The Silent Sea (Oregon Files 7)

Hanley opened his mouth to reply but thought better of it because he wasn’t sure. With the U.S. military spread thin around the world and the current occupant of the White House more focused on domestic issues, it was possible that the government’s response would be weak protests and another round of UN sanctions.

“Now we have to ask ourselves if a six-hundred-year-old Chinese ship has anything to do with current global events,” Eric said.

“If things hold true to form,” Juan replied, “we can count on it.”

Eddie asked, “What do you want us to do once Linda returns? Should we stay down here or start heading north?”

Cabrillo considered the options and came to a quick decision. “Get the ship out of there. We have no idea what the Argentines are planning in Antarctica, but if the balloon goes up and war breaks out I want the Oregon clear. Also, we need to get into position for the Kuwaiti Emir’s visit to South Africa. He’s hired us as additional security, and that’s one lucrative contract.”

“You got it,” Eddie said. “They should be back in a couple of hours and then we’ll head northward again.”

“Call me when they’re back. I want to hear Linda’s full report.”

Juan killed the connection and brought up his electronic Rolodex. There were more than a thousand names listed, from the direct lines of heads of state to some of the most shadowy characters in the world. He thought it ironic that when listed alphabetically, Langston Overholt’s entry was next to a French pimp who also trafficked in information.

It was three hours earlier on the East Coast, so he wasn’t worried about the time difference. A deep baritone answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Mr. Perlmutter, this is Juan Cabrillo.”

“The infamous Chairman. How are you?”

Though the two had never met and had spoken on the phone only once, each was well aware of the other’s reputation. St. Julian Perlmutter was a living encyclopedia of all things maritime and owned the largest private collection of books, manuscripts, and folios about the history of ships and shipping. His Georgetown home was quite literally packed to the rafters with his well-thumbed trove.

It had been one of Perlmutter’s research projects a few months back that eventually sent the crew of the Oregon to Libya and led to the rescue of the Secretary of State, Fiona Katamora.

“Fine, sir. Yourself?”

“A bit peckish, as the Brits might say. Dinner’s still in the oven, and the aroma is mouthwatering.” Perlmutter’s second-greatest love was food, and to meet him o

ne could see he dined with gusto. “Tell me you’re here in the States, and I can finally get a tour of your ship.”

“Max Hanley and I are here, as a matter of fact, but the Oregon’s at sea.” There was no reason not to tell Perlmutter where the ship was other than that Juan didn’t know if the other man’s phones were clean. “I was wondering if I could pick your brain.”

“Good God, man, you’re starting to sound like Dirk. All he ever calls for is information. At least his kids have the decency to bring me a little something when they come to pump their old uncle St. Julian for his knowledge.”

“Max and I are in Washington State, we’ll send you some of their famous apples.”

“Make it Dungeness crab instead, and you have a deal. What do you need to know?”

“The Chinese Treasure Fleet.”

“Ah, Admiral Zheng. What about it?”

“Actually, I’m talking about Admiral Tsai Song.”

“I’m afraid that’s a myth,” Perlmutter started, and then stopped speaking for a moment. “Did you find evidence that he really existed? He’s real?”

“Are you familiar with the Pine Island Treasure Pit?”

“Yes, of course,” Perlmutter’s voice suddenly shot up a couple of octaves. “My God. That was Tsai?”

“There’s a secret chamber off the main shaft. He left a plaque there, giving a hint to where they abandoned one of their other ships.”

“So it wasn’t pirate loot at all. I never believed it was, but this is fantastic. Tsai Song’s voyage was thought to be nothing more than a story, most likely invented in the eighteenth century as a way of claiming national pride when China was in the throes of unrest due to British meddling.”

“Kind of ‘Look at us, we once had an empire bigger than yours.’ ”

“Exactly. Listen, Captain Cabrillo—”