The Rising Sea (NUMA Files 15)

“Good idea,” Kurt told her, “but not in this case. We were all viciously attacked last night and five of Kenzo’s people are dead. Kenzo is in the hospital, fighting for his life. For all his quirks, the only thing his research threatened was exposing something going on in Chinese waters. So until it’s proven otherwise, we have to assume the Chinese were behind the attack.”

Gamay nodded.

“They’re hiding something out there,” Kurt added. “Whatever it is, they’re not going to show it to us willingly. We’ll have to find another way.”

“And I’m telling you it’s impossible,” Rudi said. “I’ll send you the data on the Chinese listening posts, sonar buoys and what we know about their patrol schedules and surveillance capabilities. You’ll see for yourself. It’s a very tight screen and there’s no way to get through. The last thing we need is an international incident that ends up with any of you rotting in a Chinese jail.”

Kurt listened to every word and nodded at Joe. Message received.

The sound of papers shuffling came next. “I have another meeting to attend,” Rudi added. “I’ll check back in a few hours.”

Rudi signed off and Kurt stood. The others were yawning, but he was suddenly wide awake. A knock at the door followed. Kurt answered it and found the front desk manager standing there with a message in his hand.

“What is it?”

“Summons, of sorts,” Kurt said. “Our presence is requested at the district office of the Japanese Federal Police.”

“I’m suddenly tired,” Joe quipped. “Think I’ll take a nap instead.”

Kurt shook his head. “Sorry, amigo, but you’re the main attraction. They want to talk to you about the guy who escaped being a meal for the Komodo dragon. You’re the only one that got a look at him.”

Joe stretched. “I suppose I could recount how I fought the great beast.”

Kurt rolled his eyes as Gamay stood and yawned. “The long flight has caught up to me.”

“Me, too,” Paul said. “We’ll rest while you talk to the police.”

“Sorry,” Kurt said. “No rest for the weary. You need to start right now.”

“Doing what?” Gamay asked.

“Finding a way to sneak into the East China Sea.”

Paul cocked his head to the side. Gamay’s eyebrows knitted together in a confused look.

“But Rudi just told us not to try that,” Gamay replied.

“I believe his exact words were ‘completely out of the question,’” Paul seconded.

“His lips said no but his eyes said yes,” Kurt replied.

“You couldn’t see his eyes.”

“I could imagine them,” Kurt insisted. “Why do you think he’s sending over all the data on the Chinese naval patrols and the information on the sonar buoys? He wants us to find a crack in the armor and exploit it.”

Gamay folded her arms across her chest. “That is not what I got out of that conversation.”

“There’s listening and then there’s understanding,” Kurt said. “This was an open line. Anyone could be eavesdropping. Check your encrypted email link in a few minutes. If there’s nothing from Rudi, feel free to nap the afternoon away. But I think you’ll be working.”

Gamay and Paul rose wearily. Joe yawned again and stretched in an effort to shake off the drowsiness.

Kurt opened the door and held it for him. “My long nap on the plane isn’t appearing so crazy now, is it?”

11

METRO POLICE STATION

THE NOTE from Superintendent Nagano requested Kurt and Joe take an odd route to the police station. After riding two different trains, hailing a taxi and taking a short walk, they stood outside the prefecture building.