fie was fairly young, late thirties, his face strong and lined by years of ocean gales and salt air. the eyes were cool blue-gray above a strong narrow nose and a mouth that looked goodnaturedly warm, though Pitt mused-rightly-that it could quickly straighten and harden to an aggressive line during business hours. Pitt mentally wrote him down as a sharp and cunning opponent. He made a note never to turn his back to him.
Rondheim stopped before the table, his even white teeth flashing in a seemingly cordial smile. "Kristi darling. How delightful you look tonight." Then he affectionately embraced her.
Pitt waited to see where the blue-gray eyes would move to next-to himself or the admiral.
He guessed wrong. Rondheim turned to Tidi.
"Ah-and who is this lovely young lady?"
"Admiral Sandecker's secretary, Miss Tidi Royal," Kirsti said. "May I present Oskar Rondheim."
"Miss Royal." He made a slight bow. "I am charmed by such interesting eyes."
Pitt had to hold his napkin to his mouth to muffle the laughter. "I think this is where I came in."
Tidi began to giggle, and Sandecker joined in with a hearty laugh that turned heads at the nearby tables.
Pitt kept his eyes on Kirsti. He was intrigued by a frightened, almost panicky expression that flickered across her face before she forced a thin smile and went along with the surrounding mirth.
Rondheim didn't go along with it at all. He stood there, his eyes staring blankly in confusion and his mouth pressed tightly together in anger-one didn't need to be a mind reader to see that he wasn't in the habit of being laughed at.
"I said something humorous?" he asked.
"This seems to be the night for complementing women on their eyes," Pitt said.
Kristi explained to Rondheim and then hurriedly introduced Sandecker.
"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Admiral."
The cool look was back in Rondheim's eyes. "Your reputation as a mariner and oceanographer is widely known throughout seafaring circles."
"Your reputation is known widely throughout seafaring circles, Mr. Rondheim," 'The admiral shook Rondheim's hand and turned to Pitt. "Major Dirk Pitt, my special projects director."
Rondheim paused a moment, making a coldly professional assessment of the man standing before him before he extended his hand, "Major Pitt."
"How do you do." Pitt gritted his teeth as Rondheim's hand closed like a vise. Pitt fought a desire to squeeze back; instead he let his hand go limp in a deadfish grip. "Good heavens, Mr. Rondheim, you're a very strong man."
"I'm sorry, Major." Rondheim winced with surprised disgust and jerked his hand back as though he had been shocked by an electrical circuit. "The men who work for me are a rugged breed and have to be treated as such. When I am off the deck of a fishing boat, I sometimes forget to act like a gentleman of the land."
"Goodness, Mr. Rondheim, you needn't apologize. I admire virile men." Pitt held up his hand and wiggled his fingers. "No harm done as long as I can still wield a brush."
"Do you paint, Major?" Kirsti asked.
"Yes, landscapes mostly. I also enjoy doing floral still lifes-There is something about flowers that inspires the soul, don't you think?"
Kirsti looked at Pitt curiously. "I would love to see your work sometime."
"Unfortunately all of my canvases are in Washington. However, I'd be delighted to present you with my impressions of Iceland while I'm here." Pitt held a finger against his lips in a femine gesture. "Watercolors, yes, that's it. I'll do a series of watercolors. Perhaps you can hang them in your office."
"You are very kind, but I could not accept-"
"Nonsense," Pitt interrupted. "Your coastline is magnificent. I'm simply dying to see if I can capture its contrasting forces of sea and rock meeting one another in a natural eruption of light and color."
39
Kirsti smiled politely. "If you insist, but you must permit me to do something for you in return."
"I ask one favor-a boat. To do your shoreline justice, I must sketch it from the sea. Nothing fancy. Any small cruiser will do."