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“Nice to see you again, Lieutenant What’s going on?”

“Sorry to be evasive, Kurt, but the ad any questions for now”

“Okay Then how about telling me where we’re headed?”

“Not us It’s where you’re going” Casey pointed “Right there”

The SUV had only gone a couple of bocks froain Austin thanked Casey for the ride, got out of the SUV, and walked up to the entrance of a restaurant A neon sign spelled out the name AEGEAN GROTTO

The restaurant’s owner, an ebullient native of Naxos named Stavros, ambushed Austin as he stepped over the threshold

“Good evening, Mr Austin How are things at the Fish House?”

Stavros used his nickname for NUMA headquarters, where many of his patrons worked as scientists or technicians

“As fishy as ever,” Austin said with a slight s someone here”

“Your friend arrived a few o,” Stavros said “I’ve seated him at the admiral’s table”

He led Austin to an alcove at the rear of the dining room Admiral Sandecker had often dined at the restaurant when he was NUMA director The table offered aroo the table were decorated with pictures of squid, octopi, and various other denizens of Stavros’s kitchen

The nition

Austin pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Max Kane “Hello, Doc,” he said “This is a pleasant surprise”

“I’h my masquerade so easily”

“You hadto starboard”