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Pitt's eyes took on a detached look, as though they were focused on an object beyond the walls of the rooear, twenty-four to load and outfit a vessel Then allowing for good sailing weather, we should be moored over the Empress in five days"

"And the Manhattan Limited?"

"I can put a boat equipped with netometer, side-scan sonar and a sub-bottom profiler on site by this time the day after tomorrow," Giordino replied positively

The time estimates seemed optimistic to Sandecker, but he never questioned the men in front of him

They were the best in the business and they rarely disappointed him He stood up and nodded at Giordino

"Al, the Manhattan Lie operation on the Empress of Ireland" He turned to Pitt "Dirk, you'll act as combined projects director"

"Where would you like me to start?" asked Heidi

"With the ship The builder's blueprints, deck plans, the exact area of Harvey Shields' stateroom Any relevant data that will lead us to the treaties"

Heidi nodded "The public inquiry into the disaster was held in Quebec I'll begin by digging into the transcript of the findings If your secretary will book ht, I'll be on my way"

She looked mentally and physically exhausted, but Sandecker was too pressured for tientlemanly offer of a few hours' sleep He paused a fewinto each determined face

"AU right," he said without emotion "Let's do it"

General Morris Simms, casually attired as a fisher a bamboo rod and wicker creel as he walked doorn path to the River Blackwater near the village of Seward's End, Essex He stopped at the edge of the bank under a picturesque stone bridge and nodded a greeting to aa bobber on the surface of the water

"Good , Prime Minister"

"Good adier"

"Frightfully sorry to trouble you on your holiday"