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“Growing soft in your old age?” Giordino asked as he rubbed his knuckles

“Syround He stood and looked at Perkins “The back door, Doctor?”

“ThisThis way” Perkins snaked through the center tanks to the back wall and a large drop-down door A small panel at the side controlled its operation, and Perkins pushed the lift button Nothing happened

“It’s probably secured by a reader,” Pitt said “Let me try my key card” He waved his stolen ID in front of the panel, but it made no difference

Pitt turned to Giordino “Webuddy’s assistance”

They turned to retrace their steps when gunfire sounded, and the concrete floor exploded in small chunks in front of them

They froze as two guards with raised assault rifles appeared at the center of the bay A thirdbetween the guards, he raised an automatic pistol, aimed it at Pitt, and smiled

50

Dr Perkins, so nice to see you again,” Pitt said to the security man named Richards He waved a hand toward the real scientist “I believe you know Dr Perkins?”

“Shut up” Richards took a step closer, leveling his pistol at Pitt’s chest He nodded at one of the guards, who searched the three men The map was taken from Pitt’s pocket, and Giordino was relieved of his wrench

They were then held at gunpoint, backs against the wall, for nearly twentyopen, Audrey McKee walked in, escorted by an arnized her companions as the assassins who had killed Dr Nakamura in Maryland

Audrey approached Pitt with a look of be around in places you don’t belong”

“I thought you told me to make myself at home”

She shook her head “I saw your submersible at the dock Very sly”

“We heard that Nessie was in the neighborhood,” Giordino said, “and stopped by to see for ourselves”