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Joe finally spoke up “Gasoline fire,” he said soallon tanks they had listed on the manifest”

Kurt’s ether quickly “The crew set the fire”

Joe nodded “That’s our guess”

Gamay turned toward Leilani as if to make sure she was okay “I’m so sorry,” she said

“It’s okay,” Leilani replied “I’m okay”

“Why would anyone light a fire on their own boat?” Kurt asked

“Only two reasons we can come up with,” Ga on the boat see a fire”

“The residue,” Kurt guessed, “and whatever’s inside it You guys think they were fighting that?”

“I’m not really sure what to think,” Gamay insisted “I honestly don’t see how it could have presented such a danger, but Paul and I have an appointet a better look at whatever’s in this sample Maybe that’ll tell us more”

“All right,” Kurt said He looked to his wrist to check the time and then remembered his watch was in hock

“What tiot?”

“Four-thirty,” Gamay said

“Okay,” he said, “Joe and I will take Leilani back to the hotel We’ll check in with Dirk and wait for you guys Go see your professor, but be careful”

CHAPTER 9

PAUL AND GAMAY TOOK A BUS FROM THE WATERFRONT TO the Maldives National University It pulled to a halt at Billabong Station, and the two Aroup of students as if they were attending night school