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The doorman escorted Pitt and Loren down a side corridor to their rooled with a few of the guests She worked her way across the rotunda to an ornate stairway and cli She retrieved a key card and entered a door to the side

Inside was a long, narrow roo the rotunda Evanna McKee was sitting in an e a typewritten speech Rachel, the tall black wo in the far corner

“The guests are anxious to see you,” Audrey said

McKee didn’t look up Audrey noticed a sense of heaviness about her

“They’ll behall,” McKee said softly “Are all of the effects ready?”

“Everything is prepared Lights, music, aromatherapy—and of course the drinks You will have the most receptive audience on the planet The UN Environraized for the task”

“Very good It’s our most impressive crowd yet”

“There is one problem” Audrey cleared her throat McKee looked up with a studious gaze

“The NUMA Director, Dirk Pitt, has accompanied his wife”

“So I saw” McKee raised a slender finger toward the one-way glass

“He confirmed his appointht a water sample from El Salvador that he wants tested”

McKee barely“I are of the appointood Dr Per

kins is prepared to meet him But I didn’t know about the water sample”

“Our people claiton”

“Then, it will be an opportunity to determine if more exist Monitor what Pitt knows If it is too much, you must be prepared to eliminate him”