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“That didn’t quite work out as planned.” She waited as the server topped off her cup. “But why Lazlo, at this stage? It sounds like we’re close.”
“I think it would lift his spirits to be in on the hunt.”
She gazed at a gull, riding an updraft over the water. “I don’t know, Sam. With the rebels knocking people off left and right . . .”
“He can always hop on a plane out just as easily as we can. Or join us on the boat.”
“Speaking of which, are we heading out there today?”
“I think it would be good to show our faces. Moral support for Leonid and all.”
Back in their room, Remi pulled up the e-mail and they read Lazlo’s attachment. When they were done, Remi shook her head. “Just once, I’d like to have a clear set of directions. Just once. Is that too much to ask?”
“It would take all the fun out of it.”
“Maybe, but come on. This could be anywhere. He doesn’t even identify which village he used as his starting point.”
“Lazlo did say he might have missed something. Could be a starting point yet to surface. Even so, we’re way ahead of where we were just a few days ago. He places the cave near a waterfall.”
“There’s some ambiguity there, I think. Lazlo makes a point of indicating that it could be plural, as in caves.”
“Cave, caves, at least we have something to follow now.”
“I know.” She checked her watch. “How hard do you think it will be to round up some decent spelunking gear on the island?”
“Basics? Shouldn’t be too bad. I’ll make out a list and send it to Selma, just in case. Lazlo can bring anything we can’t locate.”
There was only one police checkpoint just outside of town and little traffic as they followed the winding road to the turnoff that led to the bay. They were again the only vehicle parked by the shore and there were no fresh tire tracks, their old ones long since washed away by the regular cloudbursts. Des arrived in the skiff five minutes after they arrived and gave them a progress report as they bounced over the mild waves toward the Darwin.
Once on board, Des led them to the bridge, where Leonid was in his customary position in front of the monitor display, watching the divers go about their work. He glanced up when Sam and Remi entered and then went back to staring at the screens.
“Morning, sunshine,” Sam said as he neared.
“More like afternoon now, isn’t it?” Leonid said.
“When you’re in the islands, time slows down. Don’t you know that?” Remi said with a smile. “How’s it going?”
“Agonizing. It’ll be years, at this rate,” Leonid said.
“I have good news for you, my aquatic friend,” Sam announced. “There’s a much larger ship en route. It should be here in no time.” Sam told him about the research vessel and, uncharacteristically, a hint of a smile played across the Russian’s taciturn face.
“Won’t be a minute too soon,” Leonid said.
“But, in the meantime, we have a related project to which we need you to bring your considerable skills.” Sam described the encrypted clues Lazlo had discovered. “We were hoping you might want to get off the boat for a little while and help us find King Loc’s treasure. Unless you’ve got your hands full here,” Sam said, eyeing the cloudy images on the monitors.
“Back on solid ground? When do we leave?”
“Shortly. We have an associate coming from San Diego with some supplies we’ll need. Figure in two days, tops.” Sam smiled. “In the meantime, we can do a little diving together. Remi’s been bugging me about seeing you in action. I hate to deprive her of anyth
ing.”
Remi nodded enthusiastically. “That’s right. We’ll stay overnight so we can get in some morning dives, too. You ready to suit up and put those newfound skills of yours to work?”
Leonid closed his eyes and shook his head. “I hope you’re joking.”
Remi waited until his eyes flittered open and gave him a wicked grin. “I never joke about diving.”
Sam shrugged. “She’s the boss. Come on, Aquaman. Time to get wet.”
