Page 36 (1/2)

"It wasn't very large About the size of a sarden pot"

"Then what did you do?"

She closed her eyes very tightly, then pressed her hands against them and whispered "I was only in there for a few minutes When I came out I found everyone on the ship dead"

"Exactly how many minutes would you say?" Pitt asked softly

She h her hands "Why are you asking me all these questions?"

"I don'tattorney But please, it's important"

Slowly she lowered her hands and stared vacantly at the surface of the table "I don't know, I have no way of knowing exactly how long I was in there All I re in a couple of towels so I could get a good grip on it and carry it without freezing ers"

"You were very lucky," he said "Yours is a classic exaht time

If you had stepped from the freezer two minutes before you did, you'd be as dead as all the others You were doubly lucky I came on board the ship when I did"

"Are you one of the crew? You don't look familiar"

It was obvious to him she was not fully aware of the Polar Queen's near brush with the Danger Islands "I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself My name is Dirk Pitt I'm with a research expedition We found your excursion party where they had been abandoned on Sey for your ship after all radio calls went unanswered"

"That would have been Maeve Fletcher's party," she said quietly "I suppose they're all dead too"

"Two passengers and the creho took them ashore," he answered "Miss Fletcher and the rest are alive and well"

For a brief instant her face took on a series of expressions that would have done a Broadway actress proud Shock was followed by anger culhtened and she visibly relaxed "Thank God Maeve is all right"

The sunlight cae and shone on her hair, which was loose and flowing about her shoulders, and he caught the scent of her perfue in her She was not young but a confident wo inner qualities He also felt a disconcerting desire for her that angered hiht, not under these circumstances He turned away so she wouldn't see the rapt expression on his face