Piranha (Oregon Files 10)

“Speaking of checks,” Juan said, “did you call Atlas Salvage?”

Max nodded. “They’ll be on their way shortly with an oceangoing tug from Kingston. The owner, Bill Musgrave, is negotiating the contract with Cabimas. As a finder’s fee, he’s cutting us in for ten percent.”

Salvage was a lucrative and dangerous business, so the payouts were usually a percentage of the ship and cargo value. In this case, it would be more than one hundred million dollars if they were able to get the ship back to port intact, so the Corporation’s split would be handsome.

Not bad for a day’s work. And they were about to bring in even more.

The crane lowered its net toward the water, and divers in the RHIB would wrap it around each sub to pick it up.

Without warning, the first sub sank below the surface.

Max blurted. “What the . . .”

Another sub disappeared. Then the third.

Juan radioed to the op center. “We’re losing the subs. Are they preparing to attack? Report.”

“Negative, Chairman,” Linda replied. “Sonar shows they’re aiming straight for the bottom.”

Juan called for the divers to try to snag one of them, but it was too late. All three were shooting two miles to the seafloor. Even if they could eventually recover the subs, at the rate they were descending little would be left on impact.

“Get those pictures to Overholt,” Juan told Murph. “I’m going to talk to our guest.”

Juan entered the fake mess hall and got a cup of coffee for himself before sitting down with Maria.

“Is my crew treating you well?” he said.

While looking around at the dingy room, she said, “Everyone has been wonderful. I’d never imagine that a ship in this, uh, condition would have such excellent food.”

“It’s all for appearances. The ship is cleaner than she looks. We spend the money where it counts. Listen, I have a favor to ask.”

“Of course. Anything. You saved me and my ship.”

“We’d appreciate you not mentioning our involvement.”

“Why? You and your men should get a medal for what you did.”

“Because of the cargo we tend to carry, we don’t like a lot of attention.” There was no harm in giving her the impression that they were smugglers. The fact that they had been experienced with guns and fighting tactics would only enhance the notion.

Maria gave him a knowing look. “Ah, I see. What about the dead men on my ship?”

Juan was ready with a story. “Pirates. They attempted to take the ship when it foundered and killed your crew.”

“And who killed all of them?”

“Intragroup rivalry. No honor among these thieves, who will eventually be identified as rogue Venezuelan Navy sailors. The rest of them took off in their boat when they couldn’t get the ship under way.”

Juan could see her gears working as she pondered his story. Finally she said, “That all makes sense. It’s the least I can do for you.”

“Thank you. In the meantime, I think you should stay with us. It’s your decision, of course, but if Admiral Ruiz is really behind this, you may be in danger. I don’t think she likes loose ends. That is, if you don’t mind going missing until this blows over.”

“I don’t think I’ll be commanding my ship for a while. And my ex-husband certainly won’t care. But I should at least report in to Cabimas.”

“Tell them the truth, that you’re afraid for your life because the attackers got away. When they’re caught, you’ll feel safe enough to return.”

She thought about the suggestion, then said, “All right. I think they’ll understand that. They’ll be more concerned about recovering the ship for now.”

“Fine. I’ll have my steward Maurice set you up with a suitable cabin.”