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“The ship was far from that,” the admiral said loudly “She shot the side out from under the hydrofoil as if it was a routine exercise We still don’t knohat happened to the other two ships”

Just outside the door, the ad into a satellite telephone He poked his head into Rhee’s office

“Ad’s on the line”

CHUCK “Tiny” Gunderson smiled at Rhonda Rosselli and held out one of the bearer bonds “So,” he said, “here’s the deal Tracy, Judy and I need to make an unscheduled midair exit Once we are safely out, you can untie the pilots”

“You’re abandoningyour team was a lie?”

Gunderson pulled a thick cigar froht-suit pocket and slid it under his nose Then he bit off the end and lit it with a solid gold lighter He puffed the stogie to life “I never lie to a pretty girl,” he said, sht”

“Then what’s the deal?”

Gunderson slipped the bearer bond into a plastic envelope and sealed it inside with the others “The bond I showed you will be mailed to your home address once I reach land That’s your payment for a job well executed”

“What do I say e land?” Rosselli asked

“I’d tell the,” Gunderson said, “except about the bond That should remain our little secret”

“Just tell them?” Rosselli said incredulously

“Why not?” Gunderson said “I was careful not to relay any inforroup My team will make sure that the United States embassy is notified in whatever country the plane lands Just spill your guts and they’ll let you go in a few days Once you get back to California, someone that works with me will make contact in due time”

“So I won’t see you again?” she asked

“You never know,” Gunderson said as red-haired Tracy Pilston walked over

“Our ride is only a few miles ahead,” Pilston noted, “and we’re both ready to fly the coop”