Page 93 (1/2)

“We’ll drop you off at the nearest city with an airport and put you on a plane”

“What should I tell the Navy?”

“The truth But they ht not believe you”

“When I bring theht—”

Juan put up his hand to interrupt him It was the vibration in his feet that he noticed first Then a rhythainst the steel hull becaht it was the sound of a destroyer’s screws as it approached to depth-charge the U-boat

But to Juan’s mind, the reality sounded just as ominous

Linc looked upward, as if he were peering at the sky through the ceiling of the U-boat, and said, “The helicopter is back”

45

The Agusta had been flying the pattern set by Farouk, as now in the front seat next to the pilot, and Tate had grown bored They’d been at this all day, and he was getting sick of staring down at the featureless green expanse of trees Ballard was dozing opposite hi the crate of C-4 plastique he’d loaded onto the helicopter, twelve bundles in all They’d been fitted with tis Half a et free of the explosion

He sighed in irritation, but he sat up when Farouk spoke

“Go back,” he said to the pilot

“Did you see so?” Tate asked

“A long cigar shape It could be a log, but it seee”

The helicopter swung around and retraced their path

A few seconds later, Farouk raised his fists in triumph