White Death (NUMA Files 4)

"No, you look wonderfulF

Sandecker's patience had run out. "Perhaps you should send the young lady a bouquet of roses."

"That always works for me," Zavala said. Sandecker shot him a withering look. "Thank you for giving us the benefit of your wide experience, Joe. I'm sure you can include it in your memoirs. Hiram, could you cut to the chase, please?"

Max smiled. "Hello, Admiral Sandecker." "Hello, Max. Hiram is correct when he says you look wonderful.

But I think we should end this Portable Max experiment. In the fu- ture, we will visit you in the data center."

"Thanks for your understanding, Admiral. What can I do for you.

"Please produce the data Hiram requested." The face instantly disappeared. In its place was a map of the world.

Max's voice narrated: "This map shows the locations where there have been fish kills near aquaculture facilities. I can give you specifics for each location."

"Don't bother for now. Please show us those aquaculture sites owned by Oceanus."

Some of the circles vanished, but a substantial number remained.

"Now go to Canada," Sandecker said.

The picture zoomed in on Cape Breton. "Bingo!" Paul Trout said. "That's where Gamay and I had our run-in with Oceanus."

Austin said, "Max, could you draw a straight line from the

Oceanus site to the nearest lake in northern Canada?"

The map displayed a line that connected the coastal facility with the interior, but the lake it showed was too small and too close to civiliza- tion. After several tries. Max connected the aquaculture operation to the only lake large and remote enough to fit Nighthawk's description.

"We can run some satellite photos on this site, but my instincts tell me this is the right place," Austin said.

"Thank you, Max. You can shut down now," Sandecker said.

The screen went blank. Sandecker, who was obviously pleased with himself, turned to Zavala and said, "Now that's how you han- dle a woman." His face grew serious. "I think it's time to get mov- ing," he said.

Zavala raised his hand and cleared his throat.

"This is pretty rugged country. Assuming we find these hombres with no trouble, do we just drop in on them?"

Sandecker looked as if the question surprised him. "I'm open to suggestions."

"I've got one. Call in the Royal Canadian Mounties."

"I'm sure you can do it without their help." Sandecker showed his even teeth in a crocodile smile. "You have carte blanche."

"I'd rather have the Mounties," Zavala said. "If they're busy, a contingent of Special Forces might do."

"I don't blame Joe for being doubtful," Austin said, coming to his partner's aid. "As the Trouts and I know, Oceanus shoots first and asks questions later."

"It would take too long to go through the red tape necessary to in- volve the Canadian military or police. As for Special Forces, we would need presidential authority to trespass on Canadian turf. I don't see that coming."

"In that case, I'd like to make a proposal," Austin said. He related his conversation with Aguirrez.

Sandecker puffed thoughtfully on his cigar. "Let me see. You'd like to use the resources of this Basque, who may or may not be a terrorist, to carry out a NUMA mission in a foreign country?" Sandecker said.

"If we can't use the U.S. Marines or the Mounties, he might be all we have."

"Hmm," Sandecker said. "Can he be trusted?"