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A pounding on the door interrupted their conversation Then the door flew open, and an Asian ht behind hirin

“Hello, soldier,” he said “You’re a long way from home”

“I could say the sa about you, Phelps”

“Yes, you could I see you’ve made friends with the captain and his crew”

“Captain Mehdev has been very generous with his liquor cabinet”

“Too bad the party’s over,” Phelps said “The captain and his boys have work to do”

Mehdev took the hint and ordered his crew out of the cabin Phelps told his guard to escort them back to their posts, and then he pulled up a chair and put his boots up on a s table

“How did you find this little hidey-hole?” Phelps asked

Zavala yawned

“Dumb luck,” he said

“I don’t think so Next question Anyone else know about this place?”

“Only the US Navy You and your pals can expect a visit from an aircraft carrier any minute”

“Nice try,” Phelps said with a snort “The atoll would be swar with ships and planes by now if the Navy knew about us The camera on the island sent a picture of your pretty face directly to rab you, even at the risk of being seen by soot yourself in a hell of a mess, Joe”

Zavala’s lips turned up in a slight smile

“It only looks that way,” he said