Celtic Empire (Dirk Pitt 25)

“It looks like everyone is leaving,” Pitt said. “I thought there was another day of conferences.”

“Only the new attendees are invited to stay an extra day.”

There was an unusual hardness in Loren’s voice, and her eyes appeared glassy.

“Are you feeling all right?” He put his arms around her.

She immediately brushed him away. “I was fine until now,” she snapped. “You better get ready.”

Pitt stared at his wife with worry, but said no more. He cleaned up quickly and slipped on a sport coat. Together they walked to the formal dining hall, where a single table overlooking the courtyard was set for dinner. McKee and Audrey stood talking with Abigail Brown, each holding a drink. McKee’s tall companion Rachel stood in the background, eyeing Pitt.

As Loren introduced Pitt to the former Australian prime minister, a servant offered them champagne. McKee ushered everyone to the table, where she took the seat at the head, opposite Pitt.

“I’d go easy on the drinks,” Pitt whispered to Loren as they took their seats. She shook her head and took a sip of champagne.

“Where is your other daughter this evening?” Brown asked McKee.

“Riki had to fly to Ireland for a business project.” McKee turned her attention to Pitt. “I understand you tried your hand at fishing today. Did you have any luck?”

“A few bites, nothing worth keeping. It was pleasant to be on the water. The loch is quite intriguing.”

“My late husband used to love to fish,” she said. “He has some record salmon mounted in the basement.” She looked at Pitt with a penetrating gaze.

He stared back at McKee. “I’d love to see them. I understand your husband was killed in a boating accident on the lake.”

“Yes, he had an Italian speedboat that he liked to race about at high speeds.” She spoke in a casual tone, as if discussing the weather. “It’s believed he struck a rogue wave and flipped the boat.”

“How unfortunate. I hear he was a man of high morals and intellect.”

The servant reappeared and delivered a smoked salmon salad to each place setting. As Pitt and McKee conversed across the length of the table, the other women remained uncomfortably silent, picking at their food.

“Frasier was indeed a brilliant man. He loved science, archeology, and the outdoors. But like most men, he had his flaws.”

Pitt saw Audrey nod in agreement. “I’ve noticed some artifacts on display,” he said. “I presume his love of archeology included ancient Egypt?”

McKee unconsciously stroked the ever-present cartouche dangling from her neck.

“Father had a fascination with all things Egyptian,” Audrey said. “He loved to visit and participate in archeological digs there.”

“He found inspiration for his research in the desert,” McKee added. “Incidentally, Dr. Perkins tells me you provided a water sample for him to analyze. I’m afraid he says there was nothing unusual in the sample.”

“I hadn’t heard.”

“He said it came from El Salvador . . .”

“Yes. Cerrón Grande, a reservoir near San Salvador. I understand your firm was involved with some work at a nearby gold mine.”

“We have projects all over the world,” McKee replied dismissively. “What were you looking to find in your sample?”

“Something that might account for the death of several children in the neighboring villages.”

“Sadly, disease outbreaks occur with too much regularity in the less developed countries. Local water purification is not always effective.”

“How do you ensure there are no harmful effects from your products?” Pitt asked.

“We thoroughly test and monitor our products on a continuous basis. As it is, most of our deployments occur in the ocean, rather than fresh water. Our microbes are no more harmful than the bacteria on a block of blue cheese. I’m sure you, as the Director of NUMA, would appreciate our safeguards for the protection of the oceans.”

“Without a doubt,” he said. “Is that your research lab across the lake?”