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"If Mexican archaeologists had taken aand set it up for exhibit," said Moore doggedly, "I'd have known about it"

"Then how do you explain that it is not where it is supposed to be?"

"I can't," Moore admitted "As soon as we land back at the hacienda, I'll review nificant clue that I olden suit"

"I trust you will find it before to," Sarason said dryly

Oxley fought the urge to doze off He had been at the controls since nine o'clock in theand his neck was stiff eariness He held the control column between his knees and poured himself a cup of coffee from a thermos He took a s andas battery acid Suddenly, his eye caught a flash of green froht of the Baffin flying boat

"Don't see many helicopters in this part of the Gulf," he said casually

Sarason didn't bother to look "Must be a Mexican navy patrol plane"

"No doubt looking for a drunken fisherine," added Moore

Oxley shook his head "I can't ever recall seeing a turquoise military aircraft"

Sarason looked up, startled "Turquoise? Can you s?"

Oxley lifted the binoculars and peered through the windscreen "American"

"A Drug Enforce with Mexican authorities, probably"

"No, it belongs to National Underwater and Marine Agency I wonder what they're doing in the Gulf?"

"They conduct ocean surveys all over the world," said Moore unconcernedly

Sarason stiffened as though he'd been shot "Two scum from NUMA wrecked our operation in Peru"