Sahara (Dirk Pitt 11)

"I used to date a lady who was an engineer with the Solar Energy Institute. She took me on a guided tour of their research facilities. That was several years ago when they were still in the test stages of developing solar thermal technology for eliminating industrial toxic wastes. It appears Massarde has mastered the techniques."

"I've missed something," said Giordino.

"Like what?"

"This whole setup. Why go to the added expense and effort to erect this cathedral to sanitation in the middle of the world's biggest sandbox. Me, I'd have built it closer to a major industrial center. Must cost a bundle just to transport the stuff across half an ocean and 1600 kilometers of desert."

"A most astute consideration," Pitt admitted. "I'm curious too. If Fort Foureau is such a masterpiece of toxic waste destruction, and is judged by hazardous waste experts to be a safe, blue-ribbon operation, it doesn't make sense not to set it in a more convenient location."

"You still think it's responsible for the contamination leak into the Niger?" Giordino asked.

"We found no other source."

"That old prospector's story about an underground river may well be the solution."

"Except there's a flaw," said Pitt.

"You never were the trusting type," Giordino muttered.

"Nothing wrong with the underground flow theory. What I don't buy is leaking contamination."

"I'm with you," Giordino nodded. "What's to leak if they're supposed to be incinerating the crap?"

"Exactly."

"Then Fort Foureau isn't what it's advertised?"

"Not to my way of thinking."

Giordino turned and looked at him suspiciously. "I hope you're not thinking of strolling around down there as if we were a couple of visiting firemen."

"I had cat burglars more in mind."

"How do you propose we get in? Drive up to the gate and ask for a visitor's pass?"

Pitt nodded at the line of freight cars rolling over a siding that paralleled a long loading dock inside the facility. "We hop the train."

"And for a getaway?" Giordino asked suspiciously.

"With the Voisin's fuel gauge knocking on empty, bidding a fond farewell to Mali and driving off into the sunset was the last thing on my agenda. We catch the outward bound express for Mauritania."

Giordino made a glum face. "You expect me to ride first class in freight cars that have carried tons of toxic chemicals? I'm too young to melt into sludge."

Pitt shrugged and smiled. "You'll just have to be careful not to touch anything."

Giordino shook his head in exasperation. "Did you consider the obstacles involved?"

"Obstacles are made to be hurdled," Pitt answered pontifically.

"Like the electrified fence, the guards with Doberman pinschers, the patrol cars bristling with automatic cannon, the overhead lamps that light up the place like a baseball stadium?"

"Yes, now that you had to go and remind me."

"Mighty strange," Giordino reflected, "that a toxic waste incinerator has to be guarded like a nuclear bomb arsenal."

"All the more reason to inspect the premises," said Pitt calmly.

"You won't change your mind and head for home while we're still a team."