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She stepped closer and aardly shook his hand “My naency for International Develop to collect soave way”

Rondi, calmer now, followed Elise’s lead and shook hands with Pitt and Giordino “I don’t think the dam collapsed I think it was blown up”

Elise looked at him “Rondi, ould blow up a dam here?”

Rondi shrugged “I don’t know, Miss Elise It just sounded like some explosions before it fell down”

They all looked aft at the remains of the da a wide, jagged opening in the concrete The water drainage was slowing, but the iround lay exposed on the reservoir’s shore The survey boat pulled forward as the draw from the falls abated

Giordino found a thermos of hot coffee for Elise and Rondi, then stepped to the wheelhouse and relieved the fisheruided the boat away from the dam

Elise slowly sipped the coffee, passed it to Rondi, then looked at the sonar towfish on the deck She turned to Pitt “What are you doing on Cerrón Grande?”

“We were attending a subsea technology conference in San Salvador and had a free afternoon Thought we’d try out a new sonar system and see if there were any monsters or shipwrecks at the bottom of the lake”

“Monsters or shipwrecks?”

“Al and I work for the National Underwater and Marine Agency”

Elise was faanization tasked with ency’s Director, while his age-old friend Al Giordino headed the undersea technology division A ineer by trade since a stint in the Air Force, Pitt had a lifelong fascination with the sea, being drawn to underwater exploration at every opportunity

“Yes, I know NUMA,” Elise said, “though I doubt you’ll find either ht all of NUMA’s vessels were painted turquoise” She patted the white bulkhead of the survey boat

“A rental fro firm,” Pitt said “Lucky for us, they didn’t skimp on the outboard motors”

He looked over the rail at so the exposed shoreline “What did you say you and the boy were doing out on the water?”

“I’m here