Dragon (Dirk Pitt 10)

"I wonder what something like this is worth?"

"Six million Yankee dollars."

It was a quiet Japanese voice in halting English with a trace of a British accent, courtesy of a British tutor.

Loren and Diaz turned and looked at Hideki Suma with no small feeling of nervousness. They identified him immediately from pictures in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles.

Suma moved slowly into the cavernous room, followed by Kamatori. He stared at them benignly for a few moments with a slight inscrutable smile on his lips. " `The Legend of Prince Genji,' painted by Toyama in fourteen eighty-five. You have excellent commercial taste, Senator Diaz. You chose to admire the most expensive piece of art in the room."

Because of Suma's awesome reputation, Loren expected a giant of a man. Not, most certainly, a man who was slightly shorter than she.

He approached, gave a brief bow to both of them, and shook hands. "Hideki Suma." His hands were soft but the grip firm. "And I believe you've met my chief aide, Moro Kamatori."

"Our jailer," Diaz replied acidly.

"A rather disgusting individual," said Loren.

"But most efficient," Suma came back with a sardonic inflection. He turned to Kamatori. "We seem to be missing two of our guests."

Suma had no sooner spoken when he felt a movement behind him. He looked over his shoulder. Pitt and Giordino were being hustled through the dining-room entrance by two security robots. They were still clad in their flying suits, both with huge garish neckties knotted around their necks that were obviously cut from the sashes of kimonos they'd declined to wear.

"They do not show respect for you," Kamatori growled. He made a move toward them, but Suma held out a hand and stopped him.

"Dirk!" Loren gasped. "Al!" She rushed over and literally leaped into Pitt's arms, kissing him madly over his face. "Oh, God, I've never been so happy to see anyone." Then she hugged and kissed Giordino. "Where did you come from? How did you get here?"

"We flew in from a cruise ship," Pitt said cheerfully, hugging Loren like the father of a kidnapped child who had been returned. "We heard this place was a four-star establishment and thought we'd drop in for some golf and tennis."

Giordino grinned. "Is it true the aerobics instructors are built like goddesses?"

"You crazy nuts," she blurted happily.

"Well, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Giordino," said Suma. "I'm delighted to meet the men who have created an international legend through their underwater exploits."

"We're hardly the stuff legends are made of," Pitt said modestly.

"I am Hideki Suma. Welcome to Soseki Island."

"I can't say I'm thrilled to meet you, Mr. Suma. It's difficult not to admire your entrepreneurial talents, but your methods of operation fall somewhere between Al Capone and Freddie from Elm Street."

Suma was not used to insults. He paused, staring at Pitt in puzzled suspicion.

"Nice place you've got here," said Giordino, boldly appraising Toshie as he edged toward the bar.

For the first time, Diaz smiled broadly as he shook Pitt's hand. "You've just made my day."

"Senator Diaz," Pitt said, greeting the legislator. "Nice to see you again."

"I'd have preferred meeting you with a Delta team at your back."

"They're being held in reserve for the finale."

Suma ignored the remark and lowered himself into a low bamboo chair. "Drinks, gentlemen?"

"A tequila martini," ordered Pitt.

"Tequila and dry vermouth," answered Toshie. "With orange or lemon peel?"

"Lime, thank you."