She let another car, a gray five-door compact, merge into the lane between her and the lead vehicle. Adriana was savvy and would be watching for a tail. There was no doubt about that. Sean shook his head and leaped onto the fence, grasping the top with both hands and vaulting over it with one swift movement. Exactly, Locke said. Ruxbane blew air out through his nose, willing his muscles to cooperate with the womans order. He shifted for comfort as she dipped her hand in a fist-sized jar of medicine. It reminds me, Captain. Something I must discuss with you. The tests tomorrow night. Thats great news. Shy’s calling an evac, so, hopefully help’s coming soon. After a modest meal in his sea-cabin he made his first attempt at sleep in the twenty-four hours sinceRestless had picked upFort Nebraskas signal. To Barratt it seemed a good deal longer. Exhausted and depressed he lay on the settee, turning constantly, the pillow moist with sweat, the humid heat too much for the fan which whirred above his head. Sleep just wouldnt come. Too many thoughts in his head. Through it kept passing pictures of all that had happened during those twenty-four hours. Inevitably, they were accompanied by questions and uncertainties. Was he carrying out the search in the most efficient manner? Was there anything more he could and should be doing? Closer co-operation with theCatalinas? Why? In what way? They were searching as thoroughly as they could. So wasRestless. The only sort of co-operation possible was the exchange of more signals. With what object? There was nothing to say. To have aircraft circling and flashing messages morning and evening was a sure way of making a nonsense of the search. I have need of your services, the man continued. I collect extremely rare pieces of art. You find and recover the same sorts of items. There are three works that I am desperately in need of adding to my collection. If you do as instructed and are successful, you will be paid ten million dollars in U.S. currency for each piece. In addition, the prisoner will be returned to you safely, but only upon delivery of all three paintings. Of course, if you fail, the prisoner will be executed.” This sent a chill through her body, raising the hair on the back of her skull. Still underwater, they continued to force the rig ahead. Coming up for air Barratt saw the parachute flare splutter into the creek as a second rocket burst and another flare began its descent. The tracers were passing overhead but he heard the unmistakablespa-aa-aang of rifle bullets splashing around him. In the moment between drawing a deep breath and submerging again, he had seen the submarines stern less than twenty feet away. With fierce energy he and the In his cabin resting. Hes got the last dog-watch. He’s a bit short of sleep. Up all night while you were away with the shore party — and most of today.’ One side of his face twisted in a grin. He liked the American brashness she always carried. It was almost endearing. Allyson pouted her lips and looked up at the ceiling for a second, pretending to ponder what the woman said.Yeah, I already knew youd say that. Traffic at this time of day will be slowing things down. I’m guessing I could probably catch up to your friend if I hurry. When Barratt had dealt with these he looked at the wardroom clock, compared the time with his wristwatch.Its almost 2000,’ he said. ‘Members of the shore party must have their gear, arms, etcetera mustered by 2130. It’s important to get as much rest as possible between then and 0200 when you leave the ship. ‘Wear dark clothing. Not too much, it’ll be very hot. Blacken your faces and all other exposed flesh — your hair, too, unless it’s black. See the Coxswain if you’ve not got enough blacking, he’ll fix you up. If you run into aJap sentry in the dark we want him to think you’re anAfrican.’ Barratt’s eyes glittered in a humourless smile. 7/he has time to think before you kill him.’ He ran a hand across his forehead, once more cleared his throat. ‘Landing on the beach is, as I said earlier, scheduled for 0230. The attack itself round about 0320.’ His eyes travelled over the curious, expectant faces. ‘The First Lieutenant will commandRestless in my absence, so the ship will be in good hands.’He stood up. ‘Well, that’s it. I haven’t thrown in any pep talk. You probably dislike that sort of thing as much as I do.I just want to say that we’ve got a first-rate team, ashore and afloat.’ He paused. ‘When we sink that bloody submarine — I saybloody advisedly -1 hope we’ll give the Japanese some of the treatment they like to dish out to others.’ For a moment his stare seemed to reach out over the heads of his audience, to something beyond the confines of the wardroom. ‘That’s all,’ he said. ‘So good luck and good hunting.’* * * Get off! she yelled. The pack barked in unison, their chests rising and falling with laughter. Over the next three hours, she helped pack the ship with supplies. Everything theyd counted and inventoried went onboard, stacked and netted in the hold or secured in the short hall between the hold and the bedrooms. Locke helped bring Fehn inside halfway through the process, and with him, the supplies, and everyone else onboard, the ship would be just a few kilograms under the maximum weight, according to Otto. It was a lucky break, he’d said. They almost had to throw Tayel out. Yes, sir. The other man— one of similar age and manner — was Dr. Nicholas Remming. He nodded in agreement. Well done, Tommy. Well done indeed. A Templar burial site. Astonishing. Remming had been a professor of medieval studies for 22 years and had taken part in more than a dozen digs across Europe. Either way, its barbaric. It wouldn’t kill you to learn a little discretion..