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driver, a young athletic prep-school type, stood back as if afraid to interfere with the two hard-core types who handled the heavy suitcases and duffel bags as lightly as pillows "What's the plan?" Pitt asked the driver

"Dinner with Admiral Sandecker at his club"

"Admiral who?" asked Lily

"Sandecker," answered Giordino "Our boss at NUMA We ht It's a rare treat when he pops for a meal"

"Not to mention an invitation to the John Paul Jones Club," added Pitt

"Exclusive?"

Giordino nodded "A depository for rusty old naval officers with bilge water in their bladders"

It was dark when the driver finally turned into a quiet residential street in Georgetown Five blocks later he eased the car onto a gravel drive and stopped beneath the portico of a red-brick Victorian mansion

In the entrance hall a short gamecock of a man stepped across the carpet dressed in a tailored silk suit with a vest He h a door crack His features were sharp and always rem-linded Pitt noticed the deep red hair on his head connected to a meticulously ed Van Dyke beard His eyes seear

Admiral James Sandecker was not the kind to creep into a room; he took it by storm

"Good to see you boys back," he snapped in a tone more official than friendly "I hear your ancient ship discoveryit a big play"

"We had a few lucky breaks," said Pitt "May I present Dr Lily Sharp

Lily, Admiral James Sandecker"

Sandecker beahthouse when he was in the presence of an attractive woman, and he went luminous for Lily "Doctor, you have to be the loveliest lady to ever honor these walls"

"I'ainst females"