Flood Tide (Dirk Pitt 14)

"You'll get no argument from me," said Gunn. "The order to investigate Sungari from under the surface came direct from the White House."

"Do they really think Qin Shang would conduct his smuggling operations through underwater passageways that connect to the hulls of his ships?"

"Some hotshot in Washington must think so. That's why we're here."

"Like me to send for some coffee from the galley?" asked Stewart."I could use a cup," said Gunn without turning from the monitor.

The cook's galley assistant soon brought a tray of cups along with a filled coffeepot. Three hours later the cups and pot were as empty as the inspection project. Nothing showed on the monitor except a seemingly unending wall of steel casings that were driven deep into the silt to act as a barrier for the landfill that in turn acted as a foundation for the dock and terminal buildings. Finally, just before noon, Gunn turned to Stewart.

"So much for the west side of the port," Gunn said wearily. He rubbed his eyes to relieve the strain. "It gets awfully tedious staring at gray, shapeless casing for hours on end."

"See any hint of a door leading to a passage?"

"No so much as a crack or hinge."

"We can move the AUV across the river channel and, with luck, finish up the east side before dark," said Stewart.

"The sooner we wrap this up, the better." Gunn typed a command on the keyboard that sent the AUV on a course toward the opposite side of the port. Then he leaned back and relaxed in his chair.

"Sure you don't want to knock off for a sandwich?" asked Stewart.

Gunn shook his head. "I'll see it through and fill my empty stomach at dinner."

It took only ten minutes for the AUV to cross under the river to the east side of the port. Gunn then programmed the AUV's controls to start the run at the end of the casing wall, working north to south. The AUV had only covered two hundred yards when the phone beside him buzzed. "Can you take that?" he asked Stewart.

The Marine Denizen's skipper picked up the receiver and then handed it to Gunn. "It's Dirk Pitt."

"Pitt." Gunn turned from the monitor, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He took the phone and spoke into the mouthpiece. "Dirk?"

"Hello, Rudi," came Pitt's familiar voice. "I'm calling from an airplane somewhere over the Nevada desert."

"How did your underwater search of the United States go?"

"Got a little hairy there for a while, but all Al and I found was a smooth hull and keel with no openings."

"If we don't find anything on this end in the next few hours, we'll join you."

"Are you using a submersible?" asked Pitt.

"Not necessary," replied Gunn. "An AUV is doing the job just fine."

"Keep a tight leash on it, or Qin Shang's underwater security people will steal it before your eyes. They're sneaky devils."

Gunn hesitated before he replied, wondering what Pitt meant. He was about to ask when Stewart came back. "They're serving lunch, Rudi. I'll talk to you after we reach Washington. Good luck, and give my best to Frank Stewart." Then the connection went dead.

"How is Dirk?" inquired Stewart. "I haven't seen him since we worked together on the Lady Flamborough cruise-ship search down off Tierra del Fuego a few years ago."

"Testy as ever. He gave me a strange warning."

"Warning?"

"He said Qin Shang's underwater security people might steal the AUV," Gunn answered, obviously confused.

"What underwater security?" said Stewart sarcastically.

Gunn didn't reply. His eyes suddenly widened and he pointed at the video monitor. "My God, look!"

Stewart's eyes followed Gunn's outstretched finger and stiffened.