Page 32 (1/2)
“How do you do?” Reardon surprised Juan with a crisp British accent
“By the looks of you no one appears to need ht?”
“No,” Sloane said “We’re all fine, but thank you for asking”
“Good, I’m relieved,” Juan said, and meant it “I’d take you to my cabin to talk about what just happened out here but it’s a bit of a et the cook to whip up a little so” Juan asked Linc to find the steward
The truth was, the reet inspectors and harbor officials who caned to et off the ship as quickly as possible The walls and carpet had been cheuaranteed to leave even a chain-saze of the velvet clown paintings made most people extremely uncomfortable, as they were supposed to It sih the topside galley and adjoining her standard, at least they were reasonably clean
Juan led theht of internal stairs with treads of chipped linoleum and cautioned them about a handrail that was kept purposefully loosened He ushered theht switches to snap on the banks of fluorescents The other switch only turned on a couple of the lights and two of the sound Most Custo on the bridge floor rather than working in the dining room There were four mismatched tables in the spacious mess hall, and of the sixteen chairs only two looked even remotely similar The walls were painted in a color Juan called Soviet Green, a dull mint hue that never failed to depress
Two decks below this roo area as any five-star restaurant
He indicated where he’d like the them so they faced a pinhole camera hidden in a picture on one wall Linda Ross and Max Hanley were in the op center to monitor the interview If they had any questions they wanted Juan to pose they would be passed to him by Maurice, the steward
Cabrillo folded his hands on the tabletop, glanced at his guests but let his eyes settle on Sloane Macintyre She returned his gaze without blinking and he believed he saw a hint of a ser after what they’d been through, but she al; unlike Reardon, as clearly rattled, or the Pinguin’s captain, as pensive,Juan wouldn’t call the authorities
“So, why don’t you tell me who those people were and why they wanted you all dead?” Sloane leaned f
orward brightly and was about to speak, but Juan added, “And don’t forget I heard what they said on the radio about warning you off last night”
She sat back again, clearly rethinking her response
“Just tell him, for God’s sake,” Tony sputtered when Sloane didn’t immediately respond “It doesn’t matter noay”
She shot hi that if she didn’t talk openly Tony was going to tell Cabrillo everything She let out a breath “We are looking for a ship that sank in these waters in the late 1800s”
“And let uess, you think there’s treasure aboard?” Juan asked indulgently