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“Thanks,” Austin said “Then you ray whales”

“I do—a very strange story Any idea what killed them?”

“We ht be able to find out with your help”

“Sure, anything I can do”

“We’d like to borrow the Sea Robin and thesouth of the border”

Contos laughed “You weren’t kidding about a big favor” He paused in thought, then shrugged “Why not? We’re just about through with our field tests here If you can get an oral authorization to work in Mexican waters, it’s fine with me”

Austin nodded and immediately called NUMA After a few minutes of conversation he passed the cell phone to Contos He listened, nodded, asked a few questions, then clicked off “Looks like we’re heading south Gunn gave his okay” Rudi Gunn was NUMA director of operations in Washington “Two days at the ain One thing, though He says he won’t have tiovernment on short notice”

“If anyone asks, we can say ere lost,” Austin said with feigned innocence

Contos gestured at the glittering array of lights and dials on the ship’s console “That h story to sell with all the electronics this vessel carries The Sea Robinon in the world We’ll let the State Department iron out any problems if we’re boarded When do you want to leave?”

“We’ll pick up our gear and get back as soon as possible The rest is up to you”

“I’ll schedule a seven AM departure for toive the crew its new orders

As Austin alking back to the car he asked Zavala what Contos meant when he said he knehat Joe had been up to

“We dated the sa

“Is there any female in the District of Columbia you haven’t dated?”

Zavala thought about it “The first lady A