstoexitthecorner.Ramseydughardthroughtheturn,thenwasflatonthegastheinstanthecouldunwindhissteeringwheel.TheshriekingBentleyhadalmostclosedthegapandwasonhisrearfenderastheyhitthehomestretch.
Itwasaclassicfighttothefinish,pittinglightweightfinesseagainstbrutepower.TheBugatti’s140-horsepowermotorwasahundredfewerthantheBentley,buttheBritishcartippedthescalesatatonheavier.
Bothcarssurgedtowardthe100-mile-per-hourmarkastheystretchedforthefinishline.Ramseysawtheflagmanwildlywavingthecheckered
flagandhefelthisheartpounding.TheBugattistillheldthelead,buttheBentleywasinchingalongside.Racingfendertofender,thetwoancientvehiclesroareddownthetrack,mechanicaldinosaursfromamoreelegantage.
Thefinishlineapproachedandbrutepowerheldsway.TheBentleylungedaheadatthelastinstant,nippingtheBugattibyinches.Asthe
largercaredgedby,RamseyglancedattheBentley’scockpit.Thedriverappearedtotallyrelaxedatthemomentofvictory,hiselbowcasuallycastoverthedoorsill.Breakingprotocol,Ramseychargedaheadofthefieldastheentrantstookacooldownlapbeforeheadingtothepits.
RamseyparkedtheBugattinexttohiscustomizedluxurybusandoversawhiscrewofmechanicsastheychecked
thecarandplaceditinacoveredtrailer.HewatchedcuriouslyastheBentleypulledtoastopnearby.
TherewerenotrailersorteamofmechanicstendingtotheBritishcar.Justanattractivewomanwithcinnamonhairwaitingforthevictor,sittinginafoldingchairwithatoolboxandacooleratherfeet.
Atall,leanmanclimbedoutoftheBentleyand
collectedapassionatehugfromthewoman.Pullingoffhisracinghelmet,heranhisfingersthroughathickmatofblackhairthatframedatanandruggedface.HelookedupasRamseyapproachedandextendedahand.
“Congratulationsonthewin,”Ramseysaid,mutinghisdisappointment.“Firsttimeanybody’stakenmeintheBugatti.”
“Thisoldwarhorsefounda
burstofenergyonthelastlap.”ThedriverpattedtheBentley’sfender.Hissea-greeneyesnearlymatchedthecolorofthecarandburnedwithanintelligenceRamseyhadrarelyobserved.Thedriverhadthelookofamanwholivedandplayedhard.
Ramseysmiled,knowingfullwellitwasthedriver,notthecar,thathadbeatenhim.
“Myname’sMark
Ramsey.”“DirkPitt,”thedriversaid.
“Thisismywife,Loren.”Ramseyshookhandswith
Loren,notingshewasevenmoreattractiveupclose.
“IloveyourBugatti,”shesaid.“Suchasleekcarforitsday.”
“Funtodrive,too,”hesaid.“ThatparticularcarwontheTargaFlorioin1928.”
Ashespoke,histeamofmechanicspushedtheFrench
carintothebackofasemitrailertruck.Lorenrecognizedthelogo,emblazonedontheside,ofaredgrizzlybearwithapickaxinitsteeth.
“MarkRamsey...you’retheheadofBruinMiningandExploration.”
RamseylookedaskanceatLoren.“NotmanypeopleknowmeintheStates.”
“Iwasonarecentdelegationthattouredyour
goldmineontheThompsonRiverinBritishColumbia.Wewereimpressedbytheenvironmentalconsciousnessthatsurroundstheentireoperation.”
“Mininghashadapoortrackrecord,butthere’snoreasonthatcan’tchange.Areyouacongresswoman?”
“IrepresenttheSeventhDistrictofColorado.”
“Ofcourse,RepresentativeLorenSmith.I’mafraidIwas
outoftownwhentheU.S.congressionaldelegationtoured.Mymisfortune,Ishouldsay.Whatwasyourinterestintheoperation,ifImayask?”
“IserveontheHouseSubcommitteeontheEnvironment,andweareexaminingnewwaysofmanagingournaturalresources.”
“PleaseletmeknowifthereisanywayIcanbeof
help.We’realwayslookingatsafewaystominetheearth.”
“That’sverygoodofyou.”PittpickedupLoren’s
foldingchairandplaceditintherearoftheBentley.“Mr.Ramsey,wouldyoucaretojoinusfordinner?”
“I’mafraidIhavetocatchaplanetoMiamitomeetwithsomeclients.PerhapsnexttimeI’minWashington.”HeeyedPittwithadare.“I’dlikeanothergoatyouandyour
Bentley.”Pittsmiled.“Nobodyhas
toaskmetwicetogetbehindthewheel.”
PittclimbedinandrestartedtheBentley.Lorenjoinedhimamomentlater.
Ramseyshookhishead.“Youdon’thaveatrailer?”
“TheBentley’sasgoodonthestreetasitisonthetrack,”Pittgrinned,gunningthecarforward.BothoccupantswavedasRamsey
staredback.LorenturnedtoPittand
smiled.“Idon’tthinkMr.Ramseywastooimpressedwithyourmaintenancecrew.”
Pittreachedoverandsqueezedhiswife’sknee.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?I’vegotthesexiestcrewchiefontheplanet.”
Hecollectedhiswinner’strophyatthegate,thenrumbledoutoftheManassas,Virginia,trackgrounds.
PassingthenearbyCivilWarbattlefieldsite,heturnedontoInterstate66andmadeabeelinetowardWashington,D.C.TheSundayafternoontrafficwaslight,andPittwasabletocruiseatthespeedlimit.
“Iforgottotellyou,”Lorenshoutedovertheroaroftheopencar,“IgotacallfromRudiGunnwhileyouwereonthetrack.Heneedstotalktoyouabouta
situationhe’smonitoringintheCaribbean.”
“Canitwaituntiltomorrow?”
“Hecalledfromtheoffice,soItoldhimwe’dstopbyonthewayhome.”Lorensmiledatherhusband,knowinghisdisinterestwasonlyabluff.
“Ifyousayso.”Reachingthesuburbof
Rosslyn,PittturnedontotheGeorgeWashingtonParkwayandfolloweditsouthalong
thePotomac.ThewhitemarbleedificeoftheLincolnMemorialgleamedinthefadingsunlightasheturnedintotheentranceofatoweringgreenglassbuilding.HedrovetheBentleypastaguardstationandparkedinanundergroundgaragenearakeyedelevator,whichtheyrodetothetenthfloor.
TheyhadenteredtheheadquartersoftheNational
UnderwaterandMarineAgency,thefederaldepartmenttaskedwithstewardshipoftheseas.AsNUMA’sDirector,DirkPittoversawalargestaffofmarinebiologists,oceanographers,andgeologistswhomonitoredtheoceansfromafleetofresearchshipsacrosstheglobe.Theagencyalsousedoceanbuoys,glidingsubmersibles,andevena
smallsquadronofaircraft,alllinkedtoasophisticatedsatellitenetwork,thatallowedconstantmonitoringofweather,seastates,andevenoilspillsinnearlyreal-timefashion.
Theelevatordoorsopenedontoahigh-techbaythathousedtheagency’spowerfulcomputercenter.AquietlyhummingIBMBlueGenesupercomputersystemwasconcealedbehindahigh
curvedwallthatfacedLorenandPitt.Extendingacrossthefaceofthewallwasamassivevideodisplay,illuminatingadozenormorecolorgraphicsandimages.
Twomenwereengagedatacentralcontroltableinfrontofthevideowall.Thesmallerofthetwo,awirymanwithhorn-rimmedglasses,noticedLorenandPittenterandboundedovertogreetthem.
“Gladyoucouldstopby,”
RudiGunnsaidwithasmile.Anex–NavycommanderwhohadgraduatedfirstinhisclassfromtheNavalAcademy,heservedasPitt’sDeputyDirector.“Anyluckatthetrack?”
“IthinkIwouldhavemadethelateW.O.Bentleyproudtoday.”Pittsmiled.“WhatbringsyouboysintotheofficeonaSunday?”
“AnenvironmentalconcernintheCaribbean.
Hiramcantellyoumore,butthereappearstobeapatternofunusualdeadzonescroppingupsouthofCuba.”
Thetriosteppedovertothecontroltable,whereHiramYaeger,NUMA’sheadofcomputerresources,satpeckingatakeyboard.
“Afternoon,Mr.andMrs.Pitt,”hesaidwithoutlookingup.“Pleasegrabaseat.”
Anardentnonconformist,Yaegerworehislonghair
wrappedinaponytailanddressedlikehehadjuststaggeredoutofabikerbar.“Sorrytointrudeonyourweekend,butRudiandIthoughtyoumightwanttobeawareofsomethingwepickeduponsatelliteimagery.”
HepointedtothetopcornerofthevideowallwherealargesatelliteimageoftheGulfofMexicoandtheCaribbeanSeadominatedthe
screen.“That’sastandardphotographicview.Nowwe’llgotoadigitallyenhancedimage.”
Asecondphotoappeared,whichoverlappedtheoriginalwithbrilliantcolors.AbrightredbandarcedacrosstheeasternGulfCoastshoreline.
“Whatdoestheredenhancementindicate?”Lorenasked.
“Adeadzone,judgingbyitsintensity,offthe
MississippiRiver,”Pittsaid.“That’sright,”Gunnsaid.
“Satelliteimagerycandetectchangesinthelightreflectionofftheocean’ssurface,whichprovidesanindicationofthewater’sorganiccontent.TheseasofftheMississippiRiverDeltaareatextbookdeadzone.Richnutrientsintheriverfromfertilizersandotherchemicalrunoffscreateexplosivegrowthsofplankton—algaeblooms.This
inturndepletesthewater’soxygencontent,leadingtohypoxicconditionsthatkillallmarinelife.TheareaofftheMississippiDeltaisanotoriousdeadzonethat’sconcernedscientistsformanyyears.”
LorennotedthelingeringbandsofmagentathatdiscoloredthecoastalwatersfromTexastoAlabama.“Ihadnoideaitwassopervasive.”
“Theintensityisfairlylocalizedatthedelta,”Gunnsaid,“butyoucanseethewidespreadeffects.”
“That’swellandgood,”Pittsaid,“butwe’veknownabouttheMississippideadzoneforyears.”
“Sorry,chief,”Yaegersaid.“We’reactuallyfocusedalittlefarthersouth.”
Hepointedtoatrioofburgundyblotchesthatdottedthewatersnorthwestof
Jamaica.Thepatcheswerespreadacrossanirregularline,extendingpasttheCaymanIslandstonearthewesterntipofCuba.
Yaegertappedathiskeyboard,zoominginonthearea.“Whatwehaveisanoddseriesofdeadzonesthathavecroppeduprathersuddenly.”
“Whatdoesthemarooncolorsignify?”Lorenasked.“Andwhydothespotsget
darkerastheyprogresstothenorthwest?”
“Itappearstobeanotherburstofphytoplanktongrowth,”Gunnsaid,“butmuchhigherinintensitythanwesawintheMississippiDelta.Theywerefast-formingbutmaybesomewhattemporaryinnature.”HenoddedatYaeger,whobroughtupaseriesofsatelliteimages.
“Thisissomethingofa
time-lapseview,”hesaid,“startingaboutthreemonthsago.”
Theinitialphotoshowednoanomalies.Abrightlyhuedspotappearedinthenextimage,thentwomoreburgundypatchesinthefollowingphotos.Aseachnewdeadzoneappeared,theearlierspotsfadedslightly.
“There’ssomesortofsharpimpactthatisgraduallydilutedbutissoonfollowed
byanotheroutbreakatadifferentlocation.Asyoucansee,thereseemstobeapatternfromsoutheasttonorthwest.”
Pitteyedthemultipledeadzonesastheyprogressed.“What’soddisthattheyarefarfromanylandmass.Theyaren’ttheresultofpollutionfromriverrunoffs.”
“Precisely,”Gunnsaid.“Itdoesn’tmakealotofsense.”
“Couldsomeonebe
dumpingpollutantsatsea?”Lorenasked.
“It’spossible,”Gunnsaid,“butwhywouldsomeonegotoalltheselocations?Acriminalpolluterwouldlikelyjustdumpinonespot.”
“WhatgotourattentionweretherelatedfishkillsandtheapparentprogressionofthedisturbancestowardtheGulfofMexico.We’vefoundnumerousmediareportsinJamaica,theCaymans,and
evenCuba,reportinglargequantitiesofdeadfishandmarinemammalswashingashoremilesawayfromthevisiblezones.Wecan’tsayforsurethereisaconnection,butifso,theimpactmaybemuchmoreacutethanappearsontheimages.”
LorenlookedbackattheviewoffLouisiana.“TheGulfCoastcanhardlyaffordanewenvironmentalcatastropheontheheelsof
theBPoilspill.”“That’spreciselyour
concern,”Gunnsaid.“IfthesedeadzonesbeginsproutingintheGulfofMexicoattheintensitywe’rewitnessinghere,theresultscouldbedevastating.”
Pittnodded.“Weneedtofindoutwhat’screatingthem.Whatdoourhydrographicbuoyshavetosay?”
Yaegerbroughtupanewscreen,showingaglobal
schematic.Hundredsoftinyflashinglightspepperedthemap,representingNUMAseabuoysdeployedaroundtheworld.Linkedtosatellites,thebuoysmeasuredwatertemperature,salinity,andseastates,withthedataconstantlydownloadedtoYaeger’scomputercenter.HezeroedinontheCaribbean,highlightingafewdozenbuoys.Nonewerelocatednearthedeadzones.
“I’mafraidwedon’thaveanymarkersinthewakeofthedeadzones,”Yaegersaid.“Icheckedthestatusofthoseclosest,buttheydidn’trevealanythingunusual.”
“We’llneedtogetsomeresourceson-site,”Pittsaid.“Howaboutourresearchvessels?”
“TheclosestvesselofsizewouldbetheSargassoSea.”YaegerconvertedthescreentoshowthefleetofNUMA-
deployedresearchships.“She’sinKeyWest,
supportinganUnderwaterTechnologyprojectthatAlGiordinoisleading,”Gunnsaid.“Doyouwantmetocallhimandreassigntheshiptoinvestigate?”
Yaegerrolledhiseyes.“Alwilllovethat.”
Pittstaredatthemap.“No,thatwon’tbenecessary.”
Lorensawthelookinherhusband’seyesandknew
exactlywhathewasthinking.“Oh,no,”shegrimaced,
whileshakingherhead.“Notthelureofthedeepagain.”
Pittcouldonlygazeathiswifeandsmile.
T3
heRevolutionDaypartywounddownearly.Ithadbeen
sixty-threeyearssinceFidelCastroandabandofrebelsattackedanArmybarracksinSantiago,settingofftheeventualoverthrowofCuban
leaderFulgencioBatista.Thesedays,thereseemedlittleworthcelebrating.Theeconomywasstillintatters,foodwasinshortsupply,andthetechnologicalleapstherestoftheworldenjoyedseemedtobepassingthecountryby.Ontopofthat,rumorswererampant,yetagain,thatElComandantewasnearhislastbreath.
AlphonseOrtizdrainedthemojito,hissixthofthenight,
andweavedhiswaytowardthedoorofthestylishlyfurnishedapartment.
“Leavingsosoon?”theparty’shostessasked,apprehendinghimatthedoor.ThewifeoftheAgricultureMinister,shewasabuxomwomanburiedunderamaskofheavymakeup.
“ImustbefreshforaspeechtomorrowatMartíAirport,recognizingitsrecentexpansion.IsEscobar
about?”“Overpeddlinginfluence
withtheTradeMinister.”Shenoddedatherhusbandacrosstheroom.
“Pleasegivehimmyregards.Itwasasplendidparty.”
Thewomansmiledatthefalsecompliment.“We’rehappyyoucouldjoinus.Goodluckwithyourspeechtomorrow.”
Ortiz,ahighlyregarded
CubanvicepresidentonthepowerfulCouncilofState,gaveawobblybowandescapedoutthedoor.FivehourstrappedconversingwithhalftheCubancabinethadlefthimhungeringforfreshair.Easinghimselfdownthreeflightsofstairs,hecrossedanausterelobbyandsteppedontothestreet.Ablastofwarmairgreetedhim,withthesoundsofrevelerscelebratingthenational
holiday.Ortizsteppedacrossthe
crumblingsidewalkandwavedataparkedblacksedan.ItsheadlightspoppedonandtheChinese-madeGeelyzippeduptothecurb.Ortizopenedthereardoorandcollapsedintothebackseat.
“Takemehome,Roberto,”hesaidtothewrinkledmanatthewheel.
“Didyouenjoytheparty?”
“AboutasmuchasIsavoramigraine.Stupidfoolsjustwanttorelivethepast.Nobodyinourgovernmentbothersthinkingabouttomorrow.”
“Ithinkthepresidentdoes.Helikesyourthinking.Oneday,heputsyouincharge.”
Itwasapossibility,Ortizknew.TherewasashortlistofpossiblesuccessorswaitingforRaúlCastrotoretirein2018,andheknewhisname
wasonit.ThatwastheonlyreasonhehadattendedtheRevolutionDaypartyandmadenicewiththeothercabinetministers.Whenitcametopolitics,youcouldneverhavetoomanyallies.
“Oneday,I’llbeinchargeofarockingchair,”hemusedtohisdriver.Heleanedbackinhisseatandclosedhiseyes.
Robertogrinnedashepulledintotrafficand
threadedhiswayoutofdowntownHavana.Amomentlater,aruggedsix-tonKamazmilitarytruckstoppednearthefrontoftheapartmentbuilding.Asoldierinolivedrabfatiguesemergedfromtheshadowsofanadjacentdoorwayandclimbedintothetruck.
Henoddedtowardthedepartingblacksedan.“Thetargetislive.”
Thedriversteppedonthe
gas,cuttingoffamotorcyclistasheveereddownthestreet.Ablockahead,theGeelyskirtedpasttheMuseoNapoleónicobeforeturningontoAvenueLaRampaanddrivingacrossthewesternsuburbs.Whilemanyhigh-rankinggovernmentofficialslivedinluxurycityapartments,OrtizmaintainedhisresidenceinamodesthilltophomeoutsideHavanathatoverlookedthesea.
ThetrafficandcitylightsgraduallyfellawayastheGeelymotoredthroughanagriculturalareaofcooperativetobaccoandcassavafarms.Themilitarytruck,havingtrailedthroughthecityatadiscreetdistance,closedthegapandrodeuptightonthesedan’sbumper.
Roberto,whohadworkedasachauffeurforsixtyofhisseventy-fiveyears,didn’tflinch.Theunlitroadwasa
havenforstraydogsandgoats,andhewasn’tgoingtoriskacollisiononaccountofananxioustailgater.
Thetruckhungtightforamileuntiltheroadcurvedupasweepinghillside.Withanoisydownshift,thetruckdriftedintotheopposinglaneandchargedalongsidetheGeely.
Robertoglancedouthiswindowandnotedastar-shapedemblemonthedoor.
ARevolutionaryArmyvehicle.
Thetrucksurgedslightlyahead,thenveeredsharplyintotheGeely’slane,smackingintothesedan’sfrontfender.
HadRobertopossessedthereflexesofayoungerman,hemighthavebrakedhardandquickenoughtoslipbackwithminimaldamage.Buthewasatouchtoolate,allowingtheheavytrucktoshovethe
caracrosstheroad.Thesedanslammedintoa
rustysiderail,producingatrailofsparks.
Thetruckshowednomercy,pinningtheGeelyagainstthesteelbarrierinhopeofpropellingitoverorthroughtherail,thendownthehillside.Butasthevehiclesexitedthecurve,thesiderailcametoanend,replacedbyaseriesofsquatconcretepillars.Thesedan
slidpastthesiderailandsmashedhead-onintothefirstconcretepost.
Thecarstruckwithaloudclapthatechoedacrossthelandscape.Ontheoppositehill,ayoungranchhandwasstartledawakebythecrash.Sittinguprightinanopenlean-tohesharedwithadozengoats,hepeeredtowardtheroadbeyond.AnArmytruckwasskiddingtoahaltjustpastamangledcar.
Oneofthecar’sheadlightsstillshone,illuminatingthetruckafewyardsahead.Theboygrabbedhissandalstogolendhelp,thenstoppedandwatched.
Amaninfatiguesemergedfromthetruck.Thesoldierglancedaroundasifensuringnoonewaswatching,thenstrodetowardthecar,aflashlightinonehandandadarkobjectintheother.
Insidethecar,Ortiz
groanedfromthepainofaseparatedshoulderandabrokennose,havingbeenflungintotheheadrest.Hegatheredhissensesaswarmbloodfloweddownhischin.“Roberto?”
Thedriversatmotionless,slumpedoverthewheel.Roberto’sneckhadsnapped,killinghiminstantly,afterhehadrocketedintothewindshield.TheChineseexportcarhadnoairbags.
Asrealitysankin,OrtizsatupandsawtheArmytruckthroughtheshatteredwindshield.Hewipedhisbloodiedfaceandwatchedasthesoldierapproached,carryingadarkobject.
“Helpme.Ithinkmyarmisbroken,”hesaidasthesoldierpriedopenthepassengerdoor.
ThesoldiergavehimacoldgazeandOrtizrealizedhewasnottheretoofferaid.
Sittinghelpless,hewatchedasthesoldierraisedhisarmandswungathimwiththeobject.Aninstantbeforeitcrushedhisskull,theministerrecognizeditasanordinarytireiron.
T4
hediverthrusthislegsinascissorskick,propellinghis
bodyswiftlythroughtheclearwater.Hekepthisfacedowntoscanthesandyseafloorthatstretchedbeforehimlikearaggedbeigecarpet.
Detectingamovementonthebottom,heslowed,anglingtowardtheobject.Itwasn’tafishbutsomethingresemblingahuge,brightlycoloredcrab.
Thecreaturetraveledonlong,spider-likeappendagesthatseemedtorotatealongitssides.Itemittedafaintblueglowfromitseyes,whichpeeredcoldlyahead.Thediverfollowedthemockcrabasitcrawledtowardahigh
protrusionofcoral.Thecrabbuttedagainstthecoral,thenbacktrackedandtriedagain.Oncemorethecoralstoppeditsprogress.
Thediverwatchedthecrabrepeatthemovementseveraltimesbeforeswimmingcloseandswattingitsback.Itsblueeyesturnedblackanditslegsstoppedclawing.Thedivergrabbedthecrab,tuckeditunderonearm,andkickedtothesurface.
Hebrokethewateramidagentleswell,closetoamodernresearchshippaintedbrightturquoise.Side-swimmingtoahydraulicdiveplatformoffthestern,hedepositedthecrabandhoistedhimselfaboard.
AlGiordinowasashortmanwiththeburlybuildofaprofessionalwrestlercombinedwiththetoughnessofaneldercrocodile.Hismusculararmsandlegsfairly
bursttheseamsofhiswetsuitasherosetohisfeet,spitouthisregulator,andyankedoffhisdivemask.Hebrushedawayalockofcurlybrownhairplasteredtohisforeheadandwavedtoamanondecktoraisethediveplatform.
Aminutelater,theplatformcreakedtoastopatdecklevel.Giordinogatheredupthecrabwithanirksomelookandstompedontothedeck.Hefrozeatthesightof
thecrewmanwhohadraisedtheplatform.ItwasDirkPitt.
Giordinogrinnedatthesightofhisbossandoldfriend.“Escapedfromthetowerofpoweragain,Isee.”
“JustmakingsuretheNUMAtechnologybudgetisn’tbeingspentoncheaprumanddancinggirls.”
GiordinoshotPittapainedlook.“Itoldyou,I’veswornoffcheaprumsincemylastpayraise.”
PittsmiledashehelpedGiordinoremovehistankandweightbelt.Friendssincechildhood,thetwohadworkedtogetherforyears,forgingabondtighterthanbrothers.AsfoundingemployeesofNUMA,theirunderwaterscrapeswerelegendarywithintheagency.GiordinonowheadedupNUMA’sUnderwaterTechnologydivision,spendingmuchofhistime
field-testingnewremotesensingdevicesandsubmersiblevehicles.
Pittnoddedtowardthemechanicalcrab.“Sowho’syourarachnoidfriend?”
“WecallittheCreepyCrawler.”Giordinoplaceditonaworkbenchandbeganstrippingoffhiswetsuit.“It’sdesignedforextendeddeepwatersurveyduty.”
“Powersource?”Pittasked.
“Asmallfuelcell,whichprocesseshydrogenfromseawater.Wedesignedittocrawlacrossthebottomofthemurkydepthsforupwardofsixmonths.Wecandeployitfromasubmersibleorevendropitoverthesideofaship.Withpreprogrammedguidance,itwillcrawlalongadirectedpathuntilreachingadesignatedendpoint.Thenshe’llfloattothesurfaceandemitasatellitesignalthat
tellsuswheretopickherup.”“Iassumeshe’srecording
hertravels?”Giordinopattedthe
mechanicalcreature.“Thisone’sloadedwithabatteryofsensorsandavideocamera,whichisactivatedatperiodicintervals.Wehaveahalfdozenmoreinthelabthatcanbeconfiguredwithavarietyofsensingdevices,dependingonthemission.”
“Mightcomeinhandy
whenwegettotheCaymanTrench.”
Giordinoarchedabrow.“Ifiguredyoudidn’tcomedowntoKeyWestforlunchandadrinkatSloppyJoe’s.WhytheCaymanTrench?”
“It’sneartheheartofastringofdeadzonesthathavecroppedupinalinebetweenJamaicaandthewesterntipofCuba.”PittsummarizedhismeetingwithGunnandYaegerinWashington.
“Anyideaofthesource?”Giordinoasked.
“None.That’swhyIwanttogeton-siteandhavealook.”
“Ifit’sman-made,we’llfindit,”Giordinosaid.“Whendoweleave?”
“Captainsayswecanshoveoffinanhour.”
GiordinogaveawistfulgazetowardDuvalStreetanditslineofraucousbars,thentuckedtheCreepyCrawler
underhisarm.“Ifthat’sthecase,”hesaid
withadisheartenedtone,“I’dbetterfindmyfriendanewbrainbeforehe’scasttothedepthsagain.”
Hewalkedacrossthedeck,leavingatrailofwetfootprintsbehindhim.
T5
hesuffocatingdarknesssixhundredfeetbeneaththe
surfaceoftheoceanhadvanished.BanksofLEDlights,encasedintitaniumhousingscapableofwithstandingthecrushing
pressure,castabrightglowontheundulatingseafloor’sstarklandscape.Asilver-scaledtarponswambyandeyedacuriousarrayofscaffoldingthattoweredunderthelightsbeforedartingintothemorefamiliarblackness.
ThestructureresembledalightedChristmastreethathadtoppledtooneside.OrsothoughtWarrenFletcher,whopeeredthroughasmall
acrylicwindowthatwasasthickashisfist.Theveterancommercialdiverwasperchedinalargedivingbellthatwassuspendedfiftyfeetabovetheseabedbyacablefromasupportship.
WorkinginthealienworldatthebottomoftheseafascinatedFletcher.Hefoundanoddtranquilityworkinginthecolddarkdeep.Itkepthimactiveinthegrimy,dangerousbusinessof
commercialdivingyearsafterhisoriginaldivepartnershadretired.ForFletcher,thesirenofthedeepstillsummoned.
“Youreadyforyournextdive,Pops?”Thehelium-richaircirculatingthroughthedivingbellgavethevoiceahigh-pitchedwarble.
Fletcherturnedtoawalrus-shapedmannamedTankwhowascoilinganumbilicalhoseacrossarack.“Thereain’tadayI’mnot,
Junior.”Tankgrinned.“Brownie’s
onhiswayback,shouldbeupinfive.”
Asthedesignatedbellman,Tankwasresponsibleforassistinghistwodiverswiththeirequipmentandformanningtheirlife-sustainingumbilicals.Thetriowouldworkaneight-hourshiftbeforebeinghoistedtothesurfaceshipAlta.Theretheyweretransferredtoprison-
likelivingquartersinasteelsaturationchamberthatmaintainedthepressureoftheseafloor.
Keepingthediversunderconstantpressureavoidedtheneedfordecompressioncyclesaftereverydive.Captivesofdeeppressure,themenweredisciplesofsaturationdiving,wheretheirbodiesadjustedtoaninfusionofnitrogenthatmightlastfordaysorevenweeks.Atthe
endofthejob,themenwouldundergoasingleextendeddecompressioncyclebeforeseeingthelightofdayagain.
Thepurposebehindtheirdiveswastheage-oldquestforoil.Fletcherandhiscrewmateswereseveraldaysintoaweeklongprojecttofitatestwellheadandriserontotheseafloor.Adrillshipwouldthenhoveroverthesiteandborethroughthesedimentinhopeofstriking
oil.FletcherandhiscohortswerelayingthefoundationforthethirdtestwelltheirNorwegianemployerhadattemptedinthelastsixmonths.
UnderlicensefromtheCubangovernment,theexplorationcompanyhadbeengiventherighttoexploreapromisingtractofterritorialwatersnortheastofHavana.Petroleumexpertsbelievedahuge,untapped
troveofoilandgasreserveslayofftheCubancoastline,buttheNorwegianfirmwasbattingzero.Itsfirsttwotestwellshadcomeupdry.
“YouthinktheAltawillrunusintoHavanawhenwepopthechamber?”Tankasked.
Fletchernoddedbutwasonlyhalflistening.Hisattentionfocusedonafaintlightthatappearedbeyondthewellheadsite.Heturned
andlookeddownthedivingbell’strapdoor,spottingthelightofWillBrownworkinghiswayuptothechamber.Heturnedbacktotheviewportastheotherlightgrewcloser,splittingintotwobeams.Astheobjectapproachedthebaseofthewellheadriser,Fletchercouldseeitwasasmallwhitesubmersible.
Thesubmersibleslowlyascended,travelingclose
enoughthatFletchercouldseeitspilot.Thesubmersiblecarriedathickplate-shapeddiskonitsarticulatedarmlikeawaitercarryingatray.
Asthevesselroseoutofview,Fletchercockedhisheadtowardtheceiling.“Shack,whojustdidadrive-by?”
AnunseenvoicefromtheAltareplied,“Yougotcompanydownthere?”
“Justgotbuzzedbya
submersible.”Therewasalongpause.
“It’snotours.Yousureyouain’tseeingthings,Pops?”
“Affirmative,”Fletchersaid,annoyed.
“We’llkeepoureyesopentoseeifanyonecomes’roundtocollecther.”
TankkeptreelingintheumbilicalasBrownswamcloser.Theopenfloorhatchfedthroughashorttubetoasecondexternalhatch,also
open.Thepressurizedinterior,fedoxygenandheliumfromthesurface,matchedthepressureofthewaterdepthandkeptthechamberfromflooding.
Withhishelmet-mounteddivelightleadingtheway,theshadowyfigureofBrownapproachedandpoppedhisheadthroughtheinteriorhatch.
TankandFletcherpulledBrownupthroughthehatch,
settinghimonthedeckwithhisfeetdanglinginthewater.ThedivercarefullyremovedhisfinswhileTankunhookedhisumbilical,whichhadprovidedBrownacocktailmixtureofbreathinggasesandalsocycledastreamofhotwaterthroughhisdrysuit.
Removinghisfaceplate,thedivertookadeepbreath,thenspokethroughchatteringteeth.“Coldaspenguincrapdownthere.Eitherthere’sa
kinkinthehot-waterlineortheboysupstairsturneddownthethermostat.”
“Oh,youwantedhotwaterthroughthere?”Tankpointedattheumbilical.“Itoldthemyouneededsomeair-conditioning.”HelaughedandhandedBrownathermosofhotcoffee.
“Veryfunny.”ThediverunclippedalargewrenchfromhisweightbeltandhandedittoFletcher.“I
almosthavethebaseflangemounted.Youwon’thaveanyproblemfinishingup.”
Aloudrumblerattledthroughthedivingbell.Asecondlater,TankandFletcherwerethrownofftheirfeetasaconcussiveblastrockedthebell.TankyelledasBrown’scoffeescaldedhisneck.Fletchergrabbedtheumbilicalrackandhungonwhilethedivingbellswayed.Itfeltlikeagianthandhad
grabbedthebellandwasshakingitlikeasnowglobe.
“What’sgoingon?”Brownyelledastheothertwofellacrosshispronebody.
“Somethingonthesurface,”Fletchermuttered,stillgrippingthewrench.Hefeltanupwardjerk,thenthelightswentoutandtheshakingstopped.Hisfacewasnearaviewportandheinstinctivelylookedout.Foraninstant,thewellheadlights
werestrangelybright,thentheyblinkedout.Ittookhimasecondtorealizewhatwaswrong.Thebellhadbeenjerkedtowardthewellheadandwasfallingforward.
“Sealthehatch!Sealthehatch!”heyelled,droppingtohisknees.
Asmallredauxiliarylightpoppedon,providingdimillumination,asanemergencyalarmwailed.Brown’slegswerestilldanglingthrough
theexteriorhatch.Fletchergrabbedthediver
andpulledhimtotheside.Tankhadregainedhissensesenoughtoslamdownandtightentheinteriorhatch.Aninstantlater,thedivingbellstruckahardobject.Agroanofstressedmetalbeneaththeirfeetreverberatedthroughtheinterior.
Thedivingbellhesitated,thenjerkedtooneside.Inside,humanbodies,heavy
diveequipment,andstrandsofumbilicalcordslaycrumpledinaheap.Ananguishedmoanwasbarelyaudibleoverthebeepingalarm.
“Youboysokay?”Fletcherasked,worminghiswaythroughapileofumbilicalcordandeasinghimselftohisfeet.
“Yeah.”Tank’svoicewasshaky.Thedimlightcouldn’thidetheunadulteratedfearin
hiseyes.Hereachedupandfeltabloodygashonthetopofhisear.“Brownie,youokay?”
Therewasnoresponse.Fletchergropedthrough
thetangleofdebrisuntiltouchingBrown’sdrysuit.Hegrippedthematerialandpulledthediverclear.Brownslumpedover,unconscious.
Fletcherpulleddownthediver’shoodieandfeltforapulse,feelingafaintflutter.
Heheardagroanandsawhischestheaving.Agolf-ball-sizedlumpprotrudedfromhisforehead,andsomethingabouthisfeetdidn’tlookright.
Pullingawayhisfins,hecouldseeBrown’sleftfootdangledatanawkwardangle.“Ithinkhebrokehisankle—andgotknockedcoldinthetumble.”
Thetwomenclearedaspaceontheslopingdeckand
stretchedBrownout.Tankproducedafirst-aidkit,andtheywrappedhisankleandbandagedhishead.
“That’saboutallwecandountilheregainsconsciousness,”Fletchersaid.
Tryingtofindhisbearings,hepressedhisnosetotheacrylicporthole.Theseawasasblackascoal,buttheinteriorlightcastafaintglowaroundthebell.Theyhadcollidedwiththeriserorits
blowoutpreventerandappearedtobehungupononeofthetwostructures.Along,slenderobjectwaveredinthecurrent,andheshieldedhiseyesagainsttheportholetodiscernwhatitwas.
Hetensedinsuddenrecognition,feelinglikeawreckingballhadslammedintohisbelly.Itwasaportionofthedivingbell’sumbilical.Severallongcoilsofitdangledfromariser
crossmember.Whileitwaspossiblethesupportshiphadinadvertentlyreleasedalengthoftheirdropcableandumbilical,heinstinctivelyknewotherwise.Bothlinestothesurfacehadbeensevered.
Fletchersteppedtoacontrolpanelandstudiedthedialstiltedbeforehim.Confirmationcamequickly.Electricalpower,heliumandoxygengas,communications,andevenhotwaterforthe
divesuits—allprovidedfromtheAltathroughajumbleofhosesandwiresintheumbilical—hadceased.Thecrewofthedivingbellhadbeenabandoned.
Tankstartedcallingthesupportship,whichcouldnormallyheartheireveryutteranceviaanopencommunicationsystem.
“Saveyourbreath,”Fletchersaid.“They’velosttheumbilical.”Hepointed
outtheviewporttowardthetangledpileofhose.
Tankstaredforamomentasthewordspenetratedhisbatteredskull.“Okay,”hemuttered.“Arethescrubberson?How’sourair?”
Fletchertookcommand,activatinganemergencytransponder,atop-mountedflashingstrobe,andabackupcarbondioxidescrubber,alloperatedbybattery.Atasmallcontrolpanel,he
openedthevalveonseveralgastanksmountedonthebell’sexteriorandadjustedthebreathingmixture.Providedtheycouldkeepwarm,thebellcarriedsufficientpowerandemergencygasfortwotothreedays.GiventheirproximitytoFloridaandtheGulf,itwasplentyoftimeforasaturation-equippedrescueshiptoreachthesite.
“Scrubbersareon.Airmix
looksgood.”Heeyedamechanicalgauge.“Pressurestableatsixhundredandtwentyfeet.”
Duringnormaloperations,thebell’satmosphericsweremanagedbyadivesupervisionteamontheAlta.Ameasuredmixtureofgaseswaspumpedthroughthedivingbell’sumbilical,carefullyadjustedasthebellreachedoperatingdepth.Helium,ratherthannitrogen,
wastheprimaryinertgasfedtothedivers,asiteliminatedtheeffectofnitrogennarcosis,adangerouslyintoxicatingeffectthatcanoccurdeeperthanahundredfeet.Thebellwasfittedwithitsownexternaltanksfilledwithhelium,oxygen,andnitrogen,forjustsuchanemergency.
Fletchermotionedtowardtheviewport.“SinceI’malreadysuited,I’llinspectthe
exterior.”“Withoutanyheat,you
bettermakeitquick.”WhileFletcher
reconfiguredhisumbilicaltooperateofftheemergencygassupply,Tankslippedintothelockouttoopentheexteriorhatch.Thehatchmovedonlyafewinchesbeforestrikingsomethingmetallic.Tankputallhisweightagainstthehatch,butitwouldn’tbudge.Slippinghishandthroughthe
gap,hereachedintothewaterandgropedaround.
“Bestscrapyourdiveplans,Pops.Thebellframemusthavebentwhenwehitbottomandisblockingthehatch.Nowaywe’regoingtogetthatopen.”
Fletcherhadasinkingfeelingthedivegodsweren’tfinishedinvokingpaymentforsomepastsin.“Okay.I’lltryraisingtheshiponthesubcom.Whydon’tyoupull
outtheMustangsuitsandseeifyoucangetBrownieintoone.”
Tankpulledopenasidecompartmentthatcontainedthick,rubberizedsurvivalsuitsdesignedforcold-waterimmersion.Heslippedintoacumbersomesuit,thentriedpullinganotherontoBrown’sinertbody.Fletcheractivatedanemergencyradioconfiguredwithanexternaltranspondermountedonthe
exteriorofthebell.Forthenextseveralminutes,hetriedhailingtheAlta.Hegotonlystatic.
Withouttheradiantheatingfromthesurfaceumbilical,thetemperatureinthebellquicklycooled.Feelingthechilleveninhisdrydivesuit,FletcherabandonedtheradiotohelpTanksqueezeBrownintothesurvivalsuit.“Theymusthavetheirhandsfulltopside,”
hesaid.“I’lltrycallingagaininaminute.”
“There’snosenseinwaitingaround,”Tanksaid.“Yousawtheslackintheumbilical.Theliftlineissevered.They’renotgoingtobeabletopullusup,buttheycancertainlyacquireusifwemakethesurfaceonourown.”
FletcherconsideredTank’swords.Hewasinclinedtowaituntilreestablishing
communicationswiththesurfacebeforeinitiatinganemergencyascent,butthesilentresponsefromabovelikelymeantaserioussituationaboardtheAlta.Tankwasprobablyright.WithBrowninjured,therewasnopointinhangingaroundthedepths.
“Allright.Preparetodroptheweights.I’llradioupthatwe’reengaginginanemergencyascent—incase
someonecanhearus.”WhileFletchermadethe
call,Tankopenedafloorpanel.InsidewasapairofT-gripsfashionedtoasetofexternalweightsclampedbeneaththebell.HewaiteduntilFletcherturnedfromtheradioandgavehimanod,thentwistedthegrips.
Therewasaslightclinkasapairofleadweightsdroppedfromthebellhousing.Butonlyoneofthe
weightsfellfreetotheseafloor.Theotherremainedwedgedinplacebythebentframe.Withaslightshiftinbalance,thedivingbellstartedacrookedascent.FletcherwinkedatTankbutstiffenedwhenahorrendousscreechingechoedthroughthebell.Arushofturbulenceappearedoutthesideviewportasthebelljoltedtoastop.
“We’resnaggedonthe
BOP!”Tankshouted.Bothpressedtheirfacesto
theport.AlltheycouldseewasacascadeofbubblesrushingpastwiththeroarofaBoeing747attakeoff.
Ascendingatanangle,thebellhadcaughtaprotrudingelbowfromtheblowoutpreventer.Thesteelextensionhadslicedintotherackholdingsevenofthedivingbell’snineemergencygastanks.Asthebellrose,the
blowoutpreventerseveredthetanks’valveconnectionsbeforejabbingintothebaseoftherackandsnaringthebellinavise-likegrip.
Fletcherjumpedtotheconsoleandcheckedthepressuregauges.Thenormallystoicdiverturnedgrayashewatchedeightypercentoftheiremergencyatmospheredisappeartothesurface.Trappedinsidethebellensnaredonthebottom,
theywerenowatthecompletemercyofasurfacerescue.
Tanklookedtohispartner.“Howbad?”
Fletcherturnedslowlybutsaidnothing.ThelookinhiseyetoldTankallheneededtoknow.Theyhadonlyafewhourstolive.
S6
ixhundredfeetabovethedivingbell,theNorwegianshipAlta
wasinthethroesofdeath.Thickblacksmokecoveredherforwarddeck,streakedbysporadicburstsofflame.Alargederrickusedtofeeddrill
pipeoverthesidelaycollapsedacrossthedeck.Wavescameclosetowashingovertherailastheshiplisteddeeplyatthebow.
KevinKnight,theAlta’scaptain,staredoutthebridgewindowatthecarnage.Minutesbefore,hehadbeenmonitoringaweatherreportwhenadeeprumblesoundedinthebowelsoftheship.Thedeckflexedbeneathhisfeet.Aninstantlater,aforward
fueltankeruptedinablisteringexplosionthatengulfedthevessel.
“Sir,thediveshackreportsthey’velostcontactwiththebell,”yelledthethirdofficer,whosefacetrickledbloodfromashatteredwindow.
Alarmbellsblared,andflashingconsolelightsindicatedsectionsoftheshipalreadyflooded.Knightgroundhismolarsasheabsorbedthegrowing
damage.Therewasnoavoidingtheinevitable.
Heturnedtothecommunicationsoperator.“IssueaMaydaycall!Relaythatwearesinkingandrequireimmediateassistance.”
Knightpickedupatransmitterandspokeovertheship’spublic-addresssystem.“Firecontrolteams,reporttoyourstations.Allremaininghandsprepareto
abandonship.”“Sir,whataboutthediving
bell?”thethirdofficersaid.“Andtherearethreemoremeninthesaturationchamber.”
“There’sanemergencypodbuiltintothesaturationchamber.Getthemenintoitatonce.”
“Whataboutthebell?”Knightshookhishead.
“Thoseboyswillhavetosittightfornow.There’snothing
wecandoforthem.”Hegavethehesitantofficerasterngaze.“Gogettothatchamber.Now!”
Thedazedcrewandroughnecksmadetheirwayafttoapairofenclosedlifeboats.Severalmenwhowereburnedorinjuredhadtobeliftedintotheboats,ataskmademoredifficultbytheship’ssteeplist.Knightracedthroughthevessel,callingoffthefirefighters,orderingall
mentotheboatswhileensuringnobodywasleftbehind.Atthebaseoftheaccommodationsblock,hefoundthechiefengineeremergingfrombelowdecks.
Knightyelledovertheroarofnearbyflames.“Iseverybodyout?”
“Yes,Ithinkso.”Theengineerwasbreathingheavily.“She’sfloodingfast,sir.Webestgetoffatonce.”
Knightshruggedhimoff.
“Gettotheboatsandlaunchthem.I’mgoingtomakeafinalpassforward.”
“Don’triskit,sir,”theengineeryelled.ButKnighthadalreadyvanishedintoaswirlofsmoke.
Thesternwasrisingprecariouslyashesteppedacrossthedeck.Throughthesmoke,hecaughtabriefglimpseofthebowalreadyawash.Herantothewaterline,scanningthedeck
foranylastcrewmen.Apairofloudsplashestoldhimthetwolifeboatshadjettisoned.Therealizationgavehimasenseofrelief—andterror.
Theacridsmokeburnedhiseyesandchokedhislungs.Hecalledoutalastpleatoabandonship.Asheturnedtomoveaft,henoticedabootprotrudingfrombehindadeckcrane.Itwashisexecutiveofficer,amannamedGordon.Hisclothes
werecharredandhishairsinged.HepeeredatKnightthroughglassyeyes.
Thecaptaintriedpullinghimup.“Gordon,wehavetogetofftheship.”
Theexecscreamedathistouch.“Myleg!”
KnightsawthatoneofGordon’slegswastwistedatanobsceneangle,abloodiedpieceofboneprotrudingthroughhistrousersneartheknee.Aknottwistedinthe
captain’sstomach.Acrashdisruptedhis
thoughtsasabundleofdrillpipebrokefreeandtumbledintothewater.Torturedgroansemanatedfrombelowdecksasthehullstrainedundertheimbalanceoftherisingstern.ThedeckshudderedbeneathKnight’sfeetastheshiptriedalast-gaspfighttostayafloat.
SlippinganarmaroundGordon,Knighttriedtoraise
theinjuredman.GordonletoutaraspygruntbeforefallinglimpinKnight’sarms.Thecaptainstruggledtolifttheofficer,buthisownknees,weakenedbyanancientfootballinjury,wouldn’tallowit.Thetwosaggedtothedeckasageneratorbrokelooseandslidacrossit,missingthemenbyinches.
TheAltahadbutsecondsleft.Knightresignedhimselftoamortalridetothe
seafloor.Thenacrispvoicecutthe
air.“I’dsuggestaquickexitbeforeweallgetourfeetwet.”
Knightsnappedhisheadtowardthevoice,butathickcloudofsmokeobscuredhisvision.Thenatall,dark-hairedmanemergedfromthehaze,hisluminousgreeneyessurveyingthescene.
“Where...wheredidyoucomefrom?”
“TheR/VSargassoSea,”Pittsaid.“Wereceivedyourdistresscallandcameatfullspeed.”
HelookedatGordonandthenatKnight,noticinghisshirt’sshoulderinsignia.“Howbadisyourmanhurt,Captain?”
“Brokenleg.”Adeeprumbleshookthe
shipasitssterntiltedhigher.Pittrushedovertothetwomen,clutchingasafety
harnessattachedtoarope.HesecuredtheharnessaroundKnight.“Canyouhangontohim?”
Knightnodded.“AslongasIdon’thavetowalk.”
PitthoistedGordon’slimpbodyanddrapeditoverKnight’sshoulder.“I’mafraidyoumayhavetogetalittlewetafterall.”
HepulledahandheldradiofromhisbeltandcalledtotheSargassoSea.“Bringitup
gently.”Thedecklurched.“She’s
goingunder!”Knightyelled.TheAlta’scaptainsawthe
harnesslinepulltautastheshipbegantoslidebeneathhisfeet.Hefeltahandshovehimasthewaterrusheduptohim.ItwasPitt,pushinghimtowardtherail.
HeclungtightlytoGordonastheywerepulledunderwater.Theybangedagainstaventilatorbox,and
Knightfelttheharnessjerkasaboilofwaterrushedaroundthem.Thewatersuddenlycalmedastheharnesscontinuedtostrainagainsthischest.Thentheybrokefreeandweredanglingabovethewaves.
Knightlookeduptoseeaturquoise-coloredshippullingthemtosafety,theharnesslineattachedtoacranethatstretchedoverthesiderail.Hetightenedhisgripon
Gordon’sbody,whichfeltnoticeablyheavier.Thefirstofficerretched,andhisgaspsconfirmedthathewasstillbreathing.
KnightrotatedtoseethelastoftheAlta,itsbronzepropellercuttingtheemptysky,justbeforetheshipplungedbeneaththesurfaceamidagrumbleoftwistingmetalandescapingair.Theship’stwinlifeboatsandthefloatingdecompression
chamberpodbobbednearby,safelyclearofthesinkingship’ssuction.
Knightfocusedhisgazeonaringofbubblingwaterthatmarkedtheship’sdemise.Afewbitsofflotsamdriftedtothesurface,buttherewasnosignofthemanwhohadjustsavedhislife.
P7
ittfeltlikehewasridingthenoseofafreighttrainbarreling
throughadarktunnel.AfterpushingKnightand
Gordonclear,hetriedtogethimselfovertherail.Buttheplungingvesselmovedtoo
quickly,andtherushofwaterthrewhimagainstadeck-mountedcrane.Theaccelerationofthesinkingshipkepthimpinnedasthewaterhurledagainsthim.
Heignoredapaininhisearsfromtheincreasingpressureandpulledhiswayalongthecrane.Acacophonyofmuffledmetallicsoundsvibratedthroughthewaterasloosematerialssmashedintotheship’sbulkheads.A
severedstanchioncamehurtlingintothecrane,missingPittbymereinches.
Reachingthebottomofthecrane,hesethisfeetandlaunchedhimselfoffthecorner,strokingfuriouslytowardtheunseensiderail.Ahardobjectcollidedwithhisleg,thenhewasfreeofthemaelstrom.Thesinkingshiprushedpasthimonitssprinttothebottom,morefeltthanseeninthedarkandmurky
sea.Thewatersaroundhim
wereadisorientingswirl,butPittremainedcalm.Hehadbeenadivermostofhislifeandhadalwaysfeltcomfortableinthewater,asifitwerehisnaturalelement.Panicneverenteredhismind.Hetrackedastringofbubblesrisingtowardafaintsilverglow.Orientinghimself,heswamtowardthesurfacebutfounditreceding.
PittwasbeingdrawndownbytheAlta’ssuction.Heswamhardagainsttheinvisibleforce.Hisheadbegantothrob.Heneededair.
Hisbodybumpedagainstsomethingandheinstinctivelygrabbedit.Theobjectwasbuoyantand,likePitt,foughtthegraspoftheship’ssuction.Ashisthroattightened,Pittknewhemustbreakfreeandsurfacequickly.
Withhislungsburstingandhisvisionnarrowing,hecontinuedtokickwithafury.Hefeltnosensationofascending,butherealizedthesurroundingairbubbleswerenotrisingpasthim.Helookedup.Theluminescentsurfacewasdrawingcloser,andthewaterfeltwarmer.Thegleamingsurfacedangledjustbeyondreachaseverybloodvesselinhisheadthrobbedlikeajackhammer.
Thensuddenlyhewasthere.Burstingthroughthe
waves,hegulpedinairashisheartsloweditspounding.Asmallmotorbuzzednearby,andinaninstantanorangeinflatableroaredupbesidehim.ThesmilingfaceofAlGiordinoleanedovertheside.
HelaughedasheeasilypulledPittintotheboat.“That’sanewtakeonridingtherange.”
Pittgavehimaconfused
look,thenpeeredovertheside.BobbingbesidethemwasabrightgreenportableouthousefromtheAltathathehadriddentothesurface.Pittsmiledathisdumbluck.“Ithinkit’swhattheycallascendingthethrone,”hesaid.
TheSargassoSeahadalreadyhoistedaboardtheAlta’s
emergencydecompressionchamberpodandwasroundingupthelifeboatsurvivorswhenPittandGiordinoboarded.CaptainKnightspottedPittandrushedtohisside.“Ithoughtyouweregoneforgood.”
“Shetriedtotakemeforaone-wayride,butImanagedtohopoff.How’syourpartner?”
“Restingcomfortablyinsickbay.Yousavedbothour
lives.”“Thatwasquiteafire
aboardyourship.Doyouknowwhatstartedit?”
Knightshookhishead.Theimageoftheexplodingshipwouldhaunthimfortherestofhisdays.“Somesortofexplosion.Itsetofftheforwardfuelbunker.Can’timaginewhatcausedit.Miraculously,everyoneseemstohavegottenofftheship,eventhemeninthe
saturationchamber.”Atorturedpainshowedinhiseyes.“Therearethreemoremenonthebottom.Divers.”
“Weretheyinthewater?”Knightnodded.“Working
outofthedivingbellatdepth.Theinitialexplosionseveredtheliftcableandumbilical.Weneverhadachancetowarnthem.”
“We’vecalledtheNavy’sUnderseaRescueCommand,”Giordinosaid.“Theycan
haveasubmersiblerescuevehicleon-siteintenhours.We’realsosearchingforanynearbycommercialdeepwaterresources.”
“Assumingnoinjuriesorproblemswiththebell,thediversshouldbesafeforatleasttwenty-fourhours,”Pittsaid.Hepointedtoasmallyellowsubmarineonthesterndeck.“Webestseehowthey’remakingout.Ifnothingelse,wecankeepthem
companyuntilthecavalryarrives.”
PittturnedtoGiordino.“HowsooncanwedeploytheStarfish?”
“Abouttenminutes.”“Let’smakeitfive.”
T8
hetwo-mansubmersibledroppedbelowthechoppy
surfaceandbeganitsslowdescent,drivenbythepullofgravity.PittbarelyhadtimetoslipintosomedryclothesbeforeGiordinohadthe
Starfishpreppedfordiving.Climbingintothepilot’sseat,herushedthroughapredivechecklistasthesubmersiblewasloweredovertheside.
“Batteriesareatfullpower,everythingappearsoperational.Weareapprovedfordive,”Pittsaidwithawinkasseawaterwashedoverthetopoftheviewport.
Giordinoflickedonabankofexternalfloodlightsastheysankpastthehundred-foot
mark.Thedescentfeltpainfullyslow.Asmenwhoworkedinandaroundthesea,theyfeltanaffinityfortheunknowndiverslostontheseafloor.Severalminuteslater,thetaupe-coloredbottommaterialized.
“Thecurrentpusheduseastduringourdescent,”Giordinosaid.“Isuggestaheadingoftwohundredandseventy-fivedegrees.”
“Onit.”Pittengagedthe
Starfish’sthrusters.Thesubmersibleskimmed
overthebottom,drivingagainstalightcurrent.Theseafloorwasrockyandundulatingbutmostlydevoidoflife.
Pittnoticedtheterrainchangeashortdistanceahead.“Somethingcomingup.”
Aparallelbandofrippledsedimentappeared,stretchingacrosstheirpathlikea
recessedhighway.“Treadmarks,”Pittsaid.
“Somebodyhadsomeheavyequipmentdownhere.”
Giordinopeeredintothedepths.“Thatsaysweshouldbeclosetothewellhead.”
TheytraveledashortdistancebeforethehulkoftheAltaappearedinthemurk.Thebowwascrumpledfromhittingtheseafloor,buttheshipwasotherwiseintact,sittinguprightataslightlist.
Pittwastednotimeinspectingtheship’sdamageandcircledarounditsstern.Hewasimmediatelymetbyanunderwaterjunkyard.
DebrisfromtheAltawasscatteredacrossarockyshallow,joinedbyaconglomerationofpipes,compressors,andcablesjarredfreeatimpact.Therewerelargesteelgascylinders,mostcontainingheliumoroxygeninsupportofthe
Alta’ssaturationchamber.Dozensofthegreen,brown,andblackcylinderslayscatteredacrossthebottom.
Astheyglidedoverabuckledtinshed,Giordinocalledout.“Strobelight,offtotheright.”
Pittturnedthesubmersibletowardtheflash.Araisedstructure,sproutingpipesfromitscenter,partiallyblockedthelight.Pittnavigatedaroundthe
wellheadriserandblowoutpreventertofindthedivingbellwedgedagainstthestructure,jammedatanobtuseangle,withoneofitsdropweightsstillinplace.
Giordinoshookhishead.“Theysuregotthemselvesintoanicepickle.”
Asmalllightwaveredinoneofthebell’sviewports.Pittflashedthesubmersible’slightsasheeasedcloser,cautiousofthewellhead’s
protrudingfittings.“IthinkIseetwomenin
there,”Giordinosaid.“Let’sseeifwecanraise
themontheemergencychannel.”
Pittactivatedtheemergencytransponderthatoperatedonthesamefrequencyasthedivingbell’s.“SubmersibleStarfishtoAltadivingbell.Doyoureadme?”
Ahigh-pitched,garbled
voicerepliedintheaffirmative.
“Theirhelium-speechunscramblermusthavebeentopside,”Giordinosaid.“HopeyouwatchedalotofDisneycartoonsgrowingup.”
ThevoiceofWarrenFletcherblaredoverthespeakerinaMickeyMousetenor.Pittlostmuchoftheverbiagebutmadeoutthatonemanwasinjuredandthatthebellhadlostmostofits
emergencygas.Heslidthesubmersibletothesideandsawforhimself.Ahalf-dozengascylinderswerepiledonthesandbelowthebell,alargegashevidentinthebottles’storagerack.
Pitteyedthespenttanks.“Theyhaveaseriousairproblem.”
“Somebodyjusthelduptwofingerstotheglass,”Giordinosaid.“Twohours.”
Itwasaproblemthey
hadn’texpectedtoconfront.Pitt’sobjectivehadbeentofindthebellandgivethemenencouragementuntiladeep-searescueteamcouldarrive.Butthoseresourceswereatbesteighthoursaway.Bythetimeoutsidehelparrived,themeninthebellwouldbelongdead.
“Poorbuggers,”Giordinosaid.“TheNavy’shoursaway.Thoseboyswillnevermakeit.”
“Theycaniftheyswimtothesurface.”
Pittradioedthebell.“Altadivers,canyouabandonthebellanddivetothesurface?Wehaveadecochambertopside.Repeat,wehaveadecochambertopside.”
Fletcherrepliedinthenegative,explainingthatthehatchwasblockedfromtheoutside.
PittandGiordinosurveyedtheexteriorandsawthehatch
wasblockedshutbythebell’sbentbaseframe,whichhadalsojammedtheballastweightinplace.
Pittstudiedtheheavy-gaugesteel.“Nowaywecanstraightenthatout.Doyouthinkwecanpullthemofftheriser?”
“It’sworthashot.Wecan’taccessthelowerframe,wherethey’repinned.Ofcourse,thebellwon’tascendfardraggingallthatcable.”
“They’llhavetobreakfreesoonerorlater.”Pittmovedthesubmersiblearoundthedivingbell.Approachingfromabove,hehoveredtheStarfishjustabovethebell.
Giordinowenttowork,extendinganarticulatedroboticarmandgraspingasecondarylifteyeonthebell.“Gotit.”
Proceedinggently,Pittangledthethrustersdownandtriedliftingthedivingbell.
Thedivecapsulerockedbutrefusedtobudge.Pitttriedadjustingtheangleoflift,buteachtimethebellremainedfixedtothewellheadriser.
PitteasedthesubmersiblelowerandGiordinoreleasedthegripontheliftpoint.
“Thatbellprobablyweighsasmuchasoursubmersible,”Giordinosaid.“Wejustdon’thaveenoughhorsepowertopullitoff.”
“Shejustneedsagoodtug
fromabove.”“Iagree,butitain’tgoing
tocomefromus.”“That’sright,”Pittsaid.“It
willhavetocomefromtheliftcable.”
“Youmeanraisethecable?There’soversixhundredfeetofsteelcable.Itprobablyweighstentimesasmuchasthebell.Nowaywecoulddragthattothesurface.”
“Notdrag.Float,”Pittsaid
withatwinkleinhiseye.Giordinostudiedhis
partner.Hehadseenthatlookbefore.Itwasthenever-say-diegazeofamanwhohadcheateddeathmanytimesover.ItwasalookofdeterminationthatspoutedfromhisfriendlikeOldFaithful.Pittdidn’tknowthemeninthedivingbell,buttherewasnowayhewouldstandbyandletthemdie.
Giordinorubbedhischin.
“Howcanwepossiblydothat?”
“Simple,”Pittsaid.“Wejustraisetheroof.”
F9
eelingasifhehadbeenabandonedtodieinacoldsteelcoffin,
FletcherwatchedthelightsoftheNUMAsubmersiblerecedeacrosstheseafloor.
“They’llbeback,”hesaid,tryingtoconvincehimself.
Hecoulddolittlebutfocusonhisbreathing,everyinhalationareminderoftheirlimitedair.Likemostprofessionaldivers,hewasn’tpronetoclaustrophobia,butlittlebylittlethedivingbellseemedtocompressaroundhim.
HegazedatTank,whohadslidtoasittingpositionbesidehimandstaredatthefloorinresignation.Tolessenhisownanxiety,Fletcher
remainedstanding,hisfacepressedagainsttheviewportwhiletrackingthesubmersible.Whatwasitupto?Thevesselseemedtobejustmovingbackandforth,stirringupsilt.Whatevertheyweredoing,itseemedtohavenothingtodowithsavinghimandhispartners.
Butsavingthemen’sliveswasexactlywhatPittwasupto.
“Shortofagrannyknot,
that’sthebestwecando,”Giordinosaid,sweatdrippingoffhisbrow.
Hewasoperatingtheroboticarm,ormanipulator,whichwasagainclutchingastrandofthedivingbell’sliftcable.LeavingFletcherandthebellintheshadows,PitthadtracedthelengthofthecableuntilfindingthefrayedendnearthesunkenAlta.
HehadGiordinograbthecableendanddragittothe
metalshedtheyhadpassedinthedebrisfieldearlier.Theprefabricatedwelder’sshedhadstoodontheship’sdeckbutwasshearedoffwhentheAltastruckbottom.Theshedhadsomehowlandedupright.Althoughheavilydented,itstoodfullyintactinthesoftsand.
Withagooddealoffinessing,PittandGiordinosecuredthecablearoundtheshed’shingeddoor,then
loopeditaroundthesidesandroofseveraltimes.
“Won’twinusameritbadgeforknottying,”Giordinosaid,“butnowourkite’sgotatail.”
“Ontothescientificportionoftheexperiment,”Pittsaid.
Giordinoletlooseofthecable,andPittguidedthesubmersibleclosetotheAlta.Hesettledthesubmersibleontheseafloorandwatchedas
Giordinoreachedwiththemanipulatorandclutchedabrownheliumtankbyitsvalve.
GiordinogavePittacautionarygaze.“Thesebabiesain’tlight.”
“Merechild’splay.”Pittraisedthesubmersiblejustoffthebottomandappliedpowertothereversethrusters.
Thesubmersibleeasedbackward.Theheliumcylinderheldfirm,then
slippedacrossthesand.Pittworkedthecontrolsuntilhehaddraggedthetankalongsidethewelder’sshed,positioningitsvalveneartheopendoor.
“There’sone,”Pittsaid.“Notapopularmovewith
ourbatteries.”Giordinolookedattheirgauges.“We’redowntothirty-fivepercentremainingpowerreserves.”
Pittnoddedand
maneuveredthesubmersibletowardthenextcylinder.Theyhadrepeatedtheprocesssixmoretimes,liningupallseventanksbesidetheshed,whenGiordinoannouncedtheycoulddonomore.
“Powerreservesapproachingsingledigits,boss.It’stimewethinkofheadingfordaylight.”
“Okay,maestro.Firstopenupthetanks,andlet’sseeif
thisbirdwillfly.”Pitthoveredthe
submersibleoverthecylinderssoGiordinocouldreachdownwithhismanipulatorandopenthevalves.Acascadeofbubblesrushedpasttheviewportasheopenedthefirstvalve.WhenGiordinohadopenedthelastcylinder,PittmovedbackafewfeetandGiordinonudgedthetanksforward,allowingthespewinggastoriseinto
theconfinesofthewelder’sshed.
Itwasacrazygamblebuttheironlychanceofsavingthedivers.Pitthopedtoraisethecableenoughtoliftthedivingbelloffthewellheadstructure.Todoso,theweldingshedwouldactasaliftbagandpullthecabletothesurface.
Pittmaneuveredthesubmersibleuntilithoveredjustabovetheshed.
“Yousureyouwanttoparkithere?”Giordinoasked.
“Wemightneedtoholditsteady,aswellasgiveitaboost.Seeifyoucangrabholdofit.”
Giordinoreachedoutthemanipulatorarmandlatchedontoaknuckleintheshed’speakedroof.Pittpurgedtheballasttanks.Awallofrisingbubblesobscuredtheirviewandanysensationofmovement,soPitteyeda
depthgauge.Thedigitalreadoutheldsteady,thenbegandecreasingafootatatime.
Hegrinned.“We’removing.”
Peeringintothedistancefromthedivingbell,Fletchersawthesubmersibleascend.Forasecond,hethoughtitslightsilluminatedasmallhousebeneathit.Herubbedhiseyesandwatchedthelightsofthesubmersible
disappear,hishopesofescapevanishingwithit.
LittledidFletcherknowhewasattachedtotherisingstructure.
Usingtheweightofthesubmersibletobalancetheroof,Pittmanagedtokeeptheshedlevelasitfilledwithgasandattainedbuoyancy.Moreimportantly,theshedcontinuedtorisewhiletrailingthesteelliftcablebeneathit.Asthestructure
ascended,theseapressurewoulddiminish,causingthegasinsidetheshedtoexpand.Withluck,theexpandinggaswouldprovidetheneededlifttooffsetthegrowingweightofthecable.
“Fivehundredfeet,”Giordinosaid.“We’reridingaregularfreightelevator.”
“Feelsmorelikeamechanicalbull.”Pittjockeyedthesubmersibletooneside.Hehadtoconstantly
workthethrusterstokeeptheshed’srooflevel.Iftheshedtipped,thegaswouldescapeandthewholeworkswouldplummettotheseabed.
Theoddassemblagecontinuedtoriseinacurtainofbubbles.Ascendinghigher,theexpandingheliumultimatelydisplacedallthewaterintheshed.Itssidesbegantobulgeastheexpandinggassoughtitsescape,streamingoutof
everycrevice,aswellastheopendoor.Theshed’sascentaccelerated,pushingthesubmersiblewithit.
TheSargassoSeahadbeenalertedtostandclearbutattheready.Pacinghersterndeck,KevinKnightstaredatthewater.Adisruptioncaughthisattentionandhewatchedasacircularfrotherupted.Afewsecondslater,thebrightyellowNUMAsubmarinebrokethesurface,
risingcompletelyoutofthewater.Knightsawthatitwassittingonsomesortofstructurethatresembledatinyhouse.Asitsettledslightlyandthesubmersiblemovedclear,Knightrecognizeditasthewelder’sshedfromtheAlta.
AtPitt’sdirection,theSargassoSeamovedinquicklyandsnaredtheloopedcablewithacraneandhook.Thestructurewashoisted
ontothesterndeckasawaitingthrongofcrewmensecuredthecablewithclampsandbraces.Thelooseendwasunwoundfromtheshedandfedontoadrumwinchthathadbeenclearedofitsowncable.
Asthewinchbeganreelinginthecable,theship’sliftcranedepositedthewelder’sshedoverthesideandretrievedthesubmersible.
PittandGiordinohad
barelyclimbedoutofthehatchwhenKnightjumpedinfrontofthem.
“Aretheystillalive?”“Forthemoment,”Pitt
said.“Thebelllostseveralofitsemergencygascylinders,sotheydon’thavemuchtimetospare.”
Thecrewwaitedanxiouslyasthewinchspooledupthecable.Nooneknewwhattheywouldfindattheotherend.Finally,therewasa
commotionnearthesternrailandPittsawthetopofthedivingbellbreakthesurface.
“Snagitwiththeliftcraneandpreparetotransferittothedecompressionchamber,”Pittsaid.“We’llneedsomewelderstocutawaythelowerframetoaccessthehatch.”
Thebellwashoistedaboardandthecrewmenswarmedtowork.AtechnicianranuptoPittaswelders’sparksbegan
sprayingacrossthedeck.“I’vesplicedthebell’s
communicationscablewithourcommsystem,”thetechniciansaid.“Oneofthediversinsidewantstotalktoyou.HisnameisWarren.”
Pittfollowedthetechniciantoaconsolesetupnearthebell.Hepickedupahandsetasamaninsidethebellwavedthroughtheviewport.
“Hi,Warren.Myname’s
Pitt.Howareyoumakingoutinthere?”
“AlotbetternowthatIcanseesomesunshine,”Fletchersaid.“Forawhile,Ithoughtweweregoingtobeapermanentpartofthewellhead.Thatwasacrazywaytoliftus,butI’msuregladyoutried.”
“Apologiesfortheroughride.Howareyourpartners?”
“Tank’sgood,butBrownhasabrokenleg.He’sbeenin
andoutofconsciousness.”“We’vegotadoctor
waitinginourdecompressionchamber,justassoonaswecangetyouintoit.”
“Thanks,Mr.Pitt,weappreciateeverything.Tellme,though,whathappenedtotheAlta?”
“Shesankinasuddenexplosion.Nocasualties,thankfully,butnobodyseemstoknowwhathappened.We’lltalkagainonceweget
youtransferredtothechamber.”
Fletchernodded.“Callmecrazy,Mr.Pitt,butIsawanunknownsubmersibleshortlybeforethecablesnapped.IthinksomebodymayhavedeliberatelysunktheAlta.”
Pittlookedintothediver’shardenedeyesandrealizeditwastheleastcrazythinghehadheardallday.
A
10
brightazureskybeliedthesorrowthathungover
Havana.ThesourceofthemelancholywasafuneralprocessionthatcreptthroughthecrumblingstreetsofCuba’scapital,wherethecalendarseemedfixedatthe
year1959.Thepockmarkedstreets,whichoverthecenturieshadbeentrodbySpanishconquistadors,Britishredcoats,Americandoughboys,andRussiangenerals,werelinedtendeepbyordinaryCubancitizens.SeeminglyeveryresidentoftheislandhadcometobidafinalfarewelltoElCaballo.
FidelCastroRuz,thefieryfatheroftheCubanrevolution,hadfinallylosthis
battlewithmortality.IthadbeennearlysixtyyearssinceayoungCastrohadbrokenexileandlandedonCuba’ssouthwesttipinaborrowedsailboatwitharagtagarmyofeighty-oneguerrillafighters.Inacoupthatwasnothingshortofmiraculous,he’dfueledruralgrassrootssupportandoverthrowntheBatistagovernment,marchingtriumphantlyintoHavanalessthanthreeyearslater.
Castro’sloveaffairwithMarxismhadfailedtotransformCubaintotheutopiahehadenvisioned,however,andhishalf-centuryreign,endingin2008whenhe’dpassedpowertohisbrotherRaúl,hadbeenmarkedmorebypoliticalrepressionandeconomicsuffocationthanfreedomandprosperity.YetheremainedareveredfiguretoCubans,mostofwhomknewnoother
leader.Thehorse-drawnfuneral
caisson,escortedbyanhonorguardincrispwhitetunics,inchedintothePlazadelaRevoluciónandeasedpastalargeviewingstand.Cuba’sgovernmentandmilitaryelitetookcenterstage,surroundedbyanarrayofinternationaldignitaries.ThebestseatswerereservedforrepresentativesfromVenezuela,China,and
Nicaragua,alongwithahandfulofHollywoodactors.RaúlCastrostoodatattentionandsalutedhisbrotherastheprocessionmarchedpastthetoweringJoséMartíMemorial.
Raúlandhisvicepresident,afellowoctogenarianwhowalkedwithacane,returnedtotheInteriorMinistryBuildingforasmallreception.TheCubanrulingelite,consistingofthe
CouncilofStateandtheCouncilofMinisters,alongwithkeymembersoftheNationalAssembly,theCommunistParty,andtheRevolutionaryArmedForces,assembledinanimpromptulineandpaidformalrespectstoPresidentCastro.
Asharp-dressedmanwithsilverhaircompletedhiscondolences,thencrossedtheroom,inadvertentlybrushingintoageneralengagedwith
anaide.“Excuseme,General,”he
said,stoppingtofacethemanhebumped.
GeneralAlbertoGutier’shawkishfacecrinkledasheregardedthemanthroughsteadyteakeyes.“MinisterRuiz.”
“ItisasaddayforallofCuba,”Ruizsaid.“ElCaballowastheheartandsouloftherevolution.”
Gutiersmirkedatthe
mentionofFidel’spopularnickname,theHorse.“Onemancanstartarevolution,butittakesmanytosustainit.”
“True,buttherecanbenoadvancementofthecausewithoutdynamicleadership.”RuizgazedatRaúl’sagedvicepresident,whohadbeenhelpedtoachairnearCastroandwasinhalingoxygenfromaportabletank.
TurningbacktoGutier,he
spokeinalowtone.“Itwon’tbelongbeforeaneworderwillruleCuba.Vigorous,worldly,andprogressive.”
“Youcouldn’tmeanyourself?”
“Why,whatanexcellentsuggestion,”Ruizsaid.“I’mgladIcancountonyoursupportandshalllookforwardtoyourcontinuedcontributionstotheCouncilduringmypresidency.”
Thetwowerebitterrivals.
BothservedinCastro’scabinet,GutierasMinisteroftheInteriorandRuizasForeignMinister.Andbothcurriedthepresident’sfavor,knowingthepowertorulethecountrynextwaswithinreach.ToGutier’schagrin,RuizwaswidelyconsideredthefavoritetoreplacetheailingvicepresidentandstandreadyasCastro’ssuccessor.
GutiergaveRuizafrigid
stare.“There’sabetterlikelihoodthatyouwillbepolishingmybootsfirst.”
“Come,now.Youreallydon’texpecttoascendtheranks,doyou?”Heleanedforwardandwhisperedinthegeneral’sear.“There’sarumorthatMinisterOrtiz’sdeathwasnoaccidentandthattheArmywassomehowinvolved.Badpressforyou,mydearfriend.”
ItwasGutier’sturnto
smile.“Perhapsitistrue,”hewhisperedback.“Inwhichcase,Ihopethatyoudrivecarefully.”
ThenormallyglibRuizturnedhisbackonthegeneralandmeanderedtowardagroupoffriendlyassociates.
Gutierdismissedhisaideandlookedabouttheroom,tryingtohidehiscontempt.MostoftheCubanleadershipconsistedofoldcroniesofElCaballowhoclungtopower
withonefootinthegrave.Ruizwasrightaboutanewgenerationwaitinginthewings,butwhathesawofthatcrowdrepulsedhim.TheywerealllikeRuiz,productsofaprivilegedupbringingwhospoutedrevolutionaryadageswhilequietlylivinglikecelebritiesattheexpenseofthestate.
NotthatGutierdidn’tenjoyhisowntrappingsofpower.Hewasjustusedtoa
moreausterelifestyle.Withayoungerbrother,he’dbeenraisedinaSantiagoshackbyadestitutemotherafterhisfatherhadbeenkilleddefendingCubaintheBayofPigsinvasion.WhenhiswidowedmotherhadmarriedanArmyofficer,hiseconomicstatusimproved,ifnothishappiness.
Hisstepfatherwasanalcoholicwhoregularlybeattheboysandtheirmother.
Perhapsoutofguilt,Gutier’snewfatherintroducedhisadoptedsonstoArmylifeandmaneuveredthemintoofficertrainingschool.Afteryearsofabuse,thebrothersreturnedthefavorwhentheycameofagebystranglingthemanandtossinghisbodyintotheCautoRiver.Escapingwithoutsuspicion,Gutierandhisbrotherhadtheirfirsttasteofmurderwithimpunity.Itwouldn’tbetheirlast.
Throughcunningandaptitude,theelderGutierrosequicklythroughtheranks,establishingareputationforruthlessness.HecaughttheeyeofRaúlwhentheyoungerCastrocommandedtheRevolutionaryArmedForces.PromotedtoRaúl’sstaff,heservedasaneffective,ifnotalwayspopular,problemsolver.
WithRaúl’sascension,GutierwasappointedInterior
Minister,butonlyafteramoreseasonedgeneralsufferedadebilitatingparalysisafteringestinganunknowntoxin.
Gutierbidfarewelltoagroupofassemblymenanddepartedthereception.HoppingintoaRussian-mademilitarytruck,hewasdrivenacrossHavanatoasmallairfieldatPlayaBaracoa.Hetransferredtoahelicopterthattookhimeastalongthe
coastline,passingtheentrancetoHavanaHarborandtheheightsofMorroCastle.Thirtymilesdownthecoast,thehelicopterlandedinafieldnexttoasmallmarina.GutierwasthentakeninalaunchintotheindigowatersoftheStraitsofFlorida.
Thelaunchapproachedaluxuryyachtmooredinthebay.AnOceanco-builtboatthatmeasuredovertwohundredfeet,itssleek
opulencetoweredoverthesmalllaunch.Gutierreadthevessel’sname,GoldDigger,inyellowletteringonthestern,astheyapproachedaloweredstepladder.Acrewmemberescortedthegeneralintoanair-conditionedsalon.
MarkRamseywasmixingcocktailsbehindamahoganybar.“General,goodofyoutocome.Iwasn’tsureyouwouldbeabletokeepourappointmentonsucha
somberday.”HeturnedoffatelevisionmonitorthatwasdisplayingFidelCastro’sbodylyinginstate.
“Myofficialdutieswerefulfilledearlier,”Gutiersaid.“ItmaybeasomberdayforCuba’shistorybutIthinkabrightoneforitsfuture.”
Ramseyhandedhimadaiquiri.“TotheprosperityofCuba.”
“ToCuba.”Ramseyledhimtoa
diningtablescatteredwithdocuments,whereeachtookaseat.
“It’sbeenadifficultweek,”Ramseysaid.“IlostadrillshipunderleasefromtheNorwegiansandyoulostanationalicon.AllthisontopoftheterribleaccidentwithMinisterOrtiz.”
“Nomanlivesforever.Fidel’simprintonCubashallremainlong-lasting.”
“Hisabsenceleavesan
inspirationalvoidforyourcountry.Perhapsonethatamanlikeyourselfcouldfulfill.”
Gutierdisplayedapokerface.“Mancannotpredicthisdestiny.Tellmeaboutyourshipincidentandthestateofyouroil-drillingprospects.”
“TheAltawasamoderndrillshipthatspecializedindeepwateroperations.Shewaslayingthefoundationforanexploratorywellin
quadrantR-29ofourleasehold.”HeslidachartinfrontofGutierandpointedtoasectionnortheastofHavana.“Thisisoneoftwoareasforwhichwehadacquiredoilexplorationrights,assignedbyMinisterOrtizbeforehispassing.Ihopetherewillbenoproblemincontinuingtohonortheagreement.”
“MinisterOrtizrepresentedtheCubangovernment.Theagreement
willbehonored.Now,whatofthissunkenship?”
“Anunknownexplosionsenthertothebottominlessthantenminutes.Thecrewgotawaysafely,butthreediversweretrappedontheseafloor.IfnotforapassingAmericanresearchship,theywouldhavedied.Asitis,therewasnolossoflife.”
“Thatisfortunate.Thevesselwasinsuredbytheowner?”
“Inthisinstance,theoperatorwasresponsibleforinsuringtheshipwhileitwasonthejob.”Ramsey’slipstightenedatthethoughtofthedeductiblethatwouldcomeoutofhispocket.
“Whendoyouplantoreturntothesite?”Gutierasked.
“Oursecondleasedrigisworkingonourothersiteoffthewesterncoast.Weviewthatregionaslowerpotential,
sowe’lltransferoperationsinaweekortwoandcompletethetestwellthattheAltastarted.”
GutierlookedRamseyhardintheeye.“IwouldaskthatyourefrainfromanyfurtherworkinareaR-29foratleastthreeweeks.”
“Anyparticularreason?”“Itismydesire,”Gutier
saidgruffly.Ramseyslidthechartin
frontofhim.“General,I
knowittookconsiderableeffortwithinyourgovernmenttoallowourconsortiumtocomeintoyourterritorialwaters.Iappreciatewhatyou’vedoneforus.Butweweregivenauthorizationtoexploreonlytwosmalloffshorequadrants,neitherofwhichourgeophysicistsratedhighlypromising.Forustohavesuccessandallowyoutodevelopanexportoilmarket,weneedaccesstoadditional
seafloor.”“Mr.Ramsey,Imight
remindyouthatthereareotherpartiesseekingthesameopportunity.”
“We’retalkingdeepwateroperations.It’sadifferentballgame.It’lltakeyoutwiceaslongifyougowiththeboysfromVenezuelaorMexico...ortheMiddleEast.”
“Butyouyourselfareaminingengineer.”
“True,myexpertiseiswithmining.Infact,I’mjustalimitedpartnerinthisjointventure.I’mhereonlybecausetheventuregroup’sCEOisrecoveringfromamildheartattack.ButIcanassureyou,ourgroupofCanadianandNorwegianoilexplorationexpertshaveextensiveexperienceintheNorthSeaandArctic.They’llgetthejobdone.Theyhavedeepwaterexperienceyou
can’tfindjustanywhere.”“Butyouhaveyettoshow
results.”“Intheoilbusiness,there
arenoguarantees.”Gutiergazedatthemap.
“Whereisityouwouldliketodrill?”
RamseypointedtoalargeareaahundredmilesnorthwestofHavana.“Givenachoice,theNorthCubaBasinisatthetopofourprobabilitylist.”
“Imighthavesomeswaytoopenupaportionforyourexamination.ButIwillrequiresomethinginreturn.”HisdarkeyesboreintoRamsey.
“Nameit.”“Iunderstandyourecently
hadsometroubleswithaminingoperationinIndonesia.”
“ThetroublewaswithsomeIslamicmilitants.Theykidnappedmysitemine
supervisorandthreeengineers—inbroaddaylightoffthestreetsofJakarta.”
“Andtheywererescued?”“Allaliveandwell,
thankfully.”“Andtheircaptors?”“Notsofortunate.”
Ramseyofferedawrysmile.“Theywerekilledinafirefight.”
“Butnotbygovernmentforces.”
“No.Whytheinterest?”
“Ihaveaprojectthatrequiressomeoutsidemilitaryexpertise.”
“YouhavethetopforcesoftheCubanmilitaryatyourdisposal.”
“True,butthisisanexternalprojectthatrequiresabsolutediscretion.”
“NotintheU.S.,isit?”“No.”Ramseynodded.“I’dliketohireyourmen,”
Gutiersaid.
“They’renotmymen.Theywerehiredcontractorswhospecializeinthistypeofwork.”
“Wouldtheyworkforme?”
“Idon’tseewhynot,providingyou’renotasecretal-Qaedasympathizer.”
“Ifitmakesyoufeelbetter,mymotherwasadevoutRomanCatholicandraisedmybrotherandmeassuch.”
Ramseysteppedtohisdeskandreturnedwithaslipofpapercontaininganameandphonenumber.
“Maguire?”Gutierreadaloud.“That’sit?”
“That’smycontact.Thephonenumber—andaCaymanIslandsbankaccount—isalltheinformationIpossess.”
“Heisaprofessional?”“First-rate.Ijustwouldn’t
askhimalotofquestions.”
Gutierstoodtoleave.“I’msorryforthelossofyourship.Youwillhaveaccesstothenewoilleasesiteshortly.”Heturnedandwalkedoutofthesalon.
Ramseydidn’tmove.StaringoutthewindowasGutier’slaunchmotoredaway,hecouldn’thelpbutwonderifhehadjustmadeadealwiththedevil.
T11
heraysofthedivelightshimmeredthroughthe
crystallinewaters,illuminatingacoarselimestonewalladozenfeetaway.Nodetailwastoosmalltosee,SummerPittthought,
amazedattheclarity.Thoughshemissedthecolorandwarmthofthesealifethatmadeausualsaltwaterdiveenticing,sherelishedtheopportunitytodiveinperfectvisibility.Peeringup,shewatchedasherairbubblesfloatedtothesurfaceahundredfeetaway.
ThedaughterofNUMA’sDirectorandanoceanographerherself,Summerwasdivingina
cenotenearthecoastofTabasco,astateineasternMexico.Anaturalsinkholeformedinalimestonedeposit,thecenotewasessentiallyavertical,water-filledtunnel.Summerhadthesensationoftravelingthroughanelevatorshaftasshedescendedthefifty-foot-diametercavern.Asthefilteredsunlightwaned,sheturnedherdivelighttothedepthsbelow.Afewyards
away,twootherdiverswerekickingtowardthesandybottom.Sheclearedherearsandpursuedtheotherdivers,catchingthemastheyreachedthebottomatadepthofonehundredandtwentyfeet.
Sheswamalongsideadark-hairedmanwhosetall,lankybodymatchedherown.Heturnedandwinked,thejoyofthecenotediveevidentinhisbrightgreeneyes.Hertwinbrother,Dirk,who
sharedtheirfather’sname,alwaysshowedanextrajoltoflivelinesswhenexploringthedepths.
Theyfinnedtowardthethirddiver,abeardedmanwhoseshaggygrayhairswirledaroundhisfacemask.Dr.EduardoMadero,ananthropologyprofessorfromtheUniversityofVeracruz,wascarefullyexaminingthebottom.DirkandSummerhadjustcompletedajoint
marineprojectwithMadero,assessinganareaofcoralreefsoffCampeche.Inappreciationfortheirhelp,MaderohadinvitedthemtodiveintheisolatedTabascocenote,wherehewasengagedinhisownculturalresourceproject.
Maderohoveredoveralargealuminumgridanchoredoveraportionofthecenote’sfloor.Smallyellowflagswithnumberedtagssproutedfrom
thesand,markingartifactsdiscoveredduringtheformalexcavation.MostofthetargetsofMadero’sexcavationwerereadilyvisible.
Easingalongsidehim,DirkandSummeraimedtheirdivelightsatthepartiallyexcavatedsection.Summerimmediatelyrecoiled.Ahumanskullstaredupather,grinningghoulishlywithbrown-stainedteeth.Apairof
smallgoldhoopsglistenedinthesandbesidetheskull,apairofhand-fashionedearringsoncewornbythesmilingowner.
Summerswungherlightabout,revealingamorbidassortmentofprotrudingskullsandbones.Maderohadn’texaggeratedwhenhecautionedthembeforethedivethatitwaslikevisitingagraveyardstruckbyatornado.
Thefactthatthecenotehadbeenusedforhumansacrificesseemedapparent,butMaderohadyettoidentifyitsoccupants.ThelocationwasinaregiononceinhabitedbytheOlmecs,andlatertheMayans,althoughMaderocouldnotdateanyfindstoeitherera.Asmallceramicfigurinehadbeendatedto1500A.D.,concurrentwithAztecrulefarthernorth,andclosetothetimeofthe
Spanishconquest.Gazingattheexposed
skull,Summerenvisionedtheceremonialhumansacrificethathadtakenplacecenturiesbeforeonthecenote’srim.IfitwasanAztecritual,thevictimwouldhavebeenheldfacingtheskywhileahighpriestplungedarazor-sharpflintknifeintothevictim’schestandrippedoutthestill-beatingheart.Theheartandbloodwereofferingstothe
gods,possiblythewarriordeity,whoensuredthesun’sdailytravelsacrossthesky.
Insomeinstances,thevictim’slimbswouldbeseveredandconsumedinaritualmealwhilethetorsowastossedintothecenote.InthecaseoftheAztecs,humansacrificeoccurreddaily.ThesmilingskulllookingupatSummermightjustbeoneofhundredsofvictimssacrificedfromtheunknownvillage
thatoncestoodoverhead.Sheshiveredatthethoughtdespitethewarmthofherwetsuit.
SummerturnedandfollowedMaderoasheguidedthemoverseveralexcavationpits,pointingoutabasaltgrindingbowl,ormolcajete,thathadyettobecatalogedandremoved.Afterseveralmoreminutessurveyingthegrislybitsofhumanremains,Madero
motionedwithhisthumbtowardthesurface.Theirbottomtimehadexpired.
Onlytoogladtodepartthesubmergedgraveyard,Summergentlyswamtowardthesurfaceaheadofthetwomen.Asshefollowedhertrailofascendingbubbles,shebrushedalongthelimestonewall.Awaywardkickjammedtheedgeofherfinagainstaprotrusion,nearlypullingitoffherfoot.
Toherleft,aledgejuttedfromthewallandsheproppedanelbowagainstitasshereadjustedherfin.
Shepushedofffromtheledgetocontinueherascentbutfeltasmoothshapebeneathherarm.Shehesitated,examiningthenarrowledge,whichwascrownedwithathickmantleofsilt.Asshefannedherhandthroughthewater,shebrushedawayalayerofloose
sedimentthatswirledupwardinabrowncloud.Asitbegantosettle,animageemergedthroughthemurk,apaintedbutterfly.
Maderoapproachedandglancedattheledge.Aglimmerofrecognitionsparkledinhiswideeyes.Hegentlybrushedaglovedhandoverthesurface,thendughisfingersintothesediment,tracingtheobject’sperimeter.Caughtontheledgeduringits
descent,ithadnoassociatedculturalcontexttowarrantamoremethodicalexcavation.Hescoopedthesiltaside,exposingaceramiccontainerroughlythesizeofajewelrybox.Thelonecornernotencrustedwithsedimentfeaturedatinybutterfly.
MaderomotionedforSummertotaketheboxandascend.Shegingerlylifteditfromitsperchliketheboxwasatickingbombandthen
kickedtowardthesurface.Theirlimitedtimeonthe
bottomdidn’trequireadecompressionstop,soshecontinuedfinninguntilherheadpoppedabovethecalmsurface.ShefloatednearamakeshiftstairwellasMaderoexitedthecenoteanddroppedhisdivegear,thenreturnedtotaketheboxfromSummer’sanxiousfingers.Dirkfollowedherassheclimbedupthesteps.Theyquickly
strippedofftheirwetsuitsasthesteamyheatoftheMexicanGulfCoastenvelopedthem.
“Thewaterwasamazing,”shewhisperedtoDirk,“butIcouldhavedonewithoutthegraveyardtour.”
Heshrugged.“Nottheworstplacetospendeternity,afterlosingyourheart.”
“Whatdidtheydowiththehearts?”
“Burnedthem,Ibelieve.
Theymighthaveleftafewininventory.”Dirkwavedanarmaboutthesurroundinglightjungle.Maderohadfoundonlyscatteredremainsofatemplestructureandanadjacentvillagenearthecenote.Littleofitwasnowrecognizable.Onlyapairofcanvastents,usedbyMaderoandhisassociatesduringtheirperiodicexcavations,gaveanyhintofhumanoccupation.
ThearcheologisthadtakenSummer’sboxtoanearbytable.SummerandDirkapproachedashecarefullybrushedawayalayerofconcretionwithanoldtoothbrush.
“SowhatdidSummerfind?”Dirkasked.“Anoldboxofcigars?”“Noesunacajade
cigarros,”Summerrepliedwithashakeofherhead.
Maderosmiled.“Your
Spanishisgood.”Hekepthiseyesfocusedonthebox.“Ibelieveitisinfactsomethingmuchmoreremarkable.”
Summercrowdedinclosetostudytheartifact.“Whatdoyouthinkitwasusedfor?”
“Ireallycan’tsay,butthedesigncertainlyappearsAztec.Theywerewonderfulartisans.I’veviewedalargenumberofartifactsbutneveranythinglikethis.”Hesetdownthetoothbrushand
tiltedtheboxtowardSummer.
“Theshapeisunique,”hesaid.“Aperfectsquareismuchmoredifficulttocreateoutofclaythanaroundpot.Andlookatthis.”
Hepointedtotheseamalongtheedgeofthelid,whichwassealedwithagraysubstance.
“Gluedshut,”Dirksaid.“Exactly.Itlookslike
driedlatex,whichiseasily
extractedfromthelocalrubbertrees.”Hepickeduptheboxandgentlyshookit.Alightobjectrattledinside.
“It’sremainedsealedandwatertightdespiteitsimmersion,”Maderosaid.“Thesedimentscoveringtheboxmusthaveprovidedalayerofprotection.”
“Whatdoyouthinkisinside?”Summerasked.
Maderoshookhishead.“There’snotelling.Oncewe
getitbacktomylabinVeracruz,wecanX-rayit,thenremovethelatexandopenit.”
Dirkgrinned.“Istillsayit’ssomemustycigars.”
“Perhaps.”Maderosettheboxdownwithreverence.“ButIthinkitcouldcontainsomethingmuchmoresignificant.”
Hepickedupthetoothbrushandlightlyscrubbedthecenterofthelid,
graduallyrevealingabrightgreencircularpattern.Inlaidstonesofgreenandbluewereimpressedintothedesign.Thewingofabirdbegantotakeshape.
“TheAztecsincorporatedanimalsintomuchoftheirartwork,”Maderosaid.“Eaglesandjaguarswerepopularmotifs,representingthewarriorclasses.”
Summerstudiedtheexpandingimage.“It’sabird
ofsomesort,butIdon’tthinkit’saneagle.Wereotherbirdsusedsymbolically?”
“Yes,especiallyexotictropicalbirds.Theirplumagewashighlyvalued,moresothangold.Theemperorandothernobilitywouldcommissionelaborateheaddressesfromfeathersofagreenjunglebirdcalledthequetzal.ThenthereisHuitzilopochtli.HewastheancestraldeityoftheAztecs,
perhapstheirmostimportantgod.HewasapatronofwarbutalsooftheirhomeofTenochtitlan.HewastheguidingforcefortheMexicaintheiroriginalmigrationfromAztlántoTenochtitlan—whatisnowMexicoCity.”
“Andhewasassociatedwithabird?”Summerasked.
“Yes,abluehummingbird.Theimagewastypicallyreservedforitemsoftherulingclass.”
MaderoblewawaythelooseneddebrisandheldtheboxtowardSummer.Shecouldnowseethestoneswerepiecesofjadeandturquoise.Theywerejoinedbyinlaidboneandpyriteintheshapeofabirdinflight.Therewasnomistakingtheanimal’sstubbywingsandlong,thinbill.
Itwasabluehummingbird.
A12
lleyeswerefocusedonthenowcleanedceramicbox.
PerchedonasteeltableinalabadjacenttoDr.Madero’scollegeoffice,itssecretsbeckonedunderabankoffluorescentlights.
Maderotreatedthelid’ssealededgeswithasolvent,thenheatedtheseamswithasmallhairdryer.Thecombinedeffectssoftenedthenaturallatexandlooseneditsbond.Maderotestedthegooeymaterialwithaplasticputtyknife.
“It’squitesticky,”hesaid.“Ithinkitwillopenrightup.”
Graspingthelidwithaglovedhand,hegaveitagentletug.Thelidpopped
rightoff.Standingoneithersideof
Madero,DirkandSummerleanedclose.Asmallpieceofgreenfeltblanketedasquareobjectinside.Maderopulledawaythefelt,revealingatabletofcoarsepages.
“Itlookslikeasmallbook,”Summersaid.
Madero’seyeswereaswideasplatters.Usingtweezers,heopenedtheblanktoppage,revealingacolorful
cartoon-likeimageofseveralwarriorscarryingspearsandshields.
“Notsimplyabook.”Madero’svoicequiveredwithexcitement.“Acodex.”
SummerwasfamiliarwiththeMayanandAzteccodices,pictographicmanuscriptsthatrecordedtheircultureandhistory,butshehadneverseenoneinperson.ShewassurprisedwhenMaderopulledupthefirstpageand
thesubsequentonesunfoldedinaccordionfashion.Eachcontainedapictorialimagewithmultipleglyphicsigns.
“IsitMayan?”Dirkasked.“No,classicNahuatl.”Summerfrowned.
“Nahuatl?”“Thelanguageofthe
Mexica,orAztecs.IrecognizetheglyphsasclassicNahuatlsymbols.”
“Canyoudecipherit?”Maderounfurledthecodex
acrossthetable,countingtwentypanels.Hephotographedeachpanelfirstandthencarefullystudiedtheimages.Hekepthisthoughtstohimselfashemovedfromonepaneltothenext.Theearlypanelsdepictedabattle,whilelateronesshowedmencarryingalargeobject.Afterseveralminutes,Maderolookedup.
“Itseemstodescribealocalconflict.Anaccountof
thebattlewasrecordedinstone,whichwassplitintwoandcarriedawayforsomereason.”Heshookhishead.“Imustprofesstobeingalittleoutofmyelementhere.Acolleagueofmine,ProfessorMiguelTorres,isanexpertinNahuatl.Letmeseeifheisavailable.”
Maderoreturnedamomentlater,trailedbytwomen.
“Dirk,Summer,thisismyesteemedassociateDr.
MiguelTorres,headofthearcheologydepartment.Miguel,myfriendsfromNUMA.”
Abeardedmanwithasmilingcherubfacesteppedforwardandshookhands.
“Itisapleasuretomeetyou.Congratulationsonyouramazingdiscovery.”Hiseyesdartedtothecodex.Hesuppressedhiscuriositylongenoughtointroducethemanbehindhim.
“MayIpresentJuanDíazoftheCubanInteriorMinistry?JuanishereperformingresearchonhisownAztecartifact.Likemyself,heisexcitedtoviewyourdiscovery.”
Díazsmiled.“ApparentlyyourfindismuchmoreinterestingthanthesmallfigurineIpossess.”
“YoufoundanAztecartifactinCuba?”Summerasked.
“Itlikelyfounditswaytherethroughlatertrade,”Torressaid.“WhileAztecnauticalvoyagesintheCaribbeanareapossibility,wehavenorecordedevidenceofanyoccurrences.”
Theprofessorturnedhisattentiontothecodex.“Eduardoalreadyshowedmetheceramicbox.Awonderfuldiscoveryinitself.Butacodexinsideaswell?”
“Please,”Summersaid,
“takealookandtelluswhatyouthink.”
Thearcheologistcouldbarelycontainhisexcitement.Heslippedonapairofcottonglovesandapproachedthecodex.
“Thepaperisclassicamatl,constructedfromtheinnerbarkofthefigtree,whichwasthenwhitewashed.ThatisconsistentwithseveralknownAzteccodices.Itiscrisp,bright,andin
excellentcondition.Simplyamazing,afterbeingsubmergedforcenturies.”
“Finecraftsmanshipfromtheancients,”Maderosaid,“aswe’veseenmanytimesbefore.”
Torresstudiedthefirstpanel.“ItappearssimilartotheBorturiniCodexattheNationalAnthropologyMuseum.”Hepointedtoseveralsymbolsbelowtheimageofthewarriors.“That
codexdatesfromthecolonialera.”
“DoyoumeanthearrivaloftheSpanish?”Summerasked.
“Yes.In1519,tobeprecise.That’swhenCortéslandednearVeracruz.”
Torresinitiatedarunningnarrativeofeachpanel.Aloosetalequicklyemergedfromtheimages.
“TheAztecsaremourningsomesortofdefeatinthe
earlypanels,”Torressaid.“Itwasassociatedwithalargenumberofdeaths.ItisuncleariftheopponentwasaregionalenemyortheSpanish.”
“Ordisease?”Maderoasked.
“Quitepossibly.SmallpoxarrivedwiththeSpanishandultimatelykilledmillions.Ithinkitreferencesaconventionalbattle,however.Inthesecondpanel,weseea
groupofwarriorsdressedinfeathersandbeakedhelmets.Thesewerethecua¯uhtmeh,orEagleWarriors,anelitegroupofskilledveterans.”
Torrespointedtoatrailoffootprintspaintedacrossseveralpagesthatsignifiedtravel.“Asaresultofthebattle,theyaretakingsomethingofamajorjourney.”
“Theirtripcontinuedonwater?”Summerasked,
pointingtothenextpanel,whichshowedsevencanoesattheedgeofabodyofwater.
“Apparentlyso.TheAzteccapitalofTenochtitlanwasbuiltonanislandinalake,soweknowtheyusedsmallcanoes.”
“Theseappearsignificantlylarger,”Maderosaid.
TheCubanDíazinchedforwardwithinterest.
“Numerouswarriorsaredepictedineachboat.Italsoappearstheyhaveloadedprovisionsaboard.Andthatmaybesomesortofsail.”Hepointedtowhatlookedlikeapolewithaloosesheetaroundit.
“Yes,verycurious,”Torressaid.“I’lladmit,I’veneverseenanAztecdepictionofalargevessellikethat.Wemayhavetoconsiderthepossibilitytheywere
navigatingintheBayofCampeche.”
“Orbeyond?”Díazasked.“Thatmightexplainwhy
wefoundthecodexinTabasco,”Maderosaid.“Theremusthavebeensomeconnectionwiththeirdepartingorreturningpointonthecoast.”
“Thereismuchwedon’tknow,”Torressaid.
Theyallstudiedthenextpanel,whichshowedthe
sevencanoesheadingacrossthewatertowardthesun.Thefollowingimageshowedasinglecanoereturning.
“Nowthingsgetinteresting,”Torressaid.“ThenextpanelshowsanEagleWarrior,presumablyfromthesurvivingcanoe,describinghisvoyagetoastonecutter.Thenweseetherelatedimagesbeingcarvedintoalargecircularstone.”
“ItresemblestheSun
Stone,”Maderosaid.“WherehaveIheardof
that?”Summerasked.“Itwasdiscoveredin1790
duringrenovationsoftheMexicoCityCathedralandisnowdisplayedintheNationalAnthropologyMuseum.Sometwelvefeetacross,itcontainsamyriadofAztecglyphs,manyrelatedtoknowncalendarperiods.”
“Ifthescaleisaccurate,”Torressaid,“thisstonewould
beconsiderablysmaller.”Dirklookedattheimage,
stillcontemplatingthecanoesfromtheearlierpanels.“Anyideaaboutthenatureofthevoyage?”
“Thepurposeisn’tclear,butitappearstheyweretransportingsomethingofgreatsignificance.ThatisimpliedbythepresenceoftheEagleWarriorsasescorts.Perhapsaspecialofferingtooneofthedeities.”
“Wouldthatincludeitemsofintrinsicvalue,”Díazasked,“suchasgoldorjewels?”
“TheAztecsvaluedandtradedsuchobjects,andtheyarereflectedintheirreligiousartifacts,sothatwouldbelikely.”
Thenextpanelshowedthestonecutterwithhishandiwork,standinginahouse,whilemenwearingsteelhelmetsandbreastplates
assembleoutside.“AndnowtheSpanish
appear,”Maderosaid.“Yes,andtheywantthe
stone.”Torrespointedtothenextimage.“Thestonecuttercutsitinhalfandtriestohidebothpieces.TheSpaniardsfindonepieceandthenkillthestonecutter.”
Thenextpageshowedastonefragmentbeingloadedontoashipwithalargesail.Amonkeywasdepicted
abovethebow.“SotheSpanishobtained
thestoneandloadeditonagalleon,”Summersaid.“ItmustbenowsittinginthebasementofamuseuminSeville,collectingdust.”
“I’mnotawareofanysuchartifact,”Torressaid.“AndtheSpaniardsgotonlyhalfthestone.ThefinalpanelsshowmoreEagleWarriorstransportingtheremainingpieceandhidingitinacave
beneathamountainmarkedwithacow.”
“Anycluewherethatmightbe?”
Torrespointedtoapagedepictingfootstepsalongaflat-toppedpyramidcrownedbyfourlargestatues.
“ThatmostcertainlyisthePyramidofQuetzalcoatlatTula,”hesaid,“whichisnorthofMexicoCity.AfterreachingTula,thefootstepsonthenextframeindicate
theycontinuedfarther.It’sdifficulttogaugedistances,butifthenextpagerepresentsanotherdayortwo’sjourney,theymighthavetraveledanotherthirtyorfortymilesbeyondTula.”
Maderoporedoverthefinalimage.“Theythenburiedthestoneinacave,itwouldseem,nearamountainmarkedwithacow.That’sverycurious.”
“Thattheywouldtryto
hidethestone?”Summerasked.
“No,thefactthattheydrewacow.CattlewerenotnativetoNorthAmerica.TheywerebroughtoverbyColumbus.”HesteppedtoafilecabinetandreturnedwithafoldingroadmapoftheMexicanstateofHidalgo.HepinpointedTulanearthemap’ssoutheastcorner.
“It’sprobablysafetoassumetheytraveledfromthe
southtoreachTula.Thequestionis,wherewouldtheyhavegonefromthere?”
HeandTorresexaminedthesurroundingplacenames,searchingforaclue.
“MaybeHuapalcalco?”MaderopointedtoatowneastofTula.“AnimportantTolteccitythatalsorepresentsoneoftheoldesthumanoccupationsitesinHidalgo.”
“Iftheyweretraveling
fromTenochtitlan,ortheTabascocoast,”Torressaid,“theywouldn’thaveneededtopassthroughHaupalcalco.It’stoofareast.”
“You’reright.Farthernorthisabetterbet.”MaderodraggedafingerfromTula,stoppingatatowncalledZimapán,almostfiftymilesnorth.Hestaredatthelettering,lostinthought.
“Acowonthemountain,”hesaid.“Orisitreallyabull?
Isn’tthereanoldSpanishminearoundtherecalledLomodelToro,orBull’sBack?”
Torres’seyeslitup.“Yes!AveryearlySpanishsilvermine,predecessortothebigElMonteMinewestofZimapán.Iworkedonadigatavillagesiteneartheremanyyearsago.Thebull’sbackreferstotheruggedtopofthemountain.You’reright,Eduardo,itfitsthe
description.Thecavecouldbeonthisverysamemountain.”
“Couldthestonestillbethere?”Díazasked.
Theroomfellquiet.Maderofinallybrokethesilence.“It’saremotearea.Ithinkthechancesaregood.”
“There’sonlyoneproblem,”Torressaid.“TheZimapánDam,builtinthe1990s,floodedthevalleyfloorwestofthemountain.If
thecaveislocatedonthatside,itmaybeunderwater.”
“Underwater,yousay?”MaderoturnedtoDirkandSummerandwinked.“Now,whodoweknowwhocouldpulloffanunderwatersearchofthatnature?”
DirkandSummerlookedateachotherandgrinned.
T13
hetranquilexpanseofopenwaterappearedmuchlike
anyotherportionoftheCaribbean.OnlytheoccasionaldeadfishslappingagainstthebowoftheSargassoSeagavehintof
anythingamiss.TheNUMAresearchshipcutitsenginesandeasedtoadriftinthelightlychoppyseas.
TwodayshadpassedsincetheyhadslippedintoHavanaBayunderthewatchfuleyeofaCubanpatrolcraftandoffloadedtheAlta’sinjuredcrewandoilworkers.ACubanRevolutionaryNavytenderhadpulledalongsideandhoistedadivingbellovertotheNUMAship.The
CanadiandiveteamclimbedfromtheNUMAdecompressionchamberintothepressurizedbell,whichwastransportedbacktotheCubanship,wherethemenwouldcompletetheirdecompressioncycle.
CaptainKnightwaitedforthelastofhismentodebark,thenapproachedPittatthegangway.“Ihatetothinkofhowmanymenwewouldhavelostifyouhadn’t
respondedtoourdistresscall.Ican’tthankyouenough.”
“Luckythingwewereintheneighborhood.”Pittnoddedattheantiquatedambulancesbeginningtopullawayfromthedock.“WewouldhavebeenhappytodropyouinKeyWest.”
Knightsmiled.“We’llbewelltreated.We’reoperatingunderacontractwiththeCubangovernment,soit’sprobablybetterwe’rehereto
sortthroughtherepercussions.Hopefully,I’llbeabletosmoothoverthefactthatwewon’tbeabletotapthatexploratorywellforawhile.”
“Iwishyouluck,”Pittsaid,shakinghands.
Movingatameasuredpace,Knightsteppedashore,thenturnedandgavethecrewoftheSargassoSeaasharpsalute.
Asthegangwaywas
securedandthemooringlinesretrieved,GiordinoapproachedPittwithaboxofRamónAllonesCubancigarsunderonearm.
“Howdidyouscorethose?”Pittasked.“Nobodywasallowedofftheship.”
“Imadefastfriendswiththeharborpilot.TheycostmetwobottlesofMaker’sMark.”
“I’dsayyougotthebetterendofthatdeal.”
Giordinogrimaced.“Notifyouconsidertheyweremylastdropsofboozesmuggledaboardship.”
Theystoodattherail,watchingthehistoricMalecónslipby,astheSargassoSeamadeitswayoutofthecompactharbor.PitthadsetfootinHavanayearsearlierandwasstruckbyhowsimilarthewaterfrontappeared,asifthemarchoftimehadsomehowbypassed
thecity.TheNUMAshipsoon
foundopenwater.SheddingitsCubanescort,itbeataquickturnaroundtheisland’swesterntip,backtrackingonasoutheasterntacktowardJamaica.ReachingoneofYaegerandGunn’sdeadzones,theSargassoSeacametoahaltandaflurryofactivitybegan.Ateamofscientiststookwatersamples,loweringcollectiondevicesto
varyingdepthsandrushingthemtothelab.
Inthemeantime,Giordinopreppedanautonomousunderwatervehicle.Thetorpedo-shapedAUVwaspackedwithsensorsandaself-containedsonarsystem.Withaprearrangedroadmap,thedevicewoulddivetothebottomandskimalongtheseafloorinasetgridpattern,mappingthecontours.
PittwatchedasGiordino
releasedtheAUVfromthesternA-frame.“Whenwillshebeback?”
“Aboutfourhours.She’sonashortleashfortheinitialrun,surveyinglessthanasquaremile.Nosenseinrunninghercrazyuntilwecandeterminethesourceofthedeadzone.”
“Myverynextintent.”Pittmigratedtothebridge,wherehehadthecaptainhopscotchthevesselaroundthearea,
stoppingathalf-mileincrementsforadditionalwatersamples.WhenitwastimetoretrievetheAUV,PittgrabbedGiordinoandduckedintooneofthelabs.Adark-eyedwomaninabluelabcoatmotionedforthemtojoinherinfrontofacomputermonitor.
“Doyouhavesomeresultsforus,Kamala?”Pittasked.
KamalaBhatt,theSargassoSea’smarine
biologist,nodded.“Wedoindeed.”
Shetookaseatonastool.“Asyouknow,deadzonesarecommonallovertheworld’soceans.Theyaretypicallyfoundnearthemouthofriverscarryingpollutedrunoff.Butthissite,andtheothersidentifiedbyHiramYaeger,arefarfromland.Ourinitialtestingdoesshowadecreaseofoxygenlevels,butitislessthanwe
wouldotherwiseexpect.”Pittshookhishead.“So
thereisinfactnodeadzonehere?”
“Onthecontrary,thetoxicitylevelsarequitehigh.Itjustwasn’ttheanimalIexpectedtofind.”Shepointedtothecomputerscreen,whereabargraphdisplayedthecompositionofoneofthewatersamples.“Thewatertestslowerforoxygencontentthantypically
found,butthereseemstobeanotherfactorthatisincreasingtheimpacttoaquaticlife.IhadtodelvedeeperuntilIfoundoneelementoutofplace.Itsconcentrationisoffthecharts.”
“What’sthat?”Giordinoasked.
“Mercury.Ormethylmercury,tobeprecise.”
“Mercurypoisoningthisfarfromland?”Pittasked.
“Areyousure?”“We’vetestedallbutthe
lastbatchofseawatersamples,andtheyallshowhighlytoxicconcentrationsofmethylmercury.We’vefoundbioaccumulationintheplankton,whichthenworksitselfupthefoodchain.Wealsosampledanumberofdeadfish,whichseemtobepresentinlargenumbers,andconfirmedthepresenceofmercury.”
“Mercuryisnothingnew,”Pittsaid.“Industrialairpollutionhasbeenincreasingmercurylevelsintheoceansfordecades.Butthisisdifferent?”
Bhattnodded.“Theconcentrationisexponentiallyhigher.Thisisn’tjustsomegeneralacidrainbutaspecific,localizedincident.TheonlycomparabletoxicityIcanfindhistoricallyisfromMinamata,Japan.Afactory
theredumpedtwenty-seventonsofmethylmercuryintothebayoverseveraldecades,resultingincatastrophicdamagetonearbyresidentsandlocalsealife.Nearlytwothousanddeathshavebeenattributedtoit.”
“Butwe’refiftymilesfromland,”Giordinosaid.
“IfIhadtoguess,”Bhattsaid,“Iwouldsaythatsomeonehasbeendumpingindustrialwastesouthere.”
“Ifthat’sthecase,”Pittsaid,“theAUVwillshowit.”
“TheconcentrationwashighestinthewatersamplewheretheAUVwaslaunched,”Bhattsaid.
“She’sdueupanyminute,”Giordinosaid.“Hopefully,thelitterbugsleftacallingcard.”
ThetrioretreatedtothesterndeckastheAUVsurfacedandwashoistedaboard.Giordinodownloaded
thesonardataontoaportableharddriveandreturnedtothelabtoreviewtheimages.HequicklyadvancedthroughtheAUV’sacousticimagery,whichshowedhundred-meterswathsoftheundulatingseafloor.Therewererocks,sand,andevenoccasionaldunes,butnodrums,crates,orotherdebris.Onlyanoddseriesofshadowylinesmarredthebottom,concentratedinaslight
underwatervalley.“Nothingobvious,”
Giordinosaid,“thoughthoselinesmightbeworthacloserlook.It’sdifficulttosayiftheyaregeologicalfeaturesorman-made.”
“Wemightbedealingwithsomethingthat’sburied,”Pittsaid,“inwhichcasewe’vegotourworkcutoutforus.”
“IcanreconfiguretheAUVtoperformasub-bottomprofile.Thatwould
giveusalimitedlookbeneaththeseabed,ifthesedimentconditionsarefriendly.”
Pittstaredatthesonarscreen,knowingtheanswertothemysterywastheresomewhere.Heshookhisheadslowly.“No,let’smoveon.Itlookstobeasandybottomhere,whichisn’tconducivetothesub-bottomprofiler.We’vegottwomoredeadzonestoinvestigate,andI’llwagerthesourcewillbe
evidentatoneofthose.”Withoutdebate,Giordino
relayedtheordertothebridge,knowingfromthepastthatPitt’sintuitionwasasgoodasgold.
T14
hebatteredgreenpanelvanturnedoffthedirtroadand
pulledtoastoponahighbluff.Asacloudoftrailingdustsettled,Dr.Torresclimbedoutofthedriver’sseatandspreadatopographic
mapacrossthehood.DirkandSummerjoinedhimashetookablackpenandmarkedanXthroughasquaregrid.Ahalf-dozenadjacentgridswerealreadymarked.
“ThatwasthelastaccessibleareaaroundthebaseofLomodelTorotosurvey,”Torressaidinatiredvoice.“Asidefromthetwoabandonedmineshaftswecrawledthrough,I’mafraidwe’vefoundnothing
resemblingacave,orevenapotentiallyburiedone.”
“Dr.Maderotoldusitwasalongshot,”Summersaid.
“True.Iwishhewasheretoseeforhimself.”
“Hewasdisappointed,buthecouldn’tgetoutofaspeakingengagementinMexicoCity,”Summersaid.“Wedidpromisehimwe’dgiveitourbesteffort.”
Torresnodded.Hewascertaintheywereintheright
place.HeandMaderohadspentdaysstudyingthecodexandcomparingittootherAztecdocuments,aswellasreadingcontemporarySpanishaccounts.Bitbybit,theydecipheredadditionalcluesthatseemedtoconfirmtheAztecshadcarriedthehalfstonetoZimapán.
Onenotationindicatedtheyhadtravelednorth,presumablyfromtheircapitalofTenochtitlan.Another
indicatedtheystoppedatTulaalongtheway.TulawasanancientTolteccitynearthenorthernfringeoftheAztecempire,justovertwentymilesaway.ThecodexrevealedthewarriorshadtraveledtwodaysbeyondTula,traversingasteepravine,beforedepositingthehalfstoneinacavenearthebaseofacow-shapedmountain.EverythingpointedtoLomodelToro.
Buttwodaysofsearchingthedry,ruggedregioninMexico’sCentralPlateauhadlednowhere.AfterarrivingattheminingtownofZimapán,thethreedrovethroughthenarrowcanyonofBarrancadeTolimán,whichseemedtoalignwiththeAztecdescription.AtLomodelToromountain,theyinitiatedasearcharounditsperimeter.Muchwasinaccessiblebycar,forcingthemtohikethe
ruggedterrain.Theywerenowhot,dusty,andtiredofdodgingrattlesnakes.
Theyhadexploredallaroundthemountain,exceptfortheElMonteMinefacilityfacingZimapán,whichencompassedtheoriginalSpanishdigs.Withmostofitssilverandleaddepositshavingbeenminedinexcavationsthatstretchedbacktothesixteenthcentury,itwasnowasmalloperation.
Torresconferredwithmineofficialsandalocalhistorian,butnoonerecalledanystoriesofanAzteccave,orevenanAztecpresenceinthearea.Fearsthatthestonewashiddeninanearlymineshaftwereminimizedwhentheyrealizedtheminingoperationwashighupthemountain.
Torresdrankwarmwaterfromhiscanteenandshookhishead.“Myfriends,perhapstheAzteccow
mountainislocatedelsewhere.”
Dirkproducedacopyofthecodexpagethatillustratedtheburialsite.HegazedfromthemountainimagetotheimposingheightsofLomodelToro.“Theridgehighlineslooklikeamatchtome.”
Summergazedatthemountainandagreed.Studyingthephotocopy,shenoticedafaintlinebeneaththecave.“What’sthat?”
DirkandTorrespeeredattheline.
“Ididn’trememberthatintheoriginal,”Torressaid.
“That’swhatIthought,”Summersaid.“Itbecamemorevisibleinthephotocopy.”
Torresstudiedthelineclosely.“Itwouldappeartobeariverorcreek.”
Dirkwasalreadyeyeingthetopographicmap.“Theviewofthebullismost
prominentfromeitherthesouthwestorthenortheast.ThenortheastareaismostlyrollinghillsthatdescendtowardZimapán.Tothesouthwest,wherewearenow,there’sanaturalwashrunningalongthemountain’swesternflank.”
“We’vealreadysearchedthere,”Summernoted.
“Butnothere.”Dirk’sfingerfollowedthewash,trackingbeneathalowridge
thatjuttedfromthebaseofthemountain.Ahalfmiledistant,theridgegrewintoahigh,steepbluff.Thewashbelowdisappearedintoalargereservoir.
“YouthinkthecaveisinthissmallridgethatstretchesoffLomodelToro?”
“No,Ithinkit’sbeneaththishighbluff.”
“That’sunderwater,”Summersaid.
“Itwouldn’thavebeen
whentheAztecswerehere.”Torres’svoicehadanewoptimism.“Thelakewascreatedbyadambuiltsometwenty-fiveyearsago.”
Dirkdraggedhisfingertothemiddleofthereservoir.“Ifyouweredrawingapictureofthecavefromthisvantagepoint,thepeakofLomodelTorowouldriseaboveandjustbeyondthetopofthebluff.Thecodeximagewouldstillfit.”
“Yes,yes,”Torressaid,hisfacelightingup.“Areyouuptothetaskofsearchinginthewater?”
Dirkgavetheprofessorawink.“CouldanAztecpriestcarveaturkey?”
T15
heyplungedintothereservoirfromashorelineledge,
findingthewatercoolandthevisibilityclear.Summerinvoluntarilyshiveredinthewaterthatwasnotaswarmasthecenotewheretheyhadlast
dived.Shehoveredamomentattheten-footmarktoclearherears,thenswamafterherbrother,whowasalreadydescendingrapidly.AfterTorreshadfoundapathtothewater’sedge,thesiblingshadassembledtheirdivegearinrecordtime,leavingthearcheologisttopacetheshoreline.
Dirkfollowedthegradientuntilitleveledatsixtyfeet.Thelakebedwasabland
tableauofrocksandbrownmudthatresembledamoonscape.Anysignofariverbedwaslongsincehidden,coveredbysedimentbuiltupsincethedamwasconstructed.Dirkknewtheoriginalwatercoursehadfollowedthebaseoftheridge,andwhenSummerjoinedhisside,hetookoffacrossitssteepface.
Theycouldlookupthefaceoftheridgenearlytothe
surface.Theyswaminshortspurts,methodicallysurveyingtherockwallinhopeofspottingacave-likeopening.Numeroustimestheyweredeceivedbyshadowsandnarrowfissuresthatlednowhere.Bothwerestrongswimmers,andwithlittlecurrentinthelake,theyquicklyadvancedseveralhundredyardsalongthebaseoftheridge.
Thefeaturegradually
sharpenedtoanear-verticalrise.DirkwaslookingaheadtothenextcontourwhenhefeltSummergriphisarm.Shepointedtotherockinclineathisside.Asmallindentationwasvisiblewherehisfinhadknockedawaysomesilt.Hestuckhisfingersintothecreviceandscoopedawayathickhandfulofmud.Thewaterturnedmurky,butaminutelateritclearedandtheycouldseetheindentation
wasacarvedstep.Summerranherhandabovethecutandfoundanotherhollow.Scoopingawaythemudinside,sheexposeditasanotherstep,carveddirectlyabovethefirstone.
Shepointedupthefaceoftherockandbeganascending.Everyfootorso,shefoundanotherstepfilledwithsediment.Aboutfortyfeetaboveher,Summernoticedadarkspotandherheart
skippedabeat.Itappearedlittledifferent
thantherockshadowsthathaddeceivedthemearlier,butshebecamemoreintriguedwhenapairoffishemergedfromthedarkness.DirkfollowedSummerassheascended,followingtheburiedflightofsteps.Drawingclosetotherockshadow,shesawathickledgeprotrudingfromthewallaboveher,obscuringtheview
fartherup.Withastrongkickofher
fins,shebroachedtherimandpeeredoverthetop.Justbeyondwasanovalrecessintherockwall.Neatlyconcealedbytheledge,andaccessibleonlybythestepswhenthelandwasdry,thecavewouldhavebeenahighlydefensiblehideawayforitsancientoccupants.
Summerwaiteduntilherbrotherjoinedheronthe
ledge.Shethenflickedonadivelightandswamthroughtheslimopening,startlingalargebassthatdartedoutofthedarkness.Dirkfollowedher,carefulnottoscrapethefloorwithhisfinsandkickupacloudofsediment.
Thesmallopeningledashortdistancebeforeexpandingintoahouse-sizedcavern.Removedfromthesurfacelight,theinteriorwasblackandominous,savefor
thethinilluminationoftheirdivelights.Theceilingsoaredhighabovethem,allowingthediverstofloateasilywhilesurveyingtheinterior.Buttherewaslittletoobserve.Arockfirepitoccupiedthecenterofthecavefloor,whileanorderlymoundofcrushedrockwaspiledagainstthebackwall.Therewasnosignofthehalfstone,oranyotherartifacts.
Dirkswamtoasidewall
andexamineditwithhislight.Crudescarspepperedthesurface,indicatingtherocksinthepilehadbeenhammeredfromthewall.Hepickeduponeoftherocksandheldittohisdivemask.Itwasaheavychunkofgranitefleckedwithsilver.Someonehaddiscoveredaveinoftheoreandmadeaprimitiveattempttomineit.CouldithavebeentheAztecs?
HepocketedtherockandjoinedSummer,whowasslowlyswimmingcircularlapswithherlightpointedatthefloor.Theexcitementinhereyeshadvanishedandshegaveherbrotheradisappointedshakeofherhead.Dirkpointedtowardtheentranceandmotionedtoleave.
Summerfollowed,keepingherlightpointedatthefloor.Astheycrossedthecenterof
thecave,herlightcaughtthefirepit.Shehadexamineditearlierbutfoundonlyaringofrocksoveramudfloor.Nowshenoticedtherewerenocharredsticksorsignsofcharcoal.Norweretherocksblackened.Shehesitatedandthennoticedtherocks’alignment.Theydidn’tactuallyformaroundpitbutwereinsteadpositionedinasemicircle.
Shereachedoutandsnared
Dirk’sanklebeforeheswamouttheentrance,thendroppeddowntothefirepit.Heturnedhislightonherassheglidedabovethepitandplungedahandintoitscenter.Summer’sfingersdrovethroughseveralinchesofsedimentbeforereachingahardsurface.Slidingherhandagainstit,shecouldtellitwasflat.
Herpulsequickenedasshescoopedthemudfromthefire
pitinthickhandfuls.Fineparticlesrosethroughthewater,deflectingtheirlightsandturningthevisibilitytosoup.Dirkreleasedashotofairfromhisbuoyancycompensatoranddescendedtothefloor,feelingSummer’selbowasshecontinuedtoslingmud.Hefelthermovementsstopandtheybothlayquietly,waitingforthewatertoclear.
Itfeltlikeaneternityto
Summer,butitwasonlyaminuteortwobeforethewaterbegantobecomeclear.ShesawDirk’slightappear,thentheshapeofhiswetsuit.Together,theyturnedtheirlightstowardthefirepit,whereSummer’shandstillrested.Asherfingerscameintoview,shetracedtheoutlineofalarge,flatobject.Brushingawayathinlayerofsand,shepressedherfacedowntosee.
Thecarvedheadofabirdgazedbackather,surroundedbyanassortmentofstylizedglyphslikethoseinthecodex.Summerwinkedatherbrotherandpointedatthefigures.
ShehadfoundtheAztecstone.
T16
hestonewastoounwieldytocarryanydistance,soSummer
andDirkleftitinplaceandswamoutofthecave.Dirkhadcarriedasmallliftbagattachedtohisbuoyancycompensator.Heinflatedit
withhisregulatorandtiedittoarockneartheentrance.Thesmallbagfloatedtothesurface,providingamarkerforthecave.DirkandSummerfolloweditup,thenswamalongtheridgewalltowhereTorreswaitedimpatiently.
ThearcheologistleapedlikeadrunkenleprechaunwhenSummerdescribedtheirfind.“Itwascarvedinasemicircle?”
“Yes,”Summersaid,“exactlyasifithadbeencutinhalf.Itwasfullofcarvedglyphs,justliketheonesinthecodex.”
“Fantástico!Canyouremoveitfromthecave?”
“Yes,butwe’llnevergetithere.”Shepointedtoatinyorangespeckinthewater.Dirk’sfloatbaglayalmostaquartermileaway.
“We’llhavetomovethevancloser,”Dirksaid.He
eyeballedthetopoftheridge,thenborrowedTorres’stopographicmap.“Ifwecirclearoundthebackoftheridge,Ithinkwecandriveoverthetopanddescenddirectlyabovethecave.There’sataperedgullynearbywherewecouldaccessthelake.”
Summernodded.“Wecouldhoistitstraightupthefaceofthebluff.There’sacoilofropeinthebackofthe
vanwecanuse.”Torreslaughed.“Wehave
nothingtolosebutmyvan.Let’sgiveitatry.”
Theyloadedtheirgearanddrovearoundtheeastsideoftheridge,followingaweather-beatendirttrackthatsnakeddownthehilltothereservoir’sdam.Findingamoderateinclinetotheridge,Torresturnedoffthetrackanddroveupthehillside.Thegroundwashardand
compact,providingfirmtractionforthevan’sworntires.
ThesurfaceturnedtosolidrockasTorresreachedthetopoftheridge.Dirkgotoutandguidedhimdowntheothersideandtowardtheedge,justoverlookingthebuoymarker.Torresstoppedinfrontofapileofbouldersandstuckhisheadoutthewindow.“How’sthis?”
“Perfect,”Dirksaid.“Just
remembertoputitinreversewhenit’stimetoleave.”
Torresappliedtheparkingbrakeandturnedofftheengine.Summerwasalreadyoutthedoor,uncoilingalengthofnylonrope.Tyingoneendaroundthevan’sdoorpost,sheflungtheremaininglineovertheside,watchingasitsplashedintothewaterfortyfeetbelow.
“It’sahundred-footline,”shesaid.“Shouldbejust
enoughtogetusthere.”Dirkunloadedtheirdive
equipmentandtwothinsleepingpadsfromtheircampingsupplies.
“Canyougrabmynewcamera?”SummerpointedtoanunderwaterOlympuscamerawithinherbrother’sreach.
Torreshelpedthemhaultheirgeartothenearbygully,whichofferedasteepbutnavigablepathtothe
reservoir.“Beverycareful,myfriends,”heshoutedastheypreparedtoenterthewater.
“We’llbringitupinonepiece,”Dirkreplied,knowingTorres’schiefconcernwastheartifact’ssafety.
Heslippedonhismaskandsteppedintothewater,carryingthesleepingpadsunderonearm.Summerswampasthim,retrievingthedanglingrope.Theymetat
theliftbaganddovetothecaveentrance,anotherthirtyfeetdown.
Atthefirepit,Summersnappedmultiplepicturesofthestoneinsitu.Settinghercameraaside,shehelpedDirkmuscletheheavystoneontopofoneofthesleepingpads.Dirkwrappedtheotherpadovertheexposedside,creatingaprotectivecover,whichhesecuredwithSummer’srope.Standingon
thecavefloor,hepulledtheropetogiveitatest.Withaconcertedeffort,theyslidthebundledstoneacrossthemuddyfloor.
NoddingatSummer,hedraggedthestoneoutofthecave,whilehissisterswamaboveit,guidingitfreeofanyobstacles.Onceclearoftheentrance,Dirkpushedthestoneuprightontheledge,thenshottothesurface.TheyhadagreedSummerwould
stayinthewaterandmonitorthestone’sascentwhileDirkandTorreshoistedittothevan.
DirkhardlyhadtoassistTorres.Bythetimehehadjettisonedhisdivegearandhikedtothevan,Torreswaspullinglikeamadman.Adrenalinewasclearlypumpingthroughthearcheologist’sveins.Buthisagedmusclesbegantofadeasthestonebrokethelake’s
surfaceandDirkpitchedinfortheremainingdistance.Summerexitedthewaterandjoinedtheout-of-breathmenastheyremovedtheropeandpads.
Thewhitehalfdiskglistenedundertheafternoonsun.Torresdroppedtohiskneesandgrazedhisfingertipsacrossthesurface.Theglyphswerecrisplycut,thoughalongtheedgestheyhadwornthin.
Summercouldseetheglyphswerecarvedinbandsthatwouldhaveencircledtheentirestonebeforeitwascutintwo.“Canyoureadwhatitsays?”
“Portions,”Torressaidwithanod.“Thissectionrelaysanimportantjourneyacrossthewater.Thoughwearemissinghalfthestone,Isuspectwe’llbeabletopiecetogethermuchofitsintent.”Hesmiled.“Betweenthis
stoneandthecodex,you’vegivenapairofoldarcheologistsquiteafewyearsofsteadywork.”
“Justpromiseus,”Dirksaid,“youwon’tkeepitallstoredawayinadustyarchive.”
“Heavens,no.Thiswilleasilybethecenterpieceattheuniversity’smuseum.Whichremindsme,werethereanyotherartifacts?”
“No,IcheckedwhenI
photographedthestone,”Summersaid.“Oh,no!”sheburstoutsuddenly.“Mycamera!Ileftitinthecave.”
“I’llgetit,”Dirksaid.“Ineedtoretrievemyfloatmarkeranyway.MaybeyoucanscavengesomethingtoeatfromthecoolerwhileI’mgone.”
“No,”Torressaid,“weshallhaveacelebratorydinnerinZimapán,andthetequilashallbeonme.”
Dirkgrinned.“AbetterofferIhaven’thadinamonthofSundays.”
Hehikedtothewater’sedge,donnedhistankandmask,andswamtothefloat.Hetookaquickglanceupandnoticedanoddswirlofdustrisingatoptheridge.Thinkingnothingofit,heemptiedhisbuoyancycompensatorandsankbeneaththesurface.
T17
hewhiteJeepCherokeecamebarrelinguptheridge
likeaspeedingcheetah,itstireschewinguptheinclinewithease.Reachingthesummit,itmadeahastybeelinefortheuniversityvan.
TheJeep’sdriverdidn’tbotherpickinganeasydescentbutdrovestraightdowntheridgeandslidtoastopinfrontofthevan.Apatchofloosegravelskitteredovertheedgeoftherockfaceintothewaterbelow.
SummercasuallykickedthesleepingpadoverthestoneandsteppedinfrontofitasthreemenhoppedfromtheJeep.Eachworeabaseballcap,sunglasses,and
ablackscarfwrappedaroundhisface.Twoheldautomatichandguns,whichtheyleveledatSummerandTorres.
“Whatisthis?”Torressnapped.“Wehavenodrugsormoney.”Thoughtheywerefarsouthofthemajordrugcartelhomelandstates,Torresknewtheviolentorganizationshadalongreach.
“Shutup,oldman,andstandaside,”oneofthe
gunmensaid.HewavedhispistolatSummer.“You,too.”
TorresandSummerbackedawayastheothergunmansteppedforwardandthrewbackthecoverfromthestone.
“Isthisit?”heasked.Theunarmedmanstepped
closerwithameasuredeasethatwasinmarkedcontrasttothetwomenholdingweapons.Clearlyolderthantheothers,hewastheobvious
groupleader.HestudiedtheAztecstone
withapatientgaze.Satisfied,henoddedathisaccomplices,thenpointedtothebackoftheJeep.Thenearestgunman,whoworearedshirt,openedthedecklidandthenjoinedtheotherman.Theyholsteredtheirweaponsandhoistedthestoneofftheground.
“No!”Torresshouted.“That’sanimportant
historicalartifact.”Hesteppedforwardand
shovedthenearestman,wholosthisgriponthestoneandfellbackward.Theothergunmanletgoasthestonethumpedtotheground.Inaninstant,hispistolwasbackinhishand.Withouthesitation,heraisedandfiredthreeshotsintoTorres’schest.
Summerscreamedasthearcheologiststaggeredback.Hiseyelidsflutteredandthen
hefelltotheground.Everyoneelsefrozeasthesoundofthegunshotsechoedoffthesurroundinghills.“Imbécil!”thetrio’s
leadercried.Hegrabbedthegunandpointedatthestone.“Rápidamente.”
ThetwogunmenferriedthestonetothebackoftheJeepastheirbosskeptawatchfuleyeonSummer.ShekneltbesideTorresbutquicklyrealizedhewasdead.
“Youkilledhimforacarvedstone!”shecried,risingtoherfeet.
Thetwogunmenreturnedandspokewiththeirleaderinlowvoices.Oneproducedaknifeandcutashortlengthfromtherope.HethenreachedoverandgrabbedoneofSummer’swrists.
Sheswungheroppositeelbowandslammeditintotheman’sjaw.Ashetumbledback,shetookasteptorun
butfrozeasagunshotrangout.
Itwasthegroup’sleader,firingashotintothesideofthevaninchesfromSummer.Heeasedthegunsideways,takingaimather.“Thenextonewon’tmiss.”
Logic,andthethoughtofherbrotherinthewaterbelow,overcameheranger.SheremainedstillasthewoozygunmanroseandboundSummer’swrists
behindher.Afteraquietconversationwiththeleader,thegunmanintheredshirtapproachedSummer.“Whereistheothermanwhowaswithyou?”
Summerstaredstraightaheadandsaidnothing.Theleaderstrodetotheedgeofthebluffandstaredintothewater.Dirk’sfloatbagbobbeddirectlybelow.Thewaterwasclearenoughthathecouldjustmakeoutthe
ledgefrontedthecave.HegazedbacktothemassofsmallbouldersinfrontoftheJeep.Theywereinperfectalignment.
HepointedatSummerandmotionedtowardtheJeep.RedShirtgrabbedherarmandpushedherintothebackseat,thenhelpedtheothertwodragTorres’sbodyandrollitoffthebluff.Summergrimacedasthebodyhitthewaterbelowwith
asickeningsplash.Themanwiththeknifethenwenttoworkonthevan,slashingeachofitstires.
Satisfiedwiththeirhandiwork,thethreemenreturnedtotheJeep.RedShirtclimbedinbackandheldapistolonSummer,whiletheothertwosatinfront.Theleadertookthewheel,butinsteadofbackingup,helettheJeeprollforwardagainstoneofthe
blockadingboulders.HeputtheJeepinlowgearandeasedtheaccelerator,shovingtheboulderforward.Smallerrocksinfrontofitbeganslidingoverthebluff,rainingdownintothewaterbelow.Thebouldersoongaveway,tumblingintothelake.
TheJeepbackedupandtookaimatanadjacentwallofrocksstackedhighneartheedge.Thedrivernudgedatthepile,backinguphurriedly
whenoneslammedontothehood.Anotherpushbrokeloosealowersupportingrockandtheentirepilecascadedovertheside,takingwithitathickchunkofthecliff.TheJeepnearlyjoinedtheavalanche,butthedrivershiftedintoreverseandgunnedtheenginejustintime.Heturnedandheadeduptheridgeasseveraltonsofrockanddebrissliddownintothereservoir.
Summersatstoically,angershowingonlyinthecreasesofhereyelids.Asthelakevanishedinaswirlofdustbehindthem,shecouldonlypraysilentlyforherbrother’ssafety.
I18
twasasmallclaybowlthatsavedDirk’slife.
HehadleftthefloatbaginplacewhileheswamintothecavetoretrieveSummer’sunderwatercamera.Hefounditnexttothefirepit.Ashereachedto
grabit,hishanddippedintothesiltandbrushedsomethingsmoothandround.Findingagrip,hepulledfreeasmallpotterybowlwiththefaintimageofasnakecarvedonthebottom.
SlippingthebowlintoapocketonhisBC,heprobedformoreartifacts.Hefeltnothingbutooze.Asagrindingrumblesoundedoverhead,heglancedtowardthecaveentranceintimeto
seeitsblueglowturndark.Secondslater,hewasenvelopedinacloudofmurkywater.
Dirkswamblindlytotheentrance,feelinghiswayalongthecaveflooruntilcollidingwithalargerockthatblockedhisway.Asthesedimentbegantosettle,hesawagapoflighttooneside.Hemovedtotheopeningasasecondrumblesoundedabovehim.Heconsidereddarting
outbuthesitatedwhenheheardalargesplash.Shininghislightthroughtheopening,hesawacascadeofrockstumbleontotheledgebeforeanewcloudofsedimentsnuffedouthisview.
Dirkcouldfeelthevibrationthroughtherocksastheypiledup.Itwasseveralsecondsbeforetheslidesubsided.Therocksfromtheridgehadknockedloosealargesubsurfaceoutcropping,
whichdumpedevenmoretonsofdebrisontotheledge.Buriedundertheavalanche,thecave’stinyentrancewascompletelysealed.
Dirkbackedawayfromtheentranceandexaminedhisairpressuregauge.Theneedlehoveredjustabovetheredlow-airwarningmarker.Hehadfive,maybetenminutesofairleft.
Trappedinanunderwatercavewithlittleair,itwould
havebeenaperfecttimetopanic.ButDirksuppressedanysuchfearsandtookacalmbreathofair,assessingthesituation.
Hisinitialurgewastoattacktherockpileandtrytodigfree.PerhapsSummerwasalreadypreparingtodigontheotherside.Butlogictoldhimhewouldnevermakeit.Thethunderingavalanchehaddroppedsomuchrock,hewouldexhaust
hisairsupplylongbeforetunnelingout.
Ifthatwashisonlyoption,sobeit.Thenhelookedup.Thecaveceilingroseintwinfissuresthatangledupnearlytwentyfeet.Hedecidedtotakeaquicklook.
Grippinghisflashlight,hekickedupward,followingthefirstfissureuntilitconvergedinanarrow,jaggedpoint.Hebacktrackedandswamupthesecondfissure,findinga
similarcathedralpeak.Thewallsandfissureappearedtobesolidrock.Heturnedanddescended,almostmissingit.Butoutofthecornerofhiseye,hecaughtatinyspeckoflight.
Swimmingcloser,hefounditssource,asmallpinholeintherockwallleadingtothelake.HepulledoutaRandalldiveknifestrappedtohisthighandpokedthetipintothehole.
Thelightexpandedasasmallchunkofrockflakedaway.Dirkbeganjammingtheknifeintothehole,graduallyincreasingitsdiametertothesizeofasoftball.
Itwasawayout,heknew,buthefacedthesamedilemma.Couldheexcavatealargeenoughholebeforehisairranout?Hehadalreadyusedthreeminutes’worth.Withlimitedtime,theknifealonewouldn’tdothejob.
He’dneedmoreleverage.Heswamdowntothecave
floor,approachedtheorepile,andsearchedforastonehecoulduseasahammer.Hespottedonewithabluntsideandpluckeditfromthepile.Beneathitwasagreenrockwithanear-perfectwedgeshape.Intriguedbytheshape,hepickeditup,thenrealizedthatitwasn’tarock.Itwastooheavyforitssizeandhadaperfectlyroundholeinits
underside.Dirkhelditclosetohis
maskandrecognizeditasanoxidizedcopperaxheadusedtochiporefromthecavewalls.TheAztechadbeenskilledstonecarvers,herecalled,craftingstatuesandtemplesfromthelocalbasalt.NeighboringMixteccraftsmeninOaxaca,advancedintheskillofmetallurgy,wouldhavetradedcopper-basedtools
withtheAztecs.Thoughthewoodhandlehaddisintegrated,thecopperheadoftheancientaxwasstillsolid.
Hequicklyswambacktothefissureandputbothobjectstowork.Placingthebusinessendoftheaxheadnexttotheopening,hestruckthebluntsidewiththeroundstone.Muffledbythewater,theimpactregisteredasaloudclick.Dirkstruckit
againandachunkofrockbrokeawayfromtheopening.TheancientMixtecmetallurgistshadmixedtinwiththecopperwhentheyforgedtheax,producingahardbronze-likemetalthatwassurprisinglyeffectiveatcuttingstone.
Feelingresistancefromtheairdrawnthroughhisregulator,hebeganpoundingmadlyatthecopperchisel.Hedidn’thavetocheckhis
pressuregaugetoknowhewasdrawingonhisfinalairreserves.Strikinghardcausedtherockwalltostubbornlybreakawayinfist-sizedpieces.Pullingthelooserockawayrevealedaholethatwasafootindiameter.
Dirktookabreathandnothingcamethroughtheregulator.Histankwascompletelydry.
Withouthesitating,hepoundedthechiselashardas
hecould.Morefragmentsfellaway,buttheopeningwasstilltoosmall.Hislungstightenedasapoundinginhisheadmimickedhisbangingontherock.Throughthevibratingaxhead,hecouldfeelaslightgiveintherockwall.Butthesmall,ancientaxfeltlikeaball-peenhammertappingagainsttheHooverDam.
Hedismissedthefearofdrowning,slippedoffhisBC,
andremovedthesteelairtank.Graspingitbytheneck,hesmashedthebottomagainsttherock.Thewallvibratedbutnothingmore.Hesmasheditagain.Andagain.ThetankcollidedwithaclatterasDirkreleasedwhatlittleairhehadleftinhislungs.Withadesperateplunge,hetriedoncemore,summoningeveryounceofstrength.
Thistime,asmallcrack
appeared—thensuddenlyathree-footchunkofwallfellaway.
Almosttooshockedtoreact,Dirkletgoofthetankandkickedthroughthehole.Thesurfacewasonlytenfeetaway.Hestrokedupwardandbrokeintotheblindingsunlightwitharush,gaspingandsuckingatthefreshair.Hefloatedinthewaterfornearlyaminutebeforetheoxygenwasreplenishedinhis
bloodandhisbreathingeased.Tryingtorelax,hestaredatanemptysky,ignoringsomethinginthewaterthatbrushedathisside.Whenhisbreathingslowed,heturnedtoseewhatwasnudginghim.
ItwasthebodyofDr.Torres.
D19
irkreactedquickly,swimmingtoasmallrock
outcroppingandtowingTorres’sbodybehindhim.Onceonland,henotedthethreebulletwoundsintheprofessor’schest.
DirklookeduptowardthevanandshoutedSummer’sname.Therewasnoreply.Thenhesawasmallcloudofdustwaftingovertheridge.Heditchedhismaskandfins,fumbledthroughTorres’spocketsforthekeys,andsprintedupthehill.Hesawthefrayedropetiedtothevehicleandknewsomeonehadcomeforthestone.Glancingwithfearatthewaterbelow,hesawnosign
ofSummer’sbody.Shemusthavebeenabducted.
Disregardingitsfourflattires,Dirkstartedthevan,turneditaround,andmashedonthegas.Thevanlurchedahead,itsflattenedtiresthumpingagainstthewheelwells.Despitetheuneventraction,Dirkcoaxedthevehicletothetopoftheridgeline.Farbelow,hespottedawhiteJeepdrivingnorthontheolddirtroad.
HefoughttheurgetoturndowntheridgeandfollowtheJeep.Itwouldbeimpossibletocatchitinthevan’sdisabledstate.He’dalreadylostoneofitsshreddedtires.Assumingthevanreachedtheroad,themanypatchesofsoftsandwouldsurelysnareitforgood.
Fromhisreviewofthetopomap,DirkknewtheroadwoundaroundseveralhillsalongthebaseofLomodel
TorrobeforecurvingwestandleadingacrosstheZimapánDam.Thedamspannedanarrowgorgeattheridge’sfarend.Ifhecouldcoaxthevanalongthetopoftheridgeline,hewouldcutoffamileortwoandpossiblycatchtheJeepbeforeitcrossedthedam.
Hepunchedtheacceleratorandrumbledacrosstheridge’sroundedpeak.Onebyone,theremainingtires
shreddedoff.Thesteelwheelsletoutagrindingwail,andeverybumpanddiprattledthroughthechassis.Dirkfeltlikehewasridingajackhammer.Inthesidemirrors,hecouldseeatrailofsparkseruptwheneverthewheelsscrapedoversolidrock.
Theridgelinegraduallynarrowed,forcingDirkontoasideledgethatheldlevelforashortdistance.Theledge
narrowed,thenvanishedaltogetherinajumbleofsmallboulders.Dirkswerveduptheslopebutstruckapatchofsoftsand.Feelingtherearwheelsstarttobogdown,hehadnochoicebuttoturndownhilltomaintainmomentum.Narrowlymissingoneboulder,heslidintoatightravine.Thevanheeledtoitsside,nearlytopplingoverbeforeanopposingrutrockeditback
upright.Thevanthumpedoversomesmallerrocks,thenagainfoundevenground.
Dirkfeatheredthethrottleastheridgebegantotaper.Aheadandbelowhim,hecoulddiscernthenarrowZimapánDam.Hedroveharddowntheincreasinglysteepslope,thenslammedonthebrakesandspunthewheel.Thebentandpittedwheelsskidded,diggingrutsthroughthehard-packedsurface
beforethevanrockedtoahalt.Dirkclimbedoutandpeekedpastthehood.
Justthreefeetinfrontofthevan,theridgelinedroppedawayinasheercliff.Ahundredfeetbelowwasthedam’swesternapproach.Anagedasphaltroadranacrossthetopoftheconcretestructure,curvingupanotherridgeontheoppositeside.Itwaseasytoseewhythedamhadbeenbuilthere.The
steep,narrowgorgewaseasilyobstructed.
Thethoughtwasoflittleconsequenceashiseyesfollowedtheroadtotheeast.ThewhiteJeepwasjustsecondsaway.
S20
ummersatstillinthebackseat,butbehindherbackherhands
workedfuriously.Theropearoundherwristswasstilldampfromimmersioninthelake.Themoisturelubricatedherwristswhilemakingthe
ropemoretensile.WitheverybounceoftheJeep,sheflexedandpulled,stretchingthebindingamillimeteratatime.
Alreadygrowingtiredofguardingher,Summer’sbackseatcaptorreachedoverandlockedherdoorandthenholsteredhisgun.Nevertheless,hestaredatherwithsuspicion,orperhapsitwasattraction.Shecounteredwithaverbalbombardment
ofquestions.Fromtheobvious—“Whereareyoutakingme?”—tothefrivolous—“Wheredidyoubuythatscarf?”—sheharanguedtheguard.Eachquerywasmetwithstonysilence.Thechatteringworkedasheultimatelyturnedhisheadawayfromherandstaredoutthewindow.
Summereasedbackthecommentary.Nopointpushingherluck.The
gunmenhadn’thesitatedtokillTorresandeasilycoulddothesametoher.Shewasencouragedthatthethreethievesstillkepttheirfacesmaskeddespitetheheat.Ifshecouldstaycalmuntiltheyreachedatown,maybeshecouldleapfromthecarandfindrefuge.Butfirstshe’dhavetoworkfreeoftheropebinding.
Herwishescametruesoonerthanshehoped.The
roadgraduallyimproveduntiltheJeep’stiresmetpavement.They’darrivedatthedam,wheretheroadnarrowedasitwoundacrossthetopofthestructure.Thedriverspedup,thensuddenlycursedandstoodonthebrakes.
AstheJeepshudderedacrossthepavement,allfouroccupantsshotforward.ThehardbrakingworkedinSummer’sfavor.Herlefthandslippedloose,andasshe
fellbackintoherseat,shequicklyworkedtheropeoffbothwrists.Shehadn’tseenthereasonforthesuddenstop.Asshepeeredoutthesidewindow,shegapedinhorror.
ThegreenuniversityvanhadshotoffthesideofthecliffdirectlyoverheadandwasdescendingtowardthemlikeaTomahawkmissile.ThevanarcedpasttheJeep,strikingtheedgeoftheroad
tenfeetahead,whereitsmashednose-firstbeforetumblinghardontoitsroof.Thecompressedvehicleslidanotherdozenfeetbeforecomingtoarest—blockingtheroadway—amidapoolofleakingenginefluids.
TheJeepwasstillskiddingwhenSummerunlockedherdoorandflungherselfout.Shehitthepavementrunningandsprintedtothevan,shoutingherbrother’sname.
Assheapproachedtheflattenedvehicle,herstomachclenchedinaknot.Nobodyinsidecouldhavesurvivedtheimpact.
Sheapproachedtheinverteddriver’s-sidewindowandcrouchedtopeerinside.Therewasnoonetobeseen.Theknotinherstomachinstantlyreleased.
Shehadnotimetoreactasshefeltthevanmove.TheJeephadpulledupandthe
driverwasattemptingtonudgethewreckaside.Summerstoodasthevanslidafewinchespastheronlytofindherbackseatcompanionapproachingwithhisgundrawn.
ShemeeklyraisedherhandswhilescanningforsignsofDirk.Thesunwasinhereyes,buttheclifflookedtoosteepforsomeonetodescend.Seeingnomovementontheroadthey
hadtaken,sheglancedintheoppositedirection.
Theywerepositionedatopthedam,thereservoir’sbluewaterslappingatitsconcretefacetwentyfeetbelowher.Oddly,theterrainontheothersideofthehigh,narrowdamappearedcompletelydry.Therewasnopowerhouseoranysignofwaterreleasesintothesteep,tightgorgecalledElInfiernilloCañones.
Summerlookedbackattheguard.Withanangeredexpression,hemotionedforhertoreturntotheJeep.Shenoddedandtookahalfstepforwardwhenanimpulseforsurvivalkickedin.Itmaynothavebeenherbestchanceatescape,andperhapsitwasnochanceatall,butshewentforitallthesame.Withaquicksidestep,shelungedtotheguardrailandleaped.Theguardreactedinstantly.
Reluctanttofirehisweaponafterhisearliertongue-lashing,hegrabbedatherwithhisfreehand,justsnaringthecuffofherpants.Caughtoffbalance,hewaspulledtotherail.Herefusedtoletgoofherbutcouldn’thalthermomentumwithhisfaintgrip.Ashislegsclippedtherail,heplungedovertheside.
Theytumbledandhitthewatertogetherwithaloud
splash.Summertriedtoswimdeep,kickingawayfromtheguard.Buthemaintainedhisgriponherlegwhileusinghisotherhandtoswingthebuttofhispistolather.Shefeltlikeshewasinanunderwaterwrestlingmatch.Figuringthatshewasthebetterswimmer,shestrokeddeeperwhilekickingtobreakfreeofhisgrasp.
Herhandslappedagainstthedamandshefeltthe
concretesurfaceskimacrossherfingers.Themovementwasfasterthansheexpected.Theywerebeingpulledbyastrongunderwatercurrent.Asthewaterrapidlydarkened,sherealizedtheywerebeingdrawndowntowardthebaseofthedam.
Anewworryfilledhersenses.Whatwascausingtheundertow?Therewasnopowerhouseorexternalwaterflowoutthebacksideofthe
dam.Absentaspillway,thereshouldhavebeennothingdangerousaboutdivingdownthedam’sinteriorface.
Thefearofdrowningovertookherfearoftheguard.Sherelaxedinhisgripandthenalignedwithhiseffortstokicktothesurface.Butthewaterturneddarker,andanincreasingpressureinherearstoldhertheywerebeingdrawndeeperintothelake.
Throughthemurkywater,Summerdetectedacircularopening,aboutfifteenfeetindiameter,thatwassuckingthemtowardit.Sherealizeditwasaspillway,cutthroughthebaseofthedam.TheZimapánDamhadinfactbeenbuilttogeneratehydroelectricpower,onlyitsgeneratingstationwaslocatedattheendofatunnelsomethirteenmilesdownstream.
Thespillwayinlethada
gratetokeepoutlargedebris,butyearsofneglecthadleftitmangled.Nearlyhalfofthegratehadbeenbatteredinward,allowinganunfetteredflowofwater.
Summerandtheguardsawwhatwascomingandfoughttoswimclear.Butthesuctiongrewstronger,pullingthemfastertotheopening.Abandoningherinstincts,Summerdidtheunthinkable.Sheswamtowardtheinlet.
Theguardglancedatherindisbelief,panicfillinghiseyesashefoughttherelentlesspull.Toolate,herealizedSummerhadmadethesmartmove.Swimminghardwiththeflow,sheangledacrossthecurrentjustenoughtoreachtheintactsectionofgrating.Shesnaredametalcrossmemberandyankedherbodytowardit.
Sheslammedagainstthegrate,nearlyknockingthelast
breathfromherlungs.Thewaterpressurepinnedheralongsidesomelogs,atire,andotherdebris.Sheturnedherheadastheguardcamehurtlingpast.Hisscarfandsunglasseshadlongsincebeenrippedaway,andSummersawthestarkterrorinhiseyesashefailedtobreakfreeofthesuction.Inaninstanthewasgone,suckeddowntheblackholewheretheswirlingwaters
drownedhisfinalscreams.Atleastsomeonewillbe
abletorecovermybody,Summerthoughtasayearningforairoverpoweredhersenses.
Clingingtothegrateinfinaldesperation,shewonderedwhatwashappeningatopthedamandifherbrotherwasstillalive.
D21
irkwasverymuchalive,despiteapoundingheartand
achinglungs.Morebyluckthanballistictrajectory,hehadlaunchedthevanoffthebluffandontothepathofthefleeingJeep,aidedbyarock
ontheacceleratorandaropeholdingthesteeringwheel.Hedidn’twaitforthedusttosettlebeforesprintingdownhillinpursuit.
Hehadtobacktrackahundredyardstofindapathtotheroadbelow.Thegradientwouldhavebeenprecariousforsomeoneinhikingbootsbutwasborderlinesuicidalforsomeoneatafullrunwearingwatershoes.Severaltimes
Dirklosthisfooting,tumblingandslidingdownthelooseterrain.Onlyhiswetsuitprotectedhimfromseriousinjury.
Duringhisdescent,hecouldnotseethedamandcouldonlyhopetheJeepwouldstillbethere.Notthathehadaplanofanysort.Weaponlessagainstarmedmen,hehadlittlehopeofstoppingthem.ButhehadtofindoutifSummerwaswith
themen—andstillalive.Ashenearedthebottomof
thecliff,hecaughtsightofthedamandnearlyfroze.Summerwasstandingnearthecrumpledvan.Suddenlysheleapedintothelakewithagunmanintow.Distractedbythesight,Dirklosthisfootingandfellharddownthehillside.
Thetumblecosthimvaluableseconds.Bythetimeheregainedhisfooting,the
Jeephadsqueezedpasttheoverturnedvan.Thedriverstoppedandpeeredintothewater.Hestaredamoment,thenshookhishead.Secondslater,thetiresspunandtheJeepshotacrossthedam,itsrearendweigheddownbythestolenartifact.
Finallyreachingtheroad,Dirkracedtothedam.Blockedbythebatteredvan,theJeep’sdrivernevernoticedhiminhismirroras
hedroveupthehill.Atthesmashedvehicle,Dirkpeeredintothewater.Calmandflat,itgavenoindicationofthehumanturmoilbelow.
Heracedtothevanandpriedopenareardoor.Theinteriorwasajumbledmess,buthefoundSummer’sdivetank,BC,andmask.Heslippedontheequipmentandpoppedopenthetank’sKvalve.Somethingnaggedathimandheretrievedtherope.
Oneendwasstillsecuredtothedoorframe,sohetiedthelooseendtoaDringonhisBC.Hoppingovertherail,heplungedintothecoollake.
HeflickedonasmalllightattachedtotheBCandfollowedatrailofsedimentparticlesrushingintothedepths.Soonhefeltthepullofthecurrent.Hekickedhard,acceleratingwithitwhilesearchingforSummer.
Stillpinnedtothegrate,
shehadmanagedtopullherselftoitsupperedge.Shehadbeenunderwaterformorethanaminuteandwasapproachingastateofhypoxia.
Hadtherebeenaladderoranythingelsetogrip,shemighthavepulledherselfclearofthesuction,butallshefoundwasthesmoothfaceofthedam.Afloodofdesperate,confusingthoughtssurgedthroughhermind,
pleadingforhertotrytoescape.Perhapstherewashopeattheotherendofthespillway?Shebeganpryingherfingersoffthegratewhensomethingcaughthereye.
Afaintlightcamefromabove.Thelightquicklygrewbrighteruntilitwasjoinedbyafigureflyingtowardher.HopeandagonystrucksimultaneouslyassherecognizedDirkrushingpastherandthroughtheopen
grate.Oddly,hiseyesseemedtosmileashevanishedintotheblackhole.
Aninstantlater,shesawthelightwaveringinthespillway.Throughitsflashes,shedetectedatautropeleadingfromherbrotheruptothesurface.Hereappearedamomentlater,hoistinghimselfhandoverhanduntilreachingthetopofthespillwayopening.Summerwasafewfeettohisleft,
frozentothegrate,herfaceturningblue.
Bracinghisfeetagainsttheconcretesurface,hepushedoffwithallhismight,springingtowardhissister.Hereleasedonehandfromtheropeandreachedforhertorso.Feelinghistouch,shegrabbedhishand,thenwrappedherarmsaroundhiswaist.
Sheyankedtheregulatoroutofhismouthandjammed
itintoherown,suckingdeepbreaths.DirkinflatedhisBC,pulledthemafewfeetuptherope,andwaitedforSummertopassbacktheregulator.Theysharedthetank’sairasDirkmuscledthemupthefaceofthedam.Thespillway’ssuctiongraduallywaneduntiltheycouldkicktothesurface.
“Thatwasanastysurprisedownthere,”Dirksaidaftertheybrokeintothesunshine.
“You’retellingme.Iwasabouttwosecondsawayfromfindingoutwhat’sattheotherendofthespillway.”
“Likelythespinningturbinesofahydroelectricplant.”
Summershudderedatthefateofthegunmanwhohadbeensuckedthroughthetunnel.“IthinkI’vehadmyfillofthisreservoir.”
Sheswamtothesideofthedam,grabbedtherope,
andhoistedherselfup.Dirkfollowedsuit,gladlyditchingthetankandBCwhenhereachedthevan.
Summergazedattheemptyroadthatcurvedupthehill.“TheyshotandkilledDr.Torres,thenstolethestone.”
“Anyideawhotheywere?”
Sheshookherhead.“Therewerethreeofthem.Onewentinthewaterwithmeandwassuckedthrough
thespillway.Theyallmadeanefforttoconcealtheiridentities.”
“Professionalartifactthieveswhoweren’tafraidtokill.”
Summerkickedatasmallstone.“Dr.Torreswaskilledbeforeheevenhadachancetodecipherthestone.Nowit’sgone.Iguesswe’llneverknowwhatitsays.”
“Maderocanstillfigureitout.”
“Notwithoutthestone.”“Westillhavesomething
almostasgood.”Dirkrummagedthroughtheinteriorofthemangledvan.Amomentlater,hecrawledoutclutchingsomething.
Summerglancedatitandherfaceturnedred.“No,youdidn’t!”
DirkcouldofferonlyacrookedgrinasheheldupthesmashedhousingofSummer’snewunderwater
camera.
T22
hehousephonerangandrang,andrangsomemore.St.Julien
Perlmutterdidn’tbelieveinansweringmachines,voicemail,orevencellphones.Tohiswayofthinking,theywereall
intrusiveannoyances.HeparticularlyhadnouseforsuchdevicesontherareoccasionhelefthisGeorgetownhouse,whichusuallymeanthewaseatingatoneofthecapital’sfinerdiningestablishmentsorengaginginarchivalresearchatanationallibrary.
Fortunatelyforthecaller,Perlmutterwasathome,searchingforanancienttomeononeofhismany
bookshelves.Abehemothofaman,hewasperhapstheforemostmaritimehistorianontheplanet.Hisbreadthofknowledgeonshipsandshipwreckswaslegendary,whilearchivistsdrooledforthedayPerlmutterwouldexpireandhiscollectionofletters,charts,journals,andlogbooksmightbesubjecttoacquisition.
Droppingintoastoutleatherchairbesidearolltop
desk,hereachedforthephoneonthetenthring.Likemostobjectsinhishouse,thehandsetwasamarinerelic,havingoncegracedthebridgeoftheluxurylinerUnitedStates.
“Perlmutter,”heansweredinagruffvoice.
“St.Julien,it’sSummer.IhopeIdidn’tcatchyouinthemiddleofameal.”
“Heavens,no.”Hisvoiceinstantlywarmed.“Iwasjust
searchingforafirsthandaccountofChristopherColumbus’sfourthvoyagetotheNewWorld.”
“Aserendipitousera,”shesaid.
“TheAgeofDiscoveryalwayswas.Ihadthepleasureofdiningwithyourfatherrecently.HesaidyouandDirkwereworkinginMexico.”
“Yes,we’restillhere.Andwecoulduseyourhelp.
We’retryingtotrackdownaSpanishshipthatwouldhavesailedfromVeracruzintheearlydaysoftheconquest.”
“Whatwashername?”“I’mafraidwedon’t
know.TheonlycluetoheridentityisadrawingfromanAzteccodex,acopyofwhichIjustemailedyou.”
WhileSummerrelayedthediscoveryofthecodexandtheirtravailswiththeAztecstone,Perlmutterturnedon
hisdesktopcomputerandpulleduptheimage.
“Ratherslimpickings,”hesaid.Hestudiedthecartoonishimageofasailingshipwithamonkeyfloatingaboveitsbow.“DoyourAztecexpertshaveaninterpretation?”
“Nothingdefinitive.Themonkeymayrelatetothecargo,itsroute,orpossiblyamonikerfortheship’sname.Wehopeit’sthelatter.”
“It’spossible,althoughduringthattimetheSpanishweremoreapttonametheirshipsafterreligiousicons.Fortunately,therecordsoftheearlySpanishvoyagesarefairlystout.”
“It’sthestonewe’reafter,soifyouhaveanythoughtsonwhereitmayhaveendedup,we’dcertainlybeinterested.Itobviouslyhassomedeepsignificancetosomeone.”
“Regrettably,manyamonguswillgotounsavorylengthsinpursuitofasimpledollar.I’msorryaboutyourfriend.IdohopeyouandDirkwillbecareful.”
“Wewill.”“Asforthestone,I’ve
beenthroughallthemajorSpanishmaritimemuseumsanddon’trecallanymentionofsuchanartifact.Isupposeitcouldhaveendedupinaprivatecollection.I’llmake
someinquiries.”“Thanks,Julien.We’llbe
suretobringyoubackabottleofyourfavoritetequila.Porfidio,ifIremember.”
“Summer,youareanangel.Justdon’tletyourrenegadefathernearthestufforitwillbeadrybottlebeforeIgetwithinsightofit.”
Perlmutterhungupthephoneandstaredattheimageofthegalleononhis
computer.Ashestrokedhisthickgraybeard,hismindwasmilesaway.Fourthousandmiles,tobeexact.
“There’sonlyoneplacetostart,myfinefurryfriend,”hesaidaloudtotheimageofthemonkey.“Seville.”
P23
ittgazedouttheSargassoSea’sbridgewindowasalarge
containershippassedtothenorth.AnothertwentymilesbeyonditlaythegreencoastlineofsouthernCuba.Hewonderedifthetoxic
effectofthemercurywasalreadyencroachingonitsshores.
TheNUMAresearchshipwasapproachingthethirddeadzoneidentifiedbyYaeger.Pittwasbristlingattheirfailuretoidentifyasource.Thesecondsite,ahundredmilesnortheastoftheCaymanIslands,hadyieldednoanswers.Thiscurrentarea,likethelast,showedextreme
concentrationsofmethylmercury,thoughatslightlydecreasedlevels.Becausethemercurywasmoredispersed,ithadtakenthescientiststwodaystonarrowthepeaktoxicitytoafour-square-milearea.
ThemutedsoundsofefficiencyonthebridgewerebrokenbythedeepvoiceofAlGiordinogrumblingthroughanoverheadspeaker.“Sterndeck.AUVisaboard.I
repeat,AUVisaboard.Pleaseproceedtothenextgridarea.”
Pittbeatthecaptaintothetransmitter.“Bridgeacknowledged.I’llmeetyouinthetheaterinfiveminutesfortoday’smatinee.”
“Youbringthepopcorn,I’llbringtheMilkDuds.Sterndeckout.”
BythetimePittmadehiswaytothewetlabonthemaindeck,Giordinowas
scrollingthroughtheAUV’ssonarimagesonalarge-paneldisplay.Pittnoticedtheseafloorwasmuchmoredramaticthantheearliersites,withrockyoutcroppingsandundulatinghillsandvalleys.
HetookaseatnexttoGiordino.“YourAUVgotaworkoutonthisrun.”
“That’swhatshe’smadefor.”Giordinopointedtoaninsertonthescreenthatportrayedtheoverallsearch
gridandtheirrelativelocation.“Ifthedriftestimatesarecorrect,there’sahighprobabilitythesourceofthemercuryreleaseiswithinthequadrantjustsurveyed.”
“Let’shopethere’savisibleindicatorthistime,”Pittsaid.
Theyreviewednearlyanhourofsonarimages.Whiletheseafloordidflatten,noman-madeobjectswere
apparent.Finally,PittnoticedashadowontheseabedandhadGiordinohaltthescrolling.
“Zoominonthatstreak,”hesaid.“Itlookslikealinearpathacrossthebottom.”
Giordinonoddedandenlargedtheimage.“There’sanevenpairoflines.Theylooktooprecisetobegeography.”
“Let’sseewhereitgoes,”Pittsaid.
Giordinoresumedscanning.Thefaintlinesappearedingreaterconcentrationinasectionofthegridthatdippedintoalargedepression.PittwastrackingthechangeindepthwhenGiordinofrozetheimage.
“Well,lookiehere,”hesaid.“Somebodylostaboat.”
Adark,slenderobjectrosefromthebottom,castingashortshadow.Familiarlinear
tracksedgednearby.“Itlookslongandlean,”
Pittsaid.“Perhapsasailingboatthat’spartiallyburied.”
“TheAUVwasrunningatalowfrequencytoscanawiderpath,sothedefinitionisontheweakside.Thatblurofaboatlookstobeaboutthirtyfeetlong.”
“Doubtfulit’sourmercurysourcebutmaybeworthalook.”
Giordinoresumed
scrollinguntiltheAUV’srecordscametoanend.Pittnotedthevehicle’slastrecordeddepthbeforeitreturnedtothesurface.
“I’mafraidthat’sallshewrote,”Giordinosaid.“Someshadowylinesandasmallboat.”
Pittpokedafingeratthenowblankscreen.“TheAUV’sdepthrecorderindicatedsomethingofadepressioninthemiddleof
thatgrid.Itmaybenothing,butifthatareaisthesourceofthemercurycontamination,itmightbeworthexaminingfromabroaderspectrum.Canamosaicimageoftheentiresurveygridbeassembled?Oratleastmajorblocksofit?”
“Pieceofcake.Allitwilltakeisalittleseattimeatthekeyboard.”
“Fine,butyoubetterpassitofftosomeoneelse.
You’vegotamoreimmediatejob.”
“What’sthat?”“Firinguptheship’s
submersible,”Pittsaid.“Iwanttoseeformyselfwhat’shappeningdownthere.”
M24
yfriends,Iamgladtoseethatyouarewell.”
Dr.Madero’sreliefatseeingDirkandSummerbarelyregisteredinhisvoice.Hisfaceformedagauntmaskofshockandangstashe
usheredthemintothelabbesidehisuniversityoffice.
“WefeelterribleaboutDr.Torres,”Summersaid.“IfIhadn’tfoundthecodex...”
“No,no,itisaremarkablefind.Besides,IcansaywithcertaintythatMigueldieddoingwhathelovedbest.”Hisvoiceturnednearlytoawhisper.“I’monlysorrythatthepolicehavebeenunabletoapprehendthekillers.”
“Theyfishedoneofthem
outoftheriverbelowthehydroelectricplant,”Dirksaid.“Unfortunately,hewassopulverized,therewasn’tmuchlefttoidentify.DoyouhaveanyideawhowouldhavekilledDr.Torresforthestone?”
Maderoshookhisheadandgrimaced.“Itcouldbeforcesfromanywhere,maybeevenoutsidethecountry.We’vehadlotsofproblemsaroundTulawiththeblack
markettradeofToltecrelics.Thethievesprobablydon’tevenknowwhattheyhave.”
“Igotthedistinctimpression,”Summersaid,“theyknewexactlywhattheywereafter.”
“Iwillremainhopefulthatthestonewillberecovered,”Maderosaidinaweakvoice,“andMiguel’sdeathavenged.”
“Atleastwehavethephotographs,evenifmy
camerawillneverworkagain.”Sheshotherbrotheracrossgaze.
“Ithoughtitwasadisposable,”Dirksaid.
“Yes,itissomething.”MaderoretrievedafolderwithSummer’sphotographsofthestone.Hedisplayedonethathadbeenenlargedtoshowdetailsoftheglyph.
“Canyoutelluswhatthestonerepresents?”Summerasked.
“Muchalongthelinesofthecodex.”Enthusiasmreturnedtohisvoice.“Asyoucanseefromthealignmentoftheglyphs,thestonewascutorbrokeninhalf,yourpiecerepresentingtheleft-handsegment.Theangulardesignsalongtheperimeterrepresentthesun,whichsymbolizeslifeandthepresenterainAzteclore.ThedesignisverysimilartotheAzteccalendarstone,exceptthattheinterior
glyphsarecarvedinatop-to-bottomnarrativeratherthanconcentriccircles.”
“Dotheglyphsmatchthoseonthecalendarstone?”Dirkasked.
“MoresimilartotheStoneofTizoc.Itwasasacrificialaltarstone,elaboratelycarved,butalsoofacommemorativenature.Yoursappearstobecarvedfromthesamematerial,avolcanicrockcalledandesite.
Whilethealtarstoneisfullofpropernames,titles,andplaces,yourstonerepresentsmoreofanarrativetale.”
SummerlookedatMaderowithanticipation.“Andwhatexactlyisthetale?”
“Regrettably,weonlyhavehalf,butwecanmakesomespeculations.”Maderotookadeepbreathandpointedtothetopofthestone,whereseveralrowsofglyphsfilledthesurfacewithinthesun
border.“Hereweseeskeletal
glyphs,whichindicatedeathandsorrow.Likethecodex,itisnotclearifthisistheresultofsomeregionalbattleorthearrivaloftheSpaniards.ThenwefindanimageofHuitzilopochtli,theancestraldeityandwargod.Heappearstobedirectinganimportantprocessionofsomesort,themeaningofwhichisevidentlyontheotherhalf.
AndboththeEagleandJaguarWarriorsagainsignifyanimportancetothetravelinggroup.”
Maderorubbedhiseyes,thenturnedbacktotheimage.“Nextwefindsomeglyphsindicatingwaterandfishing,whichareinterspersedwithourfamiliartracks,indicatingtravels.Theintervalspacingsuggeststomeavoyage,asthecodexindicated,thatpossiblylasted
overaweek.Thenthingsgetinteresting.”
Atthebottomoftheglyphswasaroundedblankspacealongthestone’sbrokenedge.Maderopointedoutajaggedlinerunningbeneathitandtwoirregularcirclesinside.
“Thisissomesortofmap.Itismybelieftheycarvedanimageoftheirdestination.Fromtheportionwecansee,itwassomesortofbaythat
containedanumberofislands.Unfortunately,wewouldneedtheotherhalfofthestonetocompletethepicture.”
“CouldthatsimplybearenditionofTenochtitlan?”Dirkasked.
“Fromwhatweknow,theshapeofLakeTexcocodoesn’tseemtomatch.Ihadthesamethought,particularlywhenIsawthis.”
Hepointedtotheimageof
abird’sheadandneckthatranoffthebrokenedge.
“Aflamingo?”Summerasked.
“Ormaybeacrane,”Maderosaid,“signifyingAztlán.”
“ProfessorTorrestoldusaboutAztlán,”Dirksaid.“ItwastheAztecs’ancestralhomeland,describedasanislandwithinalagoon.”
“Aztlán,the‘placeofthecranes,’believedtobe
somewherenorthoftheAztecempire,fromwheretheMexicaoriginallyemigrated.”Maderostaredatthestone.“Imaybefalselyextrapolating,butalongwiththereferencetoHuitzilopochtli,themessageseemsclear.AgroupofimportantAztecsmadeapilgrimagetoAztlán.Thecodexwouldseemtoconfirmthetripwasmadeacrosswaterandthatthevoyagewassuccessful.”
“Whythepilgrimage?”Summerasked.“Andwhatweretheytransporting?”
Maderoshrugged.“Withonlyhalfthestone,we’llbeleftwithaneternalmystery.”
“Itmaynotbeforlong,”Dirksaid.
“Whatareyousaying?”“Wehavealeadonthe
otherhalfofthestone.”Maderoturnedpaleand
Summerlaughed.“It’sstillalongshot,”she
said.“IconsultedafamilyfriendinWashington,St.JulienPerlmutter,who’sanexpertmarinehistorian.HehasanassociateattheGeneralArchivesoftheIndiesinSeville,whoproducedaregistryofshipsthatsailedtotheNewWorldintheearlysixteenthcentury.OneoftheshipswasnamedtheBadBear.”
“Idon’tunderstand,”Maderosaid.
“Ididn’teither,atfirst,”shesaid.“IsentPerlmutteracopyofthecodexpagethatshowedthegalleonwiththeglyphofthemonkey.Hewentthroughtheshiprolls,searchingforsomeconnectiontoamonkeyorotherprimate,butcameupempty.Fortunately,Perlmutter’sastubbornmanandhekeptlookingforanangle.Hefounditwhenheresearchedthewordfor
monkeyinNahuatl.”“Ozomahtli,”Madero
said.“Exactly.Hefoundwhat
hethinkscouldbealinktoavesselcalledtheOsoMalo,orBadBear.”
Maderosmiled.“Theydosoundsimilar.Itwouldn’tbeastretchtothinktheAztecsmisinterpretedtheSpanishsailors’nameoftheirship.Thatmaybeaninspiredcorrelationbyyour
historian.”“He’sbeenknowntowork
miraclesfortherightmotivation.”
“Butidentifyingtheshipwon’tproducethestone,”Maderosaid.
“Itmightinthiscase,”Summersaid,“asthefateoftheOsoMaloisrathercompelling.ShemadeonlyonevoyagetoVeracruz,in1525.OnherreturntriptoCádiz,shesailedintoa
hurricaneandhadtomakeforJamaica.Shenearlymadeit,beforefounderingonthenorthshore.”
“Wasthewrecksalvaged?”
“Wedon’tknowyet,”Dirksaid,“butweintendtofindout.SummerandIareflyingtoJamaicatonight.We’rescheduledtoreturntoworkaboardaNUMAresearchshipinthreedaysbutwillusetheinterveningtimetolocate
andexplorethewrecksite.”“Wehopeanyhistoric
salvorswouldhavebeeninterestedonlyinpreciousmetalsorjewelsandwouldhavetossedasideabrokenoldstone.”Summerpointedtothephoto.“Atleastweknowwhatwe’relookingfor.”
Maderolookedatthetwinsandshookhishead.“Thelinktotheshipistenuousatbest.Ithinkyouarechasinga
fantasy.Please,letitrest.Oncethefirststoneisrecovered,theacademiccommunitywilllearnofitsexistenceandweshallreceiveallkindsofleadstothesecondfragment.Itisnodoubtinamuseumsomewhere.”
“Perhaps,”Summersaid,“butthereisnoharminlooking.Besides,I’mnotgoingtoJamaicajustsomybrothercanlieonthebeach
anddrinkrumforthreedays.”
“Spoilsport,”Dirkmuttered.
“Youtwobecareful,”Maderosaidquietly.
“Wewill,Eduardo.”Summershookhishand.“We’llletyouknowexactlywhatwefind.”
Maderostoodmotionlessastheydepartedthelab,thenturnedstifflytowardhisoffice.Outofitsshadows,
JuanDíazemerged,holdingagun.Ayoungermanbehindhimcrossedthelabandlockedthedoortothehallway.
“Averyenlighteningconversation,”Díazsaid.“I’msogladwehappenedtobehere.Yourfriendsarequitehelpful.Perhapstheywillbeashelpfulinlocatingthesecondstoneastheywereindiscoveringthefirst.”
Maderostoodquietly,fury
seethinginhiseyes.OnlymomentsbeforeDirkandSummerarrived,Díazhadappearedinhisofficewiththeguntodemandthecodex.TherealizationthattheCubanhadmurderedTorresstruckhimwithaboltofanger.“ThelinktotheshipwreckinJamaicaispurespeculation,”Maderosaid.“You’dbewastingyourtimegoingthere.”
“Iadmireyourattemptat
dissuasion,butwebothknowit’sanentirelyreasonablehypothesis.”
HesteppedclosetoMaderoandeyedhim.“Youneglectedtotellyourfriendsthetruevaluebehindthestone.Whyisthat?Areyougoingtoplunderyourfriends’riches?”
Maderoclenchedhisteeth.“Iwasjusttryingtoprotectthemfromharm.”HelookedatDíaz,arugged-framedman
whoseblackeyesgyratedlikeahungryhawk’s.“Howdoyouknowwhatthestonesays?”
Díazsmiled.“Ihappenedtomakemyownfind,whichbroughtmetoDr.Torres.Astrokeofgoodfortune,really,thatyouhappenedtoshareyourdiscoveryofthecodex.Now,whereexactlyisthatfinedocument?”TheCubanraisedhispistolatMadero.
Maderocautiouslyslipped
ahandintohispocketandproducedakeyring,thenunlockedasteelcabinet.TheAzteccodex,tuckedinitsfeltlining,layinsideasmallplasticbin.Díazgaveaslightnodtohiscompanion,thensnatchedthecontainer.
Hisattentionfocusedonthecodex,Maderodidn’tdetecttheothermanliftastoneOlmecstatueoffthelabbench.Withawideswing,themanbroughtthestatue
downacrossthebackofMadero’shead.Maderomeltedtotheground.
Díazsteppedoverthepronebodyandturnedtohispartner.“Wipeyourprintsoffthatstatue.Ifwearelucky,thepolicewillthinkhisAmericanfriendskilledhimandstolethecodex.”
Withalookofsmugsatisfaction,hetuckedthecontainerunderhisarmandstrolledoutofthebuilding.
T25
hemoss-coloredwaterwashedovertheStarfish,snuffing
outthebrightCaribbeansunshine.Pittmonitoredtheballasttankfromthepilot’sseat,whilealongsidehim,Giordinocheckedthepower
andlifesupportsystems.“Estimatedbottomdepthis
twelvehundredfeet,”Pittsaid.
Giordinoyawned.“Nearlyenoughtimetoslipinanapbeforewegetthere.”
Thedeepwatersubmersibledescendedbygravityalone,makingforalethargicridetotheseafloor.ThedescentseemedevenslowerforGiordino,whowasdeprivedofanapasPitt
needledhimabouthislatestgirlfriend,awell-knownWashingtonattorney.
“AtleastI’mnotmarriedtoapolitician,”Giordinocountered.
Pitthaltedtheirdescentastheseabottomcameintoview.Giordinoletoutalowwhistle.“Lookslikesomebodywasbuildingafreewaydownhere.”
Theyhaddroppedontooneoftheshadowylinear
imagesthey’dseenonthesonar.Inperson,thelinesweremuchmoredefinedandclearlynotanaturalgeographicfeature.Theycouldonlybemechanicallymadetracks.
Pittguidedthesubmersibletoawidesetofparallelmarksandhoveredoverthem.“Someone’sbeendownherewithsomeheavyequipment,allright.”
“Theindentationsareover
tenfeetacross,”Giordinosaid.“Idon’tknowofmanyvehicleslargeenoughtomakethatkindofatrack.”
Pittshookhishead.“It’snotfromanoilorgaswelloperation.Somebodywasconductingalarge-scaleminingoperation.”
“Youthinksomeonewasdownherescoopingupmanganesenodules?”
“Agoodbet.Probablyhighingoldcontent.”
Pittthrustthesubmersibleacrossthescarredseabed,wheretwodifferenttrackmarkscrisscrossedawidearea.“Dothosesecondtrackslookfamiliar?”
“Nowthatyoumentionit,theylookanawfullotlikethetracksaroundtheAlta’sdivingbell.”
“Mythoughtsexactly.”AsPittcircledawayfrom
thetracks,henoticedthewaterdepthdecreaseslightly.
Thedepressionthey’dseeninthesonarimagewasevidentouttheviewportintheformofabowl-shapedindentionthatdroppedsharplyatitscenter.Thetracksweremostprevalentaroundthiscenterpoint.
“Doyouthinktheyblastedhere?”Giordinoasked.
“Kindoflooksthatway.”“Whoa,easeoffthegasa
second.Thewatertemperaturejustspikedabout
fiftydegrees.”Pitteasedoffthethrusters,
nudgingthesubmersibletowardthecenterofthedepression.
“Temperature’sstillrising,”Giordinosaid.“Uptoonehundredandfortydegrees,one-fifty,one-sixty...nowdropping.”Hetrackeditforanotherminute.“Itpeakedataboutonehundredandsixty-fivedegrees.”
“It’sathermalvent,”Pittsaid,“rightintheheartoftheirmininggrid.”
“Makessense.Deepwaterventsareknownfortheirrichsurroundingminerals.”
“Ibetthisonecomeswithahighdoseofmercury.”
“Thatmustbethesource,”Giordinosaid.“Oddthatwe’veneverrunacrosshighlevelsofmercuryinotherhydrothermalventswe’veexamined.”
“Mighthavesomethingtodowiththeexplosives.Therecouldbeapent-upbaseofmercurybeneaththeventsthat’sdispersedbyablast.”
“Makessense.Ifit’sanaturaldepositthatwasdisturbed,thatwouldexplainwhywedidn’tfindanyovertevidenceattheothertwosites.”
“Ifwelookcloser,”Pittsaid,“Ibetwe’llfindthesametelltaletracksandman-
madedepressions.”“Nowweknowwhatto
lookfor.Let’sgetbacktotheship.I’dlikeanotherlookatthelasttwosites’sonarrecords.”
“Sure,”Pittsaid,“butfirstonequickdetour.”
Circlingthedepression,hescannedthedepthsbeforegoosingthesubmersibletowardaslenderbrownobjectjuttingfromthesand.Hoveringaboveit,theycould
seeitwasneitherashipnorasailboat.Itwasalargelog.
“Somuchformysunkenboat,”Giordinosaid.“It’sjustabiglogthatrolledoffacargoship.”
“Notsofast,”Pittsaid.Hecircledtotheotherside,wheretheycouldseeitwasactuallyadugoutcanoe.
“Willyoulookatthesizeofthat?”Giordinosaidashereachedupandactivatedanexternalvideocamera.“It
mustbeoverthirtyfeetlong.”“That’samajorleague
dugoutcanoe,”Pittsaid.“Itmusthavebeenusedforinterislandtravel.”
Thecanoewashalfburiedandfacingawayfromthedepression,butitsinteriorwasfreeofsandanddebris.PitteasedtheStarfishalongitslength,allowingthevideocameratocaptureathoroughrecordofthevessel.
“Icounttenbenches,”
Giordinosaid,“wideenoughtoseattwooarsmeneach,withplentyofcargoroomtospare.”
“ProbablyusedbythelocalTaínoIndiansfortradinggoods.”Pittpointedtothehull.“Looksliketheyknewhowtomodifyacanoefortheopenseas.”
Carvedplankshadbeenpeggedtothetopsidesofthecanoe,creatingafreeboardthatextendedanadditional
teninches.Bothstemandsternfeaturedraisedangularendpiecesthathadbeenattachedtothebaselog.
“Idon’tknowwhattheywerecarrying,”Giordinosaid,“butit’sacinchitwasn’tmercury.”
Pittnodded.Asheswungaroundtheendofthecanoe,thesubmersible’sthrustersblewawayapatchofloosesand,exposingasmallrectangularstone.
Giordinocaughtsightoftheobject.“Somethingonthebottomthere.”
“Iseeit.Whydon’tyoutrytobringithome?”
Giordinowasalreadyactivatingthecontrolsofthemanipulator,extendingitssilverclawasPittbroughttheStarfishovertheobject.Heeasilygraspedthestoneandpulleditfromthesand.Asheheldittotheviewport,heandPittcouldseeitwasacarving
ofanativewarrior.Theimagehadsquatlegs,alargenose,andworeabreechcloth.
Pittglancedatthecarvingbeforepurgingtheballasttankstosurface.“Possiblyofancientvintage,”hesaid.
“Hekindofremindsmeofourhighschoolwrestlingcoach,HerbertMudd,”Giordinosaid.
Pittgrinned.“I’llwageryoungHerberttherewouldhaveaninterestingstoryto
tell,ifhecouldtalk.”Thecarvedwarrior
remainedclutchedinthemanipulator’sclaw,peeringintothecockpitasthesubmersiblerosetothesurface.AlthoughHerbertwouldleavethetalkingtoothers,thelittlestonestatuewouldultimatelyhavealottodeclare.
T26
hepingingmelodyfromasidewalksteeldrumbandgreeted
DirkandSummerastheyexitedMontegoBay’sDonaldSangsterInternationalAirport.Summerlistenedamoment,thendroppedafive-
dollarbillintotheband’sRastafarian-knitcollectionhat,elicitinganodfromthetrio.ShehustledtocatchuptoDirk,whowasshruggingoffanaggressivetaxidriverbeforemakinghiswaytotherentalcarkiosk.
“SpaceB-9,”hesaidtoSummer,danglingasetofcarkeys.
Steppingtowardtheirassignedparkingspot,theyfoundaVolkswagenBeetle
convertible.“ABeetle?”Dirkaskedwithapainedexpression.
“Besttheofficecouldreserveonshortnotice.”Summergrabbedthekeysawayfromherbrother.“Ithinkthey’recute.”
“Cuteandfunctionaldon’talwaysgohandinhand.”Hestuffedtheirsuitcasesintothesmalltrunk.Itwastoominusculetoholdtheirdivegear,soDirkwedgedtheir
equipmentbagsintothebackseatfloor.
Heshookhishead.“We’vestillgottopickupourmagnetometerandsomedivetanks.”
“Wecanjuststackthingsup,”Summersaid,loweringthetop.
Sheslidbehindthewheelonthecar’srightsideandpassedherbrotheraroadmap.“I’lldriveandyoucannavigateourwaytothedive
shop.”AsDirkclimbedinthe
passengerseat,hegruntedsomethingaboutneedingrum.Summerdrovethecararoundtotheaircargooffice,wheretheypickedupasmallcrate.ShethenheadedsouthtowardMontegoBay.Summermeltedintothelate-afternoontraffic.Steeringdowntheroad’sleftlane,avestigefromJamaica’sBritishcolonialpast,she
drovewithafocusedvigilance.
TheymotoredanotherfiveminutesbeforeSummerpulledofftheroad,herknuckleswhite.Inthatshortspan,they’dbeennearlysideswipedbyamovingvanandrear-endedbyabreadtruck.“Theydrivelikecrazyhere!”sheblurted.
“Toomanypotholes,”Dirksaid,“ormaybejusttoomuchpot.”Hehoppedoutand
steppedtothedriver’sdoor.“I’lltakeitfromhere,ifyoulike.”
“Gladly,”Summersaid,slidingtothepassengerseat.
Dirktookoff,agrinformingashejoinedtheaggressivedrivers.WhereSummerfeltintimidated,Dirkfeltachallenge,onehefulfilledathomebyracinga1980s-eraPorscheinlocalsportscarclubevents.
Theyfoundthediveshop
nearoneoftheluxuryhotelsonDoctor’sBeachandrentedfourairtanks,whichtheypiledontopoftheirothergearintheVW’sbackseat.Reversingcourse,theypassedbytheairport,leavingtheoutskirtsofMontegoBaybehindthemastheyfollowedanarrowcoastalroadalongthenorthshore.
Theypassedaconglomerationofresortsandscenicplantationhouses,a
reminderofJamaica’sslave-producedsugarindustrythatprosperedintheeighteenthcentury.Thetrafficanddevelopmentwitheredastheroadskirtedthejungle-kissedwatersoftheblueCaribbean.
Summercheckedtheroadmap.“WhiteBayshouldbecomingup.”
Theroadwoundthroughadensepatchofjunglebeforeopeningaboveashallowcoveringedwithwhitesand.Dirk
turnedontoanarrowdirtroad,escapingatailgatingtaxithathadbeenpesteringhimsincetheyleftthediveshop.
Thedirtroadcurvedpastalaneoframshacklehousestoabandofbeachfrontcottagesthatlinedthecove.Mostlyforeign-ownedvacationretreats,thecottagesappearedsparselyoccupied.
“Therentalagentsaidthethirdhouseontheleft.”
Summerpointedtooneofthebungalows.“Theyellowonethere,Ithink,withthewhitetrim.”
Dirknoddedandpulledintothebungalow’sopencarport.Agentlesurfrockedthebeachjustafewdozenyardsinfrontofthem.“Accommodationsrightoffthewrecksite,”hesaid,gazingatthewaterfront.“Can’tgetmoreconvenientthanthat.”
“Thekeysaresupposedtobeunderthematandthehousealreadystockedwithgroceries,sowecanstayputandworkuntiltheSargassoSeamakesport.”
“Andaworkboat?”“ABostonWhalerwith
extrafueltanksissupposedtobewaitingatapieraroundthecove.”
Theyunloadedtheirbelongingsintothemodesttwo-bedroombungalow,
openingallthedoorsandwindowstocatchtheafternoonbreeze.Afterhaulingthedivetanksdowntothebeach,theywalkedtothenearbypier.
Theyfoundtheworkboattiedtothepier,appearingasthoughithadbeensittingthereforyears.Itsfiberglassfinishwasdulledbythesunanditsbrightworkwasconsumedbyrust.“Lookslikeitwasbuiltduringthe
CivilWar,”Dirksaid.“Samegoesforthedock.”Theysteppedsinglefile
ontothericketypier,whichwaslittlemorethanahandfulofnarrowplanksatopsomerockpilings.Dirkplacedtheirdivetanksintheboatandpulledthestarterontheoutboardmotor.Theenginefiredonthesecondpull.“NottheQueenElizabeth,butit’lldo.”
“ThecoveissmallerthanI
expected,”Summersaidastheywalkedbacktothecottageunderasettingsun.“Itlookslessthanamileacross.”
“Withluck,weoughttogetitsurveyedinaday.”Dirkstoppedandstaredintothewaves.Likehisfather,hewasdrawnbyanalmostprimevalneedtoexplorethesea.TheremainsoftheOsoMalowerecallingjustoffshore.
Theyroseatdawnand
shovedofffromthedockunderacoolbreeze.Dirkopenedthecratetheyhadpickedupfromtheairportandunpackedatowedmagnetometerunit.Oncetheywereunderway,afish-shapedsensorwastowedbehindtheboat.Thecablewasattachedtoasmallprocessingstationwithanaudiomonitor,whichwouldsignalthepresenceofferrousmetalobjectswithahigh-
pitchedbuzz.UsingahandheldGPSunit
tomarktheirpath,DirkdrovetheboatinnarrowsurveylanesacrossthecovewhileSummermonitoredthemagnetometer,adjustingthelengthofthetowedcabletokeepthesensorfromgroundingonthebottom.Ontheirthirdlane,themonitorshrieked—itwasalargetarget.DirkcutthemotorandSummerjumpedovertheside
withmaskandfinsforaquickinvestigation.Shesurfacedaminutelaterandclimbedintotheboatwithafrown.
“Somebodylostaniceanchor,butit’smuchtoonewtobefromaSpanishgalleon.”
“Wecanfishitoutlater.”Dirkrestartedthemotor.
Theysurveyeduntilmidday,stoppingonlyforaquicklunchatthecottage.
Returningtothedock,Summermotionedoffshore.“Lookslikewehavesomecompetition.”
Afadedgreenskiffwithalonemanaboardwasbobbingoffthecove.Cladonlyinapairofcutoffs,themanwavedatSummer,thenslippedonamaskandjumpedovertheside,clutchingaspeargun.Aminutelater,hisheadpoppedabovethesurfaceforaquick
breathofair,thenhedisappearedagain.
DirksailedtheBostonWhalertotheirlastpositioninthemiddleofthecoveandmotionedtoSummer.Sheloweredthemagnetometerandtheyresumedsurveyingasabankoflowcloudsrolledin,offeringrespitefromthehotsun.Themagnetometerbuzzedwithsmalltargetshereandtherebutfoundnothingofconsequence.
Aftertwomorehours,theydrewneartheotherboat.TheJamaicandiverpulledhimselfontohisboatwithalongstringofsilverfishtiedtohiswaistandguzzledadrinkofwaterfromaplasticjug.HesmiledbroadlyattheBostonWhaler.“Whatyoulookingfor,mon?”
Dirkslowed,forcingSummertoreelinthemagnetometer.
“ASpanishshipwreck,”he
said.“Supposedlysankinthiscovein1525.”
Themannodded.“Samuelshowyou.”
Withoutanotherword,theJamaicanpulleduphisanchorandstartedthemotoronhisskiff.Hechuggedoffshore,veeringslightlyeastbeforecuttingthemotorandtossingouthisanchor.Dirkpulledupalongsideandfollowedsuit.
“Ithere,”Samuelsaid.
“Fortyfeetwater.”“Kindofyoutoshowus,”
Dirksaidbeforeintroducingthemselves.“Thiscoveapparentlyhasgoodfishingallthewayaround,”headded,eyeingSamuel’sspeargunandcatch.
Samuelsmiled.“AllJamaicagoodfishing.”
Thewaterwasstillshallowenoughtomakeoutthebottom,andDirkcouldseetherisinggreenshapeofa
coralreefafewyardstotheside.Thewindsbegankickingupasasquallcreptinfromthenorthwest,turningthesurfacegray.
SamuelstoodinhisboatandmotionedtoSummer.“Prettyladycomewithme.Ishowyouwreck.”
“Pleasedo,”shesaid.Shepulledonhermaskandfinsandslippedintothewaterfirst.
Samueljumpedinand
dovestraighttothebottom.Summercaughtupandfollowedhimasheswamashortdistance,thenpointedtotheseafloor.Atfirst,allshesawwasacrustybottom.Asubtlemoundthentookshape,whichstretchedintothenearbycoralmass.Summerfannedawaythesoftsand,exposingapairofsmooth,roundedrocks.Withatingeofexcitement,sherecognizedthemasriver
rock,oftenusedforballastinearlysailingships.Thelargemoundinfrontofherwasballastfromashipthathadsunkalongtimeago.
Herearsbegantopound,tellingheritwastimetosurface.SheglancedatSamuel,whowascalmlydigginginthesand,thenkickedtothesurface.ItwasafewshortstrokestotheBostonWhaler,andshegrabbeditsanchorlineasthe
boatjostledinthegrowingseas.
“Anyluck?”Dirkasked,pokinghisheadovertheside.
“It’sawreck,allright.Plentybigandallcoveredup.Heputusrightontopofitsballastmound.”
“Soundsjustwhatwe’relookingfor.”
Samuelsurfacedasecondlater.“Isthisthewreckyouwant?”
“Ithinkso.Whatdoyou
knowaboutit?”Samuelshookhishead.
“Notmuch.It’scalledtheGreenStoneWreck.Peoplesaygreenstonesinitscargowasheduponthebeachformanyyearsalongtimeago.ThatisallIknow.”
HetossedDirkasmallstonehehaddugfromthebottom.Itwassmoothanddarkgreenandhadaradiantluster.Dirklookedatitforamomentbeforestickingitin
hispocketandhelpingSummeraboard.Samuelclimbedontohisboatjustasthefirstsprinklesfromthesquallbegantopepperthem.
“Thanks,Samuel.Thislookslikethewreckwe’researchingfor.We’llfindouttomorrowwhentheweatherclearsandwecantakeabetterlook.”
Samuelflashedatoothysmile.“Ibringtankstomorrow.Weworktogether.
Youpaymeonehundreddollars.”
Dirknodded.“Youhaveadeal.Butonlyifyouthrowinoneofyoursnappersfordinner.”
SamuelpickedoutthelargestfishfromhisstockandtosseditontothedeckoftheWhaler.
“Seeyouinthemorning.”HewinkedatSummerandmotoredoffthroughtherainstorm.
Dirkturnedtowardshoreandspedtothedock,bouncinghardovertherisingswells.Therainsstruckheavy,dousingthesiblings.
“Thewrecksitelooksprettyold,”Summershouted.“YouthinkSamuelgaveustheOsoMalo?”
“Iknowhedid.”Dirkfishedthegreenstonefromhispocketandtossedittohissister.
“That’sgreenobsidian,”
hesaid.“ItwasprobablyminedinMexico.Dr.MaderoshowedmeanAztecspearheadmadefromthestuff.HesaiditwasahighlyvaluedcommoditytotheAztecs.SeemslikelytheSpaniardswouldhaveexportedsomeofthestuffduringtheirearlydaysofconquest.”
Summerexaminedthestoneandnodded.“Ifithadanyvalue,theyprobably
wouldhaveloadeditaboardagalleon.”
Theytieduptheboatandwalkedbacktotheircottage,wearingconfidentgrinsdespitethepeltingdeluge.
I
27
thinkSamuellikesyou,”Dirkteasedastheywalked
towardthepierthenextmorning.
“Well,he’sagoodswimmer,”Summersaid.“Andhedoeshaveniceteeth.”
“Niceteeth?That’swhatyoulookforinaman?”
“Somethingsarenonnegotiable.Badteethisoneofthem.”
“Haven’tyouheardofcorrectivedentistry?”
“Isupposeyou’reright.Badteethareprobablyeasiertofixthanabadpersonality.”
Theyhoppedintheboatandmotoredintothecove.Therainstormhadlongsincepassed,leavinganearlyflat
sea.Truetohisword,Samuelwaswaitingatthewrecksitewithasmallstockofairtanks.DirkpulledalongsideandtieduptohisboatasSummergazedovertheside.Shecouldseecleartothebottom,easilyspottingSamuel’sanchorwedgedinthesand.
“Goodmorning,”theJamaicansaid.“Youenjoythefish?”
“Yes,thoughmybrother
overcookedit.Iseeyoubroughtplentyofair.”
“Youreadytodive?”“Yes,weare,”she
answered.“I’mhappytoseeyou’vebroughtusbetterweather.”
“Mypleasure.”Samuelgrinned.“So,whatyoulookfor?Goldorsilver?”
“Sorrytodisappointyoubutthere’snotreasure,atleastasfarasweknow.We’relookingforacarved
roundstone.”Samuel’sbroadmouth
turneddown.“Okeydokey.Ihelpyoufindthat,too.”
Theydovetothebottom,whereDirkandSummersurveyedtheballastmound.Usingareeledtapemeasure,theycomputeditswidthandlengthtothepointwhereitwasswallowedbyalargecoraloutcropping.Dirkmotionedtowardthesurface.
“Iwasn’tcountingona
hungryswathofcoral,”hesaidafterclimbingintotheboat.
SummerfloatedinthewateralongsideSamuel.“AccordingtoSt.Julien’sdata,theOsoMalowasseventyfeetlong.We’vegotatleasthalfthatlengthclearofthecoral.”
“Iguessthirty-fivefeetisbetterthannothing.”Dirkyankedthestarterpulleytoagas-poweredwaterpumpthat
he’drentedthedaybeforeaftercanvasingahalf-dozendiveshopsinMontegoBay.HethrewanintakehoseintotheseaandpassedasecondnozzleandhoseovertoSummer.“Youreadytodig?”
“Givemeasecondtohitthebottom.”Sheinsertedherregulatorandsubmerged.Dirkgavehertimetopositionherselfatoneendoftheballastmound,thenturnedonthevalvethatcycledseawater
throughthepump.Ablastofwatersprayed
outthenozzleinSummer’shand,whichsheusedtojetawaytheloosesandcoveringtheballastmound.Samuelwatchedasshebeganclearingafoot-widepathalongthetopofit,revealingapileofsmoothriverrock.
Blastingawaytheoverburdenwasslowandphysicallytaxing,sothethreetookturnsmanningthe
waterjet,workinginthirty-minuteshifts.
SummerdocumentedtheexcavationwithanewunderwatercamerathatDirkboughtherandrecordednotesinajournal.Ittookthebetterpartofthemorningtoreachthecoralabutment,wheretheyexposedaportionoftheship’stimbers.
Afterlunch,theyscouredasecondtrenchafewfeettotheside.Dirkhadnearly
completedathirdtrenchontheoppositesidewhenthejetstoppedspraying.Hesurfacedtofindthepumpmotorsilent.
“Didyoushutitoff?”heaskedSummer,whosatnexttoSamuelbythepump.
“No,itranoutofgas.”Shesloshedanear-emptyfuelcan.“We’vebarelyenoughlefttogetbacktoshore.”
Dirkpulledhimselfaboard,strippedoffhisdive
gear,andallowedhimselfamoment’srest.“Ithinkthatprettymuchendsitanyway.Ihadnearlyfinishedthethirdtesttrench.Withthethree,theoddsweregoodwewouldhaveexposedthestoneifitwasthere.I’mafraidthatifit’sstillonthewreck,it’sembeddedsomewhereinthecoral.”
Summerfrowned.“Ifit’sinthecoral,we’llneverfindit.”
“Youstillhavemanyinterestingartifacts,”Samuelsaid.Hepointedtoatowelspreadontheboat’sfloorboards.Itwascoveredwithobjectsexposedbythetesttrenches,mostlypiecesofbrokenporcelainandcorrodednailsandfittings.Severalchunksofgreenobsidianalsoglistenedinthesun.
“Atleastnothingsuggeststhewreckisanythingother
thantheOsoMalo,”Summersaid.“ThisshouldmakeforaniceexhibitattheNationalMuseumofHistoricalArchaeologyinPortRoyal.”
“Wefindstonetomorrow,”Samuelsaid.
“No,Dirk’sright.”Summershookherhead.“Thestoneshouldhavebeenvisibleontopoftheballastmound.It’sjustnotthere—orlosttothecoral.I’mafraidwemustleaveJamaica
tomorrowanyway.”Dirkfishedouthiswallet
fromadivebagandgaveSamueltwohundreddollars,thankinghimforhishelp.
“Youtwocrazy,”hesaidwithasmile.“Ifyoumustleave,thenSamuelbuyyoudrinkfirst.”
“Atthemoment,I’dlikenothingbetter,”Dirksaid.
Theypulledupanchorsontheirrespectiveboatsandmotoredtothestonepier.
UnderSamuel’sdirection,theypiledintotheVolkswagenandheadedtowardMontegoBay.Theyhaddrivenbutashortdistancewhenhehadthempulluptoasmallbuilding.AfadedsignontheroofproclaimedittheGreenStoneBar&Museum.
“GreenStone,”Summersaid.“That’swhatyoucalledthewreck.”
“Yes.Maybetheyhave
yourstone.Iknowtheyhavecoldbeer,”Samuelsaidwithagrin.“Iliveinthenextvillageover.”
Thebarwasempty,saveforablackdachshundsleepinginthecorner.ToDirk’sandSummer’ssurprise,theinteriorwasfilledwithnauticalartifacts.Rustinganchors,cannonballs,andporcelaindishesadornedthewalls,whileadustyfishingnetcoveredthe
ceiling.Ahighwoodenshelfsaggedunderdozensofpiecesofgreenobsidianidenticaltothosetheyhadfoundonthewrecksite.
“TheseartifactsmustbefromtheOsoMalo,”Dirksaid,examiningapewterplatestampedwithathree-toweredcastlebeneathacrown—aCastilianmark.
Thesoundofclinkingbottlesemanatedfromabackroom,andanoldman
emergedwithacaseofbeer.Hishairandbeardweredustedwhite,buthemovedsprylyinaloudalohashirt.
“AfraidIdidn’thearyoucomein,”hesaid.“WhatcanIgetyoukidstodrink?”
“TwoRedStripes,andadaiquiriforthelady,”Samuelsaid,smilingatSummer.
“Worksforme,”shesaid.Theymovedtothebaras
themanmixedSummer’sdrinkandpassedchilled
bottlesofRedStripebeertoDirkandSamuel.Theysmiledwhentheoldmanopenedathirdbeerforhimself.
TakingasipoftheJamaicanbrew,Dirkmotionedtowardabarnacle-encrustedswordmountedoverthebar.“WewereonthewreckoftheOsoMalotoday,butitlookslikeyoubeatustoit.”
Thebartender’seyeslitup.
“Ihaven’theardhercalledbythatnameinyears.ShewasalwaysknownlocallyastheGreenStonewreck,ortheEmeraldWreck,although,ofcourse,therewerenoemeraldsonher.”
“Whatdoyouknowofthegreenstonesshewascarrying?”Summerasked.
“Simplygreenobsidian.It’saprettyrock,butthere’snothinginherentlyvaluableaboutit.Ofcourse,the
sixteenth-centurySpaniardsmayhavefeltdifferently.ItwasapparentlyprizedinMexico,sotheyloadedupashipwiththestuff.Unfortunatelyforus,”hesaidwithatwinkleinhiseye,“theysentthegoldandsilverinanotherdirection.”
“Weunderstand,”Dirksaid,“theshipwassailingfromVeracruztoCádizwhenitranafoulofahurricane.”
“That’sright.Sheblew
agroundjustoffWhiteBay.Despitebeingsoclosetoshore,mostofthecrewdrowned.Onlyfourmenmadeitashorealive,laterfindingrefugeataSpanishsettlementcalledMelilla.”
“DidtheSpaniardssalvagethewreck?”Dirkasked.
“Notasfarasanyoneknows.IttookthreeyearsbeforethesurvivorsevenmadeitbacktoSpain.Bythen,theshipwasallbut
forgotten,sinceshewasn’tcarryinggoldorsilver.ShelaythereundisturbedforalmostfourhundredyearsuntildiscoveredbyanAmericanarcheologistaroundtheturnofthecentury.”
“AnAmerican?”Summerasked.
“EllsworthBoydwashisname.HehadexcavatedanumberofearlyTaínoIndiansitesontheisland.Hewas
conductinganexcavationintheareawhenthelocalstoldhimaboutthestonesfishermenpulledupintheirnets.HecametothebayandhiredJamaicanfreediverstopullupwhattheycould.”Hewavedahandtowardtherock-ladenshelves.“Lotsofgreenobsidian.”
“Doyouknowwhatbecameoftheotherartifactstheyrecovered?”
“You’relookingatmostof
them.BoydshippedafewitemstotheYalePeabodyMuseuminNewHavenbutthebulkremainedhere.Thisstuffwouldhaveprobablygone,too,butBoyddiedshortlyaftertheexcavation.Someofhisassociates,mygreat-uncleincluded,decidedtoestablishamuseumhereinhishonor.Itbecameabitneglectedovertheyears,butafterinheritingownership,I’vedonewhatIcantokeep
itgoing.”Dirkrevealedtheirinterest
intheship.“DoyouhaveanyrecollectionofalargesemicircularstonewithMesoamericaninscriptionsthatmayhavecomeoffthewreck?”
Thebartendergazedattheceiling.“No,Ican’tsaythatringsabell.ButyoumightwanttotakeaganderatBoyd’sjournaloftheexcavation.”
Summer’seyeswidened.“HeleftarecordofhisworkontheOsoMalo?”
Thebartendernodded.“Yes,it’squitedetailed.”
Hesteppedintothebackroomandemergedaminutelaterwithathinleather-boundbookcakedwithdust.“Beensittingontheshelfawhile,”hesaid,“butyou’rewelcometoborrowit.”
Summercrackedthecoverandreadaloudthe
handwrittentitlepage:“‘ArecordoftheexcavationofaSpanishshipwreckinWhite’sBay,Jamaica,November1897–January1898,byDr.EllsworthBoyd.’”
Sheflippedthroughthepages,findingdetailedentriesandeleganthand-drawnimagesfromeachdayoftheexcavation.
Shegasped.“Thisisfabulous.Ifhefoundthestone,hesurelywouldhave
recordeditinthisjournal.”Samuelleanedover
Summer’sshouldertoviewthejournal.“Thisyourluckyday.”
Dirkdrainedhisbeerandslappedtheemptybottleonthebar.“Let’sordersomedinnerandseewhatthegooddoctorhastotellus.”
“I’mafraidwedon’tservefoodhere,”thebartendersaid,“butthere’sagoodseafoodjointdowntheroad
calledMabel’s.Theirgrilledsnapperisawinner.Youcantakethejournalwithyou.”
“Thankyou,”Summersaid.“That’sverykindofyou,Mr...uh...”
“Myname’sClive,butmostpeoplecallmePops,”hesaidwithawink.“Keepthebookforaslongasyoulike.Iain’tgoinganywhere.”
Samuelpaidforthedrinks,andthetriosteppedoutsideintothefadingglowofthe
late-afternoonsun.“Joinusfordinner,
Samuel?”Dirkasked.“No,mustgethomebefore
thewifegetsangry.”HeshookDirk’shand,thengaveSummerahug.“Good-bye,myfriends.Ihopeyoufindwhatyouaresearchingfor.”
“Needalift?”Summeraskedashestartedtostrideaway.
“Nothanks.Iwalkfromhere.Good-bye.”
DirkandSummerwavedastheyclimbedintotheircar.
“ToMabel’s?”Dirkasked.Summernodded,clutching
Boyd’sjournaltightlyinherhands.“Let’shopethegrilledsnapperthereisservedonastoneplatter.”
S28
lightlylargerthanawalk-incloset,Mabel’sCaféwasan
open-airdinershadedbyahighthatchedroof.Anearlydinnercrowdoflocalshadalreadyinfiltratedtheplace,forcingDirkandSummerto
scrambletofindanemptytablefacingtheocean.AbrassywaitresswithbraidedhairbroughtthemacoupleofRedStripesandtheybothorderedthehousesnapper.Whiletheywaited,Summeropenedthejournalandbegandevouringitscontents.
“BoydwritesthathewassearchingfortheremainsofanearlySpanishsettlementontheMarthaBraeRiverwhenhewastoldofthe
GreenStoneWreck.Withthehelpofsomelocalfishermen,helocatedthesite.Hesaysalargeportionofthehullwasvisiblefromthesurface,whichheattributestotheforceofahurricanethatstrucktheislandafewmonthsearlieranduncoveredthewreck.”
“He’sprobablyright,”Dirksaid.“Littleofthewreckwouldhavesurvivedinthesewarmwatersifexposedtothe
elementsforfourhundredyears.”
“Boyddidn’thavetheresourcestohirehard-hatdivers,sohereliedonlocalfreediverstoexcavatethesite.Workingthroughthewinter,theyretrievedandcatalogedoverathousandartifacts.”
SummerturnedthepagetofindadrawingofthewreckasBoydfoundit.Theentirekeelandcrossmember
supportswerevisible,aswereseveralsectionsofthehull.
Dirkeyedrowsofballastrockandnotedasmallcoraloutcroppingnearthestern.“Looksnothinglikethattoday.Atthatpoint,thecoralwasjustencroachingthesite.”
“Alotcanchangeinahundredyears,”Summersaid.
Thewaitressarrivedwiththeirplatesofgrilledsnapper,accompaniedbyasideof
boiledokraandfestival,acylindricalbloboffrieddough.Summerduginwithaforkinonehandwhilecontinuingtoscanthejournal.
Thesucceedingpagesdescribedthedailyresultsoftheexcavation,withoccasionaldrawingsofthemoreinterestingartifacts.Asidefromtheship’sheavyironfittings,includinganchors,chains,andapairof
smallcannon,thebulkoftheraisedartifactswerechunksorcarvedpiecesoftheMexicangreenobsidian.
Neartheendofthejournal,Summerturnedthepageandnearlychokedonamouthfulofokra.Inthecenterofthepagewasaroughrenderingofalargecarvedstoneintheshapeofasemicircle.
“Hefoundit!”shegasped.Dirkgazedatthedrawing
andsmiled.“Lookslikeaperfect
matchtothestoneyoufoundatZimapán.Unfortunately,hedidn’tmakeaverydetaileddrawing.”
Summernodded.Asidefromthepartialimageofabird,Boydhaddepictednodetailfromthestone.Sheflippedaheadtothelastpagebutfoundnoadditionalillustrations.
“Noluck,”shesaid.“He
musthaveknownitwasMesoamerican.Iwonderwhyhedidn’tdevotemoreattentiontoit.”
“Whatdoesthenarrativesay?”
Summerrecitedtheremainingtext.
“OnJanuary26th,Martin,ourleaddiver,uncoveredalargeinscribedstonethat
wasoriginallythoughttobeballast.Withconsiderableeffort,thestonewasraisedoffthebottomandtowedtoshallowwater,whereitwasbroughtashore.Thestoneappearstobeonehalfofalargerroundartifactthatwasdeliberatelysplitintwo.Subsequentsurveysofthewrecksitebythediversfailed
tolocatetheotherhalf.”
“Ishareinhisfrustration,”Dirksaidwithashakeofhishead.
Summercontinuedreading.
“ThestoneisMexica,asRoyBurnshasidentifieditscarvingsasNahuatl
glyphs.ItsshapeanddesignappearsimilartotheCalendarStone,althoughatafractionofitssize.Itsmeaningisasyetunknown,althoughRoyissuccessfullytranslatingsectionsatthistime.”
“Tellussomethingwedon’tknow,”Dirksaid.
Summerskimmedthe
remainingpages.“Thenextfewdayswerespentwindingdowntheexcavationandcatalogingartifacts,”shesaid.“Butthere’sabitmoreonthestone.OnJanuarytwenty-ninth,hewrites:
“RoyhasspentthelastdaysstudyingtheMexicastoneandmakingdetaileddrawings.His
interpretationisnecessarilyincomplete,buthebelievesthestoneisamaptoanislanddepositoryassociatedwiththedeityHuitzilopochtli.Heisquiteexcitedaboutit,andhastakentocallingitBoyd’sEmperorStone.Quiteridiculous,I’mafraid.
“Thosearehiswords,”Summersaid.“Noindicationofwhat’sonit,orevenarenderingofthemap.”
“Burnsisright,”Dirksaid.“There’sobviouslysignificancetothisislanddepository.Toobadhedidn’tgiveushispieceofthemap.”
“Thisisinteresting.”Summerturnedtothelastpage.“ThefinalentryisdatedFebruary1st:
“WereceivedanunwelcomevisitortothecamptodayintheformofJulioRodriguez,whoapparentlyhasbeeninJamaicaonadignearKingston.HeimmediatelyinquiredabouttheMexicastone.Hemusthaveaspyinourlocalworkcrew.Fortunately,thestonehasalreadybeencrated
andwasoutofviewonawagon.RoyandItoldhimnothing,whichstokedhisireandhedepartedinatiff.Onceagain,heisseekinggloryonthebacksofothermen’stoils.Thankfully,wearedepartingPortAntoniotomorrow,andwillbeabletodecipherthestone’sfullmeaningbackinNewHaven.”
Summerclosedthejournal.“That’sthelastentry.”
“Soourhunchstands.ThesecondstoneismostlikelycollectingdustinabackroomoftheYalePeabodyMuseum.”
Summerscrunchedhernose.“Idon’tknow.Boydseemstorecognizeitsimportance.Oneofthemmusthavepublishedapaperonit.”
“Isuppose,”Dirksaid,
“butitcouldbeasforgottenasthestone.”
“WecanemailSt.Julienandthemuseumtonight,”shesaid,“anddomorediggingwhenwegetaboardtheSargassoSeatomorrow.AssumingDaddoesn’thaveamountainofworkwaitingforus.”
Finishingtheirmeal,theypaidthebillandhoppedintotheVWfortheshortridebacktothecottage.Turning
ontothecoastalhighway,theywereapproachedbyabatteredpickupthatrodeupontheirbumper.Dirkaccelerated,butthetruckhungonhistail.
Summerglancedinthemirroratthetruck’srustygrillbouncingdangerouslyclosebehind.“ThisguymakesaNewYorkcabbielookpolite.”
Dirknoddedandpresseddeeperonthegas.The
windingroadbrokeintoastraightstretchthatwasfreeofoncomingtraffic.DirkedgedtheBeetletotheshoulderandslowedtoletthetruckpass.ButthedriverkeptonDirk’sbumper.
“Theguycan’ttakeahint,”Dirkmuttered,forgoingthecourtesyandspeedingup.
“Maybehe’stakingthehighwayadvicetoheart,”Summersaid,pointingataweatheredroadsignthat
proclaimedUndertakersLoveOvertakers.
Theroadwounddownasmallhillandoverabridgethatspannedamarshycreek.Astheyreachedthebridge,thetruckfinallymadeitsmoveandpulledalongsidetheBeetle.
Dirkglancedatatough-lookingJamaicaninthepassengerseatwhoflashedanunfriendlygrin.Thenthemanleanedoutthetruck’s
window,pointedapistolatDirk,andpulledthetrigger.
T29
heshotwhistledbyasDirkinstantlystoodonthebrakes.
Thetruckswervedhardover,smackingintotheVolkswagenanddrivingittowardthemeagerbridgerailing.TheBeetle’sleft
fendertorethroughtheguardrail,shatteringitswoodensupportsliketheyweretoothpicks.
Dirkdownshifted,fightingtokeepthewheelstraight.Summerletoutayelpastheyveeredofftheshoulder,thelefttireshalfhangingovertheedge.Thepoppingofthegunman’spistolsoundedoverthefray.TheBeetle’swindshieldshatteredasDirkandSummerduckedlowin
theirseats.Amidascreechofgrinding
metal,theVWfellbackbeforetheheaviertruckcouldknockitintothecreek.Dirksnappedthewheelright,barelyescapingaplungeofftheroad.Findingnooncomingtraffic,heswervedintothefarlaneandstompedontheaccelerator.
TheBeetle’sturbochargedfour-cylinderenginehowledasthesmallcarshotpastthe
slowingpickup.Thetruck’sdriverreactedquickly,gunninghisownengine.Awell-tuned5.7-literMoparHemiunderthehoodbeliedthetruck’sshabbyappearanceandgaveitmorethanenoughjuicetogivechase.
“Howdidtheytrackushere?”Summeryelled,grippingthedashboardasDirkpushedtheBeetlehardthroughatightcurve.
“Idon’tknow,butthey’re
seriousaboutfindingtheotherhalfofthestone.”
TheVWhitalargedipintheroadandboundedintotheair.Therearbumperscrapedthepavementontheirreturntoearth,sendingatrailofsparksflying.Summerturnedandwatchedthepickupwallowthroughthesamedip,itsdrivernearlylosingcontrol.
TheBeetlewasfasterthroughthecorners,butthe
truckeasilygainedgroundonthestraightaways.Chargingdownastraightsection,thetruckapproachedandsmackedtherearendoftheVolkswagen.TheBeetleskittered,butDirkmaintainedcontrolandgainedseparationonthenextbend.
“Doyouknowwherethisroadgoes?”Summershouted.
“IknowitrunsalongthenorthcoasttoatleastPortAntonio,butthat’saways
off.Ifwecometoasizabletownfirst,wecantryandlosethemorfindthepolice.”
SummernoticedaroadsignindicatingthatthetownofOchoRioswaseighteenkilometersahead.“Maybewecanfindpolicethere.”
TheVWapproachedsomeslowertraffic,whichDirkhopscotchedbetweenoncomingvehicles.Thetruckfollowedsuitbutlostgroundintheprocess.Dirkwas
forcedtoslowastheyenteredthetownofSt.Ann’sBay,thesiteoftheisland’sfirstSpanishcapital.AhandfulofornateGeorgianbuildingspepperedthetowncenter,givingDirkandSummerpromiseoffindingpoliceassistance.Theirhopewasshort-livedasthesoundofgunfireagaineruptedbehindthem.
“Getdown!”Dirksaid,glancingintotherearview
mirror.Thepickuphadsomehow
bypassedarowofcarsandwasrightbehindthem.Thepassengerwasnowleaningoutthesidewindow,firing.Whetherbyfaultyaimorthemistakenbeliefthatlate-modelBeetleswerestillrear-engined,theshooterfiredthreeroundsharmlesslyintothetrunk.
Dirkstompedonthegasandblastedthroughastop
sign,barelyavoidingafruittruck.“Apparentlyourfriendsdon’tholdthelocalconstablesinhighregard.”
“We’llhavetotryforOchoRios,”Summersaid.“Ithinkthat’saportofcallforcruiseships,sotherewilldefinitelybeapolicepresence.”
Dirkmaneuveredpastastoppedbusandspedoutofthetown,leavingthetruckwedgedbehind.Thecoastal
roadclearedoftraffic,andDirknudgedtheVolkswagennorthofninetymilesperhour.Inanothertenminutes,they’dreachthelargercity.
“TrycallingtheOchoRiospolice,”Dirksaid.“Findoutwheretheyareandtellthemwe’recoming.”
“Nine-one-one?”Summerasked.
“Ithinkit’stheinversehere,one-one-nine.”
Summerstartedtodial
whenDirkstoodonthebrakes,causingthephonetoflyoutofherhands.Roundingabend,hehadspottedatourbusstoppedontheroadahead.Oncomingtraffichadalsostopped,allowingathrongoftouristsreturningfromthebeachtoclogtheroadwhileboardingthebus.Additionalbusesuptheroadwereexitingasideparkinglot.
“Thisisn’tgood,”Dirk
said,seeingtherewouldbenoquickresolutiontothebottleneck.Hequicklyscannedtheroadforapossibleexitorpointofconcealment.
Theyhadonlyonechoice.Justshyofthebus,asmalldirtroadangledintothejungle.IfDirkcouldgettheVWuptheroadbeforethepickupturnedthecorner,theirpursuersmightthinkthey’dgottenaheadofthe
stoppedtraffic.Dirkletoffthebrakesand
acceleratedtowardtheparkedbus.
Summerthrewherhandsonthedashtobraceforanimpact.“Whatareyoudoing?”
Shefellsilentashestompedonthebrakesandyankedthecarinabluntrightturn.Screamseruptedfromthefrightenedtouristsboardingthebus,buttheir
criesweremutedbytheBeetle’sscreechingtiresasitslidinanarc,thenshotupthedirtroad.Dirkheldhisbreathasthecarboundedupandintothejungle.Heglancedtohisrightanddownthehighwaytoseeiftheyhadbeendetected.
Thenoseofthepickupappearedjustaroundthecorner,pursuingathighspeed.Asecondlater,theVolkswagenwaslostunder
coverofthethickbrush.Thecarbuckedandshimmiedovertherut-filledroad,whichlookedlikeithadn’tbeenusedinthelastdecade.
“Doyouthinktheysawus?”sheasked.
“Idon’tknow,butIsurehopenot.We’recertainlynotgoingtooutrunthemonthisroad.”
Ahundredyardsbehind,thepickup’sdriverhadmissedseeingthe
Volkswagenturn.Buthedidn’tmissthefreshskidmarksthatledtothesideroadnorthelightcloudofdustfloatingaboveit.Withashark-likegrin,hewheeledontothesideroadandbarreledupitswashboardsurface.
Ahead,theroadclimbedthroughthickfoliagethatclawedattheVW’sbluepaint.Summersawavine-coveredsignwithanarrow
pointingtoDunn’sRiverLookout.Astheyturnedthroughatightswitchback,shepeeredbehindthemandcaughtafaintglimmerofsteelthroughthebushes.“Badnews.They’restillonourtail.”
Dirknodded,battlingtheBeetletokeepitfromgettinghigh-centered.Hehadnoideawheretheroadwouldlead,butheknewtheirtimeonitwouldbeshort.
“Worstcase,westopandtaketothejungle,”hesaid.“Headdownhilltotheroad.Ifwegetsplitup,let’smeetattheGreenStoneBar.”
Summertriedtosmile.“Firstdrink’sonyou.”
DirkcoaxedtheBeetleupashorthill,thenstopped.Theroadendedinaclearingjustwideenoughforacartoturnaround.Talltreesencircledtheclearingexcepttotheirleft,whereashallowriver
rushedby.Theywereeffectivelyboxedinasthepickuptruckroaredupthehillbehindthem.
Dirklookedathissister.“Itwouldseem,”hesaid
withagrimace,“thatwe’vereachedtheendoftheline.”
S30
ummergazedattheloosesandalstheybothwore,dreadinga
sprintthroughthejungle.Hearingtheroaroftheapproachingpickup,shereachedforthedoorhandle.“Webettergetgoing.”
Instead,Dirkputthecaringearanddroveforward.“Wait,”hesaid,loopingthecararoundthedeadend.Heangledtowardthewide,shallowriverandstoppedatitsgravelbank.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Summerasked.
“That’sDunn’sRiver.”Therustysigndownthe
roadhadregisteredinDirk’smind.Heknewthatoneofthemajortouristattractionsin
JamaicawasDunn’sRiverFalls,aterracedwaterfallthatvisitorsenjoyedclimbingbylinkingarmsinlargegroups.Itexplainedthebevyofbusesbelow.
“Let’sgetacrosstheriver,”hesaid.“Wecanhikedowntheothersideandhopatourbusatthebottom.”
Toolate,anengineroaredandthepickupcameflyingoverthecrest.Thetruckwastravelingmuchtoofast—ona
collisioncoursewiththeVolkswagen.Dirkpunchedtheaccelerator,drivingoffthebankandintotheriver.
ThetruckjustslippedbytheVWasthedrivermashedonthebrakesandslidtoastopinfrontofamaturemangotree.
InsidetheBeetle,Dirkkepttheacceleratordownandcontinuedacrosstheriver.Thebedwasrelativelyflatandshallow,andthecar
easilyboundedtowardtheoppositeside.
“Don’tthesethingsfloat?”Summerasked.
“You’rethinkingoftheoriginalBeetle,”Dirksaid.“Idon’tknowaboutthenewmodels.NordoIwanttofindout.”
Theyhadsloggedaboutthirtyfeetacrosstheriverwhentheyheardasplashbehindthem.ToSummer’sdismay,shesawthepickup
truckfollowthemintotheriver.Anotherpopsoundedbehindthem,andDirkheardawhistlinganinstantbeforethedashboarddisintegratedinfrontofhim.
“We’renotgoingtobeatthemacross,”Summersaid,hervoicetightening.
Dirkcametothesameconclusion.Hehadn’tcountedonthepickupfollowingthem.Withitslowerclearance,theVW
wouldbogdownorstallsoonerthanthetruck.Glancinginthemirror,heyelledatSummertohangon,thenturneddownriver.
Theyhadenteredtheriverabovetheheadofthefallsanditwasonlyashortdistancetothefirstrockyterrace—aboutathree-footdroptoasmallpool.WiththeBeetle’sdrivewheelsstillfindingtraction,hecenteredthecarwiththefallsand
droveofftheedge.Thefrontwheelsstruckan
inclinedrockthatpitchedthecar’snoseupandthecarlandedinthepondnearlyupright.Theimpactsentawavesplashingoverthefallsbeyond.
Thoughthewaternearlycoveredthewheels,theVolkswagenkeptrunning,andDirksteereditforward.HeandSummerlookedbacktoseethepickuptruck
hesitateatthetopofthefalls,thenfollowthem.
“They’recrazy,”Summershoutedoverthewater’sroar.
Dirkshookhishead.“Guessweneedtobecrazier.”
HecoaxedtheVWacrossthepondtothenextfalls.Unlikethefirst,itwasacontinuousdescentofnearlyseventyfeetthatangleddownaseriesofterracedledges.Dirkcheckedtoensurehis
sisterwassafelybuckledin,thenalignedtheBeetleanddroveovertheedge.
Theinitialplungewasthesharpest,aten-footdropontoanarrowterrace.TheVWlandednose-first,crunchingthefrontend,butbouncedupandforward.Theairbagsdeployedwithapuffofwhitesmokeasthecarskippedoverthenextledge.
TheBeetleboundedlikeahoppingfrogdownalong
seriesofinclinesandledges.Agroupoftouristswatchedinshockasittumbledpastthem.Itcaromedfromonebouldertoanother,itstiresburstingandsuspensionimploding,yetitremainedupright.MomentumcarriedtheVWdownalong,slickrock,whereitslidthirtyfeetthrougharushofwater.
DirkandSummer’swildrideendedatafinalsetofsteeplyterracedfalls.The
batteredBeetledescendedtheinclineamidascreechofmetal.Strikingthebottomterrace,itdidaslowforwardflip,splashingwheels-upintoalargepool.Theinvertedcarfloatedpeacefullyforamoment—andthensankfromview.
AnearbyJamaicantourguideabandonedhisclientsandwadedtowardthesteamandbubblesthatmarkedtheVW’srestingplace.Hefroze
assomethingunderthewatergrazedhisshin.Thenthetall,lithefigureofSummeremerged,clutchingaredjournal.Asecondlater,Dirkpoppedtothesurfaceafewyardsawayandswamtohissister.
TheJamaicangasped.“Youbothalive?It’samiracle.”
“Themiracleiscalledanairbag,”Dirksaid.“Youokay,sis?”
Summergavehimaweaksmile.“I’vegotawrenchedshoulderandasoreknee,buteverythingelseseemstobeworking.”
“Lookout!”Oneofthetouristspointedtowardthetopofthefalls.
DirkandSummersawthepickuptippingovertheledge.ThedriverhadpursuedtheVolkswagentotheprecipiceofthesecondfalls,thenstoppedtowatchtheBeetle’s
descent.Butaboulderunderneathhadgivenway,leavingthetruckteeteringonthreewheels.Thedrivertriedbackingupbutmorerocksbrokeloose.Thetruckhunginmidairforamoment,thenplungedoverthefalls.
Withitsheavierfrontend,thetruckhitthefirstterracenose-firstandflippedover.Crashingdownthenextincline,thetruckthensomersaultedalltheway
downthefalls.Wheelsandbumperswentflyinginalldirections.Thepassengerwastossedoutthewindowmidway,hisbodycollidingwithalimestoneboulderthatsnappedhisspine.
Thedriverrodethepickupallthewaytothebottomasitstruckthepoolwithacolossalsplash.Thecabwascompletelypulverized.Asthetrucksettledintothewater,Dirkknewthedriverwas
dead.“Mightbeagoodtimeto
getoutofhere,”hesaid,grabbingSummer’sarmandpullinghertotheriverbank.Theystaggeredpastagroupofstunnedtourists,whostaredatthetruck’ssunkenremainsasifwaitingforitsdeadoccupanttoemerge.
Climbingdowntheremainingfalls,DirkandSummerfoundaMontegoBayresorthotelbusidlingin
theparkinglotandcasuallyboardedit.Theyhunkereddowninthebackrow,tryingtoavoidthegazeofthetouristsfollowingthem,whochattedexcitedlyaboutthevehiclestheysawplungedownthefalls.
Whenthebusgotunderway,Summernoticedherbrother’swidegrin.“What’ssoamusing?Wealmostgotkilledbackthere.”
“Iwasjustthinkingabout
thelookthatwillbeonthatguy’sface.”
“Whatguy?”“Theguyatthecarrental
counterwhenwetellhimwheretocollecttheVolkswagen.”
T31
hebungalowwasdarkastheintrudercreptontotheporch
attwointhemorning.Hestoppedandlistenedforsoundsfromwithin.Allwassilent,asidefromthelappingofthenearbysurf.Hegently
placedhispalmontheknobandtwisted.Itturnedfreely.Heeasedthedooropenaninchandpeeredinside.
Theroomwasalmostpitch-black.Anopenrearwindowallowedinjustahintofambientlight,revealingthatbothbackbedroomdoorswereclosed.Itwasbetterthanhehadhoped.
Theintruderslippedintothehouseandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Hetooka
tentativestepforward—andabrightfloorlampsnappedon.Wheelingaround,hesquintedtowardit.Throughthespotsdancinginfrontofhisretinas,hesawDirksittinginachairfacinghim,holdingaspearguninhislap.Arowofemptybeerbottlesonanadjacentcoffeetabletestifiedtothepatienceofhisambush.
“It’squiteaniceweapon,”Dirkstated.Hepointedtheloadedspeargunattheman.
“AKOAH.TheycostaboutsixhundreddollarsintheStates.NotthetoolIwouldexpectasimplefishermanfromTrelawnyParishtocarry,letaloneleavebehindinhisboat.”
“Theypaymewell,Mr.Dirk.”Samuel’sbrightteethgrittedinanguish.
“Howaboutyoudropyourgun,”Dirksaid.Itwasacommand,notarequest.
Samuelnodded,pullinga
Smith&Wessonrevolverfromhiswaistbandandsettingitonthefloor.
“Ilikeyouandyoursister,”theJamaicansaid,risingslowly.“Inotcometohurtyou.”
“Butyouwouldforaprice.”
“No.”Samuelshookhishead.
“Idon’tthinkyourfriendshadthesameconviction.Aretheybothdead?”
Samuelgaveasolemnnod.
Dirkswungthespearguntowardthecoffeetable.PartiallyhiddenbythebeerbottleslaytheredjournalofEllsworthBoyd.DirkplacedthetipofthespeargunonthebookandnudgedittowardSamuel.“Here’swhatyou’reafter.Goaheadandtakeit.”
Samuelhesitated.Dirkglaredathim.“Ifyou
wouldhaveaskedafewmore
questionswhileweweredrinkingattheGreenStoneBar,youcouldhavesavedusbothalotoftrouble.”Thefatigueoftheday’sevents,alongwiththebeer,showedinhisbloodshoteyes.
Samuelextendedanunsteadyhandtowardthejournal.
Ashisfingersgrazedthecover,Dirkslappeddownthespeargun’stip.“OnethingIneedtoknowfirst.Who’s
payingyou?”“AmaninMoBayIwork
forsometimes.”“What’shisname?”Samuelshookhishead.
“He’smycousin.Justmiddleman,notimportanttoyou.”
“Thenwho’spayinghim?”Samuelshrugged.“Thetop
bossman?He’sfromCuba.Andhelikesantiquitiesandshipwreckartifacts,likeyou.That’sallIknow.”
“ACuban,yousay?”“Yes.Heflewherein
Armyplane,notstaylong.”Dirknoddedandreleased
thejournal.Samuelgentlypickeditup
andtuckeditunderhisarm.“Igottoknow,”hesaid.“Where’sthestonethateverybodywants?”
“Mostlikely,inanAmericanmuseum.WhereyourCubanfriendwon’tbeabletotouchit.”
Samuelshrugged.“Ihopeyoufinditfirst,nothim.Mycousinsayshe’scrazy.”
TheJamaicanbacktrackedtothedoorandturnedthehandle.“Good-bye,”hesaid,hiseyesstaringdowninshame.
“Good-bye,Samuel.”Dirkclickedonthespeargun’ssafetyandsetitdown.
Samuelclosedthedoorbehindhim.
Aminutelater,Summer
emergedfromherbedroomwearinganoversizedScrippsInstituteofOceanographyT-shirt.Shecoveredayawn.“IthoughtIheardvoices.”
“IjustgaveSamuelthejournal.”
“Youwhat?”“It’swhatDíazwasafter.
Nowhedoesn’tneedtokillusinoursleep.”
“JuanDíaz,theCubanwemetinMexico?”
“Oneandthesame.He
hiredSamueltomonitorusandpaidforthethugsinthepickup.Nodoubthe’sbehindthetheftofthestoneatZimapán.”
“Díaz...”Alookofbitterdisappointmentcrossedherface.“Hewastheleaderofthethieveswhotookthestone?HowcouldIhavebeensoblind?”
“Wemethimonlybriefly.Youtoldmetheyallworedisguisesandthatthetopguy
hardlyspoke.”“Still,Ishouldhave
recognizedhim.”Shesatonthecouchinshock.“He’sresponsibleforthedeathofDr.Torres.ButwhywouldaCubanarcheologistkilloveranAztecartifact?”
“Hemaynotevenbeanarcheologist.Itcouldbehe’soperatinganartifactsmugglingoperation.There’sbigmoneyinblackmarketantiquities.Bothsectionsof
thestonetogethercouldbeworthalotofmoneytoacollector...Oritcouldbesomethingelse.”
“What’sthat?”Dirkstaredatthespeargun
withafarawaygaze.“Perhaps,justperhaps,DíazknowsexactlywhattheAztecswerecarryingwhentheysailedtoAztlán.”
D32
irkandSummerhadbarelysteppedaboardtheSargasso
SeawhentheenginesrumbledtolifeandtheresearchvesselsailedoutofMontegoBay’ssparklingwaters.
“NoRandRforthecrewinsunnyJamaica?”Summeraskedherfatheraftergreetinghimwithawarmhug.
Pittshookhishead.“We’reheadedforthenorthsideofCubaandIwanttogetthereassoonaspossible.”
“He’saregularCaptainBligh,”Giordinosaid.
PittshiftedhiseyestowardGiordino.“Theremightbecertaincrewmemberswhocan’tbetrustedonarum-
producingislandlikeJamaica.”
Giordinoshookhishead.“Yeoflittlefaith.”
“Wegotyouremaildescribingthedeadzones,”Dirksaid.“Haveyoulearnedanythingmore?”
Pittledthemtothewardroom,whereposter-sizedphotosweretapedtoacornerbulkhead.“Theseareseafloorimagesofthethreedeadzoneswesurveyed.
Photomosaics,actually,stitchedfromindividualimagesrecordedbytheAUV.Asyoucansee,thereisasymmetricaldepressionatthecenterofeachzone.Wedidn’tidentifythesourceofthetoxicityuntilAlandItooktheStarfishdownforacloserlookatoneofthemandfoundahydrothermalventatitscenter.”
“Thethermalventswe’veexploredinthePacificare
richinmineralsandhighlyacidic,”Dirkadded,“butnotbroadlytoxic.”
“Theseare.Theyareinrelativelyshallowwaterforathermalvent,lessthanathousandfeet,whichmaycontributetotheproblem.We’refindingmethylmercuryplumesovertenmileslong.”
“Mercury?”Summerasked.
Pittnodded.“Surprising,
butitshouldn’tbe.Thelargestsourceofmercuryintheenvironmentcomesfromthevolcaniceruptions.Twohundredandfiftymillionyearsago,giveortakeafewweeks,theseaswerecompletelypoisonedbymercuryfromvolcanicactivity,totheextentthatvirtuallyallmarinelifewaskilledoff.Hydrothermalvents,weknow,arenothingmorethanavestigeof
underwatervolcanicactivity.Forwhateverreason,themountsandridgesinthispartoftheoceanarerifewithmercury.”
“Nowthatyoumentionit,”Dirksaid,“IrecallreadingaboutanunderwatervolcanooffthesoutherntipofJapanthat’sspewingahighconcentrationofthestuff.”
“Sameprincipleineffecthere,”Pittsaid.
Summerpointedatoneof
thephotos.“It’soddthatthere’sasimilardepressionaroundeachofthethermalvents.”
“That’snocoincidence,”Pittsaid.“We’requitesurethecraterswereformedbyman-madeexplosions.”
“Whywouldsomeoneblowupathermalvent?”sheasked.
“Someone,”Giordinosaid,“wasplowingupthebottominthenameofsubsea
mining.”“Ofcourse.”Summer
nodded.“Hydrothermalventsareoftensurroundedbyrichsulfideoredeposits.”
“Lookslikesomebodytriedpanningforgoldinaseriousway,”saidDirk.
“That’sourguess,”Pittsaid.“Theyblastedopenthevent,thensentdownminingequipmenttovacuumitallup.”
“Walkingawaywiththe
gold,”Summersaid,“andleavinganenvironmentalmessintheirwake.”
“Sowho’sresponsible?”Dirkasked.
“Wedon’tyetknow,”Pittsaid,shakinghishead.“Hiramranacheckonallknownsubseaminingventures,andassociatedoceanleaseagreements,andfoundnobodyoperatinginthisarea.Legally,atleast.”
“CoulditbetheCubans?”
Summerasked.“Possibly,”Pittsaid,“but
wedon’tthinktheypossessthetechnology.They’dhavetocontractfortheequipmentandthatwouldfinditswayintothepublicrecord.Butwedohaveoneclue.”
“What’sthat?”Summerasked.
“Thesetracks.”Pittpointedtoamassofparallellinesthatcrisscrossedthedepression.“AlandIsaw
similartracksnearthewellheadwheretheAltasank.”
“Andthosetrackslookedfresh,”Giordinosaid.
“Wasitthecompanythat’sdrillingforoil?”Dirkasked.
“Icontactedthecaptainofthedrillshipandhesaidtheyhadnoequipmentthatcouldhavecreatedthosetracks.”
“Soyouthinkwhoeverblewthesethreeventsisworkingontheothersideof
Cuba?”Summerasked.“It’sthebestwehavetogo
on,”Pittsaid,“sowe’reheadingbacktotheFloridaStraits.AbouttwentymilesoffofHavana.”
“That’saprecariousspotforatoxicmercuryproblem,”Dirksaid,“rightattheheadoftheGulfStream.”
“That’swhathasusworried.AmajormercuryplumetheremightcarryupFlorida’seastcoast,and
beyond.”Acrewmanenteredthe
wardroomandapproachedSummer.“MissPitt,yourteleconferenceisready.There’saMr.Perlmutterwaitingon-screen.”
Summersmiledatherbrotherasshejumpedfromherchair.“Maybehefoundthestone,”shesaid,beforefollowingthecrewmantoanearbyvideoconferenceroom.
“Thestone?”Giordinoasked.“WhatwereyoutwouptoinJamaica?”
Dirkdescribedtheirencounter-ladenquestforthetwoAztecstonessincedecipheringthecodex,elicitingagravelookofconcernfromPitt.
“Theremustbesomethingvaluablewaitingforthepersonwhoputsthetwopiecestogether,”Giordinosaid.Herubbedhischina
moment.“YousaidAztecstone?YoushouldmeetourfriendHerbert.”
Giordinosteppedtoacornertable,wherethestatuetheypluckedoffthebottomwasservingtimeasapaperweightforsomesonarrecords.Hegrabbedthestatuealongwithahandfulofphotos.
“SayhellotoHerbert.”HesetthestatueonthetableinfrontofDirk.“Wefoundhim
inalargecanoenearoneofthevents.OurshipboardarcheologistthinksitcouldbeAztec.”
Dirkstudiedthefigurinewithahintofrecognition.Thewarrior’sstrongprofileandcostumehadadistinctfamiliarity.
“Dr.Maderoshowedusasimilarstatueinhisuniversity’smuseum.ItlooksalotlikeoneoftheAztecdeities.”Helookedat
Giordinowithcuriosity.“Yousaidyoufoundthisonacanoe?”
Giordinonoddedandslidoverthephotos.“ImageswetookfromtheStarfish,atadepthoftwelvehundredfeet.”
“ThestonedepictsthevoyageofseverallargeboatsonapilgrimagetotheAztec’shomeland,”Dirksaid.“Dr.MaderotoldusthatwhiletheMayanswereknowntotrade
atsea,there’snorecordoftheAztecstravelingoffshore.”
“TheneitherthecanoeisMayanorsomebodyneedstochangethehistorybooks.”
“Didyoufindanyotherartifactswiththecanoe?”Dirkasked.
“No,”Pittsaid.“Butthoseminingvehicletracksranrightuptoit,sosomeoneelsemayhavepickeditover.”
Summerreturnedtotheroom,showingadefeated
lookonherface.“Noluckwiththestone?”
Dirksaid.“Noneofitgood.It’snot
atYale,oranywhereelseintheU.S.,asfarasSt.Juliencandetermine.ItseemsthatEllsworthBoyd,thearcheologistwhofoundhalfthestone,nevermadeitbackhome.ShortlyafterdepartingJamaica,hewaskilledinCuba.Believeitornot,hediedintheexplosionthat
sanktheUSSMaine.”“Whatwashedoing
aboardtheMaine?”Giordinoasked.
Summershookherhead.“Nobodyknows.St.Julien’sgoingtodosomemoredigging.Heseemstothinkthere’sachancethestonewaswithhimaboardtheMaine.”
ThegroupfellsilentastheycontemplatedthesunkenwarshipthatinstigatedtheSpanish–AmericanWar.
Dirkfinallylookedathisfatherwithadevilishsmile.“Yousaidwe’reheadingtoaspotabouttwentymilesoffofHavana?”
“That’scorrect.”“Thatshouldputusright
intheballpark.”“Theballparkforwhat?”“Ifmyhistoryserves,”
Dirksaid,“theplacewheretheMainenowliesatarest.”
W33
henthearmoredcruiserMaineblewup
unexpectedlyinFebruary1898,killingtwohundredandsixty-onesailors,therewasanimmediatesirencallforwar.Thoughthecauseofthespark
thattriggeredherpowdermagazinestodetonatestillremainsamystery,contemporaryfingersallpointedatSpain.Jingoisticfever,fannedbyastrongdoseofyellowjournalism,quicklyincitedadeclarationofwar.
TheresultingSpanish–AmericanWarwasitselfashort-livedaffair.Withinmonths,theAmericanNavyhadcrushedtheSpanishfleetinbattlesatSantiagoand
ManilaBay.InJuly,TeddyRoosevelt’sRoughRiderswonthedayatSanJuanHill,andbyAugustapeaceagreementhadbeenbrokeredbetweentheantagonists.
Afterthewar’send,thegenesisfortheconflictwasoddlyforgotten.ThemangledremainsoftheMainesatmiredinthesiltofHavanaHarborformorethanadecade,herrustingmainmaststandingforlornlyabovethe
waves.Commemorativeinterest,andadesiretoclearaharborobstruction,finallypromptedCongresstoapprovefundstoraisethevessel.
Inanengineeringfeatthatmanypredictedwouldfail,theArmyCorpsofEngineersconstructedacofferdamaroundthewreckandpumpedawaythewater.Themud-coveredshipthatemergedwasadevastated
massoftwistedmetal.Theengineerscutawaythedamageandsealedthebreach.InMarchof1912,theshipwasrefloatedandtowedoffshore,whereshewassunkwithhercolorsflying.
SittingonthebridgeoftheSargassoSea,Pittstudiedthehundred-year-oldcoordinatesofthewrecksite,markedonadigitalmapoftheCubancoastline.
“Theysankheraboutfour
milesfromshore.Thatmayhavebeenconsideredthehighseasin1912,buttodaytheterritoriallimitistwelvemiles.Wedallyaroundthesiteandwe’reliabletobecomepermanentguestsoftheCubanRevolutionaryArmedForces.”
Giordinoexhaledacloudofbluesmokefromalitcigar.“Iwonderiftheyallowsmokingintheirprisons.”
Summerstoodnearthe
helmwithherbrother,staringatacalmexpanseofbluewater.“Wecouldsurveythewreckremotely,”shesaid.
Giordinonodded.“Shouldn’thurtanyone’sfeelingsifwesentanAUVtofindthewreckandtakeafewpasses.Dependingonhowtheshipstruckthebottom,wemightgetsomegoodlooksather.”
“Okay,”Pittsaid.“Butwe’vegotbiggerfishtofryat
themoment.I’llgiveyoutwelvehours,thenwe’reofftotheAlta’swrecksite.Andjustdon’tlettheCubansendupwithmyAUV.”
Dirkpaused.“WhataboutyourCreepyCrawler,Al?IfwegetafixonthewreckwiththeAUV,couldn’twesendinoneofyourcrawlerstoinvestigate?”
“Withatransponderinthewater,wecanoperateitinrealtimefromtheship.It
wouldbeagoodtestofitsabilities.”Giordinosatupright,settingasidehiscigar.“ImightevenbeabletorigadeploymentdevicesotheAUVcoulddropitoverthesiteandsavetime.”
PittknewanAmerican-flaggedshiplingeringnearCubanwaters,especiallynearHavana,wasliabletoattractunwantedattention.AssoonasGiordinohadhisAUVlaunchedanhourlater,he
repositionedtheSargassoSeaseveralmilesoutsideCuba’sterritoriallimit.
UnderGiordino’sprogramming,theyellowAUVspedtotheMaine’slast-knowncoordinatesanddovetothebottom,initiatingasurveygridwithitssensorsonalertforalargemagneticobject.
Aftersixhours,theAUVcompleteditssurveyandmadeabeelineforthe
NUMAresearchship.Thevehiclewashoistedaboardanditsdatapackremoved.WiththePittfamilycrowdedaroundhim,Giordinoreviewedtheresults.Asquarediagramfilledwithverticallinesappearedonthemonitor,sprinkledwithamoeba-shapedbubbles.
“We’vegotahandfulofsmallmagneticanomalies.Andalargeoneinlane14.”Giordinopointedtoalarge
redsplotch.“Let’stakealookatthe
sonarimages,”Pittsaid.Giordinobroughtupthe
sonarrecordandscrolledrapidlyuntiladatatableinthecornerindicatedlane14.“Themagnetictargetwasnearthetopofthelane,”hesaid,slowingthevideotoitsrecordedspeed.
Agold-tintedrenditionoftheseafloorappeared.Thesonarsystemcreated
shadowyimagesofrocks,mounds,andotherfeaturesthatrosefromtheseabed.Therecordscrolledashortdistancewhenadarktrapezoidalshapeappearedononesideofthescreen.Giordinofrozetheimage.“Theresheis.”
SummerandDirkleanedinforacloserlook.Therewasnomistakingtheeleganttaperedsternoftheancientwarship.Theoppositeend
wasoddlybluntwheretheArmyCorpshadcutandinsertedaflatbulkheadtorefloattheship.TheMaineappearedtobesittinguprightonherkeelwithjustanegligiblelist.
ThesightsentachillupSummer’sspine.“Shelooksintactandquiteaccessible.Al,doyouthinkyoucangetaCreepyCrawleronher?”
“Problemsolved,”Giordinogrinned.“Whilethe
AUVwasrunningitsgrid,Ihadthemachineshopfabricateaharnesswithatimedrelease.TheAUVcancarrythecrawlertothesiteandcircleafewminutesuntilthetimeractivates.Thecrawlerwilldeployatransponderwhenshebailsout,whichwillallowustowalkallovertheMaine.Ifyourstonewasleftontheship,wejustmightfindit.”
“Howdoyouknow,”Pitt
asked,“thatitwasn’tblowntobitsintheexplosionorendedupintheharbor?”
“Thefactis,wedon’tknowifitwasdestroyedintheexplosion,”Summersaid.“Asforitendingupintheharbor,PerlmuttertoldustherefloatingoftheMainewasverywelldocumented.Theyevendredgedallaroundthewrecksite.Therewasnoindicationofitsrecovery.”
“Sowhatmakesyouthink
it’sstillontheship?”Giordinoasked.
“Twoitemsgivecauseforhope.First,therecoveryteamwasfocusedonrefloatingtheship.TheMaine’spowdermagazineswerelocatedforward,sothebowsectionsufferedtheworstdamage.Theengineersspentthebulkoftheireffortthere,cuttingawaythedamageandinstallingabulkhead.Theworkcrewsinthesternjust
clearedawaymudinthesearchforhumanremains.I’dliketothinktheywouldhaveleftinplaceaheavyoldstone.”
“Assuming,”Pittsaid,“itwascarriedonthesternoftheship.”
“Oursecondpointofhopethereisthearcheologist,EllsworthBoyd,”Summersaid.“Thoughhediedintheblast,hisbodywasrecoveredintact,indicatinghewasn’t
neartheepicenter.Asaguest,hewouldhavehadastateroominthestern.Ifhewasn’tneartheworstoftheexplosion,there’shopethatthestonewasn’teither.”
“IthinkIlikemyoddsinLasVegasbetter,”Pittsaid,shakinghishead.“Allright,youmightaswellgettoit.”
Giordinochuckled.“Don’tworry,boss.IhaveagoodfeelingthatHerbertwon’tletusdown.”
G34
iordino’sreleasesystemworkedasadvertised.Two
hourslater,theywerewatchinginfascinationastheCreepyCrawlerscurriedupariseofsandandclaweditswayontothedeckofthe
Maine.Thecrawler’svideocamerashowedabaremetalhulk,coveredinonlyalightblanketofmarinegrowth.
Giordinoguidedthecrawleracrossthesteeldeckfootings,nowabsenttheinlaidteakthatoriginallygracedtheship.Hebattledwiththecrawler’slowleveloflightingandanannoyingtimedelaybetweenhismovementsonajoystickandthedevice’sreaction,buthe
soonhaditscurryingaboutthewreck.
TheMaine’sremainswereaghostlytombofcorrodingsteel,thedecksstarklyempty.Therobotcreptintothesternsuperstructure,whichhadhousedtheofficers’andcaptain’squarters.Wherepanelingandcarpetoncecoveredtheinterior,nowtherewereonlygraysteelbulkheads.Mostofthehatchdoorshadbeendoggedopen,
allowingfreeviewoftheemptycabinsthathadbeenhometosailorsnowlongdead.
Giordinomaneuveredthecrawlerdownacompanionwaytotheberthdeckandintoanemptywardroom.Therewaslittletoseeotherthansomesmallcut-glasslightingfixturesthatstillclungtotheirceilingmounts.Findingnothingthatresembledalargestone,
Giordinoguidedthecrawlerbacktothemaindeckandexitedtheaftstructure.Hehadbypassedtheengineroomandsomecoalbunkers,whicheveryoneagreedwereunlikelystorageplacesforthestone.
“Ithinkwe’veseenallthereistosee.”Hestretchedthetiredfingersthatwereoperatingthejoystick.
“Nothingremotelyresemblingthestone,”Dirk
said.“Itprobablydidn’tsurvivetheexplosion.”
Summernodded.“Iguesswe’llneverknowthefullAztectale.”SheturnedtoGiordino.“Thanksfortheeffort,Al.Ifnothingelse,you’vecapturedsomeamazingfootageoftheoldbattlewagon.”
“Allinaday’swork,”hesaid,sharingintheirdisappointment.
“Howareyougoingtoget
yourcrawlerback?”Dirkasked.
“I’llsenditwalkingtowardKeyWest.Ifwe’restillintheneighborhoodinafewdays,wecanpickituponthefly.”
Ashespoke,thecrawlercaughtalegonatwistedventilatorthatwaspressedagainsttheaftsuperstructure.Giordinohadtoreversecourseinordertofreethedevice.
“Holdup.”ThiscamefromPitt,whohadbeenstandingsilentlybehindtheothers,watchingthevideo.
“Gobacktowhereyougothungup.”
Giordinoreversedthecrawlerafewsteps.“Somethingcatchyoureye?”
“There,againstthebulkhead.Canyouzoominwiththecamera?”
Giordinonoddedandtappedakeystroke.Thevideo
displayenlarged,revealingametallicobjectwedgedbetweenthebulkheadandthedamagedventilator.
“It’sagun,”Giordinosaid.Hefinessedthecamera
controlstofocusontheweapon.Pittsteppedtothemonitorforacloserlook.Itwasanopen-framerevolver,showingonlyslightcorrosiononthebarrelandgripthoughmissingitsoriginalwoodenstock.
“ItlookslikeaLefaucheux,”Pittsaid,“aFrenchcartridgerevolverthatwasacommonsidearmwiththeUnioncavalryduringtheCivilWar.”
“Itlookstobewedgedprettytightunderthatmangledventilator,”Giordinosaid.“Itmusthavegoneunseenwhentheycleaneduptheshipforrefloating.”Hebroughtthecrawlerastepcloser,magnifyingtheimage
evenmore.“WhatisanoldFrench
revolverdoingontheMaine?”Summerasked.
NobodyhadanansweruntilGiordinorefocusedtheimage.Infuzzyletters,afaintengravingcouldbeseenonthebarrel.
“‘F.deOrbeaHermanos,Eibar1890,’”Pittread.“Thatwouldbethemanufacturer.”
HeturnedtoSummerwithanarchedbrow.“Youwere
close.Thecorrectquestionwouldbe,whatisanoldSpanishrevolverdoingaboardtheMaine?”
H35
aveyoufoundyourwaytothebottomofthepileyet?”
St.JulienPerlmutterlookedupfromhistableinthecentralresearchroomoftheNationalArchivestoseethesmilingfaceofthe
facility’schiefmilitaryrecordsarchivist.
“Verynearly,Martha,verynearly.Iapologizefortheheavyworkout.ThefilesontheMainearemoreextensivethanIanticipated.”
“Lordknows,Icanusetheexercise.”Martharestedahandononeofheramplehips.“Letmeknowifthere’sanythingelseIcanpullforyou.”
“Martha,mydear,youare
pureambrosia,”Perlmuttersaidwithasmile.
Itwashisthirddayintheresearchroom,poringthroughcentury-olddocuments.AlthoughalreadyfamiliarwiththeMaine’ssinking,hewasfascinatedatreadingtheofficialinquiryintothedisasteranditssupportingdocumentation,includingvividaccountsbysurvivorsandreportsoftheship’sdamagefromNavy
hard-hatdivers.Possiblecausesfortheexplosion,rangingfromasmolderingcoalbunkertoaburstingboiler,werealldismissedbytheinquiryboardinfavorofasuspectedexternalmine.
Atfirst,PerlmutterfoundnomentionofthearcheologistEllsworthBoyd,sohejumpedaheadtorecordsofthesalvageandrefloatingofthewarshipin1912.Detailedengineering
reports,richwithblack-and-whitephotographs,documentedtheconstructionofthecofferdamaroundthewreck,theremovalofhumanremains,andtherefloatingoftheshipandhersecondsinking.
Throughoutthereports,PerlmutterfoundnomentionofBoyd’sartifact.
Heperusedaremainingfileofnavalcommuniquésrelatedtoresponsesin
Havanaimmediatelyaftertheexplosion.HewasnearingtheendofthefolderwhenhefoundaletterfromthechiefforensicsofficeratBrooklynNavalHospitaladdressedtoGeneralFitzhughLee,theConsulGeneralofCuba.Thenarrativewasbrief:
March18,1898
DearGeneralLee,
EnclosedundersealisacopyofDr.EllsworthBoyd’srecentautopsyreport,asrequested.
Yoursobediently,Dr.RalphBennett
U.S.NavalHospital,Brooklyn
Perlmutterstudiedtheletter,wonderingwhyanautopsy
wouldhavebeenperformedonBoyd.Hisresearchinstinctstoldhimtherewasmoretothestory.Closingthefile,hecalledtoMartha.
“Allfinished?”sheasked.“I’mdonewiththese
materialsbutI’mafraidthequestcontinues.CanyouseewhatUncleSamisholdinginthewayofsomenineteenth-centurydiplomaticcorrespondence?”
“Certainly.Whatdidyou
haveinmind?”“ThefileofoneGeneral
FitzhughLee,whileengagedasConsulGeneraltoCuba,intheyear1898.”
“Letmecheck.ThosemightbeattheLibraryofCongress.”
Thearchivistreturnedafewminuteslater,beaming.“You’reinluck,Julien.Wehaveafileforhiminthearchivesbearingthedates1896to1898.Iputarush
ordertohaveitpulled,butitwillstilltakeanhourortwo.”
“Martha,youareapeach.TwohourswouldallowanenjoyablelunchattheOldEbbittGrill.Canyoujoinme?”
“Onlyifwemakeitanhour,”sherepliedwithablush.“Iamonthefederalpayroll,youknow.”
“Themostcivilofservants,”Perlmuttersaid,standingandbowing.“After
you,mydear.”Whentheyreturnedan
hourandahalflater,thefileswerewaitinginthearchivist’sbin.Refreshedfromalunchofoysterstewandcrabcakes,Perlmutterdoveintotherecords.
ThecorrespondencefromFitzhughLee,aCivilWarveteranandnephewofRobertE.Lee,wasvoluminous.Thepaperscoveredhis1896appointmenttothepostin
HavanabyPresidentGroverClevelanduntilhisevacuationfromCubainApril1898attheonsetofthewarwithSpain.
PerlmutterskimmedthroughahoardoflettersdescribinggrowingtensionswiththeSpanishrulingforceandgrowingresistancefromtheragtagCubanrebels.
WorkingthroughaflurryofcommuniquéssurroundingtheMaine’sdestruction,he
wassurprisedtofindacopyofBoyd’sautopsy.Theone-pagedocument,asimplenarrativeoftheexamination,revealedastartlingdiscovery.BoydhadnotdiedfromtheMaine’sexplosion.Instead,hisdeathwasattributedtoagunshotwoundtothechest,inconjunctionwithevidenceofpartialdrowning.
Perlmuttersniffedformorecluesandfoundthemanhourlaterintheformofa
letterfromtheMaine’scaptain,CharlesSigsbee,toLee.Thehandwrittenlettersaid,inpart:
IaminreceiptofthereportonDr.Boyd.ItwouldseemtoconfirmLieutenantHolman’sreportofaskirmishonthequarterdeckimmediatelyaftertheexplosion.Holman
believestherewasabrieffrayoverBoyd’scrate.Hedidn’trealizethatBoydwasmortallywoundedbuthadassumedhewasabandoningshiptoboardthesteamer.Ihavenowayofconfirmingyoursuspicionsaboutthoseresponsible,butperhapsthatcanbeascertainedwiththe
apprehensionofthesteamer.ThismightalsoaffirmthesuppositionthattheMainewasdestroyedonaccountofDr.Boyd’srelic.Itseemsasadvanitythatwarwillaccrueonaccountofthetreasurefromalong-deceasedempire.C.D.Sigsbee.
“Treasure?”Perlmuttermutteredtohimself.“It’salwaystreasure.”
HewadedthroughLee’sremainingpapers,discoveringanotherclue:aWarDepartmentcommuniquétoLeedatedaweekaftertheMaine’ssinking.LeewasinformedthattheUSSIndianahadengagedthesteamerSanAntoniointheOldBahamasChanneloffCuba’snortheastcoast.
TheIndiana’scaptainreportedwithregretthatthevesselwassunkindeepwaterduringanattemptedapprehension.Whilethecontrabandwaslost,asurvivor,Dr.JulioRodriguez,disclosedhisassessmentofthesuspectedrepositorysitebeforehesuccumbedfromwoundsreceivedduringtheengagement.ThelocationwasmarkedclassifiedandsenttotheWarDepartment
forstrategicevaluation.Perlmutterputdownthe
letter,aghastattheimplications.Henowhadmorequestionsthananswers.ButheknewthePitts’pursuitoftheAztecstonecarriedconsiderablesignificance.
Heperusedtheremainingdocumentsinthefile,nearlyoverlookingaone-pageletteronWhiteHousestationerydated1908.Itwasclearlymisfiled,hethought,
recognizingthesweepingsignatureofthePresidentatthebottom.ButperusingtheshortlywordedExecutiveOrder,hefeltatighteninginhisthroat.
Anhourlater,hebundledtheLeepapersandcarriedthemtothereturncounter,whereMarthawasfinishingwithanothercustomer.
“Iammostgratefulforyourassistance,Martha,”hesaid.“Thatshouldconclude
mystudiesfortoday.”“Findanythingastounding
thatwillbringyoubacktomorrow?”
“Indeed.”Perlmutter’seyeswereaglow.“AwholenewcausefortheSpanish–AmericanWar.”
I36
tmightbemeaningless,butIthoughtitwasworthpassingalong.”
RudiGunn’sblueeyesglistenedontheship’svideoconferencemonitorashewaitedforareplyathousandmilesaway.
“Anyinputishelpful,”Pittsaid,“whenyou’rechasinggremlins.”
“Whenyoutoldmeaboutthedepressionsattheheartofthetoxiczones,”Gunnsaid,“IhadDr.McCammoninthegeologydepartmentscantheregionforseismicevents.Withinthepastsixweeks,therehasbeenaneventneareachofthethreesites,measuring4.0onthemomentmagnitudescale,orjustunder
3.0ontheRichterscale.”“Thatsoundssignificant,”
Giordinosaid,pacinginfrontofthescreen.
“Notnecessarily.Thereareaboutathousandseismiceventsadayaroundtheworld,butinthisinstancethereappearstobeacorrelation.”
“Iassumetheseismicreadingscouldberegisteringanunderwaterexplosion,”Pittsaid.
“Absolutely.AboutsixhundredtoeighthundredpoundsofTNTcouldproduceanequivalentreading.Dr.McCammonshowedmesimilarreadingsfromknownland-basedminingoperations.”
“That’sanothershredofevidencethatsomeoneisblastingopenthethermalvents,”Pittsaid.
“Therearealimitednumberofunderwatermining
systemsinoperation,”Gunnsaid,“butwehaven’ttrackedonetotheCaribbeanyet.MostseemtobedeployedinIndonesia.”
“Giventheenvironmentaldamagethey’recausing,”Pittsaid,“it’slittlewondertheyareflyingundertheradar.”
“Onemorething,”Gunnsaid.“Youmentionedyouwereheadedbacktothesiteofthesunkendrillship?”
“That’sright.AlandI
noticedsomebottomtracksthatmatchedwithmarkswefoundaroundthevents.”
“Wecheckedthatareaforseismiceventsandfoundtherewasasmallrattleintheregionjustfourdaysago,”Gunnsaid.“Yourhunchmaybeagoodone.”
“We’renearlythere,sowe’llknowsoonenough.Thanks,Rudi.”
Gunnnoddedandhisimagevanishedfromthe
monitor.PittturnedtoGiordinoseatednexttohim.“IstheStarfishpreppedforbusiness?I’dliketostartwithanotherlookatthosetrackswesawneartheAlta.”
“Standingbyandreadytogo.”
TwilighthadsettledovertheoceanwhentheSargassoSeaarrivedatthespotoftheAltadisaster.Thesurfacewatersweresurprisinglycrowded.Lessthanahalf
mileaway,thelightsofanothervesselcouldbeseen,standingonstation.Asecondvesselappearedtobejusteastofit.
Pittturnedtotheresearchship’scaptain.“Dowehaveidentificationofthevessels?”
Thecaptainpeeredintoalargeradarscope,whichtypicallyprovidedaneighboringvessel’snamewithitslocationandheadingviaasatellitetrackingsystem
calledAIS.HelookedupatPittandshookhishead.“Noidentificationisregistering.TheymusthavetheirAISsystemsturnedoff.”
Pittnodded.“Trythemontheradioandadvisethemwewillbedeployingasubmersibleintheareaofthewreck.”
Thecaptainhailedthenearbyshipsbutreceivedonlyradiosilence.“Doyouwanttowaitanddeployin
themorning?”“No,we’llgoassoonas
youareonstation.Afterall,it’salwaysdarkonthebottom.”
Thirtyminuteslater,PittheadedtothesterndeckcradleoftheStarfishbutwasstoppedalongtheway.
“Mr.Pitt?”PittturnedtofindKamala
Bhattsteppingoutofasidelabcarryingabinder.“Wejustpulledawatersample
whentheshipstopped.Iranaquicktesttocheckformethylmercury.”
“Whatdidyoufind?”Pittdidn’thavetoask,he
couldseetheanswerinhereyes.
“Thenumbersareoffthecharts.”
C37
ladinabluejumpsuit,Pittcrawledthroughthe
hatchofthedeepwatersubmersible.Squirmingintothepilot’sseat,hewassurprisedtofindhisdaughteratthecopilot’sstation.“You
nudgeAloutofridingshotgun?”heasked.
“Whyshouldhehaveallthefun?”shereplied.“Ofcourse,itwillcostmeaboxofcigarswhenwemakeport.Ontopofthat,IhadtotellDirkthatyouweren’tdeployingforanotherhourtogethimoutoftheway.”
“WhatkindofadaughterdoIhave?”
Shesmiled.“Onewholikestogetwet.”
Theycompletedapredivechecklist,thenradioedthebridgethattheywerereadytodeploy.GiordinoactivatedacranethatloweredtheStarfishintothewater.Withlightsablaze,thesubmersiblesankslowlybeneaththesurface.
Pitteyedhisdaughterasshereviewedthereadoutsontheconsoleandradioedtheshipthattheywereproceedingtodescend.
“Idon’tthinkwe’vetakenaridetogether,”hesaid,“sinceItaughtyouhowtodouble-clutchmy’33Packard.”
“Thankgoodnesssubmersiblesdon’tcomewithclutches.”Sheshookherheadatthememory.“Myleftlegwassoreforaweek.”
Whenthebottomcameintoview,Pittadjustedtheballastandengagedthethrusters.
“Isthewrecksouthofus?”sheasked.
“Unlessitcrawledaway.Maybewecanspotitonthesonar.AlsaidheconfiguredanewsystemontheStarfish.”
Summerreachedtoanoverheadpanelandtriggeredahandfulofswitches,beatingherfathertothepunch.“It’saforward-looking,multibeamsystemwitharangeofthreehundredmeters,”shesaid.“DirkandItesteditinthe
Mediterraneanlastmonthanditworkedquitewell.”
Asmallmonitorbeganshowingamulticoloredimageoftheseabedinfrontofthem.Summeradjustedthesonar’sfrequencytoincreasetherange.
Pittshookhishead.“IknewI’vebeenspendingtoomuchtimeinWashington.”
Headjustedthethrustersandsentthesubmersibleskimmingovertheseafloor.
Astheytraveledsouth,adarksmudgeappearedattheedgeofthemonitor.Aminutelater,theAltaroseupbeforethem.Herbowwascrushedfromcollidingwiththeseafloorwhilehertopsideswerecharredfromfire.
“AlandIsawthetracksoffheroppositeside,”Pittsaidasheguidedthesubmersibledownthelengthofthewreck.
“Shesankduetothefire?”
Summerasked.“Anexplosioninthe
forwardfuelbunkersenthertothebottom.There’samysteryastowhat,orwho,setitoff.”
HeslowedtheStarfishastheyapproachedaholeinthelowerhullafewfeetbackfromthebow.
“Prettysizableblast,”Summersaid.“Internalorexternal?”
“Interestingquestion.I’m
suretheinsurerwillbeaskingthesame.”
Hemaneuveredthesubmersiblearoundthebowandacrossanundulatingstretchofsand.TheStarfish’slightssoonilluminatedthesetoftracksPitthadseenontheearlierdive.
“Dotheylooklikethesametracksyousawbythethermalvents?”Summerasked.
“Theydo.Let’sseewhere
theylead.”Pittacceleratedforward,
glidingoverthetrackswhilestartlinganoccasionaldeepwaterfish.
Summerwatchedthesonarmonitor.“Multipletargetsdirectlyahead.”
“Iseethem,”Pittsaid.Hewasn’tlookingatthesonarbutatasprinklingoflightsthatpiercedthedarknessahead.
Theseafloorgradually
descendedandPittcouldseethatthelightswerecenteredatthebaseofabowl-shapedcrater.Twolargevehiclescameintoview,bothbrightlyilluminated.Eachwascreepingacrosstheseabed,emittinglargecloudsofsiltouttheirbackends.Theyweredeep-seaminingvehicles,operatedfromthesurfaceviathick,blackpowercables.
“Thosethingsare
massive,”Summersaid,“aslargeasaGreyhoundbus.”
“Atleastwecaughtthemintheact,”Pittsaid.“Nowwecanfindoutwho’scausingallthedamage.”
PittturnedoffthelightsoftheStarfishandmovedclosertothevehicles,thenearestofwhichwascalledabulkcutter.Itlookedlikeanovergrowntractorwithagiantrollerforitssnout.
Therollerwasarotating
cuttingdrumaffixedwithtungstencarbideteeththatcouldchewapartrocksandhardenedsediment.Thetrackedvehiclewouldingesttherubbleandexpelitoutalargetubeinback.Thesecondvehicle,similarinsizebutabsenttherollerdrum,wasacollectingmachine.Itwouldfollowthebulkcutterandsuckuptheslurry,pumpingittothesurfacethroughathickKevlarhose.
Pittclosedwiththebulkcutter,admiringitsrobotefficiencyasitchurnedacrosstheseabedaninchatatime.Summercapturedtheimageoftheslate-coloredvehiclewiththeonboardvideocamera,knowingthatfewmanufacturerscouldbuildsuchaspecializedmachine.
Pittwasedgingalongsideforabetterviewwhenabangeruptedfromtherearofthe
submersible.TheStarfishdriftedlaterally,knockingagainstthesideofthecutter.Pittreversedthesubmersible’sthrusters,resultinginasecondclangfrombehind.
Summerturnedtopeeroutasmallrearviewport.“It’sanROV.Itrammedus.”
“Itjusttookoutourmainthruster.”Pitttoggledapairofsidethrusterstomaneuveroutoftheway.
ThesubmersiblestartedtoturnwhenanotherbangrangoutandtheStarfishwasagainshovedtowardthebulkcutter.
“It’sintentionallypushingustowardthebulkcutter,”Summergasped.
Pittfelttheeffectsthroughthesteeringyoke.TheROVhadsmashedintoanddisabledoneoftheremainingsidethrusters.BeforetheROVcouldstrikeagain,Pitt
pivotedtheStarfish,spinningawayfromthebulkcutter.TheROV’sbrightlightsshonethroughthesubmersible’scanopy.Pittcouldseeitwasalarge,deepwaterROV,box-shapedandbetterthantwicethesizeoftheNUMAsubmersible.Thevehiclecamechargingatthemagain.
StrikingtheStarfish’sbowoffcenter,itagaindrovetheweakenedsubmersible
sideways,shovingitagainstthebulkcutterjustbehindthecutterdrum.
Pittreachedbetweentheirseatsandpulledagriptogglethatreleasedanemergencyballastweight.Thesubmersibleascendedatonce,thencametoacrashinghalt.
Nearthetopofthebulkcutter,alargemanipulatorhadbeenextended.AstheStarfishcollidedintoit,the
roboticarmmoveddownandpinnedthesubmersibleagainstitsside.
Pittkickedtheremainingsidethrusterandappliedfullreversepower.TheStarfishjustslippedfromunderthemanipulatorwhentheROVcameupfromthesideandsmashedintotheirtop.Theirinstrumentlightsflickeredasthesubmersiblekeeledover.
Atthesameinstant,themanipulatordroppeddown
andslidthroughthebaseframeoftheStarfish.Itsclawgrabbedontoasectionoftubingandclosedshut.
Pittfranticallyworkedthethrustercontrols,buttheyproveduseless.Thebulkcutterhadasolidgriponthemandtherewasnothingtheycoulddoaboutit.
“It’sgoingtoramtheglass!”Summershouted.
TheROVhadrepositioneditselfdirectlyinfrontofthe
Starfishandwasrushingtowardtheacrylicviewport.Atthelastsecond,theROVascended,strikingthetopofthesubmersibleandslidingalongitsroofline.TheROVthenbackedaway,sportingascruffofyellowpaintandsomedanglingwires.
Pittlookedatthewires.“It’souremergencytransponder.Sowecan’tcommunicatewiththesurface.”
“Aretheygoingtoleaveusheretodie?”Summerwhispered.
“Onlytheyknowtheanswertothat,”Pittsaid,staringouttheviewport.
Likeanall-seeingapparition,theROVfloatedbeforethem,itslightsglaringintothesubmersibleinablindingtauntofdeath.
W38
e’velostcontactwiththeStarfish.”
“Berightthere,”Giordinosaid.
Hangingupawardroomtelephone,hecalledovertoDirk,whowasexaminingthe
resultsofadditionalwatersampleswhilethesubmersiblewasonitsdive.Thetworacedtoatinycontrolshackonthesterndeck.
Acommunicationstechniciangreetedthemwithasobernod.“Bothdataandcommunicationsquitaboutfiveminutesago.I’vetriedmultiplefrequenciesandlinksbutamgettingnoresponse.”
“Anyindicationoftrouble
beforehand?”Giordinoasked.“Negative.Thelast
operatingspecswerefine.SummerradioedafewminutesearlierthattheyhadlocatedtheAltaandwerefollowingsomeunderwatertracksleadingsoutheast.”
“Givemeamarkontheirlasttelemetry.”Giordinomovedtoamonitorthatdisplayedachartofthearea.Thetechniciantappedintoakeyboard,pullingupthe
submersible’slast-recordedcoordinates,whichappearedonthechartasaredtriangle.
“That’saboutathousandmeterssouthofus.”Giordinomotionedoutasidewindowtowardthelightsoftheshipinthedistance.“Inthesamedirectionasourfriendsoverthere.”
“I’llcallthemfromthebridgeandfindoutwhatthey’redoingandwhethertheyhaveanyresourcesinthe
water,”Dirksaid,rushingoutthedoor.
“HavethecaptainrepositionusovertheStarfish’slastcoordinates,”Giordinosaid.“I’llhaveanROVreadytodeployinfiveminutes.”
Ittooktenminutesfortheshiptoberepositioned.Dirkhailedthenearbyvesselbutreceivedonlyabriefrebuff.Withoutidentifyingitself,theshiprepliedthatitwas
engagedinseabedtesting,hadnotseentheStarfish,andorderedtheNUMAshiptostayahalfmileclear.
TheSargassoSea’scaptainpromptlyignoredtherequest,rushinghisshipwithinaquartermileofitspositioninhopesoflocatingthesubmersible.
GiordinoloweredhisROVovertheside,spoolingoutitsliftcableasfastasthedrivewinchwouldallow.Dirksat
inthecontrolshack,watchingitsvideofeed.Halfwaydown,theROV’scamerabrieflypickedupsomefaintlightsinthedistance,thenlostthem.
Atsixhundredfeet,DirkactivatedajoystickandnavigatedtheROVinasmallcircleastheseafloorcameintoview.
Giordinosteppedintothecontrolshackaminutelater.“Seeanything?”
“Caughtaflashoflights
duringthedescentatabouttwohundredfeet.LookedtoodispersedtobetheStarfish.”
“Thatshipisuptonogood.Takealookatthosebottomtracks.”
TheROVhoveredoveraslewoftreadmarksthatcrisscrossedthebottom.DirkguidedtheROVtowardtheheaviestconcentration.
“Somethingofftotheright,”Giordinosaid.
DirkpivotedtheROV,its
camerapickingupadistantflickeroflights.“Let’sgohavealook.”
WhileGiordinoremotelyplayedoutadditionalcable,Dirkpoweredtowardthelights.Itdidn’ttakelongtoseetheydidn’tcomefromtheStarfish.
Thelightstwinkledfromthemassivecollectingmachinethatwasdesignedtovacuumupcrushedrock.Thebigvehiclesatidle,itsbulk
cutterpartnernowhereinsight.Standingwatchnearbywasthelarge,squareROV,hoveringafewmetersoffthebottom.
AstheNUMAprobedrewnear,thecollectingmachineroseoffthebottomamidacloudofsilt.Athickpairofcablesbeganhoistingthemachineonaslowjourneytothesurface.Dirktrackeditsmotionsforashortdistance,thenbrokeawayastheother
ROVcametoinvestigate.ThetwoROVseyedeach
otherwarilyforaminute.Thelargervehiclethenturnedandchasedaftertheascendingmachinetothesurface.
“Seabedtesting,myfoot,”Giordinosaid.“They’reabscondingwithmostoftheseafloor.”
“DadandSummersurelymusthavesnuckupontheiroperation.”
“Seemsalittleunusualthat
theysuddenlypackedupandheadedforthesurface.Allwecandonowiskeepsearching.”
TheypilotedtheROVacrossthebottomforanothertwohours,repositioningtheSargassoSeaseveraltimestoexpandthesearcharea.Theyfoundnotraceofthemissingsubmersible.
Giordinofrowned.“Ican’tbelievewehaven’theardapeepfromtheiremergency
transponder.”“Isitexternal?”Dirk
asked.“Mountedonthesub’s
roof.”Dirkturnedtothe
communicationstechnician.“HaveyoubeenrecordingtheROV’svideofeed?”
“Yes,asperstandardprocedure.”
“ReplaythefootagewherewestareddowntheotherROV.”
Thetechnicianrewoundthefeed.
“Freezeitthere,”Dirksaid.HeandGiordinocrouchedclosetothemonitor.
“There,”Dirksaid,“atthebottomoftheROV.There’sacoupleofdanglingwiresthatlookoutofplace,andasmallpieceofplasticwedgedjustbelow.”
Giordinotensed.“Thatlookslikepartofthe
transponder’shousing.Andthere’syellowscuffingontheROV’sframe.”
AshadowofangerdescendedoverGiordino’snormallyjovialface.Hestoodandsteppedtowardthedoor.“Let’sgetthatROVbackondecknow!Ithinkit’stimewepayourneighborsavisit.”
T39
hechurningcutterhead,theinternalpumpsand
conveyors,andthecreepingsteeltracksallcametoastop.Thebigminingvehiclespitoutafinalmouthfulofgnarledrocksandfellsilent.
PeeringouttheStarfish’sviewport,Summerfeltmoreunnervedthanever.Afteraminute,sheturnedtoherfather.“Doyouthinkthey’lljustholdushereuntilwerunoutofair?”
Pittshookhisheadashefocusedonshuttingdownallnonessentialsystems.“Itwon’thappen.TheSargassoSeawillfindusfirst.DirkandAlwillhaveanROVdownherebeforeyouknow
it.”“ThatmonsterROVmay
trytodisableit,too.”“We’lljusthavetohope
theyseeusfirst.”Thechancenever
occurred.AtthesamemomentGiordino’sROVhitthewater,thebulkcutterwasyankedofftheseabed,withtheStarfishclutchedtoitsside.Twincablesspooledaroundamassivedrumwinchonthesurfaceshippulledthe
vehicleup,givingPittandSummerthesensationofridinganelevator.
Halfwaytothesurface,theynoticedthelightsoftheNUMAROVtravelingintheoppositedirection.PittgrabbedaflashlightandclickedanSOSouttheviewport,buttheROVquicklyvanishedfromsight.
Ashorttimelater,thebulkcutterbrokethesurfacealongsidetheminingsupport
ship.ThelargevesselhaddisengageditsdynamicpositioningsystemafterbothminingvehicleshadleftthebottomanddriftedoveramilefromtheSargassoSea.TheshipturneditsstarboardsideawayfromviewoftheNUMAship.
AmassiveA-frame,mountedamidships,hoistedthebulkcutterclearofthewater.Ontheoppositesideofthedeck,amatchingA-frame
awaitedtheretrievalofthecollectingmachine.
PittandSummerpeeredoutofthesubmersiblethroughtheglareofdozensofworklightsstrungabovetheship’sdeck.Theirarrivalwasmetbycuriousstaresfromahandfulofcrewmeninhardhatswhoguidedthebulkcutteracrossthedeckandintoasemi-enclosedhangar.Acontingentofsoldiersingreenfatiguesquickly
surroundedthesubmersible,armedwithAK-47s.
“NotthewelcomingcommitteeIwashopingtosee,”Pittsaid.
“CubanArmysoldiers?”Summerasked.
“Ibelieveso,”hesaid,notingawhitestaroverareddiamondinsigniaononeoftheuniforms.
Asoldiershoneaflashlightintotheirfaces,motioningthemtoexitthe
submersible.PittfollowedSummertothehatch,stoppingatatoollockerandslippingasmallfoldingknifeintohispocketbeforeclimbingout.
Theyweregreetedsilentlybythesoldiers.
Pittcounteredbyexplodinginmockanger.“Whathaveyoudone!”heyelled.Steppingtotherearofthesub,hepointedtothemangledthrusters.“Lookat
thedamage.Iwantmyshipnotifiedatonce.”
Thesoldiers’hesitationendedwhenadog-facedofficerappearedonthescenewithanauthoritativeair.“Takethembelowandsecurethem!”hebarked.Turningtooneoftheship’screw,headded,“Getthatsubmersibleconcealed.”
Withtheirassaultriflesdrawn,fourofthesoldiersproddedPittandSummer
awayfromtheStarfish.Astheypassedthebulkcutter,Pittsawasmallredlogopaintedontheside:agrizzlybearcarryinganaxinitsteeth.
TheywereescorteddownacompanionwayintoanopenworkbaythathousedthenowrecoveredROV.Atechnicianprocuredapairofcableties,whichtheguardsusedtosecurethecaptives’wristsbehindtheirbacks.Pittand
Summerwereshovedtothefloorwiththeirbacksagainstabulkhead.
TheArmyofficer,amannamedCalzado,appearedashorttimelaterinthecompanyofoneoftheship’sofficers.Thetwoarguedloudlywhilegesturingtowardthecaptives.Thenbothleftthebay.
“Whatwasthatallabout?”Pittwhispered.ThoughheunderstoodtheSpanish
spoken,hehadbeenblockedfromviewofthequarrelingpartiesbyoneoftheguards.
“Idon’tthinktheship’scaptainistoohappythatwewerebroughtaboard.Icaughtsomethingaboutbreachingsecurityontheproject.Ithinkthey’regoingtomoveus.”
Summer’swordsprovedprophetic.Ahalfhourlater,thepairweremarchedbackuptothemaindeck.Anagedtugboatwastiedalongside
theminingship,asternofawoodenbargestackedhighwithorefromtheseabed.Pittandhisdaughterwereledaboardthetugandintoacrampedcabin,whereaguardkeptwatchwiththedooropen.
“DidyouseetheSargassoSeawhenweboarded?”Summerasked.
“No.Wemustbeturnedawayfromher.I’msurethey’llbelookingforusby
now.”“Buttheywon’tknow
wheretotrackus,”sherepliedinadownvoice.
Theyheardthetug’smotorrumbletolife.Afewminuteslater,thestubbyboatgotunderway,shovingthebargeaheadofitthroughtherockyseas.Intothenighttheysailed,leavingtheNUMAship,andfreedom,intheirwake.
T40
helargeworkboatcutitsenginesandslowedtoadrift
underacloudynightsky.Afewfaintlightstickledthehorizonfartothesouth,buttheoceanaroundthemwasempty.Theboat’sskipper
checkedtheradarsystemtoensuretherewerenounseenvesselsabout.Satisfiedtheywerealone,hepickedupahandheldradio.
“Bridge.We’reatthedropzone.You’recleartodeploy.”
Standingontheopensterndeck,JamesMaguirerepliedinstantly.“Roger.Proceedingtodeploy.”
Themercenaryturnedtoatall,muscularmansmokinga
cigaretteatthesiderail.“Okay,Gomez.We’recleartodrop.”
Thetwosteppedtoalargecoveredobjectstrappedtothedeck.Theyreleasedthetiesandpulledbackatarptorevealadilapidatedcoastalfishingboatpoweredbyasmall,rustyoutboardmotor.Oratleastthat’showitlooked.
TheboatwasactuallyconstructedwithaKevlar
compositethatmadeitvirtuallyindestructible.Theexteriorhadbeenmoldedandpaintedtoresemblebleachedwoodsufferingfromrot.
“Arewefullygassedup?”Maguireasked.
Gomezcheckedapairofconcealedfueltanksnearthebowandnodded.Thetanksfedtwo150-horsepowerhorizontalmotorsconcealedbeneaththebenchseatsthatpoweredtwinjetimpellers
mountedonthehull.Maguireopenedasetof
falsefloorboardsandperformedaquickinventorycheckwithaflashlight.Onecompartmentcontainedaminiarsenalofpistols,assaultrifles,andanRPGlauncher,plusammunition.Anothercontainedanassortmentofdivegear.Maguireloadedathirdcompartmentwithaheavyplasticbinhebroughtfromhiscabin.
Sealingupthefloorboards,hecalledtoGomez.“Let’sgetherwet.”
Gomezsteppedtoasmallcraneandhoistedtheboatbyitsliftstrapsoverthesideandintothewater.
Maguireeyeditsname,Surprise,lightlypaintedinyellowonthestern,beforeclimbingaboard.HereleasedtheliftstrapsandhandedthemtoGomez,whostowedthemaboardtheship,then
joinedMaguireintheboat.Maguirestartedupthe
inboardmotorsandradioedtheworkboat’sbridge.“Surpriseisaway.We’llseeyouinforty-eighthours.”
“Rogerthat,”theskipperreplied.“We’llbewaitingrighthere,catchingsomerays.”
Maguirelaidonthethrottleandthefauxfishingboatshotawayintothenight.Themercenaryaimedthe
bowtowardthedistantlightsofGrandCaymanIsland,boundingoverthechoppyblackseaonamissionofdeath.
T41
heSargassoSea’sZodiacapproachedatawhisper,onlythe
slapofthewavesagainstitshullsignalingitspresence.Giordinowasthankfulforfindinganelectricmotoraboardtheresearchvessel,
oneusedbytheship’sscientistswhenexaminingecologicallysensitiveareas.Hewaslessenamoredwiththefactthathewaspilotingabrightorangeinflatableacrossamoonlitsea.Theship’smaintenancecrewhadhurriedlyslappedacoatofblackpaintontheinflatableinthenameofstealth,butmuchofithadfallenvictimtothesaltspray.
Giordinoguidedthe
Zodiactowardtheminingship,whichwasnowholdingpositionamileeastoftheSargassoSea.Thevesselwasilluminatedfromstemtosternwithbrightfloodlightsthatrevealedanimpressive,modern-builtshipwithmultiplehydraulicA-frames,pumps,andconveyorsdesignedforsubseamining.Beyondtheminingship,Giordinosawthelightsofasecondvesselrecedingtothe
south.Heapproachedtheship
fromthesterntoavoidobservanteyesonthebridgewhilesearchingforameanstogainaccess.Hisluckheldwhenhespottedaladderthathadbeenloweredoffthestarboardflank.AstheZodiacdrewcloser,hereadtheship’snameonthetransom,SeaRaker.
Dirksatonthebow,dressedinblackandholding
acoilofrope.Figuringtheirchanceofdetectionwaslesswithaquickstrike,Giordinoheldthethrottledownandgunnedfortheladder.Theinflatablebouncedagainstthesideoftheship.Dirkleapedtotheladder,tiedofftheinflatable,andscrambledupthesteps.Clearingtheship’srail,heduckedbehindacraneandwaitedforGiordino.
GiordinotumbledtoDirk’ssideaminutelater.
“Howwelooking?”“Notgood.Wejustmissed
apairofguardsonpatrolthatareheadeduptheportrail.Theywereuniformedandcarryingassaultrifles.”
“Assaultriflesonaminingship.Lovely,”hesaid,angeredatthenotiontheyhadarrivedunarmed.
“Webetterkeepalowprofile.Itlookslikethereareafewscatteredworkdetailsstillaboutaswell.”
“Thatmaynotbeabadthing,ifwecanmixwiththelocals.”
Dirkspiedanenclosedoperator’scabaffixedtothecranetheywerehidingbehind.“IthinkIseesomething.”
Hecrepttothecabdoor,climbedinside,andhefoundaworkcoatdrapedovertheoperator’sseatandahardhathangingfromahook.Hegrabbedbothandreturnedto
Giordino.“Tooshortforme,”he
said,holdingupthejacket.“You’reelectedtojointheship’screw.”
Giordinosqueezedhistorsointothecoatandpulledthehatlow.“Thisshouldpassmuster.Let’sgoseewhatwecanfind.”
Hesteppedontothedeckandmovedalongthestarboardrailasifhe’dworkedaboardtheshipfor
years.Dirkfollowedafewpacesbehind,holdingtotheshadows.Theypassedbeneathamassiveconveyorapparatususedtooffloadore,thenapproachedthebulkcuttermachine’shangar.
Severalcrewmenweremillingabout,somewearingfullprotectivesuitsandbreathingdevices.Giordinostoodatthefringeuntilalonecrewmancarryingaclipboardsteppedinhisdirection.
Giordinowavedhimoverasiftopointoutaproblemwithsomeequipment.Whenhedrewnear,Giordinoputhishandontheman’sshoulder.“Where’sthemanandwomanfromthesubmersible?”heasked.
ThecrewmangapedatGiordinoamoment,thenjabberedalitanyofhisownquestions.Dirkmaterializedbehindhimandgrabbedhisarms,allowingGiordinoan
unfetteredpunchtotheman’schin.Themaninstantlyfelllimp.
“Thatwasn’tverysporting,”Giordinowhispered,rubbinghisknuckles.
“Theconsequenceofawronganswer.”Dirkdraggedthecrewmanbehindalargedrumwinchandstrippedhimofhisjumpsuitandclipboard.HerejoinedGiordino,movingforwardalongthe
deck.Theystoppedandduckedintothesideofthehangarwhentheynoticedapairofarmedguardsapproachingfromtheotherdirection.
DirkandGiordinoapproachedthebulkcutterandpretendedtoinspectitssteeltreads.Theguardspaidlittleattentionastheystrolledpast.Oncetheywereoutofsight,Giordinostartedtoexitthebay,butDirkgrabbedhis
arm.“Al,overhere.”Dirkpulledhimasideasa
grease-stainedmechanicwalkedby.Hewaitedamoment,thensteeredGiordinototheotherendofthebulkcutter.Atthebackofthehangarwasalargeoblongobjectcoveredincanvastarps.Dirkpulledbackacornerandsawafamiliaryellowshapeunderneath.“It’stheStarfish,”hesaid.
“Theybroughtitaboard.”PittandSummerweren’t
trappedatthebottomofthesea.Inalllikelihood,theywerealiveandwellsomewhereaboardtheship.
“Whywouldtheybringthemaboardandhidethefact?”heasked.
“Whoknows?Maybethey’reminingherewithoutauthorization.”
Theyexitedthehangarandpeeredtowardtheforward
sectionoftheship.“Theyprobablyhavethem
lockedinacabin,”Giordinosaid.“Let’sseeifwecanfindthem.”
Theymadetheirwaytothesix-storyaccommodationsblocknearthebow.Enteringanopensidedoor,theysearchedthefirsttwofloors,findingagalley,awardroom,andseveralstoragelockers.Atthatlatehourofthenight,therewereonlyafewsleepy
crewmembersabout,waitingfortheirshiftstoend.Onthethirdlevel,theystumbledintoaloungefrontingthecrew’scabins.Threeoff-dutysoldierssatplayingcards.Giordinoeyedtheadjacentcorridorstothecabins.Findingthemempty,hesmiledatthesoldiersandledDirktothecompanionway.
Oneofthecardplayersgaveacoldstaretothetwostrangersinill-fitting
jumpsuits,buthispartnerskepttheirfocusonthecardgameathand.
“Luckyforus,”Giordinosaidastheybroachedthefourthlevel,“itdoesn’tappearasiftheship’screwmingleswiththeArmyboys.”
“Notsolucky,we’rerunningoutofaccommodationsquarters.”
Theyfoundthefourthflooridenticaltothethird,absentthecardplayers.There
wasnosignofvisitorsunderguard.
Astheyascendedtowardthefifthlevel,analarmsounded.Afterthirtyseconds,thesirenceasedandasternvoicebarkedthroughthepublic-addresssysteminrapid-fireSpanish.
“Ithinksomebodywokeupandwantshisthreadsback,”Giordinosaid.
“Don’ttellmethatjackhammerrightofyours
haslostsomesteam.”Heshrugged.“Weallhave
ouroffdays.Let’stakeaquicklookatthefifthfloor,thenhittheroad.”
Theyscrambledupthestairwelltothenextlevel,whichwassplitbetweenofficers’cabinsononesideandseniorcrewmembers’ontheother.Afewgroggy-eyedship’spersonnelwerestaggeringfromtheircabins.Noguardswerevisible,so
theyturnedbacktowardthestairwell.Asoldiercameburstingontothefloor.HetookonelookatDirkandGiordinoandshouted,“Alto,alto!”
Giordinorecognizedhimasthecardplayerfromthethirdlevel.Healsosawthathewasunarmed.Steppinguptotheman,Giordinograbbedhimbythecollarandthrewhimacrosstheroom.Thesoldiernearlycameoutofhis
shoesbeforeslammingintoasidewallandslumpingtothefloor.
“Let’sgo,”Giordinogrunted,turningaroundandduckingdownthecompanionway.Dirkfollowedonhisheels.
Thestairswereempty,andtheyracedtothebottomanddartedoutthedoor.Giordinoexitedfirstandranstraightintoanarmedsoldierheadingtheotherway.Thetwomen
bouncedoffeachother,stumblingtotheground.
Thoughthesoldiertooktheharderfall,hereactedquicker.Boundingtohisfeet,hethrusthisassaultrifleintoGiordino’schestandshouted,“Don’tmove.”
Giordinocouldonlyscowlasheeasedhishandsupinsurrender.
D42
irksteppedfromthestairwellatthemomentthetwo
othermencollided.Heleapedbackintoitscoverasthesoldierstoodup,havingnotnoticedGiordinohadapartner.Poundingfootfalls
andamurmurofvoicesoverheadtoldhimreinforcementswerecomingdownthestairs.Withlittletimetolose,hetookadeepbreathandwaitedforGiordinotosethimup.
Raisinghispalms,Giordinofeignedinnocenceandchattednonstoptodivertthesoldier’sattention.“Whatareyoudoing?”hecried.“Ineedtocheckthemainhydraulics.Putyourgun
down.I’mnointruder.”Hefakedaninjuredleg
fromthecollisionandhobbledtothesiderail,leaningonitforsupport.Thesoldierpivotedtotrackhismovements,repeatedlycallingforhimtohalt.HerelaxedslightlywhenGiordinofinallystoppedandagainraisedhisarmsuphigh.
IthadtakenGiordinojustafewsecondstogetthesoldierturnedaroundsohis
backwastothestairwell.Dirkreactedinstantly,leapingfromthestairsandchargingtowardthesoldierlikeanangrybull.Dirkmadenoattempttowrestthegunaway;hesimplyloweredhisshoulderandbarreledintotheman.
ThesoldiercaughthisapproachfromoutofthecornerofhiseyeandtwistedwiththegunjustbeforeDirksmashedintohim.
ThesoldierwenttumblingtowardGiordino,whointurntaggedhimwithahardpunchtothegut.
ThesoldiersqueezedthetriggeronhisAK-47beforehefell,sprayingahalf-dozenshotsharmlesslyintothedeckplate.
Thecombinedblowshadknockedthewindoutofhimandhefelltothedeckatophisrifle,gaspingforairwhileclutchinghisstomach.
“Appreciatethat,”GiordinosaidtoDirk.“Now,let’sgetoutofhere.”
Theysprinteddownthestarboarddeck,butthegunfirehadawakenedtheship.Armedsoldiersandcrewmencamefloodingoutoftheaccommodationsblock.
DirkandGiordinohadrunonlyashortdistancewhenshotsbeganflyingpastthem.Duckingforcover,theyslippedbackintothehangar
thathousedthebulkcutter.Thehangarwasnow
empty,saveforaloneelectronicstechnicianonaraisedplatformcheckingacontrolpanel.Giordinosurveyedtheplatform,thenmotionedtowardthestern.
“Makefortheboat,”hesaidtoDirk.“I’llslowthemdown.”
“You’llnevermakeit.”“Lookformeoverthe
side.”
Dirkknewtherewasnopointinarguing,soheboltedacrossthehangarandslippedouttothestern.
Giordinoapproachedthestepstothecontrolplatform.Alertedbythegunshots,thetechnicianturnedwithapetrifiedlookasGiordinostormedupthesteps.“Youcan’tcomeuphere,”heyelled.
Giordinosawthemanwasterrified.Wavinghisthumb
overhisshoulder,hesaid,“Getlost!”
Thetechniciannodded.NervouslyslippingpastGiordino,hefleddownthestairsandoutofthehangar.
Giordinoturnedtothecontrolpanel,whichservedasatestingstationforthebulkcutter.Greenlightsshowedtherewasalivepowerconnectiontothevehicle.Hetweakedanassortmentofdialsandknobs
untilhefoundapairofdualcontrolsthatmadethemachinestirbeneathhim.Hejammedtheleversforwardandthebulkcutterbegancreepingforwardonitsheavytracks.
Giordinoadjustedthecontrols,slowingthecutter’slefttrackandpivotingthemachineuntilitfacedtheship’sbow.Satisfiedwithitsangle,hefoundandactivatedthevehicle’scutterdrum.
Apairofarmedsoldierspeekedaroundthesideofthehangarasthecutterdrumgroundintothesidewall.Thewallburstoffitsmountsandcollapsedonthemenasthecutterbulledforward.Onemanrolledclearandgrabbedthearmofhiscompanion,butthecompressedwallhadpinnedhimtothedeck.Themanletoutawarbledcryasthecutterdrumdroveforward,grindinghim,the
wall,andthedecksurfaceintoabloodstainedmixture.
Thecuttergroundforwardacrossthestarboarddeck,blockingthesoldierswhorushedfromamidships.Giordinodescendedtheplatformandranaft.Hecouldseethesternrailaheadwhensuddenlytwosoldiersappearedinfrontofhim.Theykneltandopenedfirewiththeirassaultrifles.
Giordinodidn’twaitfor
themtotakeaim.Withoutmissingabeat,hesteppedtothesiderail,grabbedit,andvaultedovertheside.
AsprayofbulletspepperedtherailasecondlaterasGiordinoplungedsafelyintothesea.Hedughardintothewater,swimmingdeepandawayfromtheship.Hetraveledtwentyyardsbeforesurfacingforair,andtotakeaquicklook.
Dirk’svoicefilledhisears.“Grabthelineandhangon!”
AlargedarkobjectspeckledwithorangewhiskedbyGiordino’shead.Hefeltaropeslidingbyhisbodyandheclampedontoitwithbothhands.
Hewasimmediatelyrippedforward,draggedacrossthesurfaceasasprayofwaterpoundedhisface.Hisarmsfeltliketheywerebeingrippedfromtheir
sockets,buthehungonfornearlyaminute.Wheneverhisheadbrokethesurface,heheardtheintermittentcrackofdistantgunfire.Hewaschokingonwaterandoutofbreathwhentheropeinhishandsfinallyfellslack.
Hetreadedwateramomentwhilecatchinghisbreath.TheinflatablenudgedupbesidehimandDirkleanedoverandofferedahand.Sporadicgunfirestill
soundedbutindiminishingintensity.
Giordinolungedaboardandspitoutamouthfulofsaltwater.“Thanksforthekeelhauling,”hesputtered.
“Sorry.IfigureditwasthefastestwayoutofDodge.Theynickedourinflatableprettygood,butwe’rewelloutofviewnow.”
GiordinosawtwooftheZodiac’sfiveairtightcompartmentsweresagging.
“They’recertainlygunhappy.”
“Guesstheyweren’ttoocrazyaboutyourshipboardminingdemonstration.”
GiordinolookedbacktowardtheSeaRaker,severalhundredyardsdistant.Somebodyhadpulledthepoweronthebulkcutter,butonlyafterithadchewedupthirtyfeetofdeck.Hecouldjustmakeoutcontingentsofarmedmenswarmingaround
theshiplikeahiveofbees.Dirkhitthethrottleand
turnedforhome.Astheyboundedovera
risingsea,Giordinogrimacedatthechaoticscenebehindthem.Theirforayhadbeenacompletefailure.Somewhereaboardtheminingship,PittandSummerwerebeingheldcaptive,andnowtheywouldbehelltorescue.
A
43
half-moonwasstillkindlingthenightsky
whenthetugboatcarryingPittandSummerthrottleddownitsengine.Pittnudgedhisdaughterawakeastheboatscrapedagainstadockanditsmotorshutdown.
Sheyawned.“HowlongwasIout?”
“Anhourorso.”“Great.Sowemustbein
KeyWestbynow.”Theguardatthedoorhad
stood,stone-faced,theentirejourney.Littlechangedinhisdemeanorasheheldthecaptivesinthecabinanotherfullhour.Finally,anothersoldierarrived,andtogethertheymarchedPittandSummeroffthetugandonto
alongdock.Summerscannedthearea.
“Funny,thisdoesn’tlooklikeFlorida.”
Theyhadlandedalongaruggedstretchofverdantcoast.Scatteredlightswerevisibleonthehillsbeyond,buttheimmediatelandscapeseemedisolated.Apairofilluminatedbuildingsfacedtheextendeddock,setinthebaseofaprotectedrockycove.
Thedockitselfwasmassive,extendingnearlyfourhundredfeet.Pittnoticedthesteelplatformwaspaintedatealgray,whichwouldmakeithardtoseefromoverhead.Thetugboatwastiedupjustbehindthelargeoceangoingbargeithadpushedtoshore.Thebargeheldamountainofore,thenowdriedslurrythattheSeaRakerhadminedfromtheoceanfloor.
AsPittandSummerweremarchedalongthedock,acontingentofworkersapproachedfromshore.Mostworemilitaryfatigues,likethesoldiersontheSeaRaker.Afewwereattiredinhazmatsuitswithbreathingdevices.Thesemenbeganmaneuveringintoplacealargeconveyorsystemthatwouldoffloadthebarge’scargo.
Attheendofthedock,Pitt
pausedtoeyeseveralhighmoundsoforealreadyonshore,presumablyawaitingshipmenttoasmelter.Thebarrelofanassaultriflenudgedhiminthebackasareminderthathewasn’ttheretosightsee.
Theywereledpastahelicopterpadandatwo-storydormitorybuildingtothedoorwayofasmall,low-roofedstructure.Inside,itwasconfiguredasa
contemporaryexecutiveofficespace,completewithplushcarpetingandpaneledwalls.
Summer’seyesperkedupatthesightofsomeMesoamericanartifactsdisplayedinaglasscase.Shecouldgivethemonlyacursoryglancebeforetheywereshovedintoasmallofficecontaininganemptydeskandtwostuffedchairs.Thedoorwasleftopenand
anarmedguardtookhispositionatthethreshold.
“Atleastwegetamodicumofcomfortbeforetheypassouttheblindfolds,”Pittsaid.Hesanksidewaysintooneofthechairs,hiswristsstillboundbehindhim.
“That’snotfunny.”Summertooktheotherseatandleanedtowardherfather.Inalowvoicesheasked,“Whydoyouthinktheybroughtushere?”
“Guesstheydidn’twantusinthemidstoftheirminingoperation.Maybetheyjustwantusoutofthewayuntilthey’refinishedworkingaroundtheAltasite.”
“ButtheSargassoSeaisn’tgoingtostandbyanddonothing.”
“TheymightnothaveachoiceiftheCubanNavyshowsup.”
“That’snotgoingtogooverwellwithAl.”
“There’snotmuchhecandoaboutit.Ifthemilitaryisrunningtheshowhere,we’llprobablyhavetowaitforsomesortofpoliticalresolution.”Heleanedbackinthechair.“Wemightjusthavetosittightandrelaxuntiltheycanbarterusback.”
Summershookherhead.“They’renotgoingtobeabletoconcealthedamagefromthemercuryreleases.”
“That’strue.There’s
somethingelsebotheringme.Didyouseetheshoreworkersdressedinhazmatsuitsandbreathingdevices?”
“Theymustknowaboutthemercuryinthesediments.”
“Maybe,buttherewassomethingelse.Theirsuitshadclippedtothemsmallmonitoringdevices—likethepocketdosimetersusedbysailorsonnuclearsubmarines.”
Summerthoughtforaminute,thenshookherhead.“No,youmayberight.IrememberexaminingthegeologicalmakeupofathermalventintheEastPacificRise.Therewereconcentrationsofuraniumandsomerareearthelementsinthesurroundingbasalt.”Shelookedatherfather.“Coulditbethey’remininguraniumfromthethermalvents?”
Pittnodded.“Itwouldexplainthehighdegreeofsecurity.AndmaybewhytheAltawassunk.”
“YouthinktheCubanscreatedthatholewesawinthesideofherhull?”
“Oneofthemenonthedivingbellsaidhesawanunknownsubmersiblejustbeforethedrillshipsank.”
“ButwhywouldtheCubansbeinterestedinmininguranium?Theydon’t
havethetechnologytocreateaweapon.”
“Idon’tknow,”Pittsaid.Theybothfellquiet,
overcomewithafeelingtheyhadstumbledontosomethingmuchmoresinisterthantheyknew.
G44
iordinoshookhisheadinfrustration.“Areweanchored
totheseafloor?”Althoughthelightsofthe
SargassoSeaglistenedashortdistanceaway,itseemedtheycouldnotdraw
closetotheNUMAship.Theinflatable’stinymotorwasoverwhelmed,firstbyitsdeflatedsections,thenbyabreezethathadstiffenedsincetheirdeparture.TheirvoyagetotheSeaRakerhadtakenlessthanfifteenminutes,buttheywereapproachinganhouronthereturn.
“She’satfullthrottle.”Dirksqueezedthemotor’shandgriptightforgood
measure.“Theheadwindisn’thelping.”
OnthebridgeoftheSargassoSea,CaptainMalcombSmithscannedthewatersbetweenthetwoshipswithapairofbinoculars.“There,Iseethem!”hesaidtothehelmsmanongraveyardshift.
“IsSummerandMr.Pittwiththem?”
“It’stoodarktotell.I’mgoingdowntomeetthemat
theboomcranetofindout.”Thecaptainmadehisway
totheportsiderail,wheretwocrewmenwerewaitingwithacranetoretrievetheinflatable.Smithcaughtaglimpseoftheboatasitcutaroundthesternandturneduptheship’sflank.Ithungtightagainstthehull,hidingwithintheship’sshadowasitapproachedthecrane.
Smithsteppedtothesiderailandleanedover,anxious
toseeifPittandSummerwereaboard.Instead,hesawaboatfullofblack-cladcommandos,followedashortdistancebehindbyasecondboat.Thefirstinflatableracedtoastopasapairofgrapplinghooksattachedtoropeladdersflewovertheship’srail.Twocommandosspranguptheladdersandvaultedtherail.
TheNUMAcaptainreactedwithashout,shoving
thenearestintruderovertherailandbackintotheboatbelow.Thesecondcommando,theteam’sleader,didn’twaitforarepeatperformance.HeleveledapistolatSmithandpulledthetrigger.
Ahundredyardsaway,DirkandGiordinoheardthepoppingofgunfire.Althoughtheyhadn’tseenthecommandosraceby,theycouldguesswhatwas
happening.Afewyardsfromtheship,
Dirkswungtheinflatablewidearounditsbow.Undertheglowoftheship’slights,hecouldseethetwoassaultboatstiedamidshipswithalonesentryguardingthem.
Giordinopointedattheguard,andDirknodded.Turningawayfromtheship,hesteeredtheinflatableinawideloopuntiltheycouldseethebackofthesentryand
thenheturnedtheboathome.Withtheirelectricmotor,theycouldapproachwithstealth.
ThesentrywasfocusedontheshipabovewhenDirk’sinflatablecameoutofnowhereandrammedhimbroadside.Giordinoleapedoffthebowandwasonthemanbeforeheknewwhathappened.Liftingtheguardoffhisfeet,Giordinoslammedhimdown.Hishead
smackedthehousingoftheoutboard,knockinghimoutcold.Giordinowastednotime,tearingtheriflefromtheguard’shandsandscalingthesideoftheship.
BythetimeDirkmaneuveredhisinflatablealongsidethehullandclimbedoverthesiderail,Giordinowasoutofsight.Movingforward,herecoiledashetrippedoverthebloodiedbodyofacrewman,
lyingfacedown.Theshipwasoddlyquiet,
themaindeckdeserted.Whereweretheothercommandos—andGiordino?
FiguringGiordinowouldheadforthebridge,hefollowedsuit,headingdownthedeckuntilhefoundtheportstairwell—andsteppedrightintothebarrelofawaitingpistol.
Toolate,hesawthecompanionwaywascramped
withbodies.CaptainSmithsatonthestepswithadazedseaman,nursingabloodiedshoulderandleg.Giordino,sportinganastygashonhishead,stoodwithapairofscientistsunderguardbytwocommandos.
ThencameCalzado,thecommandoleader,whoheldhispistolatDirk’scheekbone.“Goodofyoutojoinus.ImissedmakingyouracquaintanceaboardtheSea
Raker.”Dirkhadnoreplyas
anothercommandothundereddownthesteps,stoppingatCalzado’sside.
“Thebridgeissecure,sir,”hereported.“Wehavecompletecontroloftheship.”
D45
irkandGiordinohoistedSmithtohisfeetandhalf
carried,halfdraggedthewoundedcaptainoutofthestairwell.AtrailofbloodfollowedacrossthedeckasCalzadomarchedthemat
gunpointtothestern.Theyfoundtheremainingscientistsandcrewbeingherded,underarmedguard,intotwooftheship’slabs.Calzadomotionedforthemtojointhegroupbeingsqueezedintothenearerwetlab.Inside,Dirkfoundtheship’sdoctorandbroughthimtothecaptain.
“Whatareourcasualties?”Smithaskedinaweakvoiceasthedoctorexaminedtheshoulderwound.Thecaptain
lookedlikehewouldpassoutatanymoment.
Theship’sfirstofficer,aganglymannamedBarnes,respondedfirst.Heworeonlyhisskivvies,havingbeenroustedfromhisbunkatgunpoint.“AssistantEngineerDyerwaskilledondeck,sir.Wehaveatleastfourotherseriousinjuriesbutnonelife-threatening.”
“Didthebridgegetoffanemergencycallorbeacon?”
Barnesshookhishead.“No,sir.Theystormedthebridgebeforeanyoneknewwhatwashappening.Thehelmsmanreportedtheywereunabletoissueanykindofemergencysignal.TheboardersarestillholdingRossonthebridge.”
CaptainSmithturnedtoGiordino.“DidyouseeanysignsofSummerorPitt?”
“WefoundtheStarfishonboardtheirship,nexttotheir
seabedminingequipment.Theymuststillbeaboard.”Herefusedtoconsideralesspositiveoutcome.
Thecaptainwheezed.“Whoinblazesarethey?”
“TheshipisnamedSeaRaker,”Giordinosaid.“It’sstaffedlikeadestroyer,notaminingship.Armedsoldiersallovertheplace.TheylooktomelikeCubanregulars.”
Confirmationcameamomentlaterwhenthedoor
tothelabburstopen.Calzadosteppedacrossthethresholdandregardedthecrampedbaywithasurlyglare.
“TheSargassoSeahasbeenseizedforviolatingtheterritorialsovereigntyofCuba,”hesaidinclippedEnglish.“Youarenowprisonersofthestate.”
“Wehaven’tenteredCubanwaters,”Barnessaid.
Calzadolookedatthefirstofficerandgaveacoldsmile.
“Itismydutytowarnyouthatanyattemptatescapeorinterferencewiththeoperationoftheshipwillbemetwithsevereconsequences.Youwillstayhereandremainquiet.”
Heturnedonhisheelsandmarchedout.Apairofcommandosslammedthedoorclosedandlockedit.
“That’saloadofbunk,”Barnessaid.“Wearepositionedoverfivemiles
fromCuba’sterritoriallimit.”Theship’sengines
rumbled,andtheycouldfeelthevesselgetunderway.
“Ifwe’renotinCubanwatersnow,”Dirksaid,“wewillbeshortly.”
Smithclosedhiseyesasifasleep,buthespokeinafirmvoice.“Let’snottemptfate.Headquarterscanstilltrackusandwillbealertedwhenwedon’treportin.Therewillbehelpheadedourwayinno
time.Iwanteveryonetostayputanddoasthemansays.”
ForGiordino,thewordsfellondeafears.Hewasalreadypacingthelablikeacagedtiger,calculatingawaytopounceonhiscaptors.
P46
ittandSummerweredetainedintheofficeforhalfaday,until
theyheardseveralmenentertheofficecomplex.Thenewcomersconvenedinanadjacentexecutiveoffice.Withitsthinwallsandboth
doorsleftopen,thetwocaptivescouldheareveryword.
“Allright,Molina,whatisthegreatemergencythatrequiredmypresencetoday?”
JuanDíazputhisfeetonalargemahoganydeskandlookeddownhisnoseattheminingoperationsmanagerseatedacrossfromhim.DespitehisowntimeintheRevolutionaryArmy,Díazhadanopendisdainforthe
military.“Comandante,youalways
statedthattheminingoperationistobeconductedwithabsolutesecrecy,”LieutenantSilvioMolinasaid.ThoughDíaznolongerheldmilitaryrank,themilitiaon-siteaddressedhimindeferencetohispowerfulfamilyconnections.
“Yes,ofcourse,”Díazsaid.“Youandyourmenwerehandpickedtooversee
theoperationonaccountofyourloyaltytothegeneral.”
“Duringourexcavationslastnight,wehadanintrusionattheDomingo1site.”
DíazglancedatanoversizedmapoftheFloridaStraitspinnedtoonewall.Anirregularcircle,drawningreenanddenotedDomingo1,wasmarkednortheastofHavana.“Goon.”
“AnAmericanmarineresearchshipnamedthe
SargassoSeaarrivedatduskandmoorednearthewellheadsite—”
“TheSargassoSea?”Díazsaid.“Wasn’tthatthevesselthatwasnosingaroundafterthedrillshipwassunk?”
“Yes,itisavesseloftheNationalUnderwaterandMarineAgency.TheyweretheonesthatpickedupthesurvivorsoftheAlta.”
“Whataretheydoingbackatthesite?”
“Idon’tknow.”Molinashrugged.“PerhapstheyareperforminganinspectionfortheNorwegianownersoftheship.OrperhapstheyareCIA.”
“Thedestructionofthedrillshipwasmadetolooklikeanaccident,”Díazsaid.“Thosewereyourorders.”
“Anditwassoaccomplished.ButIwarnedyouitcouldattractunwantedattention.”
“We’reonaschedule,andweneededmoretimetocompletetheexcavation.IfthelateMinisterOrtizhadn’tgiventhemthatsector,ofallplaces,todrillin,wewouldneverhavehadaproblem.Wehadnochoicebuttoremovethemfromthesite.”Díazscowled.“Iseethatthebargeisoffloadinganewshipment.Whatareourlateststockpilefigures?”
“Includingthecurrent
bargeload,weestimateatotaloftwohundredandeightytonsinreadiedstockpile.Thecustomersupplyshipisarrivinginthemorningtocollectthefirsthalforderoftwohundredandfiftytons.”
Díazstoodandapproachedthewallmap.Inadditiontothegreencircle,thereweretworedcirclestwentyandthirtymilesfarthernorthintotheFloridaStraits.He
motionedtowardthem.“ThethermalventsatDomingo2andDomingo3areeachtentimesthesizeofDomingo1.Theywilleasilyprovidethebalanceofourdelivery,ifouryieldpercentagesareaccurate.”
“Domingo1hasprovenbetterthananticipated,”Molinasaid.“We’veseenuraniumoxidecontentinexcessoffiftypercent,whichfarexceedsthehighest
knownyieldsfromanyterrafirmamines,eventhoseinAthabasca,Canada.”
“Theveryreasonwepursuedthehigh-costoperationsofunderseamining.WhenwilltheSeaRakerbefinishedatthecurrentfield?”
Molinalookedatthefloor.“That’suncertain.Theyhadcompletedeighty-fivepercentofthefieldoperationsbutarestandingbyatthemoment
whilerepairingdamagetotheship.”
“Whatdamage?”Díazasked.
“ItwastheAmericanresearchvessel.Whilewewereconductingexcavationoperations,theysentdownasubmersiblethatapproachedourbulkcuttermachine.Wewereabletoremotelyacquirethesubmersibleandbringitaboardtheship.”
“Youwhat!”Díazsaid,
flyingoutofhischair.“Itwasrecordingour
operation.Calzado,ontheSeaRaker,reportedthathismenconcealedthesubmersibleontheshipandsentitstwopilotsashorethismorningwiththebarge.Ashorttimelater,twomenfromtheNUMAshipboardedtheSeaRaker,apparentlyinsearchoftheircomrades.Theywerediscoveredbutescaped.And
theycausedsomedamagewiththebulkcutterbeforetheygotaway.”
Díaz’sfacehadturnedred.“SothisNUMAshipisawareofouroperationandknowswecapturedtheirsubmersible?”
“CalzadoreportsthatheandanarmedpartyhavetakencontroloftheAmericanship.Hedoesn’tbelievetheyhadachancetoissueacallforhelp.”
Díazstaredathim.“Youdidallthiswithoutmyauthorization?”
“Itwasanurgentmilitaryoperationandthehourwaslate.Ididwakethegeneralandobtainedhisapproval.”
Díazglaredatthelieutenant.“Youdon’tthinktheAmericanswillmisstheirresearchship?”
“Thevesselhasbeenrelocatedclosertoshore.Iftheyraisetrouble,wecan
accusethemofspyinginourwaters.”
“Thishasendangeredtheentireoperationjustasweareinthefinalstretch.”HestaredatMolinawithcolddetermination.“WemustacceleratetheexcavationsatDomingo2and3atonce.Iwillseeifourcustomerwillmakeearlyacceptanceoftheseconddelivery.”
“TheSeaRakercanproceedtothenexttwofields
andsettheexplosiveswhilethebulkcutterisrepaired.”
“Whencantheyresumemining?”
“Withintwenty-fourhours,ifnotsooner.”
“Doit,”Díazsaid.“Doitnow!WemaynothaveeventhatlongbeforetheAmericanshipbecomesamajorliability.I’mreturningtoHavanatomeetwiththegeneral.HavetheSeaRakermovedtotheDomingo2site
atonce.”Asherosetoleave,
Molinastoppedhim.“Whataboutthesubmersiblepilotswecaptured?”
“Aretheystillonthebarge?”
“They’rerightnextdoor.”Díaztookhisseatwithan
exasperatedsigh.“Allright,letmeseethem.”
P47
ittandSummerhadheardeveryword.Theywereshockedat
thenewsthattheSargassoSeahadbeencaptured.PittwaslesssurprisedabouttheintrusionanddamageaboardtheSeaRaker,obviouslyAl
andDirk’shandiwork.Thestakesweresuddenly
muchhigher.Abscondingwithanosysubmersiblewasonething,butboardingandcommandeeringaNUMAshipwassomethingelse.Thesecrecyandparanoiameanttheminingprojectwasahigh-stakesoperation—withevengreaterenvironmentalconsequencesatriskfromthetwountappedthermalvents.
“Ifthoseothertwovents
aretentimeslargerthantheoneattheAltasite,”Summersaid,“whathappenswhentheyblastthoseopen?RudisaidtheyalreadyhadareportofelevatedmercurylevelsnearAndrosIslandintheBahamas.”
“Multiplytheexistingcontaminationbytwentyandyou’vegotafull-blownenvironmentalcatastrophe,”Pittsaid.“AsRudipointedout,there’sanexponential
risktomarinelifeduetomigratingspeciespassingthroughthemercuryplumes.”
“DuringtheBPoildisaster,thegreatfearwasthatthespillwouldreachtheFloridaStraitsandcarryuptheEastCoast,”Summersaid.“Thedangerhereismuchworse.IfthetoxinsarereleasedinthemiddleoftheFloridaStraits,themethylmercurycouldspreadthroughthefoodchainand
contaminatefishstocksfromTexastoNewEngland.”
Twoarmedsoldiersrousedthemfromtheirchairsandescortedthemtotheroomnextdoor.
“Thesearethetwopeoplewhowerespyingonourminingoperation,”Molinasaidastheywerebroughtintotheoffice.
DíaznearlyfelloutofhischairatthesightofSummer.Shewasequallyshockedto
findhercaptorwasJuanDíaz,butshefoundherwordsfirst.
“ProfessorDíaz,”shesaidwithasarcasticemphasisonthetitle.“Ididn’tknowyouranthropologyskillsincludedmurderandkidnapping.”
“Thereismuchaboutmeyoudon’tknow,SummerPitt,”hesaid.
Shestartedtorespond,thenlookedpastDíaz.Restingonasturdytablein
thecorneroftheofficewastheAztecstoneshehaddiscoveredatZimapán.Thehorroroftheeventsthatfollowedcamefloodingback.“YoumurderedDr.Torresincoldblood.”
Díazrespondedwithacoldsmile.
“Youknowthiswoman?”Molinaasked.
“Yes.WehaveasharedpassionforAztechistory.”Hewalkedovertothestone
andgrazedhisfingertipsacrossitssurface.“Apitytheotherhalfdidn’tremainaboardthewreckageoftheOsoMaloinJamaica.”
“Yes,”Summersaid,regaininghercomposure.“Ironic,actually.TheotherhalfendedupinHavana,destroyedontheMaine.Itwasunderyournoseallalong.”
“Yes,I,too,discoveredthatDr.Boydwasaboardthe
Mainewiththeotherhalfofthestonewhentheshipblewup.Still,youhavebeenveryhelpfulinprovidingdataonwherethetreasuremaystilllie.”
“Whattreasure?”Díazstaredather.“You
mean,youdon’tknowthestone’ssignificance?”
Heletoutabellowinglaughashesteppedtoabookcasefilledwithsmallstonecarvingsandartifacts.
HepickedupafigurineandsetitonthedeskinfrontofSummer.“Onlyafoolwouldriskhislifeforthesakeofscience.”
Itwasafigurineofadogmadeofsolidgold.Thedesignhadanancientlook,whichSummersuspectedwasAztec.“Wheredidyoustealthis?TheVeracruzUniversityMuseumofAnthropology?”
“Itwasdiscoveredatthebottomoftheseaduringone
ofourmineralsurveys.”“Onalongcanoe,”Pitt
said,“aboutthirtymilesnorthwestofMontegoBay.”Hehadkeptsilentastheotherstalked,tryingtoedgeclosertothewallmap.Ajabfromaguard’sriflekepthimfromdiscerningitsmarkings.
Díazbristledatthecomment.Hepickedupthefigurineandreturnedittotheshelf.ThenhesteppedovertoSummer.Reachingdown,he
grabbedafistfuloflongredhairandyankedherheadforward.“Tellme—now!—whyareyouhere?”
Pittlungedacrosstheroom,hishandsstillpinionedbehindhisback,andplowedhisshoulderintoDíaz.
DíazsprawledbackacrosshisdeskasthetwoguardsjumpedonPittandheldhimback.MolinaunholsteredaMakarovpistolandleveleditatPitt.
DíazstaggeredtohisfeetandglaredatPitt,thenregardedSummer.“Afamilyresemblance,itseems.Yourdaughter?”heaskedPitt.
Pittsaidnothing,appraisinghimwithcontempt.
“Perhapsshecanentertainmymenduringyourstay.”Díazturnedtothesoldiers.“Gethimoutofmysight—now!”
ThesoldiersdraggedPitt
outoftheoffice,leavingSummeralonewithDíazandMolina.Díazopenedadeskdrawerandpulledoutaknifewithacarvedobsidianblade.HeshowedittoSummer,thenpresseditsbladelightlyagainsthercheek.“Now,wherewerewe?”
Summergrittedherteeth.“Wearetrackingtheoutbreakofmercurypollutants.”
Díaznoddedandpulledawaytheknife,leavingathin
traceofblood.“Yourminingoperation
hasreleasedtoxicplumesthataredestroyinglargeswathsofmarinelife,”shesaid.“Theplumesarevisiblebysatellite.Wetrackedthelatestonehereandcametoinvestigate.Themercuryiscreatingahugeenvironmentalrisk.”
Díaznodded.Hewasawareofthemethylmercurytoxinsbeingreleasedfromhis
underwaterblastingbutwasindifferenttoitsconsequences.“Perhapsthemercuryisproblematic,butitwilldissipateovertime.”
“Irreparableharmhasalreadybeendonetomarinelife.Andyourmininghere,intheFloridaStraits,couldhaveseriouseffectsthroughouttheentireGulfofMexicoandtheAtlanticCoast.”
“HarmfultotheU.S.,inotherwords?Thatisno
concernofmine.”Díazlaughed.“I’mafraidyouaretoolateforthat.”
HesteppedtotheAztecstoneandadmireditamomentbeforetappingitwiththeobsidianknife.“Yes,toolateforthat.Butmaybe...”Hetappedthestoneoncemore.“MaybeyouwillbeherewithmewhenIrecoverthesecondstoneandcompletethemessageoftheAztecs.”
T48
hepilotkilledthesmokyoutboardmotor,allowingthe
skifftodriftwiththecurrent.Amanonthebowtossedapurseseinenetovertheside,allowingthemovementoftheboattospreaditsfloats.
Takingaseatontheforwardbench,hemadeashowofregulatingthenet’slines.Hesitatingamoment,hewavedahandacrosshisnosewhilegazingatthecatchinthebottom.“Man,thesefishhavegonebad.”
Seatedbytheoutboardmotor,JamesMaguirelaughed.“Hopefully,they’lldeteranyonefromsearchingtheboat.”
InraggedT-shirtsand
dirtybaseballcaps,thepairlookedlikelocalCaymanIslandfishermen.Theycertainlydidn’tresemblehiredmercenaries.MaguirewasinfactaformerMarineCorpssniperandCIAfieldoperative.MartyGomezwasanex–NavySEAL.Onlyakeenobserverwouldnoticethepaltrycatchtheyhadhauledinoverthepastsixhours,dueinparttoMaguireintentionallyslicingaholein
thecenterofthenet.WhileGomezmadea
showofyankingonasnaggednet,Maguireslouchedinthesternandraisedacompactpairofbinocularstohiseyes.Hefocusedonasmallwhiteyachtmooredtoabuoyahundredyardsaway.Therewasnothingremarkableabouttheboat,exceptforacrispCubanflagthatflappedaboveitsflybridge.
MaguireshiftedhisgazetotwoRevolutionaryArmedForcespatrolboatsjustbeyond,whichcircledtheyachtinaslow,continuousloop.
“We’relosingdaylight,”Gomezsaid.“Areyougoingin?”
Theyhadspentthebetterpartofthedayinchingclosetotheyacht.Afewhoursearlier,oneoftheguardboatshadwhiskedbyforalookbut
tooknointerestinthederelictcraft.
Maguirelookedfromonepatrolboattotheother,thenloweredhisbinoculars.“Thoseboyslookhalfasleep.Mygrandmacouldprobablypulloffthejobinapinkrowboat.AnchorusdownandI’llbeonmyway.”
Gomezloweredananchorbeneaththenetlinesandtieditoff.
Reachingbeneaththepile
ofrottingfish,Maguireretrievedaplasticboxcontainingasmalldivecomputer.Activatingadigitalcompass,hetookasightingoftheyachtandprogrammedapathtoitsestimatedposition,thenstrappedthemechanismtohisarm.
“Readytoroll.”Heremovedhishatandsandals.“Givemesomecover.”
“Roger.”Gomezstoodwithanarmfulofnetting,
blockingMaguirefromviewofthepatrolboats.“I’llkeepthelightson.”
Maguiretookalastlookattheyachtandslippedoverthetransom.Heswambeneaththeboat,itsundersidenotlookinganythinglikeitsshabbytopsideappearance.Hepulledhimselfpasttwinimpellersandasetofextendinghydrofoils,whichhadpropelledtheSurpriseatoverfortyknotsduringits
offshorevoyagefromtheworkboatthenightbefore.
Theboat’sslickhullnowresembledarackfromasportinggoodsstore.Maguiregrabbedatankandbuoyancycompensatorthathungfromahookandpoppedtheregulatorintohismouth.Amaskandfinscamenext,thenaweightbelt.Onceoutfitted,heswamovertotwootherconcealeditems.Thefirstwasahardened
plasticboxaffixedtothehullwithalargesuctiondevice.Hetwistedagriphandle,pulleditclearoftheboat,andattachedittohisBC.Thenhegrabbedasmalldiverpropulsionunitdanglingfromarope.Takingabearingfromhisdivecomputer,heheldthewaterscooterinfrontofhimandpowerediton.
Hewhiskedthroughthewater,anglingthescooteruntilhewasthirtyfeetdeep
andbeyondclearviewofthesurface.Thevisibilitywasgood,allowinghimtoseewellaheadasschoolsoffishdartedoutofhispath.Trackinghisprogressonthecomputer,hehesitatedatreachinghisdesignatedendpoint.Theseafloorwasempty,sohecontinuedanotherfiftyfeetbeforespottinghistarget,alargeconcretemooringblock.Hislinewastrue,hehadjust
underestimatedthedistance.Poweringoffthescooter,
hesetitonthemooringblockandascendedachainthatrantoametalfloatoverhead.Lookingup,hecouldseetheoutlineoftheyachtfloatingabovehim.Hecheckeditsorientation,thenmovedamidshipsjustasideofthekeellineandbrushedsomemarinegrowthfromasmallareaonthehull.Hesecuredthesuctiondevice,alongwith
theplasticboxcontainingfivepoundsofhighexplosivesandanelectricdetonator.
Heunwoundathinspoolofwireattachedtothedetonatorandstretchedthewiredowntothemooringfloat.Withsomeplasticties,hesecuredittothefloatchainandcarefullyascended.Justbeneaththesurface,heaffixedasmallreceivertothebaseofthefloatandextended
aflatwireantennaoutofthewater,plasteringittothesideofthefloatwithawadofputty.Withareassuringtugonthewire,heswambackdownthechainandretrievedhisunderwaterscooter.
Tenminuteslater,hewasalongsideGomez,guidinghisskiffdownthecoastunderasettingsun,justanothertiredCaymanfishermanbringinghomehismeagercatch.
A
49
thousandthoughtsracedthroughPitt’smind,but
foremostwasconcernforhisdaughter’ssafety.Pitt’schildrenhadbeenraisedbytheirnowdeceasedmother,sohehadmissedtheirchildhoodupbringing.When
DirkandSummerenteredhislifeasyoungadults,hehadinstantlybondedwiththem.WorkingtogetheratNUMAhadinstilledatrustingrelationship,allowingtheirsharedloveoftheseatodrawthemevencloser.AlthoughPittknewhisdaughterwasatoughandsavvyyoungwoman,hersafetystilltuggedathisheart.
Hefocusedonthemoreimmediateproblem.Hehad
beenthrownintoanemptystorageclosetnearDíaz’soffice,securedwithathickdoorandasliding-boltlock.Saveforanoverheadlightfixtureattachedtotheplasterceiling,thetinyroomwasbare.
Hiswristswerestillboundbehindhisbackwiththecabletie.Butthatwasnobarrier,astheCubanshadneversearchedhim.Stretchingoutonthefloor,he
layonhissideandtwistedhisarmsuntilheworkedahandintohisfrontpocket.ThepenknifefromtheStarfishwasburieddeep,buthegraspeditandpulleditout.Workingbytouchbehindhisback,heopenedthebladeandsawedthroughthetie.
Oncefree,herosetohisfeetandmassagedhiswristswhilestudyingtheclosetdoor.Againhisluckheld.Thoughitwaslockedonthe
outside,thedooropenedinward,heldinplacebythreetubularhinges.Pittagainwenttoworkwiththepenknife,pryingtwopinsfromtheirhingeswhilelooseningthethird.Thenitbecameawaitinggame.
Pittcouldstillhearvoicesintheofficeandhesatandwaitedforsilence.Onceheheardtheslideoftheboltlatch,hejumpedbackfromthedoor,pocketingtheloose
pinsandhidinghiswristsbehindhisback.AguardstuckhisheadinandtossedabottleofwaterandanemptybuckettowardPitt,thendeparted.
Whenanhourofsilencehadpassed,Pittpriedthelastpinfromitshinge.Workingtheknifebladeintothedoorframe,hewedgedopenthebacksideandpeeredthroughthecrack.Hecouldseenoone.Graspingthe
door,heyankeditintotheclosetandpulledtheboltfreeofitslatch.Heslidtheboltoverandreplacedthedooronitshinges,securingitwithoneofthepins.Finally,hesteppedoutoftheclosetandlockedthedoorbehindhim.
Buttheofficecomplexwasn’tempty.Heheardtwomenconversingdownthecorridor,soheheadedtheotherdirection,towardtheentrance.Hecheckedthe
officewhereheandSummerhadfirstbeenheld,buttheroomwasempty.Summer,hesuspected,wasnolongerinthebuilding.
Thevoicesgrewlouder,soPittduckedintoDíaz’sopenofficeandclosedthedoorbehindhim.HesteppedtothewallmapshowingtheFloridaStraits.Thecharthadthreecirclesmarkedinredandgreen.Thesmallestherecognizedasthelocation
wheretheAltahadsunk.Withasenseofdread,hesawthatthetworedcircleswerefartheroffshore,nearthecenterofthestrait.Theycouldonlybethenextthermalventstargetedfordestructionandtheywereintheworstpossiblelocation.
AtthecenteroftheFloridaStraits,theFloridaCurrentwasinhighgear,generatinganortheastflowinexcessofthreeknots.Pittknew
counterclockwisegyresspunoffthecurrent,cyclingwatertotheeasternFloridashoreline.HefollowedthepathoftheFloridaCurrentasitcurledupthecoasttojointheGulfStream.MiamiBeachappearedonthemapbarelyahundredmilesaway.Theminerscouldn’thavepickedaworselocationifthey’dintentionallytriedtocommitenvironmentalsabotage.
Withasinkingfeeling,Pittenvisionedtheinvisibletideofdeath.Ifthethermalventswereblownandthemercuryreleasewasoftheexpectedmagnitude,thedevastationwouldbewholesale.Contaminatedwaters,deadmarinelife,andextinguishedfishstockscouldplaguetheentireEastCoast.ItwouldmaketheBPoilspilllooklikeaminornuisance.
Hebrieflyperusedthe
desk,spottingacalendarwithseveralhandwrittennotations.AnentrymarkedtheimminentarrivalofavesselnamedAlgonquin.Belowtheship’snamewasthenotation“250tonsat45%yield.”
Pittrifledthroughthedeskdrawers,findingonlyroutinepaperworkandacrudeobsidianknife.Hepalmedtheknifewhenheheardvoicesoutsidethedoor.
Thevoicesreceded,andhe
steppedtotheshelfofartifacts.Thecollectionofclaypots,stonecarvings,andgoldjewelrywasstackedhigh.Amahoganypaddlesatonthetopshelf,areproduction,Pittpresumed,ofoneusedwiththeAzteccanoe.Atthefarendoftheshelf,henoticedaframeddrawingofapagefromaMesoamericancodex.
Pickingitup,Pittsawthatitshowedamaninagreen
featherheaddresslyingfacedown.Inthebackground,twomenwearingeagle-beakedheadcoveringswereloadingachestintoasmallcanoe.Pittgazedatthedrawingforalongwhile,thenconsideredthehalfstonenexttoit.
“Well,I’llbe...”hemuttered,pattingthestoneinunderstanding.“Nowonderthebigfuss.”
Heputthestoneoutofhis
mind,focusingonlocatingSummerandfiguringawaytohalttheblastingofthethermalvents.Butfirsthehadtofindhiswayoutofthebuilding.Asfarashecouldtell,therewasonlyoneentrance.Itwassuretobeguarded.
PittopenedthedoortoDíaz’sofficeandlistened.Thecorridorwassilent,theback-officeoccupantshavingapparentlyleftthebuilding.
Testingthewaters,hesteppedintothehallandmadehiswaytowardthefoyer.Hefrozeafterseeinganarmedguardstandingbythefrontreceptionistdesk,lookingoutthewindow.Therewastoomuchdistancetoapproachundetected,soPittbacktrackeddownthehall—withanidea.
HereturnedtoDíaz’sofficeandstudiedthephone.Itwasanolderexecutive
modelwithpushbuttonsformultiplelines.Pittliftedthereceiverandbeganpushingthebuttonsuntilaringingeruptedfromthefrontreception.Hesetthereceiveronthedesk,movedtotheshelf,andremovedthemahoganypaddle.
Pittsteppedintothehallandcrepttowardthefoyer.Thephonecontinuedringingatthereceptiondeskastheguardpaceditsperimeter
withalookofannoyance.Afterfiveminutes,theirritationbecametoogreatandhepickedupthereceiver.“Hola?Hola?”
Whentherewasnoresponse,heslammeddownthereceiver.Detectingamovementbehindhim,hespunaroundtofindPittinahomerunswingwiththepaddle.Itstruckhimonthesideofthehead,knockinghimontothereceptionist
desk.Hesprangforwardinadaze,onlytocollectanotherblowtotheoppositesideofhisskullthatlaidhimout.
Pittgrabbedthelimpbodyanddraggedittothelockedcloset.Pullinghiminside,heremovedtheman’scamouflagejacketandpantsandslippedthemonoverhisownclothes.Helockedthemanintheclosetandmadehiswaytothefrontofthebuilding,grabbingthe
soldier’sAK-47forgoodmeasure.
Hepeeredoutside,findingtheimmediateareaquiet.Treadingcautiouslyoutofthebuilding,Pittmovedinafrantichunttofindhisdaughter.
A50
dmiralRaphaelSemmesawokewithastart.Hisears
prickledatadistantsoundandheletoutalowgrowl.
Thetwenty-poundtabbycatrosefromhisfloorpillow,stretchedhislegs,andhopped
ontoaking-sizedbed.Approachinghissleepingmaster,hebrushedhiswhiskersagainsttheman’scheeksandbeganmeowing.
St.JulienPerlmutterrousedfromadreamandpushedthecatfromhisface.“Whatisit,Admiral?”
Thecatrespondedwithaloudmeow,thenhoppedoffthebedandwaitednearthedoorway.Perlmuttertooknoticeanddraggedhimself
outofbed.Hiscatwasn’tpronetofeebleneediness.Indeed,hehadprovenhimselfsomethingofafinehouseguard.Once,hehadalertedPerlmuttertoaforgottenstrudelburningintheoven.Anothertime,hegarneredhisowner’sattentionwhensomeneighborhoodkidstriedtotakehisvintageRolls-Royceforajoyride.
Pullingonarobeand
slippers,Perlmutterwalkedtothedoor,thenhesitatedwhenheheardasounddownstairs.Fromadisplayshelfabovehisdresser,hepulleddownalargemarlinespike.Nearlythesizeofanightstick,thepolishedmetalpinhadbeenusedbyseamenduringtheageofsailtospliceheavyropes.Withhisdefactoweapon,Perlmuttersteppeddownthestairsasquietlyashislargeframecouldmuster.
Atthebaseofthestairs,hesawtheglowofapenlightcomingfromhisstudy.HesteppedtothedoorwayandwasreachingforthelightswitchwhenAdmiralSemmesmeowedloudly.Thepenlight’sbeamswungtothedoorway,shininginPerlmutter’seyes.
Heshieldedhiseyesfromthelight.“What’sgoingonhere?”themarinehistorianboomed.
Heheardascurryingofpapers,sohereachedoncemoreforthelightswitch.
Beforehecouldflicktheswitch,aheavybookwasflungathimandstruckthesideofhisface.
Perlmuttershookofftheblowandchargedintothedarkroom,shouting,“Heathen!”
Thepenlightblinkedoff,butPerlmuttersteppedtowarditssourceandswungthe
marlinespikeinfrontofhiminawidearc.Hecutonlyair,thenwasstruckhardbyabodyblowtotheside.
Hereactedwithaswipeofhisfreehand,claspingthejacketoftheblack-cladrobber.Perlmutteryankedandthemanflewintohim.HewasbarelyhalfPerlmutter’ssizeandsquirmedlikeasnake.
Perlmutterbroughtthemarlinespikearoundand
jabbedthebluntendintotheman’sribs,causingasharpcry.Hetriedtoputhisweighttousebygraspingthemaninabearhug,buttheintruderslippedfreeandretaliatedwithakicktoPerlmutter’sknee.
Perlmutterbuckledandstaggeredback,steppingonthetailofhiscat.AdmiralSemmesshriekedandclawedthefloorasPerlmuttertriedtodanceclear.Hisfeetbecame
entangledandhetrippedtooneside.Hisheadcaughtacornerofhisdeskandhecrashedtothefloorastheintruderboltedoutthefrontdoor.
ThenextthingPerlmutterfeltwasAdmiralSemmes’stonguelappinghisface.Heslowlysatupandrubbedthebumponhishead.Afterafewminutes,thethrobbingpaineasedenoughforhimtostand.Heflickedonthelights
toinventorytheroom.Afrontwindowhadbeen
jimmiedopen,providingtheburglarentry.Yetlittleinthestudyhadbeendisturbed.Valuableantiquesandshipartifactswereleftuntouched,aswashiscollectionofrarebooks.Everythingwasinitsplace,exceptfortheleather-boundcopyofMoby-Dickthathadbeenhurledathim.
Hecheckedhisdeskdrawers,buttheyhadnot
beentouched.Asheexaminedthedesktop,herealizedtherewassomethingmissing—hisfileonEllsworthBoydandthesinkingoftheMaine.
HesatdownandwasabouttocallthepolicewhenAdmiralSemmesjumpedinhislap.
“Well,Admiral,itwouldseemthePittshavestirredupabitoftroublewiththeMaineandtheAztecartifact.
It’sagoodthingIhadalreadydigestedthecompletefile.”
ThecatpokedhisheadatPerlmutter’shandandheobligedbystrokingthecat’sback.
“Iwillsayourtagteamwrestlingleftabittobedesired.Butyourearly-warningsystemwassuperb.It’sextramilkforyouinthemorning,mygoodfriend.”
AdmiralSemmeslookedathimandpurred.
P51
ittspiedaflurryofactivityaroundthedocksidefacility.The
orebargehadbeenemptiedofitsoriginalcargoandwasnowbeingloadedwithsmallwoodencratesandlargebinsfilledwithheavycanvas
sacks.Hestoppedintheshadows
andwatchedateamofmeninaguardedstoragepenloadthesacks,whichresembleddryconcretemix.RedsignsmarkedExplosivoshungnearby.ThesackslikelycontainedANFO,orammoniumnitrate/fueloil,acommonindustrialbulkexplosive,whilethesmallcratescontainedTNT.Theexplosiveswouldsoonbeon
theirwaytotheSeaRakerforblastingopenthethermalvents.
Pittmadehiswaypastthepentothetwo-storybuilding.Hesawthatthelowerlevelwasusedforoperationssupport.Anequipmentlockerandamachineshopfacedthewateronthenearside.Atthefarendwasanopengaragewithautilitycartparkedoutfront.Theupperlevellookedtobebarracksforthesoldiers
—alikelyholdingplaceforSummer.
Hespottedasidestairway,crepttoitsbase,andstartedclimbing.
Whenhewashalfwayup,thedoortothesecondlevelburstopenandasoldierrushedoutwithatoolbox.TherewaslittlePittcoulddo,sohesimplyloweredhisheadandpickeduphispace.Thesoldierstormedpasthimwithoutaglance.
Atthetoplanding,Pitttookadeepbreathandsteppedinside.Adimcorridorstretchedbeforehim,withmultipleroomsoneitherside.Allthedoorswereopenexceptforoneatthefarend.Oppositetheroom,twosoldiersleanedagainstthewall,smokingcigarettes.
Pittwalkedtowardthem,tryingtoappearcasualashetightenedhisgripontheassaultrifleslungoverhis
shoulder.Notinghisapproach,one
ofthesoldiersspokerapidlytohiscompanion,thendartedoutanoppositeexit,fearfulhewasabouttobecaughtgoldbricking.Theothersoldierextinguishedhiscigaretteandstoodatattention.
Pittapproachedquickly,askingfromadistance,“Cigarillo?”
Thesoldierreachedinto
hispocketbeforerealizingsomethingwasamiss.Theapproachingmanwastallerthananysoldierheknew,hisuniformwasseveralsizestooshort,andhiscraggyfacewastoomatureforhisrank.
Ratherthanextendingahandforthecigarette,thestrangerjammedhisrifleintothesoldier’schest.Beforehehadachancetoreact,Pittcommandedhim,“Dropyourweapon.”
Theguardnoddedandlethisriflesliptothefloor.Pittnudgedhimtowardthedoorandtoldhimtoopenit.Thedoorwasunlocked.Theguardtwistedtheknobandflungitopen.Summerwasseatedonabunkinside,visiblyworkingtofreeherboundwrists.Shefroze,thendidadoubletakeasPittenteredwiththeguardaheadofhim.
Shegavehimatiredsmile.
“YoujointheRevolutionaryArmedForces?”
“TheBoyScoutswouldn’thaveme.”
Keepinghisgunleveledontheguard,PitthandedSummerhispenknife.“Youokay?”Henotedthelightcutonhercheek.
Shenodded.“Receivedsomeidlethreatsfromourhostbutwasotherwisestuckherecountingfliesallday.”
“Ithinkyou’llneedhiscap
andjacket.”Pittmotionedtowardtheguard.
Summerappropriatedhisattire.“Whatdowedowithhim?”
“Tiehimup.Youcanusethosebedsheets,butstartwiththis.”Pitthandedhertheshoulderstrapoffhisrifle.
Shewrappedtheman’swriststogetherbehindhisback,thenstrippedthesheetsoffthebed.Shesecuredonearoundhiselbows,then
shovedhimonthebedandtiedhisanklestogetherwiththeother.Shefinishedthejobbygagginghimwithapillowcase.
“Youdidthatverywell,”Pittsaid.
“I’vehadabitofexperienceontheotherendlately.”
Summerslippedontheguard’sjacketandhat.Beforetheyexitedtheroom,Pittretrievedtheman’sweapon
fromthefloorandhandedittohisdaughter.
“I’veneverfiredoneofthese.”
“Youwon’tneedto.Justactlikeyouknowhow.”
Theyexitedthebuildingbytherearstairwellandduckedbehindadumpstertoreconnoiterthedock.
“Howdowegetoutofhere?”sheasked.
“Thetug.”Summerlookedather
fatherandshookherhead.“Whydon’twejustsneakdownthecoastandfindanotherboat?They’llbealloverushere.”
“Becauseofthethermalvents.They’reloadingexplosivesaboardthebargerightnowinpreparationforblowingthenexttwovents.Wecan’tletthathappen.”
Summerhadheardthatfirmtoneinherfather’svoicebefore.Sheknewtherewould
benochanginghismind.And,rationally,hewasright.IftheCubansblewupthethermalvents,itwouldcauseanenvironmentalcatastropheofuntoldproportions.Theyhadtobestoppedandtherewasnotimetospare.
Shejustwishedthejobcouldfalltosomeoneelse.“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”sheasked.
“Trytoignitetheexplosivesonthedock—or
onthebarge.Ifwe’relucky,maybewecansinkthebargewithit.Duringtheconfusion,we’llslipoutonthetug.”
“Andifwe’renotlucky,we’llbeblownsky-high?”
Pittsmiledandshookhishead.“Theexplosivethey’reloading,ANFO,hasalowvolatility.Gettingittoblowrequiresasecondarydetonation.Thebestwecanhopetodoisigniteitandhopeitburnslikecrazy.”
“‘Crazy’istheoperationalword,allright.”Shenoticedherfather’scalmdemeanorandherfearsfellaway.“Okay,whatcanIdo?”
Pittrappedhisknucklesagainstthetrashbin.“IneedyoutodoalittledumpsterdivingwhileIroundupsometransportation.Wecoulduseanemptybottleortwo,andperhapsasmallopencontainer.I’llberightback.”
Beforeshecouldanswer,
herushedbacktothebarracksbuildingandsteppedtothefrontside.Ashortdistanceaway,thestoragegaragewasstillopenandthegas-poweredutilitycartparkedinfront.Pittlingerednearthesideofthebuildingasatruckloadedwithexplosivesrumbledpastonitswaytothebarge.Onceitpassed,hecrepttowardtheopengarage.Voicessoundedfrominside,whereapairof
mechanicswereoverhaulingatruckengine.
Pittignoredthemenandapproachedthecart.Releasingitsemergencybrake,hepusheditpasttheopengaragedoor.Thecartrolledeasily,andthemechanicsdidn’tnoticethesoundofcrunchinggravelunderitstires.Pittpusheditpastthebuildinganduptothedumpster.
Summer’sheadpoppedup
frominside,alookofreliefonherfacewhenshesawthatitwasherfather.
“Anyluck?”heasked.Summernodded.“Three
emptyrumbottles,acoffeecan,andapairofratsthatnearlygavemecardiacarrest.”ShepassedthecontainerstoPitt,thenleapedoutofthedumpsterlikeanOlympichighjumper.
Pitthelduptheemptyrumbottles.“Theydidn’teven
leaveusalastshot.”“I’dtradeacaseofrumfor
ahotshower.”Summerwipedherhandsontheborrowedfatigues.
PitthadSummerstandwatchwhilehewenttowork.Heopenedtheutilitycart’shoodandlocatedarubberfuelline.Pullingitfromthecarburetor,heletthegasdrainintothecoffeecan,thentransferreditintotherumbottles,fillingeachhalffull.
Hereinstalledthefuelline,thenslicedseverallengthsofclothfromhiscamouflagejacket.Hestuffedtheseintothebottletops,completingatrioofMolotovcocktails.
“Truckcoming,”Summerwhispered.
Theyduckedbehindthecartasanemptytruckrumbledtothepenforanotherloadofexplosives.Onceitpassed,Pittstoodandplacedthebottlesintheback
ofthecart.“Thedock’sclear,”he
said.“Let’sgetdowntherebeforethetruckcomesback.”
“Howarewegoingtolightthebottles?”
“GetbehindthewheelandhitthestarterforasecondwhenItellyou.”
AsSummerslidintothedriver’sseat,Pittgatheredsomedryleavesandsticksandplacedtheminthecoffeecan.Athinlayerofgasoline
sloshedatthebottom,ensuringfuelforthefire.Pittpickedupthecanandcarriedittothecart’sengine.Hepulledasparkplugwire,dangledtheendinsidethecoffeecan,andmotionedforSummertoturnthekey.
Abluesparkspitfromthecableendandignitedthefuelinthebottomofthecan.Pittjammedthewirebackontotheplugandjumpedintothepassengerseatwithhis
cannedcampfire.Summerrestartedthecartanddrovedownashorthilltothedock.
Thebargewasstilltiedup,withthetugastern.Summerdroveontothedock,thankfultherewerenosoldiersnearby.Severalmenwereworkingaroundacranethatwasloadingthebargewithcratedexplosives.Otherswerepositionedaboardthebarge,securingthecrates.
“Seeifyoucangetuspast
thecranewithoutstopping.”Pitthidthecoffeecanandbottlesathisfeet.
Keepingherheaddown,Summermaneuveredthecartpastthestackedcratesandaroundthecrane.Thesoldiersweretoobusyloadingthebargetopayanyattention,saveforthecraneoperator,wholookedaskanceatPitt’sill-fittinguniform.WhenSummerhadmadeitpasttwostackedcratesofexplosives,
Pitttoldhertopullover.Partiallyconcealedbythe
crates,hegrabbedabottleandlittheragwithhiscoffeecanfire.Steppingtotheedgeofthedock,hehurledittowardthecenterofthebarge.
Thebottleshatteredagainstthetopofanopenbin,sendingashowerofflameoverthetopsackofANFO.
Pitthadbarelyhoppedintothecartwhenheheard
someoneyell,“Hey!”Justinfrontofthem,twoarmedsoldiersappeared.
“Go,”Pittwhispered.Summerflooredthe
accelerator,aimingtheutilitycartatthetwomen.Thefirstjumpedclearbutthesecondhesitated.Summerclippedhiminthethigh,sendinghimreelingtotheside.
Pittturnedtoseethefirstsoldierregainhisbalanceandraisehisrifle.Quickly
lightingthenextrumbottle,heflungittothegroundinfrontofhim.Theglassexplodedinasmallfireballthatengulfedthesoldier’slegs.Ashortburstofgunfireriddledthebackofthecartbeforethesoldierdroppedtothegroundandrolledtodousetheflames.
“Wheredidtheycomefrom?”Pittasked.
“Ithinktheywereloafingontheothersideofthecrate.
Tug’sjustahead.”PittlitthefinalMolotov
cocktailandflungitatthelaststackofcratesonthedock,engulfingitinflames.
Summerskiddedtoastopinfrontofthetugboatandtheybothhoppedoutofthecart.
“Releasethesternline,”Pittsaid,“thengotothewheelhouseandseeifyoucanstarther.”
“Whatifsomeone’s
aboard?”“Theyprobablywon’tbe
armed.”HepattedtheAK-47underhisarm.
Pittrantofreethebowandspringmooringlines,thenjumpedontothetug’snarrowdeck.Heracedtothebow,whereseveraltowlinesfromthebargewerewrappedaroundatrioofbollards.ThelineshadbeendrawntightandPittworkedfeverishlytoreleasethem.
Aheadofhimonthebarge,heheardthecriesofmentryingtodousetheflames,whileothersrantoquellthedockfire.Itwouldbeshortorderbeforethetwoinjuredsoldierswouldalerttheothersoftheirpresence.Hewasrelievedtohearthetug’sdieselenginechurntolifebehindhim.
Freeingthelastofthebargelines,hescrambledacrossthesquatdeckand
dashedtothewheelhouse,clutchingtheAK-47.Burstingthroughanopensidedoor,hestoppedinhistracks.
Thewheelhousewascrampedanddim,buthecouldclearlyseeMolinastandingwithanarmlockedaroundSummer’sneckandapistolheldtohertemple.
“Putdownyourweapon,”Molinasaid.“Itisnottimetoleavejustyet.”
Behindhim,heheardthe
soundofadditionalmenchargingfromthedockandboardingthetug.Pittcouldonlylookathisdaughterinanguishasheslowlydroppedhisweapontothedeck.
R52
udi,you’rehereearly.”
VicePresidentJamesSandeckerburstintothefoyerofhisofficeintheEisenhowerExecutiveOfficeBuildinglikearabidhyena.Afitnessfanatic,hewas
dressedinablackjoggingsuitandfollowedbytwoout-of-breathSecretServiceagentsinsimilarattire.
“Iwantedtocatchyoufirstthing.”RudiGunnwasseatedwaitingonasofa.“Howwasyourmorningrun?”
Theworst-keptsecretinWashingtonwasthattheVicePresidenttookathree-milerunaroundtheMallatfive-thirtyeverymorning,muchtothechagrinofhissecurity
detail.“AD.C.cabnearlyT-
bonedoneofmyboyshere,butotherwiseit’sagloriousmorningtobepoundingthepavement.”
SandeckeropenedthedoortohisofficeandwavedGunninasthetwoagentswaitedoutsideforplainclothesreplacements.TheVicePresidenttookhisplacebehindamassivedeskbuiltfromthetimbersofa
Confederateblockaderunner.Aretiredadmiral,SandeckerhadbeenthefoundingheadofNUMA,andGunnhadbeenoneofthefirsthehadhired.HestillconsideredNUMAhisbaby,andkeptcloserelationswithGunnandPitt.“Whatbringsyouheresoearly?”
“It’stheSargassoSea.ShewasoperatingintheFloridaStraits,aboutthirtymilesnortheastofHavana.Voice
anddatalinkshavenowbeennonresponsiveformorethantwenty-fourhours.”
“Anydistresscallsoremergencybeacons?”
“No,sir.”“She’scaptainedby
MalcombSmith,isn’tshe?”“That’scorrect.”“He’sagoodman.”“PittandGiordinoarealso
aboard.”Sandeckerpulledouta
thickcigar,hislonevice,and
lititup.“WhatweretheydoingoffofCuba?Youweren’thelpingtheCIA,wereyou?”
“No,nothinglikethat.TheyweretrackingaseriesoftoxicmercuryplumesthathavecroppedupintheCaribbean.”Gunnexplainedthesitesthey’dsurveyedoffthesoutherncoastofCuba.“Pittbelievesthemercuryplumesaretheresultofanunderwaterminingoperation
targetinghydrothermalvents.We’vetracedseismiceventstoeachoftheareasconsistentwiththesignatureoflandminingexplosions.”
“Underwaterblasting?”“That’swhatwethink.Pitt
wastrackingsomeactivityatasiteintheFloridaStraitswhenwelostcontact.”
“Who’sresponsibleforthemining?”Sandeckerasked.
“Wedon’tknowyet,butwesuspectCuban
involvement.”“Haveyousearchedforthe
ship?”Gunnnoddedandpulleda
photofromanattachécase.“Satelliteimageryfromsixhoursagoindicatesshe’sstillafloat.”
Sandeckerlookedatthedarkimage,whichrevealedtwolightsmudgesnearitscenter.“Can’ttellmuchatnight,”heremarked.
Gunnpulledoutacolor
infraredimage,whichshowedtwoovalbandsofredinaseaofblue.“We’reconfidentthatistheSargassoSea,alongsideashipwebelieveiscalledtheSeaRaker.Webacktrackedthroughsatelliteimagesfromthepriorweek,whichconfirmedtheSargassoSea’smovements.”
“SowhoownsthisSeaRaker?”
“ACanadiancompany
calledBruinMiningandExploration,”Gunnsaid.“TheshipisoperatingunderleasetoaPanamanian-registeredentitywithnorealhistory.ArepfromBruinsaidhethoughttheshipwasinvolvedinaminingprojectoffthewestcoastofNicaraguabutcouldn’tconfirmwheretheshipwascurrentlylocated.”
“HasanybodytriedcontactingthisSeaRaker?”
Gunnnodded.“Yes.TheCoastGuardcutterKnightIslandoutofKeyWestwasdispatchedtothearea.TheyradioedtheSeaRakerbutreceivednoresponse.”
“SoyouthinkthisSeaRakermayhaveboardedtheSargassoSea?”
“That’smyguess.”“Whydidn’ttheCoast
Guardsailupalongsideandseeforthemselves?”
“Atlastcheck,both
vesselsaresittingfivemilesinsideCuba’sterritorialwaters.TheKnightIslandpushedtheenvelopeandcrossedthelinetowithinsightofbothvesselsbutthenwaschallengedbyaCubanNavycorvette.”
Sandeckerblewaringofsmoketowardtheceiling.“SoweneedtoputthehammerdownontheCubangovernment.”
“It’sapresumedactof
piracy.”“IfyouassumetheSea
RakerisinfactcontrolledbytheCubans.AndifyouassumethatPittwasn’tdallyingintheirterritorialwaterstobeginwith.”TheybothknewPitt’stendencytobendtherulesifasituationcalledforit.
“Thetrackingdatasuggeststheywereoperatingoutsidetheterritoriallimitwhencontactwaslost.Atthis
point,itdoesn’tmatter.Weneedtogogetthem.”
Sandeckerrolledthecigarbetweenhisfingers,thenplaceditinanashtray.HelookedatGunnwithtroubledeyes.“I’msorry,Rudi,butthere’snothingwecando.”
Gunnrecoiledfromhischair.HeknewSandeckerregardedPittlikeason.“Whatdoyoumean,there’snothingwecando?”
Sandeckershookhishead.
“ThereareothereventsinplaythatinvolvethePresident.Atthemoment,wecan’taffordtostirthepotwiththeCubans.ThatmeansnoNavy,noCoastGuard,andnoStateDepartment.AndnocowboyrescueattemptsfromNUMA.Checkwithmeinanotherforty-eighthoursandI’llseewhatIcando.”
“Theymightnothaveforty-eighthours.”
“Myhandsaretied.”Sandeckerrosefromhisdesk.“Ifyou’llexcuseme,Ineedtoshoweranddressforacabinetmeetinginfortyminutes.”
Gunncouldonlynod.Heshuffledfromtheofficewithanangrydespair.Bythetimeheexitedontothestreet,hisdespairhadturnedtoresolve.Hedialedanumberandwaiteduntilagruffvoiceanswered.
“Jack,thisisRudi.HowsooncanyoumeetmeinMiami?”
T53
hewarmthofthemorningsunonlyaddedtoMaguire’s
fatigue.Themercenarypulledhishatdownlowoverhiseyesandlethismindwander.Afteranall-nightreconnaissanceofthewhite
yacht,heandGomezwerebleary-eyed.They’dearntheirpaychecksshortly,hethought,envisioningthecelebratoryplateofcrawfishétoufféehewouldenjoyuponreturningtohishomeinBatonRouge.
“Ihaveasmallboatheadingtowardthetarget.”
Maguirecockedopenatiredeye.Gomezwashunkereddownbelowthegunwaleattheotherendof
theskiff,lookingthroughapairofbinoculars.
“Howmanyaboard?”Maguireasked.
“Three,plusthepilot.Onelookslikeourman.”
Maguirelookedtowardtheshoreline.Theskiffwaspositionedtwohundredyardsoffshoreofthewhiteyachtastheyengagedinmorepretendfishing.Theformersniperwieldedhisownbinocularsandzeroedinonanaqua
speedboatracingfromshore.Oneoftheyacht’ssecuritypatrolboatspeeledoffonaninterceptcourse.Butratherthanchallengethespeedboat,itloopedalongsideandescortedittotheyacht.
“Betterstartthevideo,”Maguiresaid.“Let’sseeifwecangetapositiveID.”
WhileGomezswappedhisbinocularsforavideocamera,Maguirepulledoutawaterproofsatcheland
retrievedsomephotos.Theyallshowedthesameperson:ashort,fit,oldermanwithgrayhair,glasses,andathinmustache.Mostweredistantshots,noneparticularlyclear,butitwasalltheyhadbeenprovided.MaguirepassedthebestonetoGomez.“Whatdoyouthink?”
Gomezhadalreadystudiedthephotos.Hetookaglance,thencheckedthevideocamera’szoomed-indisplay
screen.“Theguyinthegraysuitlookslikeourboy.”Hetookasecondlookatthephoto.“Youknow,there’ssomethingfamiliarabouthim.”
Maguirenoddedashetookanotherlookatthespeedboat—andthemaningray.Thehair,theglasses,eventheclothesseemedtomatchthephoto.Alone,thatwouldn’tbeenoughforhisusualprecisemannerofdoing
business.Buthisemployerhadtoldhimtoexpectthetargettovisittheyachtinthemorningandtherehewas.Hereachedintohissatchelandpoweredonasmalltransmitter.
Thespeedboatslowedandpulledasternoftheyacht.GraySuit’stwocompanionsclimbedupastepladderfirstandhelpedtheoldermanaboard.Fromtheircroppedhair,heftybuilds,andill-
fittingsuits,Maguirecouldtelltheywereasecuritydetail.Theyescortedtheoldermanintothemainsalon,thenreturnedtothespeedboat.Withthepatrolboatatitsside,thespeedboatracedbacktowardshore.
“Strangethathissecuritydetaillefthimaboardalone,”Gomezsaid.
“He’sprobablygotagirlfriendontheway,ormaybeonealreadywaiting
forhiminthemastercabin.”“Ifso,shemustbe
invisible.Ihaven’tseenanysignoflifeaboardinthelasttwenty-fourhours.”Helookedathispartner.“Video’sstillrunning.”
Maguirenodded,thenpressedaredbuttononthetransmitterascasuallyasflippingalightswitch.
ItsentaradiosignaltotheantennaMaguirehadwrappedaroundthemooring
buoythedaybefore.Thetransmissiontriggeredabattery-inducedchargetothedetonatorcapsintheplasticcasesuctionedtotheyacht’shull.Theirdetonationinturnignitedthefivepoundsofplastichighexplosives.
Alowbellowechoedacrossthesurfaceastheyachtroseoutofthewaterinafountainofsmoke,flame,anddebris.Bythetimeparticlesoftheyachtbeganrainingin
awide,circularswath,Gomezhadtheskiff’soutboardmotorstarted.Anyremnantsoftheyachtthatdidn’tdisintegrateintheblastquicklyvanishedunderthewaves.
AsGomezmotoredtheskiffaway,Maguireobservedthescenewithamorbidsatisfaction.Nomancouldhavesurvivedtheblast,hethought.Thentherecameanotherrumble,thisonefrom
hisstomach.Allhecouldthinkaboutwascrawfishétouffée.
G54
eneralAlbertoGutier’slargecornerofficeinthe
InteriorMinistryBuildingwasamodelofvanity.Thelarge-windowedsuite,commandingaprimeviewofHavana’sPlazadela
Revolución,wasplasteredwithphotosofhimself.SomeshowedGutierasahandsomeyoungofficercommandingtroopsinAngola.Othersshowedhimspeakingwithone—orboth—oftheCastrobrothers.AfewevenshowedGutierwithhisownbrother.Butmostweresoloportraitsoftheman,gazingintothecamerawithmercurialposesofself-importance.
Alookofaggravation
registeredontheflesh-and-bloodfaceofGutierashisyoungerbrotherstrolledintotheoffice.JuanDíaz,whohadbeengivenhislatestepfather’ssurnamewhileaboy,helpedhimselftoaseatinfrontofGutier’smassiveexecutivedesk.
“Youleavethecountryforaweek,andwhenyoureturn,thereisnothingbutchaos,”Gutiersaid.“YouknowIcan’taffordanyexposure
withtheminingoperation—especiallynow.Whatisgoingonupthere?”
“AnAmericanresearchship,theSargassoSea,camesnoopingaroundtheDomingo1siteaswewereconcludingextractions.”
“Isn’tthatthesamevesselthathappenedbywhenyousankthedrillship?”
“TheAlta.Yes,thatwashappenstance.Buttherewasnohappenstanceintheir
returntothesite.Iftheyaretobebelieved,theyweretrackingplumesofmercurythatarebeingreleasedintheseawhenthethermalventsareblown.”
“Itoldyouthatwasamistaketosinkthedrillship.”Gutierscowled.
“Ifwedidn’tclearthesite,wecouldn’tcompleteourexcavation.Andifwedidn’tcompletetheexcavation,wewouldfallshortofour
promiseddelivery.”“Youarenaïve,”Gutier
said.“ThisvesselisCIA,andthey’vediscoveredourdealwiththeNorthKoreans.”
“Idon’tthinkso.I’veconfirmedthatthemercuryreleasesareoccurring.QuitealargedisturbancehasbeencreatedfromtheDomingo1site.”
“WillthatbeofharmtoCuba?”
“No,thecurrentswill
carryitnortheast.”“Thatisgoodbutnoproof
oftheAmericans’intentions.”
“Thevessel’shistorytrackstostrictlyoceanographicprojects,”Díazsaid.“Andwefoundnoweaponsorcovertequipmentaboardtheship.Asyouknow,oneofitssubmersibleswascaughtexaminingourexcavation.TwomenfromtheAmericanshipthensnuck
aboardtheSeaRakerandcausedsomedamage.CommanderCalzadofeltitimperativetolaunchacounterassault,whichyouauthorized.Thiswassuccessfulandtheresearchshiphasbeenrelocatedtoourterritorialwaters.”
“Therewasnochoice,”Gutiersaid,“butnowweareplayingwithfire.”
“Ifeelthesame,butithasalreadybeendone.Therehas
beennooutcryfromtheAmericansyet,sowestillhavetimetoburythings.”
Gutierrelaxedslightly.“Thisstillhasthepotentialtoblowthelidonourentireproject.”
“I’veperformedsomecalculations,”Díazsaid.“Wenowhavesufficientquantitytoexceedbytwentytonsourfirstdelivery,which,incidentally,isscheduledforpickuptomorrow.I’vetaken
thelibertyofacceleratingourfinalshipmenttothreeweeksfromtoday.Ourcustomerhasarrangedforshippingaccordingly.”
“That’stwomonthsearlierthanweagreed.”
“Yes,buttheoreatDomingo1hasprovedamuchhighergradethantheprevioussites.Thecustomerwillacceptareducedquantityonthesecondshipmentiftheorecontainsauraniumoxide
contentexceedingthirtypercent.We’reseeingamountssurpassingfiftypercent,andIexpectDomingo2and3toshowsimilaryields.I’vesentexplosivestothesitesinordertoopentheventsassoonaspossible.Ifweblowtheventsandbeginextractionimmediately,wecanmeettheshipmentschedule.WejustneedtokeeptheAmericansatbayuntilthen.”
“Youareaskingalot,butIsupposewehavelittlechoice,”Gutiersaid.“Whataboutthemercurypoisoning?IbelieveDomingo2and3aremuchlargerthermalvents.”
“Yes,itcouldcreateanenvironmentaldisasterfortheAmericans.”Díazstaredupataportraitofhisbrother,wearinghisfinestdressuniformwhileastrideablackstallion.
“Alberto,itwasIwhodiscoveredtheuraniumdepositsduringouroilsurveyswiththeMexicans.Iwasmerelyinvestigatingthepossibilityofmininggoldorsilverfromthevents.Theexistenceofuranium—andinsuchhighcontent—wasacompletesurprise.YetitwasyouwhosawthepotentialtouseittostrengthenCubaintheworld.Ourownleadersarenotevenawareofwhat
youhaveaccomplished.”“Whichmakesitallthe
moredamagingifthingsarerevealedtoosoon.”
“YouknewtheriskswhenyouengagedtheNorthKoreans.Tradingathousandtonsofhigh-gradeuraniumoreforapairoftacticalnuclearmissileswasaboldgesture—anditremainssuch.”
“Boldbutrisky,”Gutiersaid.“Iregrettosayitwas
notevenmyidea.TheKoreanswishtoenlargetheirnucleararsenalandareshorttherawmaterialstodoit.Theissuejusthappenedtosurfacewhilewewerediscussingasmall-armstrade.Still,itisabrilliantproposal.”
“Anuclear-armedCubawillnolongerbeapushoverfortheAmericans,”Díazsaid.
“Wewilltakearightfulseatamongtheworld’s
powers.”Gutierclenchedhisfist,recallingtheirfather’sdeathattheBayofPigsinvasion.“Unfortunately,thedealcanstillunravelquickly.”
“Notwithhalftheordergoingouttomorrow.Butwhatofyourownstatus?Ithoughtyouwereanticipatingsomemovementsoon.”
Gutiercheckedhisphone.“Iamwaitingfornewsatanymoment.”
“Thepeoplelookuptopower,”Díazsaid.“BringingtheseweaponstoCubawillmakeyouthecountry’smostpowerfulman.YouwillhaveachievedsomethingthatevenFidelcouldnot.”
ThewordsplayedonGutier’segoandhisangersoftened.“IamstillconcernedaboutthisAmericanshipandthepossiblerepercussions.”
“Wecansaytheywere
defecting.”Díazsmiled.“Converttheshiptoourownuseandquietlysendthecrewtoapoliticalprison.”
Gutierstaredoutthewindow,searchingforabetteridea.Hisphonebeepedandhefoundananonymousemailwithavideofileattached.Heplayedthetwenty-secondclipandawidesmilecrossedhisface.
“Thischangesmatters.”Hehelduphisphoneand
replayedthevideo.Díazwatchedasaman
boardedayacht,whichmomentslaterblewupinamassivefireball.AshockedlookcrossedDíaz’sface.“Thatmanontheboat—helooksalotlikeRaúl.”
“ItisRaúl.HewasintheCaymanIslandsforameetingoftheCommunityofLatinAmericanandCaribbeanStates.Ihadprivilegedinformationthathewouldbe
stayingaboardayachtownedbytheCayman’sdeputygovernor.”Gutierbeamed.“Itwouldseemtherewasanunfortunateaccident.”
Díazshookhisheadindisbelief.“Mybrother,thatisariskyoperation.”
“Itwashandledbyoutsideelements.Professionalswhohavenointerestintalkingeveniftheythoughttheywerekillingsomebodyelse.”Gutiergaveawrysmile.“My
onlyregretisthatForeignMinisterRuizwasnotaboard.HewasscheduledtohavejoinedRaúlbutcanceledatthelastmoment.”
“Anaudaciousactionnevertheless.OntheheelsofFidel’spassing,itwillbeagreatshocktoourcountry.PerhapsitisbestthatRuizwasnotthereassuspicionsmighthavebeendirectedatyou.Ontheotherhand,youarestillleftinaprecarious
situation.TheforeignministerisalocktosucceedRaúl,onceourfeeblevicepresidentsuccumbs.Youwillnotbeabletomaintainyourpositionofpowerwhenthathappens.”
Gutiershowednoconcern.“Perhapsyouhaveprovidedthemeanstopreventthatfromhappening.”
“Whatareyousaying?”“TheAmericans.They
playedrightintoourhands.
RuizhasmadenosecretofhisdesiretomakepeacewiththeUnitedStatesandexpandtradeandtourism.HisaffectionforAmericahasalwaysbeenhisvulnerability.We’llexploititbyimplicatingthisNUMAshipinthedeathofRaúl.”
Díaz’sfacelitup.“Ofcourse.ThepublicwillgoberserkiftheythinktheAmericanskilledRaúl.Wecanmakeitlooklikea
plannedcoup,anattempttoinstalltheforeignministerasheadofthegovernment.”
“JustthewhiffofaconnectionwouldbeenoughfortheCouncilofStatetoturntheirbackonRuiz,”Gutiersaid.“Ifnot,Imaybeabletocallonenoughcomradesinthemilitarytobackmeinatemporarytakeoverwhilethechargesareinvestigated.”
“Theonlythingbetter
wouldbeifyoucouldclaimcreditforcapturingtheassassin,”Díazsaid,hiseyesdancingwithinspiration.“Forgettheresearchship,wecangoonebetter.I’llgiveyoutheAmericanincharge,amannamedPitt,whowasaboardthesubmersible.Wecanpintheassassinationonhim.”
Gutierconsideredtheprospect.“Yes,”hesaid,“wecancertainlymanufacture
evidencetolinkhimtotheexplosion.We’llhaveapublictrial,whichwouldboostanti-Americansentiment...andassureintheprocessthatRuizisdisgraced.”
“AnditwillallowustoproceedwithourdealwiththeNorthKoreans.ButwhatshouldwedoabouttheNUMAship?”
“IhaveheardofnoprivateinquiriesfromtheAmerican
government,”Gutiersaid.“Norhastherebeenany
publicreaction.”“Thensinktheshipwith
allhands,”Gutiersaid.“Itwouldbebetternottohaveachorusofdenials.Wecansayitwaslostinanaccident.OriftheAmericansresist,we’llclaimitwasaCIAshipinourwaterssupportingRaúl’sassassinationandtheattemptedcoup.Inthemeantime,takeamilitary
helicoptertothefacilitytoretrievetheprisonerandI’llarrangeforittoappearasifhewasapprehendedintheCaymanIslands.”
AsDíaznodded,therecameaknockatthedoor.Aportlysecretaryenteredtheofficewithatroubledlookonherface.“I’msorrytointerrupt,sir,butthere’sbeenanewsreportfromtheCaymanIslands.Itseemsaboatthepresidentwas
visitingcaughtfireandwasdamaged.There’sspeculationthatthepresidentmayhavebeeninjured.”
Gutiernoddedathisbrotherandrosetohisfeet.“Thisisterriblenews,”hesaid,escortingthesecretaryfromtheoffice.“Wemustfindoutthetruthofthematteratonce.”
T55
heRussian-builtMilMi-8helicopterflewinfastoverthehills,
slowingasitcametotheclandestineminingfacility.Thepilotapproachedtheconcretelandingpadandsetthechopperdownonits
center.HelettheenginesidleasDíazunstrappedhimselfandhoppedoutanopensidedoor.
Molinawaitedtogreethisboss,anarmedguardathisside.Díazturnedtoperusethedockashesteppedoffthehelipad.Thebargeandtugweregone,replacedbyaLiberian-flaggedbulkcarriernamedAlgonquin.Theshorecrewwasbusyworkingthedockconveyor,loading
uraniumoreintotheship’sholds.
“I’mhappytoseethattheAlgonquinhasarrivedontime,”Díazsaid.“Thebargeissafelyaway?”
Molinanodded.“Thefireswereextinguishedwithoutincident.ShehasalreadymetupwiththeSeaRaker.TheyshouldbeginlayingexplosivesattheDomingo2sitewithinafewhours.”
“Good.Wherearethe
Americans?”“Followme.”Molinaled
thewaytotheopengarageonthelowerlevelofthebarracks.PittandSummersatonabenchinanemptycorner,withtwoarmedguardspositionedafewfeetinfrontofthem.
Díazapproachedwithatwistedsenseofamusement.“IunderstandyouenjoyedsomeextracurricularactivitieswhileIwasgone.Your
attempttodamagethebargeanddockwasfutile,Iamhappytoreport.Ourexcavationwillcontinueunabated.”
“Blowingupthosethermalventswillpoisontheseasforathousandmiles,”Pittsaid.“Cubanwatersandbeacheswon’tbeimmune.”
“Youarewrong,Mr.Pitt.TheFloridaCurrentwillcarryitalltoAmericanshores.Itwillbeyour
country’sproblem,notmine.”Pittgavehimasteelygaze.
“Itwillbeyourproblemwhentheworlddiscoversyoucauseditintentionallyaspartofyoururaniumminingoperation.”
Díazchuckled.“That’snotabouttohappen,myfriend.Now,onyourfeet.”
TheguardsjabbedtheirassaultriflesatPitt.Herose,andSummerfollowedsuit.
Díazlookedatherand
shookhishead.“I’mafraidyouwon’tbegoingwithhimthistime.”Heturnedtotheguards.“YouwillbeescortinghimtoHavana.Thehelicopteriswaiting.”
Summerlookedhimintheeye.“WhyareyoutakinghimtoHavana?”
“Oh,didn’tyouknow?”Díazgaveareptiliangrin.“PresidentCastroisdeadandyourfatherhasbeenimplicatedinhis
assassination.HewillbegoingtoHavanatostandtrial.”
“That’sabsurd!”“Notatall.Numerous
witnesseswillplacehimatthescene.”
Díaznoddedattheguards,whopushedPittforward.
Summersteppedinfrontoftheguardsandembracedherfather.
Hegaveherareassuringlookashewhisperedinher
eartokeepcalm.Buthisinsideswerechurning.Hehadnoregardforhisownplight,butthelastthinghewantedwastoleavehisdaughterbehindwithDíaz.Theguardsgavehimnochoiceandhewasforcedtowardthehelipad.
Proddedintothehelicopter,hewasbuckledintoabenchseatbesidetheopencargodoor.Theguardstookseatsoppositehim.One
leanedforwardandgavethepilotathumbs-upsign.Therotorspooledup,andafewsecondslaterthetransporthelicopterroseintothesky.PittlookeddowninhelplessnessashewatchedSummerbeingescortedintotheofficebuildingwithDíazandMolina.Thentheminingfacilityslippedawaybeneathhim,replacedbyanemptyexpanseofblueocean.
TheCubansreconvenedinDíaz’soffice,wherehetookamomenttoadmiretheAztecstone.“IreceivedaninterestingreportfromacontactintheUnitedStates,”hesaidtoSummer.“Yourfriend,Perlmutter,isquiteafruitfulhistorian.”
SheglaredatDíaz.“Didyouhurthim?”sheaskedwithfireonhertongue.
“Heisperfectlyfine,althoughshortafewdocuments.DocumentsthatindicatedtheotherhalfofthestonewasnotdestroyedontheMaineafterall.”
“Sothetreasureisstillinplay?”Molinaasked.
“Verymuchso.”Summerheldhertemper.
Herfatherhadstartedtodescribealinkhehaddiscoveredintheofficebetweenthestoneandalost
treasure.Buttheguardshadforcedhimtositsilently.
“Sowhereistheotherstone?”Molinaasked.
“IfPerlmutter’sdataiscorrect,”Díazsaid,“thestonewasstolenfromtheMaineduringhersinking.ItwaspresumablyplacedaboardasteampacketnamedSanAntoniothatimmediatelyleftHavana.TheAmericanNavyapprehendedherofftheEastCoast,butthevesselsank
beforetheycouldrecoverthestone.”
Díazsmiled.“Accordingtothenavalrecords,theSanAntonioliesinfiftyfathoms,somefourteenmilesdueeastofPuntaMaisí.”
“YoucanlocatethewreckwiththeoilsurveyshipKelowna,”Molinasaid.“She’sstillundercharterforanothermonth.”
“Actually,I’msendingyoutogofindthewreck,Silvio,
justassoonastheAlgonquinleavesthedock.”HeglaredatSummer.“Iwillpersonallyoverseetheremainingexcavationstoensuretherearenomoreinterruptions.”
“IwillnotifythecrewoftheKelownaatonce.”
DíazpassedapapertoMolina.“HerearetheSanAntonio’spresumedcoordinates.TaketheKelownaandinitiatesurveyoperationsuntilyoulocate
thewreck.I’lljoinyouassoonasIamable.”
“Ifwefinditfirst,weshalldonothinguntilyourarrival.”MolinanoddedtowardSummer.“Whataboutthegirl?”
Díazlookedherupanddownandsmiled.“Thegirlshallbecomingwithme.”
T56
heArmyhelicopterflewlowoverthewater,huggingthe
northerncoastlineofCubaahundredyardsoffshore.Itsthumpingrotorcaughttheattentionofthosebelow,elicitingfriendlywavesfrom
solitaryfishermeninsmallboatsandyoungchildrenplayinginthesurf.
Pittstaredouttheopencargodoor,computinghisoddsofescape.Thehelicopterhadathree-manflightcrew,plusthetwoguards.Hehadlittlechanceofoverpoweringallfive.Theopendoorgaveapotentialopportunity,thoughaplungetohisdeathwasn’twhathehadinmind.Hestudiedthe
helicoptermoreclosely.TheagedMi-8wasa
classicmilitarytransporthelicopter,capableofferryingtwenty-foursoldiersinitslongcabin.Pittobservedthatthisparticularcrafthadbeenmodifiedforsearch-and-rescueoperations.Arescuebasket,alongwithstacksoflifepreservers,wasstowedintheaftfuselage,whileaspooled-cablewinchwasmountedabovetheopen
cargodoor.PittcasuallyglancedattheSpanish-labeledcontrolsonthewinch,identifyingaleverthatraisedandloweredtheliftinghook.
Pittfoundtherestoftheinteriorofclassicmilitarydesign:bare-bones,withexposedbulkheads.Anex–AirForcepilotwithakeenmechanicalaptitude,Pitttrackedamyriadofcablesandhydrauliclinesthatcrisscrossedtheinterior.
Whenhisfootknockedagainstasmallfireextinguisherbeneathhisseat,acrudeplancametogether.Foolhardythoughitmightbe,itwasbetterthanfacingafiringsquadinHavana.
Itwouldallcomedowntotiming—andthemenacrossfromhim.Theguardswereprofessionalsoldiers,buttheyhadbeenondutymostofthepriordayandnight.Onewasalreadydozing,whilethe
otherregardedPittthroughtiredeyes.
Pittgavethesoldierhisbestdisinterestedlookandclosedhiseyes.Placinghishandsinhislap,hepretendedtosleep.Heheldtheposeforseveralminutesbeforeriskingapeek.Thesecondsoldierwasstillawakebuthadshiftedhisbodytogazeouttheforwardcockpitwindow.
Withtiny,incrementalmovements,Pittunclasped
hisseatbelt,coveringtheactwithonehand.Heshiftedinhisseat,droppingtheotherhandbeneathhiskneeuntilitgrazedthefireextinguisher.TheguardlookedhiswayforamomentandPittfroze.Butthenheresumedstaringattherushingwaterbelow.
Pittslowlytightenedhisfingersaroundthefireextinguisher,tookadeepbreath,andsprangfromhisseat.Heswungthesteel
canisterinawidearc.Butratherthanattackingtheguards,hesmashedthebaseoftheextinguisherintoasidebulkhead.Itwasn’tjustarandomstrike.Hehadtargetedapairofstainlesssteellinesthatcrimpedundertheheavyblow.
“Hey!”Theopen-eyedguardlookedatPittlikehewasderanged.Hereachedfortherifleonhislap,butPittwasquicker.Heflippedthe
extinguisheraround,yankeditssafetypin,andsqueezedthehandle,shootingastreamofmonoammoniumphosphateintothefacesofbothguards.Asthefirstguardblindlyraisedhisgun,Pitthurledtheextinguisherathimforgoodmeasure.“Adiós,”hesaidashe
smackedtherescuehoistleverdown.Pittgraspedasmallballhookthatunraveledfromthecable
winch,tookaquickstep,anddoveouttheopencargodoor.
Ittookafewmomentsfortheguardtowipehiseyesclearandtrainhisrifleontheprisoner.Bythen,Pittwasgone.
“Landthehelicopteratonce!”heshoutedtothepilots.
Thepilotignoredhimasaribbonofredlightsflashedacrossthecockpitcontrolsandthehelicopterbegan
buckingintheair.“She’snotgettingany
fuel,”thecopilotsaid.“Bothengines.”
Thepilotcheckedthegauges.“Buttheexternaltanksarefull.”Heswitchedthefuelsupplyfromoneexternaltanktotheother,butitmadenodifference.Thehelicopter’stwinmotorscontinuedtosputter.
Pitthadchosenhistargetwell,crimpingthetwinsteel
linesneartheenginecowlinglabeledCombustibledeaviación.Unfortunatelyforthepilot,theyfedthemotorsfuelfrombothexternaltanks.Pitthadcorrectlyguessedtheinternaltankhadbeenemptiedontheflightin,thoughitsreservecontainedenoughtokeepthemotorsrunningforafewminutes.Withonlysecondstoreact,thepilotcouldn’tseepastthefactthatheknewtheexternal
tankswerestillfull.Thechopper’smotors
coughedandsputtered,thendiedinquicktandem.Onlythesoundofthecockpitalarmsandthedyingwhineoftherotorsnowcuttheair.
Thepilotpushedthenoseforwardandtriedtocoaxoutaglide,buttheheavyarmoredcraftwouldhavenoneofit.Thebigchopperswoopedashortdistance,thendroppedlikeasackof
concrete.Itstruckthewaternose-
first,thecockpitinstantlycrumpling,whilethemainrotorshearedoffandtumbledacrossthesurf.Theopenfuselagebobbedforasecond,thenplungedunderthewaves,carryingallofitsoccupantstothedepthsbelow.
J57
umpingfromthecargodoor,Pittnearlylosthisgripontherescueline.
Theballhookdugintothebackofhishands,painfullypreventinghimfromslidingoff.Withhisarmsoutstretchedoverhishead,he
dangledjustbeneaththeskidsasthehelicopterbegantoconvulse.
Thewinchgraduallyfedoutmorecable,buthecurseditsslowness.Hehadhopedtodropquicklytoajumpingpoint,buthewasstilltoohigh.Hehadnochoicebuttowaitforthelinetodescend—asthehelicopterabovehimengagedinaslowdanceofdeath.Fortunately,theguardsweretoopreoccupiedto
throwthewinchleverandhalthisdescent.
Thelinejerkedsharplyasthehelicopterstutteredandslowed.ItwasallPittcoulddotokeepagriponthesteelhookandcableasheswungwildlybeneaththechopper.Thoughheandthehelicopterhadbothlostaltitude,hewasstilldangerouslyhigh.
Heglancedup,seeingthehelicopter’smainrotorslowasthemotorssputtered—and
thenquitaltogether.Whenthepilotdippedthenoseintoashallowdive,therescuelinefellslack.Pittdroppedalmosttwentyfeetbeforethelinesnappedtaut,nearlyrippinghisarmsfromtheirsockets.
Hewasdraggedforwardanddownasthehelicopterbrieflyacceleratedundertheforceofitsdivebeforelosingallmomentum.ThemotioncausedPitttoswingaheadofthechopper.Fearfulofbeing
crushedunderit,heletgoofthelineandtuckedintoaball.
Thoughnowonlythirtyfeetabovethewater,hewasstillpropelledforwardatahighspeed.Hesmackedtheoceanhard,tumblingunderwaterbeforefightinghiswaytothesurface.
Pittgasped.Theimpactknockedthewindfromhim.Hetriedtostretchandswim,butapainshootingfromhisshoulderkepthimfrom
extendinghisleftarmoverhishead.Hekickedandclawedwithhisgoodrightarmtokeepafloat.
Helookedintimetoseethehelicoptercartwheelingpastjustafewyardsinfrontofhim.Heignoredthehissingfromthehelicopterasitsremainssank.Instead,hesethissightsonanemptysandbeachinthedistance.Easingintoasidestroke,heswamseveralyardsbefore
holdingupinpain.Hepaddledslowly,feeling
acrosscurrentcarryinghimtowardawave-batteredstretchofshoreline.Withadeterminedbreath,Pittturnedtowardthesandbeachandbegankickingandstrokingagainstthecurrent.Thepainsurgedthroughhim,butheforgedonuntilarippleofwhitefoambeckonedatthesurfline.Hisfeettouchedbottom,andhestaggered
towardathickstandoffoliageupthebeach.Awarmtricklefloweddownhisneckandleftshoulderandherealizedthecablehookhadgougedhimwhenhejumped.
Pittstaggeredexhaustedtothebushes.Approachingatallbanyantree,theexertion,pain,andlossofbloodfinallyreachedtheirzenith.Hefelltohiskneesandcollapsedinaheaponthesoftsand.
C58
aptaintothebridge,please.Captaintothebridge.”
BillStensethretrievedthehandheldradiothatblaredwiththecallandheldittohislips.“Aye,onmyway.”
Theveteranseacaptain
abandonedhismorninginspectionoftheengineroomandclimbedtotheCaroline’sbridge.AsoneofthenewestresearchshipsintheNUMAfleet,theCarolinewasbuiltwithacentralmoonpoolandamassiveA-frameonitssternfordeployingamyriadofunderwatervehicles.LikeallNUMAships,thevessel’shullwaspaintedturquoise.
Ayoungofficerinastarchedwhiteuniform
approachedStenseththeinstanthesteppedontothebridge.“Sorrytobotheryou,Captain,butwereceivedanoddmessageovertheradio.”
“Whatisit,Roberts?”“Anincomingaircrafthas
requestedwepickupthreediversinthewateroffourportbow.”
Stensethglancedoutthebridgewindow.TheCarolinewassittingatanchorinagentleswelllessthana
quartermilefromasmallBiminiislandcalledSouthCatCay.
“There’snobodyinthewaterthatwe’vebeenabletosee,”Robertssaid.
“Whomadethecall?”“Wedon’tknow.They
wouldn’tidentifythemselves.”
Aseamanonthefarsideofthebridgepointedtowardthebow.“Incominghelicopter,sir.”
Stensethsteppedontothebridgewingandwatchedasawhitehelicopterapproachedatlowaltitude.ItwasacommercialBell407civilutilityhelicopter,commonlyusedbylawenforcementandforoffshoretransport.
ThechoppercircledtheCarolineonceandhoveredoffitsportbow,droppingalmosttowaveheight.Asidedoorslidopenandthreemenindivegearleapedout,
splashingintothewaterbelow.Alargeorangecontainerwastossedoutafterthem.Thehelicopterrosefromthesurface,waggleditsmainrotor,andtookoffinthedirectionithadcome.
Stensethwatchedthemensurfaceneartheship.“GetaZodiacinthewater—now!”
BeforetheCaroline’screwcoulddeploytheinflatableboat,thediversswamtotheship’ssternwiththeir
containerintow.Adiveplatformwasloweredandthemenclimbedaboardwiththeirequipment.
Stensethwaitedattherailastheplatformwasraisedtodeckheight.Theshortestofthethreediverssteppedforwardandextendedhishandtothecaptainashepulledoffhisdivemask.“Hi,Bill.Goodtoseeyou.”
Stensethlookedagapeasherecognizedtheman
normallyseenwearinghorn-rimmedglasses.“Rudi,isthatyou?”
Gunnsmiledandmotionedtotheotherdivers.“Myapologiesforthesurprisevisit.IthinkyouknowJackDahlgrenandPierceRussell.”
“Yes,”Stensethnoddedatthemen.“Butwhytheairdrop?Wecouldhavepickedyouuponshore.”
“Timeisoftheessence.Plus,whenyouaredefying
theVicePresidentoftheUnitedStates,youwantasfewpeopletoknowaspossible.”
“Knowwhat?”Stensethasked.
“It’stheSargassoSea.Wehavereasontobelieveshe’sbeenhijackednearHavana.Forreasonsthatarebeyondmypaygrade,VicePresidentSandeckerhasrefusedtoissuehelp—andinfactorderedusnottointervene.”
Gunnshookhishead.“ButIcan’tdoit.Thecrewmaybeindanger,sowe’vegottofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”
“Aren’tPittandGiordinoaboard?”
“Yes,whichmakesthingsmoreunnerving.Theshipwentsilentacoupleofdaysago.Theywereinvestigatinganunderseamercuryplumeandmayhavestumbledonitssource.”
“TheCubans?”
“Wedon’tknow.”“Sothatexplainsthe
anonymouscommercialhelicopterride.”
“Thepilotthinkswe’rehereonasecretmissiontotrackdolphins.Hewasn’ttoohappyaboutmakingaroundtripfromMiamianddroppingusinthesea,buthewaswellpaidforhisservices.”
“You’rereallystickingyourneckout,Rudi,butI’llbegladtohelp,”Stenseth
said.“Pitthassavedmybacononmorethanoneoccasion.”
“IknewIcouldrelyonyou.”
“Whatcanwedotohelp?”Gunnpointedacrossthe
ship’sopendeck.Asleekunderwatervehiclewithafiberglasshullwasparkedonawoodencradle.
“Ineedyoutotellmetwothings,”Gunnsaid.“First,thattheBulletoverthereis
fullyoperational.Second,thatyoucangettheCarolineunderwaywithinthehour.”
ItwasStenseth’sturntosmile.“TheBulletjustneedsafulltankofgasandshe’sreadytorun.AsfortheCaroline,ifwe’renotheadedtoCubaatflankspeedintwentyminutes,youcanhavemyjob.”
“Thanks,Bill.Everysecondmaycount.”
“We’reonit.”Stenseth
tookasteptowardthebridge,thenhesitated.“Bytheway,what’sintheorangebox?”
Gunn’seyebrowsarchedasherepliedtothecaptainwithastraightface.
“Insurance.”
S59
ummersatonthedockinthemorningsunforoveranhour,
anarmedguardcloseby.Herthoughtscenteredonherfatherandwhathadbecomeofhim.
Assweattrickleddownher
brow,abluedotappearedonthehorizon,growingeverlarger.Iteventuallymorphedintoasleekcrewboat,whichracedtothedockunderthepoweroftwinturbochargeddiesels.Summerwasescortedintoitsair-conditionedpassengercabin,whereshewatchedasseveralsmallcratesofhighexplosiveswereloadedontothesterndeck.
DíazandMolinaappeared
onthedockashorttimelater.Theyshookhands,thenDíazhoppedaboardandtheboatroaredawayfromthedock.Summersuppressedachillasheenteredthecabinandtookaseatnexttoher.
“Aslightdeviationinplans,”hesaid.“Wewillbemakingashortstopatyouroldvessel,theSargassoSea.”
“Imayreturntotheship?”Díazlaughed.“No,my
dear.Idon’tbelieveyouwill
wantto.YoushallbejoiningmeinsteadontheSeaRaker.”
“Youdon’tknowthedamageyou’llcreatebydestroyingthosethermalvents.”
“Youdon’tknowthemoneyandpowerI’llforgoifIdon’t.”Hesmiled.“Ofcourse,itmayturnouttobeapittancecomparedwithwhatourAztecstonesareconcealing.”
“Whatmakesyouso
sure?”“It’sthereasonIwentto
Mexico.OursurveyshipdiscoveredthecanoenearJamaica,onwhichthegoldfigurinewasfound.WenowknowfromyourcodexthatthecanoewasoneofmanythatsailedfromtheAztecempire.Dr.TorreswaskindenoughtoconfirmthefigurinewasofaknownAztecdesign.Theremusthavebeenmuchmoreonthe
othercanoes.”“Asinglegoldfigurine
seemslikealeapoffaithtome,”Summersaid.
“Itwastheonlyartifactremainingwiththecanoe.Ibelievethecanoesankslowly,allowingthecrewtoescapetotheothercanoeswithmostoftheircargo.”
“Perhaps.Butyounowhavethelocationoftheotherstone.Whydon’tyoustopthisinsaneblastingofthe
thermalventsandgorecoverthetreasure?”
“Andletyouandyourfathergo?”
Summerlookedintothedark,sadisticeyesofDíazandfoundanythingbutsympathy.
“No,Ithinknot,”Díazsaid,answeringhisownquestion.Herosetohisfeet.“Yousee,mybrotherandIhavealargerdestinytofulfill.”
HestrodeofftothebridgeastheSargassoSeaappearedbeforethem,leavingSummertowondertheidentityofDíaz’sbrother.
ThetwincommandoinflatableswerestilltiedalongsidetheNUMAshipasthecrewboatpullednexttoadrop-downaccommodationladder.ThecratesofexplosivesweretransferredaboardfirstandthenDíazclimbedtotheSargassoSea’s
maindeck.ThecommandoleaderCalzadomethimattherail.
“Anyproblemwiththeship?”Díazasked.
“No,sir.Theprisonersaresecureandtheshipisquiet.We’vebeenawaitingfurtherorders.”
“Molinatellsmethatnocommunicationsweremadebythevesselduringtheassault.”
“Wecaughtthebridge
crewunaware,sowebelievethatistrue.AU.S.CoastGuardvesselpesteredusontheradioforsometimewhenwerelocatedtheship,buttheywereturnedawaywhenwealertedaCubanNavypatrolcraftinthearea.”
“Verywell.”“Sir,wejustreceiveda
callfromshoreops.Theyreceivedareportthatahelicopterdepartingthefacilityearlierthismorning
wentdownnearPuertoEscondidowhileenroutetoHavana.”
“Anysurvivors?”“Unknown.Armyforces
andadiverescueteamhavebeencalledtothesite.Updateswillbeprovidedastheylearnmore.”
Díaz’sfacetightened.CouldPitthavehadahandinthecrash?Butallwasnotlost.IfPittwasdead,perhapshecouldsubstitutePitt’s
daughterasasuspectinRaúl’sdeath.
Heturnedandpointedtotheexplosivesstackedonthedeck.“Thegeneralhasorderedthedestructionoftheship.WhereistheAmericancrew?”
“Theyarebeingheldintwolockedlaboratoriesnearthestern.”
“Keepthemthere.Yourordersaretoscuttletheshipwithallhandsafternightfall.
Therearetobenosurvivors.Doyouunderstand?”
Thecommandonodded.“Itwillbedone.Nosurvivors.”
T60
hecrewimprisonedintheSargassoSea’swetlabrecoiled
whenthelonedoorwasflungopen.Oneoftheship’shelmsmen,adiminutivemannamedRoss,wasshovedthroughthedoor,clutchinga
largecardboardbox.Apairofarmedcommandosfollowedhiminandscannedtheroomfrombehindthemuzzlesoftheirassaultrifles.TheynudgedRossforwardtodistributethebox’scontents.
“Ross,isthatyou?”CaptainSmithaskedfromthebackofthebay.Hewasseatedinadeskchairwithhisfeetproppedonastoolandhischestwrappedingauze.Whilehewasstillweak,his
eyeswerebrightandalert.Rossmadehiswaytothe
captain,passingoutbottlesofwater.Hemovedgingerly,sportingablackeyeandabruisedcheek.
“Sir,theship’sbeenrelocatedninemilesoffthecoast.Acrewboatcamealongsideashorttimeago.MySpanishisalittlespotty,butIthinkoneofthecommandosonthebridgesaidtheybroughtsome
explosivesaboardandtheyintendtosinktheshiptonightwithusonit.”
Smith’sashenfaceseemedtopalefurther,thenaswellofangerturnedhischeeksred.“Keepthattoyourself,Ross.”
“Yes,sir.”“Whatdoyouknowofthe
crewbeingheldintheotherlab?”Giordinoasked.
“TheyseemtobeholdingupfineexceptforTyler,who’slostalotofblood.
TheyletmedropaboxofprovisionstherebeforeIcamehere.”
“Isthatwhat’sinthebox?”Smithasked.
“Yes,abitofamadmixoffoodstores.Theygavemetensecondsinthegalley,soIgrabbedwhateverwaswithinreach.”
“You!”OneoftheguardsmotionedtoRoss.“Hurryup.Andnotalking.”
“Distributethattotherest
ofthecrew,”Smithsaid.Rossnodded,passingout
applesandwaterashemadehiswayupfront.Theguardsescortedhimoutofthelabandlockedthedoorbehindthem.
ThecaptainmotionedtoDirkandGiordino.“We’reinatightfix,”hesaidinalowvoice.“Anyideas?”
“It’sasurebetwe’resupposedtoridetheshiptothebottom,”Dirksaid.
“Unfortunately,there’snotalotofoptions.”
“There’snowayoutofhereonourownaccord.”Giordinowavedhisarmaroundthelab.Immediatelyafterbeinglockedup,he’dexaminedeverysquareinchforanescaperoute.Butabsentablowtorch,therewasnone.Thelabwasessentiallyabigsteelboxwithasingleentrypoint.“Ouronlychancewillbetojumptheguards
nexttimetheyopenthedoor.”
Dirknodded.“It’sallwecando.”
Smithshookhishead.“Therearealwaysatleasttwoarmedmenatthedoor.You’llbothgetkilled.”
Ashespoke,thecaptainsquirmedinhisseat,causinghislegstoslipoffthestoolandcrashtothefloor.Thepainwrenchedthroughhisshoulderandhecursed.
Standingclosesttohim,Dirkhelpedreadjusthisseat.AsDirkbentdown,henoticedthatalowershelfonthelabbenchheldalargebottleofiodineandseveralotherreagentsusedbythelab’sscientists.Asheexaminedthebottles,anideaformed.
“Captain,aboutAl’ssuggestion...”Herosetohisfeet,claspingafewofthebottles.“WhatifIcan
improveouroddsabit?”
P61
ittcametoamidaclamorofvoices.Herubbedhiseyes,
shakingoffagrogginessthatmadehimforgetwherehewas.Herolledontohiselbows,andthesharppaininhisleftshoulderinstantly
restoredhismemoryofthehelicoptercrash.Hepeeredthroughalowhedgeofbushestolocatethesourceoftheshouting.
Itcamefromsomediversonamilitarydiveboatworkingashortdistanceoffshore.Asmallinflatablecruisedtheshoreline,presumablylookingforsurvivors.Hewasstunnedattheirsuddenarrival,thenglancedathisDoxa
wristwatchandrealizedhehadbeenoutfornearlytwohours.Hetouchedhishandtothegashonhisneckandshoulder,feelingamassofdriedblood.Nowonderhe’dpassedout.
Fromthecommotiononthediveboat,itseemedtherescueteamhadlocatedtheremainsofthehelicopter.Pittwatchedasfivebodybagswerepassedovertheboat’srailtoateamofdiversinthe
water.Itwouldn’tbelongbeforesomeonewouldrealizetherehadbeenasixthpersonofinterestaboardthechopper.
Pitttookstockoftheterrain.Hehadstaggeredintoasmallgroveofbaycedarshrubsgrowingbeneathabanyantree.Itwastheonlysignificantcoverforthirtyyardsaround.Theopenbeachstretchedforahalfmiletohisleft,whileaboulder-strewn
bluffblockedpassagetohisright.Behindhimwasanopen,rockyinclinethatrosetowardtheinlandjungleashortdistanceaway.
Pittwasconsideringapathupthehillwhenheheardthesoundofbrakessquealingjustabove.Hespiedthetopofacanvas-coveredmilitarytruckpulltoastopnearthejunglefringe.Therewasaroadatopthehill.Butfornowitwasoutofreachasa
squadofRevolutionaryArmedForcessoldiersdispersedfromthetruckandbegancombingdowntheslopetowardthebeach.
Pittmovedtothecornerofthethicketandcrawledunderalargebaycedarasapairofsoldierstrodby.Theydidn’tlingerbutinsteadproceededthroughthethicketandontothebeach.Butsomethingcaughttheattentionofoneofthesoldiers.Hestoppedand
lookeddown,examiningthesandathisfeet.
ItwasPitt’sfootprints.Theyledonewayfromthesurf,upthebeachandintothethicket.Pittwatchedasthesoldierslowlytracedtheprintsbacktothebanyantree.Thegroundwasfirmaroundthebaseofthetree,theprintslessdistinct.Thesoldierpivotedaroundashesearchedthearea.TherewasnowayPittcouldavoiddetection,so
hetooktotheoffensive.Waitinguntilthesoldierturnedaway,hesprangfromthebush.
IttookPitttwostepstoreachhimundetected.Heswunghisfist,deliveringablowthatstruckjustabovethesoldier’sbelt,forcinghimtostagger.Hespunaroundtobearhisassaultrifle,butPittwasready.Hegrabbedthebarrelandjammedittothesoldier’schest,thendelivered
ablowtohisfacewithhisfreehand.
Thesoldierdroppedtohisknees,lettinggooftherifle.Pittsnatchedtheweaponandturneditonthesoldier,whohenowsawwasaboybarelyseventeen—likelyanunwillingconscript,certainlynotontheorderofDíaz’shighlytrainedmen.ThehaplesssoldiergazedatPittwithalookoffear.
“Get!”Pittorderedina
lowvoice.Thesoldierscrambledto
hisfeetandstaggeredtowardthebeach.Pitttookoffintheotherdirection,upthehillasfastashisrubberylegswouldcarryhim.Hedidn’tlookbackwhenheheardtheyoungsoldiershoutingtohiscomradesbutduckedwhenaburstofgunfireshatteredsomerocksathisside.
Armedwiththesoldier’sAK-47,Pittsprayedthebeach
withashortsalvo,thencontinuedupthehill.Hisreturnfireboughthimafewmoreseconds,justenoughtimetoapproachthetopoftheinclinebeforetheshootingfrombelowresumed,thistimefrommultiplesources.Hegambledthattheothersoldierswereequallyyoungandinexperiencedmarksmenandhecontinuedracingtothetop.Aribbonofleadchased
himthelastfewsteps,buthewasabletodiveovertheledgeandoutofsight.
Herolledintoashallowgullythatabuttedanarrowpavedroad.Theemptymilitarytrucksatashortdistanceahead.Thoughtsofcommandeeringthetruckvanishedwhenhesawtwosoldierssettingupacheckpointbehindit.Theydroppedtheirbarricadepostsandpeeredovertheside
ledgetoseewhattheshootingwasabout.
Pittroseandsprintedacrosstheroad.Henearlymadeitunseen,butoneofthesoldierscaughthismovementandyelled.Pittcounteredbyfiringashortburstintheirdirection,thenrakedthetruck’senginecompartmentwhilecontinuingacrosstheroad.Therifle’shalf-loadedcliprandry,andPittditchedtheweaponasheduckedinto
thejunglescrub.Hehadnotimetohesitate.
Soldiersfromthebeachbeganpouringontotheroadbehindhim.Thebarricadeguardspointedtowherehehadgoneandthesoldiersconvergedonhislastposition.
Pittsprintedadozenyardsintothefoliage,thenturnedsharplytotherightandranparalleltotheroad.Hestoppedforasecondand
pickeduparock,whichhehurledintheoppositedirection.Thenoiseofitstrikingatreeelicitedacrackofgunfireandapursuit,hehoped,inthewrongdirection.
Aftersomehundredyards,heangledtohisrightuntilbriefglimpsesoftheroadappeared.Heapproachedthefringeandtookapeekbackdowntheroad.
Anoldsedancomingfromtheoppositedirectionhad
beenstoppedatthebarricade.NearertoPitt,apairofsoldierswerewalkingalongtheroad,peeringintothejungleeveryfewyards.Hesawsomemovementbehindhimandknewtherewasnotimetorest.
Duckingbackintothejungle’sprotectivecover,hecontinuedrunningparalleltotheroad.Aminutelater,hetrippedandfell,hisweakenedlegsfailingtoclearadead
branch.Ashepulledhimselftohisfeet,heheardthecarcomingdowntheroad.
Thinkingfast,hegrabbedthebranchanddraggedittowardtheroad.Hefoundthathewasatthetailendofacurvethatobscuredboththebarricadeandtheapproachingcar.Hequicklydraggedthebranchintothemiddleoftheroad,thendoveintosomebushesonthefarsideasthecarroundedthecornerand
slammedonitsbrakes.Pittrecognizedthevehicle
asa1957PlymouthFury,oneofthousandsofagedAmericancarsthatordinaryCubanscontinuedtodriveasaresultofthedecades-longtradeembargo.Thoughitsbodywasbruisedanditshubcapsmismatched,thechromebumpersstillsparkledanditswhitepaintshinedfromyearsofpolishingthathadbuffeditnearlydownto
theprimer.Thetwo-doorhardtopwas
drivenbyanoldermanandwoman.Theyclimbedoutanddraggedthebranchofftheroad.Asthecouplereturnedtothecar,Pittemergedfromthebushesandheldhisemptyhandsoutinfrontofhim.HefoundhimselflookingintothefacesofagracefullyagedCubancouplewhowerebothsmartlydressed.
“Hola!”Themantookastepback.
“Hello,”Pittsaidwithasmile.“Iamdesperateforaride.Sorrytotroubleyou.”
ThewomanstudiedPitt,notingthewoundonhisshoulder,thebloodiedclothes,andthehaggardyetpleasingface.“Areyouhurt?”
Beforehecouldanswer,sherushedtohissideandledhimtothecar.Sheturnedto
herhusband.“Salvador,hurry,helpthismanintothebackofthecar.Wehavetogethimhome.”
Justastheypulledaway,Pittsawtwosoldierspopoutofthejungle,wherehehadstoodsecondsbefore,andstareattheoldcarrumblingdowntheroad.
T62
hePlymouthturnedoffthepockmarkedpavedroadandonto
anequallyrutteddirtlane.Pitt’sshoulderachedwitheverypothole,thecar’stiredsuspensionrelayingeachbumpinfull.Something
beneathhiminthebackseatscratchedathissidewitheveryjostle.
Afteraroughpatchofgravel,thecarfinallystoppedandthemotorshutoff.
Thewoman,thoughtiny,possessedadomineeringpresence.Herfullcheeksandwideeyessuggestedthebeautyofheryouth.
“Wearehere,señor.”Sheturnedtoherhusband.“Salvador,takethisman
insideandgethimcleanedup.Heshalljoinusfordinner.Ijusthopehedidn’tmanglethechickens.”
AfterhelpingPittoutofthecar,shereachedintothebackseatandpulledoutadeadpairofwholechickenswhoseclawshadbeenthesourceofPitt’sdiscomfort.Perusingthemwithsatisfaction,shemarchedintoasmallhouseperchedalongtheslopeddrive.
Pittlookedatthemanandgrinned.“Youmarriedapowerfulwoman.”
“Maria?Sheisasstrongasanoxinallways.Onceshemakesuphermind,thereisnochangingit.Ilearnedlongagotoavoidthesharptipofherhorns.”
Pittlaughed.“Soundslikesageadvice.”
“MynameisSalvadorFariñas.”Heextendedhishand.
“DirkPitt.”“Comethisway,Mr.Pitt,
andwe’llgetyoucleanedupasMariaasks.”
FariñasledPitttothepitched-roofhouse,whichhadatiredandfadedfaçade.Itspositiononasteepbluffofferedacommandingviewoftheocean.Pittsawthepavedroadahalfmilebelowandtheshorelineofasmallbaysomedistancebeyond.
Insidethehouse,Pittwas
surprisedtofindastylishinterior.DarkSaltillotilecoveredthefloor,supportingamixofmodernfurniture.Ahugepicturewindowfacingtheoceanilluminatedthestarkwhitewalls,whichwerecuriouslybare.Asinglebrightlycoloredpaintingoccupiedanemptywallnexttoafireplace.Pittadmiredthedepictionofafishermandisplayinghiscatch,paintedinthestyleofGauguin.“That
isquitegood.”“Mariapaintedit.Shewas
afamousartistinHavanamanyyearsago.Regrettably,thatistheonlyworkofherswenowpossess.”
“Shehasagift.”FariñasguidedPitttoa
crampedbathroomshowerandlefthimwithsoapandtowels.Ittooknearlytwentyminutestoscrubawaythedriedbloodandthepainofhisinjuries.Borrowingsome
bandagesandafreshshirtfromFariñas,helookedandfeltlikeanewmanwhenhesteppedintothemainlivingquarters.
Mariahadpluckedandcleanedthechickensandwasbusycooking.FariñasofferedPittaglassofaguardiente,aharsh,locallyfermentedrum,whichhedownedwithgratitude.
“Toyourkindnesstostrangers,”Pittsaidwhenhis
hostfilledtheirglassesagain.“Youaremostwelcome.”“Salvador,mayIaskif
youhaveatelephone?”Fariñasshookhishead.
“Wearefortunatetohavereliableplumbingandelectricity,butthephonelineshaven’treachedus.AndMariarefusestopurchaseacellphone.”
“It’surgentImakeaninternationalcall.”
“IcantakeyoutoSanta
CruzdelNorteaftersupper.Youshouldbeabletomakeacallfromthere.”
Mariasteppedfromthekitchenwithherpaella-likedish,arrozconpollo.
“Please,sitdown.And,Salvador,pleaseopenabottleofSoroaforourguest.”SheturnedtoPitt.“It’salocalwhitewineIthinkyouwillenjoy.”
Theysatandate.Havingnoteatenafullmealintwo
days,Pittdevouredthreeplatefulsofthechickenandrice.“Youareasexcellentachefasyouareapainter,Maria.”
“Thatiskindofyoutosay.Youknow,Mr.Pitt,therearerumorsthatPresidentCastrohasbeenmurdered.”
“Yes,Ihavealsoheardthat.”
“AguardattheroadblocksaidanAmericanhasbeenimplicatedandhadescaped
custodyinthearea.”Pittlookedherintheeye.
“IwouldbethatAmerican.AndIassureyouIhadnothingtodowithCastro’sdeath.ButImayknowwhodid.”
Marialookedathimwithahintofdisappointment.
Herhusbandguffawed.“Youneedn’tworry,Mr.Pitt,aboutMariaturningyouovertotheArmy.Manyyearsago,sheservedthreeyearsin
custodyforapaintingthatwasdeemeddisrespectfultothestate.”
“Itistrue.”Maria’seyesfilledwithfire.“AnimbecileArmycolonelrunningtheMinistryofCulturetookoffensetoapaintingIdidofagunemplacementfilledwithflowers.Theydestroyedmystudioandconfiscatedallofmywork,lockeditawayintheministrybuilding.”Shepointedtothelonecanvas.
“ThatistheonlypaintingIkepthiddenfromthem.”
“Whydon’tyoupaintagain?”Pittasked.
AninwardlookcrossedMaria’sface.“Whentheystolemywork,theystoleapartofme,apartofwhoIam.Isetdownmybrushthatdayandvowednevertopaintagainaslongasthestatesuppressedmywork.”
ShelookedatPittwithenvy.“Cubahaslivedfortoo
longfightingablanketofoppressionagainstitsownspirit.Perhapschangeisfinallyintheair.Ipraythechangewillbeonlyforthegood.”
“Whenpowerisupforgrabs,”Pittsaid,“thefirstcasualtyisoftenliberty.”
“Therearealwaysdarkforcesatplay,itseems.Tellme,Mr.Pitt,whatareyoudoinginCuba?”
Pittdescribedhissearch
forthemercurypoisoningandhiscapturebytheSeaRaker.Herelayedtheurgencyofhaltingthedestructionofthethermalvents.Hisanguishshowedwhenhementionedhisdaughterwasstillbeingheldcaptive.
“Wewillhelpyoureturntoyourship,”Mariasaid.“Salvador,helpmewashthedishesandthenwewilltakeMr.PitttoSantaCruz.”
Pitthelpedcleartheplates,thenambledtothepicturewindow,whereaseaman’stelescopewastrainedonthewaterfront.Thesunwaslowashegazedoutthewindowandnoticedalargeluxuryyachtmooredoffshore.Takingacloserlookthroughthetelescope,hespottedanoddbannerflyingoverthebridge.Focusingthelens,hewasstartledtoseetheflagfeaturedaredbearclutching
anaxinitsteeth.“Areyoureadytoleave?”
Fariñasapproachedwiththecarkeys.
“Aslightchangeofplans.”Pittpointedoutthewindow.“Canyougetmetothatyachtmooredinthebay?”
Fariñasgazedatthevesselandnodded.“Ihaveacousinwithaboatwhocanrunyouover.Yousurethey’llletyouaboard?”
Pittsmiled.“I’llbeta
Bentleythattheywill.”
P63
reciselythirtymilesduesouthofKeyWest,twoboats
approachedeachotherforalate-afternoonrendezvous.Bothwerenondescriptcabincruisers,thelikesofwhichfloodedtheFloridacoastlines
everysummerweekend.Butratherthanbeingsailedbyhalf-drunkdoctorssportingsunburns,bothwerecrewedbyprofessionalsecuritymencarryingconcealedweapons.Threemilesdistant,apairofApacheattackhelicopterskeptadiscreeteyeontheproceedings.
Theboatsapproachedeachothercautiouslylikeapairofwaryboxersfacingoffintheringforthefirsttime.Alight
breezeruffledsmallflagsaboveeachpilothouse,oneCubanandtheotherAmerican.
Ascrewmenswappedlinesandtiedtheboatssidebyside,VicePresidentJamesSandeckeremergedfromthecabinoftheAmericanboatandsteppedtothesiderail.Heextendedahandtoagray-hairedmanontheotherboat.
“Goodafternoon,Mr.President,”Sandeckersaid.
RaúlCastroshookSandecker’shandwithafirmgrip.“Itisanhonor,Mr.VicePresident.”
“Please,callmeJames.MayIcomeaboard?”
“Ofcourse.”CastromaintainedhisgriponSandecker’shandastheVicePresidenthoppedboats.TheCubanpresidentregardedSandeckerupclose,notinghewasshorterthanheappearedontelevision.Buttherewas
somethingofarevolutionaryfireintheman’sblueeyesthatheinstantlyadmired.
“CallmeRaúl,”hesaid.“Come,letussitonthesterndeckandtalk.”
SandeckerwavedoffhisSecretServicedetail,andCastrodidthesametohismen.Thetwoleaderssteppedtothesternandsatbeneathashadecanopy.
“Bringussomerumbrandies,”Castrocalledtoan
aidebeforeaddressingSandecker.
“James,Ithankyouforagreeingtoseeme.IneverexpectedthatthegovernmentoftheUnitedStateswouldwarnmeofathreatonmylife.Onaccountofyou,Iamalivetoday.Iwouldliketothankyou,andyourPresident,forsavingmefromdeath.”
“ThePresidentwasdisturbedwhenour
intelligencepeoplepiecedtogetherthedetailsoftheassassinationattempt,particularlysinceitoccurredoutofyourcountry.ThePresidentandIarepleasedyouaresafeandwell.”Sandeckerclearedhisthroat.“ThePresidentfeelsthiswouldbeagoodopportunitytoadvanceourrelationshipfromtheshadowsoftheColdWar.”
Castronodded,staringout
withadistantgaze.“This,too,hasbeenheavyonmyheartsincemybrotherdied.Atonetime,mycountryneededFidelasmuchasheneededthepeople.Butthatdayislongpast.ForallofthegoodthatFidelaccomplished,hedidn’tallowCubatogrow.Itispasttimeforourpeopletoprosper.”
HelookedSandeckerintheeye.“James,asyouknow,IhaveannouncedIwillnot
seekreelectionin2018.IintendtoappointForeignMinisterRuiztosucceedme.Heisastrongproponentofintroducingmarketeconomicsandimprovingrelationswithyourcountry.”
Hetookadeepbreath.“Inmyremainingdaysinoffice,Ihavedecidedtopavethewayforhisinitiatives.”
“Wehaveatwo-and-a-half-centuryhistoryoffreemarketdemocracy.Wecan
helpleadyoudowntherightpath.”
AburdenseemedtoliftfromtheshouldersoftheoldMarxist.“Itisnotaneasythingtoabandontheroadofthepast,butatthesametime,itcanbeliberating.”
Anaidearrivedwiththerumbrandies,andthetwodrankatoasttotheirimprovedrelations.
“Raúl,Ihaveaquestion,”Sandeckersaid.“Unofficial
reportsarecirculatingwidelythatyouwerekilledintheCaymanIslands.Whyhaveyounotgonepublicanddispelledthoserumors?”
Castro’seyescloudedwithanger.“Westilldon’tknowwhohiredthemercenariestoconducttheattack.IfthoseresponsiblebelieveIamdead,theywillsoonactinawaythatidentifiestheirguilt.”
“Asoundtactic,”
Sandeckersaid,“butIthinkIcanpointyouintherightdirection.”HereachedintohisshirtpocketandhandedCastroafoldedsheetofpaper.“Wewerecuriousaswellandperformedatraceonthefundspaidtothemercenaries.Trackingthepaymentbackwardfromthedropaccount,wefoundithadbeenflushedthroughnolessthanthreeCaymanIslandsaccounts,eachatadifferent
bank.ThetrailthenledthroughaVenezuelanbank,andfinallytoanationalaccountinHavana.That’sasfaraswecouldget.You’llnotetheaccountisaregisteredrepositoryoftheInteriorMinistry.”
Castrostudiedthepaperwide-eyed.“Gutier!Ofcourse.Hehasahistoryofextremism,andhisambitionislegendary.IfIwereoutofthepicture,hecouldrelyon
thesupportoftheArmytostrong-armhiswaytothepresidency.It’snosecrethecovetsmyjob.Iguesshecouldn’twait...orstandtoseeRuiztakemyplace.”
“I’msorry,”Sandeckersaid.“Treacheryfromwithinishardtoface.”
“No,Ithankyouforrevealingthisrabiddog.I’vealwayshadmyreservationsabouttheman,butheisacapableleaderwhohas
servedthestatewellformanyyears.”
“Doeshisroleinthemilitarycreateanycomplications?”
“Absolutelynot.MyMinisteroftheRevolutionaryArmedForceshasstoodwithmeforfortyyears.”Hesoftenedhistone.“I’msorry,James,butthelossofloyaltyisdifficulttobear.”
“Iunderstand.Itisyourmattertoresolve.”
“Thepositiveisthatithascreatedabuildingblocktoourfriendship.”Castrofinishedhisdrink.
“Agreed,”Sandeckersaid.“Still,therearetwoissuesonoursideofthefencethatmayproveahindranceinmovingahead.”
“Whatwouldthatbe?”“Thefirstcomesfrom
Asia.We’vereceivedatroublingcommuniquéfromourfriendsintheSouth
KoreanNationalIntelligenceService.TheygotwindofarumoreddealbetweenPyongyangandyourcountry.AsourceallegesthatCubaisprovidingNorthKoreaalargequantityofhigh-gradeuraniumoxideforuseintheirenrichmentfacilities.Inexchange,NorthKoreaisofferingyouasmallnumberoftacticalnuclearweapons.”
“What?”Castropoppedoutofhischair.“Thatis
preposterous.Yourintelligenceiscompletelymistaken.”
“Youhavehadsomesmall-armstradeswithNorthKoreainthepast.”
“True,buttheywereminutequantities.WehaveverylittlebusinesswithNorthKorea.Iassureyou,James,Ihavenoknowledgeofsuchanagreement.Wehavenouraniumminingonourislandtobeginwith.And
wecertainlyhavenoneed,ordesire,fornuclearweapons.”
“Iamhappytohearthat.Intelligenceerrorsdohappen,andanythingoutofNorthKoreatendstobeunreliable.”
Castronodded.“Thatmustbethecase.Itisamadproposition,butfearnot.Now,youindicatedtherewasanothermatterthatconcernedyou?”
“Yes,asecondaryissueofgreatconcerntome
personally.It’sourNUMAresearchvesselSargassoSea.YouareholdingitcaptiveinCubanwaters.”
AblanklookfelloverCastro’sface.“Whatdoyoumean?”
SandeckerexplainedthesuddenlossofcommunicationsandthesatellitephotosshowingitafloatinCubanterritorialwaters.
Castroshookhishead.
“I’msorry,James,Iknownothingofthis.Areyousurethevesselhasn’tjustexperiencedequipmentproblems?”
“Thesatellitephotosshownoevidenceoffireordamage.Andtheshiphasmultiplemeansofcommunication.WesentaCoastGuardvesseltoinvestigate,buttheyweredrivenawaybyaCubanNavyvessel.Webelievethe
SargassoSeahasbeenapprehendedbyhostileforces.”
“Itispossiblearegionalnavalunitisresponsible,butthisincidenthasnotbeenreportedinHavana.”
“Therearefiftypeopleaboard,someofthemclosefriends.I’dtakeitasapersonalfavorifyoucouldletmeknowwhat’sgoingon.”
“Ofcourse.Iunderstandyourconcern.Ipromiseto
lookintothematterimmediatelyuponmyreturntothecapital.”
Ashortdistanceoffthestern,alargefishjumpedoutofthewater,catchingbothmen’sattention.
“Doyouliketosportfish,James?”Castroasked.
“It’sbeenafewyearssinceIbattledthebigones,”Sandeckersaid.
“YouandI,wemustgofishingonournextvisit.The
bluemarlinintheFloridaStraitsisthebestintheworld.”
“Reasonenoughtomeetagainsoon,”Sandeckersaid,standingandshakinghands.“IcanthinkofnothingI’dlikebetter.”
R64
idinginthepassengerseatthistime,Pittjoinedthe
elderlycoupleforthedrivedownthehillinthePlymouth.Heworeaborrowedstrawhatandsunglassesasaminorattempt
atcover.Therewerenoroadblocksalongtheway,thoughtheyspottedaspeedingmilitarytruckastheycrossedthepavedroad.
Fariñasdrovethroughaneighborhoodofrun-downblockhousesbeforestoppingatapinkonenearthewater.AnebullientmanwithlargeearsemergedandFariñasintroducedhimashiscousin.
“Myboatisthisway,”themansaid.“Come,Icanrun
youoverrightnow.”PittshookFariñas’shand
andgaveMariaahug.“Iwon’tforgetyourkindness.”
“Keepupthegoodfight,Mr.Pitt,”shesaid.“Andgoodlucktoyouandyourdaughter.”
Thecousinledhimtoasmallfishingboatbeachedonthesand.Theydraggeditintothewaterandclimbedaboard.Aricketyoutboardwasstartedandafewminutes
latertheypulledalongsidethesternofMarkRamsey’syacht,GoldDigger.Amuscle-ladencrewmanappearedandmotionedforthemtomoveaway.
“IsMarkaboard?”Pittshouted.
“Whowantstoknow?”“ABentleydriverbythe
nameofPitt.”ThecrewmangavePittan
annoyedlook,thenspokeintoahandheldradio.Hisfeatures
softenedwhentheradiosquawkedaminutelaterandhewavedtheboatalongside.PittthankedFariñas’scousinandhoppedaboard.
“Mr.Ramseywillbepleasedtoseeyouinthesalon.”ThecrewmanguidedPittacrosstheopensterndeckandthroughapairofFrenchdoors.
Dressedinasportshirtandslacks,Ramseysatatatable,poringthroughastackof
seismicsurveys.HestoodupandgreetedPittwithawarmsmile.“You’realongwayfromthetrack,Mr.Pitt.Howonearthdidyoufindmehere?”
“Yourredgrizzlybearlogo.IremembereditfromyourcarhaulerinWashington.I’vealsoseenitonanothervesselinthearea,aminingshipcalledtheSeaRaker.”
“Yes,that’sourflagship
deep-seaminingvessel.Butyoumustbemistaken.TheSeaRakerisoperatingundercharterinthePacificoffofNicaragua.”
HeshowedPitttoachair,noticinghisdisheveledappearanceandthebandageonhisneck.“Whatexactlyareyoudoinghere?”
“Inaword,mercury.IwastrackingthedispersaloftoxicmercuryplumesthathaveoccurredintheCaribbean.
Theyarebeingcreatedbythedestructionofunderseahydrothermalvents.Yourship,theSeaRaker,isresponsibleforthedamage.”
Ramseyshookhishead.“No,theSeaRakerisinthePacific.”
“Iwasaboardhertwodaysagonotthirtymilesfromhere.Wewereinvestigatingtheseafloorinasubmersibleandwereabductedbyoneoftheship’sminingmachines.
WewerebroughtaboardtheSeaRakerashorttimebeforebeingtakentoshore.Imanagedtoescape,butmydaughterisstillbeingheldprisoner.”
“WhywouldtheSeaRakerabductyou?”
“Becausetheyareblowingupthermalventsinordertominedepositsofuraniumburiedwithinthem.”
RamseylookedatPittlikehe’djuststeppedoffaflying
saucer.“Uranium?You’remad.TheshipwascharteredtominegoldoffNicaragua.”
Pittshookhishead.“Perhapstheystartedwithgold,butthey’vegraduatedtouraniumintheCaribbean.Theyhaveastockpiledownthecoastthatwasbeingloadedaboardanoutboundfreighterjusttoday.”
“Thatcan’tbe.Iknowuraniumdepositscoexistwithotherminerals,butI’venever
heardofitbeingcommerciallyminedundersea.Whywouldtheybedoingso?”
“You’dhavetotalktoaCubannamedJuanDíaz.”
“Díaz?HetookpossessionoftheshiponbehalfofaPanamanianventure.Youknowhim?”
“Heseemstoberunningtheshow.Andhe’stheoneholdingmydaughter.”
Ramseycouldseefromthe
intenselookinPitt’seyesthathewastellingthetruth.“I’msosorry,”hesaidinashakenvoice.
“That’snottheworstofit.High-gradeuraniumoreapparentlyexistsinthedeepcoreofthethermalventsinthisregion.Somewherewithinthelayersofsedimentisaconcentrationofmercury,probablylaiddownduringtheTriassicPeriod.DíazandhisCubanArmypalshave
blastedopenseveralventsintheCaribbean—andonenearby—thathavereleasedlargeplumesofmercury,”saidPitt.“Aswespeak,theyarepreparingtoblastapairofverylargethermalventsinthemiddleoftheFloridaStraits.Iftheysucceed,themercuryplumeswilllikelyexpandtotheGulfStream.Itwillbetheenvironmentaldisasterofthecentury.”
Ramseysankintohischair
withthelookofashatteredsoul.“I’vebuiltmycareeronprudentmining,usingtheleastinvasiveenvironmentaltechniquespossible.IwouldhaveneverprovidedmyequipmentandexpertisehadIknownthat’swhattheywereupto.”
Heshookhisheadslowly.“Ishouldhaveknownsomethingwasn’tright.Theywereextremelysecretiveabouttheirminingplans,
whichisn’tunusualwhengoldisatstake.Buteverythingwashandledasamilitaryoperation.Theyinsistedoncrewingmyshipwiththeirownmen.Ineverimaginedtheycouldcreatesuchharminthefewmonthsthatthey’veleasedtheSeaRaker.”
“There’salsoahighlikelihoodtheywereresponsibleforsinkingthedrillshipAlta.”
Ramseystaredattheplushcarpet,overwhelmedbywhathe’dbeentold.“Yousaytheyareabouttoblastmorevents?Whatcanwedotostopthem?”
“Twothings,”Pittsaid.“GetthisyachttotheSeaRakerasfastasyoucanandfindawaytosneakmeaboard.Inthemeantime,pleaseshowmetoaradio.I’dliketocallmyship.”
T65
heDomingo2hydrothermalventemergedlikea
shatteredkaleidoscopeamidabarrendesert.Atadepthoftwelvehundredfeet,thesurroundingseabedwasacold,muddyplaindevoidof
lifeandcolor.TheSeaRaker’sauxiliary
cutterhadexcavatedalineartrenchnearthevent’scoreasaplacetodepositthebulkexplosives.Atthetrench’sepicenter,anarrow,deepercuthadbeenmadeforinsertingthehighexplosives.
Asuspendedplatform,filledwiththecratedbagsofANFOexplosives,waslowerednearby.Thebulkcutter,usingitsheavy
manipulatorarm,claspedoneofthecratesandtransportedittothetrench.Inafewhours,morethanfivethousandpoundsofexplosiveshadbeenlaidintheheartofthethermalvent.
Onthesurface,Díaz’screwboatapproachedthemarionette-likeoperationperformedbytheSeaRaker.Summernotedthebrightdecklightswerereflectingoffthewaterasdusksettledover
acalmsea.Thebarge,stillladenwithexplosivesforthesecondthermalvent,wastiedalongsidetheminingship’sportflank.Astheyapproachedthebarge,theysawtheauxiliarycuttermachine,finishedwithitsseafloorditchdigging,beinghoistedbackaboard.
Thecrewboattiedupaftofthebarge,andDíazclimbedaloweredladder.Summerremainedseatedin
thepassengerbayastwosoldiersboardedtheboat.OnetookuppositioninthepilothousewhiletheothergrabbedherelbowandescortedheraboardtheSeaRaker.
AminingengineergreetedDíaz,thenledthemtoalargeprefabricatedbuildingonthecenterdeck.SummerfeltlikeshehadenteredasmallerversionofNASA’sfabledHoustonControlCenter.
Multiplerowsofmannedcomputerstationsfilledtheroom,allfacingagiantvideoscreen.Eachworkstationcontrolledanelementofthesubseaminingoperation,withthecollector,cuttermachines,andROVsoperatedbytoggledpanelsandjoysticks.Videofeedsfromeachunderwaterdevicefedintothemultiscreenvideoboard.
Summerobservedtheliveunderwaterfootagefromtwo
ROVs,whilethetworaisedcuttermachinesshoweddeckshotsfromtheirmultiplecameras.
DíaztookaseatataleatherarmchairinfrontofthevideoscreenwhileSummerwasescortedtoanearbybench.
TheminingengineerstoodinfrontandspoketoDíaz.“Wehavecompletedtrenchingandplacementofthebaseexplosives.Weare
wellpositionedatthevent,sothedeploymentwentquickerthanexpected.Asyouprobablysaw,boththebulkcutterandtheauxiliarycutterhavebeenreturnedtotheship.”
Díazpointedtothescreen.“Butthehighexplosiveshavenotyetbeenset?”
Oneofthecamerasonthebulkcuttershowedseveralcrewmencoilingalong,tube-shapedchargeaboutthedeck.
“ThebulkcutterstillneedstoplacetheTNTsleeveanddetonatorintothebaseofthethermalfissure.Thenwe’llbeabletofire.Weshouldbereadytolowerthechargeandthecutterinabouttenminutes.”
“Verywell.I’llwatchtheoperationsfromhere.”
Theengineernoddedasanearbyphonerang.HeansweredandpassedthereceivertoDíaz.“Thecaptain
hasaquestionforyoufromthebridge.”
AsDíaztookthecall,theengineersteppedtooneoftheworkconsolesandconversedwithitsoperator.
Summerwasalerttoitall.Sinceenteringthecontrolcenter,shehadseenthattheoperatorsweretooengagedintheirdutiestopayheranyattention.WithDíazandtheengineertemporarilyoccupied,shelookedabout
forherguard.Hewasleaningagainstthewallatthesideoftheroom,watchingtheunderwatervideofeeds.
Summerquietlygotup,steppedtoadoorontheoppositeside,andslippedout,onlytocomeface-to-facewithanotherguard,hishandontheboltofhisrifle.Hebackedherintothecontrolroom,shovingherwithhisgunmuzzlediggingintoherstomach.
Díazwitnessedtheactandmarchedoverwithashakeofhishead.
“Avaliant,iffruitless,effort,”hesaid.
“Whydon’tyoujustletmego?Ican’thaltyourunderseadestructionnow.”
“Youdon’tcareforourhospitality?Thenhaveityourway.YoucanindeeddeparttheSeaRaker.”Hesneered.“Onlyitwon’tbeaboardmycrewboat.”
P66
oundingtheseasatalmostthirtyknots,Ramsey’sGold
DiggerlocatedtheSeaRakeronitsradarinlessthantwohours.PittspenttheinterveningtimetryingtohailtheSargassoSeabutwasmet
withonlysilence.Evenalast-minutecalltoRudiGunnatNUMAheadquarterswentunanswered.
ThelastvestigesofdaylightstreakedthewesternhorizonastheSeaRakerloomedahead.Ramseyradioedtheminingvessel,thenturnedtoPitt.
“Theywerequitesurprisedandveryunhappytohearfromme.Theytriedtobegoffavisitsincetheyare
conductingoperations.Theydidn’texplainwhattheyaredoinghere.”Herubbedhischin.“Isaid,beingjustassurprisedfindingthemintheCaribbean,thatitwasjustabriefsocialcallandIcertainlywasn’thereforaninspection,sotheyagreed.They’llberathershockedifyou’repartoftheboardingparty.”
“Toomanypeoplemightrecognizemecominginthe
frontdoor,”Pittsaid,peeringattheminingshipandadjacentbarge.“I’llhavetotrythebackdoor.CanyoupositionyourselfoffSeaRaker’sportbowandshieldyourlaunchfromtheshipwhenyoudeployit?”
“Notaproblem.”Ramseyrelayedtherequesttotheyacht’scaptain,thengavePittahandheldmarineradio.“You’reonyourown,I’mafraid.We’llloiteraboutthe
areaafewmilesawayuntilwehearfromyou.”
“Thanks,Mark.”PittshooktheCanadian’shand.
“Watchyourself.Andgoodluck.”
TheGoldDiggerturnedawayfromtheSeaRakerasitslaunchwasloweredoffthestern.Ramseyandhisheftybodyguardsatontheforwardbenchasthepilotengagedtheoutboardandspedtowardtheminingship.
OntheSeaRaker’soppositedeck,Díazandhiscrewwereengagedintheirownlaunchingexercise,deployingthebulkcutter.DanglingatitssidelikeanornamentonaChristmastreewastheStarfish,suspendedbythecutter’smanipulator.Bothmachineswerequicklyswallowedbytheseaastheship’sdrumwinchreleasedasteadystreamofsupportcable.Díazwatchedthem
submergeintotheblackwater,thensteppedtotheoppositesideoftheshiptogreetRamsey.
TheGoldDigger’slaunchsailedalongtheship’sportrailtoitsloweredladder.RamseyandhisbodyguardleapedontotheladderandupthestepstotheSeaRaker’sdeck.Díazwastherewaitingwithseveralarmedsoldiersstandinglooselybehindhim.
“Mr.Ramsey,apleasant
surprise.”Díaz’stonewasanythingbutpleasant.
“Hello,Juan.IwasonmywaytoNewOrleanswhenmycaptainspottedyou.”
“I’mgladyoucanvisit.Come,let’shaveadrink.”
Díazledhimforwardtotheship’swardroom,whereanattendantfixedthemdrinks.
“WhatareyoudoinginCuba?”Ramseysaid.“You’resupposedtobe
workingoffNicaragua.”“Thesiteprovedtobea
disappointment.Wedecidedtoredeployhereforsometestexcavationsthatlookedpromisingfromanearlierseismicsurvey.”
“Doyouhaveauthorizationtodighere?”Ramseyasked.
“Theapprovalshavebeenmadethroughthenecessarychannels.”
“Iadmireyourefficiency.
Howistheshipworkingout?”
“She’sbeenoutstanding.Wehadalearningcurveonmanagingtheexcavationequipment,butnowweareoperatingathighefficiency.”
“Yes,that’swhyIwouldhavepreferredyouusemycrew.”
Díazignoredthecomment.“I’msorryyoudidn’tcomeatamoreopportunemoment.Wearejustdeployingoneof
thecuttersforatestrun.”“CouldIseeyourseismic
surveydata?I’vebeenstudyingalotofunderseaterraininthisregionlately.PerhapsIcouldbeofhelp.”
“I’mafraidthedataisn’taboardship.”
Ramseysawthroughthelie.“Haveyoucompletedanenvironmentalimpactassessmentforthisarea?”
“Ourscientistshavedeterminedthereisno
impact.”“Evenwithblasting?”“Blasting?”Díazreplied
withawarylook.“Wearenotconductinganyblasting.”
“Ourcharterspecifiesfullenvironmentalimpactassessmentsandminimallyinvasiveoperationsinthecourseofanyminingactivity.I’vebuiltalifetime’sreputationonsafeandfriendlyminingtechniques.Imustinsistthatthecontract
stipulationsbefollowed.”“Ofcourse.I’llhavethe
reportssenttoyounextweek.”
Díazdrainedhisdrinkandrosetohisfeet.“Itwasniceofyoutostopby,Mr.Ramsey.IhopeyouhaveapleasantjourneytoNewOrleans.”
Ramseyslowlyfinishedhisdrink.Withasickfeeling,herealizedthateverythingPitthadtoldhimaboutDíaz
wastrue.HehadsignedawayhisshiptomercenariesundertheprotectionoftheCubangovernment—andtheywereabouttounleashavastenvironmentaldisaster.Thesituationlefthimwithlittlerecourse.
“ItislaterthanIthought,”Ramseysaid.“Thankyouforthedrink,Juan.Ibestgetgoing.”
Theyexitedthewardroomandreturnedtothedeck.
Walkingpastthebulkcutterhangar,Ramseynoticedacrewmaninahazmatsuitsweepingupsomeseafloorresidue.ItmadehimthinkofPittandheglancedovertherailatthebargetiedalongside.
BiddingDíazgood-bye,heclimbeddowntohiswaitinglaunchandcastofftowardhisyacht.AstheilluminatedoutlineoftheSeaRakerrecededbehindhim,Ramsey
kickedataloosetarponthefloorboardandmutteredtothebreeze,“Goodluck,DirkPitt.You’regoingtoneedit.”
C67
rouchedbehindapalletofexplosivesonthebarge,Pitt
watchedRamsey’slaunchsailawayashismindreturnedtohisdaughter.ThediscoverythatDíazwasaboardtheSeaRakerchangedeverything.It
gavehimhopethatSummermightbeaboard,butitalsochangedhisstrategy.He’dplannedtosneakaboardandsomehowdisabletheminingequipment.ButifSummerwasaboard,hewouldhavetofindherfirst.
WithRamsey’shelp,he’dmadeitthisfar.Coveredbyatarp,he’dhidonthefloorofthelaunchasRamseyvisitedtheSeaRaker.WhiletheCanadianmetwithDíaz,the
launch’spilotidledtheboatofftheminingship’ssideandletitdriftastern.Whenafewnosyshiphandsattherailgrewboredandwanderedoff,thepiloteasedalongsidethebargeandsignaledPitt.Withaquickleap,heboardedunseen.
Hecrossedthebarge,movingquicklyfromcratetocrate.Aheavywhitepowderlitteredthedeck,whichheknewwastheANFOfrom
somespilledbags.Thebargewasonlyhalffullofcratedexplosives,indicatingalargeportionhadalreadybeendeployedononeofthethermalvents.Thedeliverymeanswasinserviceafewyardsaheadofthebarge:asteel-gratedplatformsuspendedbyathickdropcable.Pittwatchedasseveralcrewmenloadedalong,coiledtubeontotheplatformandlowereditovertheside.
HemadehiswaytotherearofthebargeandclimbedaboardtheSeaRakerwhenhespottednooneabout.Theshipwasotherwisealivewithactivity.Hecouldonlyassumethecrewwaspreparingtoblowthethermalvent.Anuneasyfeelingbegantocreepoverhim.Hemightbetoolatetopreventit.
Heshookhisdoubtsaside,knowinghistopprioritywastofindSummer.
Hecreptforward,holdingtotheshadows,butprogressedonlyashortdistancewhenaworkcrewcameupbehindhim,luggingareplacementcutterheadfortheauxiliaryminingmachine.Onemantrippedundertheburden,twistinghisankleanddroppinghisendoftheweight.Asupervisor,strainingundertheloadontheoppositeside,noticedPittstandingnearby.
“You,overthere.Comegiveusahand.”
Pittwastrapped.Ifheassistedthemen,thebrightdecklightswouldrevealhewasn’tpartofthecrew.Ifheignoredthesupervisor,hewouldcreateanunduesuspicion.
Spottingadoortoanearbyprefabricatedstructure,hetookachance.Shruggingatthesupervisor,hemotionedtowardthedoor,stepped
over,andturnedthehandle.Hisluckheldandthedooropened.Heduckedinsideasthesupervisorshoutedacurseinhisdirection.
Pitthadexpectedtowalkintoanequipmentlockerbutfoundhimselfatthebackoftheminingcontrolroom.Multiplevideoimagesilluminatedthebigscreenwhilechatterfromcomputerstationoperatorsrattledoffthesteelwalls.Pitteasedinto
adarkcornerwhenhesawDíazdirectingtheoperationfromhisarmchairdownfront.
SeveralROVsflittedabouttheseabottom,displayingthemassivecacheofANFOexplosivespiledintotheslittrench.OneROVturnedupward,itscameracapturingthearrivalofthebulkcutterasitdroppedtotheseabedandvanishedinacloudofsediment.
Thecurrentblewthewater
clearastheROVmovedinforacloserview.Whenitturnedtocapturethesideofthecutter,Pittnearlychoked.Claspedbythecutter’smanipulatorandheldtoitssidelikeabreadbasketwastheNUMAsubmersibleStarfish.
Yetitwasn’ttheappearanceoftheStarfishthatstartledPitt.Whattookhisbreathawaywasthesightofhisdaughter,sittingalone
andhelplessinthepilot’sseatofthestrickensubmersible.
N68
inetyminutes.Thatwasthe
remaininglifeoftheStarfish’sbatteryreserves.Oncethepowerfailedandthecarbondioxidescrubbersceased,Summerwoulddieaslowdeathfrom
asphyxiation.Unlesshypothermiafromthecoldstruckfirst.
WhenDíazandhismenforcedherintothesubmersibleandlowereditovertheside,sheknewhedidn’tintendforhertosurfaceagain.Sheimmediatelyactivatedthelife-supportsystems,whileshuttingoffallnonessentialpowerdrains.Shewasthankfulherfatherhad
powereddowneverythingwhentheywerebroughtaboardtheSeaRaker,leavinghersomeremainingbatterycharge.
Onceontheseafloor,sherealizedninetyminuteswasafalsehope.Asthebulkcutter’streadsbeganturningandthebigmachinelurchedforward,shesawthemassivepitfilledwithexplosives.Herdeathwouldcomesoon—andviolently.
Thecuttertrudgedtotheedgeofthetrenchandstopped.Itsmanipulatorarmrotatedoutward,swingingtheStarfishfromitsside.Anoperatoronthesurfacereleasedthemanipulator’sgripandthesubmersibledroppedintothetrench,landinguprightonacarpetofexplosives.
ApairofROVscapturedthescene,theirlightsblindingSummerastheybuzzedabout
thesubmersible.Theygraduallypulledaway,hoveringoverthebulkcutterasitcrawledintothedarkness.
SummerpeeredouttheviewportuntiltheROVsfadedtoasmallspeckoflight.Thenshewenttowork.
Shehadonelastgambit:thefactshecouldstillmakethesubmersiblebuoyant.TheROVmayhavedestroyedthesub’sexternalthrusterson
theirfirstencounter,butithadn’thamperedtheStarfish’sabilitytosurface.
Summerpoweredtheballasttankpumpsandinitiatedapurgetoemptythefloodedtanks.Shewaitedforareaction,butnothinghappened.Therewasnormallyahissingofcompressedair,followedbyagurgleofexpelledwater,butnowtherewasonlysilence.Shecheckedthepowerand
circuitbreakersandtriedasecondtime.
Againnothing.Thenshecheckedthecompressedaircylinderthatsupportedtheballasttank.Thegaugereadzero.TheSeaRaker’screwhademptiedthecylindertopreventsuchanattempt.
Glancingouttheviewportatthebedofexplosives,shetriednottopanic.Shetookadeepbreath—andthoughtofonemoreoption.TheStarfish
wasfittedwithtwinleadweightsthatcouldbejettisonedforliftinanemergency.Herfatherhadreleasedonesetofweightswhentheytriedtoescapethebulkcutter,butanotherstillremained.
Sheclimbedbehindtheseat,whereunderafloorpanelshefoundasecondaryrelease.Grabbingthehandle,shetwistedittothedropposition.
Nothinghappened.TheSeaRaker’screwhad
donetheirhandiworkthere,too,securingtheweightsoitcouldn’tbereleased.Díazhadmadesureherlastvoyagewasaone-waytrip.
Withanangryresignation,Summerslidintothepilot’sseatandgazedintothedarkness,wonderinghowmuchlongershehadlefttolive.
A
69
trickleofcoldsweatrandownPitt’sbackashe
watchedtheStarfishbeingdepositedonthepileofexplosives.TheROV’sunderwatercamerastrackedthebulkcutterasitleftthesubmersibleandcrawledto
theutilityplatform,whichhadbeenseparatelyloweredtotheseafloor.ThecutterstoppedalongsidetheplatformanduseditsmanipulatortopluckuptheendofthecoileddetonatortubefilledwithTNT.
Thebulkcutterreversedcourseandbegancrawlingbacktowardtheexplosivestrench,unravelingthetubealongitsside.Iteventuallypulledthesnake-like
detonatortubeclearoftheutilityplatform,trailingawirecable.Taggedwithsmallfloats,thecableledtothesurface,whereaconsoleoperatorafewrowsaheadofPittcouldignitethechargeoncommand.
Pittglancedaroundthecontrolroomanddismissedanythoughtoftryingtocommandeerthebulkcutter.Threemenoperateditscontrolsfromanexpanded
consolenearthefrontoftheroom.Nearitwasasideexitdoor,guardedbyapairofarmedsoldiers.Fartherbackwasanunoccupiedtableusedfortheauxiliarycutter,followedbyahalf-dozenstaggeredworkstationsthatcontrolledtheROVs,theutilityplatform,andnumerousshipboardcameras.
NearestPittwasoneoftheROVcontrolstations:alargetabletoppedwithseveral
monitorsandajoystickcontrolsystem.Aslightmaninmilitaryfatiguesandcaphunkeredoverthecontrols,engrossedintrackingthemovementsofthebulkcutterwithhisROV’scamera.
Pittwatchedthecamera’sviewofthedetonatortubetrailingbesidethecutterandhadanidea.He’dneedsomehelp,butitwasallthattimeallowed.
ThekeywastheROVand
itsoperatorstationatthebackoftheroom.Weaponless,Pittsteppedtoanearbybookshelffilledwithtechnicalmanuals.Heselectedthethickestone,thencreptbacktothestation.Astheoperatorfocusedonthecontrols,henevernoticedPittstepbehindhimandsmashthebinderintohistemple.
Theoperatorletoutamutedgruntashetumbledfromhischair,a
communicationsheadsetflyingoffhim.Pittinstantlyslippedanarmaroundhisthroatandsqueezedinatightchokehold.ThedazedmangavelittleresistanceasPittdraggedhimoutthebackdoorwithafewquicksteps.Theactionwentundetected.Whilethefrontofthecontrolroomwasbrightlyilluminatedbythevideoscreen,therearwasvirtuallyblack.
Outside,theoperatorregainedhisbearingsandtriedtobreakfree.Pittdidn’tgivehimtheopportunity,swinginghimforwardanddrivinghimintoabulkhead.Themandidn’tthrowupanarmintimeandconnectedheadfirstwiththesteelwall.Hisskullmadealoudclang,andPittfelthimgolimp.
“I’msureDíazoffersworkmen’scomp,”Pittmuttered.Hedraggedthe
manbehindastoragelockerandremovedhiscap.Placingitonhisownhead,hehurriedbacktothecontrolroomandtookhisplaceattheROVcontrols.
Díazwasyellingandpointingatthebigscreen,andPittimmediatelysawwhy.TheunmannedROVhaddriftedtothebottomandwassittingidle,itsmaincamerapointedatarock.Pittkepthisfacehiddenbehindthe
monitorsashegropedforthetoggleandthrustercontrols.AnexperiencedhandatoperatingROVs,Pittmanagedtoraisethevehicleandmoveitforward,quietingDíaz’scomplaints.
HequicklygainedafeelfortheROV,whichoperatedmuchlikeabackyard,radio-controlledhelicopter.HeguidedtheROVacrossthebottom,pursuingthetracksofthebulkcutteruntilthecutter
anditstrailingdetonatortubecameintoview.
Thereweretwomonitorsonhisoperator’sdesk,whichrelayedvideofeedsfromseparatecamerasonthefrontandbackoftheROV.Onlythefrontviewwasdisplayedonthescreenatthefrontoftheroom.Heexperimentedwiththecommandsandfoundthedrop-downmenuforpicturequality.
Díazwantedtoseethe
detonatortubebeinginsertedandhevoicedhiswishesfromhiscommandseat.Pittbegandistortingthepicturequality.Infrustration,DíazorderedanotherROVtotakeoveranddroppedPitt’sROVfromthebigscreen.
HereadjustedthepictureandwasrelievedtoseethatthebulkcutterwasretracingitstrackstowardtheStarfish.PittquelledtheurgetopeekinonSummerandstudiedthe
flankofthebulkcutteranditstrailingexplosives.
ThecuttercreptslowlypasttheStarfishandproceededanothertwentyfeetbeforestopping.Itsmanipulatorreachedouttoitsfulllateralextension,swingingthedetonatortubefromitsside.
AtDíaz’scommand,thetubewasreleased.Theforwardsectioncoiledintothedrillhole,disappearing
severalfeetbeneaththebaseofthetrench.Theremainingsectionoftube,withitsfiringlineattached,fellatanangleatopthetrenchfilledwithANFO.Oncedetonated,theTNTinthetubewouldinitiateaconcentratedblastattheheartofthethermalvent’sfissure—andsetofftheANFOinabroaderuption.
PittfollowedthedropwiththeROV,turningittofacethetrench.HeeasedtheROV
backfromthefissuretoprovideapanoramicviewofthetrench.CarefultoavoidpassingthesecondROV’scamera,hedrovetheROVtowardtheStarfish.
Astheyellowsubmersibleloomedup,hespottedSummerinthepilot’sseat.Hefeverishlyhopedshewouldhelphimsaveherlife.
T70
herattlingsoundontheexteriorlocksignaledeveryonein
theSargassoSea’slabthatthedoorwasabouttoopen.Alltheoccupantsscurriedtothebackofthebay,wheretheyduckedbeneathalarge
desk.EveryoneexceptDirkandGiordino,whostoodatseparateanglestothedoorshieldedbyapairoflabbenches.
ThedoorflungopenandthehelmsmanRosswasagainshovedintothelabatthepointofamuzzle.Acommandofollowedhiminandlookedabout.Hiseyessquintedinpuzzlement.Itwasn’ttheconcealedcrewatthebackofthelabthat
baffledhimasmuchastheattireofDirkandGiordino.
Eachhadashoptowelwrappedaroundhisnoseandmouthwhilewearingcrudegogglescutfromplasticwaterbottles.Beforethecommandocouldrespond,Giordinosidearmedaglassbeakerinhisdirection.Thegunmanduckedasthebeakerstruckthedoorabovehishead,releasinguponhimashowerofglassandliquid.
“Ross,getdown!”Dirkyelled.
Thehelmsmandovetothefloorasthecommandosprayedtheroomwithgunfire.Anticipatingthemove,DirkandGiordinodroppedbeneaththelabbenches.Thefiringsoonstoppedasthegunmandroppedhisweaponandbeganrubbinghiseyes,whichwerefloodingwithtears.
Atthesoundoftheshooting,asecondcommandocamerushingthroughthedoor.Dirkpoppedfrombehindthebenchandlethisweaponfly.Anothersealedglassbeaker,itsmashedintothedoorframeinchesabovetheman.He,too,wasinstantlyovercome,chokingandhackingashiseyesswelled.
Thepain-inducingliquidwasahomemadebatchof
teargasconcoctedfromchemicalsinthelab.Aidedbytheship’sbiologistKamalaBhatt,Dirkhadmixediodinewithportionsofnitricacidandanacetonesolventandheateditinasealedcontainerwithamatch.Themixturewasacrudefacsimileofriot-controlteargas.
Theyhadtestedasmallsampleonavolunteercrewman,whosered,watery
eyesanhourlatervouchedforitsefficacy.Giordinohadfoundapairofemptybeakersinacabinet,whichprovedtheperfectdeliveryvehicle.
DirkandGiordinowaitedbrieflyforthegastodisperse,thensprangfromtheircover.Thefirstcommandowascrawlingtowardthedoorwhilethesecondstaggeredafterhim.Dirkranoverandscoopedupthefirstcommando’sweapon.
Giordinointurnlaunchedhimselfatthesecondcommandowithhiselbowsflying.Hestruckthemanhardintheside,propellingthembothoutthedoorway.
Dirksprintedoutafterthem,findingthetwocommandoswrithingonthedeckwithGiordinoontop.GiordinohadalreadywrestledtheAK-47fromhisvictimasthemanclawedathiseyes.Dirkwasreaching
downtohelpGiordinotohisfeetwhenaburstofgunfiretoreintothebulkheadjustabovetheirheads.
“Dropyourweapons!”Calzadoshoutedfromtwentyfeetaway.Alertedbythegunfire,hehadrushedtothesceneaccompaniedbytwomorecommandos.Allthreesteppedcloser,eachwithanassaultrifleaimedatDirkandGiordino.TheNUMAmenhadnochoicebuttodrop
theirweaponsandstandempty-handed.
Withconsiderableeffort,thetwotear-gassedguardsrosetotheirfeet,theireyesredandburning.
“Closeandlockthedoortothelab,”Calzadoordered.
Theguardsnoddedanddidasinstructed.Afterthedoorwassealed,oneofthecommandosmotionedtowardDirkandGiordino.“Whataboutthem?”
“Ihavenotimeforfurtherhindrances,”Calzadosaid.“Standoutoftheway.Iwilltakecareofthemrightnow.”
Raisinghisrifle,thecommandoleadertookaimatthetwocaptivesandtightenedhisfingeronthetrigger.
A71
bsentthenormalhummingofitsheat-producing
electronics,theStarfishfeltlikeanicebox.Summersatwithherteethchatteringasthebulkcuttermadeareturnappearance,inchingpastthe
submersiblewhiledraggingthelongdetonatortube.Shetriedtowatchthecutterinserttheendofthetubeinthetrench,butherviewwasblockedbyoneoftheROVs.
Theboxydeviceapproachedthesubmersibleandhoveredoutsideitsviewport.Summerresistedtheurgetoextendhermiddlefingeratit,insteadshieldinghereyesfromitsglaringlights.
Thenanoddthinghappened.TheROVflasheditslights.
Thistime,shedidn’thesitate,lettingloosewithherfingerwhilecursingDíazforhistauntinggesture.
ThoughclearlyobservingSummer’sresponse,theROVdidn’twaver.Instead,itflasheditslightsagain,inashort-long-shortsequence,asifsendingamodifiedSOSsignal.
Intrigued,SummerwatchedtheROVrepeattheflashingtwicemore.Shethenreachedupandtoggledaswitch,flashingthesubmersible’sforwardexternallights.
HermouthdroppedwhentheROVrespondedbytiltingupanddownasifnodding.Somewhere,someoneattheotherendofthecontrolswastryingtohelp.
Sheleanedforwardand
watchedtheROVasiteasedcloser.Itturnedslightlytoangleitsbrightlightsawayfromthecockpitandbrushedagainstthesubmersible’slow-mountedmanipulatorarm.Again,theROVflasheditslights.
Summeractivatedthecontrols,raisingtheroboticarmfromitscradle.
AgaintheROVnoddedapproval.WhenSummercontinuedtoraisethe
manipulator,theROVpivotedsidetoside,expressingitsdisapproval.
ThroughtrialanderrorundertheROV’sguidance,Summerextendedthemanipulatorlaterallytoitsfullreachandopeneditsclawgrip.
Aheadofthesubmersible,thebulkcutterhadcompleteditstaskandwasretracingitstrackstothedroppoint.Thosetrackswouldbringit
alongsidetheStarfishinanotherminuteortwo.
SummerwatchedastheROVseemedtoconsiderthecutterforamoment,thendartedtothesubmersible’sside.Summerhadtopressherfaceagainsttheviewporttoseeitsnextmove.
TheROVpivotedanddroppedtotheseabed.ItthrusttowardtheStarfish,shovingathinlayerofsandinfrontofitlikeasnowplow.
Atfirstbaffled,Summersawtheintent.TheROVhadbegunitspushontheoppositesideofthedetonatortube’sfiringcable.ItwasshovingittowardtheStarfish.Ormorespecifically,towardthesubmersible’smanipulatorarm.
TheROVwantedhertograspthecable.ShewaitedastheROVpushedagain.Whenthecablecameintoreach,shesnatcheditwiththearm’s
clawgrip.TheROVgaveaquick
flashofitslights,thenroseandhoveredovertheapproachingbulkcutter.Asthebigminingmachinechurnedclose,theROVdroppedalongitssideandbumpedupagainstastubbymetalappendagethatprotrudedataforwardangle.
Itwasaspud,orstabilizerleg,thatcouldbeloweredforextraleveragewhenthecutter
wasbatteringthroughhardrock.TheROVmovedupanddownalongthespud’sflatmetalfootandflasheditslights.
Summerunderstood.Sheretractedthemanipulatorarmclearofthebulkcutter’spathandwaited.
Thechurningsteeltreadsshooktheseabedasthemachinecreptacrossthebottom.Theoperatorheldtohispriortracks,driving
alongsidetheStarfish.Asitsforwardtreadsinchedpastherviewport,Summerraisedthemanipulatorandaimedittowardthebulkcutter.
Whenthestabilizerassemblydrewwithinreach,sheextendedthemanipulatoranddrapedthefiringcablearoundthespud’sfoot.Thebulkcuttermovedsoslowly,shehadampletimetoloopthecableasecondtimebeforereleasinghergrip.As
themachinecreptforward,theloopdrewtight,snaggingfastonthemetalappendage.
TheROVappearedoutsidetheviewportandnoddeditsapproval.Withafinalflash,itwhirredofftofollowthebulkcutter.Summerwaitedaminute,thenflickedontheStarfish’sexternallights.Shesawthedetonatortubeunravelingfromthetrenchandslidingpasther,tailingthecutter.Shekilledthe
lightsandwatchedtheglowoftheassortedminingequipmentagainrecedeintothedistance.
Summercheckedherremainingbatterypower,thensatbackinthecold,darkconfinesofthesubmersible,contemplatingthemysteriousROV.Ithadsavedherfromdyinginanexplosion,butcoulditfindawaytogetheroffthebottom?
P72
ittwascontemplatingthesamequestionwhenthereardoorof
thecontrolroomburstopen.Anarmedsoldiersteppedin,supportingthewoozyframeoftheROVoperator.Thedazedmanregainedhisfocus
atthesightofPittathisworkstation.
“That’shim!”HepointedafingeratPitt.“That’sthemanwhoattackedme.Shoothim!”
Pittjumpedtohisfeetbutrefrainedfromfurthermovementwhenthesoldierleveledhisassaultrifleonhimatpoint-blankrange.Thetwoguardsatthefrontoftheroomsprintedupasecondlater.Pittwasnow
surrounded.“What’sgoingonhere?”
Díazsteppedovertoseewhatthecommotionwasabout.HisjawdroppedwhenhesawPittstandingbytheROVconsole.
“Ibelieveyouhaveasubmersibleofmine,”Pittsaidcalmly.“I’dlikeitback.”
TheROVoperatorsteppedforward.“Heattackedmeanddraggedmeoutofheresohecouldcontrolthenumbertwo
ROV.”Díaznodded,nottaking
hiseyesoffPitt.“Youmayhavecheateddeathonce,butyouwon’tasecondtime.IwillpersonallydeliveryoutoHavanaandtakeafront-rowseatatyourexecution.Butbeforethat,youwilljoinmeupfront...towatchyourdaughterdie.”
Heturnedtotheoperator.“Quicklycheckonthesubmersible.We’reaboutto
raisetheequipment.”Díazstrodetothefrontof
theroom,takingaseatinhiscommandchair.Theguardsweremorediligentthistime,takinguppositionsoneithersideofPitt.
PittlookedupatthevideoscreenandwatchedthefeedfromthenumbertwoROVasitcircledabouttheStarfish.Foraninstant,PittsawSummerpeeringoutoftheviewportasifexpectinga
messagefromtheROV.Butthistime,itjustlookedathercoldly.
PittrememberedthedetonatortubeandheldhisbreaththattheROVwouldn’tturntheotherdirectionandfinditmissing.ButtheROVoperatordidn’tthinktosurveytheexplosives.HehoveredtheROVoverthesubmersibleaminuteortwo,thenraiseditoffthebottomandthrustittowardthe
distantbulkcutter.Díazlookedonin
satisfaction.“Ihopeyousaidgood-byetoher,Mr.Pitt,”hesaid,thenaddressedtheentireroom.“Allequipmenttothesurface.Preparefordetonation.”
Fourgiantwinchesbeganturningaroundthemaindeck,spoolingthecablesattachedtothebulkcutter,theutilityplatform,andthetwoROVs.Insidethecontrolroom,the
underwatervideofeedsturnedtosnowyimagesastheequipmentwastuggedupthroughthewater.
Whenallfourdeviceswerethirtymetersoffthebottom,Díazphonedthebridge.“Repositiontheshiptwohundredmetersup-current.Wearepreparingtodetonate.”
TheSeaRaker’spropellerschurnedtheseaasthebigshipslowlymovedoff
station.Afewminuteslater,thecaptainreportedtheywereholdingthenewpositionasordered.Díazaskedthechiefminingengineerforanupdateonthedeployedequipment.
“BothROVsareaboardandtheutilityplatformhasjustclearedthewater.Thebulkcutterisascendingslowlyandispresentlyshowingadepthoftwentymeters.”
“We’rewellclearoftheshockzone.Let’sproceedwiththedetonation.”DíazturnedtoPitt.“Wouldyoulikethehonors?”
Pittgavehimahardstare.“No.Ithinkthelastactbelongstoyou.”
Díazsteppedtotheutilityplatform’scontrolpanelandplacedhisfingeroverthefiringcableactivator.HesmiledatPittandpushedthebutton.
D73
irksunktohisknees,waitingfortheslugsfrom
Calzado’sassaultrifletotearintohischestashemadeadesperategrabforhisdroppedweapon.Instead,anagonizingboltofpainshot
throughhishead.Hisearsfeltliketheyweregoingtoexplode,whilehisskullseemedtovibratewithanintensitythatratedatenonthenumericpainscale.
Hethoughthehadbeenshotinthehead,butasheraisedhishandstomufflehisears,hefeltnoblood.Lookingup,hesawthatCalzadoandhiscommandos,aswellasGiordino,hadalsofallentotheirkneesandwere
crushingtheirhandsagainsttheirears.
Compressinghisearsdidlittletoalleviatethepain,butitwasaninstinctiveactofsurvivalagainsttheunseenforce.Giordinodroppedhishandsandreachedforthegunathisfeet,butthepainfulauditoryassaultforcedhimtoabandontheactandreturnhispalmstohisears.
Ashecringedfromthepain,Dirknoticedatrioof
figuresemergefromtheshadowsoftheaftdeckandslowlyapproach.Theyweredressedincommando-stylefatiguessimilartotheCubans,onlyblack.Curiously,theyworemotorcycle-typehelmetswiththick,darkvisors.Twocarriedassaultriflesandwerefollowingathirdman,wholedwithanoctagonalpaddleheldinfrontofhimthatwaswiredtoabulkybackpack.
Theintruderswereoblivioustothepain.Drawingcloser,thetwoarmedmenkickedawaytheCubans’weapons,pulledoutflexcuffs,andboundthecommandosastheysquirmedonthedeck.ThethirdintrudereasedalongsideDirkandGiordino,keepinghiselectronicpaddleaimedattheCubans.
ThepaineasedfromDirk’searsandherealized
thepaddlewassomehowgeneratingtheauditoryassault.WhenalltheCubansweresubdued,themanclickedabuttononthepaddleandloweredittohisside.
Flippingopenhisvisor,RudiGunnsmiledathistwoNUMAfriends.“Sorryfortheearache.Yourlittleescapeattemptforcedustoengagesoonerthanweplanned.”
“Rudi,you’reasightforsoreeyes,butthat’sasfaras
itgoes,”Giordinosaid,hisearsringinglikethebellsofBigBenathighnoon.“Whatisthattorturecontraption?”
“It’scalledanMRAD,ormediumrangeacousticdevice.ThisisaportableversionofasystembuiltfortheNavy,usedtowardoffsmall-boatattacksorSomali-typepirates.It’sahigh-intensitydirectionalacousticarraycapableofemittingsoundwavesatanextremely
highvolume,whichareinturnrelativelyfocused.”
“Aloudspeakeronsteroids,”Dirksaid,rubbinghisears.
“Prettymuch.JackandIborroweditfromafriendattheNavalResearchLaboratory.”
JackDahlgren,theburlymarineengineerwhowasoldfriendswithDirk,approachedcarryinganassaultrifle.“Gladtoseeyouboyshappy
andhealthy.Rudi,webestmovetothebridge.Doesanybodyknowhowmanycommandosareaboard?”
“Icountednine.”GiordinopickeduponeoftheCubanguns.“YoukeepthatearblasterawayfrommeandI’llbackyouup.”
GunnpassedsomesmallheadphonestoDirkandGiordino.“Thesewillhelp.”
Hereactivatedthesystemandledhisarmed
companionstotheforwardsuperstructure.Theship’sbulkheadsactedasadeterrenttotheMRADsystem,soGunndidn’thesitate,scramblingupthecompanionwayandburstingontothebridge.
Theremainingfourcommandoswereondutyandalerttothecommotionondeck.TwowerestandingwatchwithassaultriflesandinstantlyturnedtowardGunn.
Hedovetothefloor,holdingtheMRADpaddlealoft.Dahlgrenandhispartnerturnedthecornerandfired.Theiraimwastrueandtheytookdownthetwoshooters.
TheothertwoCubans,unarmed,hadfallentothefloorduringtheaudiobombardmentandnowclimbedtotheirfeet.TheyraisedtheirhandsasDirkandGiordinoenteredwiththeirweaponsdrawn.
DirksteppedoverandhelpedGunntohisfeet.“Rudi,areyouokay?
“I’mgood.Iseverybodyontheshipsafe?”
“Theywon’tbeforlong,”Giordinosaid.“Wordis,ourfriendsplantedexplosivesontheshipandwereabouttosendhertothebottom.”
HesteppedtothesmallerofthetwoCubans.Grabbinghimbythelapel,heraisedhimoffthefloorandground
histeethintheman’sface.“Wherearetheexplosives?Dóndeestánlosexplosivos?”
ThesoldiersawtheunflinchingdeterminationinGiordino’seye.“Lasalademáquinas,”hegrunted.
“Theengineroom,”Dirksaid.“Let’sgo.”
HeandGiordinosprintedfromthetopoftheshiptothebottom,reachingtheengineroomtwominuteslater.Theydidn’thavetosearchlong
beforefindingseveralcratesofexplosivespositionedasideaseawaterinductionvalve.Itwouldhavequicklyfloodedtheship.
Giordinofoundasimpledigitaltimerwiredtoadetonatorthatwaspackedintothehighexplosives.Henervouslyremovedthedetonator.“Twomorehoursandshe’dbeonherwaytothebottom.”
“GoodthingRudiandJack
arrivedwhentheydid.”Theyclimbedbacktothe
maindeckandreleasedthecrewfromthetwolabs,butnotbeforeGiordinoflungthetimeranddetonatorovertheside.TheyhelpedDahlgrenlockupthesurvivingCubans,thenrejoinedGunnonthebridge.
Hestoodoveracommunicationsconsole,shakinghishead.“Thesatellitecommunications
systemwasdestroyedintheshoot-out.”
“We’vestillgotmarineradios,”Giordinosaid.“Bytheway,how’dyoufindus?”
“Trackedyouwithsatelliteimaging,untilweleftBiminiontheNUMAresearchshipCaroline.Fortunately,youhadn’tmovedbythetimewecrossedthestraits.”
“Where’stheCarolinenow?”
“She’sholdinginfriendly
waters,abouttenmilesduenorth.”HegaveGiordinoastudiousgaze.“I’vebeenafraidtoask.Where’sPittandSummer?”
“Asoftwodaysago,aminingshipcalledtheSeaRaker,”Giordinosaid.“TheywereabductedaboardtheStarfishwhileinvestigatingthesubseamining.TheSeaRakerwasoperatingatthesiteoftheAlta’ssinking.Weneedtofindherandfast.”
Gunnnoddedashetookthehelmanddialeduptheship’sengines.Hestabbedafingeratahorizontalradarscreenthathadsurvivedtheshoot-out.“IftheCarolinedoesn’tfindherfirst,”hesaidinadeterminedvoice,“wewill.”
F74
iftyfeetbeneaththehulloftheSeaRaker,anelectricalcharge
ignitedaleadazidedetonator.ThesmallprimarydetonationinstantlyignitedtheeighthundredpoundsofTNTpackedintothesleevethat
dangledfromthebulkcutter.Ashockwaverippled
throughthewaterastheexplosioncreatedalargegasbubbleinthedepths.Thebubbleroserapidly,expandinginsizeandpowerasitascendedthroughlessdenselayersofseawater.
OnboardtheSeaRaker,theshockwavewasfeltfirst,rattlingthroughtheshiplikeaburstofthunder.
“Whatwasthat?”Díaz
askedasthedeckshudderedbeneathhisfeet.
Thechiefminingengineershookhishead.“Idon’tknow.Thereshouldbenoimpacttotheshipatthisrange.”
Pittsmiledatthetwomenandpointedtothevideoscreen.“Perhapsyourexplosivesgottiedupbelow.”
Díazlookedatthescreen.Thevideofeedfromthebulk
cutterhadgoneblank.“Whathaveyoudone?”he
screamedatPitt.Heturnedandgrabbedanassaultriflefromoneoftheguards.
Pittdidn’thavetoanswer.Asecondlater,theexplosives-inducedgasbubblestrucktheundersideoftheSeaRakerlikeaboottothebelly.Theship’smidsectionwasdrivenalmostoutofthesea,itskeelfracturinginthreeplaces.
Hullplatesrupturedalongthevessel’sspine,allowingtheseatofloodinfromsterntostem.Alarmssoundedthroughouttheshipaspowerfromthemaingeneratorswasinstantlysevered.
Onthebridge,shipboarddiagnosticstoldthecaptainhisworstfear.Floodingwaspervasiveandtherewasnohopeofstayingafloat.Heissuedtheordertoabandonship,whichblaredthrough
thevessel’sPAsystemonarecordedmessage.
Inthecontrolroom,everyonehadbeenknockedofftheirfeet.Theelectricalpowerhadvanished,pitchingthebayintototaldarkness.AsDíazclimbedtohisfeetstillclutchingtherifle,emergencylightsslowlyflickeredon,castingtheroominaredglow.
ThechiefminingengineerstoodandgrabbedDíaz’s
arm.“Come,wemustgetoutofhere.”
Díazshookhishead,hisfaceamaskofrage.Heknockedtheengineerawayandswepttheroomwithhisweapon.“Whereishe?”
HisangermagnifiedwhenherealizedthatPittwasnolongerthere.
P75
ittwasalreadyontheruntosavehisdaughter.Hisonly
hope,albeitaslimone,waswiththeauxiliarycuttermachinethatwasaboardtheship.Ifhecouldquicklyloweranddrivethecutterto
theStarfish,hemightbeabletolatchontothesubmersibleandraiseittothesurface.
Itwasabigif.Crawlingoutofthe
blackenedcontrolroom,hefoundanearlystateofchaosondeck.Therewasalreadyapanickedexodusasthecrewflockedtothelifeboats.Shoutsandcursesfilledtheairasthesoldiers,mostwithnopriorseagoingexperience,ranaboutsearchingforthe
boats.WhateverloyaltythesoldiersowedtoDíazhadvanishedinasuddenefforttosavetheirownskins.
Pittrealizedhewasontheoppositedeckfromtheauxiliarycutterandsprintedacrossanamidshipspassageway.HestoppedmomentarilyattherailandradioedRamsey,requestinghereturnwiththeGoldDiggertopickupsurvivorsandmakeanemergencycall
foradeepwatersubmersiblerescue.Heknewthechancesofthelatterarrivingintimewereminimal.
Asheracedforwardacrossthedeck,hesawtheSeaRakerhadgeneratedanoticeablelistbutseemedtobesettlingslowly.ShewasgoingtoaffordPittafewminutesafloat.
Hefoughtpastagroupofmenlineduptoboardalifeboat,thenranalongthe
explosivesbarge,stillsecuredtotheship.Justbeyondthebarge,hefoundthedarkbaywheretheauxiliarycutterwashoused.Onlypartialpowerhadbeenrestoredtotheship,andPittfearedthemachinewouldbedead.Locatingacontrolstationattheedgeofthebay,hefoundthatwasn’tthecase.Arowoflightsilluminatedthecontrolpanel,showingtheauxiliarycutterstillhadfullpower.
Pittfidgetedwiththecontrols,decodingthemachine’sdrivemechanismandactivatingitsforwardlightsandcamera.Aseparateoverheadhydraulicliftwasusedtolowerthecutterovertheside.Searchingforitscontrols,hestoppedasseveralmenrushedintothebay.
“Thereheis,”avoicecriedout.
ItwasDíazandaguard,
bothlevelingassaultrifles.Ashedovetotheground,
Pittpunchedthewinchactivationbuttonandslappedtheauxiliarycutter’sforwardcontrollever.Aseamofbulletsrippedintothecontrolpanelaninstantlater,showeringhimwithplasticdebris.Althoughthebaywasdimlylit,hewasstillinviewofthegunmenandherolledtothesideasmoreshotsfollowed.
Thebackofthehangarproveddarker,andPittscrambledbehindtherearofthecutter.Thebigmachinewassurgingforward,itssteeltreadsclatteringagainstthewooddecking.Withitscutterheadbarelytenfeetfromtherail,thevehiclewaswellonitswaytomarchingovertheside.
Díazyelledtooneofhismenontheright,soPittcrawledalongthecutter’sleft
side.Ahailofgunfiresoundedthroughthebay,butitwasn’tdirectedatPitt.Someonewasaiminghigh,thebulletshittingtheceiling.
TheauxiliarycuttergroundtoahaltassomethingstruckthedeckwithathumpjustinfrontofPitt.Itwasthecutter’soverheadpowercable,deliberatelyseveredbythegunshotstodisablethemachine.Sparksflewfromtheendofthecable,which
beganspoolinglooselyaboutthedeckasitssupplywinchcontinuedtoturn.
Pittheardanoiseinfrontofhim.Aguardhadhoppedontothecuttermachine’sfrontframeandwasliningupashotonhim.
Pittlungedforward,grabbingtheseveredcableleadandjammingitagainstthesteelframe.Thegunmanscreamedasafatalsurgeofhigh-voltagepowercoursed
throughthecutter.Pittpulledawaythecable
andsteppedtothefrontofthecutter,intentongrabbingthedeadman’sweapon.Hehesitatedathearingashuffleonthedeck.Díazwaschargingaroundtheleftsideofthecutter,whiletwoothersapproachedfromtheback.
Thinkingfast,Pittsnake-whippedthepowercabletowardthesiderail,watchingasitssparkingtipslipped
overtheside.Pittthenbackedaroundtherightsideofthecutterandraisedhisarmsoverhishead.
ThetwosoldiersconvergedonhimfirstandheldhimatgunpointuntilDíazapproached.
Díazsawthedeadguardbeneaththeauxiliarycutter’sframeandstaredatPittwithhiseyesaglow.“I’mafraidyouwon’tbegoingtoHavanaafterall.Itends
now.”Heraisedhisrifleand
aimedatPitt’schest.Ashereachedforthetrigger,awhooshingsounderuptedbehindhim.Thenhedisappearedinamaelstromoffire.
WhenPitthadthrownthelivepowercableaside,hehadn’tjusttosseditovertherail.Hehadtosseditintotheadjacentbarge.Theunravelingcablesnaked
arounditsinterior,ignitingthescatteringsofANFOthatlitteredthedeck.ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeasmolderingpileignitedoneofthecratesofTNT,detonatingthebarge’sentirecontentsofexplosives.
Thebargeblewapartinathunderousblastthatsentathickwhitecloudheavingintothenightsky.ItshooktheentirelengthoftheSeaRaker,shatteringher
superstructure.Thevessellurchedtotheside,jettisoningtheauxiliarycutterandotherlooseequipmentneartherail,beforesettlingsharplybythebow.Thesternroseoutofthewateraminutelater,andtheshipglidedunderthesurfaceonacollisioncoursewiththeseafloor.
Acircleoffoamandbubblesrippledthesurfaceintheship’swake.Thenonlysilencedrapedthewavesfor
theremainingsurvivorsleftfloatingonadarksea.
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heauxiliarycuttersavedPitt’slifetwice.Standing
besideitshugemass,hewasshieldedfromthedirectforceoftheblastwhilethosearoundhimwereincinerated.Still,hewasknockedoffhis
feetbytheconcussion,thennearlycrushedbyoneofthesteeltreadswhenthecutterbeganslidingtowardtherail.
Chokingthroughtheblindingsmoke,Pittheavedhimselfontothetopsidesoftheopentreadandgrabbedanupperbrace.HehungonasthecutterslidthroughtheSeaRaker’ssiderailandtoppledovertheedge.Thecuttertriedtocarryhimtothebottom,buthepushedawayand
swamtothesurface.HestrokedawayfromtheSeaRakertoavoiditssuction,thenturnedandwatchedasthelastfrightenedcrewmenjumpedoverboardbeforetheshipslippedunder.
HehadbeentreadingwateronlyafewminuteswhentheGoldDiggerburstonthescenewithathroatyroarfromitsmotors.ItstoppednearoneoftheSeaRaker’slifeboatsasa
searchlightonitssternscannedthewaters.DesperatetogettoSummer,PittswamtotheyachtandtookhisplacewiththeSeaRaker’ssurvivorsclamoringtogetaboard.
Ramseywasondeckleadingtherescue.HeflashedarelievedlookwhenPittstaggeredaboard.“Iwasworriedaboutyouwhenwesawthatsecondexplosion.”
Pittcouldonlynod.His
earswereringing,hisbodyached,andhewasoutofbreath.Morethanthat,heknewhehadfailedSummer,whowastrappedontheseafloorbeneaththem.
“Sorryabouttheship,”hefinallymuttered.
“You...youdidit?”RamseygavePittachagrinedlook.“Yourfriendshipisreallybeginningtocostme.”
Pittshookofftheremark.“DidyoucontacttheNavy’s
undersearescueunit?Howsooncantheygethere?”
Ramseyshookhishead.“Ididbetterthanthat.Ihookedupwithamuchcloservesselthatyoumightbefamiliarwith.”Hepointedoffthestarboardrail.
Forthefirsttime,Pittnoticedthelightsofanapproachingvessel.Itsilluminatedprofilehadafamiliarlook,andasitdrewnear,hecouldmakeoutahint
ofitsturquoise-coloredhullinthedarkness.“TheSargassoSea?”
“Yes.Theyrespondedovertheradio.ItseemstheyweresearchingfortheSeaRaker—lookingforyouandyourdaughter.”
“Who’sincommand?”“AfellownamedGunn.
HeseemedsurprisedwhenImentionedyourname.”
Ramseymotionedtooneofhiscrewmen,thenturned
backtoPitt.“I’llgetaZodiacinthewatersoyoucangettoherrightaway.”
AtiredsmilecrossedPitt’sface.HereachedoutandshookRamsey’shand.
“Mark,you’reagoodman.Andifit’sanyconsolation,I’llmakeyouaguarantee.”
“What’sthat?”Ramseysaid.
“Ipromiseyou’llneverlosetomeonthetrackagain.”
P77
ittgunnedtheZodiac’smotor,racingtotheSargasso
Seaasitslowedtoadriftneartheluxuryyacht.Dirk,Gunn,andGiordinowereallwaitingattherailandhelpedPittaboard.
GiordinoeyedPitt’ssingedandwaterloggedclothes.“Youlooklikeyoutookanapinarockcrusher,”hesaid.
“Ineededthesleep.”“Where’sSummer?”Dirk
asked.“TheGoldDiggersaidyouhadadeepwateremergency.”
“She’sstuckonthebottomintheStarfish,”hesaid.“WhileI’mgladtoseetheship,thatwastheSargasso
Sea’sonlysubmersible.Weneedsomeoutsidehelp—andquick.”
“Actually,wedon’t.”Gunnextendedanarmlikeawaiter.“Ifyou’llbekindenoughtofollowme...”
GunnquicklyescortedthegroupaftwithPittinafranticrushtosaveSummer.Atthesterndeck,theyfoundJackDahlgreninspectingthesubmersibleGunnhadborrowedfromtheCaroline.
NamedtheBullet,itwasahybridthatmatedasubmersible’scabintoapowerboat’shull.Withbothconventionalandelectricmotors,thesleekcraftwasabletoskimthesurfaceathighspeed.
Pittwasfamiliarwiththevessel,havingpiloteditinTurkeyafewyearsearlier.“Where’dthiscomefrom?”heasked.
“JackandIneeded
somethingfastandstealthytogetaboardtheSargassoSea.ShewasoperatingoutofBiminiontheCaroline,sowebroughttheshipincloseandpilotedhertherestoftheway.”
DahlgrenlookedupatPittandnodded.“Goodtoseeyou,boss.Heardyouneedafastridedownstairs.”
“Summer’slifedependsonit.”
“She’sgoodtogo,”
Dahlgrensaid,pattingthesubmersible.“Hopinandwe’llgetyouovertheside.”
PittturnedtoGunnashemadehiswaytotheBullet’shatch.“Ramsey’sgoingtoneedsomehelpwiththesurvivors.”
Gunnnodded.“We’lllendahand,onceyou’reoff.”
GiordinojoinedPittinthesubmersibleandtheywerequicklyloweredovertheside.PitttookabeadonRamsey’s
yachtandbarreledalongthesurface,descendingjustastheynearedtheGoldDigger.
Thesubmersiblewouldnormallydescendbygravityalone,buttheylackedtheluxuryoftime.Afterfloodingtheballasttanks,PittpushedthenoseoftheBulletforwardandappliedfullpropulsion.Thevehicleshotdownward.Atsevenhundredfeet,Pitteasedbackonthethrusters,andleveledoffaminutelater
astheseafloorloomedbeneaththem.
TheBulletwasn’tequippedwithsonar,sotheyhadtolocateSummervisually.GiordinomarkedtheirpositionasPittpropelledthesubmersibleinawidearc.
“There’ssomethingontheright.”Giordinopointedoutthesubmersible’slargeacrylicviewport.
Pittadjustedcoursetowardadarkobjectatthefringeof
theirvisibility.Itwastheauxiliarycutter,whichhadrighteditselfduringitsdescentandlandeduprightonthebottom.Pittcircledaroundthelargecutterheadandpausedatthegruesomesight.Amanwasimpaledontheblades,hissingeduniformindicatinghe’dbeenblastedontothembythebarge’sexplosion.
“SayhellotoJuanDíaz,”Pittsaid,recognizingthe
figure.Thefacewastwistedinafinaldeathcry.“Hewasresponsibleforthisoperation.”
“Iseeyoucuthimupwithyourwitandcharm,”Giordinosaid.
“Thatandatonofexplosives.”
GiordinomarkedtheirpositionasPittacceleratedforward.Summerhadtobewithintwoorthreehundredyards.Hetraveledthat
distance,thenloopedtohisleft.Thebottombecamerockier,risingwithmoundsandhillsthatshowedoccasionalsignsofmarinelife.
“Watertemperatureisupafewdegrees,”Giordinosaid.“Wemustbeintheneighborhoodofthethermalvent.”
Afewmomentslater,theycameacrosssometreadmarks.Pittfollowedthemto
thetrenchfilledwithexplosives.TheyellowStarfishwasvisiblyperchedonthefarside.Pittzoomedover,bringingthetwosubmersiblesnosetonose.
Summerwasslumpedoverinthepilot’sseat.Asthebrightlightsshoneintothecockpit,sherolledherheadbackandopenedhereyes.Sheblinkedtwice,thenclosedhereyesandleanedbackintheseat.
“Shelookstobesufferingcarbonmonoxidepoisoning,”Giordinosaid.
“We’llhavetofindawaytogetheruponourown.”PittbackedthesubmersibleawayandslowlycircledtheStarfish.
“Hangon,partner,”Giordinosaid.“Takealookattheaftframe.”
PittfollowedGiordino’sleadandexaminedthebaseoftheStarfish.Severalstrands
ofwirewerewrappedaroundasideframeandextendedunderneaththesubmersible.PittpivotedaroundtheStarfish,observingthattheendsofthewiresweresecuredontheoppositeside.“It’sthesecondaryemergencyballastweight.They’vewireditupsoSummercan’treleaseit.”
“Thatexplainswhyshe’sstuckhere,”Giordinosaid.“Theyprobablyspikedthe
ballasttank,too.”“Youupforsome
surgery?”“Withnowaiting.”Pittbroughtthe
submersibleascloseashecould,holdingitatanangledhoverwhileGiordinowenttowork.Usinghisownsmallmanipulator,Giordinograspedoneofthewires,thenrotatedthemechanicalclaw.Thewireeasilysnappedunderthemanipulator’s
hydraulicpower.Giordinomadequickwork
oftheremainingwires.ButtheStarfishfailedtoascend.
Pittbroughthissubmersibleinslowlyandgaveitafirmnudge.Nothinghappened.
“Shemightbestuckinthemud,”Giordinosaid.
“Thenlet’spullherout.”HehoveredabovetheStarfish,creepingacrossitstopuntilGiordinocouldsnare
aliftringwiththemanipulator.
“Igother,”hesaid,“thoughthatmechanicalarmisn’tmadeforhauling.”
Pittnodded.Heslowlypurgedhisballasttanks.TheBulletroseslightlyandstoppedasthemanipulatorreacheditsfullextension.
Pittkeptontheballastpumps,thentappedhisthrusters.Thesubmersiblepulledforward,tiltingthe
Starfish.Thentheyellowsubmersiblebrokefreeofthemud’ssuction—andstartedtoascend.
Thetwosubmersiblesrosetogether,buttheascentwastooslowforPitt’sliking.Hepoweredthethrustersandangledtowardthesurface.Therisewasstillagonizingforhim.TherewerenolightsoninsidetheStarfish,indicatingSummer’sbatteryreserveshadexpired.
Giordinoreleasedthemanipulator’sgripatfiftyfeet,andthetwovesselsbrokethesurfacetogether.PitthadGiordinobringthemalongsideasheopenedthehatchandhoppedout.
AsearchlightfromtheSargassoSeailluminatedthemasPittleapedaboardtheStarfish.Heattackedthemainhatch,releasingitssafetylatchandspinningitopen.Hequicklyslitheredintothe
interior,whichhadturnedicy.
Summerwrappedherarmsaroundherfatherashepickedherup.Sheshiveredsuddenly,breathinghard.“Dad.”
Hecarriedhertothehatch,whereGiordinostood,reachingdownwithhisthickarms.
“Handherup.”Hepulledheroutlikearagdoll.
Pittclimbedouttosee
Summeropenhereyesandforceasmile.
Cradledbythetwomenatopthesubmersible,sheinhaleddeepbreathsofnightair.“Idon’tfeelquiteasfoggy,”shesaid,“butI’mgettingaheadacheyouwouldn’tbelieve.”
“Younearlysleptforgood,”GiordinosaidastheSargassoSeaclosedintopickthemup.
“Isawabrightlight,”she
saidinaweakvoice.“Ithoughtitwasanangelcallingme,thenIrealizeditwassomethingelse.”
“What’sthat?”Pittasked,leaningclose.
“Itwasyou,”shesaid,reachinguptoherfather’sfaceandstrokingawayatear.
G78
eneralAlbertoGutierwalkedintotheofficeofthe
vicepresidentandsizeditupforhimself.ItwasaspaciousenclaveonthetopflooroftheCubanCommunistPartyheadquarters,featuringa
privatebathroomandanimpressivecityview.GutiertookaquickglanceoutthewindowattheJoséMartiMemorial,whichstoodilluminatedagainstthenightsky.Theofficewoulddoquitenicely,hethought,oncetheantiquateddécorofitscurrentoccupantwasremoved.
AlthoughVicePresidentCésarAlvarezwasovereightyandinfrailhealth,his
mindwasstillquick.HeremainedseatedbehindalargedeskasGutierwasescortedintotheroom.
“Mr.VicePresident,”Gutiersaid,“youarelookingwellthisevening.”
“Thankyou,General,”Alvarezsaidinaraspyvoice.“Please,takeaseat.”
“Whydoyouwishtoseemeatthislatehour?”
“ThenewsfromtheCaymanIslandsisnotgood.”
“Itisaterribletragedy.”“Whatisthelatest
informationthatyouhave?”Alvarezasked.
“Nothingmorethantheofficialreports,”Gutiersaid.“Therewasanexplosiononayachtshortlyafterthepresidentsteppedaboard.Noonehasseenhimsince,soitispresumedheperishedintheblast.”
“Rescueteamshavebeenunabletoidentifyany
remains,sotherecanbenohope.”Thevicepresidentshookhishead.“Whowouldwanttoharmthepresident?”
“WhobuttheCIA?”Gutiersaid.“TheytriedtokillFidelandnowtheyhavesucceededwithRaúl.”
“Whatareyousaying?Youcan’thonestlybelieveitwastheAmericans?”
“Mostcertainly.Ihadincustodythemanresponsible.HewasanAmericanmarine
engineerwhowasfoundwithexplosivesoffourshores.Regrettably,hewaskilledintransittoHavanainahelicoptercrash.”
“Thatisaseriousallegation.”
“Donotworry.WewillmanagetheaffairsofstateconfidentlytogetherandstandtallagainsttheculturalintrusionbytheAmericans.Verysoon,wewillbestrongerthanyoucan
imagine.”“We?”“Whenyouassumethe
presidency,Cubawillneedanewvicepresident.Istandreadytoserveournationinthiscapacity.”
“ThepresidenthadindicatedhisdesireforasuccessionthatincludesForeignMinisterRuiz.Ithought,perhaps,youknewthat.”
“Ruizcanhardlybe
appointedtoanythingnow,givenhisrecklessadmirationforAmerica.”Gutiergavetheoldpoliticianahaughtystare.“IneednotremindyouwheretheRevolutionaryArmywouldstandonthematter.”
AlvarezreturnedGutier’slookwithhisownwizenedgaze.“Yes,Iseewhatyoumean.Thatcouldindeedproveunpopular.”Helookedathiswatchasifrealizinghe’dmissedanappointment
androsefromhischair.“General,ifyou’llplease
excusemeforamoment,I’llberightback.”Theagedmanshuffledoutoftheoffice,closingthedoorbehindhim.
Gutiersatbackandgrinned.Thevicepresidencywouldbehis.Thenitwouldbeonlyamatteroftimebeforeheascendedtothepresidency.Hewouldtakedelightinhisfirstact,demotingRuiztoserveasa
Partyrepresentativeonapigfarmsomewhereinthehinterlands.
Hisjubilantvisionwasinterruptedbyashufflingsoundnearby.Afigureemergedfromtheoffice’ssmallbathroom.
Dressedinagraysuitandcrispwhiteshirt,RaúlCastroappearednothingliketheghostheshouldhavebeen.“Goodevening,General.”CastrosettledintoAlvarez’s
chair.“Mr.President,”Gutier
stammered.“Ithoughtyouweredead.”
“Ofcourseyoudid.CleverofyoutoblametheCIAwhentheyaretheoneswhoalertedmetoyourassassinationattempt.Ididn’twanttobelieveit,buthearingyouraspirationsjustnowconfirmsthetruth.”
“Ihadnothingtodowiththat.”
“Ofcourseyoudid.TheofficialreportsfromtheCaymanIslandsallindicatetherewasafireaboardtheyacht.Nobodysaidawordaboutanexplosion.Nobodybutyou.”
Gutierwastoostunnedtothinkclearly.“ButIsawavideoofyouboardingtheboatjustbeforeitexploded.”
Castrosmiled.“Anicedouble,wasn’the?JorgeCastenada.Aderanged
farmerwhokilledhisfamilyseveralyearsagoandwasservingalifesentenceinBoniatoPrison.Hewasrecentlydiagnosedwithpancreaticcancer,sohedidn’thavelongtolivebeforeyoumurderedhim.Rememberthename,though,becausenowitisyours.”
Thedoortotheofficeburstopenandfoursecurityguardschargedin,followedbyVicePresidentAlvarez.
TheguardswrenchedGutiertohisfeetandcuffedhishandsbehindhisback.Astheystartedtodraghimtothedoor,hecriedouttoCastro,“Stop.Thisisamistake.Youmustlistentome.”
“Good-bye,JorgeCastenada,”Castrosaid.
“Whatdoyoumeanbycallingmethat?”
Castrohelduphishandtohalttheguards.HesteppedcloseandlookedGutierup
anddownwithcontempt.“Yesterday,GeneralAlbertoGutierwaskilledintheaccidentalcrashofanArmyhelicopteroffthenortherncoast.JorgeCastenada,meanwhile,isreturningtosolitaryconfinementinBoniatoPrison,wherehewillserveouttheremainderofhislifesentencewithoutparole.”
Castronoddedandtheguardsdraggedthedefeatedgeneraloutoftheoffice.His
screamsofprotestgraduallyrecededdownthebuilding’sbackstairwell.
“Ialwaysthoughtthemanwasvermin,”Alvarezsaidquietly.
“Heandhisbrotherboth,apparently.Ahealthylesson,Ibelieve,inwherethecountryshouldn’tgo.”
“MinisterRuizbelievesgreaterlibertyforthepeoplewillpreventhistypefromgainingpower.”
“Perhapsheisright.”“Whatnext,Mr.
President?”Castrostaredouttheopen
doorforseveralmoments.“Ibelievemynextorderofbusinessistopayavisittotheharbordocks.”
T79
hemorningsunwashedovertheGoldDiggerandthe
SargassoSeaastheysatmooredbowtosternatthePortofHavana’sTerminalSierraMaestra.ShortlyaftertheStarfishwasrecovered,a
CubanNavycorvettehadjoinedthetwovesselstoassistwiththerescueefforts.Thecorvettethenactedasavoluntaryescortfortheships’passagetoHavana.MilitaryambulanceswerewaitingonthedocksandtooktheSeaRaker’ssurvivorstoanArmyhospitalundertightsecurity.
PittandGunnstoodconversingonthebridge,upwindofGiordinowithafreshlylitRamónAlloneshe
heldtightlyinhisteeth.Acrewmanenteredwithabefuddledlook.“Sir,youhaveavisitor,”hesaidtoPitt,thenstoodaside.
RaúlCastro,joinedbyanaide,walkedinwithoutpretenseandintroducedhimself.ThestartledAmericanssteppedforwardandshookhands,welcomingtheCubanpresidentaboard.
“I’mtoldyouuncoveredanunauthorizeduranium
miningoperationinmycountryandalsopreventedagreatenvironmentalcatastrophe,”Castrosaid.
Pittnodded.“I’mgladtoheartheminingoperationwasnotofyourdoing.Unfortunately,severalliveswerelost,andaratherexpensiveminingshipwassunk,whichmayaccruetoyourgovernment.”
Castroshruggedofftheliability.“MybrotherandI
usedtofishthewatersoffofHavanaandMatanzas.Itwouldhurtmetoseeharmdonetothesea.Thethermalventstherearenowsafe?”
“Yes,thoughtherearestillexplosivesinplaceatonesitethatwillhavetoberemoved.”
“Whataboutthesemercuryreleases?”Castroasked.
“Thatisstillaproblem,”Gunnsaid.“Bothhereandto
thesouthofCuba,thereareactivetoxicplumes.”
“Wemayhaveasolution,”Pittsaid.“MarkRamseybelieveshecanconvertoneofhisunderwaterminingmachinesintoatypeofbulldozer.Themachinecouldfillinalargeportionofthecurrentlyexposedventswithsedimentfromtheseafloor.Thiswouldminimize,ifnotaltogetherextinguish,thereleaseofmercury.”
“Mygovernmentstandsreadytoassistinanywaywecan.”
“Thankyou,Mr.President,”Gunnsaid.
CastroturnedtoPitt.“Mybrotheroncementionedyourname.YouhelpedsaveHavanafromruinatonetime.”
“Itwasmanyyearsago,”Pittsaid.
“YouareatruefriendofCuba.”Castroeyedthebox
ofcigarsGiordinohadbroughttothebridge.“Iseeyouhavealreadypartakeninourfinetobacco.IsthereanythingelseIcanofferyouinappreciation?”
“Mr.President,thereisaSpanishshipwreckoffofPuntaMaisíthatwewouldliketoexplore.ItmaybecarryingaMesoamericanartifactthatJuanDíazwaspursuing.”
“I’vebeentoldthatDíaz
keptawarehousefilledwithantiquities,whichshallnowbeturnedovertoourNationalMuseumofNaturalHistory.Youhavemypermissiontoexplorethewreck,butI’daskthatanyartifactsyourecoverbeprovidedtothemuseum.”
“Ofcourse.”Castroturnedtoleaveand
Pittescortedhimtothebridgewing.ThemorninglightcastthebuildingsofoldHavanainaswathofgold.Castro
wavedhisarmtowardthecity.
“Thisisaveryspecialplace.Icantellyou,thepeopleofHavanaandallofCubaaregratefulfortheharmyouprevented.Itis,Isuspect,morethanyouknow.”
“ThepeopleofCubaareworthyofgoodthings,”Pittsaid.HeobservedCastrotakeinthebeautyoftheoldcityandathoughtoccurredto
him.“Mr.President,there’s
nothingmoreyoucandoforme,butthereissomethingyoucoulddoforCuba.”
CastrolookedatPittandnodded.“ForCuba,anything.”
T80
hatwasthetarget.Algonquin.Haasiswasn’tkeenon
shootinganunarmedmerchantship,butthosewerehisorders.Asingletorpedowastobefiredtosinkher.PacificFleetCommand
wantedittolooklikeanaccident—totheextentthattorpedoingashipcouldbesodisguised.Fatchance,Haasisthought.ButatleastinthemiddleofthePacific,itwouldtakeasignificanteffortonsomebody’sparttoprovethetruth.
“WeaponsControl,preptorpedoone,”hesaid.
HaasisremainedgluedtotheperiscopeasaMark48torpedowasloadedintothe
numberonetorpedotubeandthetubeflooded.Thecaptainlookedatthemerchantshipforanotherminutebeforecalmlycallingout,“Firenumberone.”
Afaintswooshsoundedfromthesub’sbow,andHaasiscountedthesecondsforthetorpedotoreachitstarget.TheLiberian-registeredshipshudderedandasmallplumeofblacksmokearoseamidships.Withrelief,
Haasissawtwolifeboatsquicklyloweredwithafullcomplementofcrew.Itskeelshatteredbytheblast,theheavilyloadedorecarrierbrokeintotwopieces,whichsanksimultaneouslytenminuteslater.
“Niceshooting,gentlemen,”Haasissaid.“We’llshowthevideointhemessatdinnertonight.”
Heturnedtotheofficerofthedeck.“Parker,alertthe
Oregontothesinkingvessel.They’llbeabletopickupthesurvivors.”
“Yes,sir,”thelieutenantsaid.
Hereturnedtothecaptain’ssideashorttimelater.“Messagesentandconfirmed,sir.TheOregonisonherway.”
“Verygood.”“Sir,ifImayask?Irecall
seeingtheOregonwhenwewereinOsakaafewmonths
ago.She’sarun-down,dilapidatedoldfreighter.Howisitthisshipistheonlyoneinthearea?”
Haasisshookhishead.“Idon’thavealltheanswers,son.Ijusttakemyordersandfollowthemtothebestofmyability.”
“Yes,sir.”Yettheordertosinkthe
orecarrierwasonethatdidn’tsitwellwithHaasis.Thecaptainhadbeengivenno
explanation,onlytherequiredoutcome.FortheremainderoftheAsheville’scruise,theactgnawedathisconscienceandkepthimturninginhisbunkatnight.Notuntilamonthlater,aftertheAshevillereturnedtoPointLomaSubmarineBase,washetoldthefullnatureofthemission.TheAlgonquinwascarryingacargoofhigh-gradeuraniumoxidetoNorthKorea,enoughtoarmdozens
ofnuclearwarheads.Afterhearingthetruth—andacceptingaunitcommendationonbehalfofhisboat—theveterancaptainneverlostanight’ssleepagain.
I81
tappearssomeoneisguardingthenest,”Gunnsaid.
HepassedapairofbinocularstoPitt,whostoodbesidehimonthebridgeoftheSargassoSea.TheNUMAshipwasadozen
milesofftheeasterntipofCuba,sailingthroughalightsea.
Pittfocusedthelensesonamodernsurveyvesselstandingatstationahalfmileahead.“WeknowthatDíaz,afterstealingPerlmutter’sresearchdocuments,senthisminingfacilitymanagertolocatetheSanAntonio,”Pittsaid.“Thatmustbehim.”
“He’sthelastonetobeaccountedfor,”Gunnsaid.“I
hearPerlmutter’sCubanburglardidn’tfaretoowell.Hewasinthecountryillegally—andbeingwatchedbytheFBIforindustrialspying.TheypickedhimupshortlyafterPerlmutter’sincident,andhewillbesentawayforalongwhile.”
GiordinosteppedoverastheNUMAshipconvergedontheothervessel.“Perhapsweshouldtellthoseboysthanksforpointingoutthe
wrecksite.Savedusacoupleofdays’searching.”
Gunnsmiled.“Idon’tsuspectthey’dconsiderittookindly.”
Thebridgeradiocrackledwithagruff,accentedvoice.“CallingtheAmericanvessel.Youareinprotectedwaters.Leavethevicinityatonceoryouwillbefiredupon.”
“Itoldyouthey’dbetouchy,”Gunnsaid.
“Reasonenoughtocallin
ourbackupfriends,”Pittsaid.Heswitchedfrequenciesandmadeacalltoshore,thendialedbacktothesurveyboat.“ThisistheresearchvesselSargassoSea.YouhavetwentyminutestovacatethesiteandmakeforBaracoaorwewillfireonyou.”
Pitt’smessagewasmetwithaflurryofSpanishinvectives.
“Morethantouchy,”
Giordinosaid,“they’redownrightgrouchy.”
“Thenwebetterdanceabituntilthemosquitoesshowup.”
PitthadtheNUMAshipturnawayandsailslowlytowardtheCubancoastline.Twentyminuteslater,theshipreversedcourse,crawlingbackwithinahundredyardsofthesurveyvessel.Blisteringthreatsagainemanatedfromthe
ship’sradio,butPittignoredthem.
Gunnpointedoutthebridgewindow.“They’reshowingtheirfirepower,”hesaidwithanervoustwitch.
Ahalf-dozenmeninmilitarygarbtookuppositionalongthesurveyship’srail,pointingassaultrifles.Oneappearedtobewieldingarocket-propelledgrenadelauncher.
“Allcrewmembersoffthe
deck,”PittcalledovertheSargassoSea’sPAsystem.
Theradioblaredagain.Thistime,PittrecognizedthevoiceofMolina.
“Thisisyourlastchance.Leavetheareaatonceorweopenfire.”
PittcouldseeMolinastepoutofthebridge.AthumpingnoisesoundedastheCubanleaderyelledtohismen.Thesoldiersfrozeastheoceaninfrontofthemrippledina
fountainofspray.Aninstantlater,amilitaryhelicopterburstby,skimminglowoverthewaterjustfeetfromthesurveyship.Theskydarkenedbrieflyasthreemorehelosarrivedandcircledtheship,firingintothewateralongherflanks.
TheywereasquadronofCubanMilMi-24attackhelicoptersfromanearbybase.Pittcouldheartheleadpilotradioingthesurveyship
andthreateninginstantdestructioniftheydidn’tmove.
Molinareluctantlyobeyed,gettingtheshipunderwayandheadingtoportwithanunwantedairborneescort.
UnderGiordino’sdirection,aside-scansonarfishwasloweredoffthesternandtheNUMAcrewbegansurveyingtheseafloor.Withinanhour,asmallshipwreckappearedonthe
monitor,notfarfromthesurveyship’sstationaryposition.Molinahadindeedbeenguardingthenest.
ThesonarfishwasretrievedwhiletheStarfish,repairedandrefreshed,waspreparedforlaunch.Pitthadhistwochildrenmeethimatthesubmersible.“Thisisyourhunt,”hetoldthem.“Yougodownandfindit.”
“Youdon’thavetoasktwice.”Dirkquicklyclimbed
intothecraft.Summergaveherfatheraquickhug.“Thanksforindulgingus.”
“Justremembertocomebackuponyourownthistime.”
Ashorttimelater,thesubmersiblereachedtheseabedatadepthoffivehundredfeet.GunnhadparkedtheSargassoSearightontarget.Theshipwreckwasinstantlyvisible.Dirkguidedthesubmersibleoverthe
wreckandinspecteditsremains.
Perlmutter’sresearchdescribedtheSanAntonioasasteampacketbuiltinBelfastin1887.Theyearssubmergedsincehersinkinghadnotbeenkind.Theship’swoodhullanddeckshadmostlydisappeared,leavinglittlemorethanastoutkeelrisingfromthesand.
DirkhoveredtheStarfishoverthewreck’smidpoint,
wheretheSanAntonio’sboilerstooduprightlikealonesentryinagardenofdisintegratingmachinery.Offthestern,abronzepropellerglintedunderthesubmersible’sfloodlights,theonlyobjectappearingtohavesurvivedtheravagesoftimeunscathed.
“Themarineorganismsmusthavelefttownonafullstomach,”Summersaid.“There’shardlyanywood
left.”“Goodthingtheydon’t
liketoeatstone.Itmightactuallyhelpinexposingmoreofthewrecksite.”
Startingatthebow,theybeganathoroughinspection,pokingandproddingtheStarfish’smanipulatorthroughthescattereddebris.Reachingtheboileragain,Summerwavedherfingerahead.“Thereitis,leaningagainstthesideoftheboiler!”
DirkeasedtheStarfishinforacloserlook.Alargesemicircularstonewithacarvedsurfacesatuprightamongthedebris,proppedagainstthesideoftheboiler.Itwasidenticalinsizetothestonethey’dfoundatZimapán.
“Itmusthavebeenonthemaindeckandslippeddownwhentheshipdisintegrated.”Dirkhigh-fivedhissister.“Goodgoing,girl.”
Summergavehimatiredgrin.“Forallthetroublewe’veenduredinfindingit,Isurehopeithassomethingtotellus.”
I82
ttookseveralhoursbeforeSummergotheranswer.Theprocessof
securingaslingaroundthestoneandattachingseveralliftbagsrequiredtwotripstothesurfaceandconsiderablefinessingwiththeStarfish’s
manipulatorarm.Assistingtheliftbagswithatugonthelines,thesubmersiblehelpedpullthestoneoffthebottomandtrackeditsascenttothesurface.
AcraneontheSargassoSeagentlyhoistedthestoneaboard,thenretrievedthesubmersible.Theship’screwandscientistswerecrowdedaroundtheartifactbythetimeDirkandSummermadetheirwayoverforalook.
“LookslikeaperfectmatchtothestoneinDíaz’soffice,”Pittsaid.
Thecarvingswerelesscrisp,duetotheirimmersion,butSummersawmuchthesamepatternsandglyphsfoundontheearlierstone.Therewaseventhecompletedcarvingofthebird,whichshecouldseewasaheron.
Perhapsmoreimportantwasthediagramcarvedatthe
bottom.Itappearedtobeageographicrepresentationofabayorharbor,withahandfulofislandssprinkledaboutthetop.Sherubbedherfingertipsacrossthesurface,wonderingwhatsecretitwouldreveal.
“Summer,canyoukindlystandtothesideforasecond?”JackDahlgrensaid.“You’reblockingthecamera.”
SheturnedtoseeDahlgren
standingbehindatripodwithavideocamera.“DoyouhaveasatellitelinkwithDr.Madero?”
“He’sstandingbyonthelaptopnexttothecylinderrack.”
SummerandDirksteppedtothecomputer,whichshowedaliveimageofDr.MaderoinhisofficeinMexico.Hisheadwasbandaged,buthesmiledbroadly.
“Dirk,Summer,Iamjustseeingtheimages.Theyarewonderful!”
“Alongtimeincoming,”Summersaid.“Howareyoufeeling,Professor?”
“Fine,justfine.I’mstillhavingoccasionalheadaches,butthedoctorssaythosewillgoaway.It’safunnything,wakingupinthehospitalafterbeingunconsciousforthreedays.Mymemoryhadvacatedme,butgradually
thingshavecomeback.”“Wewereshockedtolearn
Díazhadattackedyouinyouroffice.”
“Anevilmanwhogotwhathedeserved.Iamgladyoubotharesafe.”
“Safeandanxioustolearnwhatthestonesays,”SummersaidasPittandGiordinojoinedthemfortheassessment.
“I’vebeenabletojoinastillimageofthefirststone
withoneyourmanDahlgrenjustsentmeoftherecoveredpiece.Itfinallyallowsaroughbutsomewhatcompletetranslation.Ofcourse,Dr.Torrescouldhaveprovidedafinerinterpretation,Godresthissoul.”
“Whatdoesitindicate?”Summerasked,unabletocontainherexcitement.
“I’llsummarizeasbestasIcan.ItstartswithanappearancebyQuetzalcoatl,a
legendaryToltecruler,andhisarmy.Motecuhzomawelcomeshimbutisthenkilled.Thereisarebellionagainsttheintrudingforces,wheremuchbloodisspilled.Quetzalcoatlisseentodepartduringthefighting.
“Afterward,theeldersgathergiftsandofferings,whichareplacedinthecareoftheEagleandJaguarWarriors.Theofferingsaretransportedinsevenvessels
acrossthewatertoanislandmarkedonthedrawingatthebaseofthestone.ThereisarepresentationofHuitzilopochtli,theAztecancestraldeity.This,alongwiththeimageoftheheron,suggeststheysomehowreturnedtotheirancestralhomeofAztlán.”
“Anyspeculationwherethatislandislocated?”Dirkasked.
“Thereisonlytheimage
onthebottom—andanindicationthevoyagemayhavelastedtendays.Sincewedon’tknowwheretheystartedfrom,orwhichdirectiontheytraveled,itisdifficulttowageraguess.”
“IjustsentanimageofthestonetoYaeger,”Dahlgrensaidashealsojoinedthegroup.“Maybehiscomputerscanfindageographicmatch.”
“Iunderstandthebitaboutshippingoffsometreasured
goodies,”Giordinosaid,“but,Professor,whoaretheseQuetzalcoatl,Motecuhzoma,andHuitzilopochtlicharacters?”
“HuitzilopochtliistheAztec’sancientfoundingfather,asortofdeifiedGeorgeWashingtonwholedamigrationoftheMexicatoTenochtitlan.QuetzalcoatlwasalegendaryToltecleaderwholivedcenturiesearlier.TheAztecsprophesiedhe
wouldreturnsomedaytoregainhisthrone.HewasthereforelinkedwiththearrivalofHernanCortésandhisSpanishconquistadorsin1519.ManyhistoriansbelievetheAztecsthoughtCortéswasthesecondcomingofQuetzalcoatl.Thestone’sinscriptionwouldseemtoindicatesuchabeliefwastrue.”
“SoifCortésrepresentedthereincarnationof
Quetzalcoatl,”Giordinoasked,“thenwhowasthisMotecuhzoma?”
“WeknowhimbetterasMontezuma,”Pittsaid.
Summerlookedatherfather.“Sothat’swhatyoudiscoveredinDíaz’soffice?”
“Itwasaguess,butDíazhadacodexpageshowingawarriorbedeckedinjewelsandagreenfeatherheaddress.Irecallseeingphotosofasimilarheaddressattributedto
Montezuma.”“OrMoctezuma,ashe’s
moreaccuratelyreferredtothesedays,”Maderosaid.
“Díazknewtheconnection,”Pittsaid,“that’swhyhenearlykilledyouforthestone.”
“WhatvaluedoesMoctezumaaddtothemix?”Giordinoasked.
“Agreatdeal,”Maderosaid.“Yousee,theaccountonthestonecorrelateswith
theSpanishrecord.CortésandhisforceoffivehundredmenlandednearVeracruzin1519.TheysoonmarchedtotheAzteccapitalofTenochtitlan,afabulouscitybuiltonanislandinLakeTexcoco,whichisnowtheheartofMexicoCity.
“MoctezumapersonallywelcomedCortésandhistroops,buttheairwasthickwithmutualdistrust.Moctezumanevertheless
broughttoCortésthetreasuresoftheAztecempire,whichincludedlargequantitiesofgold.
“Moctezumawasshortlythereafterkilled,possiblybyhisownpeople,andCortéswasunabletomaintainthepeace.TheSpanishwereforcedtofleefortheirlives,barelyescapingtheangryonslaughtoftheAztecwarriors.”
“SotheSpanishdidn’tget
awaywiththegold?”Giordinosaid.
“Onlyasmallportionofit.CortésregroupedandreturnedafewmonthslaterandlaysiegetoTenochtitlan,ultimatelytakingthecityinabloodyconquest.Butthegoldandricheshadvanished.ThewhereaboutsofMoctezuma’sgoldhasremainedamysteryforcenturies.”
“Untilnow,”Pittsaid.“Thecodexandstonestellus
thestory.TheAztecspackedtheirtreasureintolargecanoesandsailedeastintotheCaribbean.WefoundtheremainsofoneoftheircanoesoffJamaica,soweknowtheyexist—andthattheywerelargeandseagoing.”
“Aremarkablevoyage,tobesure.I’llworkupamorethoughtfultranslationofthestone,”Maderosaid.“IfIfindanythingnoteworthy,I’llletyouknow.”
“Thankyou,Professor,”Summerreplied.“PerhapswecanmeetattheNationalMuseuminHavanaandseebothstonestogether.”
“It’sadate,”Maderosaid.Hedisconnectedthevideolinkandfadedfromthescreen.
“Sothequestionis,wheredidtheygo?”Summerasked.
Asilentpausehungoverthegroup,thenDahlgrenturnedtheirattentiontothe
laptopcomputer.“IthinkHirammayhavesomethingforyou.”
AlivevideofeedshowedYaegerinhiscomputercenteratNUMAheadquarters.“Ihearyouneedsomehelpwithyourtreasuremap.”
“I’mafraidtheAztecsdidn’tleaveusanylatitudeandlongitudecoordinates,”Pittsaid.“Couldyoumakeanythingfromthediagramonthestones?”
“Asamatteroffact,Maxgavemeananswerinabouttwelveseconds,”hesaid,referringtohiscomputersystem.“Iconductedasearchforacomparablegeographicconfiguration,limitingthescopetotheGulfofMexico,theCaribbeanSea,andbothcoastsofMexico.Ifoundaboutadozennearmissesandoneprettygoodmatch.”
Heheldupapapershowingthestonediagramon
halfthepageandasatelliteimageofasimilarlyshapedbayontheother.“Prettyclosecorrelation,ifIdosayso.”
“Itlooksdead-on,”Pittsaid.
“Areweatallclosetoit?”Summerasked,elbowingherwaytothecomputer.“Canwegettothesitefromhere?”
“Oh,youcanreachthesiteallright,”Yaegersaid,flashinghisteethinabroad
grin.“It’sjustleavingtherethatmightposeaproblem.”
P83
uertoGrandewasthenameChristopherColumbusbestowed
onthelarge,crescent-shapedbayhediscoveredin1494.ItremainedunderSpanishcontrolforthenextfourhundredyears,servingasan
importantterminusfortheexportofcottonandsugar.InJune1898,AmericanMarinesstormedashoreandcapturedtheenvironsinoneofthefirstlandbattlesoftheSpanish–AmericanWar.Bythen,theinlethadtakenthenameofanearbyriverandwascalledGuantánamoBay.
AfterthequickdefeatoftheSpanish,theUnitedStatesenteredintoaleasewiththenewlyindependentCuban
governmentforaforty-five-square-mileblockoftheouterbayforuseasanavalrefuelingstation.OccupiedtodaybytheNavalStationGuantánamoBayanditsunpopulardetentioncamp,theU.S.paysonlyafewthousanddollarseachyeartotheCubansunderaperpetuallease—renderedinchecksthathavelonggoneuncashedbytheCastrogovernment.
Summerstoodonthebow
oftheSargassoSea,enjoyingthesunandbreezeastheresearchshipenteredthebay.AnOrionP-3surveillanceplaneswoopeddownandlandedatacompactairfieldtoherleft,whiletheshipcurledaroundtothemainnavalbaseonherright.TheshipeasedintoanopendockalongsideaNavyfrigate.
ShejoinedPitt,herbrother,andGiordinoindebarkingtheship.
Twoofficersawaitedtheirarrival.Totheirsurprise,standingwiththemwasSt.JulienPerlmutter,whohadflowndownfromWashington,thefirsttimehe’dbeeninanairplaneintenyears.
“WelcometoGitmo,”theseniorofthetwoofficerssaidinaforcedwelcome.“I’mAdmiralStewart,JointTaskForceCommander.”
“Kindofyoutowelcome
us,Admiral,”Pittsaid,shakinghands.
“It’snotoftenIreceiveacallfromtheVicePresidentrequestingmyassistanceinahistoricalgoosechase.”
“Icanassureyou,”Perlmuttersaidinhisbesthuffytone,“therearenogeeseinvolved.”
“MayIintroduceCommanderHaroldJoyce.Amongotherduties,heisourdefactobasehistorian.I’m
confidentCommanderJoycecanseetoyourneeds.Now,ifyou’llexcuseme.”Stewartturnedandmarchedoffthedeck.
“Somebodyputsomerocksinhisporridge?”Dirkasked.
Joycelaughed.“No,hejustdoesn’tlikepoliticiansorderinghimaround.Especiallypoliticiansheonceoutranked.”
“VicePresidentSandecker
hasbeenknowntostomponsometoesnowandthen,”Pittsaid.
Thenavalcommander,ashortmanwithglasses,gaveSummerafriendlysmile,thenturnedtoPerlmutter.“Mr.Perlmutter,IamthrilledthatyouareherevisitingGitmo.IrecentlyreadyourhistoryoftheRomannavyandfounditfascinating.”
“You’reoneofasmallminority,butthankyou.Did
youhaveanyluckwithourrequest?”
“Youindicatedthatyouwerelookingforacaveorrepositoryononeoftheislands.Thereareseveralislandsinthebay,butonlytwohaveanyrealsizeorelevation—HospitalCayandMedicoCay.Ihikedaroundbothislands,butI’mafraidIdidn’tfindanythingresemblinganaturalcave.”
“Perhapsit’ssealedup,”
Summersaid.“Youmayberight.”Joyce
said,respondingtoSummereagerly.“Therewasreallyonlyonelandmarkthatmaybeofinterest.It’sanoldammunitionbunkeronHospitalCay.Ididn’tthinkmuchofit,butwhenIdidsomeinvestigating,Ifounditwasbuiltintheearliestdaysofthebase.Itremainslockedup,butIcouldfindnoinventoryrecordsthatitwas
everactuallyusedformunitionsstorage.”
“Sincewe’rehere,couldwehavealook?”Summerasked.
Perlmutternodded.“Ithinkthatwouldbemostjudicious.”
“Absolutely,”Joycesaid.“Itookthelibertyofobtainingtheoldman’sapproval.Thehardestpartwasfindingakeytothelock.Ispentfourhoursrummaging
aroundthebasearchives.Idon’tthinkthatplacehasbeensweptinacentury.”
“Anyluck?”Summerasked.
Joyceproducedabrasskeythesizeofahardcoverbook.
“I’vegotalaunchwaitingatthenextdock,”hesaid.“Let’sgohavealook.”
Thegroupsqueezedintothelaunch,andJoycetookthemacrossthebaytoasmallislandatitscenter.Pittwas
surprisedtoseeasmallfreightertraversingthebay,aCubanflagflyingfromitsstaff.
“Perthetermsoftheleaseagreementsignedin1903,theCubanshavefullrightofpassagethroughthebayeventhoughitcutsrightacrossourbase,”Joycesaid.“Weusedtogetrefugeesfloatingdownstreamonrafts,buttheCubanmilitarymonitorsthingsprettytightlynow.”
HedrovetheboatashoreatHospitalCay,ahalf-mile-longislandwithanelevatedridgethatrandownitsthinlengthlikeaspine.Theislandwasaridlikethenearbylandscape,coveredwithlowshrubsandcacti.
Pittnoticedseveraldeepindentationsinthesoilneartheirlanding,evidenceofanearlierstructure.“Thisplacehassomehistorywiththebase?”
“Itsuredoes,”Joycesaid.“ThiswaswheretheoriginalcoalingstationwasbuilttorefueltheNavy’sships.Itwasthereasontheywantedthebay.Severallargebunkerswerebuiltontheridge,connectedtoagurneythatranouttothedocks.Itlasteduntil1937,whentheNavy’scoal-burningshipswentbythewayside.”
Dirkpeeredacrossthenowbarrenisland.“Theydidn’t
leavemuchforposterity.”“Theytoreeverything
downafewyearslaterandtheplacehassatemptyeversince.Butonethingtheydidn’tremovewasthemunitionsbunker.It’satthenorthendofthecay.”
Itwasashorthiketotheothersideoftheisland,buttheywereallsweatingunderthewarm,humidclimatewhentheyreachedasmallcutintheridge.Joyceledthemto
aconcretearchwayembeddedintothesideofthehillthatwassealedwiththicksteeldoors.Heplacedthebigbrasskeyinthelockandtriedtoturnit,buthecouldn’tgetthemechanismtobudge.
“Letmeseethatkey,youngman.”Perlmutterbulledhiswaytothedoor.Grabbingthekey,heappliedsomeofhisfour-hundred-poundmasstobear.Thelockgaveagrindingclickandhe
shovedthedooropen.Theinteriorwas
completelyempty.Theroomstretchedtwentyfeetintothehillside,withwallsmadeoftightlylaidstone.Therewasnotreasureorevenammunitionpresent.Thegroupcrowdedinandlookedaroundindisappointment.
“SomuchforMontezuma’streasure,”saidSummerwithdisappointmentinhervoice.
“Obviously,robberscleaneditout,”Joycemutteredsadly.
“Notthefirsttimethieveshavebeenatwork,”Perlmuttersaid.“Thepyramidswereemptied,too.”
“Probablythreethousandyearsago,”Pittsaidabsentlyashebeganwalkingaroundthechamber,tappingthestoneswhilestudyingthetightfitoftheseams.
Perlmuttergazedathim,
“Lookingforahiddendoor?”Pittspokeasherappedthe
stoneswiththebigbrasskey.“Strikesmeasoddthere’snoremnantsorindicationthatanythingwaseverstoredinthischamber.It’sasthoughitwasscrubbedclean.”
Giordinoaimedhislightontheconcretefloor.“Putsmyhousetoshame.”
IttookPittfortyminutesbeforefindingadifferentdullsoundinsteadoftheclingof
solidrock.Giordinowenttothe
launchandreturnedwithatoolbox.Withahammerandchisel,heandPittattackedwhatsoonbecamealoosestone.
Takingturns,PittandGiordinocarvedaholeononeedgeofthestone.Jammingthechiseldeeperinthehole,DirkandAlusedalargescrewdrivertoprythestonefromtheside.Sweating
andonthevergeofexhaustion,theyslidthestoneforwardbyaninch.Workingfromtheotherside,theymovedthestoneagain.Giordinopushedeveryoneasideandmanhandledthelargestoneontothefloor.
Foralongmoment,theyallstoodsilentandstaredatthespacebeyond.Itwasasiftheywereallafraidtopeerbeyondthewallandfindnothingthere.Pittthen
pushedaflashlightinsideandsweptitsbeamacrossthedarkness.Unabletocontainherexcitement,Summerpushedherfaceintotheopening.“Iseeajaguar,”shesaidinahushedvoice,“Ithinkit’sstandingguard.”Sheturnedandgaveherbrotherandfatheraknowinggrin.
Unabletoresist,DirkmovedSummer’sheadaside.“AndenoughgoldtofillFort
Knox!”Takingturns,theyhackedthroughenoughstonestocreateanopeninglargeenoughtopassthrough.
Summerwasthefirsttoenter,steppingintothechamber.Alargeyellowandblack-spottedfelinegreetedher,itsjawsfrozenopen.Summermovedherlightlower,illuminatingacarvedfigureofanativewarriorbeneaththejaguar-skinheaddress.
Shesteppedpastthecarvedwarrior.Alongdarkcavernsparkledwithanamberreflectionunderthebeamofherflashlight.
Gold.Itwaseverywhere,inthe
formofcarvedfigurines,gildedspearsandshields,andjewelrydrapeduponstoneplatesandbowls.Alargewoodencanoewaswedgedagainstoneofthewalls,filledtoitsgunnelswithgold
objects,jewel-encrustedmasks,andelaboratecarvedstonedisks.
TheothersfollowedSummerinandgapedattheartifacts.
Joycecouldn’tbelievehiseyes.“Whatisallthis?”
Pittpointedtoalargecottoncloakcoveredinjewelsandbrightgreenfeathers.“ThetreasureofMontezuma.”
Summerhuggedher
brother.“It’sasmallredemptionforDr.Torres.”
Perlmuttergazedattheartifactswithchild-likewonder.“It’salltrue,”hemurmured.
Pittstrodeuptothebigman.“St.Julien,Ibelieveyoumayhavebeenholdingoutonus.Youknewitwashereallthetime,didn’tyou?”
Perlmuttersmiled.“Iwasn’teagertorewritehistory,butthereisno
disputingthefacts.Aswenowknow,itseemsaSpanishcommandoforcealignedwiththearcheologistJulioRodriguezblewuptheMaineinordertoobtaintheAztecstone.TheautopsyreportonEllsworthBoydwastheclue.Itindicatedhediedfromagunshotwound,andyouverylikelyfoundonthewreckitselftheSpanishrevolverthatcausedit.”
“ItwouldseemRodriguez
wasonhiswayhereintheSanAntonio,”Pittsaid.
“HehadperformedfieldworkyearsearlieronaTaínoIndiansiteinGuantánamoBay,soheknewthelocalgeography.IbelievethediagramonBoyd’sstonewassufficienttotriggerrecognitiononcehehadpossessionofitandhewasbeatingapathhere.”
“ButiftheSanAntoniosankwiththestone,howdid
theU.S.knowwheretofindit?Andwhyisthetreasurestillhere?”
“It’sapparentthatBoydknewthesignificanceofthestone,”Perlmuttersaid.“HispartnerwasanexpertinMesoamericancultures,sotheyquicklylatchedontothelinkwithMoctezuma’streasure.IsuspecthewasreturningtoNewYorkwiththestonetoraisefundsforasearch.Instead,hisshipbroke
downinSantiagoandhewaschasedtoHavanabyRodriguezandultimatelykilledforitontheMaine.
“ButhehadalreadytoldtheCubanConsulGeneralandthecaptainoftheMaineallheknew,”Perlmuttersaid.“IdiscoveredseveralcommuniquésrelatedtotheMaine’ssinkingthatreferredtowhatwascalled‘Boyd’sFind.’HencetheurgentchaseandsinkingoftheSan
AntoniobytheAmericanfleet.RodriguezlivedjustlongenoughafterhewaspulledfromtheseatopointthefingeratGuantánamo.Themilitaryrecordsarequiteabundant,afterthatpoint,onthestrategicnecessityofcapturingGuantánamoBay.”
“AreyousayingtheSpanish–AmericanWarwasinitiatedoverMoctezuma’streasure?”Pittsaid.
Perlmutternodded.“Itwas
akeyfactoranywayyousliceit.TheMainewassunkonaccountofit,aswasourresponsetoinvadeCuba.”
“Sowhywasitlefthere?”“Thepowersin
Washingtondidn’twanttoupsetthenewlyindependentCubanstate.Ontopofthat,theU.S.gainedanimmediateboostasanewworldpowerbyitsdecisivedefeatoftheSpanishfleethere,andinthePhilippines.
“Soinsteadthediscoverywascoveredup.PresidentMcKinleyfigureditwouldbebettertowaitafewyearsbeforerevealingitsexistence,soheorderedthetreasurekeptunderlockandkeyuntilafterheleftoffice.Perhapshedidn’tcountonTheodoreRooseveltsucceedinghim.”
“Rooseveltbecameawareofthetreasure?”
“Absolutely.Buthehadapersonalmotiveinsquelching
thefind.AstheheroofSanJuanHill,Rooseveltdidn’twanthisownlegacytarnishedbyaperceivedgreedylurefortreasure.Ontopofthat,thingsweredeterioratinginMexicoduringthelastyearsofhispresidency.InsurrectionwasgrowingagainsttheMexicanleaderPorfirioDíaz,whichwouldeventuallyleadtotheMexicanRevolution.Rooseveltknewthatthe
MexicanpublicwouldbeoutragedatnewsthattheU.S.possessedMoctezuma’streasure,aggravatinganalreadysensitivebordersituation.”
“Soheburiedthewholematter.”
“Quiteliterally.Rooseveltorderedthetreasuresealedwhereitwas.Recordsofitsdiscoverywerepurged,andthosefewwhoknewofitsexistencewereswornto
secrecy...nottomentionbannedfromeversettingfootonGuantánamoBayagain.IwascluedinwhenIstumbleduponanExecutiveOrdersignedbyRooseveltdirectingtheconstructionofasecretsealedrepositoryonthebaseforso-calledsensitiveitems.”
“Andafterthat,timeeventuallyerodeditsmemory.”
“Precisely.”Summersteppeduptothe
twomencarryingacarvedstonefigurineofaheronwithjeweledeyesandagoldbill.“Isn’titbeautiful?Thecraftsmanshipisremarkable.”
“There’senoughgoldheretopayoffthenationaldebt,”Dirksaid.
“It’squiteacollection,”Perlmuttersaid.“IjusthopeWorldWarThreedoesn’tbreakoutoveritsdisposition.”
“DirkandIhaveitall
figuredout,”Summersaid.“OnethirdwillgototheNationalMuseuminHavana,onethirdwillgototheXalapaAnthropologyMuseuminVeracruz,andonethirdwillgototheSmithsonianinWashington,withtherequirementthatthefullcollectionrotateeveryfiveyears.”
“Thatsoundslikeanequitableplan,”Pittsaid,“butwhatiftheNavywantsto
keepitall?”Summersmiledawicked
grin,thenreachedanarmaroundCommanderJoyceandpulledthediminutivemanclose.“Inthatcase,wemayhavetotakealessonfromtheAztecsandcutoutafewhearts.”
T84
heknockatthedoorofthehillsidehomestartleditsoccupants,
whoseldomreceivedvisitorsanymore.
“I’llseewhoitis,”SalvadorFariñassaidtohiswife,whowasinthekitchen
filletingafishfordinner.Fariñasopenedthedoor
andsteppedoutsidetoconversewiththevisitors.Afterseveralminutes,hepokedhisheadbackthroughthedoorwayandcalledtohiswife.“Maria,youbettercomesee.”
Mariawipedherhandsonherapronandstrodeoutsidewithanimpatientgait.Shefoundadeliverytruckparkedintheirdriveandtwomen
unloadingnumerousthincrates.
Fariñaswasopeningoneofthecrateswithascrewdriverwhenhenoticedhiswife.“Maria,they’vecomeback!They’vecomebacktoyou!”
Sheapproachedwithaconfusedlookashepriedoffthecratefacing.Insidewasapaintingofanoldwomanholdingabouquetofflowers.Mariainstantlyrecognized
theportraitofhermother,oneshehadpaintedfortyyearsearlier.“MypaintingofMama,”shemurmured.
Shelookedtothetruckandtheothercratesbeingoffloaded.“Theseareallmypaintings?”
“Yes!”Fariñassaid.“Theyallhavebeenreturned.”
Hereyesglistened.“Idon’tunderstand.”
Aswitchseemedtoflickoninsidethewoman,
banishingthetiredanddefeatedheartshehadcarriedforthepastseveraldecades.Withherhusband,sheeagerlypriedopenthecrates,lookinguponherworksasamothertoherchildren.
Whenthelastcratewasunloaded,oneofthedeliverymenapproached.“Thisisforyou,SeñoraFariñas.”Hehandedherathickenvelope.“Haveaniceday.”
“Thankyou,”shereplied,openingtheenvelope.Insidewasanoteandathinobjectwrappedinbrownpaper.Shepulledopenthenote.
Maria,
Alwaysremember,theartistwholiveswithincanneverdie.
DirkPitt
SheunfurledthebrownpapertofindafineKolinskysable-hairartist’sbrushinside.
Tearsbegancascadingdownhercheeks.Shedabbedthemawaywithherapronuntilregaininghercomposure.Thensheraisedthebrushintheairandinapowerfulvoicesaid,“Absolutamente!”
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