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“Well, here’s the problem,” Austin said with a heavy smile

“You killed thatof US property and the missile attack on the support ship You’re lucky no one died on the Proud Mary Then there’s the death of the security-coot your ID”

“The h to steal the lab,” Phelps said “I’ll adlad that didn’t happen I had no part in the security man’s deathBut I see what you mean”

“Glad to hear that you understand the situation,” Austin said “I’ to have to turn you over to the authorities e land I’ll tell theate your punishment”

“Ten years in the brig instead of twenty?” Phelps grinned “Well, soo tell Lois what’s happening?”

Austin couldn’t help ad the man’s calm He nodded, then rose from his chair They left the salon, and a few minutes later were in a pontoon boat headed back to the Concord

Lois Mitchell aiting there for them Phelps peeled Lois away from the others, and they went off to talk while Austin and Zavala went to the wardroom to meet with the captain and the scientists from the lab

Dixon brought everyone up to date on the progress of the jet flying to China It would be close, but the vaccine would make it there in time

Austin glanced at his watch He excused himself and went out on the deck He asked several crewot an anshen one of them pointed toward shore

“They took the inflatable into port,” the crewman informed Austin “They said they would be back in a couple of hours Guy said to give this to you”

Austin unfolded the sheet of lined notebook paper and read the short, scrawled e:

“Gotta do what you gotta do P”

An annoyed smile came to Austin’s lips Phelps had outfoxed him

Austin walked over to the railing and looked toward Pohnpei Kolonia was small town on a small island, but the local police department wasn’t exactly Interpol Phelps would be far away by the time local police mobilized

Austin clie at a very leisurely pace, and asked a crewive them a description of Mitchell and Phelps