The Mediterranean Caper (Dirk Pitt 2)

“Please accept them both along with my blessing,” she murmured.

He kissed her lightly on the eyes. “See what you’ve been missing all these years,” he said grinning.

“I agree. You’ve certainly shown me a wonderful antidote for my depression.”

“I always prescribe seduction. It’s guaranteed to cure any and all rare maladies and common ailments.”

“And what is your fee, doctor?” she said, accompanied with a feminine giggle.

“Consider it paid in full.”

“You’re not going to get off that easily. I must insist you come to my uncle’s house for dinner tonight.”

“I shall consider it an honor,” he said. “What time and how do I get there?”

“I’ll have my uncle’s driver pick you up at the entrance to Brady Field at 6 o’clock.”

Pitt’s eyebrows raised. “What makes you think I’m stationed at Brady Field?”

“You’re obviously an American and that’s where all the Americans on the island are.” Teri grasped his hand and pressed it to her face. “Tell me about your-self. What type of job do you perform in your Air Force? Do you fly? Are you an officer?”

Pitt did his best to look serious. “I’m the base garbage collector.”

Her eyes opened wide in surprise. “Are you really? You’re much too intelligent to be a garbage collector.”

She looked into his strong tan face and his intense green eyes. “Oh well, I won’t hold your occupation against you. Have you been promoted to sergeant yet?’

“No. I’ve never been a sergeant”

Suddenly a bright flash in the rocks about two hundred feet away caught Pitt’s attention. A shiny object reflected the sun’s rays for a brief instant He watched the area where the glint had shown but could detect no further flash or movement.

Teri felt him tense. “Is something the matter?” she asked.

“No, nothing,” Pitt lied. “I thought I saw something floating in the water, but it’s disappeared now. He looked at her upraised face, and his eyes turned devilish. “Well I’d better be getting back to the base, I’ve got a lot of garbage to collect”

“I should return also. My uncle will probably wonder what happened to me.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Don’t be silly,” she laughed. She stood up and brushed the sand from her body and adjusted the bikini.

Pitt smiled, getting to his feet. “Why is it women always seem so shy and demure before they’ve been laid yet so sparkling and carefree after?”

She shrugged lightheartedly. “I guess it’s because sex releases all our frustrations and makes us feel earthy.” Her brown eyes flashed with intensity. “You see, we women have animal instincts too.”

Pitt playfully slapped her on the buttocks. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“You’ve got a long walk. My uncle’s villa is in the mountains behind Liminas.”

“Where are the mountains and where is Liminas?”

“Liminas is a small village about six miles up the road,” she said pointing north. “But I don’t

understand what you mean by asking about the mountains? Her pointing hand swung toward the inland slopes a mile behind the road. “What do you call those?”

“In California, where I come from, we call anything under three thousand feet of elevation hills.”

“You Yanks are always bragging.”