On board the C-140, now cruising over Bolivia, there was an atmosphere of bitter disappointment. The photo minus the cruise ship came over the aircraft's laser receiver and caused as much agitation inside the cramped command center as in Washington's power circles.
"Where in hell did it go?" Hollis demanded.
Dillenger could only mutter blankly, "She can't be gone."
"Well, she sure is. See for yourself."
"I did. I can't spot her any more than you can."
"This makes three times in a row we've been shut out at the gate by bad information, lousy weather or equipment breakdown. Now our target ups and plays hide-and-seek."
"She must have sunk," munfoled Dillenger. "I don't see any other explanation."
"I can't see forty hijackers all agreeing on a suicide pact."
"What now?"
"Beyond requesting instructions from Readiness Command, I see little else I can do."
"Shall we abort the misssion?" asked Dillenger.
"Not unless we're ordered to turn back."
"So we keep going."
Hollis nodded dejectedly. "We fly south until ordered otherwise."
The last to know was Pitt. He was sleeping like the dead when Rudi Gunn entered his cabin and shook him awake.
"Come alive," said Gunn briskly. "We've got a big problem."
Pitt popped his eyes open and checked the dial of his watch. "Did we get a speeding ticket coming into Punta Arenas?"
Gunn looked at Pitt in weary despair. Anyone who awoke from a sound sleep in a cheerful mood and instantly made bad jokes had to have come from a broken branch of evolution.
"The ship won't enter the harbor for another hour yet."
"Good, I can doze a while longer."
"Get serious!" Gunn said bluntly. "The latest satellite photo just rolled out of the ship's receiver. The Lady Flamborough has gone missing for the second time."
"She's really dropped out?"
"Enhanced magnification can't find a sign of her. I've just talked. to Admiral Sandecker. The White House and Pentagon are spitting out orders like slot machines gone mad. A Special Operations Force rescue team is on the way, steamed and primed for action, but with no place to go.
They're also sending a spy plane to produce some decent aerial pictures."
"Ask the Admiral if he can arrange a meeting between the SOF team leader and me as soon as they land."
"Why don't you tell him?"
"Because I'm going back to sleep," Pitt replied with a loud yawn.
Gunn was at a loss. "Your father's on that boat. Don't you give a damn?"
"Yes," said Pitt, his eyes flashing a caution light, "I give a damn. But I don't see what I can do about it at the moment."
Gunn backed off. "Anything else the Admiral should know?"