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ENDPAPERANDINTERIORILLUSTRATIONSBYROLAND

DAHLQUIST

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductof

theauthors’imaginationsorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactual

persons,livingordead,businesses,companies,events,orlocalesisentirely

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Version_1

CONTENTSALSOBYCLIVECUSSLERTITLEPAGECOPYRIGHTMAPPROLOGUE|PURSUED

PARTI|MYSTICCURRENTChapter1Chapter2

Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10

PARTII|AZTLÁNChapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14

Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24Chapter25Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28

Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31

PARTIII|CUBALIBREChapter32Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40

Chapter69Chapter70Chapter71Chapter72Chapter73Chapter74Chapter75Chapter76Chapter77

EPILOGUE|PUERTOGRANDEChapter78Chapter79

Chapter80Chapter81Chapter82Chapter83Chapter84

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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?”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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?”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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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