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“Oh, they’re there, all right,” Kane said with a tight smile “The kitchen and maintenance staffs are all security people There’s an electronic-surveillance center that keeps track of anyone coot cameras all over the place”

“What about the water-taxi man, Mr Greene? Is he in on the deception?”

Kane smiled “Dooley provides a useful cover He worked for the old resort before Hurricane Charlie drove it into bankruptcy We transported equip things up, but we needed someone to run people and supplies between the island and the mainland Dooley’s never been farther inland than the dock He’s a bit of a wind-bag, so if he does spout off about soure that he’sit up”

“He was curious about me I put him off as best I could”

“I’m sure everyone on Pine Island will knoithin hours about your visit, but I doubt anyone will care”

“That’s good I h at the enor us and the consequences if we fail”

He considered her answer and then said, “I’m optimistic from e have done so far that ill not fail”

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I would feel more at ease if I knew the scientific basis for your optimism”

“Skepticism is the lifeblood of scientific inquiry,” Kane said, spreading his hands “I’ll do my best Our work is complex but not cohest part is doing it As you know, nothing is ever certain when you’re dealing with viruses”

Song Lee nodded

“With the exception of the human race,” she said, “I don’t think there is a y been?”

“Are you up for a leisurely walk? I think better on my feet”

They struck off along one of the shell paths that laced the island, a holdover frouests at the old resort

“I understand you worked at Harbor Branch,” Lee said Harbor Branch was a marine lab on Florida’s east coast

“I was at Harbor Branch for several years,” Kane said “The ocean bio the first to recognize the vast potential for pharanisenious natural mechanisms to cope with an extreme environment”