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“So were Oppenheiinal Manhattan Project,” Coo compromised”

“Before you indict Dr Lee, I’d like to point out that I was the only one at Bonefish Key who knew the exact location of the lab That information could have come from an outside source What about the security company?”

Lieutenant Casey said, “The security people didn’t knohat the lab was for, but they knehere it was And they overnment operatives”

The lieutenant hadthe security arrangements for the lab to a civilian company

“The use of civilian contractors has been widespread,” Coombs said, “especially since the Iraq War”

“Where it was proven tiht-and-control capabilities,” Casey said “The taxpayers pay for a professional Navy, not a bunch of oceangoing cowboys”

“You’re out of line, Lieutenant,” Coombs said He had lost his cool deer

The lieutenant’s phone trilled, heading off a heated argument over the use of private warriors He had a brief conversation with the caller and hung up

“The ROV is on the lab site,” he announced with a cutting glance at Coo photos of the bottom”

He rose from his chair and went over to a computer at one end of the table, which was connected to a PowerPoint setup He clicked the e of the ocean bottom appeared on the projection screen There was no trace of the lab, no wreckage to suggest that the Locker had been destroyed

“Are you sure you’ve got the correct location?” Coombs asked with irritation in his voice

“Absolutely,” Casey said “Look closer You can see the big circular indentations in the sand That’s where the lab’s support legs rested”

“What’s this all mean?” Coombs demanded

Casey gave him a bleak smile

“Taking a wild guess, Mr Coombs, I’d say this means that Davy Jones’s Locker has been hijacked”