The Emperor's Revenge (Oregon Files 11)

The two of them took their computers and left.

“Do you think they really can do it?” Gretchen asked when they were alone.

“They’re the best in the business,” Juan said. “If they can’t do it, no one can.”

She leaned over and looked him in the eye. “You really trust your people, don’t you?”

He returned her gaze. “I wouldn’t have hired them if I didn’t.”

“That’s admirable. Not every boss is like that.”

“This isn’t your typical company.”

“I’ve noticed.” She paused, and then a smile curled at the corners of her mouth. “I forgot what you were like.”

“I never forgot what you were like.”

“Do you wonder how things could have been back at the CIA if we hadn’t been married? To other people, I mean.”

Juan had often wondered the same thing over the last few days, but before he had a chance to answer, the intercom on the table buzzed.

Gretchen sighed. “The captain’s work is never done.”

Juan stabbed the button.

“Your timing is impeccable,” he said into the microphone.

“I do have a knack for that sort of thing,” Max replied, thinking he was getting a compliment.

“Are we ready for the dive?”

“Th

e equipment’s prepped, but we have a bit of an issue with the dive site.”

“You can’t locate the container?”

“No, we found it on the side-scan sonar. The problem is with the Narwhal.”

“What about it?”

“She settled on her side. On a slope. With the container holding the Jaffa Column still partially attached.”

“I’m assuming that’s not what you were expecting,” Gretchen said.

Juan slowly shook his head. He had hoped the Narwhal had settled on the sea bottom in an upright position, making the container recovery relatively easy. With her hull in an awkward position, the degree of difficulty had increased by a factor of ten.

“Got it, Max,” Juan said with an eyebrow raised at Gretchen. “Not great.”

“It could have been worse,” Max said, and Juan could picture his sarcastic grin. “At least she’s not upside down.”

“Always the optimist is not something I would ever say to you. I’ll be down in a minute.”

He closed the connection.

“You’re going down in that sub?” Gretchen asked.

“No, Max is driving Nomad today. I’m going to dive separately.”